Over time in her career as a licensed psychologist, Dr. Caitlyn Hood realized that the model of practice she’d learned in graduate school didn’t fully match the needs of her patients. This realization led Dr. Hood to become the project director for the Kentucky Overdose Response Effort and shift her career into helping Kentucky reduce overdose deaths by expanding and sustaining a comprehensive, equitable and recovery-oriented system of care.

John Langefeld’s father was a minister, which meant the future doctor lived in and experienced several Kentucky communities where his father preached. Now, decades later, Dr. Langefeld brings his knowledge of clinical care, public health and Kentucky communities to the role of Commissioner of the Department for Public Health. Before his retirement, Secretary Eric Friedlander spoke with Dr. Langefeld about his journey into medicine, public health and state government.

When it comes to kynect, David Verry has done it all. He was among the first frontline team members answering phones on Day 1 of the health benefit exchange launch. He’s answered Kentuckians’ questions about health care options in malls and stadiums. Today, he serves in leadership as the assistant director of the Division of Health Plan Oversight in the Department for Medicaid Services. In this episode, he discusses his journey from military brat to his role today helping Kentuckians get the help they need through kynect.

In Harlan, Amanda Body was raised in a safe community that encouraged young. In her career as a social worker, she appreciates that not all young Kentuckians grow up in these circumstances. Today, Amanda is the Director of the Division of Prevention and Community Well-Being in the Department for Community Based Services – and relatively new role that focuses on helping vulnerable people before a crisis. Amanda discusses her path to the Cabinet for Health & Family Services and the importance of prevention.

Not long after graduating from Anderson County High School, Chelsea Agee embarked on a path to becoming a photographer. Today, Chelsea focuses on Managed Care Organizations and the well-being of her Medicaid coworkers. She is the Contract Monitoring Branch Manager for the Division of Health Plan Oversight in the Department for Medicaid Services – and she also hosts Mindfulness Mondays. In the former, she helps ensures Kentuckians are delivered the health care they need. In the latter, she uses her training in yoga, life coaching and mindfulness to help colleagues manage the sometimes chaotic nature of government work. 

Playing football in his youth, Sam Flynn learned the importance of teams – each person performing their assignments in tandem toward a greater goal. Flynn applied the lessons learned on the gridiron in Northern Kentucky to his role as Executive Director of the Kentucky Office for Medical Cannabis. Flynn discusses building and leading the office from the ground up, bringing Kentucky to a point where medical cannabis licenses are being issued to patients.

Growing up on a Franklin County farm taught Grant Gillion lessons in the value of hard work and being ready for what the day brings. Today, preparedness is at the core of his work. Gillion serves as Manager for Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch in the Department for Public Health – an important response team when disasters strike Kentucky. Just days before storms swept across Kentucky in late February, bringing tragic loss of life and property to several counties, Gillion spoke with us about his journey to CHFS and the steps each Kentuckian can take to put themselves and their family in the safest position possible during an emergency.

For Dr. Stephanie Rose and Gina Brien, the health of Kentucky women is a central concern. Rose is director of the Division of Women’s Health, working with Brien – assistant director of the Department for Public Health – to ensures promote women's health education, navigate access to care and provide access to vital services including breast and cervical cancer screenings. As we entered a new year, Rose, who grew up in Louisville, and Brien, who is from Pike County, shared about their journey to the becoming key Cabinet for Health & Family Services team members and the important work of the Division of Women’s Health.

For their respective Kentucky communities, Vickie Flynn and Graham Temple are community resources. Graham is a kynector based in Owensboro; Vickie is a kynector based in Covington. Each day, they walk people through the process of applying for health care programs, SNAP and other benefits, assistance and resource programs – putting a human face on the many ways CHFS helps people reach their full human potential. Just before the holidays, we spoke about their experiences as kynectors.

Dr. Lisa Lee Williams, D.Min., MaOM, is the new Chief of Staff for CHFS. She shares her thoughts about serving as a member of Team Kentucky and the Cabinet’s commitment to help Kentuckians reach their full human potential. She returns to the CHFS Community Podcast to help reflect on the important work that happened within CHFS in 2024. Dr. Williams has more than 20 years of leadership and program management experience in both the public and private sectors. She is also a teacher, author and consultant to religious and non-profit organizations.