Health on the Plains

On Episode 6, host Wyatt Beckman takes listeners on a look back at the first five episodes of Health on the Plains. Since the show got started in September 2023, we’ve heard from a wide range of leaders and doers in rural Kansas, as they’ve addressed the health-related needs in their communities. Guests have shared not just the challenges, but how they’re tackling issues head on and seeing success. Wyatt offers a preview of upcoming episodes that will take him to southwest and south-central Kansas. Thanks to our listeners who continue to check out new and earlier episodes.  

On Episode 5, host Wyatt Beckman takes listeners to McPherson, Kansas, to meet Bluestem PACE Executive Director Emilie Rains. We get a look at the innovative PACE model, which stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, and what it can mean for rural Kansans. Emilie discusses the organization’s unique approach to helping older adults live in their homes and communities, while also providing a hub for health-related services and social engagement. She discusses the specific challenges of health care and in-home support for older adults in rural Kansas.  

On Episode 4, host Wyatt Beckman takes listeners to The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, in northeast Kansas. He visits with Tribal Council Chairman Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, who shares the importance of honoring the Nation’s past while paving a way towards improved health for its members now and for the future. Chairman Rupnick shares how the Nation addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and reflects on the challenges and opportunities for bridging the gap between health needs and access to care in the community. We also get a look at The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s expanded health centers that are focused both on medical and behavioral health. Lastly, Chairman Rupnick and Wyatt discuss the interconnectedness of health care, economic development and community well-being, highlighting the need for innovative approaches and creativity in rural settings operating on limited resources.

On Episode 3, host Wyatt Beckman takes listeners to Pittsburg, Kansas, where he talks with Dan Duling, Vice President of Community Partnerships for Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. Dan shares his journey from educator to health care leadership. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in rural Kansas to grow a health center that meets the needs of its patients and leverages community partnerships to support the whole person – with behavioral health services, food and nutrition and transportation.

On Episode 2, host Wyatt Beckman takes listeners to Allen County, Kansas where he talks with Lisse Regehr, President and CEO of Thrive Allen County. She shares how her rural health advocacy organization is working relentlessly to make Allen County the healthiest rural community in the state - one that thrives physically, socially, emotionally and fiscally. Hear how Thrive Allen County is pursuing innovative ideas, intertwining economic development and health, building community capacity and bringing partners together to rally around a shared vision of health.  

Health on the Plains Host Wyatt Beckman takes listeners to southeast Kansas where talks with Matt Perrier, a fifth-generation rancher and Kansas Health Institute board member based in Eureka, Kansas. This episode delves into Matt and his family’s journey and commitment to rural life, exploring the challenges and opportunities faced by rural communities and future generations. Matt provides a thoughtful examination of rural identity and some of the misconceptions and generalizations surrounding what may often be perceived as a "simple" way of life in rural Kansas.