Every year, thousands of newborns must be transferred from one hospital to another for more specialized care. For neonatal transport teams, these moments demand calm under chaos, as they work tirelessly behind the scenes to deliver advanced care on the move. 

In this episode, we meet Deb Rice, a seasoned nurse from Kentucky Children’s Hospital who has spent nearly forty years stabilizing fragile newborns on the ground, in the air, and through unpredictable weather. We also hear from Dr. Joshua Anchan, a U.S. Air Force neonatologist, who helps ensure military families can access specialized care no matter where they’re stationed. From small-town hospitals to global missions, their stories reveal the leadership, preparation, and compassion it takes to keep the tiniest patients safe in transit.

In a crisis, every second counts– and every skill must be sharp. Traditional training often leaves long gaps between practice sessions, which in turn can allow lifesaving skills to fade. Low-Dose, High-Frequency training flips the traditional learning model: short, frequent refreshers that keep knowledge and confidence fresh.

In this episode of In the Heart of Care, host Dr. Ash Panchal speaks with nurse researcher Dr. Claudia Sabogal-Rodriguez, radiologist Dr. Caitlin Hackett, and nurse leader Dr. Suzie Kardong-Edgren about how LDHF training is reshaping readiness across disciplines. From resuscitation to radiology, we explore how LDHF training is helping build a new culture of preparedness in healthcare.

Systemic racism and discrimination have been contentious buzzwords in health care in America in recent years. In this episode of In the Heart of Care, we explore how the nurse workforce is grappling with how bias shows up at work, and what strong and resilient teams can do to show up better for their patients and colleagues. Dr. Jacqueline Nikpour of Emory University, and Dr. Marina Del Rios join In the Heart of Care host, Dr. Ash Panchal of Ohio State University, to discuss some of the pain points of naming bias, and the work it takes to make a difference. This episode invites listeners to consider why leaning into equitable opportunities for all nurses and frontline health care workers, means better outcomes for patients of all walks of life.

The opioid epidemic has a complex history shaped by medical overreach, shifting political priorities, and evolving public attitudes toward addiction and recovery. In this episode of In the Heart of Care, voices like Michelle Whitaker, Nurse Manager at SPOT, a drop-in center for people with substance use disorder at Boston Health Care for the Homeless, and Dr. Derrick Glymph, educator and Assistant Director of the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program at Duke University, guide listeners through the quiet policy debates and cultural tensions that influenced how harm reduction and treatment were understood—and often resisted. This episode examines the deeper intersections of stigma, care, and power at the height of a national crisis.

Resuscitating a child is not the same as resuscitating an adult. Pediatric-CPR requires different techniques, considerations, and often, an even greater sense of urgency. Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah shares how disparities in cardiac care influence a child’s survival outcome. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Blythe Pollack brings her frontline experience to the conversation, discussing the life-saving role of ECMO and the fight to keep children alive long enough to breathe on their own. Designed with nurse educators and healthcare advocates in mind, this episode offers practical tools, real-world context, and inspiring strategies to help drive equity in pediatric care.

When every second counts, preparation isn't optional, it's lifesaving, especially for newborns. In this episode of In the Heart of Care, we explore the critical "firsts" that define neonatal resuscitation. Mariah Snyder, a neonate nurse, shares her experience responding to a high-stakes neonatal code, illustrating how preparation, steady teamwork, and hands-on training can make all the difference in critical moments. Her story reflects the power of clinical readiness when seconds matter most. Dr. Chris Cooper, a neonatal nurse practitioner and educator, and Dr. Nathan Sundgren, a neonatologist specializing in advanced neonatal care and simulation-based training, break down the evolution of neonatal resuscitation guidelines.

When emergencies strike in the most remote corners of the country, healthcare teams rely on quick thinking, mobile training, and airborne response to bridge the critical gap. Chris Martin, director of simulation-based training at Washington State University, highlights how mobile simulation training is making a huge impact on rural healthcare and shares actionable strategies for healthcare workers. Marcy Dawson, a flight nurse in North Dakota, reflects on her career responding to rural emergencies, highlighting how preparedness and resourcefulness can mean the difference between life and death. From improving bystander CPR response to navigating geographic isolation, this episode of In the Heart of Care offers practical tools to help teams deliver effective care. No matter how remote the environment. 

Women are less likely than men to receive lifesaving care during a cardiac arrest, a disparity that can mean the difference between life and death. Understanding why this gap exists is the first step toward changing it—and ensuring everyone gets the help they need, when they need it most. In this episode of In the Heart of Care, Heather Baker shares the story of her sudden cardiac arrest: an ordinary workday that turned into a fight for her life. We also hear from Dr. Audrey Blewer, a resuscitation scientist and associate professor at Duke University, whose research sheds light on why women are less likely to receive CPR and what can be done to close that gap.

Climbing the corporate ladder can be challenging in any healthcare career, but especially in a hospital setting. It takes deep experience, humility, and perseverance to lead high-performing teams, where the stakes are highest. Today we explore, how nurses in particular, can take advantage of continuous learning to take their careers to the next level. Certified global nurse consultant, Amanda Slagle, shares practical advice for nurses ready to grow into leadership. Chief Nursing Officer Trinity Health Muskegon, Linda Dunmore, reflects on her journey from bedside nurse to chief nursing officer. 

Burnout in healthcare is no longer an individual issue. It's a systemic challenge affecting the well-being, engagement, and sustainability of our workforce. Today, we explore how healthcare organizations can lead the way in shifting from burnout to balance through structured, evidence-based support. 

Dr. Kristin Jacob, director of BeWellMED at Corewell Health, shares innovative approaches to fostering emotional resilience, promoting work-life integration, and embedding self-care into the fabric of clinical culture. Rapid response nurse and podcast host Sarah Lorenzini brings a frontline perspective, sharing her lived experience of burnout and recovery—and how talking about burnout and checking in with colleagues made all the difference. Join us as we examine how healthcare leaders and workers can drive a culture of well-being through policy, practice, and intention.