Missouri Health Talks

Meghan Kruse is a pediatric nurse practitioner at Columbia Public School’s Scholar Clinic, a school-based clinic that serves students enrolled in CPS. She spoke about childhood vaccinations through their clinic, and about the power of having a conversation with concerned parents.

Stacey Andrews in Lynn Meyerkord both work at the AIDS Project of the Ozarks, or APO, in Springfield. They spoke about the history of harm reduction and how folks may already be using harm reduction techniques in their everyday lives.

Grey Riley was diagnosed with ADHD and autism in their youth and with multiple chronic conditions as an adult. They spoke about how being at the intersection of disability and queerness has impacted their life.

In August, the Missouri Department of Revenue updated the process for gender marker changes on a state ID – now requiring proof of gender affirming surgery or a court order.Amariah Hardwick is a trans women who lives in St. Louis and is a leader with Transformations, an organization founded and led by trans women of color.She spoke about the impacts of this change and how the process of transitioning looks different for every person.

Lynne Meyerkord has been working at the AIDS project of the Ozarks, or APO, in Springfield for 37 years and is now the Executive Director.The organization was created in the early days of the AIDS epidemic to help people suffering from HIV and AIDS. She spoke about how HIV has changed in the nearly 40 years she’s been working in the field.

Kay Gibson and Valerie Badhorse are the co-chairs of the American Indian Center of Springfield. Kay’s tribe is Cherokee and Valerie’s tribe is the– Bois Forte Band (boys fort band) of the Minnesota Chippewa. They spoke a little about why they started the center in the first place.

Clay Goddard and Lauren Stockam both work in Springfield. Goddard is the president for Brightli’s Southwest Region and Stockam works in communication and outreach at Springfield-Greene County Health. They spoke about the “Hey Man, You Good” campaign that’s working to reduce the high rate of male suicide in southwestern Missouri by getting men to open up.

Amanda Coleman is the vice president of early childhood and family development for the Community Partnership of the Ozarks in Springfield. She spoke about some of the challenges guardians face when trying to find childcare in rural Missouri.

Tony Lutz is 62 and was born and raised in Jefferson City. He spoke about his experiences as a closeted gay man in mid Missouri – during the early days of the AIDS epidemic.

Dr. Thomas Selva, a pediatrician and the Chief Medical Information Officer at University of Missouri Health Care, spoke about how patient portals can empower people to play a larger role in their own healthcare and increase access for patients.