The Evidence-to-Impact Podcast

In this episode, host Michael Donovan sits down with Patrick O'Neill, a doctoral candidate in Penn State's Human Development and Family Studies program, and Dr. Hayoung Donnelly, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, to explore the interdisciplinary world of prevention science. Together, they discuss how prevention science brings together researchers, policymakers, clinicians, and communities around a shared goal: improving health and well-being through proactive, evidence-based solutions. Patrick shares his work on bridging the gap between research and policymaking, particularly in the areas of child maltreatment and substance use prevention, while Hayoung discusses her efforts to develop AI-powered tools that support suicide prevention and improve the quality of mental health care.

The conversation highlights the power of collaboration across disciplines, the importance of community engagement, and the evolving role of technology in prevention research. Patrick and Hayoung reflect on their unique academic journeys, the challenges of working across traditional academic silos, and the opportunities that emerge when researchers remain open to new perspectives and approaches. They also offer advice for the next generation of prevention scientists, emphasizing curiosity, flexibility, mentorship, and a commitment to creating meaningful real-world impact.

In this episode, host Michael Donovan, Associate Director of the Evidence to Impact Collaborative at Penn State, speaks with Bob Lamb, Director of Programs and Partnerships at Be a Part of the Conversation, and Haydn Briggs, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Group Psychotherapist, and Co-Founder of the Philadelphia Area Psychodrama Institute. Together, they explore the critical role that authentic human connection plays in recovery, healing, and family well-being.

In Part 2 of this episode, Michael Donovan continues the conversation with Dale Kashishian of Health Works Academies and David Garbe of the McKinney Center for STEM Education at the Philadelphia Education Fund on strengthening STEM pathways through deeper collaboration among schools, industry, and policymakers, and aligning education systems with real workforce needs and economic opportunity.

In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Michael Donovan sits down with Dale Keshishian of HealthWorks Academies and David Garbe of the McKinney Center for STEM Education at the Philadelphia Education Fund to unpack the challenges, and opportunities, of building stronger STEM pathways for young people.

From early exposure and hands-on learning to representation, mentorship, and community engagement, this conversation explores what it takes to keep students engaged and help them see a future in STEM. The episode also dives into the importance of collaboration across education and industry, the need to rethink traditional career pathways, and how we can better prepare both students and educators for a rapidly evolving workforce.

In this episode of the Evidence to Impact Podcast, host Michael Donovan brings together three experts to explore how podcasts are transforming clinical learning. The guests include Dr. William Calo, Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences and Associate Director of the Penn State Cancer Institute; Dr. Ben Fogel, Professor of Pediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine; and Dr. Paul Williams, Professor of Internal Medicine at Penn State College of Medicine and co-host of The Curbsiders podcast.

Each guest shares their professional background, with Dr. Fogel highlighting his work in pediatric primary care and quality improvement, Dr. Calo discussing his research on vaccine communication and HPV prevention, and Dr. Williams dives into his clinical practice alongside his experience in medical podcasting. The conversation centers on how podcasts serve as an effective and flexible tool for translating complex clinical research into practical knowledge for busy healthcare providers.

This episode, host Michael Donovan, Associate Director of the Evidence to Impact Collaborative at Penn State, speaks with Dr. Stephen Sandelich, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine Penn State Health, Associate Director of Outreach PSACT and Sarah Ballard, Assistant Director of Outreach PSACT. The conversation explores the topic of substance use among adolescents, the role of stigma and privacy concerns, and how community and school-based outreach efforts are evolving to better support youth.

In this episode, host Michael Donovan, Associate Director of the Evidence to Impact Collaborative at Penn State, speaks with Dr. Alice Zhang, family medicine physician researcher in the Penn State Health Department of Family and Community Medicine, and Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz, Director of Planning and Resource Development at the Council on Chemical Abuse. The conversation explores the Health to Go program, an innovative approach that uses interactive health vending machines to expand access to essential health resources in community settings.

Part 2 is here!

In this follow-up episode, we take a deeper look at the Madison Area Recovery Initiative (MARI). Dr. Aleksandra Zgierska (Penn State), Captain Joe Balles (retired, Madison Police Department), and Captain Diana Nachtigal (Madison Police Department) share how evidence-based outreach, peer recovery partnerships, and innovative diversion strategies are reshaping the connections between policing, addiction recovery, and community health.

More information on MARI can be found here: https://www.cityofmadison.com/police/community/mari/

You know what time it is - new episode! This one takes a deep dive into how community policing supports recovery and crime reduction, specifically within the Madison, Wisconsin area. The host, Michael Donovan, sits down with Dr. Aleksandra Zgierska from Penn State, Captain Joe Balles, and Captain Diana Nachtigal of the Madison Police Department to explore this topic further.

The conversation dives into the development of the Madison Area Recovery Initiative (MARI), an innovative police-led diversion program designed to break the cycle of drug-related offenses without relying on the traditional justice system. The episode offers a new perspective into how evidence-based policing and community engagement can transform public health outcomes, and sustain these efforts long term.

More information on MARI can be found here: https://www.cityofmadison.com/police/community/mari/

We are back! We have a discussion with Denise Holden, founder and CEO of the RASE Project, a recovery community organization that has since expanded outside of Pennsylvania and Dr. Sarah Kawasaki, the Chief of Addiction Medicine, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine at Penn State Health. 

This episode discusses the opioid crisis, the negative stigma surrounding this, and the process of recovery.