Join us for an enlightening discussion with Brooke Perkins, Director for Community Health Worker programs at Lewis County Primary Care Center, Inc, also known as Primary Plus. Brooke provides an in-depth exploration of their innovative Community Health Worker (CHW) program, tracing its mission, evolution, and remarkable impact. Discover how they've navigated challenges, gained healthcare provider buy-in, and transformed patient care workflows. Through inspiring success stories and insights into community impact, Brooke sheds light on the vital role of CHW programs in enhancing overall well-being. Tune in for a fascinating glimpse into the world of healthcare innovation and community health initiatives! 

We're honored to welcome Dr. Christine Cosby-Gaither, an educator, entrepreneur, and founder of A Stroke of Grace. Dr. Cosby-Gaither's journey is one of resilience, from her career in academia to her inspiring recovery from a life-changing stroke in 2019. 

Through her nonprofit organization, A Stroke of Grace, she is dedicated to supporting Black stroke survivors and their families, offering hope and resources along their recovery journey. 

Join us as we learn Dr. Cosby-Gaither's story, the mission of A Stroke of Grace, and the innovative initiatives she's spearheading for stroke prevention and recovery. Discover the transformative impact of her work and the inspiration she embodies. 

Introducing our latest podcast episode featuring Danny Cornett, DrPH, from New Vista! In this insightful conversation, we delve into the critical topic of mental health awareness and the resources available in Kentucky. Dr. Cornett, the Corporate Director of Quality and Compliance at New Vista, shares valuable insights into the organization's comprehensive mental health services, including substance use disorder treatment and crisis intervention. Join us as we explore New Vista's innovative approaches to client-centered care, destigmatizing mental health, and promoting awareness during Mental Health Awareness Month. Don't miss this enlightening discussion on navigating mental health resources and supporting individuals on their wellness journey. Tune in to our podcast to learn more! 

Join us for a compelling exploration into community health strategies with Dr. Rachel Hogg-Graham, Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health.
In this helpful podcast, Dr. Hogg-Graham delves into the integration of health and social services, highlighting the pivotal role of community partnerships in addressing unmet social needs and improving population health outcomes. From discussing policies incentivizing social drivers of health (SDOH) strategies, to navigating challenges in connecting patients to resources, Dr. Hogg-Graham offers insights and practical considerations for healthcare providers and organizations. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on building effective community collaborations and unlocking the potential of social needs screening to transform healthcare delivery. 

Kentucky REC advisor Lacy Shumway provides a comprehensive overview of the 3-year Coverdell Grant, focusing on its mission to enhance stroke care in collaboration with the CDC. She shares details behind the numbers in Kentucky's application for the grant: addressing high stroke mortality rates and risk factors. 

Explore the seven strategies implemented by the Coverdell Grant, formally known as the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program, including: HTN control; quality improvement; education; and EMS collaboration. Lacy discusses data collection challenges and the critical role of ZIP CODES in the Social Deprivation Index (SDI). 

Uncover the system-wide impact of the grant, addressing challenges and bridging geographical gaps in stroke care across Kentucky. Get ready for an engaging discussion that unveils the transformative impact of the Coverdell Grant on the future of stroke care in the Bluegrass State!

Lacy Shumway is the Program Manager for the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program at the Kentucky Regional Extension Center, University of Kentucky. With 13 years in healthcare, Lacy's expertise includes 7 years as Coordinator for Stroke Program Outreach at Norton Healthcare. She successfully marketed the stroke program and developed a pre-hospital stroke education training offered across Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Lacy serves as Vice-Chair of the Cardiac and Stroke Subcommittee at the Kentucky Board of EMS, and is the Chair of the EMS and Education Committee with the Stroke Encounter Quality Improvement Program (SEQIP). A graduate of Indiana University, Lacy brings a wealth of knowledge to our discussion. Tune in for an informative exploration of stroke care advancements in Kentucky!

Andrew Bledsoe is back with another exciting episode! Join Brent McKune as he sits down with the Kentucky State HIT Director and KHIE Deputy Executive Director again. Gain a comprehensive overview of KHIE's role in facilitating health data exchange, with a special focus on the Image Exchange component. If you're a healthcare organization looking to connect, find out how KHIE can assist you on this journey. Tune in for valuable insights into enhancing healthcare interoperability and ensuring seamless data exchange.

Cohosts Brent McKune and Stephen Williams of the Kentucky REC proudly introduce Episode 11 of Kentucky REC's PILL Podcast. In this episode, they sit down with KY State HIT Director and KHIE Deputy Executive Director, Andrew Bledsoe, to delve into the significance of Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) in healthcare and the state of Kentucky's efforts to address them. Learn more about KHIE at their website, KHIE.ky.gov.

Episode Highlights:

• Unpacking the vital concept of SDoH and their pivotal role in healthcare.
• Gaining insights into Kentucky's unique SDoH challenges and the proactive measures taken to tackle them.
• Exploring the integration of kynect resources with KHIE and its advantages for healthcare organizations.
• Understanding the challenges that KHIE faces and its vision for the future

Learn how the Kentucky Health Information Exchange is leading the HIE marketplace with innovative services and advancing interoperability in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Learn more about KHIE at their website, KHIE.ky.gov 

This episode of the PILL Podcast examines the succes of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES). DSMES can help you learn to manage your diabetes as part of your daily life. DSME is proven to:

• Improve blood sugar control leading to decreased risk for diabetes complications
• Increase self-confidence about taking care of your diabetes
• Increase healthy eating and physical activity
• Improve quality of life

Lynette Renner interviews a patient, Samuel Stidham with input from Dr. Kristen Stakelin. 

In the return of the PILL Podcast, Brent McKune, the new Managing Director of the Kentucky REC and PILL Podcast co-host, talks to Cassy Hobbs and Kristin Munro-Leighton about Team-Based Care in regards to the management of blood pressure and reducing hypertension. 

Cassy Hobbs is an Associate Professor at the Sullivan University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.  She has been with Sullivan for 9 years since receiving her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky.  Cassy is a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist and licensed diabetes educator.  She is responsible for classroom teaching, as well as training pharmacy students during experiential rotations at Family Health Centers, a large federally qualified health center system in Louisville, KY.  Cassy and her students work with patients who have chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, to achieve better control through appropriate medication use, lifestyle modifications and implementation of preventative strategies.  

Kristin Munro-Leighton is the Director of Health Education at Family Health Centers.  She received her Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.  Kristin has been with Family Health Centers for 15 years, designing and implementing programs focusing on healthy eating, physical activity, smoking cessation, management of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, and child safety.  

Music & Editing by Nate Brooks