Health Care Workforce Episodes

1126: Leadership, Trust, and the Future of Rural Health Investment
May 14, 2026

1126: Leadership, Trust, and the Future of Rural Health Investment

In this episode, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Government Affairs, Catherine Murphy, unpacks the ripple effects of ongoing changes at the Department of Health and Human Services and CDC. Later, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Susan Kansagra, zooms out to the state level, where leaders are racing to deploy …
1118: Bridging the Rural Health Gap: Building Capacity, Workforce, and Connection
May 4, 2026

1118: Bridging the Rural Health Gap: Building Capacity, Workforce, and Connection

On today's episode, Melanie Ramsey from CDC’s Office of Rural Health addresses rural public health challenges. She shares how the Rural Health Academy offers state and local health leaders the opportunity to strengthen capacity and meet jurisdictional needs.
1105: Healthy Smiles, Stronger Systems: Bringing Oral Health into the Public Health Conversation, with Lessons from RMI
April 13, 2026

1105: Healthy Smiles, Stronger Systems: Bringing Oral Health into the Public Health Conversation, with Lessons from RMI

Today: bringing oral health into the public health conversation with Flora Nathan, assistant secretary for the Bureau of Oral Health in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. At her first ASTHO Spring Leadership Forum, Flora shares a candid look at the challenges and opportunities of delivering oral…
Guest: Flora Nathan
1088: Keeping Public Health Nurses: Strategies to Reduce Burnout and Strengthen Retention
March 18, 2026

1088: Keeping Public Health Nurses: Strategies to Reduce Burnout and Strengthen Retention

On today's episode, Shirley Orr from the Association of Public Health Nurses shares insights from the Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab series, including what the results of the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey reveal about this essential group of professionals.
1075: From Pipeline to Public Trust: Strengthening the Next Generation of Public Health
Feb. 24, 2026

1075: From Pipeline to Public Trust: Strengthening the Next Generation of Public Health

On today's episode, ASTHO's Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge highlights why workforce pathway programs, mentorship, and hands-on partnerships between universities and health departments are critical. Then, Brian Castrucci, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, discusses his recent article, focu…
1068: Health Beyond Healthcare: How States Are Advancing Smart Policies in Tough Times
Feb. 12, 2026

1068: Health Beyond Healthcare: How States Are Advancing Smart Policies in Tough Times

On today's episode, Breanca Merritt from Trust for America’s Health discusses a new report that tracks how states are adopting evidence-based policies to improve health and reduce costs, amid a constantly changing political and fiscal environment.
891: ACIP Recs, Academic Health Department Partnerships
April 23, 2025

891: ACIP Recs, Academic Health Department Partnerships

Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, outlines the recommendations from the most recent ACIP meeting; Kathleen Amos, Director of Workforce Development at the Public Health Foundation, explains how Academic Health Department Partnerships can...
655: Social Media Interventions, Center Builds Capacity to Help Older Adults
May 1, 2024

655: Social Media Interventions, Center Builds Capacity to Help Older Adults

Dr. Jessica Schleider, associate professor of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University, says social media platforms are one of the best ways to reach kids in crisis; Josh Hodges, chief customer officer at the National Council on Aging,...
583: Infectious Disease Docs Wanted, Congress Grapples With Funding Deadline
Jan. 19, 2024

583: Infectious Disease Docs Wanted, Congress Grapples With Funding Deadline

Congressman Raul Ruiz, from California’s 25th District who is also a doctor, worries there aren’t enough doctors trained to deal with infectious diseases; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations,...
581: Policies Connect Health Care and PH Funding Tips
Jan. 17, 2024

581: Policies Connect Health Care and PH Funding Tips

Brianna Gorman, ASTHO analyst for Performance Excellence, explains ways to connect public health and health care in communities; Dr. Lindsay Weaver, ASTHO member and state health commissioner for the Indiana Department of Health, tells us how Indiana...
504: Creative Vaccine Events, Congress Faces Two September Deadlines
Sept. 15, 2023

504: Creative Vaccine Events, Congress Faces Two September Deadlines

Dr. Armando De Alba Rosales, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Programs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, shares creative strategies to boost vaccine uptake among Hispanic communities; a CDC campaign aims to boost...
503: Michigan’s Behavioral Health Budget, Better Data to Address Childhood Lead Poisoning
Sept. 14, 2023

503: Michigan’s Behavioral Health Budget, Better Data to Address Childhood Lead Poisoning

Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, says a new budget for the state expands resident’s access to behavioral health services; Taffany Huang, Nurse Consultant Specialist for the State of California...