Health Care Workforce Episodes
Aug. 17, 2026
1187: Using Data to Close Primary Care Gaps
Steve Holloway, director of the Primary Care Office for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, shares how his team uses data to identify communities with provider shortages.
Guest: Steve Holloway, MPH
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 Rural Health Transformation Program funds.
Guests: Susan Kansagra, MD, MBA , Catherine Murphy
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.
Guest: Melanie Ramsey, EMBA
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 healthcare across a U.S. remote island nation. From severe workforce shortages and long clinic wait times to the ripple effects on families, schools, and local economies, she highlights how oral health is deeply connected to broader public health outcomes. She also discusses the importance of integrating oral health into maternal and child health programs, school-based care, and community outreach, as well as the realities of operating without consistent funding.
Guest: Flora Nathan
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.
Guest: Shirley Orr MHS APRN NEA-C
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, focused on ways the public health field can communicate its impact.
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.
Guest: Breanca Merritt, PhD
499
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...
264
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,...
Guests: Jessica Schleider PhD , Josh Hodges MPA
194
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,...
Guests: Carolyn Mullen , Raul Ruiz MD
192
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...
Guests: Brianna Gorman, MPH , Lindsay Weaver MD
115
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...
114
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...
Guests: Elizabeth Hertel MBA , Taffany Huang MPH MS