Provider Shortages 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
Feb. 3, 2026
1062: Meeting Youth Where They Are: Expanding Mental Health Access and Youth Voice with PHIG
How do public health agencies expand access to mental health support while genuinely engaging the next generation? In this episode, we speak with Heidi Laird and Xavier Foster from the Southern Nevada Health District about two PHIG-funded initiatives designed to do exactly that.
Guests: Heidi Laird, CHES , Xavier Foster, MEd
Nov. 26, 2025
1033: How Telehealth Is Expanding Access to Care and How North Dakota’s Academic Health Department Model is Growing Public Health Talent
In this episode: how telehealth has evolved from a pandemic-era necessity into a powerful tool for improving access to health care. ASTHO senior analyst Ashley Cram breaks down the different types of telehealth, from video visits and audio-only consultations to remote patient monitoring, and why each plays an essential role for patients facing challenges like provider shortages, transportation barriers, or limited broadband access. Also, State Epidemiologist Tracy Miller explains how a partnership with North Dakota State University created a student assistantship program that gives MPH students hands-on experience, builds leadership skills among early career staff, and strengthens public health capacity. She shares lessons learned, how the model evolved, and why it could be a blueprint for other states and health departments looking to grow the next generation of public health professionals.
Guests: Ashley Cram, MPH , Tracy K. Miller, PhD, MPH