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 Rohan Pardasani, is the Cofounder and CEO of Avaana. The Avaana health platform allows for Australian communities to connect with multiple health providers, quickly and efficiently. Avaana has helped health providers with access to new clients and community members can access a wholistic comprehensive health system of approved health providers. Avaana is more than software and not another stale directory, Avaana is a mission-driven community aimed at helping Australians achieve healthy lifestyles by making them more conscious of the experts, resources, and places available for support on their self-care journey. HealthCare UnTold salutes Avaana for its creativity and support to improve health care for Australian communities. #Avaana.com #wholistic health #healthaccess #healthcareuntold@gmail.com        

Managing our disconnects created by the pandemic; not visiting our families and hugging our loved ones has been very trying  for our families. These recommended behaviors are the opposite of what we do in times of emergencies and that creates  confusion, anger  and maybe disregard for public health measures.  Dr. Pacheco encourages us to release our grief and sadness, and to connect to our belief systems to help us get through this transition as new medications and vaccines become available to provide more protections from Covid-19. Maintaining our practices of wearing masks and social distancing will continue to help us in the coming year.

HealthCare UnTold is proud to share with our listening audience the powerful and moving story from JD Medina. JD Medina is the Director of WingsWORKS for Wings For LIFE International. As a native son of New Mexico, JD is proud of the rich culture of his state and his people. Struggles with alcohol and addiction lead him down a path that ended up in incarceration. Now as a returning citizen he is striving to improve his community and the people in it. Upon being released from incarceration JD became a Certified Peer Support Worker and is starting a new job training/peer support program at Wings For LIFE International (WFL).   JD Medina, is the force behind the growing Wings WORKS initiative, a program that will provide training in a variety of skills, including clay product design and production, woodworking, bike repair, jewelry-making and many more options for those needing to enter or re-enter the work world and take that a major step toward success. Before he joined WFL, JD was operations director for a famed jewelry designer, Paula Crevoshay, managing all aspects of the sourcing and manufacturing of her creative designs. As a registered gemologist with a particular talent for finding solutions to problems that plague in any manufacturing environment, JD is using all of his experience and talent to build Wings WORKS into a force for change, offering those with minimal skills and/or limited resources, the opportunity to learn, build, grow and become either successful entrepreneurs or great employees at established firms.   HealthCare UnTold encourages our listeners to support WingsWorks.org , they have some beautiful clay pieces of the Southwest at very reasonable prices, and we can support our community members with jobs and skills.   #WingWORKS.org #recovery #JDMedina #SecondChance.org #healthcareuntold@gmail.com        

Our guest today is Jennifer Krippner who is Chief Experience Officer (CXO), at the Institute for Healthcare Excellence (IHE). Jennifer has over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, and as the CXO she leads health organizations to create work cultures that embraces trust, respect, compassion, and teamwork. In her position, she partners with healthcare leaders, physicians, nurses, and caregivers to design and deliver customized programs and solutions that address their specific needs to improve their quality of services. At HealthCare UnTold, we like to explore and celebrate pioneering forms of leadership and service that improve the care for our vulnerable communities. Listen in to her inspiring story!

His phone rings and he's there for you...found yourself in a difficult political situation, he already knows it and has a plan for you. We don't get to see any Latino Superheroes on TV or the Movies, but if you go to East San Jose, Sacramento, Antioch, Watsonville, or Washington D.C. you just might get to see Rolando Bonilla in action! Rolando is Chief Strategy Officer for Voler Strategic Advisors, providing strategic communications, crisis management and public relations. Voler Strategic Advisors are community based and not afraid to take on the most challenging issues to help. Listen in to hear a bit about his work and why he's such a talented advocate for our communities. #rolandobonilla #volerstragicadvisors.com #healthcareuntold@gmail.com  

Jesse is one of the Guest Speaker at this years TEDx San Diego on June 11th. https://www.tedxsandiego.com/attend/seeds-of-change-2023#speakers   Listen to our interview of Jesse Leon, author of "I'm Not Broken," his one of kind memoir which yet represents so many lived experiences in our community. As a Gay Latino author, he shatters the taboos about our silent traumas, sexual abuse, addiction, and mental health. He tells his secrets out loud for all to hear and then to heal those who read and listen to his story. It's important for all of us to support debut Latino artists and authors like Jesse Leon. Listen to his own voice on his audible book; he has a powerful voice and story that you will not forget.   HealthCare UnTold encourages our listeners to support Jesse Leon, buy his book in English which is available now, and his book in Spanish which will come out soon. Gracias, Jesse, for sharing your brave and beautiful story. #TedTalk #TEDx #Ted Talk #I'm Not Broken #Jesse Leon #Recovery #Empowerment #Gay Latino Health #Redemption #healthcareuntold  

On March 29, 2023, Narcan the lifesaving medication for overdoses has been approved for the over-the-counter purchase by the FDA. Overdose deaths due to Fentanyl and other Opiates have become a national emergency with over a million people who have died from drug overdose deaths since 1999. Fentanyl is being mixed in with Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Heroin with the user not realizing that Fentanyl makes their drug over 50 times stronger, which is a major contributor to overdose deaths. Having access to Narcan for anyone who is using any kind of opiates is essential to ensure their safety. Treatment for opiate addiction is available --visit your primary care physician, No Shame and treatment works. #narcansaveslives #treatmentworks #narcanoverthecounter  

Aisha Canfield has worked in systems reform for the last decade. She began her career working as a case assistant in death row appeals for indigent prisoners in the state of California, served as a board member for the local chapter of a national organization to increase civic engagement amongst women, and later worked as a paralegal for a private civil rights litigation firm. Since receiving a master’s degree in public policy from Mills College, she has largely focused on juvenile justice reform - partnering with communities and probation departments to prevent system-involvement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender nonconforming (LGB/GNCT) youth of color while improving outcomes for those already system involved. She has conducted national and statewide research on this topic and has published in numerous academic articles. She has trained and provided technical assistance to dozens of juvenile justice systems nationwide to implement SOGIE data collection systems and change culture for youth in secure facilities. Aisha has also served as an evaluator for community-based organizations that provide an alternative to incarceration for youth throughout the United States. Most recently Aisha has been hired to lead the implementation of federal standards that will architect the safety of 18,000 incarcerated adults and 1,000 detained youth in all of Los Angeles County detention facilities.

Chanel Weise-Carl is the first Executive Director of the Somos Unidos Foundation at United New Mexico. United New Mexico is the National League Soccer Team for the State of New Mexico. When Chanel took lead of the new foundation for New Mexico's first-ever soccer team in 2020, it was right at the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Chanel quickly led multiple initiatives utilizing the influence of the United New Mexico soccer team to help and protect New Mexicans during the Pandemic. Chanel shares with us about the most recent initiative from Somos Unidos Foundation focused on activities like health fairs for fans  and the greater community to come together to create a healthy New Mexico. We at HealthCare Untold salute Chanel Weise-Carl for her commitment, creativity and pioneering leadership.     Donate to the Somos Unidos Foundation: somosunidosfoundation.org.   UNITED NEW MEXICO-SOMOS UNIDOS 

Hosts Gerardo and Barbara discuss a recent expansion of Medi-Cal enrollment for those leaving prison and the importance of ensuring health and reentry services. Ninety-five percent of those in prisons today eventually will be released so it's important to assist these individuals with job training and health care linkages for a better transition back into our communities. Reentry programs and particularly community health workers have been incredibly effective in helping those transitioning from prison back into our communities. According to the article by CalMatters this Medi-Cal expansion will provide incarcerated people with a variety of health issues, including chronic conditions, mental illness, substance use disorders, disabilities, or who are pregnant will be eligible to receive assessment and treatment up to 90 days before release. These health care services will help facilitate a smooth reentry process and reduce costly emergency room visits and hospital stays. HealthCare UnTold applauds California efforts to support our brothers and sisters health and welfare as they transition back to their families and communities.   Medi-Cal eligibility will expand to include inmates - CalMatters

Sylvia Bufanda Courtney, a Latina of Mexican and Native American ancestry, was born in Tucson, Arizona, but considers San Francisco her home.  It is where she chose to live after leaving Tucson in 1964 in hopes of being able to work for higher wages than were available to her in Tucson and thereby allow her to afford to go to college since there were many choices in San Francisco as compared to only the University of Arizona in Tucson at that time.  She was raised by a single mother and the costs to attend the U of A were out of reach, even for a working student.  She met and married Vince Courtney soon after arriving in San Francisco and they had two children first, they both finished college at San Francisco State and went on to law school while raising the children and working multiple jobs.   Simultaneously, both Sylvia and Vince became activists beginning in the 60's, organizing against the Vietnam War and for civil rights including farmworkers' union lettuce and grape boycotts and other labor union issues.  Upon becoming a full time student, she was instrumental in establishing the SFSU Childcare Center and served as the first Chair of the Parents' Council.  She was selected as a delegate from SFSU's Student Mobilization Committee Against the War to attend the Washington D C conference of the National Peace Action Coalition which planned and implemented the largest antiwar demonstrations in the U S in the early 1970's.  Before graduating in 1974, summa cum laude, Sylvia taught courses in La Raza and Women's Studies and was awarded a fellowship by Carnegie Endowment for Peace to study and conduct community outreach in San Francisco on issues of racism and its impact on local communities and on international relations.  After graduating from law school, Sylvia worked for the federal antipoverty program, U S Community Services Administration, as Region IX Human Rights Chief.  She was hired as a deputy public defender in San Francisco in 1982, and in 1984, entered private practice, specializing in labor and employment law, specifically cases involving wrongful termination, unlawful job discrimination and retaliation.  In 1988, she became a partner in the law firm of Davis, Reno & Courtney in San Francisco, representing individuals and union clients including IFPTE Local 21, SEIU, SF Building & Construction Trades Council, Carpenters Local 22, SF Police Officers' Association, SF Firefighters Local 798, Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) and others.   She and her husband established Courtney Law Offices in 1998.  Sylvia taught night classes at SF Community College on the subject of employment discrimination for 10 years, and served on the SF Juvenile Justice Commission, and on the boards of various community organizations such as Mission Community Legal Defense (MCLD). Sylvia and Vince Courtney are now residents of Las Vegas, still spending as much time as possible in the San Francisco Bay Area which will always be home and are proud of Nevada's position as a "blue" state which has made a great deal of progress toward increasing the access of people of color to good paying jobs with career progression in many important sectors, such as the unionized construction and h hospitality industries of Las Vegas.  While she has spent many years in the effort to advance the causes of working people and particularly people of color, and laments the divisiveness threatening the nation's progress, Sylvia has hope for the future arising from two phenomena in particular:   1)  We have had conflicts and divisions throughout our history and still continue to make progress, however difficult, and  2) Today's youth of the country are more tolerant of racial, ethnic and gender differences, more aware of the threats to their lives of climate change and the proliferation of guns, and more likely to be committed to change because their lives will depend on it.   As a grandmother of two boys and a girl in their late twenties, who are proud of their Irish and Mexican heritage, Sylvia believes that it is just as important, and perhaps more important, to pass on knowledge, perspective and commitment to members of one's own family as to anyone else, inasmuch as the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. On behalf of HealthCare UnTold we thank and honor Sylvia for sharing her incredible career with us..Gracias Sylvia for your activism and commitment to justice for our communities.  

Darnell Lamont Walker is an American writer, director, and producer who has directed and produced social impact documentaries including Seeking Asylum, Outside the House, and Set Yourself on Fire. He has also written for the children's television shows Karma's World, Face's Music Party, and Blue's Clues & You. Darnell was part of the Karma's World writing team that received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program at the 1st Children's and Family Emmy Awards.  One of Darnell's passions outside of writing is serving as a death doula. From a young age he provided comfort and support to many loved ones and friends and he believes that the gift of being a doula chose him.  A large part of his mission in being a Black death doula is to ensure that those in his care do not walk blindly into grief and tragedy or into their final moments alone. His commitment and compassion for his community shines brightly and we at HealthCare Untold honor Darnell Lamont Walker for his beautiful work as a writer and as a Black death doula.  

Matt has over 22 years of experience in affordable housing and community development. He has developed hundreds of affordable homes including rental and for sale in the Sacramento, San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay Areas. In his consulting capacity he serves in several leadership roles including as the Director of Northern CA for PATH Ventures and as Senior Advisor for the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership. He has led nationally recognized housing programs including a HUD Certified Counseling Agency and Fannie Mae 1st Mortgage Seller and Servicer as the former Executive Director of Neighborhood Housing Services Silicon Valley. Matt serves on the Boards of the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California Action Fund and the California Coalition for Rural Housing. He earned a B.S. in Community and Regional Development from the University of California at Davis where he also served as the President of the Associated Students during his senior year. Matt is based in Salinas where he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and 3 young children. HealthCare UnTold honors Matt for his dedication to improving the lives and health of our communities by committing his career to building Affordable Housing and Community Development. #matthuertaconsulting #housingishealth #housingisaright      

Richard Raya is the Chief Strategy Officer for the Mission Economic Development Agency in San Francisco. In this role, he helps to develop strategies to support the economic development of the Mission District, a historically Latino neighborhood in the heart of the city. Richard is helping to drive systems change across the city of San Francisco, moving from a Promise Neighborhood to a Promise City. Richard has a deep understanding of the challenges that face low-income communities and works to develop sustainable economic solutions that benefit all members of the community. He has over 20 years of experience in community and economic development. HealthCare UnTold honors Richard Raya for being one of our Community Transformers! #Meda.org #promiseneighborhoods #promisecities

Nicole Lamoureux is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC). NAFC's 1,400 member organizations, Board of Directors, and partners advance the mission of ensuring that the medically underserved have access to affordable, quality health care. The Association provides legislative and health advocacy, quality care recommendations for clinic providers, and supplies and support for the clinics from corporate and individual donors. Participating clinics provide primary care to over 2 million people across the country, individuals who couldn't afford healthcare otherwise and who without these services would be seeking care in emergency rooms. These clinics are essential to our communities as they serve our most vulnerable communities. HealthCare UnTold honors Nicole Lamoureux's pioneering leadership and the vital healthcare service of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics.         #healthcare #nafc.org #freeclinics #charitableclinics  

Dr. Chanda Nicole Holsey is a Health Education and Maternal and Child Health specialist.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology where she graduated with honors at San Diego State University.  She also received a Master of Public Health in Behavioral Science and Health Education from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and a Doctor of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  Additionally, Dr. Holsey is a certified asthma educator (AE-C).   She has a passion for influencing children and families, especially the underserved and indigent.  She has worked with young children for much of her professional career in health education and promotion, and public health services.  At present, she is a consultant for both the African American Wellness Project and the National Medical Association.  In these roles she serves as a health disparities programs developer, where she writes grants, develops, and oversees the implementation of programs that focus on chronic disease prevention and health promotion in communities of color; she does this meaningful work under the umbrella of the public health company she founded, HALO for Families, LLC. She is also an adjunct professor for Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences, where she teaches an array of health care course, e.g., Community Capacity Building, Current Issues in Health Care, Topics in Maternal and Child Health, Health Care Delivery Systems, and Ethics of Health Care. Dr. Holsey refers to herself as a “virtual work from home mommy”, as currently she and her family resides in Sasebo, Japan.  Her husband is active-duty military with sea orders on mainland Japan. Dr. Holsey is the wife of enlisted sailor, Eric Demond, and the mother of two beautiful daughters—Savannah Nicole, age 14, and Erin Morgan, age nine.  Tweety, a spunky two – year old Jack Russell Terrier mix was adopted into the family in 2020.  

Today's episode explores the important roles of community-based organizations during disasters. Three local nonprofit CEOs in Watsonville, CA--Erica Padilla Chavez, Maria Elena de la Garza, and Jasmine Najera--share with us the important responses that their organizations have provided to their City and Counties without having official roles in government disaster structures.  Local Organizations are trusted by members of the most vulnerable communities because they are the daily providers of comprehensive services like food, mental health, housing, and financial assistance. These types of organizations will knock on doors, fill sandbags, and provide whatever is needed during and after local emergencies. Incorporating local organizations in the official emergency response structures of Government Disaster Mangement is an essential and proven best practice; doing so ensures that communities can receive the help they need and that local providers are cared for and reimbursed for their services.  Please listen in as community leaders Erica, Maria Elena, and Jasmine share their expertise and inspiring stories. 

Albino Garcia Jr. is the Founder of La Plazita Institute, a grass-roots community organization in Albuquerque, NM that engages young people and their families in a comprehensive, holistic approach to youth and community development. A major focus of La Plazita is to help prevent recidivism amongst formerly incarcerated youth and adults.  Garcia was born in Illinois and grew up near Chicago. As a young man, he struggled to relate to the cultural values and approaches of public school and other institutions, but today he draws on a wealth of street knowledge and experience to effectively work with youth. In 1979, at the age of 17, he served in the United States Military as an alternative to incarceration. He served seven years, including in Korea, and received recognition for his service.   In 1994, Garcia founded the New School of Watsonville, CA designed to give youth a second chance for education in an alternative setting more conductive to their needs. He has served as an educator, trainer, and community liaison for the Community Engagement Center at the University of New Mexico, and as a Deputy Director of Training at Youth Development Inc. in New Mexico. He also has several years of experience as the lead program coordinator at Barrios Unidos in Santa Cruz, CA, where he initiated school-based, community-based, and institution programming.  In 1995, he was one of 50 people chosen for the prestigious Kellogg Fellowship which awarded him $130,000 over three years to make a difference in addressing major social issues in the United States and beyond. As a Fellow, Garcia had the opportunity to travel extensively, meeting with noted thinkers and leaders including President Jimmy Carter, the Rigoberta Menchu Foundation in Guatemala City, Samuel Ruiz, the Dalai Lama, Parker Palmer, and others. He visited and participated in forums around civic engagement, leadership, and global issues in Brazil, Turkey, Greece, Peru, Guatemala, Belize, South Africa, Mexico, and cities across the United States.  Apache and Chichimeca in origin, Garcia is recognized as an outstanding leader and spiritual activist in Albuquerque, NM and was recently honored by the Rosebud Tribe. He speaks English and Spanish fluently and has conversational knowledge of Korean. He has been married for twenty-two years to his wife Frances, is the father of three children, Ursula, Albino Jr., and Sylvia, and has two grandchildren, Mariah and Adriana. HealthCare UnTold recognizes Albino Garcia Jr. for all of his many inspiring contributions focused on creating peace and solidarity.        

Yarida Estrada is a community leader and organizer who has committed her life to social justice. She volunteers with numerous New Mexico and national organizations from getting out the vote by knocking on doors to working on state and national legislation. Yarida is part of the leadership team at La Plazita Institute in New Mexico whose mission is to provide a comprehensive, holistic and cultural approach designed around the philosophy of “La Cultura Cura” to engage with youth, elders and communities around various social issues. This philosophy encourages individuals to draw from their own roots and histories to express core traditional values in Latino culture of respect, honor, love, and family. One of the important goals of the organization is to help prevent recidivism amongst formerly incarcerated youth and adults.   On behalf of HealthCare UnTold we honor Yarida Estrada and her tremendous service to her communities. She serves as a model for other young leaders and our future is much brighter because of her passion and commitment. #Yaridaestrada #SWOP #Laplazitainstitute #albuquerque #laculturacura    

Catie Harris (PhD, MBA, RN) is in the business of helping other nurses start their own businesses. Her company Nursepreneurs is committed to helping nurses start 1,000 businesses a year for the next 10 years. After many years of working in multiple nursing roles, Catie came to the realization that she had reached her career ceiling and that those nurses around her would be faced with the same dilemma.  Nursepreneurs mentors and empowers nurses to create and scale meaningful businesses using the nursing knowledge and training they already have. HealthCare UnTold applauds Catie Harris and Nursepreneurs for their creative approaches to improving business models for our health care systems utilizing the incredible training, expertise, and commitment of nurses.