Podcasts

HealthCalls_250x250From ethics to advocacy, Health Calls brings together thought leaders from Catholic health care, academia, public policy, and other organizations to discuss timely topics related to the common good and creating a more just and healthy society. Hosted by Brian Reardon, Health Calls is the official podcast of the Catholic Health Association of the United States. Scroll down on this page for a listing of previous episodes.

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Season 4: Episode 11 - Caring for Neurodivergent Patients at Treffert Studios

Treating neurodivergent patients is a complicated process. How do we approach the spectrum of neurodivergence with the care, compassion, and intentionality that it deserves?

Betsy Taylor, editor of Health Progress, Dr. Jeremy Chapman, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist at SSM Health Treffert Studios, Meg Puddy, Director of Behavioral Health at SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac, and Spencer Depies, Technician at SSM Health Treffer Studios, all join Health Calls to discuss Treffert Studios’ unique approach to caring for neurodivergent patients. Dr. Chapman discusses the key tenants of the Treffert approach, Meg Puddy recounts her personal experiences with Dr. Treffert, and Spencer Depies gives specific examples of how Treffert Studios offers its patients opportunities to flourish.

» View transcript

Resource

Read the recent Health Progress article on the Treffert Studios


Season 4: Episode 10 - Caring for Double-Duty Caregivers

Do you know what a "double-duty caregiver" is? Chances are that if you work in health care, you know a few of them… and you may even be one yourself!

Betsy Taylor, editor of Health Progress, and Debra Kelsey-Davis, co-founder of Nourish for Caregivers and Sagacity.Care, join the show to discuss Kelsey-Davis's recent article for the fall issue of Health Progress. They discuss how COVID-19 impacted the stress levels of double-duty caregivers, raising awareness and how Catholic health systems can better care and advocate for the double-duty caregivers working in the ministry.

Resources 

Read Debra Kelsey-Davis's article, "Double-Duty Caregiving: Clinicians Caring for Others at Work and Home Need Support" for Health Progress

Visit the Nourish for Caregivers website

» View transcript


Season 4: Episode 9 - Stories of Catholic Health Care from the AIDS Crisis

World AIDS Day is commemorated every year on Dec. 1. As we approach this year's observance, how do the stories of those who pioneered care for AIDS patients inform our care today?

Paulo Pontemayor, CHA's Senior Director of Government Relations, and Michael O'Loughlin, national correspondent for America magazine and author of Hidden Mercy, join the show to discuss O'Loughlin's contributions to Hold Out Your Hand, a new resource offered by CHA. O'Loughlin discusses his work telling the stories of Catholic caregivers during the AIDS crisis and offers thoughts on how these stories can inspire Catholic health care providers to care for the marginalized in the future.

Resources

Hold Out Your Hand - Stories from the Catholic Health Care Effort During the Global AIDS Crisis

Listen to Plague, a podcast produced by America Media and hosted by Michael O'Loughlin

Read Hidden Mercy, Michael O'Loughlin’s book on stories of Catholics and the AIDS crisis

Read this story about St. Mary's CARE Center from Catholic Health World

A World AIDS Day Conversation

» View transcript


Season 4: Episode 8 - Laudate Deum and the Urgent Call to Climate Action

Pope Francis recently released his new apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum, calling for a renewed sense of urgency in combatting climate change. As he cites overwhelming scientific evidence that the world is facing a climate crisis that is caused by human activity, how should Catholic health care best respond to this urgent Apostolic exhortation?

Indu Spugnardi, Director of Advocacy and Resource Development for CHA, and Fr. Daniel Horan, Professor of Philosophy, Religious Studies and Theology at St. Mary's College and Director of the Center for the Study of Spirituality, join the show to discuss the new apostolic exhortation and Fr. Daniel's coverage of the release for the National Catholic Reporter. Fr. Daniel discusses our relationship to the world around us, the document's inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi, and having hope for the future.

Resources

Read Laudate Deum at the Vatican's official website

Read Fr. Daniel's column on Laudate Deum at the National Catholic Reporter

Visit CHA's Environment page for more resources

Sign up for the Laudato Si' Action Platform

» View transcript


Season 4: Episode 7 - Environmental Considerations for Global Health
As health care systems look to develop healthy partnerships across the globe, environmental impacts must become a factor to consider. How do we partner with organizations in a way that isn’t harmful to communities already experiencing the effects of climate change?

Erica Smith, Executive Director of Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, and Bruce Compton, Sr. Director of Global Health and International Outreach at CHA, join Health Calls to discuss their recent international visits, developing partnerships that focus on lessening environmental impacts and how to effectively and safely donate material goods.

Resources

Visit Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach website
Check out CHA’s Medical Surplus Recovery resources

» View transcript


Season 4: Episode 6 - Providence's Carbon-Negative Health Care Pledge
Between hurricanes and heat waves, the effects of the climate crisis have never been more evident. How can health care systems make bold commitments that will make a difference in the fight against climate change?

Ali Santore, Chief Advocacy and Social Responsibility Officer at Providence, and Beth Schenk, Chief Environmental Stewardship Officer at Providence, join Health Calls to discuss their system's pledge to be carbon-negative by 2030. They discuss the way the pledge has been integrated throughout leadership structures, the definition of "carbon negative" health care and how their climate impacts can be measured using data.
» View transcript


Season 4: Episode 5 - What Patients with Chronic Illness Want Providers to Know
Patients with chronic illnesses want what any patient seeking health care wants: to improve their health without exhaustive treatment. Unlike the majority, however, these patients face specific barriers to achieving that care.

Betsy Taylor, editor of Health Progress, and Tricia Steele, author of the Sick Person Guide e-book series, join Health Calls to discuss Steele’s recent article for Health Progress. Steele discusses her experiences as a patient advocate and ways that health care delivery isn’t equipped to meet specific patients’ needs and proposes steps that health systems can take to better care for those with chronic illnesses.

"What Patients With Chronic Illness Want Providers to Know
(Health Progress, Summer 2023)

» View transcript

Season 4: Episode 4 - Medicaid Coverage for Spiritual Care
Studies suggest that whole-person health care isn’t limited to physical health but also includes mental and spiritual well-being. So why is spiritual care more difficult to find coverage for?
» View transcript

CHA Members! Do you have a podcast that you would like CHA to add to our listing? If so, please contact Nick Osterholt, Editor, Digital Communications.
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CHA creates prayers and reflections for holy days and other observances throughout the year.

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A meditative blessing for health care chaplains.


Meditations


America Magazine Podcast Series

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CHA's Julie Trocchio discusses partnering with rural communities in a recent MEDHOST podcast