To Care is Human

Dr. Jim Castellone is the Chief Medical Officer for Eastern Connecticut Health Network and an ER physician who has been on the front lines of COVID-19 since beginning of the pandemic and in one of the United States' most heavy hit regions. Listen as he shares his perspective as a doctor who works to care for his COVID-19 patients and as a father and husband working to protect his family from the virus.

When Tanya Lord's son, Noah, was born she was a pathologically shy mom who had found her purpose in motherhood. After Noah died from medical error, Tanya was adrift in a sea of grief. Tanya shares how "grief found my voice and improved my purpose." You won't want to miss this story about a mother's love and how her grief drove her to make change in the world.

Listen as Jacqueline speaks with Jason Wolf about her core leadership beliefs including clear communication and visibility/approachability of leaders. She emphasizes the importance of being present and determining how best to manage staff needs for PPE and financial stability. Jacqueline Herd embodies the belief that in order to best elevate the human experience in healthcare and serve patients, we must recognize the work of others and thank them for all that they do.

Jono Broad grew up with a diagnosis of bronchiectasis only to learn well into adulthood that the correct diagnosis was cystic fibrosis. How did his life as an unwell child, being told by his community that he would never live a normal life shape him? Find out in the third episode of the "Tiny Story" Series where Jono unpacks what he means by "Living beyond expectation, no barriers unbroken."

Ryan Fowler "never wanted for anything" growing up but found himself self-medicating with drugs and alcohol in his teens and 20's, resulting in full-blown addiction. Now 6 years sober, this advocate for harm reduction and new ways of caring for those suffering from substance use disorders shares his harrowing story of life on a thin edge. Few people can share such raw and personal details as Ryan Fowler, and always with an eye on elevating the human experience. It's an honor to have Ryan as a guest on Humans in Healthcare.

In a time of crisis, such as we have experienced in this pandemic, often what is needed is a sense of predictability, a reinforcement that "we can do this". This conversation with Jason Wolf and Chris Woleske, President & CEO of Bellin Health, explores how serving as a "Chief Predictability Officer" can support and inspire our healthcare teams. Chris Woleske shares how her organization became a positive outlier by listening and engaging staff and making bold choices to not disrupt care during the COVID-19 crisis. From visitation policies to addressing the broader problem of isolation, Chris Woleske leads her organization with a focus on purpose and skillful navigation of the complex issues we are all facing. At the heart of this discussion is how Bellin Health designed strategies with clear compassion for the patient and family experience, a commitment to the community it serves and a focus on providing "psychological PPE" for those delivering care.

Rarely is someone able to share their story with the raw honesty and deep reflection that Isabela Castro is able to in this podcast. A mom who lost her baby in the NICU, Isabela has taken those difficult experiences and turned them into both her personal and professional motivation to do and be better. You won't want to miss this beautiful and vulnerable conversation with Isabela, a powerful voice for improvement in healthcare.

In this Special Edition of the To Care is Human podcast series, join both podcasts hosts, Jason Wolf and Tiffany Christensen, as they have a conversation looking back on 2020, a challenging year. Listen as they share their personal experiences during the pandemic as well as hear their reflection on lessons learned from 2020. Join them as they remember 2020 podcast guests who left a lasting impression. As we prepare for 2021, Jason and Tiffany also answer the question, "where do we go from here?"

"Racism is a problem with bad policy, not bad people." Dr. Brittani James cares for patients on the South side of Chicago and is a Founding Director of the Institute for Antiracism in Medicine. Join us for this compelling conversation in which this thought leader shares her personal story and concrete steps to becoming an antiracist in healthcare. With all of the energy surrounding dismantling systemic racism in healthcare today, we must listen to the voices of experience and expertise; Dr. James is exactly that voice.

Rosie Bartel is a powerful voice for patients and families. After an infection changed her life forever, she chose to share her story and help organizations working to improve patient experience across the US. This podcast "unpacks" the faith, hope and desire to survive she attributes to her ability to get through difficult caregiving journeys and great personal medical challenges. Enjoy hearing from this bright light in healthcare today.