A genetic mutation that helped people survive malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa now affects 100,000 Americans, causing debilitating pain. Host Tracy returns with renowned sickle cell disease expert Dr. Wally Smith and her husband, Damian Jackson, who shares his powerful personal journey. Hear honest insights on pain management, incorrect assumptions about those who suffer, and hope for a cure. Don’t miss this compelling, real conversation that challenges stigma and inspires change.

Listener resources:

Dr. Smith's new book for providers and caregivers

With special guests:

Wally Smith, MD, Florence Neal Cooper Smith Professor of Sickle Cell Disease at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Damian Jackson, Partner, Reilly McDevitt, Henrich and Sickle Cell Disease Sufferer

Hosted by:

Tracy Douglas

How can a simple book transform a child’s future? In this episode of Common Health, guest host Adrienne Harden speaks with Callee Boulware, Regional Director of Reach Out and Read, about the powerful connection between early literacy and lifelong health. Learn how pediatricians integrate books into well visits, equipping families with the tools to support child development while strengthening provider-patient relationships. Tune in to discover how this evidence-based program is changing lives!

Health centers interested in adding a Reach Out and Read program can visit https://reachoutandread.org/affiliate/virginia/

With special guest:

Callee Boulware, Regional Director, Reach Out And Read

Hosted by:

Adrienne Harden

What does it take to change your life? In this episode of CommonHealth, guest host Kyle Elliott, VCHA’s Chief Administrative Officer, speaks with James Orr, a clinical social work resident at Community Access Network about his battle with addiction and how he turned his life around through mindfulness and empathy. Listen to this inspiring conversation today!

With special guest:

James Orr, MSW, Clinical Social Work Resident, Community Access Network

Hosted by:

Kyle Elliott, VCHA, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Legal Officer

In this episode of CommonHealth, guest host Rae Carkhuff welcomes professional staff from Eastern Shore Rural Health (ESRH), a VCHA member health center, including Juan Gomez, MPH, Outreach Coordinator, Jessica Bonniwell, Chief Quality Officer, and Amy Bull, Director of Communications and Development.

During this episode, Juan shares his story about how living in the Eastern Shore led him to work in community health and Jessica and Amy dive into day-to-day health center operations, stressing the importance of patient-centric care and how healthcare isn't just physician visits.

Tune in now to learn how ESRH is always "polishing the apple," or trying to leave their community better than they found it. You won't want to miss this one!

With special guests:

Juan Gomez, MPH, Outreach Coordinator, Eastern Shore Rural Health, Jessica Bonniwell, Chief Quality Officer, Eastern Shore Rural Health, and Amy Bull, Director of Communications and Development, Eastern Shore Rural Health

Guest host:

Rae Carkhuff, Communications and Content Specialist, Virginia Community Healthcare Association

Further Resources:
VPM article by Keyris Manzanares featuring Juan Gomez of ESRH

In this episode of CommonHealth, Dr. Angela Taylor, Director of Health Center Control Network – Center for Data, Analytics, and Quality (CDAQ) at VCHA, hosts a conversation with Korey Cobb, Chief Operations Officer of HealthWorks for Northern Virginia, and participant in CHCU's Class of 2024.

Find out how Cobb leveraged his CHCU participation to enhance HealthWorks' healthcare services delivery and community engagement. Get his insights on the time commitment, impressive content of the courses, and immensely beneficial leadership training the program offers. And learn some exciting possibilities for CHCU's future! You won't want to miss this awesome episode.

Learn more about CHCU here!

With special guests:

Korey Cobb, Chief Operations Officer, HealthWorks for Northern Virginia and Dr. Angela Taylor, Director of Health Center Control Network – Center for Data, Analytics, and Quality (CDAQ)

In our latest episode of CommonHealth, guest host Adrienne Harden, VCHA's Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, discusses the important topic of food insecurity in Virginia with Meaghan Butler, from the Federation of Virginia Food Banks and Maria Bowman, with Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Together, they unearth the differences between food banks and food pantries, explore how food banking in Virginia has evolved over the years, discuss the importance of Virginians having access to whole, healthful foods and how it lowers chronic disease rates, and dissect how different localities require different solutions to food insecurity. You absolutely will not want to miss this episode! Download and listen today!

With special guests:

Meaghan Butler MPH, RD, Senior Director of Health Equity, Federation of Virginia Food Banks and Maria Bowman, MPH, Director of Health Initiatives, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank

Guest host:

Adrienne Harden, RDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Virginia Community Healthcare Association

SNAP and Food Assistance Resources:

• SNAP application assistor request form
• Food Bank and Food Pantry locator
• Free or Reduced Cost resource locator (including food, housing etc.)
• Emergency Food Hotline and services
• Call 211 to find agencies to assist with finding food in an emergency
• Call USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273)

On this episode of CommonHealth, host Tracy Douglas talks about coal worker's pneumoconiosis, or “black lung disease,” with three folks impacted by black lung in different ways: Dr. Drew Harris, medical director of the Black Lung Program at Stone Mountain Health Services, and Mr. John and Mrs. Vonda Robinson, a husband and wife duo who have advocated for miners affected by black lung since Mr. John’s diagnosis at 47 years old after working almost three decades in the mines of southwestern Virginia.

Together, Tracy, Dr. Drew, and the Robinsons give intimate insight into black lung disease: Its misconception as one disease, what it’s like living with black lung, and how difficult it is for miners and their families who are impacted by black lung to get a disability stipend and insurance coverage for their care. You won’t want to miss this incredible and important conversation.

With special guests:

Dr. Drew Harris, Medical Director, Black Lung Program at Stone Mountain Health Services, Vonda Robinson, Vice President, National Black Lung Association, and John Robinson, Retired Coal Miner and Coal Miner Advocate

In this episode of CommonHealth, guest host Rae Carkhuff talks with three wonderful guests about the Check It Out program at Petersburg Public Libraries. Join Rae along with Robin Gahan from the American Heart Association, Tabitha Goode of Molina Healthcare of Virginia, and Tera James of Central Virginia Health Services, Inc., as they discuss heart health statistics in Petersburg, VA, dive into the ins and outs of the program, and share their firsthand experiences with the community members who utilize the program. You won't want to miss this one!

With special guests:

Robin Gahan, Vice President of Community Impact for Central Virginia, American Heart Association; Tabitha Goode, Manager of Growth and Community Engagement, Molina Healthcare of Virginia; and Tera James, Community Health Worker, Central Virginia Health Services, Inc.