Urban Service Talks Podcast

40. From Lived Experience to Leadership: A Journey of Resilience and Recovery

In this episode titled From Lived Experience to Leadership: A Journey of Resilience and Recovery, hosts Jay Kinuthia, a UConn School of Dental Medicine student, and Kate Adams, a Quinnipiac University PA student, explore the often-overlooked intersection of incarceration, mental health, and addiction, focusing on how healthcare professionals can better support individuals with criminal justice backgrounds. They’re joined by Victoria Steele, a Mental Health Assistant at Connecticut Valley Hospital and Board Member at Community Partners in Action, whose powerful journey from incarceration to recovery now fuels her work in advocacy and patient care. Through Victoria’s story, the episode highlights the importance of empathy, dignity, and understanding in healthcare, and calls for a shift in perspective to truly see the person behind the criminal record.

39. Healthcare Disparities for the Recently Jailed or Incarcerated

In this episode, Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant student Jackie Callinan interviews Chester Fernández, assistant professor at the Quinnipiac University School of Law and a long-time public defender in New England. They discuss the unique health care conditions that specifically affect the recently jailed or incarcerated, including the circumstances in prisons that may affect chronic physical and mental health and some of the barriers to receiving health care after release. Further, they provide insight into why both a multi-disciplinary team and community support is of great impact to this population, and discuss the reforms that may benefit people prior to, during, or after involvement with the criminal justice system.

38. Organizing Dental Service Trips

Welcome to Urban Service Talks featuring Dr. Ronald Albert, where UConn School of Dental Medicine students Briti Prajapati and Bryson Christian dive into the inspiring journey of Dr. Albert, a compassionate General Dentist and community leader whose commitment to service transcends borders. Through his leadership, Dr. Albert has spearheaded dental service trips both nationwide and globally, bringing essential care to underserved and remote communities. His dedication has shaped the way dental students at UConn engage with service throughout their education, providing them with life-changing opportunities to make a tangible impact on oral health in areas that need it most. Tune in as Dr. Albert shares stories, insights, and the power of giving back to improve global dental health.

37. Community Based Interventions in Cancer Care

Science and innovation have brought about many remarkable advancements in cancer care and prognosis, yet not everybody gets to reap the benefits. In this episode, UConn medical students Flora Dievenich Braes and Shaharia Ferdus interview former Hartford, CT Director of Health and Human Services Dr. Gary Rhule about how to address some of these problems. Learn what it takes to successfully design and implement programs and interventions to address health care issues in your local community. Hear also what it's like to work in the community where you grew up and how you can create change beyond the clinical examination room. 

 

If you want to learn more about Dr. Rhule, check out his website www.garyrhule.com or via the following: X (@garyrhule), LinkedIn, and Facebook/gary.rhule.1.

36. Improving Care For Veterans

Welcome to Urban Service Talks featuring Dr. John Agar, DDS,  where UConn Dental Medicine students Max Marks and Briti Prajapati delve into the unique healthcare experiences of veterans and explore how providers can deliver compassionate, high-quality care to those who have served. Our guest, Dr. Agar,  University of Connecticut Professor, Prosthodontist and a veteran has shared firsthand insights on the challenges veterans face—ranging from PTSD and anxiety to navigating the complexities of the healthcare system.

We discuss the importance of understanding veterans' backgrounds, the sensitivities required in patient interactions, and how communities beyond healthcare can support their reintegration into civilian life. Whether you're a healthcare provider, work in a Veteran’s Administration (VA) setting, or have a loved one who served, this episode offers valuable perspectives on honoring and caring for our nation’s veterans, especially through the lens of a healthcare provider.

35. Reducing Recidivism Through Community Health

Join George Bloom and Max Marks, second year dental students at the University of Connecticut, as they discuss the topic of recidivism and community health with Sincilina Beckett, a transitional case manager at the ARCH (Addiction Recovery/Reentry Community Health) program, who helps individuals with affected by mental health and substance abuse to better transition back into society.

34. Immigrant and Refugee Health

This Urban Service Talks podcast episode features UConn medical student Claire Surkis and Bhavana Gunda interviewing Dr. Susan Levine, an internist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, about her career and immigrant and refugee health. Dr. Levine details her journey through global health, from earning her Master's in Public Health to working in Haiti and Libya, ultimately leading her to develop the UConn Immigrant Health program, which focuses on the clinical care of immigrants and refugees and aims to educate students and advocate for this population. Dr. Levine highlights the unique needs and challenges faced by immigrants and refugees, emphasizing the importance of cultural humility, building trust, and understanding the health risks associated with their home country, migration, and resettlement. She also discusses healthcare disparities and encourages students to get involved in advocacy efforts to support these populations.

33. Jevaia Foundation: Nepal Oral Health Project

In this episode, University of Connecticut dental student Briti Prajapati and social work student Monique Aslan interview Laura Spero, founder of the Jevaia Foundation, which provides oral healthcare to rural communities in Nepal. Spero describes the foundation's humble origins and the challenges of providing care in a geographically isolated region with limited resources. She emphasizes the community-based approach and the importance of training local providers to deliver preventative and primary care. Spero celebrates Jevaia's success in securing government funding and outlines her vision for a future where the Nepali government takes ownership of oral healthcare initiatives.

32. A Physician's Response to a Humanitarian Crisis

In this episode on global health, UConn medical students Bhavana Gunda and Eddy Ansari talk with Dr. Hareem Park about her experiences as a pediatric physician working with Doctors Without Borders in South Sudan. Doctors Without Borders is a non-governmental organization that provides humanitarian medical care to people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks and other disasters. Dr. Park illustrates how students and healthcare providers can get involved with humanitarian work and how to make a difference here at home. 

31.The Ingredients of Cultural Differences: A Physician Assistant in Ireland in a Post-Pandemic World

In this episode of Urban Service Talks, Quinnipiac University PA student Robyn Rosnitsky and University of Connecticut nursing student Khadijah Stanford interview Harriet Walsh, a physician assistant practicing in Dublin, Ireland. The discussion centers on the PA profession, its recent introduction to Ireland, and the cultural differences in healthcare delivery between Ireland and the United States. Specific topics include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare systems and societal responses, the role of culture in patient care, and social determinants of health such as housing insecurity. The interview highlights the evolving role of PAs within interprofessional teams and the challenges and advantages of the profession in both countries. Finally, the discussion touches on the Irish healthcare system's two-tiered structure and the need for improved accessibility.