My City Talks

In this inaugural episode of My City Talks Health, host Larry Twitty Jr. sits down with HIV advocates Destiny Smith and Alicia Mercado for an enlightening discussion about HIV awareness, treatment advances, and breaking down persistent stigmas. From explaining U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) to navigating healthcare systems in Iowa, our guests share personal insights and vital information about HIV resources and support services.Show Notes:Key Topics Discussed:Understanding U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) and its impact on HIV preventionPrEP and PEP: What they are and how to access them in IowaAvailable case management services through Ryan White fundingAddressing HIV stigma and misconceptions in healthcare and community settingsUnique challenges of HIV healthcare access in rural IowaSupport systems and resources for newly diagnosed individualsSocial media advocacy and addressing misinformationHealthcare disparities and solutions for marginalized communitiesFeatured Guests:Destiny Smith: HIV advocate, author, and social media influencerAlicia Mercado: Health Equity Educator with Nucara Capacity ExtensionResources Mentioned:Stop HIV Iowa: stophiviowa.orgPrEP Iowa: prepiowa.orgRyan White Program ServicesThe Project of the Quad Cities (mobile testing unit)Follow Destiny Smith:Facebook: @Destiny SmithTikTok: @Destiny SmithInstagram: @Destiny SmithLinkedIn: @Destiny SmithNotable Quotes: "Nothing in my life has changed except for me popping a pill every single day and that's it." - Destiny Smith"Systems were not set up to effectively serve everybody. And so those are huge barriers." - Alicia MercadoSupport Services Available:Transportation assistanceMedical case managementGrocery assistanceDental and medical insurance supportMental health servicesUtility and rental assistanceContact Information for Testing and Resources:Mobile testing units availableFree testing servicesConfidential support and counselingTake Action:Get tested - it takes just 10 minutesShare information within your communitySupport local HIV awareness initiativesChallenge stigma and misconceptionsEngage in community conversations about HIVNext Episode Preview: Stay tuned for more discussions on community health issues that matter to you.

"When these communities allow you in their spaces, please be humble and allow the trust to build so that you can get the work done. If you don't have the trust, then there's no basis to build up on, no foundation at all." - Aloha WilksIn this episode, host Olivia Machaccio talks with Aloha Wilks, a passionate advocate for health equity and community engagement. They discuss the challenges of achieving health equity in Iowa City, the importance of community involvement, and the role of trust in addressing health disparities. Tune in to learn about the critical work being done to ensure healthcare access for all and the steps being taken to close the gap in health equity.About the Guest:Aloha Wilks is an advocate for health equity and community engagement. She is dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities, improving healthcare access, and building trust with community members. Aloha is passionate about her work in health equity and encourages others to be intentional, fearless, and humble in their approach to this important issue.In this episode of My City My Health Podcast, you will learn:The challenges of achieving health equity in Iowa City and the role of community engagement in addressing these issues.The importance of building trust and forming strong relationships with community members to better understand their needs and advocate for them.The barriers to health equity, such as communication, cultural differences, and access to healthcare resources.The consequences of not involving community members in the decision-making process and how proper representation can improve health outcomes.UIHC's efforts to increase healthcare access in Southeast Iowa City and how it can impact the entire community.The importance of being intentional, fearless, and humble when working in the field of health equity, and the value of staying connected to community members and their needs. Show Notes:[00:00] - Introduction to the My City My Health Podcast[11:31] - Health equity and transforming the healthcare system[12:26] - Disproportionate resources in healthcare[13:56] - Barriers to health equity in the Iowa City community[15:20] - Importance of community involvement to overcome barriers[17:15] - Consequences of not involving community members[18:42] - Advocating for vulnerable communities[19:14] - UIHC's efforts to increase healthcare access in Southeast Iowa City[21:10] - Takeaway message from Aloha WilksAbout the host: Olivia Machaccio, is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Iowa studying Health and Human Phys with a minor in social justice. Olivia hopes to be a doctor helping those in the community. Olivia is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.

"I would like to see more effort being put into job creation for retaining local talent. Iowa is great at attracting the best from all over the world, but I cannot see the same for retaining them." - Onyeche OcheJoin host Caleb as he talks with Onyeche Oche, a healthcare researcher and advocate, about her work in telemedicine, cultural competency in healthcare, and her vision for job retention in the Iowa City area. They discuss the challenges and benefits of telemedicine, especially for older adults, and how to make healthcare more inclusive and accessible for all.About the Guest: Onyeche Oche is a healthcare researcher and advocate with a focus on telemedicine and cultural competency. She is passionate about giving older adults a voice in healthcare research and creating sustainable solutions for diverse communities. Onyeche is committed to making Iowa City a more inclusive and accessible place for all.You will learn about:The importance of cultural competency in healthcare and how it impacts patient outcomes.Onyeche's work and research in telemedicine, especially for older adults, during the COVID-19 pandemic.The perspectives of different stakeholders, including older adults, physicians, caregivers, and medical assistants, on the barriers and facilitators of telemedicine.The potential future of telemedicine and its role in different scenarios, individual preferences, and accessibility.Onyeche's vision for job creation and retaining local talent in Iowa City, addressing the challenges of attracting and keeping skilled individuals in the area.The significance of community-based participatory research in multicultural cities like Iowa and the need for collaborative solutions to address diverse communities' healthcare issues.Show Notes:00:00 - Introduction to My City My Health Podcast and guest Onyeche Oche02:14 - Onyeche's background and current work in healthcare research04:25 - The importance of cultural competency in healthcare10:12 - The role of telemedicine during the Pandemic15:25 - The potential future of telemedicine in healthcare21:57 - Giving older adults a Voice in healthcare research25:16 - The role of telemedicine in different scenarios and individual preferences28:35 - Onyeche's hopes for job creation and retaining local talent in Iowa City31:23 - The importance of community-based participatory research in a multicultural city like IowaAbout the host: Caleb is a student at the University of Iowa. Caleb is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.

In this episode of the My City My Health podcast, host Natalie Rutledge talks with LaTasha DeLoach about her work in community outreach and connecting people, particularly women of color and older adults, with resources and social spaces for health equity. LaTasha shares her insights on the importance of taking the pressure off of black women, erasing the super-strong black woman trope, and creating safe social spaces for people of color. Tune in to learn more about actionable steps toward health equity and how to connect with LaTasha and her work.Time-stamped Show Notes:00:00 Introduction01:20 LaTasha’s background and work in community outreach03:45 Sankofa Outreach Connections and creating social spaces for women of color06:30 The importance of taking the pressure off of black women and erasing the super-strong black woman trope10:20 Connecting older adults with Resources and social spaces for health equity14:50 The impact of connecting people and resources in the community18:00 Actionable steps towards health equity: listening to people and donating resources20:30 Creating safe social spaces for People of Color and the Importance of health equity24:00 Looking forward to the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City25:06 How to connect with LaTasha and her work26:28 ConclusionAbout the host: Natalie Rutledge is a student at the University of Iowa, studying health and human physiology. Natalie is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.

In this episode of the My City, My Health podcast, host Sophie Woodley, discusses health equity and community well-being with Cady Gerlach, executive director of Better Together 2030. They delve into the social determinants of health, such as housing, access to healthy food, and education, and how these factors impact access to healthcare. They also discuss the importance of including diverse voices in community conversations and ways for individuals to get involved in collaborative efforts to promote community well-being.Key takeaways:Social determinants of health such as housing, access to healthy food, and education have a significant impact on healthcare outcomes.Holistic approaches to community well-being that address these social determinants can improve access to healthcare and promote health equity.Mental health, especially for young people, is a critical area for conversation and action in promoting health equity.Community conversations should center around equity and include diverse voices to ensure that everyone's needs are being met.Anyone can get involved in community collaborative efforts to promote community well-being and make a difference.About the host: Sophie Woodley is a student at the University of Iowa, getting her bachelor's in health studies and a minor in Lifestyle Medicine. Sophie is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health

In this episode of the My City My Health Podcast, host Maddie Kerr talks with Kellee Forkenbrock, Public Services Librarian at the North Liberty Community Library, about the Lighthouse in the Library series and the importance of digital access in the community. Kellee discusses how the Libraries Transforming Communities grant has allowed them to create a platform for community conversations and collaborations with other local organizations. She emphasizes the role of libraries in providing access to information and wellness resources, particularly in addressing the digital divide that exists in many communities.About Kellee:Kellee Forkenbrock is a passionate librarian who serves as the Public Services Librarian at the North Liberty Community Library. Kellee is a strong advocate for providing access to information and resources to all members of the community, with a particular focus on bridging the digital divide and promoting social justice. She is dedicated to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment at the library, where people of all backgrounds and identities feel valued and supported. Kellee is a true asset to the North Liberty community, and her work with the Lighthouse in the Library series is a testament to her commitment to creating positive change through education and community building.Shownotes:00:00 - Introduction01:10 - Kellee Forkenbrock's background and role at the North Liberty Community Library02:35 - Overview of the Lighthouse in the Library series and its impact on the community04:10 - How the Libraries Transforming Communities grant has supported the series05:40 - Examples of collaborations with other local organizations, including Better Way Forward and the North Liberty Community Food Pantry07:25 - The upcoming collaboration with the African American Museum of Iowa08:20 - The importance of dialogue and connection in promoting wellness and addressing community issues09:35 - The role of libraries in providing access to information and wellness resources11:15 - The digital divide and its impact on communities12:25 - The North Liberty Community Library's efforts to provide digital access, including free wifi and iPads for use in-house13:40 - Future goals for the Lighthouse in the Library series, including more collaborations with local organizations14:50 - Kellee's excitement for attending the My City My Health conference and connecting with others in the healthcare industry16:00 - The biggest takeaway from the conversation: support your local public library and the freedom to read17:10 - ConclusionAbout the host: Maddie Kerr is a Health and Human Physiology major, with a Health Promotion track and a minor in Communication Studies, graduating in 2023. Maddie is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health

"I think sometimes like you have to acknowledge where those privileges are so that you can kind of work on dismantling that because we can't put that work on folks who have been oppressed." In this episode of the My City My Health podcast, host Alison interviews public health professional Danielle Pettit-Majewski, Director for Johnson County Public Health about the challenges and opportunities in the field of public health, particularly in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss the impact of the pandemic on public health professionals, the barriers to making progress in public health, and ways that community members can get involved and support public health efforts.Shownotes:Introduction [00:00-01:00]About the Guest: Danielle's Background in Public Health [01:00-02:15]The Impact of the Pandemic on Public Health Professionals [02:15-07:30]Barriers to Making Progress in Public Health [07:30-16:25]Long-Term Impacts of the Pandemic [16:25-23:02]Getting Involved and Supporting Public Health Efforts [23:02-25:22]About the My City My Health Conference [25:22-26:30]Conclusion [26:30-27:00]About the host: Alison is a student at the University of Iowa studying Health and Human Physiology. Alison is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.

In this episode, Katherine speaks with Caleb Thomas, a licensed mental health counselor and the founder of Thomas & Associates. Caleb shares his journey into holistic counseling and his passion for supporting at-risk youth in his community. He also discusses the importance of self-care for health professionals and shares valuable advice for those looking to improve their community's well-being.About the Guest:Caleb Thomas is a licensed mental health counselor and the founder of Thomas & Associates, a holistic counseling practice based in Iowa. Caleb is dedicated to supporting at-risk youth and helping individuals achieve their full potential through a mind-body-spirit approach to counseling. He believes that health professionals must prioritize their own well-being in order to provide the best care for their clients. Caleb is a frequent speaker and community leader, and he is committed to improving the well-being of his community through advocacy and education."I realized there was a missing component within the mental health field...We were just looking at the symptom and not the person as a whole." - Caleb ThomasShownotes:Introduction (0:00-1:08)(1:09-6:12) Caleb's journey into holistic counseling(6:13-13:49) Supporting at-risk youth(13:50-18:34) Self-care for health professionals (18:35-20:00)ConclusionReferences:Thomas & Associates: https://www.thomasacc.com/Caleb Thomas on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/caleb-d-thomas-coralville-ia/477811About the host: Katherine is a student at the University of Iowa studying Health and Human Physiology. Katherine is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.