Catholic Health Usa Podcast

Health Calls Season 6, Episode 10 highlights Healthspan Nevada County, an innovative community‑based wellness model redefining whole‑person care. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka talk with Dr. Scott Neeley, president and CEO of Dignity Health’s Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, about how this collaborative approach strengthens community health beyond traditional clinical care.Rooted in four pillars—movement, food, connection, and youth development—the Healthspan model brings together nonprofits, arts organizations, schools, and health leaders to prevent chronic disease and promote long‑term wellness. Dr. Neeley explains why community connection, healthy environments, and shared purpose play a critical role in improving health outcomes. Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLearn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.

Health Calls Season 6, Episode 9 explores how Catholic health care extends beyond hospital walls through parish nurse programs. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Megan Timm, Regional Director of Community Health for SSM Health in Wisconsin, to discuss a model that has flourished in SSM Health's local communities.Timm explains how parish nurses serve as trusted health resources within parishes and neighborhoods, blending clinical expertise with community connection. These nurses provide screenings, education, and navigation support while addressing social needs and offering spiritual care, embodying the whole-person care that Catholic health systems strive to provide. Megan also shares insights on program impact, recruitment strategies, and the importance of adapting to evolving community needs. This episode underscores collaboration as a cornerstone for improving health outcomes and strengthening ties between faith and care. Health Calls is available on the following podcast strea

Health Calls Season 6, Episode 8 centers a conversation about mission integration and the formation of the next generation of health care workers. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka are joined by Chip Chipman, Manager of Pastoral Care and Mission Integration at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System, who reflects on the role of spiritual care as a core element of whole‑person care and how it extends beyond chaplaincy to every member of the care team. The episode explores how students and new clinicians are introduced to Catholic mission, ethics, and values through relationship‑building, case studies, and real‑world engagement. Chip also discusses how technology, including e‑chaplaincy, can expand access to spiritual care while reinforcing the importance of presence and human connection. Together, the conversation highlights how Catholic health care can prepare future caregivers to lead with compassion, courage, and integrity. Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platfor

Health Calls Season 6, Episode 7 explores how CommonSpirit Health partners with those who have lived experience of homelessness to shape solutions and fund grants. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Nicole Wilson, Community Health and Housing System Manager at CommonSpirit Health, to discuss the Research and Equity Advisory Council for Housing Insecurities (REACHI).Wilson explains how REACHI elevates voices of the formerly unhoused in decision-making, from grant allocation to program design, ensuring initiatives reflect real-world needs. The conversation highlights innovative approaches like safe parking programs for women living in vehicles and the importance of trauma-informed care and low-barrier housing options. Nicole shares how authentic power-sharing and feedback loops transform strategies across diverse communities, from Los Angeles to Washington State. This episode underscores Catholic health care’s commitment to collaboration and equity in addressing homelessness and hous

Health Calls Season 6, Episode 6 focuses on addressing food insecurity in rural communities. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Lindsey Meyers, MBA, Vice President of Communications, PR, and Community Engagement at Avera Health. Lindsey shares how Avera’s community health needs assessments revealed rising food insecurity across its largely rural footprint, prompting the creation of wellness pantries within clinics. These pantries provide emergency food supplies and connect patients to sustainable resources, complementing mobile food pantries and partnerships with Feeding South Dakota. Lindsey explains why food access is essential to whole-person care and how collaboration among clinicians, volunteers, and community partners drives success. The conversation highlights the program’s rapid growth, its impact on patients, and underscores Catholic health care’s commitment to meeting social determinants of health and evolving to serve community needs. Health Calls is available on the fol

Health Calls Season 6, Episode 5 explores the power of storytelling and social media in sharing the mission of Catholic health care. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Stephanie Hampton, a St. Louis-based content creator known for her Instagram account @explorestlparks. Stephanie shares her family's experience with Mercy Hospital’s NICU and how that inspired her to highlight the healing presence of Catholic health care online. Stephanie’s reflections on vulnerability, faith, and positivity offer a compelling reminder of the impact Catholic health care has on families—and how sharing those stories can inspire and connect communities. Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLearn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.

Health Calls Season 6, Episode 4 explores the transformative power of Whole Person Care in the context of palliative care, with guest Lori Dangberg, Executive Vice President of the Alliance of Catholic Health Care in California. Lori shares the origins and impact of a statewide initiative that brings together dioceses, parishes, and health systems to support patients and families through serious illness and end-of-life care. The episode highlights how collaborative education—through a five-module curriculum—empowers parish leaders and clinicians to engage in meaningful conversations around palliative care, Catholic moral teaching, and advanced care planning. With resources available in multiple languages and formats, the initiative fosters dignity, compassion, and informed decision-making. Hosts Brian Reardon and Josh Matejka reflect on the importance of this work as the population ages and the need for holistic care grows. Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:Apple PodcastsS

Health Calls Season 6, Episode 3 features a conversation with author, speaker, and former chaplain John O’Leary, whose life story inspired the new film Soul on Fire. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka speak with John about his journey from surviving a devastating childhood burn injury to becoming a voice for hope and healing. The episode highlights the unsung heroes of Catholic health care—nurses, CNAs, environmental services staff—whose compassion and presence helped John recover and thrive. Through reflections on faith, mission, and the dignity of every role in health care, John reminds listeners that true caregiving is rooted in love and purpose. His message is clear: every life is a precious gift, and every person has the power to make a difference. Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLearn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.

Health Calls Season 6, Episode 2 continues the United for Change theme with a focus on youth mental health in Chicago. Host Brian Reardon and executive producer Josh Matejka speak with Dr. Anoop Takher, Interim Chair of Behavioral Health at Saint Anthony Hospital, about the hospital's SPARK Program. Designed to eliminate long wait times for psychiatric evaluations, SPARK offers integrated care—including speech and occupational therapy—under one roof. Dr. Takher shares how collaboration with partners like the Carol Robertson Center and local schools has expanded access and improved outcomes for children and families. SPARK’s model offers a blueprint for other systems seeking to meet behavioral health needs with compassion, efficiency, and equity.ResourcesLearn more about Saint Anthony Hospital's SPARK programWatch CHA's This is Catholic Health Care video on the SPARK program Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLearn more about The Catholic Health A

Host Brian Reardon and executive producer Josh Matejka welcome Sister Norma Pimentel, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, to discuss her work serving immigrant communities at the U.S.-Mexico border. Sister Norma shares moving stories of families fleeing violence and hardship, emphasizing the importance of restoring human dignity through compassion and encounter. The episode explores how Catholic health care and faith communities can collaborate to support vulnerable populations, regardless of legal status. Sister Norma encourages listeners to act with love, guided by faith, and to welcome immigrants into their communities. Her message is clear: healing begins with presence, understanding, and the courage to care. ResourcesLearn more about Sr. Norma's work at Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande ValleyAccess CHA's resources regarding immigration enforcement  Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLearn more about The Cath

As the national conversation around HR1, Medicaid and health care access continues, Catholic health care continues to affirm its belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable care. As this episode's guest highlights, that includes those in rural communities.Luis A. Rojas, MD, FACOG, Clinical Vice President of Oncology Service Line at Avera, joins the show to discuss the system's efforts at serving cancer patients in their most rural communities. Dr. Rojas highlights both Avera's procedures and investment in innovative technology, and their belief in the mission of Catholic health care as a way to serve everyone, no matter where they live.  

Like all popular trends, it's easy to adopt the latest and "greatest" technology as soon as it's released into the world. But what responsibility do Catholic health systems have in evaluating what changes they need to make? What - and who - is top of mind when these decisions are made?Michael Sellers, Vice President of Facilities Management for Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago, joins the show to discuss the facilities and operations perspective on changing health care technology. Sellers discusses Saint Anthony's recent innovations, their community-based strategy for making needed upgrades, and the importance of operations as a voice at the decision-making table.

Technological advances are nothing new for caregivers, who have been saturated with new tools to "help" them for decades. But are those tools actually helping? And what can the latest innovations do to alleviate the burden caregivers face on a day-to-day basis?Dr. Heather Schmidt, System Medical Director, Healthy Work and Wellness at SSM Health, and Dr. Ann Cappellari, Chief Medical Information Officer and System Vice President at SSM Health, join the show to discuss their findings on how artificial intelligence can assist caregivers in their well-being. They discuss how technology has often added to the administrative burden caregivers face, offer insight into tools that  help caregivers connect with their patients, and share how AI can help with the workforce shortages that American health care faces.  

When we hear the word technology, we tend to think about computers, software, artificial intelligence, etc. But one form of technology that we tend to overlook has been a part of our lives for centuries: pharmacy.Jeffrey Bishop, MD, Ph.D, Tenet Endowed Chair of Bioethics and Professor of Philosophy, Health Care Ethics and Philosophy at St. Louis University, joins the show to discuss how we can think critically about pharmaceuticals as technology. He discusses the etymology of the word "pharmacy," shares how power dynamics play into the decisions we make and offers advice on how to make sound, informed decisions about the drugs we take.

Medicaid covers 1 in 5 American adults, nearly half of all children in America and 41 percent of births in America. But despite acting as a lifeline for many Americans, the program is under threat of significant cuts from the federal government.In a Health Calls special, CHA's Senior Director of Government Relations Paulo Pontemayor and Barbara DiPietro, PhD, Senior Director of Policy at the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, join the show to discuss the importance of Medicaid. They discuss how potential changes to the Medicaid program would impact American families, employment and community health. They also share how listeners can advocate for the program and the families that depend on it for vital health care coverage.ResourcesVisit CHA's "Medicaid Makes It Possible" page to learn how you can take action for MedicaidWatch and share CHA's new informational Medicaid videoAdvocate for Medicaid coverage to your elected representatives by calling the House switchboard at (202) 224-3121 

If Catholic health care providers want to treat the whole person, then spiritual care is a vital piece of that puzzle. So in an age when virtual health care is becoming more and more prevalent, how do we also expand the reach of virtual spiritual care?Justin Martin, Director of Spiritual Care Innovation and Transformation at Mercy in St. Louis, Mo., returns to Health Calls to talk about his teams' latest efforts in the virtual spiritual care space. He discusses Mercy's transition from the COVID Care @ Home program, how the system pivoted to in-house technological solutions, and how to maintain trust with patients who may mistrust technological advances.ResourcesLearn about Mercy's COVID Care @ Home program, which won CHA's 2023 Achievement Citation award 

Catholic health care providers face a unique challenge – synthesizing the realities of their unique mission and the need to be technologically innovative. How do you faithfully follow the call to continue Jesus’s healing ministry and be as forward-thinking as possible?Joe Kelly, Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer at Mercy, joins the show for a two-part episode. In part one, Kelly discusses his journey to the current role he occupies, how Mercy’s mission colleagues play a role in the organization’s perspective on data, and a Biblical parable that has proved to be a rich, theological foundation for their team to build on.

In this second part of the discussion, Joe Kelly discusses the steps Mercy has taken to protect patient privacy, highlights partnerships that have kept them on the cutting edge and explains how Mercy’s foundresses act as a guiding light for his team as they move forward.To listen to the first part of this discussion, click here.

This is an updated version from our previous podcast posting with corrected audio - we apologize for the inconvenienceWhen it comes to learning about and treating the communities we serve, data is the key. But with so much data out there, how do Catholic health providers begin to sort through it all and make sense of what they find?Jaime Dircksen, Vice President of Community Health and Well-Being at Trinity Health, joins the show to discuss how she and her team utilize data to best serve Trinity Health's patient populations. She discusses key indicators they look for, how different customizable tools can help or harm the process and how generative AI and emerging technologies offer hope and caution to caregivers looking to better connect with their patients.ResourcesRead Dircksen's recent article in Health Progress, "New Ways to Measure Impact in Communities"Purchase or download CHA's A Guide for Planning and Reporting Community BenefitPlan to attend Community Benefit 101, CHA's vital annual program which pro

When it comes to learning about and treating the communities we serve, data is the key. But with so much data out there, how do Catholic health providers begin to sort through it all and make sense of what they find?Jaime Dircksen, Vice President of Community Health and Well-Being at Trinity Health, joins the show to discuss how she and her team utilize data to best serve Trinity Health’s patient populations. She discusses key indicators they look for, how different customizable tools can help or harm the process and how generative AI and emerging technologies offer hope and caution to caregivers looking to better connect with their patients.ResourcesRead Dircksen’s recent article in Health Progress, “New Ways to Measure Impact in Communities”Purchase or download CHA’s A Guide for Planning and Reporting Community BenefitPlan to attend Community Benefit 101, CHA’s vital annual program which provides the basics of community benefit programming