Cumberland Conversations

Cumberland Pediatric Foundation
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Cumberland Pediatric Foundation’s podcast, “Cumberland Conversations”, brings together pediatric experts, clinic leaders, and community partners to explore the issues shaping child health across Tennessee. Each episode offers practical insights, real-world strategies, and inspiring conversations designed to support pediatric practices, strengthen care delivery, and uplift the wellbeing of children and families. The focus stays on solutions that help practices strengthen operations, support their care teams, navigate changing polices, and improve outcomes for the families they serve. Whether you’re part of a small rural clinic or a large pediatric group, this podcast gives you useful ideas, timely updates, and stories from the field to help you deliver the best possible care to kids. Join us as we learn, share, and grow together.  

  1. 3d ago

    Practice Management Minute | From Survival to Sustainability: Newport Pediatrics with Shannon Barnes

    What does it take to keep an independent pediatric practice viable when financial pressure, staffing challenges, limited capacity, and the needs of a rural community all collide? In this episode of Cumberland Conversations: Practice Management Minute, Shannon Barnes, Practice Administrator at Newport Pediatrics, shares the practice’s experience navigating the challenges—and opportunities—of remaining an independent pediatric practice in rural East Tennessee. The conversation explores Newport Pediatrics’ path through financial and operational pressures, including the decision to pursue Rural Health Clinic certification and the work required to translate a new reimbursement model into a stronger practice. But the story extends well beyond reimbursement. Shannon discusses the interconnected decisions involved in evaluating staffing, increasing capacity, improving operations, investing in the practice, and determining where growth could realistically occur. We also talk about what practice transformation looks like from the administrator’s chair: recognizing when the status quo is no longer sustainable, being willing to examine how the practice operates, accepting outside support, and making changes that may take time before their full impact becomes visible. Through Newport Pediatrics’ experience, the episode offers a practical look at rural practice resilience—not simply keeping the doors open, but creating the financial, operational, and organizational capacity to continue caring for the community and plan for what comes next. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes the first goal isn’t growth—it’s making sure the practice can continue. Hear how Newport Pediatrics evaluated where it stood and began working through the financial and operational realities affecting its future.RHC certification can be much more than a designation. Shannon discusses what pursuing Rural Health Clinic status meant for Newport Pediatrics and why the work extended beyond simply changing how the practice was reimbursed.Practice problems rarely exist in isolation. The conversation shows how reimbursement, staffing, patient volume, space, technology, and workflow decisions can influence one another—and why improving one area may create new opportunities elsewhere.Growth creates its own management decisions. Hear how the practice began thinking differently about capacity, providers, services, and infrastructure as its position changed.Outside support works best when the practice is willing to look honestly at itself. Shannon reflects on what it means to open the doors to new ideas, resources, and operational changes while still protecting the identity of an independent practice.Sustainability is about more than the balance sheet. The episode explores what it takes to build a practice that can continue serving its community, support its team, and adapt when the next challenge arrives.

  2. Oct 14

    Journal Club | Flu, RSV & COVID: Vaccine Updates for Pediatric Practices with Dr. Caitlin Newhouse

    What has changed this respiratory season—and what do pediatric practices actually need to know? In this episode of Cumberland Conversations: Journal Club, Dr. Caitlin Newhouse, Medical Director for the Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program under the Tennessee Department of Health, joins us for a practical look at the latest vaccine and immunization considerations facing pediatric practices as respiratory illness season gets underway. The conversation begins with influenza, including vaccine timing, avoiding missed opportunities, communicating realistic expectations with families, and several questions that continue to come up in practice. We also discuss how practices can use reminders, outreach, and routine visits to improve vaccination opportunities throughout the season. From there, the discussion turns to RSV prevention, where changing options have created new questions for pediatricians and families. Dr. Newhouse walks through important considerations surrounding infant eligibility, maternal vaccination, prior RSV infection, timing, and some of the real-world access and implementation challenges that can complicate what appears straightforward on paper. We also examine the evolving COVID-19 vaccine landscape for children, including access through the Vaccines for Children program, pediatric risk considerations, vaccination goals, and the importance of setting appropriate expectations about protection from severe disease. Along the way, the conversation touches on disease surveillance, vaccine-preventable illnesses including measles, and the operational realities practices face when recommendations, availability, and patient questions are all changing at the same time. For pediatric providers and practice teams heading into respiratory season, this episode helps translate recommendations into the questions that come up in the exam room—and the decisions practices have to make behind the scenes. Key TakeawaysFlu vaccination may feel familiar, but some of the details still deserve a closer look. Hear what Dr. Newhouse says about timing, missed opportunities, common patient questions, and setting expectations about what influenza vaccination can—and cannot—do.RSV prevention is no longer a one-size-fits-all conversation. The episode works through some of the questions practices may encounter when considering infant protection, maternal vaccination, previous infection, eligibility, and timing.The recommendation may be straightforward; implementing it often isn’t. Hear how availability, cost, VFC participation, birthing-hospital practices, and the transition from hospital to pediatric office can influence whether children actually receive recommended protection.COVID vaccination in pediatrics continues to require context. Dr. Newhouse discusses access, pediatric risk, uptake, and why conversations with families may need to focus less on preventing every infection and more on the outcomes vaccination is intended to improve.Respiratory-season planning is also a practice workflow issue. The conversation explores how outreach, reminders, routine visits, and reducing missed opportunities can help turn recommendations into actual patient care.And respiratory viruses aren’t the only vaccine-preventable diseases practices need on their radar. Hear how current disease activity and outbreaks—including measles—fit into the broader immunization conversation.To read the full articles referenced in this podcast episode, please see the URLs below. Please Note: articles may be restricted to authorized access via subscription or membership to the Journal or the Journal's owner entity.  AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases. Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2026–2027: Policy Statement. Pediatrics. 2026; doi: 10.1542/peds. 2026-078778 RSV Immunization Administration: Visual Guide American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. Recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccines in Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 2026-2027: Policy Statement. Pediatrics. 2026; doi: 10.1542/peds.2026-079045  American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. Recommendations for the Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease in Infants and Children: Policy Statement. Pediatrics. 2026; doi: 10.1542/peds.2026-079047

  3. Sep 23

    CPF Spotlight | Brentwood Children's Clinic with Caroline Prescott, MD

    Beyond the Exam Room: Using Social Media to Build Trust Can physicians use social media to educate and connect with families without becoming an “influencer”? In this episode of Cumberland Conversations: CPF Spotlight, Dr. Caroline Prescott shares how she began using social media as a pediatrician—and what she has learned about communicating health information in a space where families are already searching for answers. The conversation explores how physicians can use their experience in the exam room to create relevant, approachable content beyond the walls of the practice. Dr. Prescott discusses finding an authentic voice, identifying topics that matter to parents, and becoming comfortable communicating with a much larger audience than the families seen during a typical clinic day. We also examine the realities that can make clinicians hesitant to participate, including limited time, concerns about public reactions, professional boundaries, and the pressure to create polished content. Rather than presenting social media as another obligation, the episode offers a practical look at how providers can participate in a way that fits their personality, priorities, and available capacity. For physicians and practices considering a stronger online presence, this episode provides an honest conversation about the opportunities, discomforts, and responsibilities that come with bringing a trusted medical voice into the social media feed. KEY TAKEAWAYS Social media can extend a physician’s impact beyond the individual office visit. Hear how Dr. Prescott uses familiar questions and conversations from pediatric practice to inform the content she shares with a broader audience.You do not have to become a traditional influencer to provide value online. The conversation explores what it means to build a social media presence that still feels natural, credible, and connected to your professional role.Authenticity may matter more than producing perfectly polished content. Dr. Prescott shares what she has learned about finding her own communication style and becoming more comfortable in front of an online audience.The greatest barrier may not be the technology. Learn why concerns about visibility, judgment, time, and professional expectations can make posting feel more difficult than simply learning how to use a platform.Every post requires a balance between approachability and professional responsibility. The episode examines some of the boundaries clinicians should consider when translating their expertise into public-facing content.Credible healthcare voices have an opportunity to participate in conversations that are already happening. Hear why physicians should think carefully about the information families may find online when trusted clinicians are absent from the discussion.

  4. Sep 10

    Journal Club | Type 1 Diabetes Before Symptoms: Screening, Staging & Prevention with Dr. Bill Russell - PART 1

    What if type 1 diabetes could be identified before a child develops the symptoms that traditionally lead to a diagnosis? In this episode of Cumberland Conversations: Journal Club, Dr. Bill Russell joins us for an in-depth discussion about the changing understanding of type 1 diabetes—from a condition typically recognized after symptoms appear to an autoimmune disease that may be identified and monitored much earlier. The conversation explores how type 1 diabetes develops, what autoantibody screening can reveal, and how the staging of the disease is changing the way clinicians think about risk and diagnosis. We also examine who may benefit from screening, why family history tells only part of the story, and what a positive screening result could mean for children, families, and their healthcare providers. Dr. Russell discusses the practical and emotional questions that come with identifying risk before symptoms begin, along with the research and emerging therapies that may help delay progression to clinical type 1 diabetes. For pediatric and family medicine providers, the episode offers an important look at how primary care may fit into the future of earlier detection, family education, monitoring, and prevention. Key TakeawaysType 1 diabetes may begin developing well before its familiar symptoms appear. Hear how staging the disease changes the timeline clinicians have traditionally used to recognize it.Family history is important—but it does not identify every child at risk. The conversation examines why researchers and clinicians are considering broader approaches to screening.A positive screening result is the beginning of a clinical conversation, not the end of one. Dr. Russell discusses the questions surrounding confirmation, monitoring, family counseling, and what happens next.Earlier identification could change the experience of diagnosis. Learn why recognizing risk sooner may influence how children initially present and what options may be available to their families.New therapies are changing what it may mean to find type 1 diabetes early. The episode explores how the possibility of delaying disease progression is reshaping the value—and complexity—of screening.Primary care could play an increasingly important role in the future of type 1 diabetes prevention. Hear what pediatric and family medicine providers should understand as screening and treatment continue to evolve.View all of the slides from Dr. Russell here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eeCDEbrtNDdAXv3IHjzZ-c_O3GSmP99D/view?usp=sharing

  5. Sep 10

    Journal Club | Type 1 Diabetes Before Symptoms: Screening, Staging & Prevention with Dr. Bill Russell - PART 2

    What if type 1 diabetes could be identified before a child develops the symptoms that traditionally lead to a diagnosis? In this episode of Cumberland Conversations: Journal Club, Dr. Bill Russell joins us for an in-depth discussion about the changing understanding of type 1 diabetes—from a condition typically recognized after symptoms appear to an autoimmune disease that may be identified and monitored much earlier. The conversation explores how type 1 diabetes develops, what autoantibody screening can reveal, and how the staging of the disease is changing the way clinicians think about risk and diagnosis. We also examine who may benefit from screening, why family history tells only part of the story, and what a positive screening result could mean for children, families, and their healthcare providers. Dr. Russell discusses the practical and emotional questions that come with identifying risk before symptoms begin, along with the research and emerging therapies that may help delay progression to clinical type 1 diabetes. For pediatric and family medicine providers, the episode offers an important look at how primary care may fit into the future of earlier detection, family education, monitoring, and prevention. Key TakeawaysType 1 diabetes may begin developing well before its familiar symptoms appear. Hear how staging the disease changes the timeline clinicians have traditionally used to recognize it.Family history is important—but it does not identify every child at risk. The conversation examines why researchers and clinicians are considering broader approaches to screening.A positive screening result is the beginning of a clinical conversation, not the end of one. Dr. Russell discusses the questions surrounding confirmation, monitoring, family counseling, and what happens next.Earlier identification could change the experience of diagnosis. Learn why recognizing risk sooner may influence how children initially present and what options may be available to their families.New therapies are changing what it may mean to find type 1 diabetes early. The episode explores how the possibility of delaying disease progression is reshaping the value—and complexity—of screening.Primary care could play an increasingly important role in the future of type 1 diabetes prevention. Hear what pediatric and family medicine providers should understand as screening and treatment continue to evolve.View all of the slides from Dr. Russell here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eeCDEbrtNDdAXv3IHjzZ-c_O3GSmP99D/view?usp=sharing

  6. Aug 26

    CPF Spotlight | It Started with One Click: Cybersecurity with Jason Wheeler, Part 1

    What happens when a single click puts an entire medical practice at risk? In this episode of Cumberland Conversations: CPF Spotlight, we welcome Jason Wheeler of Scipio Technologies for a practical discussion on cybersecurity and the rapidly changing threats facing pediatric and family medicine practices. From increasingly sophisticated phishing attempts to compromised passwords and personal devices, we explore why cybersecurity is no longer just an issue for hospitals or large health systems—and why smaller practices need to be prepared.  We take a closer look at how modern cyberattacks begin, including phishing, credential theft, spoofing, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in making fraudulent communications more convincing. The conversation also examines practical defenses such as multifactor authentication (MFA), password practices, employee cybersecurity training, device security, remote access, and policies for staff using personal technology.  Finally, we discuss cyber liability insurance, emerging trends in healthcare cyber incidents, and the steps practice leaders can take before an attack occurs. Whether your organization has a dedicated IT team or limited staff and resources, this episode focuses on practical ways to strengthen your cybersecurity posture—from secure backups and vendor safeguards to ensuring your team knows exactly what to do if an incident happens tomorrow. KEY TAKEAWAYS Your practice may be small, but that doesn’t put it below a cybercriminal’s radar. Hear why smaller clinics can still be exposed—and why being proactive matters even when cybersecurity competes with dozens of other priorities. The email that compromises your practice may come from someone you already know. Jason walks through how legitimate accounts can be compromised and used to make phishing attempts much harder to recognize. AI is making familiar-looking threats even more convincing. The conversation explores how attackers can use personal information, writing patterns, and even voices to create scenarios that feel remarkably authentic. How your team responds after a mistake can matter as much as preventing the mistake itself. Learn why quickly reporting a suspicious click or compromised account can help contain an incident before it becomes much larger. Cybersecurity protection works in layers—not through one product or one fix. Jason explains the different areas practices should be thinking about and where some of the most practical protections fit into an overall security strategy.

  7. Aug 12

    Journal Club | Asthma, Wheezing & Alpha-Gal: What the Evidence Says with Dr. Len Bacharier

    How should emerging evidence change the way we approach common allergy and asthma concerns in pediatric practice? In this episode of Cumberland Conversations Journal Club, we examine new research addressing three practical questions in pediatric allergy and respiratory care: whether children with mild asthma benefit from anti-inflammatory rescue therapy, whether antibiotics improve outcomes in young children with recurrent wheezing, and how clinicians should interpret testing for alpha-gal syndrome. We begin with a discussion of emerging evidence supporting the use of an inhaled corticosteroid alongside a rapid-acting bronchodilator as rescue therapy for children with mild asthma. The conversation explores how this approach may reduce exacerbations and systemic steroid use while offering an alternative to traditional albuterol-only rescue treatment. We then turn to antibiotic use in young children with recurrent wheezing, reviewing evidence that reducing detectable bacteria does not necessarily translate into improved respiratory symptoms. The discussion highlights the importance of connecting microbiologic findings with meaningful clinical outcomes when considering antibiotic treatment. Finally, we explore alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-associated allergy characterized by delayed reactions to mammalian meat and other products containing alpha-gal. Particular attention is given to appropriate testing and diagnosis, including why a positive antibody result alone does not establish clinical disease and how testing without a compatible history can lead to unnecessary dietary restrictions. Together, these studies highlight the importance of translating new evidence thoughtfully into practice—using clinical outcomes, patient history, and appropriate diagnostic interpretation to guide treatment decisions. Articles discussed in this episode include:  Azithromycin for Preschoolers with Wheezing in the Emergency Department Alpha-gal Immunoglobulin E Seroprevalence Among Blood Donors — 10 States, 2024–2025 Budesonide–formoterol versus salbutamol as reliever therapy in children with mild asthma (CARE): a 52-week, open-label, multicentre, superiority, randomised controlled trial

  8. Jul 22

    Practice Management Minute | Drive-thru Flu Clinics with Lucinda Vazquez, RN

    Drive-through flu clinics can be an effective way to improve vaccine access while minimizing disruption to daily practice operations—but success depends on thoughtful planning and execution. In this episode of The Practice Management Minute, Jessica Ray sits down with pediatric practice manager, Lucinda Vazquez, RN of Heritage Medical Associates (Heritage East), to discuss the operational strategies behind a successful drive-through flu clinic. From selecting the right location and forecasting vaccine inventory to designing patient flow, assigning staff roles, maintaining cold-chain integrity, and documenting vaccinations efficiently, this conversation offers practical guidance for practices considering or refining their own events. Whether you're planning your first drive-through clinic or looking to improve an existing model, this episode provides real-world lessons and proven approaches to help your team deliver a safe, efficient, and positive vaccination experience.  Key Takeaways Successful drive-through clinics start with thoughtful planning. Choosing the right location, understanding patient demand, and preparing well in advance set the foundation for a smooth event.Clear staff roles keep the clinic running efficiently. Defining responsibilities for check-in, documentation, vaccine administration, and supply management helps maintain patient flow and reduces bottlenecks.Efficiency should never come at the expense of safety. Strong documentation processes, proper vaccine storage and handling, patient verification, and established safety protocols are critical throughout the event.Every clinic is an opportunity to improve the next one. Reviewing what worked, identifying challenges, and refining workflows each year helps create a more efficient and successful vaccination program over time.

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About

Cumberland Pediatric Foundation’s podcast, “Cumberland Conversations”, brings together pediatric experts, clinic leaders, and community partners to explore the issues shaping child health across Tennessee. Each episode offers practical insights, real-world strategies, and inspiring conversations designed to support pediatric practices, strengthen care delivery, and uplift the wellbeing of children and families. The focus stays on solutions that help practices strengthen operations, support their care teams, navigate changing polices, and improve outcomes for the families they serve. Whether you’re part of a small rural clinic or a large pediatric group, this podcast gives you useful ideas, timely updates, and stories from the field to help you deliver the best possible care to kids. Join us as we learn, share, and grow together.  

Information

  • Creator
    Cumberland Pediatric Foundation
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Cumberland Conversations
  • Show Website
    Cumberland Conversations

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