What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations

Oregon Primary Care Association
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Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Emergency Preparedness: Readiness and Tabletop Simulations

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke speaks with Ed Colson, President of Ready Northwest, to highlight the significance of emergency preparedness and how to strengthen plans through tabletop simulations. To demonstrate the benefits of tabletop exercises, Alex Jones of Cascadia Health and Michelle Guerrero of One Community Health join the discussion for a wildfire-focused simulation scenario.   About the Guests Ed Colson, President of Ready Northwest, with a background as a commercial helicopter pilot, a degree in emergency management, over 10 years experience in the field of health care and business emergency management, he is well versed in developing an emergency management and business continuity program for your organizations.  Alex Jones, Director of Security at Cascadia Health, is responsible for overseeing Cascadia Health’s physical security, public safety and emergency preparedness programs at all Cascadia sites and programs. Michele Shrum-Guerrero, Communications Manager at One Community Health (OCH), manages OCH’s marketing and communications team and strategic projects. In this capacity, she oversees patient group wellness projects at OCH.   Resources & Links Ready Northwest, www.readynorthwest.com One Community Health Blog, Wildfire Safety & Resources Join OPCA's Emergency Preparedness Synergy Group Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

    34 min

  2. Jun 23

    Building Workforce Pipelines: A Reflection with Michelle Bowers

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke sits down with Michelle Bowers, OPCA's Workforce Development Manager, to reflect on the conversation with Norma Santiago Hernandez about Multnomah County Community Health Center’s Dental Careers Pathways program. Michelle shares her approach to supporting Oregon health centers through community partnerships, grow-your-own pathways, and tools like case studies that document program processes, workflows, and budget forecasting.   About the Guest Michelle Bowers develops training programs that strengthen the community health center workforce. Michelle has more than a decade of experience in this field, and in 2024, completed a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management & Organizational Leadership through Multnomah University.   Resources & Links Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA), www.orpca.org OPCA Workforce Development, www.orpca.org/workforce-development/ Join OPCA's Human Resources Synergy Group by contacting Michelle Bowers, mbowers@orpca.org Additional resources are available in the Workforce Repository for OPCA members through the Member Portal Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

    25 min

  3. Jun 9

    Dental Career Pathways Program at Multnomah County Community Health Center

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education and Conversations, host Dani Gehrke speaks with Norma Santiago Hernandez, Dental Workforce Development Supervisor at Multnomah County Community Health Center, about how the health center is addressing dental workforce shortages through a community-centered Dental Career Pathways program. Norma shares her path into dentistry and provides insight into the program's structure, mentorship model, and lessons learned.   About the Guest Norma Santiago Hernandez is a compassionate and empathetic Registered Dental Hygienist with a deep commitment to improving her patients' lives. Beyond her clinical expertise, Norma mentors the next generation of dental professionals as an adjunct faculty member at Pacific University and serves as the Dental Workforce Development Supervisor at Multnomah County Community Health Center. Norma's work has been recognized through multiple awards, including the American Association of Public Health Dentistry's Community Dentistry, Dental Public Health Award, and OPCA's 2026 Compassion in Care Award.   Resources & Links Multnomah County Community Health Center, www.healthcenter.multco.us Multnomah County Community Health Center, Learning & Training Opportunities Dental Assisting National Board, www.danb.org Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

    23 min

  4. Jun 2 ·  Bonus

    The History of the Health Center Movement and the Storm Ahead for Oregon

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke and Marty Carty, OPCA’s Director of Governmental Affairs, trace the Health Center Program back to 1965, when Doctors Jack Geiger and Count Gibson launched the first neighborhood health centers, grounded in community governance, comprehensive care, and a commitment to never turn patients away. The conversation highlights how health centers became a cornerstone of community health, what today’s political environment means for their mission, and the importance of advocacy to sustain care for underserved communities.   About the Guest Marty Carty, Governmental Affairs Director at the Oregon Primary Care Association, oversees government affairs and policy initiatives for OPCA with responsibility for the organization’s public policy agenda and regulatory engagement on a range of state and federal priorities.    Resources & Links Oregon Primary Care Association, www.orpca.org Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health, www.geigergibson.publichealth.gwu.edu Interested in becoming a CHC advocate? Contact dgehrke@orpca.org Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

    28 min

  5. May 27

    Peers and Ending HIV & Hep C in Oregon: A Reflection with Dayna Morrison

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke sits down with Dayna Morrison, Senior Director of the HIV/STI Program at the Oregon Primary Care Association, to reflect on the conversation with Dr. Hunter Spencer about PATHS (Peer-Assisted Telemedicine for Health and Substance Users). Dayna emphasizes the importance of reaching Oregonians outside mainstream systems, especially in rural areas. The discussion also covers how peer input shapes provider education provided by the HIV/STI Program, and resources available to health care providers including capacity building, communities of practice, and one-on-one mentoring.   About the Guest Dayna Morrison brings over 20 years of experience working with people living with HIV/AIDS in Oregon and abroad. As the Senior Director of the HIV/STI Program at the Oregon Primary Care Association, Dayna provides capacity building assistance to health care systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and health care providers in efforts to build more robust health care environments. Previous professional positions include Director of HIV Services at Quest Center for Integrative Health, and Program Coordinator for the CDC Global AIDS Program.   Resources & Links Oregon AIDS Education & Training Center, www.oraetc.org/ Provider Mentoring, www.oraetc.org/prescriber-support Contact the HIV/STI Program at OPCA, info@oraetc.org Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

    26 min

  6. May 11

    PATHS: Peer Assisted Telemedicine for Health in Substance Users

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke speaks with Dr. Hunter Spencer of the Oregon Health & Science University about Oregon’s hepatitis C epidemic and the PATHS program (Peer Assisted Telemedicine for Health in Substance users). Dr. Spencer explains how stigma, trauma, and distrust keep many who use drugs from seeking care, and how certified peers in recovery build trust and facilitate communication between patients and clinicians.   About the Guest Dr. Hunter C. Spencer, DO, AAHIVS, provides care to create a more beautiful and just community. He is inspired to treat and cure diseases that interact with every aspect of people’s lives like chronic infections and substance use disorders. He finds meaning in sharing in his patients’ trauma, struggles and successes. PATHS is an intervention developed by Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) in collaboration with partners. Peer recovery support specialists (peers) assist people who use drugs to access hepatitis C (HCV) and syphilis testing, facilitate telemedicine HCV treatment, and support participants in medication adherence.   Resources & Links PATHS: Peer Assisted Telemedicine for Health in Substance Users, www.peerpathstohealth.org Additional interview about federal funding to support PATHS Oregon Primary Care Association programming to support Poly-Substance Use Disorder (PSUD) PSUD Workgroup PSUD Webinar Series Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

    23 min

  7. May 7

    Why is increasing patient access to life-saving medications vital?

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke is joined by OPCA Governmental Affairs Director, Marty Carty, to reflect on a conversation with RxFusion’s Josh Free regarding the Federal 340B Drug Pricing Program and physician office dispensing. The hosts also discuss Oregon’s 340B landscape and how the federal program enables health centers to improve health care access and medication compliance.   About the Guest Marty Carty, Governmental Affairs Director at the Oregon Primary Care Association, oversees government affairs and policy initiatives for OPCA with responsibility for the organization’s public policy agenda and regulatory engagement on a range of state and federal priorities.    Resources & Links Oregon Primary Care Association, www.orpca.org 340B Drug Pricing Program, www.hrsa.gov/opa RxFusion, www.rxfusion.com Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

    21 min

  8. Apr 24

    340B and Office Dispensing: RxFusion

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke interviews Josh Free, co-founder and president of RxFusion, to explore his background in pharmacy, his firsthand experience learning about the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, and what led him to launch a company focused on physician office dispensing.   About the Guest Josh Free, Co-founder and President of RxFusion, brings 20+ years experience in Health care. RxFusion is an physician office dispensing expert at streamlining medication delivery with in-clinic dispensing to your patients. If you’re looking to improve patient outcomes, speed time to therapy, and improve revenue, RxFusion allows you to dispense medications directly in your practice, boosting satisfaction for both staff and patients while saving money compared to contract pharmacy.   Resources & Links 340B Drug Pricing Program, www.hrsa.gov/opa RxFusion, www.rxfusion.com Sign up for email updates about the podcast here. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

    23 min

  9. Apr 10

    Why should I build a culture of advocacy?

    In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, reflects on recent interviews with Oregon Representatives Ed Diehl and Cyrus Javadi to explore why health centers should develop a culture of advocacy. Host Dani Gehrke is joined by the Oregon Primary Care Association's Health Policy Analyst, Erin Woods and Director of Governmental Affairs, Marty Carty.   About the Guest Marty Carty, Governmental Affairs Director at the Oregon Primary Care Association, oversees government affairs and policy initiatives for OPCA with responsibility for the organization’s public policy agenda and regulatory engagement on a range of state and federal priorities.  Erin Woods, Health Policy Manager at the Oregon Primary Care Association, dives deep into health policy in service of Oregon's Federally Qualified Health Centers to help health centers be more familiar with the legislative process in Oregon and the health care political landscape.   Resources & Links Oregon Primary Care Association, www.orpca.org To learn about the advocacy repository for health centers contact info@orpca.org Sign up for email updates about the podcast here Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

    29 min

  10. Apr 10

    Filling the Gap: A Dentist on the HIll

    In this episode of What the HEC, host Dani Gehrke interviews Oregon Representative Cyrus Javadi (House District 32) on how his background as a dentist and Tillamook County Community Health Center's Dental Director informs his health care policy work on the Oregon House Committee on Health Care.

    16 min

  11. Apr 10

    Shaping Health Policy: Oregon Landscape

    This episode of What the HEC explores where Oregon health policy decisions are made, and the role of the Oregon House Committee on Health Care. Host Dani Gehrke speaks with Representative Ed Diehl (House District 17), a Vice Chair of the committee, about his background, why he joined the committee, and its focus on access to care.

    14 min

  12. Season 1 Trailer

    Welcome to What the HEC!

    Welcome to What the HEC, Health Education and Conversations, a podcast by the Oregon Primary Care Association. From healthcare delivery to workforce challenges, each episode features conversations with primary care leaders and partners working to strengthen Oregon's Health Care Safety Net, as well as expand access for all Oregonians across our state.

    1 min

Trailer

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