Public Health Matters

Dakota Media Access

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Health & Fitness
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Public health is all around us — in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the choices we make every day. Public Health MATTERS dives into the real stories shaping our health and how communities support each other. Whether you’re health-savvy or just curious, join us for insights that connect us all. Because when we care for each other, our whole community gets stronger — and it all starts with us.

Sep 4

Public Health Matters Ep. 15 - Wait…Environmental Health Does WHAT?

Have you ever stopped to think about what goes on behind the scenes to keep the places where we eat, swim, live and play safe? From the food on your plate and the water in your pool to tattoos, septic systems and water quality, environmental health is part of our everyday lives in ways you might not realize. In this episode of Public Health MATTERS, Becky sits down with Lana Schmidt, Registered Environmental Health Sanitarian at Western Plains Public Health, for a fun, casual conversation about what environmental health really looks like—and why so much of this important work happens behind the scenes. Together, they explore the many hats environmental health wears and the role prevention plays in protecting our communities. 🛡️🌎 ☕ Grab your favorite drink and join us as we take a behind-the-scenes look at: 🍔 Food safety: What happens before your first bite? 🏊 Swimming pools & water quality: What goes into keeping that water safe? 🖊️ Body art: What does environmental health have to do with tattoos and piercings? 🚽 Septic systems: Why is something we rarely think about so important? 🔎 Prevention: How can identifying potential problems early help protect people and the environment? You may not always notice environmental health at work, and that's often a good thing! But there's a lot happening behind the scenes to help businesses meet requirements, provide safe services and reduce potential health and environmental risks. Because public health isn't just about what happens at the office. It's happening all around us, every day. Public Health MATTERS is about making public health personal by connecting our community with practical tips, expert insights and local resources to help everyone make healthier choices. Guest Information Lana Schmidt is a licensed veterinary technician as well as a Registered Environmental Health Sanitarian at Western Plains Public Health. Throughout her career she has been fortunate to work in a variety of settings. Lana wears multiple hats every day focusing on prevention, promotion, and protection.
Aug 7

Public Health Matters Ep. 14 - TikTok Said It, So It Must Be True...Right?

Have you ever heard a health tip and thought, “Wait…is that actually true?” 🤔 From social media trends and internet searches to advice passed down from friends and family, health information is everywhere. But with so much information floating around, it can be tricky to separate fact from fiction. In this episode of Public Health MATTERS, Becky sits down with Jess Barker, Director of Nursing at Western Plains Public Health, for a fun, casual conversation about some of the most common health myths and misconceptions. Together, they dig into why certain myths stick around, how misinformation spreads, and how we can all become better health detectives. 🕵️‍♀️🔎 ☕ Grab your favorite drink and join us as we tackle questions like: 📱 Why do some myths go viral? 💡 How do you find accurate information? 🏥 What does public health really do to help keep our communities healthy? Whether you’ve heard it online, from a friend, or have just always wondered if it was true, this episode will leave you with a few “aha!” moments and some helpful tools for making informed health choices. Because when it comes to your health, it’s always worth asking: “Is that a fact…or is that a myth?” Public Health MATTERS is about making public health personal by connecting our community with practical tips, expert insights, and local resources to help everyone make healthier choices. Guest Information: Jessica Barker is the new Director of Nursing for Western Plains Public Health. Throughout her nursing career she has been fortunate to work in a variety of settings including the hospital, assisted living facility, nursing home, and clinic. She has over 10 years’ experience working in a Public Health office, where her true passion for nursing remains. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, and reading. This job aligns with her health belief of striving for a healthier tomorrow through prevention, promotion, and protection.
Jul 3

Public Health Matters Ep. 13 - Protecting North Dakota's Greatest Resource: Its People

Every day, North Dakotans head to work with one goal in mind: to make it home safely at the end of the day. In this episode of Public Health MATTERS, Becky sits down with Art Thompson, Director of North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI), for a conversation about workplace safety, injury prevention, and the people behind the jobs. Many people know WSI for workers' compensation, but their work goes far beyond responding to injuries. Art shares how WSI partners with employers, workers, healthcare providers, and communities across North Dakota to help prevent injuries before they happen and support workers when they do. Becky and Art also discuss the powerful message behind North Dakota's Get Home Safe campaign and why workplace safety isn't just about policies and procedures, it's about protecting the people, families, and communities that matter most. Whether you work in healthcare, agriculture, construction, education, energy, or any other field, this episode is a reminder that behind every job title is a person, and someone waiting for them to come home. Guest Information Art Thompson serves as Director of North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI), the state's sole provider and administrator of workers' compensation services. Appointed director in 2022, Art leads efforts focused on workplace safety, injury prevention, and supporting injured workers throughout their recovery journey. A native of Washburn, North Dakota, Art has spent much of his career working alongside North Dakota businesses and industries in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining WSI, he served as executive director of the North Dakota Concrete Council and has held leadership roles in business development, communications, and industry relations throughout the state.
Jun 5

Public Health Matters Ep. 12 - It's Quitting Time

In this episode of Public Health MATTERS, we’re talking about Quit Week 2026 happening June 7–13 across North Dakota and this year’s message: It’s Quitting Time. Becky is joined by Neil Charvat from North Dakota’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program to talk about what quitting really looks like today, from cigarettes to vaping to nicotine pouches. This conversation centers on support, not judgment and the many ways people can find help when they’re ready to make a change. They explore why nicotine is so addictive, how quitting looks different for everyone, and the wide range of community and public health resources available across North Dakota. From NDQuits coaching and quit aids to local public health and healthcare supports, there are people ready to meet you where you are and walk alongside you in your quit journey. Whether someone is ready to quit now, thinking about it, or just curious, this episode is a reminder: you are not alone, and support is available without judgment whenever you’re ready. GUEST INFORMATION – Neil Charvat has worked in the state tobacco prevention and control program for eighteen years, twelve years as program manager. As a former tobacco user North Dakota native, Neil is motivated to help provide people with nicotine addiction treatment resources and prevent youth tobacco and nicotine initiation. RESOURCES Websites NDQuits phone and web resources. Phone: 800-Quit-Now or web: hhs.nd.gov/health/ndquits
May 1

Public Health Matters Ep. 11 - Take Care of Yourself: Because You Matter Too

Moms are often the ones caring for everyone else—but who’s taking care of them? In this episode of Public Health MATTERS, we’re talking about why self-care isn’t selfish…it’s essential. Becky is joined by nurses and Women’s Way Coordinators Kjersti Hintz and Jade Gross to explore the “default caregiver” role, the mental load many women carry, and how small, realistic self-care moments can make a big impact. They also dive into prevention, the importance of screenings, and how programs like Women’s Way help connect women to the care they need. This Mother’s Day, it’s a reminder to slow down, check in with yourself, and prioritize your health because you matter too. GUEST INFORMATION – Kjersti Hintz has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years. She currently serves as the Case Management Coordinator at Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and is the Women’s Way Coordinator for the Bismarck and Minot regions. Jade Gross has been a registered nurse for 24 years. She is the Western Plains Public Health Women’s Way Coordinator, serving Morton, Sioux, Grant, McLean, Mercer, Mountrail and Oliver counties. Kjersti and Jade are passionate about helping communities stay healthy…working to improve access to care, promoting early cancer detection, connecting women with services and making sure people have the resources they need to thrive. RESOURCES Websites hhs.nd.gov/health/women/womens-way bismarcknd.gov/363/Womens-Way westernplainsph.org/womens-way Facebook facebook.com/northdakotawomensway facebook.com/BBPublicHealth facebook.com/westernplainsph
Apr 3

Public Health Matters Ep. 10 - You've Got This: The Support Every First Time Mom Deserves

Becoming a first-time mom can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode of Public Health MATTERS, we’re taking a closer look at the Nurse-Family Partnership and how it supports moms from pregnancy through early parenthood. Becky sits down with Nurse Supervisor Jessica Linneman to talk about the power of home visiting, what families can expect from the program, and how personalized, judgment-free support helps moms build confidence and reach their goals. From real-life stories to practical guidance, this conversation highlights how early support can make a lasting difference for both mom and baby. Whether you’re expecting, know someone who is, or simply want to learn more about how communities support families, this episode is a reminder that strong beginnings start with support…and you’ve got this. Guest Info: Jessica Linneman has been a registered nurse for 21 years working with families and children. Jessica started her nursing career working in the NICU, Pediatrics and Birthing Center and in 2009 took a career as a public health nurse working in various prevention programs. In 2019, Western Plains and Bismarck Burleigh Public Health embarked on a journey to implement Nurse-Family Partnership in 5 ND counties (Burleigh, Morton, Grant, Mercer, Oliver and Sioux). Jessica is the Nurse-Family Partnership Nurse Supervisor and supports 4 nurses is a Certified Lactation Counselor, Child Passenger Safety Technician and a member of American Nurses Association and ND Nurses Association. Jessica works as a part-time academic staff teaching Public and Community Health Nursing to future nursing students. RESOURCES Website: westernplainsph.org/nurse-family-partnership Facebook: facebook.com/NFPinND
Mar 6

Public Health Matters Ep. 9 - In Their Corner: Helping Parents Feel Confident Informed and Supported

Helping parents feel confident, informed, and supported. Parenting comes with big decisions and plenty of opinions. You deserve steady, trustworthy support along the way. On this episode of Public Health MATTERS, host Becky has a thoughtful conversation with Dr. Kathy Anderson, about childhood health, including immunizations, and how prevention helps protect families and communities. 💜 In this episode, we cover: ✨ How prevention plays a powerful role in keeping kids safe 🤝 The importance of trusted healthcare partnerships 🧭 Resources and people who can support families in making informed decisions 🏡 Simple, practical tips for overall wellbeing at home 🌎 How everyday choices connect to the health of our communities No pressure. No overwhelm. Just clear information and supportive conversation you can trust. Guest Bio: Dr. Kathy Anderson is a double board-certified general pediatrician and integrative medicine physician. She has been practicing in Bismarck, North Dakota for over 15 years and in April of 2020, Dr. Anderson launched her own pediatric practice, Nurturing Wellness Pediatrics, where she works with families to optimize the health, development and learning, wellness, and safety of the whole child using an evidence-based approach, and with a strong focus on prevention. Originally from New York, Dr. Anderson completed her undergraduate and medical studies at Brown University through the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) before obtaining residency training in Pediatrics through the University of Hawaii. Driven by the challenges of disease, health, and healing that she had seen as a child, and with a desire to understand the art of medicine as well as the science of medicine, she went on to complete her fellowship in Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona. Dr. Anderson is an assistant professor of pediatrics for the University of North Dakota. She has served as an officer for North Dakota American Academy of Pediatrics starting in 2010 and completed her presidency for NDAAP in July 2022. She continued on in leadership in National Pediatric Leadership through the American Academy of Pediatrics as Regional Champion of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and is currently the District Vice Chair for District VI for the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 2022, she began serving on the board of directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and is also a board director at Foundations for a Healthy North Dakota. Inspired by her patients and families, and driven by her own children, Dr. Anderson brings curiosity, tenacity, and passionate problem-solving to all the work with which she engages whether it be clinical, education and advocacy, or systems- based work.
Feb 6

Public Health Matters Ep. 8 - Heart-to-Heart Keeping ND Healthy

💛 Heart-to-Heart: Keeping ND Healthy Heart disease is the leading cause of death in North Dakota…but the good news is, there’s so much we can do to prevent it. In this Heart Health Month episode, host Becky sits down with Tony Burke from the American Heart Association for an honest, encouraging conversation about heart health. Together, they explore how small, everyday choices, strong partnerships, and community voices come together to create healthier lives across our state. 🎙 New episode drops Friday, February 6! 💜 You’ll hear about: ❤️ Why heart health matters now more than ever ⏱ Simple, heart-smart tips you can start today 🤝 How community collaboration makes a real difference 📣 How your voice can help build a healthier North Dakota GUEST INFORMATION Tony is an inspirational senior executive with over 25 years of facilitative leadership experience, who is a proactive, collaborative, community-focused visionary bridge walker with expertise in organizational and community change management. As a Certified Change Management Practitioner (CCMPTM), he leads with the values of accountability and kindness by leaning into his certified strengths of strategic, belief, achiever, responsibility, and connectedness. After serving almost 20 years in the fire service, including a 4-year appointment in Washington DC with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Burn Foundation leading over 300,000 members in the field of burn prevention, advocacy, and survivor support, he committed himself to non-profit work, and service to the community, through his strong desire and understanding change is good. After spending time in the disaster response and recovery sectors, (Public and Private) a complex health care startup, the food bank industry, he joined the American Heart Association in April 2022 with the focus to increase heart and brain health, and health equity, through collective community change efforts and trusted relationship building. He serves as Government Relations Director serving South & North Dakota and in September 2024 was promoted to Government Relations, Regional Team Lead which includes oversight for Nebraska. RESOURCES Website heart.org/en/affiliates/north-dakota https://www.foundationnd.org/mphc

Public health is all around us — in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the choices we make every day. Public Health MATTERS dives into the real stories shaping our health and how communities support each other. Whether you’re health-savvy or just curious, join us for insights that connect us all. Because when we care for each other, our whole community gets stronger — and it all starts with us.

Creator

Dakota Media Access
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

15
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Copyright Dakota Media Access
Show Website

Public Health Matters