Moxielicious with Alexia Vernon Alexia Vernon

Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller, MSW, PhD has made it her mission to spread the message that “Talking About Death Won’t Kill You.” She has a passion for palliative care and improving the end-of-life care for all.
She is an associate professor in the School of Social Work and the Director of the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada.
Kathy was named the Lakehead University Research Chair on Aging and End of Life and is committed to improving the care provided at the bedside and in the community.
She is the author of the book, Talking About Death Won’t Kill You, with ECW Press, and the co-host of a new podcast Disrupting Death: Conversations about Medical Assistance in Dying.
When not working, she can be found nagging her lovely young-adult children, winning at a board game against her husband, or walking her best friend, Lucy Maude.
In episode 513 of Moxielicious®, Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller and I discuss:
Why talking about death is one of the most important “awkward conversations” we can have with our loved ones and in the workplace The most often overlooked parts of death conversations How to hold space for somebody who is dying A new, more expansive way to think about leaving a legacy Palliative care, medical assistance in dying (MAID), and other terminology related to death and dying Resources Mentioned in This Episode:  
Grab Kathy’s book, Talking About Death Won’t Kill You Watch Kathy’s TEDx Talk, Talking About Death Won’t Kill You here Listen to Kathy’s podcast, Disrupting Death Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Kimberly Grana, RDCS, CMPE is a healthcare executive with over two decades of dedication to the value-based care community. Kim is currently the Vice President of Operations for Valley Oaks Medical Group, the third largest primary care group in Southern Nevada.
A detailed-oriented, high accessible leader who always puts employees first and is focused on building a culture of engagement, growth and development, and inclusion, Kim is the 2023-2024 President of the Nevada Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).
Kim is also a Nationally Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) and a Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE).
Kim sits on the board of the Nevada Healthcare Forum, a multi-association group that represents the ACHE, HIMSS, HFMA and MGMA. Her active membership and participation in industry associations demonstrates her commitment and dedication to current industry laws, regulations, and best practices in providing value-based care.
During episode 512 of Moxielicious®, Kim Grana discusses why value-based care and patient-centered care are two key catalysts for better healthcare.
She details many Valley Oaks Medical Group best practices, such as—
Using scribes and creative charting solutions so physicians can have more eye contact and face-to-face time with patients Creating online chats that are connected to a person and to walk-in clinics for more efficiency and better access to healthcare Involving physicians in recruiting and hiring their medical assistants and administrative teams to ensure a culture fit Prioritizing learning and development for all employees to ensure everybody is committed to value-based care During the interview, Kim also shares:
How value-based care integrates putting people first with the need for profitability Why prioritizing culture, communication, and customer service leads to better staff retention and patient reviews Simple solutions to address top patient frustrations and improve patient access to on-demand healthcare Strategies and techniques for prioritizing and scheduling training (Hint: utilizing video training and having a pool of floats are key!) How to use competitors as positive peer pressure for facilitating healthcare improvements and changes Resources Mentioned in This Episode:  
Learn more about Kim Grana, value-based care and Valley Oaks Medical Group Learn more about Step into Your Moxie healthcare communication programs here Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Dr. Apeksha Desai is a board-certified internist in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. She has been practicing medicine for nearly 14 years and has held several leadership roles including, most recently, serving as the Medical Director for OptumCare where she led a team of 135+ providers who delivered value-based care across 18 clinics in the Las Vegas Valley.
Now, Dr. Desai is the founder of Ace Primary Care, an organization focused on delivering excellent primary care. She specializes in delivering personalized care that empowers her patients to live their best lives.
Dr. Desai understands that healthcare is a business and one where she wants to have a seat at the table to make decisions. A physician entrepreneur, she’s proud to hold an MBA as well as an MD.
In episode 511 with Dr. Apeksha Desai, we discuss what it means to provide personalized care for patients in medicine. More specifically, Dr. Desai shares—
Key contributors to health and well-being and how she holds space for important conversations on mental health Why having continuity in care facilitates better health outcomes and medical experiences for patients Her approach to holding space for difficult conversations with patients The difference between lifespan and healthspan—and why healthspan is a better goal Why the mind-body connection matters and should be discussed in Western medicine Resources Mentioned in This Episode:  
Learn more about Dr. Apeksha Desai and, if you are in Las Vegas, experience her personalized care approach at Ace Primary Care Learn more about Step into Your Moxie healthcare communication programs here Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Heidi Kyser joined Desert Companion, the premier city magazine that celebrates the pursuits, passions, and aspirations of Southern Nevadans, as a staff writer in January 2014. In 2018, she was promoted to senior writer and producer, working for both DC and State of Nevada. She produced KNPR’s first podcast, the Regional Murrow Award-winning Native Nevada, in 2020. The following year, she returned her focus full-time to Desert Companion, becoming Deputy Editor, and became interim editor, replacing Andrew Kiraly, in July 2022.
In her 20 years as a print and on-air journalist, Heidi’s done it all, from news writing for a weekly business publication, to producing multimedia stories for an alternative weekly, winning a handful of Eddie, Maggie, and Nevada Press Association awards along the way.
When she’s not camping, hiking, riding her bike, or doing some other outdoor activity with her husband Peter, Heidi is most likely to be found on a yoga mat, being spotted by her 90-pound American Bulldog Buster.
During episode 510 on how to make healthcare work better for all, Heidi discusses her experiences reporting on healthcare for Desert Companion. Plus, she shares how a diagnosis of Valley Fever, a fungal infection that can attack a person’s nervous system, their most vital organs, and lead to cerebral meningitis (and, in extreme cases, death) “brought home the healthcare system shortcomings [she’s] reported on for years.”
More specifically, Heidi shares:
Key changes in the healthcare system that could help medical providers AND patients How her personal experiences navigating her own healthcare motivated her reporting with Desert Companion Why self-advocacy is a vital patient competency Her hopes for how healthcare will evolve by 2033 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:  
Learn more about Heidi Kyser and her work at Desert Companion Read 5 Big Ideas for Better Healthcare in Desert Companion Learn more about Desert Companion Connect with Heidi on Twitter Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

An expert on disability inclusion and disability-inclusive leadership, Sarah Kirwan is the founder and CEO of Eye Level Communications, a woman-owned and disability-owned business. She is a forward-thinking DEIJ Consultant and Trainer with 25 years of experience advising leaders and collaborating across disciplines to advance culture in line with shared values and strategic plans.
Sarah has held multiple executive positions, including Assistant Hospital Administrator and Public Information Officer for Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, a world-renowned physical rehabilitation hospital in Los Angeles, California. She is accomplished at establishing the conditions for constituent success. As a result of her work in Congress on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), she was selected to lead the implementation of new ACA hospital policies.
Sarah is a vibrant speaker and passionate thought leader, accomplished at establishing conditions for constituent success, gaining buy-in for custom solutions, and creating a shared vision of accessibility.
Sarah graduated Magna Cum Laude from California State University, Los Angeles, with a Master of Science degree in Public Administration.
In 2011, Sarah was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and in 2019, she was diagnosed with Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence. Her combination of personal and professional experience makes her a trusted resource and a passionate disability justice and disability inclusion champion. She uses her voice to amplify those that go unheard and empower those who have yet to find theirs.
During episode 509 of Moxielicious® with Sarah Kirwan, we discuss—
What disability inclusion really means—and why focusing on hiring people with disabilities is not enough The importance of providing pathways for people living with disabilities to move into leadership roles with real decision-making power The double-bind of “invisible” disabilities—and the cost of having to prove you are disabled enough Why disability inclusion training is needed beyond traditional DEI training The value of volunteership and giving back for people living with disabilities Resources Mentioned in This Episode:  
Learn more about Sarah Kirwan and how she supports leaders and organizations with disability inclusion through her company, Eye Level Communications Connect with Sarah on Instagram and LinkedIn Listen to Sarah’s Incluse This! Podcast for more disability inclusion recommendations Learn more about the Moxielicious® Mastermind for women coaches, consultants, trainers, and experts—and submit your application early Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Dr. Rebecca Eldredge is on a mission to ensure socially conscious leaders don’t succumb to compassion fatigue.
I’ve had the privilege of working with Dr. Eldredge for the last two years, and she is unparalleled in her ability to integrate stories, statistics, and practical suggestions for how to create workplaces that create more wellbeing for their people.
For the past 20 years, Dr. Eldredge has used her commitment to mental health, cultural competence, and social justice to support individuals and organizations to cultivate compassion to protect their wellbeing as they bring compassion and justice to their organizations and communities. She has been honored to work with corporations, university departments, and refugee resettlement agencies as well as hundreds of diverse clients.
Dr. Eldredge completed both her M.A. and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and has been an adjunct in the University of Houston’s and Our Lady of the Lake’s graduate psychology programs. She is also a Step into Your Moxie® Certified Facilitator.
In this episode, Dr. Eldredge and I discuss compassion fatigue, burnout, and the importance of developing cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills.
More specifically, we address—
What compassion fatigue is and how to recognize and navigate through it Why employee wellbeing is connected to excellence at work—and professions at highest risk for compassion fatigue, burnout and attrition Why it might be time to shift from cultural competence to cultural humility Sobering statistics about the connection between experiencing injustice and developing a medical condition Plus, a surprising recommendation from Mother Theresa Resources Mentioned in This Episode:  
Learn more about Dr. Rebecca Eldredge and her work at the intersections of preventing compassion fatigue and amplifying the voices of marginalized leaders, caregivers, and change makers Connect with Dr. Eldredge on Instagram Download Dr. Eldredge’s 5 Ways to Speak Up for Social Justice Join my Stand Out as a Thought Leader virtual workshop Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!