University Of Iowa College Of Public Health

What does support really mean for caregivers? In this episode, Lauren sits down with Emily Killian, a PhD candidate in Community and Behavioral Health at the University of Iowa, to discuss her research on caregivers of people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Emily shares how her interest in aging and caregiving led her to study social support networks, particularly among caregivers in rural communities. The conversation explores the realities of caregiving, the unique challenges faced by rural families, and why traditional measures of social support may not fully capture caregivers' experiences. Emily also explains how researchers use cognitive interviewing to improve survey tools and ensure that the voices of caregivers are reflected in public health research. Whether you have experience caring for a loved one, work in healthcare, or are simply interested in how research shapes public health programs and policy, this episode offers valuable insights into the importance of listening t

As America's population ages, access to long-term care is becoming an increasingly urgent issue, especially in rural communities. In this episode, Lauren sits down with Dr. Hari Sharma to discuss the growing challenge of nursing home closures in rural America and what those closures mean for patients, families, and communities. While nursing homes have always opened and closed over time, recent years have seen an overall decline in the total number of facilities nationwide, creating new concerns about access to both post-acute and long-term care services. Dr. Sharma explains how researchers measure access to care, why rural communities are particularly vulnerable when facilities close, and what happens when older adults are forced to seek care farther from home. The conversation explores the financial pressures facing nursing homes, workforce shortages, Medicaid reimbursement challenges, and the growing gap between the care rural residents need and the services available to them. The episode also examines

In this episode of Plugged Into Public Health, Lauren sits down with Professor Baker from the University of Iowa College of Law to unpack the complicated legal framework surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, parental leave, and workplace protections in the United States. Together, they explore how pregnancy became treated primarily through discrimination law, why the U.S. differs so dramatically from many other industrialized countries on paid parental leave, and how policies like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) came to exist in their current form. The conversation digs into the tension between gender equality and biological reality in public policy, including whether treating everyone “the same” under the law always leads to equitable outcomes in practice. Professor Baker also explains how unpaid leave disproportionately impacts lower-income workers and single mothers, why many employers structure leave policies the way they do, and what realistic policy reforms could look like in the future. Througho

This week on Plugged In to Public Health, Raj and Faith sit down with renowned biostatistician and public health researcher Bhramar Mukherjee following her Hansen Distinguished Lecture at the University of Iowa College of Public Health. Dr. Mukherjee shares her journey from studying mathematics in India to becoming a leading voice in biostatistics, epidemiology, and public communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, they explore the “four quadrants” that shaped her lecture and career: ethics, community engagement, communication, and capacity building. The conversation dives into some of the biggest questions facing public health today: -What responsibilities do statisticians have beyond the numbers? -How do we communicate uncertainty to the public? -What happens when politics shapes data collection? -How should researchers think about AI, privacy, and the future of education? -And why might friction, tension, and even mistakes be essential for growth and creativity? Dr. Mukherjee also reflects o

This week on Plugged In to Public Health, Lauren sits down with Dr. Erin Wissler Gerdes, recent PhD graduate from the University of Iowa College of Public Health, to discuss the mental and emotional realities of early parenthood, including anxiety, burnout, loneliness, and “parental rage.” Drawing from her dissertation research and personal experience as a parent of three young children, Erin explains what parental rage actually is, why it remains under-discussed, and what her research revealed about how common these experiences are among both moms and dads. The conversation explores the role of social support, mental load, overstimulation, and the structural pressures shaping modern parenting. The episode also examines broader public health and policy questions surrounding childcare, parental leave, social isolation, and what meaningful support for families could look like moving forward. In recognition of Mother’s Day weekend, this episode highlights the importance of supporting parents not just individu

In this episode of Plugged In to Public Health, Lauren sits down with Rachel Valentine, a PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Iowa, practicing therapist, and Mental Health Director for Graduate and Professional Student Government. Together, they explore the growing issue of isolation among graduate and professional students and discuss how institutions can better support student well-being through community-centered approaches. What We Cover: -Why isolation is so common in graduate and professional programs -The role of academic pressure, life transitions, and systemic expectations -Why traditional student programming often fails to address real needs -The concept behind the Graduate Student Dialogue Series -How student-driven, informal spaces can foster connection -The importance of multidimensional wellness beyond clinical mental health -Practical ways students can begin to rebuild connection in their own lives Featured Initiative: Graduate Student Dialogue Series A ne

In part two of this conversation, we continue our discussion with Professor Hannah Shultz, shifting from rising food prices to the deeper policy and ethical questions shaping food access in the United States. This episode explores the debate around SNAP restrictions, including whether limiting certain food purchases actually improves health outcomes or instead reinforces stigma and inequity. We also examine how narratives around “healthy choices” often overlook broader structural factors, and what it means to approach food policy with dignity, autonomy, and real-world context in mind. The conversation also highlights where progress is happening, particularly at local levels through community-based food systems, school meal programs, and food-as-medicine initiatives. Throughout, a central theme emerges: food is not just fuel. It is cultural, social, and deeply tied to identity and well-being. A transcript of this episode will be available here soon. Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an ep

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Hannah Shultz to unpack what rising food prices actually mean for food access and food insecurity in the United States. From grocery store sticker shock to broader policy decisions, this conversation connects everyday experiences to the larger systems shaping who can afford to eat and how. We explore how inflation, supply chain dynamics, and labor challenges are influencing the cost of food, along with the role of federal policy, including the Farm Bill and SNAP, in shaping access across communities. The conversation also highlights why food insecurity is not a one-size-fits-all issue and how unpredictability in prices and income can make it even harder for households to stay food secure. This is part one of a two-part series. Be sure to tune in next week as we continue the conversation. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-food-systems-under-pressure-part-1/ Have a question for o

In this episode of Plugged In to Public Health, Lauren sits down with Dr. Amy Herring, Professor of Statistical Science and Dean of Natural Sciences at Duke University, to explore how biostatistics shapes real-world public health research. From her early interest in applying math to meaningful problems to her current work across a wide range of health topics, Dr. Herring shares what it really looks like to build a career at the intersection of data and impact. The conversation highlights how statisticians collaborate with scientists and clinicians to translate complex questions into usable evidence. Dr. Herring walks through examples from her work, including global health research on sepsis in Tanzania, where differences in patient populations challenged assumptions built from studies in the United States and Europe. These experiences reveal how context, culture, and data quality all influence the conclusions we draw. This episode also touches on what makes collaboration effective, why understanding how dat

What does a local health department actually do and how do they decide what matters most in a community? In this episode of Plugged In to Public Health, we sit down with Jamie Gade, Social Determinants of Health Coordinator at Johnson County Public Health, to talk about Healthy JoCo, the county’s community health assessment and improvement initiative. Jamie walks us through how public health teams combine national data sources with local surveys, focus groups, and lived experiences to understand what is really happening in their community. From measuring loneliness to assessing food insecurity, this work highlights how much nuance can be missed in large-scale data and why local insight is essential. We also explore how public health departments partner with organizations across sectors, including food systems, transportation, and libraries, to address complex challenges that no single group can solve alone. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling alongside data, especially when communica

A Public Health Internship Abroad: In this episode of Plugged in to Public Health, Lauren speaks with University of Iowa public health student Jahanvi Chawla about her summer internship abroad in London. Through a hybrid program that combined coursework and hands on experience, Jahanvi worked with Healthwatch Enfield, a community organization that gathers local feedback on healthcare access and connects residents with resources. During the internship, Jahanvi helped develop a community mental health guide designed to support residents during long wait times for formal services. The project involved conversations with community groups, stakeholders, and local organizations to better understand barriers to mental health care. These experiences highlighted the role that culture, stigma, and community networks play in shaping how people seek support. The conversation also explores differences between the US and UK healthcare systems, what it means to do community centered public health work, and how studying ab

In this episode of Plugged into Public Health, host Lauren Lavin sits down with University of Iowa MHA alum Jim Skogsbergh to reflect on a 43 year career in healthcare leadership. Jim recently retired after more than two decades as a hospital CEO and shares what he learned about leadership, mentorship, and building strong teams in healthcare organizations. Jim discusses his early career path after graduating from the University of Iowa, including how his administrative residency helped launch opportunities that shaped the rest of his career. He also reflects on the importance of mentorship, explaining how senior leaders opened doors for him early on and how he now gives back through executive coaching and advising younger professionals. The conversation explores what makes a strong healthcare leader, how to build effective leadership teams, and why communication, humility, and resilience often matter as much as technical expertise. Jim also shares his perspective on leading through major healthcare changes,

In this episode, we sit down with Brian Gryzlak, Program Director at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, to talk about what it really takes to coordinate large multi-site epidemiological research. Brian directs Iowa’s participation in PCORnet, a national patient-centered clinical research network that standardizes healthcare data across institutions to support large-scale comparative effectiveness research. We discuss how data quality is maintained across dozens of sites, what it means to build trust across institutions, and why clear expectations are essential in complex research environments. Brian also reflects on his 20 year career in grant-funded research, sharing insights on leadership, infrastructure, and the importance of institutional knowledge. For students and early-career researchers, this episode offers practical advice on how to stand out in research roles, ask better questions, and contribute meaningfully to large collaborative studies. A transcript of this episode will be avail

In this episode of Plugged Into Public Health, three second-year MHA students reflect on their summer internship experiences and the lessons they are carrying forward into their administrative fellowships. Matt Mathew shares his experience at UCHealth in Colorado, where he worked across multiple service lines including trauma, oncology, cardiovascular, and neuro/spine. He discusses leading Lean Six Sigma process improvement efforts and learning to manage ambiguity in executive-facing projects. Hattie Dukes spent her summer at Allina Health in the Twin Cities, working in continuing care. Her projects ranged from writing a business plan for an inpatient rehabilitation expansion to exploring housing solutions for long-stay patients. She reflects on the importance of engaging frontline staff and advocating for her own learning. Meg Yellepeddi interned at Deloitte in Chicago, supporting a large-scale electronic health record implementation. She discusses project management in consulting, organizational change m

In this episode of Plugged Into Public Health, Lauren speaks with Dr. Jill Kolesar about ovarian cancer, precision medicine, and the challenges of translating scientific discovery into real-world care. Dr. Kolesar explains why ovarian cancer remains difficult to treat, including late-stage diagnosis and limited response to immunotherapy. She shares her team’s work on a novel cell-based therapy designed to convert “cold” tumors into ones the immune system can attack, with the goal of improving effectiveness while reducing toxicity. The conversation also explores molecular tumor boards, the role of pharmacists in precision oncology, and how collaboration and data sharing help bring innovation to community and rural settings. This episode highlights not only cutting-edge science, but the systems required to ensure that breakthroughs actually reach patients. A transcript of this episode will be available here soon. Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-Grad

What happens when accessing health care requires booking a flight instead of driving down the road? In this episode of Plugged In to Public Health, we talk with John Desfor, a University of Iowa MPH graduate now working in rural health research and policy in Hawaii. John shares what rural health looks like in one of the most geographically isolated regions in the United States and why transportation access is one of the most critical and overlooked barriers to care. We explore how inter-island travel for medical appointments leads to missed visits, delayed diagnoses, and worsening health outcomes, and why transportation should be treated as a core social determinant of health. John also walks us through policy solutions developed through community listening sessions and research, including insurance coverage gaps, emergency transport coordination, and innovative alternatives to traditional air travel. This conversation reframes transportation as a solvable policy problem with national relevance. A transcri

In this episode of Plugged In to Public Health, we sit down with James Byrne, assistant professor of radiation oncology and biomedical engineering at the University of Iowa, to explore how interdisciplinary science is reshaping cancer care. Dr. Byrne shares his path through MD-PhD training and explains how his work bridges medicine, engineering, and biology to address some of the biggest challenges in oncology. From oxygen-delivering foams inspired by everyday tools to radiation-protective proteins borrowed from extremophile organisms, this conversation highlights how surprisingly simple concepts can lead to powerful clinical innovations. We also discuss why curing cancer is no longer the only goal. As survival rates improve, protecting patients’ long-term quality of life has become just as critical. Dr. Byrne explains how his lab is working to prevent the lasting side effects of cancer treatments, not just treat the disease itself. This episode also offers practical insight for students and early-career r

In Part Two of our conversation on yoga and addiction recovery, we continue our discussion with Noelle, a trauma informed yoga teacher whose work bridges holistic practice, recovery support, and community healing. This episode moves beyond introduction and into impact, exploring what healing can look like over the long term and why recovery is about far more than willpower alone. Noelle shares insights on relapse, nervous system regulation, and the challenges individuals face when transitioning out of structured treatment and back into everyday life. We discuss how yoga can support the brain and body during recovery, how somatic practices complement medical and behavioral health interventions, and why compassion, safety, and dignity are essential components of effective recovery systems. Listeners will also hear powerful reflections from individuals who participate in Recovery Yoga, offering firsthand perspectives on what it means to reconnect with the body, feel safe again, and experience moments of ease w

In this first episode of our two part series on yoga and addiction, we sit down with Noelle, a trauma informed yoga teacher who leads Recovery Yoga in Iowa City. Her work brings movement, breath, and community into addiction treatment settings, creating a space where people can reconnect with their bodies and experience healing without judgment. Host Lauren, a yoga teacher of nine years, reflects on attending one of Noelle’s Tuesday night classes and witnessing firsthand how intentionally crafted the environment is. The conversation explores Noelle’s path into yoga, the experiences that shaped her interest in addiction and trauma, and the unique role yoga can play for individuals in recovery. Listeners will hear about what yoga looks like inside treatment programs, why safety and choice are essential, and how even simple practices like breathwork can begin to shift long standing patterns of disconnection. Part Two continues next week with a deeper look at trauma, healing, and long term recovery through yoga

How we talk to older adults matters more than we think. In this episode of Plugged into Public Health, host Lauren Lavin talks with Dr. Claire Shaw, assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing, about her research on dementia care and the communication patterns that shape it. Dr. Shaw explains what elderspeak is, why it often appears in caregiving settings, and how even well-meaning speech can unintentionally trigger stress, confusion, or care refusal in people living with dementia. Drawing from her work in nursing homes and hospitals, Dr. Shaw breaks down how communication can influence patient behavior, why certain caregiving habits persist, and how small changes in tone, wording, and approach can lead to better outcomes. She also shares practical tools for both healthcare professionals and families who want to communicate more respectfully and effectively with loved ones experiencing cognitive decline. This conversation offers a thoughtful look at the intersection of language, dignity