Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can follow an injury or infection and can affect anyone, regardless of age. There is treatment, but it's critical to act fast. In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Dr. Chan is joined by Tara Cirella, a local mom who tragically lost her daughter, Gianna, to sepsis a few years ago and Dr. Lee Polikoff, a pediatric critical care specialist at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.  He was one of the physicians in charge of Gianna’s care and is an expert on sepsis. They'll talk about understanding the signs and symptoms of sepsis and the importance of asking questions and advocating for our loved ones if there is a chance they could be suffering from sepsis. It could save a life. This is an episode you won't want to miss. 

September is National Preparedness Month. It's also the peak of the Atlantic Hurricane season! In this episode, Dr. Chan talks with Andrea Creach, from RIDOH's Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response, about how hurricanes and other weather events can impact our health, and what we can do to prepare and protect ourselves from the effects of these types of emergencies. 

In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Dr. Chan sits down with psychiatrist and professor, Dr. Paul Wallace, to talk  about mental health – from a few of the common types of mental health conditions, to when it may be best to seek treatment – and from whom. Download and give a listen. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #NMHAM

In Rhode Island, there is just one laboratory that conducts all public health, environmental, and forensic crime testing for the State. It all happens in one inconspicuous building near Downtown Providence. In this week’s episode, we hear from the director of the State Health Laboratories, Dr. Ewa King.  

Dr. King takes us behind the scenes to find out what exactly the State health lab does, and the role her team played during COVID-19. Hear what it was like to find the first positive case of COVID-19 in Rhode Island, and learn about the risks and safety measures for employees. 

Co-hosts Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan refer to Dr. King as one of the “public health heroes behind the scenes.” Listen to this week’s episode to find out why.  

Substance use and overdoses are an epidemic in this country, and Rhode Island is not immune. But efforts to combat substance use are often highly misunderstood. This week’s episode sheds light on some of those efforts, commonly referred to as harm reduction and overdose prevention strategies.  

Our guest expert is Dr. Brandon Marshall, a professor of epidemiology from Brown University’s School of Public Health who’s research covers substance use, infectious diseases, and the social determinants of health of urban populations.  Dr. Marshall leads the development team at the Brown University School of Public Health for Prevent Overdose RI, the statewide overdose data dashboard.

With our co-hosts Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan, Dr. Marshall  directly addresses some of the common misconceptions that people have about prevention efforts like safe injection sites, needle exchange programs, and the availability of naloxone, which is a medication that can reverse the effects of a drug overdose. 

Listen to this week’s episode to learn what Rhode Island is doing to address substance use, and find out how local efforts compare to what’s going on around the globe.  

In this week’s episode, Dr. Philip Chan and Dr. Jim McDonald are joined by Dr. Amy Nunn, the executive director of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute. Dr. Nunn talks about food insecurity and the obstacles low-income people face when it comes to nutritional diet.  

Dr. Nunn also discusses a pair of recently introduced bills that would place a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on sugary drinks sold in Rhode Island. The tax revenue would support healthy eating incentives for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. 

 Download or stream this week’s episode to learn which drinks would get taxed and where the revenue would go. 

Misinformation is everywhere. And it has long-lasting implications for public health. In this week’s episode, we’re talking about the threat of fast-spreading, factually inaccurate information.  

During COVID-19, Americans saw just how far misinformation could spread when national leaders began touting unproven remedies for COVID-19. The aftermath of misinformation can mean confusion, distrust, and, in the most serious circumstances, death. 

Learn more about misinformation and the attack on science from our guest Tom Nichols, PhD, a professor at the U.S. Naval War College and Harvard Extension School. He is also the author of “The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters.”  

It only takes a quick internet search to find an answer to your question. But what happens when that answer isn’t correct? Listen to this week's episode to find out. 

In this episode, Dr. Kantor talks about different variants of concern, and the importance of getting vaccinated to prevent spreading the virus. Join Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan as they break down what exactly the presence of variants means for Rhode Island as we enter a new stage of the pandemic.  

Let’s talk about another epidemic: the overdose crisis.
With social isolation at an all-time high, overdose rates have been on the rise during COVID-19. It’s being called the “twindemic,” and public health leaders are advocating for more prevention measures, education, and resources to address it. 
In this week’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, an addiction psychiatrist and the former chief medical officer at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 
Along with our co-hosts Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan, Dr. Katz talks about the connection between mental health and substance use conditions. What does Dr. Katz say is key to addressing discrimination and bias surrounding these topics? Download this week’s episode to learn more.

“Vaccines should not be withheld from women,” says Dr. Erica Hardy, an infectious disease physician at Women & Infants Hospital. She joins healthcare leaders across the country who are raising awareness about COVID-19 vaccine safety and pregnancy. 

New self-reported data gathered from the vaccine rollout suggests there is no additional risk for pregnant women who take a COVID-19 vaccine. The latest information from the CDC helps address several sources of misinformation that concerned pregnant women — a group that is usually susceptible to more severe respiratory illnesses. 

In this week’s episode, Dr. Hardy discusses COVID-19 outcomes among pregnant women and the potential risks of not getting vaccinated. She also dispels some of the false rumors that have discouraged at-risk women from protecting themselves and their families. 

Tune in to learn about the latest data on pregnancy and vaccines with Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan. You won’t want to miss the important takeaways surrounding this topic. 

Any parent can tell you that welcoming a new baby to the family is a magical moment. Amidst the avalanche of information that new parents are offered, safe sleep is one important aspect that should never be overlooked.

Every year, there are 3,500 sleep-related deaths among babies in the United States. Many of these tragic and heartbreaking events could have been prevented through safe sleep strategies.

In this episode, Margo Katz of the Rhode Island Department of Health shares the ABCs of safe baby sleep and the potential health risks posed by everyday items. Is your baby using blankets and bedsheets? Are you sharing your bed? This episode tackles these questions head-on and makes a strong case for keeping babies in their cribs.

Join Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan to learn about the key strategies to help reduce sleep-related risks for babies. If you’re a new parent or know someone who has a newborn, you won’t want to miss this episode!

It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of Americans in the mid-1960s smoked cigarettes. Tobacco use saw a steep decline in popularity when the U.S. surgeon general issued a report that famously concluded that smoking was a probable cause for lung cancer.

Today, most people understand that smoking is harmful to their health. Over the last decade, however, vaping has emerged as an alternative nicotine product that could pose significant health risks for younger people — especially in the era of COVID-19.

In this episode, Daniel Fitzgerald of the American Lung Association shares the compelling reasons adults and adolescents should be cautious about vaping. He describes the public health challenges regarding vaping and discusses the cycle of addiction that could linger with users for years.

Fitzgerald, who started as a youth advocate, also gives a personal story that highlights the far-reaching consequences of using nicotine at an early age. A spokesperson for the TRUTH Initiative, Fitzgerald has contributed to Rhode Island’s efforts to reduce the impact of tobacco.

Tune in for another exciting episode that explores an emerging public health concern. You’ll hear Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan raise important questions that parents and teens may be wondering.

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For free, confidential, and personalized resources to help teens ages 13-17 quit smoking or vaping nicotine, please visit mylifemyquit.com. Teens and adults may also call the free Rhode Island Nicotine Helpline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to get customized quit coaching sessions by phone at times convenient to them (day or night) and more free resources to help them quit for good. 

Youth sports took a big hit in the fall because of the pandemic. For many kids, the decision from public health leaders to implement COVID-19 related restrictions nationwide meant playing with a mask on or postponing the season altogether. 

In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Michael Lunney of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) discusses the strategies that helped keep sports activities open and kept kids safe while remaining active. 

The executive director of RIIL, Lunney worked with public health leaders to keep coaches, teams, and families safe and informed about sports restrictions. 

What are the risker sports? Why do some sports have more restrictions? What can kids and coaches do to keep COVID-19 out of the locker room? 

Listen in for answers to these questions! You wouldn’t believe who has a connection to a former San Antonio Spurs basketball player. 

April is not only World Autism Month but also Autism Acceptance Month. Here in Rhode Island, the Autism Project has provided quality support, training, and programming - for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD, since 1997. In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Dr. Chan talks with the organization’s Executive Director, Joanne Quinn about what everyone should know about individuals on the spectrum and their eye-opening campaign to help first responders, and others,  understand how best to help people with ASD during an emergency. 

A medical assistant who had to rely on the support of their older kids. A family physician based in the South who spoke out very publicly in support of teachers at a tumultuous time. A school nurse who had to tackle new challenges at work and at home. 

These are the stories of frontline workers who got up every morning to provide essential services despite whatever was going on in the world— a pandemic in this case.

While COVID-19 is the disease that tied these stories together, resilience and hope are the recurring themes that emerge when chronicling their setbacks and triumphs. 

In this episode, Dr. Therese Zink shares some of the stories she heard from essential workers since the start of the pandemic. The author of COVID Chronicles: How Essential Workers Cope, Dr. Zink also shares insights on what it was like to leave the West Bank just when international airports started closing their terminals.  

Join our podcast hosts for another exciting episode as they reflect on what’s been lost over the past year. You won’t want to miss it!

STIs and the pandemic are two issues that are rarely discussed in the same room. One is a global pandemic that has disrupted entire economies, and the other is a public health issue that’s rarely talked about outside of the doctor’s office. 

From the perceived restrictions on freedoms to the preventative measures to stop the spread of infectious disease, Dr. Ina Park breaks down some of the parallels between these two distinct issues in American households.

Dr. Park, the author of Strange Bedfellows: Adventures in Science, History, and Surprising Secrets of STDs, joins our podcast hosts to discuss STIs in 2021 and what data suggests we can expect to see in the future. 

An associate professor at UC San Francisco and a consultant for the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, Dr. Park has worked to address the stigma surrounding STIs through her research and patient care. She also reveals a pop-culture secret for one of America’s favorite TV shows that's all about finding love. 

Tune in to learn about the different ways STIs can spread, and the ways you can protect yourself.

In the early 20th century, Americans were facing another public health crisis that challenged medical staff and engineers like never before. 

City leaders and public health officials of that time likely asked themselves something eerily familiar, “How can we prevent the spread of infectious disease?” While today’s public health crisis is different, one of the strategies applied in 1918 has made a comeback. We’re talking about indoor ventilation. 

In today’s episode, Jeremy McDonald of Guth DeConzo and Dr. Michael Byrns of the Rhode Island Department of Health weigh-in on easy and practical solutions to improve air quality. They look to the past, revisit current strategies, and explore the public health implications of improved ventilation. 

Tune in for another relaxed conversation with Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan. If you like the episode, please make sure to share it with your friends and family to help them stay safe too. 

Scientists across the world sprang into action when it was evident we had a pandemic on our hands. In the race to help prevent hospitalizations and deaths, researchers turned to convalescent plasma as a treatment candidate against COVID-19.

While doctors and medical professionals have since turned to other treatments and strategies to curb the spread of COVID-19, many were left wondering, “what happened with convalescent plasma?”

In today’s episode, Dr. Shmuel Shoham of Johns Hopkins University joins our hosts to discuss just that. Dr. Shoham is an infectious disease specialist who primarily worked with transplant patients before the pandemic. He was among the countless medical professionals who grew increasingly concerned about the pandemic’s impact on patients with comorbidities.

Tune in with Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan to learn about what happened with this experimental treatment, and what the data and science say about its future.

The United States of America may be recognized as the ‘home of the brave and land of the free,’ but now that reputation could be coming back to bite the nation. 

In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan discuss the factors that may have contributed to the country’s COVID-19 response. 

Currently, about 1 in 5 deaths from COVID-19 are attributable to the United States. These statistics are further compounded when the country’s population only accounts for a fraction of the global population. Now, many are asking themselves, 'what happened?"

Could a national plan have prevented the outcome for hundreds of thousands of Americans? Was a cultural mindset to blame for non-compliance to COVID-19 safety guidelines? Should Americans be concerned about states easing mask mandates prematurely?

Join our podcast hosts to hear about all of this and more! To be the first listener when new episodes drop, make sure you hit the subscribe button. 

While all eyes are on the vaccination efforts in the United States, one religious leader from Rhode Island reflects on the things he hopes people will cherish once the pandemic has run its course. 

OceanPointe Christian Church, a non-denominational Christian church in Middletown, Rhode Island, has had to adapt like any other organization to serve its members and meet its mission.  

Jeff Stalnaker, the church’s lead minister, opens up about the challenges COVID-19 presented to its members and the looming concerns his community has post-COVID.

Stalnaker also details some of the strategies the church deployed to help support families and school children. 

“Absence makes the heart grow founder,” said Stalnaker, referring to what’s been lost and gained during the pandemic. 

Join Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan for an honest and transparent conversation on the impact of COVID-19 on faith communities. 

States in New England have so much in common. Eagle eyed travelers will notice that Rhode Island and New Hampshire —in particular — share similar histories, architecture, and climates. Another easily missed similarity could be their  responses to COVID-19.

Leaders in both states have worked aggressively to curb the spread of COVID-19 since it arrived on our shores. From testing to community mitigation strategies to vaccination programs, both states have faced similar challenges in their response to the ongoing pandemic. 

In this episode, Dr. Benjamin Chan discusses New Hampshire’s progress against COVID-19. A New Hampshire state epidemiologist, Dr. Benjamin Chan highlights policy and communications strategies that have aided in reducing hospitalizations and helped save lives. 

Listen in for another exciting conversation with our podcast hosts. You’ll also hear about the unknown factors that could pose hiccups for fully reopening the economy. 

What happened to the flu? 

Researchers and public health officials have seen an intriguing decline in influenza cases across the United States and most of the world. After countless awareness campaigns, it seems like the ongoing pandemic may have played a role in helping squash this wintery nuisance — at least for this season.

In this Public Health Out Loud episode, Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan highlight the factors that could be contributing to the decline of flu cases. They also take a step back and reflect on the rise of the first modern pandemic.

Tune in to hear a thorough breakdown of the similarities and differences between the flu and COVID-19. Most importantly, hear why COVID-19 has been so successful in spreading to communities and the significance of keeping our guard up in these challenging times.

It was evident early on in the pandemic that incarcerated individuals were at an increased risk for COVID-19. Many prisons, including facilities in Rhode Island, were simply not designed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19. 

Based on the data available, Rhode Island joined other states in providing lifesaving medicine to this marginalized population. It wasn’t a popular decision, but it is one that the Rhode Island Department of Health continues to support. 

In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Dr. Justin Berk outlines the driving reasons for the decision and how it benefitted the broader community. 

“People are coming in and out. No jail is an island. Individuals are incarcerated and released, but we also have people coming in: correctional officers, social workers, physicians, dentists, and lawyers,” said Dr. Berk, who was named the acting medical director at the Department of Corrections in December. 

Join Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan for another episode that sheds light on one of the most hotly debated issues in the state and the nation. 

Rhode Island recently reached an important milestone in its vaccine rollout. At the start of  February, the state counted over 100,000 vaccines administered to Rhode Islanders. 

Reaching this point has not been easy. State and public health leaders have poured countless hours and weekends working with community stakeholders to develop a vaccine program that is fair and equitable. 

During a January press conference, Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott reiterated the immense logistical challenge of coordinating vaccinations for one of the most densely populated states when there continues to be a limited supply of vaccines. 

Eventually, the state would like for everyone who wants the vaccine will be able to get one. But it is important to understand the reasoning for decisions being made today on who is getting vaccinated.

Join Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan of the Rhode Island Department of Health for a discussion on the guiding principles driving vaccination prioritization in Rhode Island. 

There’s a lot of talk these days about the benefits of being mindful. But a recently published study led by Brown University researchers suggests mindfulness isn’t just good for one’s mental and emotional well-being. It’s also beneficial for our physical health. In this episode of Public Health Out Loud Dr. Philip Chan is joined by Dr. Eric Loucks, director of the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, to explain how being mindful - about what we eat - can help dramatically lower blood pressure. 

There are many questions swirling around the B-117 variant of COVID-19—also dubbed the UK variant—that has appeared in more than 30 countries including the United States. 

As of right now, Rhode Island has not identified a single case of the new variant on Wednesday, January 27. While it may come as a welcome update, public health officials in the state warn it is only a matter of time before it is detected. 

To understand this medical perspective, it is important to know that this strain was first detected late in 2020 and it quickly became the dominant strain in the United Kingdom. A few places across the United States have already detected this strain.

Listen to this week’s episode with Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan as they define the meaning of a variant, and breakdown what it all means for vaccines. Tune in for a discussion that highlights the public health tools and strategies that will help protect Rhode Islanders in the coming months. 

Imagine—for a second—being one missed payment away from experiencing homelessness. While that very thought can be unsettling, it is a reality for many Rhode Islanders who now also need to think about staying safe during an ongoing pandemic. 

In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Dr. Rahul Vanjani discusses what the state has done to support this at-risk population and his involvement in helping these individuals get the resources they need.

An assistant professor of medicine at Brown University, Dr. Vanjani is a co-author of “An Isolation Hotel for People Experiencing Homelessness.” The paper, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, describes an innovative response to COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic.

Join Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan for another insightful conversation on the challenges of addressing homelessness during a global crisis.

Over the last 100 years, vaccines have become an important tool for helping prevent the spread of disease. Smallpox and polio claimed countless lives in the 1900s and were just a few of the diseases that devastated American households prior to the development of effective vaccines.  

Today, the World Health Organization estimates that 2-3 million lives are saved every year. That means that more kids get to grow old, more parents are able to see their children graduate college and become independent, and grandparents are able to enjoy retirement for longer than any previous generation. 

With countries around the world, including the United States, working against the clock to administer COVID-19 vaccines safely and equitably, a growing number of misconceptions and myths are coming into focus.  Join Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan for another insightful conversation as they wade through the lies, misinformation, and false statements made about COVID-19 vaccines. 

In this episode, you’ll learn more about the diseases we’ve overcome by using vaccines, some of the myths that have become more common, and the rigorous process COVID-19 vaccines went through before becoming more widely available. 

It is estimated that roughly 1.8 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. While there are several treatments for cancer available today, outcomes will vary because of family history, early screening, and the type of cancer detected. 

This Public Health Out Loud episode will focus on something that’s not always talked about from a medical perspective: the personal stories of survivors. 

Gail McDonald’s story begins at a retail store when her family noticed her sudden weight loss, eventually leading her to see her doctor. Listen to her recall those memories —as if they happened yesterday— and the thoughts that were racing through her mind.

Joining Gail as a recent cancer survivor, Dr. Amy Nunn describes what it was like being diagnosed with cancer in the middle of a pandemic. Dr. Nunn is a professor of behavioral and social sciences at the Brown University School of Public Health and the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute. 

Tune in for another episode with Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan as they help the speakers piece together their uplifting and poignant stories. 

While scientists and researchers worked relentlessly throughout 2020 to understand and respond to COVID-19 effectively, the general public at times had to navigate an avalanche of information that seemed to change with the pandemic.

Today, public health experts know more about COVID-19 than they did in March and April, but they now  have to contend with misinformation hitting social media platforms too. 

We know masks work. We know that K-12 schools aren’t major spreaders of COVID-19. And we have a good understanding of how the disease spreads. But these statements were met with discord in the first half of the year.

In this episode, Emily Oster, a professor economics at Brown University, an economist and author, discusses what she has observed throughout the pandemic. She also sheds light on some of the more nuanced concerns and questions people have about COVID-19. 

Earlier this year, Oster joined a team of medical experts and data scientists to support an online hub called COVID Explained, where visitors can find ‘no non-sense’ guidance and information about COVID-19. 

Join Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Phillip Chan for another exciting episode featuring a nationally recognized author who decided to use her talents to help address the ongoing pandemic. 

College enrollment projections for Fall 2020 were expected to be around 19.7 million students nationally. Most of the students arriving on college campuses this year, however, would find a very different campus. In many cases, a campus that was shaped to help prevent COVID-19 outbreaks. 

As administrators worked around the clock to start the academic year safely — alongside health officials in their respective states — faculty were tasked with nurturing intellectual curiosity in novel ways. Through distance learning, outdoor classes, bubbles, and virtual events, students have experienced college life like no generation before them.  

In this week’s episode, Gordon College student Luis Raoul Villalta-Santana joins our podcast hosts to discuss what it’s like to start college during a pandemic. He is part of a global cohort of students who have had to contend with unique challenges reflective of the times we live in. 

Join Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan for a conversation that’s happening across American households!

Testing positive for COVID-19 is a scary thought for most Americans. From the barrage of information on what to do next to the act of isolating in a separate room, the pandemic has changed the way people live that would have been inconceivable just a year before.  

While there are effective vaccines available, there are still many questions lingering about COVID-19 that has puzzled the medical community. 

One area under the microscope is people who are experiencing ‘Long COVID’ or ‘COVID Long Haulers.’ These are the individuals who continue to experience COVID-19 symptoms — sometimes debilitating — for weeks to months on end. 

In this episode, Dr. Jennie Johnson joins our podcast hosts to share what the medical community knows about Long COVID, the frequency of this condition, and its similarities to other diseases that lead to post infectious syndrome. 

Dr. Johnson is an infectious disease physician and an assistant professor of medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. A specialist in vector borne diseases, Dr. Johnson is also the Associate Medical Director at Lifespan’s Infectious Diseases and Immunology Center.

Join us for another exciting and informative episode with Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan as they dig deep into some of the most common questions surrounding COVID long haulers. 

It’s that time of year again when most Americans have to navigate the health insurance landscape, either through their employer or through the state’s health exchange. 

But something is different this year, and it’s looming large over swaths of people who have seen COVID-19 spill into their lives in one way or another. 

As more people turn to testing to help stop the spread, health insurance has become a topic of discussion that will certainly be even more important heading into the next year. 

Join us for a special discussion with HealthSource RI Director Lindsay Lang as she unwraps some of the nuances of health insurance, and shares important information for folks who might need additional health insurance services and support.

*Open enrollment ends on January 23, 2021, for health insurance plans available on healthsourceri.com. 

From Rhode Island to California, the reverberations of the pandemic has forced musicians and artists to consider other career opportunities or adapt to the new reality we find ourselves in today. 

 Some have found success through the popularity of social media apps like TikTok — jumpstarting a wave of content creators in the race to get more followers. A task that’s easier said than done.

In this episode, podcast hosts Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan have a candid conversation with Casey Cook and Marc Trachtenberg on what’s it like to be a musician today. 

Cook and Trachtenberg are independent artists who made most of their discretionary income from music pre-pandemic. While these inspiring artists live nearly 3,000 miles apart, their stories of perseverance and resilience is an eerily familiar one that is resonating with millions of households in America. 

Join us for a somber look at what the music industry is facing. You won’t want to miss the outlooks our guests have for the year ahead and their thoughts on the future of the music industry.

About Our Guests

Casey Cook

Casey Cook is a Los Angeles based singer and songwriter.

A Rhode Island native who grew up singing in choirs and earning countless leading roles in musical theatre, she would eventually attend Belmont University and took her love of songwriting to the City of Angels upon graduation. 

Cook’s songs have been placed in movies, television and film festivals around the world, and in 2019 she earned an international cut with Eurovision winner Lena-Meyer Landrut, co-writing the single “Boundaries” which became the official campaign song of Marvel's X-Men Dark Phoenix in several European countries. 

Learn more about Casey by visiting iamcaseycook.com.

Marc Trachtenberg

Marc Trachtenberg is a Rhode Island based pianist, singer, composer, and educator. 

After graduating from New York University with a degree in music education, Trachtenberg became a piano teacher by day and keyboardist at night. His interest in enriching kids’ lives through music led him through a remarkable journey to the creation of Rock-a-Baby — a popular infant and toddler music class that he would bring back to Rhode Island.

Trachtenberg and his wife, Stephanie, have started streaming a piano bar on Facebook. The duo play live from their living room, and it’s steadily gaining more support. 

Learn more about Trachtenberg here:

https://www.facebook.com/welldoitlivepiano/live_videos/?ref=page_internal [facebook.com]

There is no denying that moms have it tough. If the pain of bearing a child isn’t enough, moms may also have to address a whirlwind of neurological and psychological changes that can impact their overall well-being. 

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Pineda of Women’s Behavioral Health at Women & Infants Hospital joins our podcast hosts to spotlight a program that has helped improve the lives of women across Rhode Island.

As the medical director of the Women’s Day Program — a partial hospitalization program that’s become an increasingly important anchor for women during the pandemic — she digs into the services and resources available to expectant moms before and after pregnancy. Dr. Pineda also shares insights into the inequities women are facing that have become more pronounced as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on. 

Join us for another episode with Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan to find out some of the options available for new mothers, and coping strategies to get through these troubling times. 

WIC - which is short for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Education Program for Women, Infants, and Children - is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Dr. Philip Chan is joined by RIDOH’s own Ann Barone, Chief for the Office of Women, Infants, and Children to talk about the program’s history and the positive impact it has had on so many families over the years. 

Rhode Island is one of four states selected to pilot the distribution of Pfizer’s vaccine candidate to treat COVID-19. While the development is welcome news for many, there is still a sense of restlessness to find a cure that could help end the ongoing pandemic. 

Since March, a few treatments intended to reduce deaths associated with SARS-CoV2 made headlines around the world. Overnight, remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and corticosteroids drew attention for their potential to help save COVID-19 patients who were experiencing more severe symptoms. 

In this episode, Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan go into the types of treatments available, how they work, and what we’ve learned from these treatments and others. And now we are hearing about infusion centers? 

Don’t miss what’s sure to be another insightful episode as the need for an effective treatment becomes even more urgent heading into winter. 

As countries around the world contend with a second wave of COVID-19 infections, people have grown increasingly curious about one of the key cornerstones of pandemic responses. Luckily, Rhode Island has been a national  leader in incorporating testing across the board.

In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Dr. James McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan discuss the different types of tests available as more people find themselves anxiously waiting for their results.

Tune in to hear the public health duo take a hard look at the strengths and drawbacks of tools like antigen and PCR tests — both of which have played an outsized role in identifying positive cases and minimizing the spread of COVID-19. They also go in depth on the first testing challenges Rhode Island faced; the differences between diagnostic and screening tests; and what this all means for the broader public. 

If you’re looking for answers, you’ve come to the right place.

 Vaccines seem to be top of mind several months into an evolving pandemic that has disrupted nearly every facet of everyday life. Few, if any, contagious diseases in recent memory have managed to shutdown concert venues, business sectors, sporting events, and religious and seasonal gatherings like SARS-CoV-2.  

As the world holds its breath for an effective vaccine against COVID-19, researchers are finding that more people are expressing concern over the safety of a potential vaccine so soon.

Historically, vaccines remain in development for much longer than any of the COVID-19 offerings currently on the table. So, what's the deal here?  What actually goes into the development of a vaccine? Why does it matter? Why do vaccines work the way they do?  

Listen in to this episode with Dr. James McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan as they unfold what makes a vaccine safe and effective. They’ll breakdown the science behind different types of vaccines, talk about notable vaccine achievements, and offer hope for what’s to come. 

Despite countless recommendations on the use of face masks, the scientific community ran into an unexpected hurdle that might have been inconceivable just a few years ago. Specifically, how the use of face masks became a political issue. 

Across the United States, Americans will find inconsistencies in the adherence of safety precautions. Fortunately, in the Ocean State, most residents are following the recommendations put forth by the state and that has led to a change in everyday life. 

Today, nearly everyone can mention a time when they were out the door only to realize they forgot something as important as their wallet – a face mask that would’ve let them enter a store and shop guilt free. 

Another surprise comes from the forward-thinking business leaders who saw opportunities in  accessorizing  essential items like masks. We’re looking at you Major League Baseball! 

As the country looks to a more positive year, Dr. James McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan discuss how our lives have changed since COVID. They also place their sights on some of the challenges that businesses have had to overcome. 

Everyone has heard the word ‘pandemic’ by now. Whether you’re waiting in traffic or checking out the safety posters at your favorite restaurant, you’re probably going to hear or see ‘pandemic’ mentioned again.

Not all contagious viruses and diseases are called pandemics though. In the case of COVID-19, the World Health Organization didn’t raise the alarm bells until March – about three full months after the first reported case appeared in Wuhan, China. 

In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Dr. James McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan of the Rhode Island Department of Health breakdown the meaning of all of these ‘demics’ and they touch on the health disparities being observed in our nation’s communities. 

Why did it take so long to be called a pandemic? When did it change from an epidemic to a pandemic? And now you’re hearing about endemics and syndemics? What does it all mean? This year has been full of unpleasant surprises, and if we’re not careful, 2020 can still give us another hard dose of reality. 

As the world buzzed along at the start of 2020, trouble was brewing in other parts of world that would eventually arrive in the United States. We’re talking about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

While everyone knows how that story played out, the novel disease is continuing to shape the political, social, and medical landscape in unexpected ways. In the face of adversity, businesses and people in the United States — and abroad for that matter — have adapted to what is now the new normal. 

One greeting of yesteryear that’s been put out to pasture is the handshake. In this episode, Dr. James McDonald and Dr. Phillip Chan of the Rhode Island Department of Health dig deeper into COVID-19 and take a historical look at greetings. 

Who decides when we have a pandemic? When will handshakes return? What should people expect in the future?  And what other alternatives do we have? Tune in for insights into these questions and more. 

The CDC recently released data showing that nationally, there has been a sharp rise in congenital syphilis. Cases have more than tripled in recent years in the US, with 3,700 cases reported in 2022 alone. Here in Rhode Island we’ve seen several cases of congenital syphilis after over a decade of having none.  What is causing this increase and what can be done to prevent it from happening? On this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Dr. Philip Chan is joined  Dr. Erica Hardy, Director for the Division of Infectious Disease at Women & Infants Hospital and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Obstetrics, and Gynecology at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University to discuss the answers to these questions and more. 

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children but it is also completely preventable. In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Dr. Philip Chan sat down with Katherine Linwood, communications manager at TeethFirst!, a group that provides educational resources on the importance of early dental care. Download and listen in as she touches on the importance of dental care from a very young age and what parents, healthcare, and dental professionals can do to help ensure children are getting the care they need. 

In public health, the term “emergency preparedness” has become linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. But public health emergency preparedness encompasses so much more. In fact, Rhode Islanders all over the State come into contact with people who work in public health emergency preparedness, they just may not know it. In this episode Alysia Mihalakos from the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response talks with Dr. Philip Chan about public health emergency preparedness, recent responses to emergencies, why preparedness is important to health, and what Rhode Islanders can do to protect their health in emergencies.

A blood transfusion occurs in the US every two seconds. Some examples of those in need include cancer patients; accident, burn, or trauma victims; newborn babies and their mothers; transplant recipients; or surgery patients. Despite blood being critical to saving lives, only 4% of Rhode Island's eligible population actually donates blood. In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Dr. Philip Chan talks with Caitlin Grimaldi-Flick, marketing and communications manager at the Rhode Island Blood Center about the importance of donating blood. 

In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, RIDOH's Dr. Philip Chan sits down with colleagues Nathaniel Fuchs and Sarah Edwards.  Nathaniel is an epidemiologist who works with data about non-fatal opioid overdoses. Sarah Edwards is from RIDOH’s Drug Overdose Prevention Program, and her focus is on working with communities. Together, they explain how the Department’s enhanced data tracking system identifies upticks in drug overdoses that allow Rhode Island communities to respond in real time.  

In 2022, 75% of overdose deaths involved illicit fentanyl, a highly potent opioid. In this episode, Dr. Philip Chan is joined by Bryan Volpe, a Drug Intelligence Officer at The New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and Dr. Louis Marchetti, Chief of Operations at the Center for Clinical Toxicology and Laboratory Support, at the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories for a  look at what's being done to keep Rhode Islanders safe from a deadly drug supply.  

• Video for Employers: Rhode Island CHWs ~ Your Bridge to Better Health
• Rhode Island Alliance for CHW Employers: ripin.org/allianceforchwemployers/
• Family Services-RI: familyserviceri.org/
• Rhode Island Department of Health, CHW Program: health.ri.gov/chws
• Community Health Worker Association of Rhode Island: chwari.org/
• Caring Careers-RI: caringcareers.ri.gov/
• National Association of Community Health Workers: nachw.org

Dr. Jan Carney, Associate Dean for Public Health and Health Policy and Professor of Medicine at the University of Vermont  and author of the book Public Health: From Past to Present  joins Dr. Philip Chan for a candid conversation on the topic of public health.  With workforce shortages and professional burnout, what does the future look like for the field? What are some of the biggest lessons learned from past events? What challenges lie ahead? Check it out on this episode of Public Health Out Loud.