Degrees of Separation: Race, Familia, Equity and the Academic Journey

In this episode of What’s Up Public Health, host Maria Valdez sits down with Phil Englert — clinical engineer and medical device cybersecurity expert — to uncover a critical but often overlooked topic in healthcare: cybersecurity. Together, they explore how cyber threats put patient safety at risk, the evolution of healthcare technology, and the lasting impact of the HITECH Act. From real-world data breaches to the importance of cross-sector collaboration, this conversation dives into what it truly takes to keep patient information — and healthcare systems — safe in the digital age.

In this episode of What’s Up Public Health, we chat with members of the Arizona Health Equity Conference planning committee to give listeners a sneak peek at what’s in store for the 2025 AZ Health Equity conference on October 23. They discuss what it means to build bridges in public health, address Arizona’s unique challenges, and explore the power of collaboration, mindfulness, and community connection. The conversation also highlights exciting conference features—from research and policy tracks to networking opportunities and student engagement—all designed to inspire and advance health equity across Arizona.

In this episode of What's Up Public Health, we sit down with Ingrid, a Speech Language Pathologist, to explore the profound impact of shifting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) language within the field of speech-language pathology. With recent language changes from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to the accreditation, professionals are grappling with how these shifts influence not only their work but also the communities they serve.Together, we unpack how words shape practice, professional identity, and patient trust—and what’s at stake when DEI language is removed from the conversation. From the clinician’s role as an advocate to the ripple effects on patient care, this episode dives deep into the power of language in advancing health equity.

In this conversation, Christina Rodriguez discusses the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system, emphasizing the importance of social care in improving health outcomes. She highlights the disconnect between traditional healthcare models and the social determinants of health, advocating for a shift towards value-based care that integrates social care. The discussion also touches on the implications of recent legislation on social care funding and the future of healthcare in the U.S.

In this conversation, Dr. Aide Hernandez discusses the intersection of family, race, and education, particularly focusing on the experiences of Latinas in higher education. The dialogue explores how familial support, and cultural dynamics influence academic journeys, the unique challenges faced by Latina students, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in fostering educational opportunities. The conversation also touches on the mental health implications for first-generation students navigating these complexities.

Welcome to What’s Up Public Health—the show that brings real stories, community voices, and the heart of public health to the mic.In this episode, Dr. Aide Hernandez takes us inside the world of higher education through the lens of her personal and academic journey as a Latina scholar. From the influence of family to the role of race, culture, and identity, we unpack the barriers and breakthroughs that shape the experiences of Latinas in academia.Dr. Hernandez shares both her lived experience and her research, offering insight into the promises—and limitations—of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.It’s a powerful, personal conversation you won’t want to miss.

Take a listen to the second part of our abortion and the leaked draft episode, where we have a conversation with Bre and Zaida, two policy experts and public health gurus, who talk to us about how abortion connects to public health, and what can be next for everyone with a uterus. Take a listen! 

This past week a draft opinion on overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked. The leaked draft opinion showed the possible overturn of Roe v. Wade. In this podcast we talk with two leaders in policy and in the community in Arizona about what this leaked draft opinion means, and supposing it did get overturned what can possibly happen, and what that means for us uterus holders. This is the first of 2 segments. Stay tuned!

Tune in to hear the second part of our podcast from last week on the social determinants of health at a global scale, with our guest Anna Carolina Ortiz, a long-time public health professional and leader. She will be sharing with us a second story and again, connect the story with the social determinants of health, and the prior story from part 1 and connect it all for us. She will show us, that no matter where you are the social determinants are always there impacting. 

Today we will be talking with Anna Carolina Ortiz, a long-time public health professional and leader. Anna is going to talk to us today on the social determinants of health, what they are, how they impact our lives, and we will be taking it a notch up, and looking at the social determinants of health, at a global scale. She will share with us a few stories, they may or may not be from the U.S to show us how similar circumstances can look and the impact of the social determinants of health, despite living in different places, even countries. This is the first of a two series, so say tuned for the next part next Friday!