PHEC 426: Building Better Health Departments with Jimmie Smith, MD, MPH

This insightful episode with Dr. Jimmie Hayes Smith explores his journey from clinical medicine to public health leadership, showcasing his dedication to community-centered healthcare, equity, and collaboration. As the administrator for Macon Bibb County Health Department in Georgia, Dr. Smith offers practical advice on navigating public health challenges, building partnerships, and empowering diverse communities across county and regional lines. His warm stories and thought-provoking tips provide inspiration to listeners at any stage of their public health careers.   Resources   ▶️ Join the PHEC Community ▶️ Visit the PHEC Podcast Show Notes ▶️ DrCHHuntley, Public Health & Epidemiology Consulting

Today we continue our new series dedicated to answering a crucial question: “What is Public Health?” This series was created to energize and demystify a field that’s often misunderstood, undervalued, and underfunded. Each episode features candid conversations with inspiring leaders, who use compelling storytelling and plain language to explain their focus areas, no heavy jargon allowed. In this episode, Dr. Huntley welcomes Visha Patel, an oncology nurse, cancer epidemiology researcher, and passionate public health advocate. Visha shares her personal journey from bedside nursing to population-level impact, unpacking how public health works behind the scenes to protect and uplift communities. Together they explore the definition of health, the many dimensions of public health work, the value of plain language communication, and the vital role of empathy, conversation, and storytelling in elevating public health’s value for everyone.   Resources ▶️ Join the PHEC Community ▶️ Visit the PHEC Podcast Show Notes ▶️ DrCHHuntley, Public Health & Epidemiology Consulting

This episode marks the launch of our dynamic new series designed to answer one simple but crucial question: “What is Public Health?” This series was created to illuminate a field that is all too often misunderstood, undervalued, and underfunded. Inspiring leaders will join us to demystify public health by sharing their unique focus areas through compelling stories always in plain, engaging language with no heavy scientific jargon. In this premiere episode, Dr. Huntley sits down with Allie Murphy, Masters of Public Health student at the University of Texas Medical Branch, to unpack the real meaning of public health in a globalized world. From the triumphs and challenges of infectious disease control to the essential role of empathy and collaboration, this conversation turns public health from an abstract concept into an accessible and actionable force for every community. Get ready to be inspired, informed, and empowered as we kick off a series committed to making public health relevant for everyone.   Resources   ▶️ Join the PHEC Community ▶️ Visit the PHEC Podcast Show Notes ▶️ DrCHHuntley, Public Health & Epidemiology Consulting

This dynamic episode with Santiago Ojeda Sainz spotlights his journey as a Master of Public Health student and passionate advocate for social and behavioral sciences, immigrant health, and micro-mobility safety. Santiago’s story, leadership roles, and future ambitions illustrate the new wave of public health professionals driving innovation and collaboration to address real-world challenges in diverse communities. The episode explores mentorship, student empowerment, and urgent road safety issues, inviting listeners to take part in mentoring the next generation and advocating for safer, more equitable public health.   Resources   ▶️ Join the PHEC Community ▶️ Visit the PHEC Podcast Show Notes   ▶️ DrCHHuntley, Public Health & Epidemiology Consulting

This episode features an engaging and heartfelt conversation between Dr. Charlotte Huntley and Parnia Roghani-Shareef, highlighting her inspiring career journey, leadership in public health, and commitment to workforce development and behavioral health. The discussion covers actionable strategies and personal insights about building resilience, combating burnout, and fostering collaboration across the public health sector. Listeners are provided with networking advice, mentorship resources, and a glimpse into innovative overdose prevention initiatives, making this episode essential listening for public health professionals, students, and anyone interested in strengthening communities through public health action.     Resources   ▶️ Join the PHEC Community ▶️ Visit the PHEC Podcast Show Notes ▶️ DrCHHuntley, Public Health & Epidemiology Consulting

Dr. Huntley sits down with Annee Morris Reed, Policy Director at the Funders Forum on Accountable Health and lecturer at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health. The conversation explores Anne’s inspiring career spanning senior policy roles within the federal government, her dedication to community-driven, multi-sector partnerships, and the impact of landmark legislation like the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill (the “one big beautiful bill”). Together, Dr. Huntley and Anne unpack the vital differences between public health and healthcare, highlight actionable strategies for advocacy, and empower listeners to create positive change in their communities. Even in challenging political climates.   Resources 📲 Join the PHEC Podcast Community App ▶️ Visit the PHEC Podcast Show Notes ▶️ DrCHHuntley, Public Health & Epidemiology Consulting

This episode features an inspiring conversation between public health visionaries Dr. Charlotte Huntley and Dr. Marissa Levine, delving into the evolving landscape of public health leadership. Centered around the concept of regenerative leadership, the discussion explores how adaptive, systems-thinking approaches are transforming both individuals and organizations to better serve communities amid ongoing complexity. With decades of leadership experience, from serving as Virginia’s State Health Commissioner to advancing work in academia, Dr. Levine offers practical strategies to strengthen emotional intelligence, collaborative cultures, and sustainable change in public and community health. Whether for aspiring leaders, health professionals, or anyone passionate about social impact, this episode offers rich insights and practical tools to nurture resilience and adaptability in today's challenging environment.   📲 Join the PHEC Podcast Community App ▶️ Visit the PHEC Podcast Show Notes ▶️ DrCHHuntley, Public Health & Epidemiology Consulting

In this deeply moving and energizing episode, Dr. Huntley interviews Shanthi Hegde, a rare disease advocate, board leader, and soon-to-be public health student at Brown University. Shanthi shares her powerful journey as a young woman of color living with multiple rare bleeding disorders and an immune dysregulatory syndrome, and she details the systemic barriers patients like her face at every level of the healthcare system. Shanthi’s work spans national and grassroots levels, serving on the Board of the Hemophilia Federation of America, founding innovative young adult advocacy groups, and leading education, policy, and mental health initiatives for the rare disease and bleeding disorder community. Drawing from her lived experience and academic lens, she delivers invaluable lessons on how patient stories shape policy, why rare diseases matter for public health, and how even a single voice can spark sweeping change.       📲 Join the PHEC Podcast Community App ▶️ Visit the PHEC Podcast Show Notes ▶️ DrCHHuntley, Public Health & Epidemiology Consulting

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Huntley welcomes Robyn Bussey, a self-described "health equitist" and Health Equity Director at the Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE). With deep roots in rural Georgia and a passion for amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, Robyn shares her personal journey from growing up as the daughter of a beloved rural public health nurse to leading innovative, community-driven health equity initiatives across the American South. Robyn provides listeners with practical insights on building community trust, supporting maternal and reproductive health, and navigating today’s complex public health landscape, especially in regions facing systemic barriers, hospital closures, and heightened political pressure. Through her work with the Just Health Academy and PSE, Robyn demonstrates what’s possible when organizations and individuals come together to center communities and drive sustainable change from within. Discover actionable strategies for advocating health equity, building community capacity, and finding purpose and resilience. Even when the odds seem stacked against them.   📲 Join the PHEC Podcast Community App ▶️ Visit the PHEC Podcast Show Notes ▶️ DrCHHuntley, Public Health & Epidemiology Consulting  

Dr. Huntley sits down with Abby Tighe, a former CDC public health advisor and co-founder of the Fired by Fighting coalition. Together, they share an insider’s look at the nationwide impact of the 2025 mass firing of thousands of CDC and HHS professionals and the dangerous dismantling of America’s public health infrastructure. They also highlight how a grassroots movement is fighting back. Abby details her unexpected professional journey, her passion for equitable and rural health, and how losing her position became a rallying point for collective advocacy and transparency. Through her story and the birth of Fired by Fighting, listeners are called to action: Public health needs everyone, whether you’re an expert, advocate, or everyday citizen. If you care about the health of your community, want to understand the real impact of policy changes, or are curious how you can help rebuild and protect America’s public health future, this episode is for you. Resources ▶️ Join the PHEC Podcast Community ▶️ Visit the PHEC Podcast Show Notes ▶️ DrCHHuntley, Public Health & Epidemiology Consulting