Life in the Desert

This episode explores Dr. Caleb Lauber’s return to his hometown in New Mexico to serve the Navajo Nation and examines how culturally responsive care, community-rooted leadership, and Indigenous expertise translate into improved access, quality and health outcomes for Native Americans.

In this episode, Mohit Manrao of AstraZeneca joins Suzanne McCormick, President and CEO of YMCA of the USA, to discuss how trusted community engagement can help improve cancer education, early screening, and detection. 

In this compelling episode of That’s Understandable, hear from Dr. Barbara McAneny—renowned oncologist, former American Medical Association president, and tireless patient advocate—explore the critical healthcare challenges facing tribal communities today. From systemic barriers to cultural disparities, Dr. McAneny unpacks the complex issues impacting tribal health care in New Mexico. She also shares her passionate mission to boost cancer screening awareness and improve outcomes where it’s needed most. 

In this special episode, recorded onsite at Aspen Ideas: Health 2025, Mohit Manrao, Senior Vice President and Head of the US Oncology Business Unit at AstraZeneca, sits down with Karen DeSalvo, Chief Health Officer at Google to explore how cutting-edge technology—including AI and Google Cloud—is revolutionizing healthcare. Discover how these advancements are making care more personalized, accessible, and effective. Take a behind-the-scenes look at real-world innovations and learn what the future holds for patients in a world where health meets the power of tech.

The outcome of healthcare depends on more than physical wellbeing. Understanding the impact of social determinants of health, mental health and spiritual health is critical in providing optimal care for all patients. In our season finale, hear experts discuss the concept of whole person healthcare and how it is transforming lives and setting a new example for the healthcare system. 

Innumerable barriers exist for people of all lived experiences accessing healthcare. An innovation supporting people gaining access, regardless of location or transportation, is telehealth. Listen as Dr. Vidya Raman-Tangella, Chief Medical Officer at Teladoc Health and Brendan discuss the important role telehealth – and those providing it – are playing in ensuring patients receive equitable and optimal healthcare from anywhere. 

Let’s talk about the communities struggling to access healthcare due to distance and availability. Our experts share their experiences and insights in providing medical services and care in rural healthcare deserts. 

A cancer diagnosis can put your life on pause. In this special episode, Emmy Award-winning Director and Cinematographer Reed Morano shares the struggle and the resilience of her cancer story.  She directed our #WhatScienceCanDo films, which you can watch here: https://bit.ly/47nQ3Ui.

Achieving health equity can feel like a daunting challenge, but working together with partners committed to long-term solutions can help us do it. Listen as our expert discusses the work being done today to make equity possible tomorrow. 

When it comes to medicine, the impact it makes on human health isn’t just measured in how it treats disease. Hear our experts discuss how Green Chemistry is improving outcomes by improving our impact on the environment. For more information on how we are implementing Green Chemistry across product design, production, and beyond, please visit our website.