Heart of Equity
Helping health care professionals improve health equity efforts for Black Americans
Building Intentional DEIA Infrastructure as the Foundation to Improving Outcomes With Joy Marsh (Pt. 2)
In this episode, we’re talking to Joy Marsh, Vice President of Equity & Inclusion at UCare, about the importance of building thoughtful diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) infrastructure to improve outcomes in healthcare. Listen in for insight on how healthcare executives and organizations can build DEIA programs on all levels that make real change toward health equity.
June 27, 2024
Building Intentional DEIA Infrastructure as the Foundation to Improving Outcomes With Joy Marsh (Pt. 1)
In this episode, we’re talking to Joy Marsh, Vice President of Equity & Inclusion at UCare, about the importance of building thoughtful diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) infrastructure to improve outcomes in healthcare. Listen in for insight on how healthcare executives and organizations can build DEIA programs on all levels that make real change toward health equity.
June 13, 2024
Using Storytelling in Accessible Language to Fight Health Inequities in Black Communities With Tiffany Onyejiaka (Pt. 2)
This episode of Heart of Equity features Tiffany Onyejiaka, a second-year medical student at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and independent health and medicine journalist focusing on health inequities and disparities. She discusses how storytelling can be used to improve health inequities and create a healthier future for all.
May 16, 2024
Using Storytelling in Accessible Language to Fight Health Inequities in Black Communities With Tiffany Onyejiaka (Pt. 1)
This episode of Heart of Equity features Tiffany Onyejiaka, a second-year medical student at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and independent health and medicine journalist focusing on health inequities and disparities. She discusses how storytelling can be used to improve health inequities and create a healthier future for all.
May 2, 2024
Understanding Inequities in Aging in the Black Community With Dr. Shekinah Fashaw-Walters (Pt. 2)
We continue our discussion on health inequities in aging in the Black community with Dr. Shekinah Fashaw-Walters. She is a health equity and aging tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Policy & Management at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health. Listen to learn about some possible solutions to these health inequities.
April 11, 2024
Understanding Inequities in Aging in the Black Community With Dr. Shekinah Fashaw-Walters (Pt. 1)
In this episode, we're talking with Dr. Shekinah Fashaw-Walters, health equity and aging tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Policy & Management at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health. We're discussing the causes and impacts of health inequities in aging in the Black community.
April 4, 2024
It’s Not Your Father’s Minnesota Public Radio: Public Radio as a Tool for Equity With Duchesne Drew (Pt. 2)
The conversation continues with Duchesne Drew, Senior Vice President of American Public Media Group and President of Minnesota Public Radio. We explore the powerful impact of public radio in bridging health disparities and promoting equitable healthcare access.
March 14, 2024
It’s Not Your Father’s Minnesota Public Radio: Public Radio as a Tool for Equity With Duchesne Drew (Pt. 1)
Public radio is a public platform that has a constantly growing reach. In this episode, we're talking to Duchesne Drew, Senior Vice President of American Public Media Group and President of Minnesota Public Radio, about how public radio is relevant to Black audiences and how it can be used as a tool for health equity.
February 29, 2024
Heart of Equity
The National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) Heartland Chapter brings you Heart of Equity, a podcast that equips health care professionals to turn health equity efforts for Black Americans into sustainable solutions rather than check-the-box tactics.
Host
Pleasant Radford Jr.
Pleasant Radford Jr., MBA, is a results-driven, humble, and committed healthcare leader with 15+ years of challenging roles in the not-for-profit, academic and health sectors. He is passionate about partnering with local communities to co-create, implement, and sustain equity-centered, community-led solutions that restores human trust in a broken healthcare system and improves health and wellbeing.
Currently, he serves as the Health Equity Officer at UCare, a local health plan that serves more than 600,000 Medicaid and Medicare members across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Prior to UCare, he worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, UnitedHealth Group, University of Chicago, Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health and the Peace Corps.
Outside of work, he hosts the Heart of Equity podcast, a national podcast that talks with Black healthcare professionals to learn what they are doing to advance health equity in the Black community. Additionally, he volunteers on local and national boards and enjoys traveling, biking, and spending time with family and friends.
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