HealthCare UnTold

Our guest today is Pam Cusick Senior Vice President of Rare Patient Voice. Rare Patient Voice is a national community that connects patients and caregivers with researchers who genuinely want to learn from their lived experiences. Through this work, RPV ensures that people living with rare and chronic conditions have a direct voice in shaping studies, treatments, and health innovations. Their model is built on trust, respect, and fair compensation, creating a space where stories become data that can drive meaningful change. Pam Cusick is a leader in patient engagement with more than three decades of experience in research design, implementation, and advocacy. As Senior Vice President of Rare Patient Voice (RPV), she works to ensure that patient and caregiver experiences help shape the future of medical research. Beyond RPV, Pam contributes to the advancement of women in healthcare through her work with Women in Research (WIRe), the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA), and the International Society for Patient Engagement Professionals (ISPEP). She continues to mentor emerging leaders who share her dedication to connecting patient advocacy with meaningful scientific progress.

Our guest today is Mireya Gomez-Contreras, the Executive Director of Esperanza Community Farms. Mireya reflects on her personal journey, the leadership lessons learned from working alongside immigrant and Indigenous farmers, and the deep collaboration required to build sustainable food systems. She highlights the farm’s commitment to economic opportunity, climate‑resilient agriculture, and honoring the lived expertise of local families who have long nourished California’s fields. #FoodJustice #CommunityLeadership #EsperanzaCommunityFarms.org #MireyaGomezContreras #HealthCareUnTold

Our guest today is Hector L. Torres‑Diaz, the Civil Rights Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Human Rights Commission. He is also a law student specializing in immigration law, public policy, community engagement, and the ongoing movement for Puerto Rico’s sovereignty. As a leader in public service, Hector is dedicated to being a bridge builder amongst multi-ethnic communities to strengthen and expand their access to community involvement. #HectorLTorresDiaz #CivilRightsAdvocate #PennsyvaniaHumanRightsCommission #CommunityEngagement #PublicServiceLeadership #LatinoLeadership #EquityAndJustice

Our guest today is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council. The Hispanic Construction Council is a national dual nonprofit organization, classified as both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6), that addresses critical gaps in the construction industry. As a think tank, they utilize their board members and media presence to raise awareness and provide solutions for significant economic challenges and opportunities affecting the construction industry and its workers. #GeorgeCarillo #HispanicConstructionCouncil,com #Latino Construction Leadership Protect Construction Workers #LatinoBuilders #HealthCareUnTold

Our guest today is Jill Mather the Founder of Volunteers Cleaning Communities. This grassroots movement is transforming Southern California’s streets one cleanup at a time. Jill shares how her passion for environmental stewardship evolved into a thriving volunteer network that removes thousands of pounds of litter annually—without government funding. From organizing neighborhood cleanups to empowering youth and seniors alike, Jill’s story is a testament to the power of civic action and community pride. Tune in to hear how small acts of care can ripple into lasting change. #VolunteersCleaningCommunities #LitterFreeLA #CleanUpCrew #CommunityPower #EnvironmentalJustice #EcoActivism #GrassrootsMovement #UrbanSustainability

Our guest today is Sehila Mota Casper, Executive Director of the Latinos In Heritage Conservation. With deep roots in historic preservation and community advocacy, Sehila shares her inspiring journey from grassroots organizing to leading a national movement that centers Latinx stories, sites, and cultural memory. Under her leadership, the Conservancy recently unveiled the first-ever national list of Endangered Latinx Landmarks—a groundbreaking initiative that shines a spotlight on 13 culturally significant sites across the U.S. and Puerto Rico that are under threat from gentrification, neglect, demolition, and climate change. This campaign marks a pivotal moment in cultural preservation, and Sehila’s voice and the work of her small but mighty team is front and center in amplifying these stories and mobilizing communities to protect them. Explore the full list and learn more about the initiative on Latinos in Heritage Conservation’s official website: https://www.latinoheritage.us #LatinosInHeritageConservation #LatinxHeritageMatters #EndangeredLatinxLandmarks #PreserveOurStories #HealthCareUnToldPodcast

Our guest today is Dr. Gena Castro Rodriguez, a licensed marriage and family therapist, educator, and nationally recognized thought leader with over three decades of experience in mental health, trauma-informed care, and community wellness. Based in San Francisco, Dr. Castro Rodriguez has spent her career expanding access to culturally responsive services and building resilience in underserved communities. Her leadership spans roles such as Executive Director of the National Alliance for Trauma Recovery Centers at UCSF, Chief of Victim Services for the SF District Attorney’s Office, and Co-Founder of the Youth Justice Institute. Today, she continues her mission as an Associate Professor at the University of San Francisco, where she helps shape the next generation of counselors and advances the work of the Center for Community Counseling and Wellness. Dr. Castro Rodriguez shares insights on the trauma facing our immigrant communities, trauma recovery, restorative justice, and the intersection of mental health and social justice—offering a powerful vision for healing that centers on equity, dignity, and community voice. #Drgenacastrorodriguez #Genacastrorodriguez.com #TraumaInformedCare #MentalHealthEquity #RestorativeJustice #CommunityHealing #CulturallyResponsive #Mentalhealthfirstaid

Our guest today is Kwamane Liddell, JD, MHA, BSN, the visionary CEO of ThriveLink—a healthcare technology company revolutionizing access to social safety-net programs and health services through telephonic AI. With a unique background as a trauma nurse, attorney, and health administrator, Kwamane brings a rare, multidimensional perspective to the healthcare space. Through ThriveLink, he has pioneered the use of telephonic AI to empower human service organizations and healthcare providers with always-available bots that assist individuals in completing applications for essential benefits like insurance and food assistance—anytime, day or night. Kwamane is dedicating his career to one powerful mission: ensuring that safety-net communities can access the services they need to live healthier, more secure lives. #KwamaneLiddell #ThriveLink #HealthEquity #TelephonicAI

As a podcast host, I have had the profound honor of listening to and documenting the powerful stories of community members who have dedicated their lives to advocating for justice. Tina Cordova, the Co-Founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, is a tireless advocate who has brought attention to the long-ignored consequences of nuclear testing in New Mexico. Her work illuminates the untold experiences of multiple communities who, in the aftermath of the Trinity Bomb detonation and subsequent nuclear tests conducted in New Mexico between 1945 and 1962, were unknowingly exposed to radiation. This exposure, carried by the wind and lingering in the environment for generations, has inflicted devastating deaths and long-term health consequences on countless families. Despite the well-documented link between radiation exposure and life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, the communities most affected—those who have suffered immeasurable loss and continue to endure the painful repercussions—have yet to receive the full recognition and justice they deserve. Their stories remain largely absent from mainstream historical narratives, making it all the more crucial to amplify their voices and demand accountability. We want to honor all who have lost their lives and those who keep their stories alive. Gracias Tina Cordova and the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium. #Downwinders #JusticeForDownwinders #NuclearTestingImpact #RadiationExposure #TrinityTest #EnvironmentalJustice #HealthJustice #ForgottenVictims #TularosaBasin #RECAAmendment

Matthew Feltrop serves as the Executive Director of The Patachou Foundation, a visionary nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis dedicated to fighting childhood hunger through transformative food initiatives. The foundation is committed to not only providing nutritious, scratch-made meals to children impacted by food insecurity but also fostering a deeper connection to food by sparking excitement and awareness. Under Matthew's dynamic leadership, the foundation has experienced remarkable growth, delivering over 500,000 meals to children in need and spearheading impactful programs. These include PataSchool, which brings the art of scratch cooking into school cafeterias, and the Food Fellowship—a paid summer program designed to immerse teens in hands-on learning experiences with culinary, hospitality, and agriculture industry professionals. This initiative equips participants with invaluable skills and resume-building opportunities, paving the way for a promising future. HealthCare UnTold honors Matthew for his dedication to improving the public health status of the young people in his communities. #ChildhoodHunger #FoodAsEducation #ScratchCooking #FoodInsecuritySolutions #NourishingCommunities #EmpowerThroughFood #FutureChefs

Our guest today is, Dr. Ann López is the Executive Director of Center for Farmworker Families. The Center for Farmworker Families provides support to farmworker families in the central coast of California. The Center for Farmworker Families is a 501(c3)nonprofit at www.farmworkerfamily.org . The website is designed to provide updates on the status of binational farmworker families and provides ways in which those who are interestedcan become involved with the work of improving their life circumstances. She is an emerita professor and taught courses in biology, environmental science, ecology and botany in the biology department at San José City College for many years. She has a Ph.D. from UCSC in Environmental Studies where she studied the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement on the farms of west central Mexico. Her book entitled The Farmworkers’ Journey summarizes the results, arguments and conclusions of her research and was published by UC Press. She has been recognized for her work by The U.S. Congress and many organizations.

Our guest today is Elizabeth Bachman, CEO of Strategic Speaking for Results. Elizabeth is a renowned authority in advanced speaking, presentation skills, sales, and leadership training. With decades of expertise, she empowers high-level clients to craft impactful messages that secure funding, build alliances, and earn well-deserved recognition. As an internationally sought-after speaker and strategist, Elizabeth helps leaders present with confidence, relatability, and even a touch of humor—while maintaining credibility. Elizabeth hosts the acclaimed podcast Speakers Who Get Results, where she delves into topics like leadership, visibility, and cross-cultural communication with industry experts. Having directed opera legends like Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo in over 50 productions worldwide, she draws on an extraordinary breadth of experience. Fluent in five languages, Elizabeth works with women to elevate the ir confidence and professional goals.

Our podcast today features Jasmine Najera and Barbara Garcia, who provide us with statistics regarding the economic power of US Latino communities. In addition to exploring these vital statistics, they delve into the critical role of uplifting and supporting the dedicated staff of our Latino community organizations, especially during these challenging and uncertain times. Keep our Latino Organizations strong by donating and volunteering. Si Se Puede! #LatinoEconomicPower #StrengthInCommunity #SupportLatinoOrganizations #DonateAndVolunteer

Our guest today is Aaron Painter, the CEO of Nametag. Aaron shares his journey from a 14-year career at Microsoft, where he held various leadership roles across multiple countries, to founding Nametag. Driven by his personal experiences with online fraud and identity theft, Aaron has created cutting-edge technology that offers unprecedented protection from digital manipulation and impersonation fraud. Aaron discusses the evolution of fraud, from simple check scams to sophisticated digital impersonation using deepfakes, and highlights the surge in remote work-related security threats, especially in health care. He explains how Nametag's DeepFake Defense technology verifies authentic identities. Aaron also provides some practical ways to help protect your digital identity. HealthCare UnTold recognizes Aaron Painter and Name Tag for their dedication to identity safety. #DigitalSafety #ProtectYourData #SecureYourInformation #ThinkBeforeYouClick #ProtectYourDigitalIdentity

Our guest today is, Devon G. Peña the Founder and President of the Acequia Institute, a non-profit grant-making foundation dedicated to supporting environmental and food justice. The Institute is based on a 181-acre acequia farm in Viejo San Acacio, CO, situated on the ancestral lands and waters of the Nuchu, Dinè, Tewa, and Genizaro peoples. Established in 2006, the Acequia Institute focuses on the protection and preservation of acequia farming communities in the Upper Rio Grande region. Its key areas of focus include Water Democracy, Resilient Agriculture, and Environmental Justice. HealthCare UnTold celebrates Devon as a national treasure. As a farmer, seed-saver, plant-breeder, and philanthropist, he works tirelessly to conserve ancient foods and create Solidarity Economies with local creators. His efforts aim to improve his community health and wealth and to honor the beauty of ancestral food and growing practices their work is a gift to us all. Gracias to the Acequia Institute and Devon Pena! #acequiainstitute.org #devonpena #seedguardians #heritagecusine #deepfood #sanluismarket #solidarityeconomies #ancestraldiets #waterdemocracy #environmentaljustice

Las Fotos Project’s mission is to elevate the voices of teenage girls & gender-expansive youth from communities of color through photography and mentoring, empowering them to channel their creativity for the benefit of themselves, their community, and future careers. Several of the Las Fotos Project members have been impacted by the LA Fires, in response they have begun documenting the stories of artists who lost their equipment and studios in the fires.They are calling on artists impacted by the fires to share their stories on their website: lasfotosproject.org. By reading these stories, you can connect with and support the artists directly. If a particular story moves you, contact Las Fotos Project, and they will facilitate a direct connection with the artist. Organizations like Las Fotos Project, which support Latina/o/x artists and creatives, need our help to continue their vital work. You can make direct donations at lasfotosproject.org. Gracias Las Fotos Project for your dedication to supporting our artists and young people impacted by the LA Fires. Sí, Se Puede! #supportlasphotoproject.com #supportLAfiresurvivors #supportlatinosimpactedbyLAFires #LAFireSupport

Our guest today is Dante King, M.ED, CHRMP, Dante is an incredible speaker, author and consultant known for his work in the fields of diversity and anti-racism. He is particularly focused on addressing systemic racism, bias, and discrimination within organizations and institutions. King leverages his expertise to help organizations understand and dismantle structural inequities, foster inclusive environments, and implement transformative change. As a consultant, he provides training, workshops, and strategic guidance to help leaders and teams recognize and address implicit biases and historical patterns of exclusion. #DanteKing.com quity #RacialEquity #StandAgainstRacism #UnityinDiversity #Diagnosing Whiteness & Anti-Blackness #400YearHolocaust

Our guest today is Vanessa Villaverde, the senior program investment officer at the CHCF Innovation Fund, which invests in technology and service companies with the potential to significantly lower the cost of care or to improve access to care for Californians with low incomes. Vanessa is an exceptional health leader with her eye on expanding the contributions of Latina/o/x innovators in health technologies, Before joining CHCF, Vanessa worked at health tech companies Caresyntax and Remedy Partners, where she developed value-based care programs and products. She worked at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for 10 years advising on innovative payment models, state Medicaid policy, and 1115 waivers. She has invested into health care companies through special purpose vehicles and Angel networks, created a nonprofit to further readiness for Black and Latino/x founders looking to fundraise, and served as a venture scout for Vamos Ventures, an LA-based and Latino/x-led VC fund providing capital to Latino/x and diverse teams in health care, wellness, workforce, fintech, and sustainability. HealthCare UnTold expresses its gratitude to Vanessa for her dedication and hard work in enhancing the health and prosperity for our communities. #VaneesaVillaverde #CAHealthCareFoundation #HealthCareInnovation #LatinoTechnologyStartups

Our guest today is Jacob Kendall, Jacob is a dedicated health advocate and a multifaceted expert. With a strong background in demographics, Jacob excels at analyzing health trends and identifying community needs. In this podcast he provides us with important insights about the roles and importance of immigrant health providers. His personal experiences as a patient within hospital and health systems as a patient, give him a unique perspective. Jacob is a speaker and educator and supports families who are in need of advocacy, you can contact him at: jacobevanskendall.com

We are honoring the Loma Prieta Earthquake which took place on October 17, 1989 in Watsonville, California, by recasting our original podcast. We want to honor those who lost their lives and to those who responded to save lives and servethose who were impacted. You will hear about the fundamentals of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery particularly for vulnerable communities. Our podcast features Interviews with medical providers and Watsonville community leaders who responded immediately after the earthquake; these local heroes provide their first-hand oral histories of the creative steps they took to quickly outreach to and serve farmworkers and the Watsonville Community. Understanding the long-term impact of disasters/pandemics reminds us of the transformation that can happen when people work together to prepare for and respond to the needs of vulnerable groups. HealthCare UnTold dedicates this podcast to those who work tirelessly everyday to improve conditions in and empower their communities.