Shelley Quiala and Paul Scholtz of Cantus Vocal Ensemble explore the powerful intersection of music and memory through the group’s performances. Quiala, Cantus’ executive director, and Scholtz, artistic co-director, share how song, personal stories and community partnerships transform perceptions of dementia. The conversation highlights how the arts can foster healing and connection.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guests: Shelley Quiala and Paul Scholtz

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.

Dr. Aaron Burnett, medical director for Regions EMS and the St. Paul Fire Department, and SPFD assistant chief Steve Sampson discuss how their teams are confronting the opioid crisis on St. Paul streets. They share how a new program using Suboxone helps first responders treat opioid use disorder more effectively and compassionately. With a focus on community trust, collaboration and meeting people where they are, this conversation highlights the power of innovation in the public health response.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guests: Aaron Burnett, MD, and Steve Sampson

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.

Sumaya Noor, a hospital medicine physician assistant at Regions Hospital, and Ryan Aga, director of clinical simulation at HealthPartners, discuss the origin and impact of innovative training they created after experiences Sumaya had working inside an emergency department. Listen as they share personal stories and data that highlight the importance of addressing bias in health care settings.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guests: Sumaya Noor and Ryan Aga

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.

The women’s sports medicine program at TRIA addresses the unique challenges female athletes face, such as higher rates of ACL injuries and the effects of hormonal changes on training and recovery. Dr. Heather Bergeson emphasizes the importance of comprehensive care and the need for more research to better support female athletes throughout their lives.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guest: Dr. Heather Bergeson

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.

Nicole Wojowski, a registered nurse at Regions Hospital, joins the show to explore the complexities and often misunderstood international adoption process. The discussion delves into myths and misconceptions. Nicole shares her personal experiences as an adoptee and highlights the challenges and triumphs she has faced. The conversation also covers the impact of microaggressions, importance of acknowledging trauma and unique journeys of adoptees.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guest: Nicole Wojowski

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.

A pair of experts with Healthcare for the Homeless share their perspectives working with unsheltered populations and addressing homelessness. Kat Donnelly, a family nurse practitioner with Minnesota Community Care, and Josh Leopold, a senior advisor on health, homelessness and housing for the Minnesota Department of Health, join the show to talk about what’s being done in St. Paul.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guests: Kat Donnelly and Josh Leopold

Resources:

• Minnesota Department of Health Public Health and Homelessness
• Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless
• Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness
• National Health Care for the Homeless Council
• Street Medicine Institute

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.

Xiongmee Chang shares how mentorship and unwavering belief inspired her to accomplish goals and take on roles previously unimagined. The Regions Hospital nurse manager joined the Hmong Nurses Association board of directors in 2024 and helped plan HNA’s second National Nursing Conference after being encouraged by her mentor to attend the first one.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guest: Xiongmee Chang

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.

It’s possible for patients to receive hospital-level care inside their homes. HealthPartners Hospital@Home director Tia Radant and medical director Dr. Chrisanne Timpe talk about the program’s evolution as “the virtual unit,” which types of patients are ideal candidates for getting acute care at home, and the role community paramedics and other care team members play in treating patients.

Producer's note: In this episode, Dr. Chrisanne Timpe says, "The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services collected data for about three years on how these programs were doing nationally. And in that data with tens of thousands of patients, when they compared Hospital@Home groups to equally matched in brick and mortar treated groups, they showed that, for several diagnoses, there were reduced readmissions. But most importantly for somebody like me, there is a 20% chance of ending up needing a skilled nursing facility after hospitalization for frail elders for people who are in the brick and mortar, compared to 2.5%." The correct number is even lower: 1.2% for people in Hospital@Home, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Hosts: Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD

Guests: Tia Radant and Dr. Chrisanne Timpe

HealthPartners website: Off the Charts podcast

Got an idea? Have thoughts to share? We want to hear from you. Email us at offthecharts@healthpartners.com.