The Race to Value Podcast

Jody Long, a proud double alumna of Western Governor’s University, has dedicated her career to advancing the nursing profession since 1997. With more than 18 years of specialized experience in Emergency Care and nursing leadership, Jody has recently shifted her focus to Clinical Innovation and Technology—championing tools and solutions that elevate bedside care and empower nursing teams. She holds both a Master of Science in Nursing Informatics and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management and is a Certified Emergency Nurse. Jody is a passionate advocate for professional development and nursing excellence through her active involvement in the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), the American Nurses Association (ANA), and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Her leadership extends beyond clinical settings—Jody was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Florida Board of Nursing and contributes nationally through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and the Commission for Nurse Reimbursement. Committed to driving high-quality, patient-centered care, Jody is known for her energy, integrity, and people-first approach. She continues to inspire colleagues through mentorship, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of innovation and improvement in healthcare delivery.

Today, Ashley welcomes Trista Sebastian, an expert in Early Childhood Education and a self-proclaimed nutrition guru, for an in-depth conversation about the critical role childhood nutrition plays in shaping the health and development of young minds and bodies. Together, they explore how proper nutrition during these formative years influences not only immediate behavioral patterns and academic performance but also long-term health outcomes and social equity. Trista sheds light on the profound connection between what children eat and their physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being, emphasizing the lasting effects that early dietary habits can have on adulthood. This thought-provoking discussion also examines how nutrition intersects with health equity, addressing systemic barriers and disparities that impact children’s access to healthy food. Don’t miss this enlightening episode that underscores why what we feed our children today determines the adults they become tomorrow. Trista Sebastian is an Early Childhood Education teacher from Cincinnati, Ohio. . Currently serving as the lead teacher at a preschool, Trista not only nurtures young minds in the classroom but also oversees the school’s nutrition program, ensuring that her students have access to healthy, balanced meals. Her passion for childhood nutrition began during a deeply personal journey—her pregnancy with her daughter—which inspired her to dive deeper into the connection between nutrition and early development. Since then, Trista has dedicated herself to advocating for the importance of proper nutrition in shaping children’s health, behavior, and future outcomes. Her unique blend of classroom expertise and hands-on experience with childhood nutrition makes her an invaluable voice in this vital conversation.

In today’s Episode, Ashley sits down with Dr. Kim Kelly-Cortez to explore challenges nursing schools face, such as faculty shortages, limited clinical training slots, high burnout rates among current educators, and the financial barriers students encounter. We also delve into the ripple effects of these issues on healthcare, such as staffing shortages, overworked nurses, and potential impacts on patient care quality. Dr. Kimberly Kelly Cortez is the Senior Associate Dean and Director for the Prelicensure BSN program at Western Governors University. She continues to support the growth of the Prelicensure program by expanding into additional states, opening simulation centers/labs, expanding access to communities and populations in need of pathways to nursing education. Her research continues to focus on student success, programmatic excellence, Competency Based Education (CBE), and simulation. She has presented research related to NCLEX, CBE, and Diversity in BSN prelicensure programs at the NLN Education Summit, AACN Transform, and the National Nursing Workforce Conference respectively in recent years.

On today’s episode, Ashley sits down with with Keith Somers.  CRO at HealthCorum.  Keith is an entrepreneur with a finance background who co-founded HealthCorum after a series of frustrating experiences navigating the healthcare system as a patient and caregiver. As CRO at HealthCorum, he leads the sales/marketing team on all market interactions while maintaining responsibility for company operations. HealthCorum is a company that provides data analytics and insights focused on the healthcare industry. They specialize in analyzing data on healthcare providers, such as hospitals and physicians, to assess their quality, efficiency, and overall value in comparison to other similar providers. HealthCorum’s platform and underlying data helps healthcare organizations, insurers, and employers identify high-performing providers, reduce costs, and improve the quality of care.

Today Ashley sat down and talked with Dr. Edwin Estavez.  Edwin is the founder of the Altacair Foundation.   He Previously, served as Market President of Value Based Care at Prominence Health, a leading health care company that provides high quality, cost-effective care to diverse populations. Edwin, has over 30 years of experience in health care and higher education administration, risk management, and business development, with a PhD in Administration and an MSW. He is passionate about organizational transformation. From health care delivery and outcomes through value-based care tactics, to patient engagement programs, and care coordination models.  Join as we chat about the mission of Altacair, how he ensures the foundation stays true to its mission and vision, and the collaboration between Altacair and The Leavitt School of Health on the Accelerator Conference. Altacair Foundation:  About Us – Altacair Foundation [https://altacairfoundation.org/about-us/] Accelerator 2024:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/accelerator2024-advancing-value-for-health-equity-tickets-951490021267?aff=oddtdtcreator [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/accelerator2024-advancing-value-for-health-equity-tickets-951490021267?aff=oddtdtcreator]