Behind the Mic

Behind the Mic

In the Season 3 finale, host Dennis Ren, MD welcomes back Rachel Sarafin, PPN's Director of Communications. Together, they pull back the curtain and share how the magic of Ready. Prep. Go!  comes together!  Listeners get an inside look at the exciting behind-the-scenes work that makes each episode a hit. Ren and Sarafin also chat with podcast producer Orlando Magaña about his experience on the show and beyond. Related Resources Hurricane Season is Coming [https://resources.pedspandemicnetwork.org/resource-guides/hurricane-season-is-coming/] Hurricane season poses significant risks to children, families and healthcare systems. Explore curated resources to help clinicians, caregivers and communities prepare, respond and recover effectively.  The Disaster Medicine Handbook: A Quick Reference [https://learn.pedspandemicnetwork.org/mod/book/view.php?id=1538]  This guide supports hurricane readiness by breaking down core disaster response concepts (preparedness, surge capacity, triage, crisis standards of care, reunification, and ICS) that hospitals and communities rely on before, during, and after major storms.  Pediatrics & Obstetrics Module Collection - Weather Emergencies and Disasters [https://learn.pedspandemicnetwork.org/course/view.php?id=46] EMS providers play a vital role in natural and manmade disaster response, from hurricanes and floods to nuclear incidents. North Carolina ranks among the most impacted states, with frequent severe weather and three active nuclear reactors posing additional risk. This course prepares EMS professionals to respond quickly, safely, and effectively during large-scale emergencies—enhancing readiness, coordination, and public safety. Strengthen your disaster response skills and be ready to serve your community when it matters most.

Water, Water Everywhere

Water: It’s essential to life, but it can also cause devastation during severe weather.  Brooke Gunderson, BSN, RN recounts the overwhelming flooding and infrastructure failure that she experienced as an emergency room nurse during Hurricane Helene in Boone, North Carolina.  The extreme conditions, which included the loss of power and water, forced families and the health care providers to improvise just to meet basic needs.  In the aftermath, the experience reshaped her perspective on preparedness, resilience, and the importance of community during disasters.  Brooke Gunderson, BSN, RN is an emergency room nurse, mother of two daughters, and wife to a Sports Medicine physician. She now lives in Cookeville, Tennessee after recently relocating from Boone, North Carolina, where she witnessed the impact of Hurricane Helene as it moved through the Appalachian community.  Related Resources Hurricane Season is Coming [https://resources.pedspandemicnetwork.org/resource-guides/hurricane-season-is-coming/] Hurricane season poses significant risks to children, families and healthcare systems. Explore curated resources to help clinicians, caregivers and communities prepare, respond and recover effectively.  The Disaster Medicine Handbook: A Quick Reference [https://learn.pedspandemicnetwork.org/mod/book/view.php?id=1538]  This guide supports hurricane readiness by breaking down core disaster response concepts (preparedness, surge capacity, triage, crisis standards of care, reunification, and ICS) that hospitals and communities rely on before, during, and after major storms.  Pediatrics & Obstetrics Module Collection - Weather Emergencies and Disasters [https://learn.pedspandemicnetwork.org/course/view.php?id=46] EMS providers play a vital role in natural and manmade disaster response, from hurricanes and floods to nuclear incidents. North Carolina ranks among the most impacted states, with frequent severe weather and three active nuclear reactors posing additional risk. This course prepares EMS professionals to respond quickly, safely, and effectively during large-scale emergencies—enhancing readiness, coordination, and public safety. Strengthen your disaster response skills and be ready to serve your community when it matters most.

Good Intentions: The Right Stuff, Right Now

After a disaster, communities come together to rebuild, which may include relief assistance. However, it’s important that well-intentioned donations meet the needs of those who have been affected.  Kathy Lehman-Huskamp, MD, FAAP, FACEP, a pediatric emergency medicine physician and professor at the Medical University of South Carolina shares her experience during Hurricane Helene’s aftermath on the Ashville, NC community As community needs shifted over time, Lehman-Huskamb collaborated with local partners to create a targeted donation effort using “wish lists.” The conversation emphasizes the importance of being responsive to the changing needs of a community after a disaster.  Kathy Lehman-Huskamp, MD, FAAP, FACEP, is an associate professor in pediatric emergency medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her areas of expertise include disaster medicine with a particular emphasis on hospital emergency management and high-risk infectious disease response teams.  Lehman-Huskamp was the last chair of the Disaster section of the American College of Emergency Physician's (ACEP) Disaster section and currently holds the position of chapter disaster liaison of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) South Carolina chapter disaster liaison while serving on national disaster response committees for both ACEP and AAP.  Related Resources  Hurricane Season is Coming [https://resources.pedspandemicnetwork.org/resource-guides/hurricane-season-is-coming/]  Hurricane season poses significant risks to children, families and healthcare systems. Explore curated resources to help clinicians, caregivers and communities prepare, respond and recover effectively.  The Disaster Medicine Handbook: A Quick Reference [https://learn.pedspandemicnetwork.org/mod/book/view.php?id=1538]   This guide supports hurricane readiness by breaking down core disaster response concepts (preparedness, surge capacity, triage, crisis standards of care, reunification, and ICS) that hospitals and communities rely on before, during, and after major storms.  Pediatrics & Obstetrics Module Collection – Weather Emergencies and Disasters [https://learn.pedspandemicnetwork.org/course/view.php?id=46]  EMS providers play a vital role in natural and manmade disaster response, from hurricanes and floods to nuclear incidents. North Carolina ranks among the most impacted states, with frequent severe weather and three active nuclear reactors posing additional risk. This course prepares EMS professionals to respond quickly, safely, and effectively during large-scale emergencies—enhancing readiness, coordination, and public safety. Strengthen your disaster response skills and be ready to serve your community when it matters most.

Back to School

During Hurricane Helene, the Asheville, NC community experienced widespread devastation. Schools became important hubs of relief by providing necessities like food, water, and Wi-Fi, as well ascritical mental health support to students and staff. Melissa Hedt, Executive Director of Community Partnerships for Asheville City Schools, describes how administration, staff, and families used the unique positioning of schools within communities as essential spaces to provide relief to all those affected by the devastation.  Melissa Hedt is in her 27th year with Asheville City Schools, where she currently serves as the Executive Director of Community Partnerships. Since joining the district in 1999, she has held multiple roles including classroom teacher, literacy coach, special programs coordinator, and executive leadership positions focused on teaching and learning. She is a National Board Certified educator with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Melissa is a dedicated, student-centered leader who prioritizes equity throughout her work. She is recognized for advancing literacy, strengthening student outcomes, and building powerful community partnerships, including securing major grants to expand afterschool and summer opportunities for students. She also played a key role in supporting the district’s Hurricane Helene response and recovery efforts. Melissa is a strong believer in public education and that communities are stronger when young people are centered and supported through the collective efforts of schools, families, and the broader community. Related Resources Hurricane Season is Coming [https://resources.pedspandemicnetwork.org/resource-guides/hurricane-season-is-coming/] Hurricane season poses significant risks to children, families and healthcare systems. Explore curated resources to help clinicians, caregivers and communities prepare, respond and recover effectively.  The Disaster Medicine Handbook: A Quick Reference [https://learn.pedspandemicnetwork.org/mod/book/view.php?id=1538]  This guide supports hurricane readiness by breaking down core disaster response concepts (preparedness, surge capacity, triage, crisis standards of care, reunification, and ICS) that hospitals and communities rely on before, during, and after major storms.  Pediatrics & Obstetrics Module Collection – Weather Emergencies and Disasters [https://learn.pedspandemicnetwork.org/course/view.php?id=46] EMS providers play a vital role in natural and manmade disaster response, from hurricanes and floods to nuclear incidents. North Carolina ranks among the most impacted states, with frequent severe weather and three active nuclear reactors posing additional risk. This course prepares EMS professionals to respond quickly, safely, and effectively during large-scale emergencies—enhancing readiness, coordination, and public safety. Strengthen your disaster response skills and be ready to serve your community when it matters most.  Weathering the Storm [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ci_rVPeXl201-y_W86znCXQnrQei0NHy/view] Learn about Asheville City Schools in North Carolina's recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene.

Return to Camp

The conversation continues from Season 2 with Mikey Latner, founder and Executive Director of Project:Camp.  In “Return to Camp,” Mikey discusses the organization’s response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton in North Carolina. The pop-up camps established after the storms supported local children’s mental health by providing safe spaces to process emotions during recovery efforts with the collaboration of local organizations and volunteers.   A former camp director with two decades of camp experience under his belt, Mikey founded Project: Camp with the idea that camp and childcare professionals have critical skills to offer in times of emergency. In developing our pop-up camp model, Mikey strives to use the structure of camp as a vehicle to bring joy, safety, and peace of mind to children and parents impacted by natural disasters. He hopes this work leads to a seismic shift in the disaster response ecosystem, creating a more holistic, trauma-informed, and community-driven model that prioritizes the needs of families during emergencies. Related Resources Hurricane Season is Coming [https://resources.pedspandemicnetwork.org/resource-guides/hurricane-season-is-coming/] Hurricane season poses significant risks to children, families and healthcare systems. Explore curated resources to help clinicians, caregivers and communities prepare, respond and recover effectively.  The Disaster Medicine Handbook: A Quick Reference [https://learn.pedspandemicnetwork.org/mod/book/view.php?id=1538]  This guide supports hurricane readiness by breaking down core disaster response concepts (preparedness, surge capacity, triage, crisis standards of care, reunification, and ICS) that hospitals and communities rely on before, during, and after major storms.  Pediatrics & Obstetrics Module Collection – Weather Emergencies and Disasters [https://learn.pedspandemicnetwork.org/course/view.php?id=46] EMS providers play a vital role in natural and manmade disaster response, from hurricanes and floods to nuclear incidents. North Carolina ranks among the most impacted states, with frequent severe weather and three active nuclear reactors posing additional risk. This course prepares EMS professionals to respond quickly, safely, and effectively during large-scale emergencies—enhancing readiness, coordination, and public safety. Strengthen your disaster response skills and be ready to serve your community when it matters most.