In this episode of the Healthy Desert Healthy You podcast, host Will Dean is joined by Dr. Angelica Geter, healthcare and community consultant with Sowen, to discuss the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation’s upcoming strategic plan. As the District prepares for a pivotal transition in 2026, Dr. Geter explains how the multi-month planning process is intentionally designed to center community voices, health equity, and real-world access to care. The conversation explores why community listening sessions and surveys are essential, what residents can expect when they participate, and how lived experiences—such as transportation, housing, and food access—shape long-term health outcomes. Listeners will learn how this inclusive approach will guide funding priorities, partnerships, and policies for years to come, ensuring a healthier future for Coachella Valley residents.

Takeaways:

1. The 2026 strategic plan will guide District priorities for at least five years
2. Community input is central to shaping health and wellness investments
3. Seven in-person listening sessions will be held across the Coachella Valley
4. Language access, cultural awareness, and equity are core planning principles
5. Surveys provide an alternative way to participate if residents can’t attend sessions
6. Health access includes more than clinics—it includes housing, food, and transportation
7. Strategic planning helps identify gaps and the right partners to address them
8. The process is designed to create lasting impact for future generations

#HealthyDesertHealthyYouPodcast #WillDean #DesertHealthcareDistrictAndFoundation #CommunityWellness #AngelicaGeter #Sowen #CoachellaValleyHealth #HealthEquity #CommunityListening #StrategicPlanning #PublicHealth #HealthcareAccess #CommunityVoices #HealthInfrastructure #NonprofitLeadership #RegionalHealth #CommunityEngagement #HealthPolicy #FutureOfHealth #InclusivePlanning

Host Will Dean speaks with Baltazar Aguirre, Jr., a local organizer with the United Farm Workers Foundation on this episode of Healthy Desert Healthy You, about the essential yet often unseen farmworker community in the Coachella Valley. Aguirre explains the Foundation’s mission to advance human dignity, labor rights, and immigrant protections while sharing the region’s billion-dollar agricultural impact. The conversation explores common misconceptions about farmworkers, the realities of extreme heat and hard labor, and the fear created by increased ICE activity. Aguirre describes Know Your Rights education, red cards, and rapid response networks that support families facing enforcement actions. Listeners learn how community members can help, why advocacy matters, and how policy wins, disaster relief, and pandemic aid have strengthened farmworker health, safety, and resilience across California today and tomorrow for rural families.

Takeaways:

1. Farmworkers are essential to the nation’s food supply and local economy
2. Agriculture contributes roughly $1 billion annually to the Coachella Valley
3. UFW Foundation empowers communities through education and advocacy
4. Common myths about immigrants and farmworkers persist and cause harm
5. ICE activity has increased fear and disrupted daily life and work
6. Know Your Rights trainings and red cards provide critical protections
7. Rapid response networks help verify and respond to enforcement actions
8. Community involvement and elected leadership matter more than ever

#HealthyDesertHealthyYouPodcast #WillDean #DesertHealthcareDistrictAndFoundation #CommunityWellness #BaltazarAguirre #UFWFoundation #FarmworkerRights #ImmigrantRights #CoachellaValley #AgriculturalWorkers #KnowYourRights #RapidResponse #CommunityAdvocacy #LaborRights #HumanDignity #LocalEconomy #PublicHealth #SocialJustice #CommunitySupport #HealthEquityv

In this episode of the Healthy Desert Healthy You podcast, host Will Dean welcomes Melanie Lewis, Executive Director with the Pink Journey Foundation and a breast cancer survivor. Melanie shares the inspiring origin of the foundation, founded in 2004 to provide education, mentoring, and mobile mammography—especially for underserved communities. She explains why early detection matters, clears up common myths about breast cancer, and outlines national screening guidelines. Listeners learn how mobile clinics remove barriers like cost, transportation, language, and fear, while offering compassionate, culturally sensitive care. Melanie also highlights the powerful partnership with Desert Healthcare District and Foundation and DPMG Health to ensure women receive follow-up care when needed. This conversation is a reminder that breast health is a year-round priority—and that access, education, and advocacy save lives.

Takeaways:

1. Pink Journey Foundation was founded in 2004 to expand breast health support beyond doctor visits.
2. Mobile mammography reaches women who lack access, insurance, or transportation.
3. Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women and 1 in 750 men.
4. Most breast cancers cannot be felt without imaging.
5. Annual mammograms are recommended starting at age 40.
6. Self-exams help women understand what’s normal for their bodies.
7. Cultural, financial, and time barriers delay screenings.
8. Partnerships ensure women receive follow-up care after screenings.

#HealthyDesertHealthyYouPodcast #WillDean #DesertHealthcareDistrictAndFoundation #CommunityWellness #MelanieLewis #PinkJourneyFoundation #MobileMammography #BreastCancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #WomenHealth #UnderservedCommunities #LatinaHealth #HealthEquity #MobileClinics #CancerPrevention #SelfAdvocacy #CommunityHealth #BreastHealth #NonprofitImpact #HealthcareAccess

In this inspiring episode of the Healthy Desert Healthy You podcast, host Will Dean speaks with Deja Brown, a Desert Healthcare District and Foundation scholarship recipient through One Future Coachella Valley. Deja shares her journey from Illinois to the Coachella Valley, her path through College of the Desert, and her current studies at Sacramento State University. She discusses her goal of becoming a licensed physical therapist, opening clinics in the Valley, and teaching CPR to young athletes. The conversation highlights the importance of education access, workforce development, and community support in addressing local healthcare shortages. Deja also reflects on resilience, nontraditional education pathways, and why giving back to the Coachella Valley is central to her purpose and future career.

Takeaways:

1. The Valley faces a critical shortage of healthcare professionals
2. Scholarships can change educational and career trajectories
3. Nontraditional paths can still lead to success in healthcare
4. Community support plays a key role in student stability
5. Education, housing, food, and job security drive opportunity
6. Giving back strengthens local healthcare systems
7. Representation matters in health and medical careers
8. Young people can leave, grow, and return to serve their community

#HealthyDesertHealthyYouPodcast #WillDean #DesertHealthcareDistrictAndFoundation #CommunityWellness #OneFutureCoachellaValley #HealthcareWorkforce #HealthEquity #ScholarshipSupport #FuturePhysicalTherapist #CommunityHealth #EducationAccess #StudentSuccess #CoachellaValley #HealthcareCareers #BlackHealthProfessionals #VeteranVoices #YouthEmpowerment #GivingBack #LocalImpact #WellnessLeadership #DejaBrown

In this episode of Healthy Desert Healthy You, host Will Dean welcomes Kimberly Barraza, newly elected Board President of the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation. Barraza reflects on her journey into public service, her deep roots in the Coachella Valley, and what it means to lead without extra power but with purpose. She shares her vision for a stronger, more collaborative board that amplifies voices from every zone, especially fast-growing communities like Coachella and Indio. The conversation explores her legislative background, the creation of the District’s Legislative Policy Committee, and why prevention offers the greatest return on investment for both health and quality of life. Barraza also invites the community to participate in upcoming listening sessions that will help shape the District’s future.

Takeaways:

1. Leadership as board president is about connection, not authority
2. Zone 6 growth highlights evolving community health needs
3. Public service roots shaped by curiosity and legislative experience
4. Policy can be a creative tool for improving community wellness
5. The Legislative Policy Committee strengthens regional advocacy
6. Collaboration with legislators and districts amplifies impact
7. Prevention delivers long-term health and financial benefits
8. Community listening sessions are vital to future planning

#HealthyDesertHealthyYouPodcast #WillDean #DesertHealthcareDistrictAndFoundation #CommunityWellness #KimberlyBarraza #PublicHealthLeadership #CoachellaValley #HealthEquity #PreventionFirst #CommunityVoices #LocalGovernment #HealthcareAccess #StrategicPlanning #NonprofitSupport #PolicyAndHealth #RegionalCollaboration #CivicEngagement #CommunityHealth #SpecialDistricts #HealthyCommunities

In this episode of Healthy Desert Healthy You, host Will Dean talks with Debbie Espinosa, CEO of FIND Food Bank, to explore the realities of food insecurity in the Coachella Valley. Debbie shares how FIND works with more than 100 local partners and Feeding America to supply food across a 10,000-square-mile region, distributing over 20 million pounds each year—including millions in fresh produce. She explains how mobile pantries reach food deserts, how volunteers help process donations, and how community support strengthens disaster response. Debbie also highlights FIND’s long-term strategy to break cycles of hunger through workforce development, youth leadership, and financial literacy programs. Discover how you can support FIND with food, volunteer time, or donations—because food is medicine, and community care matters.

Takeaways:

• FIND Food Bank serves a 10,000-square-mile region across the desert.
• Partners with over 100 nonprofits for food distribution.
• Distributes 20+ million pounds of food annually.
• Nearly 40% of food distributed is fresh produce.
• Mobile pantries help reach food deserts and high-need areas.
• Volunteers equal over 10 full-time staff in impact.
• Programs address root causes of hunger through training and education.
• Community donations and support keep disaster response strong.

#HealthyDesertHealthyYouPodcast #WillDean #DesertHealthcareDistrictAndFoundation #CommunityWellness #FoodInsecurity #FINDFoodBank #DebbieEspinosa #EndingHunger #NutritionAccess #FreshProduceMatters #FoodIsMedicine #CoachellaValley #VolunteerImpact #FeedingAmerica #MobilePantries #FoodDeserts #WorkforceDevelopment #YouthLeadership #CommunitySupport #EndHungerNow

In this important episode of Healthy Desert Healthy You, host Will Dean welcomes two experts tackling a growing public health and animal welfare concern: the surge of brown dog ticks in the Eastern Coachella Valley. Jennifer Henke of the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District and Michael Phipps-Russell of Loving All Animals share what rising tick populations mean for local pets, families, and communities. They discuss the alarming increase in tick-borne diseases such as ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and dangerous rickettsioses affecting both dogs and humans. The conversation explores treatment challenges, the need for prevention, community volunteer support, and upcoming multi-agency efforts to curb the spread. This episode provides essential guidance to protect pets, households, and neighborhoods from a rapidly expanding threat.

Takeaways:

• Brown dog ticks are increasing significantly in the Eastern Coachella Valley.
• Dogs are testing positive for ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis at high rates.
• Tick-borne diseases can delay or prevent spay/neuter surgeries due to bleeding risks.
• Treatment for infected pets is lengthy, costly, and difficult for East Valley owners to access.
• Human cases of rickettsioses, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, are rising in nearby Baja California.
• Prevention—tick checks, veterinary-approved medications, and owner awareness—is essential.
• Community volunteers, or “animal social workers,” are urgently needed to support treatment follow-up.
• Multi-agency clinics and outreach programs are being organized to address the crisis.

#HealthyDesertHealthyYouPodcast #WillDean #DesertHealthcareDistrictAndFoundation #CommunityWellness #CoachellaValley #BrownDogTick #TickPrevention #PetHealth #PublicHealth #VectorControl #LovingAllAnimals #Ehrlichiosis #Anaplasmosis #Rickettsioses #RockyMountainSpottedFever #AnimalWelfare #EastValley #DogRescue #PetSafety #CommunityHealth #JenniferHenke #MichaelPhippsRussell #LovingAllAnimals

In this episode of the Healthy Desert Healthy You podcast, host Will Dean sits down with Fernando Gutierrez, Community Engagement Specialist with the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District. Fernando explains the district’s nearly 100-year mission to monitor and control vectors—mosquitoes, rodents, fire ants, and more—that pose health risks to Coachella Valley residents. He discusses the region’s unusually active mosquito season, the spread of invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and the diseases they can transmit, including West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis. Fernando also highlights prevention strategies, the importance of eliminating standing water, and how residents can request services. Plus, he previews innovative district programs such as drone-assisted inspections and the sterile insect technique aimed at long-term mosquito control.

Takeaways:

• The district has monitored harmful vectors in the valley since 1928.
• Coachella Valley hosts more than a dozen mosquito species.
• Aedes aegypti is an aggressive, invasive daytime biter now found valley-wide.
• Standing water—even small amounts—creates mosquito breeding sites.
• Over 100 mosquitoes tested positive for viruses this season.
• Residents can request vector inspections and treatments at no cost.
• EPA-approved repellents (DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, OLE) offer reliable protection.
• New technologies like drones and sterile insect programs improve mosquito control.

#HealthyDesertHealthyYouPodcast #WillDean #DesertHealthcareDistrictAndFoundation #CommunityWellness #CoachellaValleyMosquitoAndVectorControlDistrict #MosquitoAwareness #PublicHealthEducation #AedesAegypti #WestNileVirusPrevention #StLouisEncephalitis #VectorControl #CommunityEngagement #MosquitoSeason #PreventMosquitoBreeding #StandingWaterPrevention #FireAntControl #DroneTechnology #SterileInsectTechnique #HealthAndSafety #CoachellaValley