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Public Health Matters

Public Health Matters

Written by: Dakota Media Access
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Public health is all around us — in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the choices we make every day. Public Health MATTERS dives into the real stories shaping our health and how communities support each other. Whether you’re health-savvy or just curious, join us for insights that connect us all. Because when we care for each other, our whole community gets stronger — and it all starts with us.Copyright Dakota Media Access Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Public Health Matters Ep. 11 - Take Care of Yourself: Because You Matter Too

    Public Health Matters Ep. 11 - Take Care of Yourself: Because You Matter Too
    May 1 2026
    Moms are often the ones caring for everyone else—but who’s taking care of them? In this episode of Public Health MATTERS, we’re talking about why self-care isn’t selfish…it’s essential.

    Becky is joined by nurses and Women’s Way Coordinators Kjersti Hintz and Jade Gross to explore the “default caregiver” role, the mental load many women carry, and how small, realistic self-care moments can make a big impact. They also dive into prevention, the importance of screenings, and how programs like Women’s Way help connect women to the care they need.

    This Mother’s Day, it’s a reminder to slow down, check in with yourself, and prioritize your health because you matter too.

    GUEST INFORMATION –
    Kjersti Hintz has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years. She currently serves as the Case Management Coordinator at Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and is the Women’s Way Coordinator for the Bismarck and Minot regions.

    Jade Gross has been a registered nurse for 24 years. She is the Western Plains Public Health Women’s Way Coordinator, serving Morton, Sioux, Grant, McLean, Mercer, Mountrail and Oliver counties.

    Kjersti and Jade are passionate about helping communities stay healthy…working to improve access to care, promoting early cancer detection, connecting women with services and making sure people have the resources they need to thrive.

    RESOURCES

    Websites
    hhs.nd.gov/health/women/womens-way
    bismarcknd.gov/363/Womens-Way
    westernplainsph.org/womens-way

    Facebook
    facebook.com/northdakotawomensway
    facebook.com/BBPublicHealth
    facebook.com/westernplainsph
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    24 mins
  • Public Health Matters Ep. 10 - You've Got This: The Support Every First Time Mom Deserves

    Public Health Matters Ep. 10 - You've Got This: The Support Every First Time Mom Deserves
    Apr 3 2026
    Becoming a first-time mom can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode of Public Health MATTERS, we’re taking a closer look at the Nurse-Family Partnership and how it supports moms from pregnancy through early parenthood.

    Becky sits down with Nurse Supervisor Jessica Linneman to talk about the power of home visiting, what families can expect from the program, and how personalized, judgment-free support helps moms build confidence and reach their goals. From real-life stories to practical guidance, this conversation highlights how early support can make a lasting difference for both mom and baby.
    Whether you’re expecting, know someone who is, or simply want to learn more about how communities support families, this episode is a reminder that strong beginnings start with support…and you’ve got this.

    Guest Info: Jessica Linneman has been a registered nurse for 21 years working with families and children. Jessica started her nursing career working in the NICU, Pediatrics and Birthing Center and in 2009 took a career as a public health nurse working in various prevention programs. In 2019, Western Plains and Bismarck Burleigh Public Health embarked on a journey to implement Nurse-Family Partnership in 5 ND counties (Burleigh, Morton, Grant, Mercer, Oliver and Sioux). Jessica is the Nurse-Family Partnership Nurse Supervisor and supports 4 nurses is a Certified Lactation Counselor, Child Passenger Safety Technician and a member of American Nurses Association and ND Nurses Association. Jessica works as a part-time academic staff teaching Public and Community Health Nursing to future nursing students.

    RESOURCES
    Website: westernplainsph.org/nurse-family-partnership
    Facebook: facebook.com/NFPinND
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    25 mins
  • Public Health Matters Ep. 9 - In Their Corner: Helping Parents Feel Confident Informed and Supported

    Public Health Matters Ep. 9 - In Their Corner: Helping Parents Feel Confident Informed and Supported
    Mar 6 2026
    Helping parents feel confident, informed, and supported.

    Parenting comes with big decisions and plenty of opinions. You deserve steady, trustworthy support along the way.

    On this episode of Public Health MATTERS, host Becky has a thoughtful conversation with Dr. Kathy Anderson, about childhood health, including immunizations, and how prevention helps protect families and communities.

    💜 In this episode, we cover:

    ✨ How prevention plays a powerful role in keeping kids safe
    🤝 The importance of trusted healthcare partnerships
    🧭 Resources and people who can support families in making informed decisions
    🏡 Simple, practical tips for overall wellbeing at home
    🌎 How everyday choices connect to the health of our communities

    No pressure. No overwhelm. Just clear information and supportive conversation you can trust.

    Guest Bio: Dr. Kathy Anderson is a double board-certified general pediatrician and integrative medicine physician. She has been practicing in Bismarck, North Dakota for over 15 years and in April of 2020, Dr. Anderson launched her own pediatric practice, Nurturing Wellness Pediatrics, where she works with families to optimize the health, development and learning, wellness, and safety of the whole child using an evidence-based approach, and with a strong focus on prevention.

    Originally from New York, Dr. Anderson completed her undergraduate and medical studies at Brown University through the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) before obtaining residency training in Pediatrics through the University of Hawaii. Driven by the challenges of disease, health, and healing that she had seen as a child, and with a desire to understand the art of medicine as well as the science of medicine, she went on to complete her fellowship in Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona.

    Dr. Anderson is an assistant professor of pediatrics for the University of North Dakota. She has served as an officer for North Dakota American Academy of Pediatrics starting in 2010 and completed her presidency for NDAAP in July 2022. She continued on in leadership in National Pediatric Leadership through the American Academy of Pediatrics as Regional Champion of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and is currently the District Vice Chair for District VI for the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 2022, she began serving on the board of directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and is also a board director at Foundations for a Healthy North Dakota. Inspired by her patients and families, and driven by her own children, Dr. Anderson brings curiosity, tenacity, and passionate problem-solving to all the work with which she engages whether it be clinical, education and advocacy, or systems- based work.
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    40 mins
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