In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke and Marty Carty, OPCA’s Director of Governmental Affairs, trace the Health Center Program back to 1965, when Doctors Jack Geiger and Count Gibson launched the first neighborhood health centers, grounded in community governance, comprehensive care, and a commitment to never turn patients away. The conversation highlights how health centers became a cornerstone of community health, what today’s political environment means for their mission, and the importance of advocacy to sustain care for underserved communities.

About the Guest

Marty Carty, Governmental Affairs Director at the Oregon Primary Care Association, oversees government affairs and policy initiatives for OPCA with responsibility for the organization’s public policy agenda and regulatory engagement on a range of state and federal priorities.

Resources & Links

• Oregon Primary Care Association, www.orpca.org

• Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health, www.geigergibson.publichealth.gwu.edu

• Interested in becoming a CHC advocate? Contact dgehrke@orpca.org

• Sign up for email updates about the podcast here.

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In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke sits down with Dayna Morrison, Senior Director of the HIV/STI Program at the Oregon Primary Care Association, to reflect on the conversation with Dr. Hunter Spencer about PATHS (Peer-Assisted Telemedicine for Health and Substance Users). Dayna emphasizes the importance of reaching Oregonians outside mainstream systems, especially in rural areas. The discussion also covers how peer input shapes provider education provided by the HIV/STI Program, and resources available to health care providers including capacity building, communities of practice, and one-on-one mentoring.

About the Guest

Dayna Morrison brings over 20 years of experience working with people living with HIV/AIDS in Oregon and abroad. As the Senior Director of the HIV/STI Program at the Oregon Primary Care Association, Dayna provides capacity building assistance to health care systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and health care providers in efforts to build more robust health care environments. Previous professional positions include Director of HIV Services at Quest Center for Integrative Health, and Program Coordinator for the CDC Global AIDS Program.

Resources & Links

• Oregon AIDS Education & Training Center, www.oraetc.org/

• Provider Mentoring, www.oraetc.org/prescriber-support

• Contact the HIV/STI Program at OPCA, info@oraetc.org

• Sign up for email updates about the podcast here.

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke speaks with Dr. Hunter Spencer of the Oregon Health & Science University about Oregon’s hepatitis C epidemic and the PATHS program (Peer Assisted Telemedicine for Health in Substance users). Dr. Spencer explains how stigma, trauma, and distrust keep many who use drugs from seeking care, and how certified peers in recovery build trust and facilitate communication between patients and clinicians.

About the Guest

Dr. Hunter C. Spencer, DO, AAHIVS, provides care to create a more beautiful and just community. He is inspired to treat and cure diseases that interact with every aspect of people’s lives like chronic infections and substance use disorders. He finds meaning in sharing in his patients’ trauma, struggles and successes.

PATHS is an intervention developed by Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) in collaboration with partners. Peer recovery support specialists (peers) assist people who use drugs to access hepatitis C (HCV) and syphilis testing, facilitate telemedicine HCV treatment, and support participants in medication adherence.

Resources & Links

• PATHS: Peer Assisted Telemedicine for Health in Substance Users, www.peerpathstohealth.org

• Additional interview about federal funding to support PATHS

• Oregon Primary Care Association programming to support Poly-Substance Use Disorder (PSUD)

  • PSUD Workgroup
  • PSUD Webinar Series

• Sign up for email updates about the podcast here.

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.