Welcome to Care and Consequence: Perspectives on a Social Care Network. Check in monthly with our hosts Becky and Sharon as they examine the good, the bad, and the ugly of what it takes to create a functioning social care network!
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In this episode of Care and Consequence, hosts Sharon Brown and Becky Betts sit down with Dr. John Merrill-Steskal of Kittitas Valley Healthcare for a provider’s view on the gap between clinical care and the social needs that drive health outcomes. They cover how unmet needs like housing, food, transportation, and isolation show up in the exam room and downstream in emergency department use and preventable readmissions, what changes when providers have a trusted community referral network instead of a list of phone numbers, and what’s possible in rural communities when relationships are treate
Half of Washington’s healthcare workers say they’re likely to leave the profession in the next few years. In this episode of Care and Consequence, host Dani LaForest sits down with Lisa Hagreen of Triumph Treatment Services to walk through the three-way partnership between Greater Health Now, Skillsline, and Triumph. In this partnership, 98 Triumph staff members received lessons on durable human skills such as growth mindset, emotional intelligence, resilience, and accountability. Dani and Lisa discuss how the project adapted when it ran into real shift constraints and the results of the pre-/
This episode host Sharon Brown sits down with Community Health Worker and Peer Support Specialist, Ronni Batchelor, for a powerful conversation straight from the field. Ronni shares real, boots-on-the-ground stories from her work in the community. She highlights the challenges and resilience she encounters while supporting individuals and families facing complex health and social needs. Together, Sharon and Ronni explore why meeting people where they are matters, and how trust, persistence, and local knowledge are essential to creating meaningful change. Ronni breaks down the vital role that G
In this episode, our hosts Becky Betts and Sharon Brown break down what a Community Care Hub is and how it supports individuals across the nine counties Greater Health Now serves in Southeast Washington. They explain how the Hub coordinates resources, connects healthcare and community partners, and uses a closed‑loop referral system to ensure clients receive the help they’re connected to. Becky and Sharon also highlight the essential role of community-based workers, who build trust, guide clients through complex systems, and help address both health and social needs. Together, they share why G
In our third episode of Care and Consequence, host Becky Betts has a candid conversation with Captain Danielle Bertschi from Kittitas County Fire Protection District 6. Together, they discuss how cross-sector collaboration with healthcare systems, emergency services, and community-based organizations creates more responsive, people-centered care. Danielle shares stories and struggles from the field and how Greater Health Now’s support is helping first responders bring healthcare directly to those who need it most. From crisis calls to community follow-ups, she highlights how collaboration and
In this episode of Care and Consequence, hosts Sharon Brown and Rebecca “Becky” Betts explore how Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) programs are transforming care delivery. They demonstrate how MIH brings healthcare directly to people where they are. MIH reduces ER visits, prevents hospital readmissions, and connects patients to the right resources at the right time. Sharon and Becky also highlight why return on investment matters. They speak to how MIH not only saves healthcare dollars but also creates measurable improvements in community health and well-being.
In our very first episode of Care and Consequence, we meet our hosts, Sharon Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Health Now, and Rebecca “Becky” Betts, Chief Operating Officer of Greater Health Now. Together, they share why they launched this podcast: to create a space where they can explore how community engagement, innovation, and collaboration intersect to create healthier futures for all. Becky and Sharon reflect on the “why” behind Care and Consequence. They want to elevate real stories from the field, highlight the people driving change, and hold open honest conversations about the
