Postindustrial Logo

Good Health, Better World

Stronger communities begin with good health — for everyone. And good health means caring for both the body and the mind.

In Season 2 of Good Health, Better World, you’ll hear from experts about the ways we can improve our overall health when we uncover, deliver, and destigmatize the support needed to manage emotions, handle stress, and build healthy relationships.

You’ll hear independent viewpoints from community and government leaders, and from experts and clinicians from UPMC Health Plan.

The Good Health, Better World podcast, sponsored by UPMC Health Plan, brings experts together to discuss some of health care’s most important (and often challenging) topics.

Listen

Season 1, Episode 5: Access for One, Access for All

How can we create more inclusive care for the LGBTQ+ community, and what role can a health insurer play?

In this episode, we hear from Shireen Haq, a program director in UPMC Health Plan’s National Network Development & Strategic Expansion team. She works with providers that care for underserved populations to develop strategies and initiatives that impact the accessibility and quality of care for their patients.

We also hear from Sarah Rosso, executive director of the Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation in Pittsburgh. The nonprofit organization offers services and supports, as well as training for organizations to improve their capacity to serve LGBTQ+ clients and staff.

The views and opinions expressed by the participants of this podcast are not necessarily those of UPMC Health Plan, Inc. or its affiliates.

Dr. Ellen Beckjord

Dr. Ellen Beckjord, MPH, is host of the Good Health, Better World podcast.

Ellen is a behavioral scientist, epidemiologist, and licensed clinical psychologist working at the intersection of population and digital health.

Her work focuses on promoting health, wellness, and health behavior change. She is vice president of population health and clinical optimization for UPMC Health Plan based in Pittsburgh.

Ellen trained at the University of Vermont, where she worked with cancer survivors and their families, at Vanderbilt University, and at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

She completed post-doctoral research at the National Cancer Institute in the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch within the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences. She spent nearly five years in academic medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and Hillman Cancer Center.

Ellen also is the co-author of “Porchtraits” in which she interviewed people in Pittsburgh during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic about what they were learning, missing, enjoying, what surprised them, and what they felt hopeful about.

Ellen’s guiding principle: “Lead with love.”

This podcast is proudly presented by

UPMC Healthplan logo

Season 2, Episode 8: Innovation in behavioral health

What’s the new frontier in behavioral health? That great frontier might not always mean being in a doctor’s office. Learn more about how telehealth, new therapies, and whole person care — where you live and play — affect well-being. Hear from Dr. Matthew Hurford and Dr. Geoffrey Neimark of Community ...

Listen Now »

Season 2, Episode 7: Supporting the mental health of older adults

As we age, mental and physical changes can leave some people feeling left behind — perhaps even more isolated as a result of the pandemic, and other life changes. It doesn’t have to be that way. Listen in for a discussion about special considerations affecting the mental health of older ...

Listen Now »

Season 2, Episode 6: What is integrated care?

Integrated care helps bring together care for the body and mind. In this episode, our guests discuss this body-mind approach and how doctors are implementing this model. How could it benefit you or a loved one? Hear insights from Dr. Alin Severance, medical director of Behavioral Health Services at UPMC ...

Listen Now »

New around here? Join our mailing list!

Welcome to Postindustrial, a multimedia company that’s redefining the Rust Belt on our own terms through stories, podcasts, and more. Sign up here for free updates!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.