The Race to Value Podcast

Jody Long, a proud double alumna of Western Governor’s University, has dedicated her career to advancing the nursing profession since 1997. With more than 18 years of specialized experience in Emergency Care and nursing leadership, Jody has recently shifted her focus to Clinical Innovation and Technology—championing tools and solutions that elevate bedside care and empower nursing teams. She holds both a Master of Science in Nursing Informatics and a Master of Business Administration in Healthc

Today, Ashley welcomes Trista Sebastian, an expert in Early Childhood Education and a self-proclaimed nutrition guru, for an in-depth conversation about the critical role childhood nutrition plays in shaping the health and development of young minds and bodies. Together, they explore how proper nutrition during these formative years influences not only immediate behavioral patterns and academic performance but also long-term health outcomes and social equity. Trista sheds light on the profound c

In today’s Episode, Ashley sits down with Dr. Kim Kelly-Cortez to explore challenges nursing schools face, such as faculty shortages, limited clinical training slots, high burnout rates among current educators, and the financial barriers students encounter. We also delve into the ripple effects of these issues on healthcare, such as staffing shortages, overworked nurses, and potential impacts on patient care quality. Dr. Kimberly Kelly Cortez is the Senior Associate Dean and Director for the Pr

On today’s episode, Ashley sits down with with Keith Somers. CRO at HealthCorum. Keith is an entrepreneur with a finance background who co-founded HealthCorum after a series of frustrating experiences navigating the healthcare system as a patient and caregiver. As CRO at HealthCorum, he leads the sales/marketing team on all market interactions while maintaining responsibility for company operations. HealthCorum is a company that provides data analytics and insights focused on the healthcare ind

Today Ashley sat down and talked with Dr. Edwin Estavez. Edwin is the founder of the Altacair Foundation. He Previously, served as Market President of Value Based Care at Prominence Health, a leading health care company that provides high quality, cost-effective care to diverse populations. Edwin, has over 30 years of experience in health care and higher education administration, risk management, and business development, with a PhD in Administration and an MSW. He is passionate about organizati

On today’s episode of The Race to Value, Ashley sits down with her colleague and friend, Dr. Melissa McLaren to discuss the importance of DEI in Healthcare and Education, and why building inclusivity is not just a buzzword, but something that is vital for the future. Dr. McLaren is an Associate Dean and Academic Program Director at the Leavitt School of Health at Western Governors University. She graduated with her BSN from The Ohio State University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the U