NNLM Discovery Podcast
Series Description
This podcast series explores how the Network of the National Library of Medicine - part of the National Library of Medicine - is engaging with communities to provide access to trusted information for the purpose of improving the public's health.
Accompanying videos can be found on the NLM YouTube Channel
You can learn more about the NLM health information resources mentioned in this series by visiting the National Library of Medicine.
The mission of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public health by providing all U.S. health professionals with equal access to biomedical information and improving the public's access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health. The Program is coordinated by the National Library of Medicine and carried out through a nationwide network of health science libraries and information centers.
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Black Maternal Health Week
Air Date: April 10, 2024
Black Maternal Health Week is a reminder that so many families experience pain, neglect, and loss during what should be one of the most joyous times of their lives. It's an urgent call for action. Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, regardless of their income or education.
Last year, President Biden made an urgent call to action, proclaiming April 11th through the 17th, a time to embrace and focus on black maternal health.
In today’s episode we have Veronica Milliner from the NNLM All of Us Program Center and April Wright from Region 1 to tell us more about the effort that NNLM has made in bringing together a task force specifically aimed at celebrating Black Maternal Health Week.
Open Science
Air Date: March 27, 2024
NLM has nearly two centuries of experience delivering information to those who need it, when they need it. Of course, our offerings have evolved and expanded since our inception, long before the term “open science” was coined. Last year, NIH was one of several federal agencies to join the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in their celebration of 2023 as the Year of Open Science. Observing the Year of Open Science allowed us an opportunity to reflect and strengthen this foundation.
In this special episode of NNLM Discovery, we chat with Lisa Federer, Acting Director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives at NLM and Maryam Zaringhalam, Data Science and Open Science Officer in the Office of Strategic Initiatives at NLM.
We discuss how NLM’s long-standing commitment to provide access to research products and processes aligns with the U.S. Government’s definition of open science and the NNLM's role in fostering communication between the NLM and users of its products and services.
Towards a Smart Bionic Eye
Today’s episode features one of the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award winners. It’s a unique project that features both artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and visual prostheses – retinal and brain implants referred to as “bionic eyes” – in hopes of one day providing better assistive technology for incurable blindness that affects about 40 million people worldwide.
On this episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast, we talk to Dr. Michael Beyeler, assistant professor of computer science and psychology and brain sciences at UC Santa Barbara about how his Bionic Eye Lab is combining A.I. smarts with a visual prosthesis to improve the quality of life for people who are blind.
Telehealth Kiosks: A Story from Region 1
Since the onset of Covid we have all grown accustomed to virtual meetings and remote services. But what if you don’t have a cell phone or a computer at home? What if you are experiencing homelessness but need to attend a job interview? This episode is about bridging the economic and digital divide.
On this episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast, Region 1 Outreach and Education Librarian, Faith Steele, tells us about an exciting project in Delaware where they are installing teleservices kiosks in libraries across the state. These kiosks provide a private space for anyone who needs access to a secure and reliable internet connection.
"Outbreak!": a Story from Region 7
What do Zombies and a Victorian-era museum featuring restraints as mental health tools have to do with public health education?
On this episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast, Region 7’s associate director, Jessica Kilham, shares how NNLM is supporting “Outbreak,” a summer program at the Public Health Museum in Tewksbury, MA that teaches high school students about public health. The final project for the week is an outbreak simulation for a zombie apocalypse!
A Canary in the Coal Mine: A Story from Region 6
Indiana is known as the crossroads of America. In recent years Indiana has also become the crossroads of multiple deadly epidemics. In 2015 Austin, Indiana was the epicenter of the worst drug fueled HIV outbreak in the history of the United States. Out of a town of 4300 people.
On this episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast, Region 6’s Community Engagement Coordinator, Darlene Kaskie, shares how NNLM is sponsoring a series of talks at public libraries with Dr. William Cooke, a physician and author in rural Austin Indiana. Dr. Cooke wrote a book called Canary in the Coal Mine about being the only doctor in a small town that was hit by twin epidemics of substance abuse and HIV. His story examines the social determinants of health that contribute to poor healthcare and offers hope that communities can come together to make sure that every child born has access and resources and choices that they need to be healthy and prosperous.
Claire's Community: A Story from Region 3
Relationship violence is a tragic circumstance that is very difficult to discuss. Please be advised that this episode contains discussions of relationship violence and the depiction of traumatic events.
On this episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast, Region 3’s Community Engagement Coordinator, Margie Sheppard, discusses a new program funded over the last year called Claire’s Community, which is trying to inform and educate the public about relationship violence. Margie interviews Shannon VanLandingham, Claire’s mother, Executive Director of Be More Like Claire.
Equal Healthcare Access in Utah: A Story from Region 4
Important databases like PubMed are provided free so that clinicians around the world can locate the biomedical literature of the world. But what if the full text of that literature is tied to multiple subscriptions and you work in a rural area that can’t afford the fees?
On this episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast, Region 4’s communication specialist, Lauren Wittek, shares how NNLM is funding a pilot program to help the ecosystem of health care professionals who operate outside of large institutions. Lauren interviews Christy Jarvis, medical librarian at the Eccles Health Sciences Library at the University of Utah, about the issues faced by rural physicians and how her project enables access for all.
Mindful Eating for the Beloved Community: A Story from Region 2
Imagine living in a tropical paradise, but you can’t afford fresh produce. Imagine importing 97% of your food and being cut off for weeks due to a hurricane. These are real-life food insecurity issues faced by many Americans in the Caribbean.
On this episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast, we return to the U.S. Virgin Islands where Region 2 Regional Advisory Board member, Chef Alex Askew, tells us how his “Mindful Eating for the Beloved Community” program examines inequities in our food system and how to address them. Rooted in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's global vision in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth, this NNLM-funded initiative is rebuilding our food system in a way that works for everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
Collection Equity Continued: A Story from Region 5
On this continuation episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast, Region 5’s recently retired Outreach & Engagement Coordinator Michele Spatz shares how three more libraries in Region 5 used Collection Equity Outreach Awards to enhance collection equity and support health literacy in their libraries by acquiring more materials by diverse voices.
In a previous episode, Michele shared stories from Alaska, Hawaii and Nevada. This episode highlights California, Oregon and Washington, where recipients purchased non-traditional resources for their collections. Do you know what a Zine is? Learn how Oregon Health and Sciences University augmented their collection with zines to better reflect those patrons the library serves. In California, PlaneTree Health Library produced YouTube videos to boost their online collection. And finally, we visit Washington state where the Walla Walla County Rural Library District developed a program that assembled bilingual resource kits about various health topics.
NNLM Discovery is back!
NNLM Discovery will release new episodes every other week starting this October. This fall and winter our regions will share stories that feature unique research grants that help communicate health information in new ways for the purpose of improving the public’s health.
AI in the Scientific Landscape
There have been numerous groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements over the last year. Generative AI, which has exploded in popularity since last November with the release of ChatGPT, introduces major opportunities to boost productivity and advance NLM's capabilities. These tools also present some limitations that all users must be aware of.
Episode 8, “The Future of AI in Medicine” was recorded last summer before Generative AI exploded onto the public consciousness. So we felt compelled to follow up with a bonus episode guest produced by Dianne Babski, Associate Director for Library Operations at the National Library of Medicine.
Molecular “Transformers” Switching Form and Function - A Conversation with Dr. Lauren Porter
What do proteins and Transformers have in common? Yes we’re talking about the Optimus Prime and his fellow autonomous robotic life forms originating from the artificial planetoid Cybertron…
In this special episode of NNLM Discovery, we have partnered with the NIH Speaking of Science podcast to bring you the story of a special NLM researcher, Dr. Lauren Porter, a Stadtman investigator jointly appointed at the National Library of Medicine and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, who is helping redefine the way we understand how proteins behave.
The Future of AI in Medicine: A conversation with Dr. Sameer Antani
Artificial intelligence is transforming our everyday lives. It also has the potential to transform medicine.
On this special episode of the NNLM Discovery Podcast, we spotlight some of the groundbreaking research being done at the National Library of Medicine (NLM). Guest producer Griff Partington interviews Dr. Sameer Antani, a Principal Investigator at the NLM doing research in medical imaging, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
Period Poverty: A Story from Region 6
Why do we expect to find toilet paper and paper towels in a public restroom, but feminine hygiene products are considered optional? On this episode of the NNLM Discovery Podcast, Region 6 Communications & Finance Coordinator Miles Dietz-Castel shares the story of Richland County Public Health director Dr. Julie Chaya’s initiative to combat period poverty in her community of Mansfield Ohio.
Medical Librarians: A Story from Region 7
Very few people know what a medical librarian is or does. You don’t find medical librarians portrayed on Chicago Hope, or House, or ER. Hollywood is missing out on some great storylines! On this episode of the NNLM Discovery Podcast, Region 7 Education and Outreach Coordinator, Margot Malachowski interviews four medical librarians from her region.
Amateur Radio Club: A Story from Region 2
When hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the Caribbean one week apart in 2017, they left hundreds of thousands of people cut off from sources of aid when all modern means of communication were destroyed. Many residents resolved to never be left in the dark again. On this episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast, Region 2 user experience and education strategist, Debra Trogdon-Livingston, tells us how amateur radio – commonly known as “ham radio” – is used to provide a vital link to emergency aid and health information in the Caribbean. She shares the story of NNLM grantee Ronda Herbert, RN, who received a grant to provide funding to host CPR and AED training for members of the Amateur Radio Club on St. Thomas in the USVI, and to purchase repeaters to enhance the amateur radio signal throughout the island.
Collection Equity: A Story from Region 5
On this episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast, Region 5 Outreach & Engagement Coordinator Michele Spatz shares how three libraries in Region 5 used Collection Equity Outreach Awards to enhance collection equity and support health literacy in their libraries by acquiring more materials by diverse voices.
The Moby Bookmobile: A Story from Region 4
When you live in a community where Internet access is not a given, you sometimes approach health literacy a little differently. On this episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast Fort Washakie School Community Librarian Robin Levin literally takes health information on the road in the form of a bookmobile that travels the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming delivering culturally relevant books that address mental health and native identity among other topics. This is a project that started when the Covid pandemic shut down Wyoming's Fort Washakie School and its Community Library and continues to grow.
Healthy Garden, Healthy You: A Story from Region 1
When is a vegetable more than just a vegetable? When the act of growing one helps combat stress and is a commitment to environmental health and justice. On this episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast, Region One outreach librarian April Wright shares her story with host Yamila El-Khayat about how she helped Dr. Rachel Goldstein at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health use an NNLM Health Information Outreach Award to expand the reach of her Healthy Garden, Healthy Youth project. This project helps address two of the most significant public health challenges facing our nation: mental health challenges and food insecurity. Dr. Goldstein’s team worked with underserved communities in Maryland with limited access to fresh food to understand the mental health, physical health, and cost benefits of growing their own food.
Virtual Health: A Story from Region 3
When COVID-19 struck, one rural library in Texas made a bold move to help their community. They reached out to NNLM about funding opportunities for a virtual health room in Pottsboro, Texas. This had NEVER been done before, having an established room in a library dedicated to tele-health appointments. On this episode of the NNLM Discovery podcast, Region Three Executive Director Brian Leaf shares his story with host Yamila El-Khayat about how he and Jessica Rangel, Executive VP of Health Systems University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, helped Pottsboro County Librarian Dianne Connery use an NNLM grant to establish a nationwide model to harness the power of telemedicine to overcome the lack of access to healthcare in much of rural America.
Introducing NNLM Discovery
Launching in February 2022, this podcast series explores how the Network of the National Library of Medicine - part of the National Institutes of Health - is engaging with communities to provide access to trusted information for the purpose of improving the public's health. In our first season of NNLM Discovery, join outreach librarian librarian Yamila El-Khayat as she travels the country exploring the engagement efforts of the Network of the National Library of Medicine.
