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Welcome to the Pioneers in Health podcast. In this podcast, we share inspiring stories of pioneering leaders from our nation and from your backyard who are working to improve health.
In episode 50, we interview Robert Stiles, chief executive officer at Community Care Network of Kansas. The Community Care Network of Kansas is comprised of health centers and community-based clinics with a common goal of providing high-quality, whole person healthcare for all Kansans.
In this episode, Robert shares what led him to health care. He originally thought he’d be a lawyer, but he ended up pursuing a different path in his 20s. He worked with migrant farmers in Guatemala through the Catholic church. Then, as he neared 30, he decided to take a job with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in order to have benefits.
“I loved working with migrant farm workers, so I first started working with the Kansas farmworker project, which provides health care services,” he said. “I quickly discovered that I felt like just like food, water, education, people need access — and deserve access — to those things they need to be healthy,” he said.
Once he took the job at KDHE, he decided to obtain a master’s in public health, and he’s been in health care ever since.
In this episode, he also discusses:
- Community health centers
- Opening a community health center, as well as a school-based clinic
- Placing community health workers in schools and health clinics
- Telehealth
- His vision for the organization and member clinics
- The Rural Health Transformation Program
- The role of federally qualified health centers and the connection to federal policy
- What gives him hope
And much more! Listen now, and learn more about how Robert is an innovative leader in Kansas.
Please see the Pioneers in Health page on our website for more information on our podcast series and links to other episodes.
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