Ready. Prep. Go!

Episode 3 of Ready, Prep, Go! Season 3, “A Long Way Home,” reveals the long and difficult recovery after a devastating hurricane. From documenting damage and filing insurance claims to managing debris removal and repairs, families learn that recovery is measured in months and years rather than days.  "A Long Way Home” highlights the emotional toll of recovery on children, and how routine and reassurance are powerful tools in suppor...

Episode 2 of Ready, Prep, Go! Season 3, “The Waterline” follows families and healthcare workers through Hurricane Milton. Making landfall just weeks after Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton adds to the exhaustion, damage, and uncertainty. Neighborhoods are still without power. Cars flooded by Helene are undrivable, and gas shortages make evacuations difficult. Meanwhile, hospital workers are still struggling to balance personal rec...

Episode 1 of Ready, Prep, Go! Season 3 follows St. Petersburg residents as Hurricane Helene defies expectations and delivers catastrophic flooding instead of another familiar near miss. Pediatric emergency physician and disaster response expert Dr. Beachgem (Meghan Elizabeth Beach Martin, MD) shares how repeated storms blur the line between professional duty and personal loss as her own home floods. Travis Witt, Director of Safety ...

In Season 3 of Ready. Prep. Go!, host Dennis Ren, MD brings listeners to the front lines of Hurricane Helene through powerful firsthand accounts from those who lived and worked through the storm. The season examines how preparation meets uncertainty, how systems are tested under pressure, and how resilience emerges in the aftermath. Through candid conversations, Season 3 highlights the human impact of hurricanes and the critical le...

In the Season 2 finale, host Dennis Ren, MD welcomes back Rachel Sarafin, PPN Director of Communications, to reflect on how the season delivered on its promise to go broader. They revisit powerful conversations with parents like Dawn Bailey and Kylie McElroy, who shared the real-life challenges of preparing children with complex medical needs for emergencies. The episode also highlights insights from youth guests, a trauma-informed...

In this episode, Dennis Ren speaks with Jahzel Gonzalez Pagan, M.D. about the vibrant culture and resilience of Puerto Rico, particularly in the face of natural disasters like Hurricane Maria. Dr. Gonzalez-Pagan shares her personal experiences during the hurricane, the challenges faced in healthcare delivery, and the innovative solutions that emerged in response to the crisis. The conversation highlights the importance of community...

Christina Hernon, MD, FAAEM, an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist, shares her experience as a spontaneous responder during the Boston Marathon bombing. The story highlights the often overlooked role of spontaneous responders and emphasizes the need for better preparation, debriefing, and support for those who find themselves thrust into such situations.

For more resources about emergency responders, terrorism, ma...

Dr. Magaña is a pediatric emergency medicine physician who cares for acute ill and injured children. She has special clinical interest in the the evaluation of children of acutely injured children. Her research and clinical expertise is evaluating and indentifying inflicted trauma. She has a passion for empowering other emergency medicien providers to care for children well. She is a frequent podcast host and expert on podcasts suc...

Derrick Tin, MD, describes a political rally interrupted by a suicide bombing in Pakistan, resulting in numerous casualties. The episode includes insights from Tin’s expertise in disaster and counterterrorism medicine and the challenges of triage systems in disaster situations, emphasizing the need for evidence-based approaches and mental health support for responders.

For more resources about terrorism, emergency responders, mass c...

In the podcast episode “We’re Not in Kansas Anymore,’ guest Kylie McElroy, a patient and family engagement specialist at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, shares her personal experiences as a mother of a child with complex medical needs. The episode highlights how families like hers are often unprepared for emergency situations, such as evacuations, and the vital role of community support, family preparedness, and creative problem-s...

Ally Liller and Jordyn Rayner, members of Kids Rainbow, share their experiences as part of a youth advisory council at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s in Cleveland, Ohio. They discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their lives, from isolation and boredom to the impact on their school and sports activities. The conversation also highlights their efforts in advocating for community needs, including mental healt...

In this podcast episode, Dr. In Kim shares his experience during a cyber attack on his hospital in May 2023, which crippled key systems like electronic medical records, radiology, and lab access. He discusses the chaos and inefficiencies that arose as staff had to revert to manual, paper-based processes, highlighting the critical challenges faced by healthcare providers during such events. Dr. Kim stresses the need for hospitals to...

Mikey Latner, the founder of Project Camp, which combines summer camp with disaster response to support children and families affected by crises, shares the inspiration behind Project Camp, emphasizing the importance of providing safe, engaging spaces for kids during disasters, and discusses the trauma-informed approach used in their programs. The conversation highlights the significance of addressing childcare needs during emergen...

Irene Navis, AICP, former Assistant Emergency Manager for Clark County, discusses the tragic events of the October 1, 2017 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, which resulted in 58 deaths and over 750 injuries. She shares her firsthand experience of responding to the crisis and the long-term impacts on both victims and first responders. The conversation highlights the community's resilience, the importance o...

Dawn Bailey, a family engagement specialist and advocate for children with complex medical needs, discusses the challenges of disaster preparedness for families like hers. Dawn shares her personal journey caring for her daughter who has significant medical requirements, emphasizing the inadequacy of standard disaster preparedness checklists for families with unique needs. Dawn highlights the need for policy changes and encourages f...

Dr. Natasha Gill, MD, MPH, FAAP discusses disaster preparedness for families. Dr. Gill, a pediatric emergency physician, shares her experiences with various disasters and emphasizes the importance of preparing a disaster kit. Key tips include knowing local risks, creating a go-bag with essentials (water, food, first aid, and cash), and involving children in preparedness plans. For families with special needs, she advises keeping es...

Dr. Dennis Ren, along with Season 2 co-host Rachel Sarafin, PPN’s Director of Communications, discuss the standout moments from the previous season. These include compelling narratives of pediatric disaster readiness and response during significant incidents such as Hurricane Katrina and the Boston Marathon bombing. The season also underscored the crucial roles played by everyday individuals and young people during emergencies, hig...