Better Today, Healthier Tomorrow

Latest Episodes:

What Really Shapes Child Health Outside of Hospitals Jun 11, 2026

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What really shapes a child's health? Nearly 80% of the factors that impact children's health happen outside hospitals and clinics.
In this episode of Better Today, Healthier Tomorrow, host John David Pittman sits down with Marisha DiCarlo, Vice President of Community Engagement, Advocacy and Health at Arkansas Children's, to discuss the real-world issues affecting children and families across Arkansas.
From mental health and nutrition insecurity to car seat safety, safe sleep practices, drowning prevention, and community resources, this conversation explores how families, schools, healthcare providers, and communities all play a role in helping children thrive.
Subscribe for more conversations about pediatric healthcare, child safety, parenting, and building healthier communities for children.
#ArkansasChildrens #ChildHealth #MentalHealth #Parenting #ChildSafety #PediatricHealthcare #Nutrition #CommunityHealth #FamilyHealth #HealthcarePodcast
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Listening First: Partnering With Communities to Improve Pediatric Care Mar 17, 2026

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In this episode of the Better Today, Healthier Tomorrow Podcast, host Ryan Howard discusses how ACRI and ACNC are partnering with communities across Arkansas to conduct research that improves healthcare for children in Arkansas and beyond with Dr. Taren Massey-Swindle, PhD.

Halloween Safety 101: Costumes, Candy, and Community Preparedness Oct 24, 2025

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Join us as we share practical tips to help families enjoy a fun and safe Halloween. In this episode, we discuss everything from costume safety and street awareness to home preparation and candy checks. We’ll also talk about how to support children with food allergies and share a few general preparedness tips every parent should know before the big night.
Whether you’re planning to trick-or-treat, host visitors, or just want peace of mind, this conversation will help ensure a safe and memorable Halloween for all.

Providing Pediatrics - Addressing Pediatric Mental Health in Arkansas Sep 29, 2025

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In this episode of Providing Pediatrics, host Charles Wooley sits down with Dr. Jason Williams, Chief of Behavioral Health at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, to explore the growing mental health needs of children across the state of Arkansas.

Arkansas Children’s continues to grow and enhance its psychiatric services for pediatric patients to address their mental and behavioral health. The Child Study Center treats psychiatric disorders and issues in children and adolescents up to 18 years old. Behavioral health services within Arkansas Children’s help meet patients where they are.

Learn more about Arkansas Children’s behavioral health services: https://www.archildrens.org/programs-and-services/psychiatry?journey=symptoms

Sports Medicine’s Front Line: Athletic Trainers Connecting Kids and Care in School Sports Jul 21, 2025

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Athletic trainers do more than tape ankles and treat sprains — they’re the critical connection between schools, hospitals, coaches, and student athletes. In this episode of Better Today, Healthier Tomorrow, host Ryan Howard talks with Cody Walker, Supervisor of Sports Medicine at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, about the essential role trainers play in protecting young athletes.
🎙️ Inside this episode:
- How athletic trainers serve as the first line of defense on the field
- The medical bridge between youth athletes, doctors, and emergency care
- Real-world stories of trainers identifying life-threatening conditions
- How trainers help schools implement emergency action plans
- The role of trainers in preventing and responding to:
▫️ Heat illness
▫️ Concussions
▫️ Sudden cardiac arrest
🏈 Athletic trainers are keeping kids safer — and getting them the care they need, fast.
📌 Why this matters:
In high school sports, every second counts. Whether it's recognizing signs of heatstroke, responding to a heart emergency, or guiding return-to-play after injury, athletic trainers are trusted experts in youth health and safety.
🫀 Learn about Project ADAM and why every school should have an AED and cardiac response plan.
📋 Coaches and schools — don’t forget your annual training requirements under Arkansas AAA guidelines!

Providing Pediatrics - Most Kids Go to Adult Hospitals for Emergency Care – But Are They Ready? Jul 03, 2025

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In this episode of Providing Pediatrics: A Better Today, Healthier Tomorrow, host Charles Wooley sits down with Dr. Deidre Wyrick, Trauma Medical Director at Arkansas Children's, to discuss the national Pediatric Readiness (PEDS Ready) initiative. With over 24 million children seeking emergency care each year—90% of them in adult facilities—this conversation shines a light on a critical gap in pediatric emergency preparedness across the U.S. and Arkansas.

🩺 Topics Covered:

What “PEDS Ready” really means for emergency departments & EMS
Arkansas’ pediatric readiness score (and why it matters)
The importance of the Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC)
Real-life challenges in rural pediatric emergency care
How facilities can take the national readiness survey and improve care
The role of Arkansas Children's Hospital in supporting providers statewide

💡 Whether you're a healthcare provider, EMS professional, or work in hospital leadership, this episode is a must-watch for understanding how to improve pediatric outcomes and save lives.

✅ Subscribe for more expert discussions on pediatric healthcare, trauma, and emergency medicine.

#PediatricCare #PEDSReady #ArkansasChildrens #EmergencyMedicine #PediatricEmergency #TraumaCare #EMS #HospitalLeadership #MedicalPodcast #HealthcareImprovement #PediatricReadiness #ArkansasHealth #ChildrensHospital

Providing Pediatrics - Transforming Traumatic Brain Injuries: Advances in Pediatric Brain Injury Rehab and "Return to Learn" Jun 13, 2025

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In this episode, host Charles Wooley sits down with Beth Hanks-Clark, CNP, of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, for a powerful and personal conversation about pediatric traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)—from severe trauma to mild concussions—and how early intervention and follow-up care are changing outcomes for kids.

👶 What You’ll Learn:

The differences between mild, moderate, and severe pediatric TBIs
Why many children with concussions were being lost to follow-up
How the Concussion Consult Program is filling that critical gap
The role of inpatient consults in improving continuity of care
The importance of “Return to Learn” vs. “Return to Play”
Arkansas Children’s leadership in concussion care and rehabilitation

🧠 Whether you're a healthcare provider, school official, coach, or parent—this conversation offers critical insight into how early education, follow-up, and advocacy are helping children heal and thrive after brain injury.

✅ Subscribe for more inspiring episodes exploring the future of pediatric care and innovation in children’s health.

#PediatricCare #ConcussionRecovery #ArkansasChildrens #TraumaticBrainInjury #ReturnToLearn #BrainHealth #TBIRecovery #ConcussionAwareness #ChildrensHospital #PediatricRehab #Nursing #PedsPodcast #NeuroRehab #HealthcareInnovation

Teaching with Heart: Inside a Pediatric Hospital School Program Mar 21, 2025

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Ever wondered how kids continue their education while in the hospital? In this episode, we take you inside the Arkansas Children's Hospital School Program, where dedicated teachers provide personalized learning to young patients. From one-on-one sessions at the bedside to group lessons and coordinating with students' community schools to manage expectations and navigate returning to school, these educators go above and beyond to ensure every child stays on track. Hear their inspiring stories, the challenges they overcome, and why they love making a difference in their students' lives.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel!

Providing Pediatrics - Prehospital Newborn Delivery and Neonatal Emergency Care Jan 09, 2025

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On this episode of Providing Pediatrics, Charles sits down with flight nurse Matthew Whaley of Angel One Transport here at Arkansas Children's to discuss delivering newborns in the pre-hospital setting. They discuss when to stop and deliver versus when to transport, specific equipment needed for delivery, emergent concerns that may arise and what to do about them, as well as an in-depth discussion around the resuscitation of the neonate in the pre-hospital setting.

Printing Possibilities: How 3D Printing Technology is Helping Pediatric Healthcare Dec 06, 2024

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In this episode, we sit down with Eric Braden, the 3D Print Lab Manager at Arkansas Children's Hospital, to explore how cutting-edge 3D printing technology is transforming pediatric care.

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