Health on the Plains, episode 4: The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s Health Priorities with Chairman Zeke Rupnick

On Episode 4, host Wyatt Beckman takes listeners to The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, in northeast Kansas. He visits with Tribal Council Chairman Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, who shares the importance of honoring the Nation’s past while paving a way towards improved health for its members now and for the future. Chairman Rupnick shares how the Nation addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and reflects on the challenges and opportunities for bridging the gap between health needs and access to care in the community. We also get a look at The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s expanded health centers that are focused both on medical and behavioral health. Lastly, Chairman Rupnick and Wyatt discuss the interconnectedness of health care, economic development and community well-being, highlighting the need for innovative approaches and creativity in rural settings operating on limited resources.