New episodes drop every other week on Tuesdays.
Transcripts and captions are available for every episode.
The Show
Children have unique physiological and developmental characteristics, making them particularly vulnerable in emergencies, disasters, and global health threats. Too often, though, disaster preparedness and response efforts overlook children’s needs. These discussions about key concepts in disaster preparedness and everyday readiness are aimed at inspiring collaboration between emergency professionals and communities, informing best practices, and supporting caregivers who want to be ready to protect their families.
The Host
Dennis Ren, MD, is a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children’s National Hospital and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. He is a big proponent of Free Open Access Medical Education (FOAMed) and hosts a monthly critical appraisal podcast, “SGEM Peds” in collaboration with The Skeptics’ Guide to Emergency Medicine. He has also created content for PedsRAP, Don’t Forget the Bubbles, and First10EM. He is passionate about exploring creative methods of knowledge dissemination and knowledge translation and can’t wait to share some amazing stories with you on Ready. Prep. Go!
The Producer
Orlando Magaña is a media producer based in Davis, California. He has extensive experience producing award-winning podcasts and educational videos targeted to medical professionals and first responders. It brings him joy working with hosts and guests to bring compelling stories to listeners everywhere.
Season 2
Season 1
S1:E12 After Action Report
July 30, 2024
Dr. Dennis Ren, along with Rachel Sarafin, PPN’s Director of Communications, discuss the standout moments from the previous season.
S1:E11 We’re All in this Together
Jul 16, 2024
Ashley E. D. Kane, MD, MScR, a MedPeds-trained physician and a core faculty member of the Harvard Beth Israel Deaconess Disaster Medicine Fellowship, emphasizes the importance of infrastructure in disaster response and recovery, learned from her experiences in Guatemala and Malawi.
S1:E10 Notorious RSV
Jul 2, 2024
Despite the introduction of a promising new RSV treatment, nirsevimab, its rollout was hampered by supply shortages and logistical challenges. Daniel Dodson, MD, MS, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, explained that the limited supply required careful allocation to high-risk infants, leading to difficult decisions and impassioned pleas from caregivers.
S1:E9 Everything Must Go (Part 2)
June 18, 2024
Niki Shimko, nurse manager of the Golisano Transport Team and president of the Florida Neonatal Pediatric Transport Network Association, recounts the harrowing experience of evacuating Golisano Children’s Hospital during Hurricane Ian.
S1:E8 Everything Must Go (Part 1)
June 4, 2024
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian’s unexpected Category 5 landfall in Florida, the evacuation of Golisano Children’s Hospital became a critical operation, highlighting the challenges and heroism of transport medicine teams.
S1:E7 The Kids are Alright
May 21, 2024
Stephanie Chan, MPH, a research associate, discusses the vital role of youth as community health workers (CHWs) in bridging gaps in public health.
S1:E16 A Global Connection
May 7, 2024
Becky Platt, ACP and volunteer with UK Med, shares her experiences providing medical aid to children in various parts of the world, notably focusing on her time in the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh during a diphtheria outbreak.
S1:E5 With Ill Intent
April 23, 2024
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.
S1:E4 Disaster Gap
April 9, 2024
Christina Hernon, MD, FAAEM, an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist, shares her experience as a spontaneous responder during the Boston Marathon bombing.
S1:E3 Secret Life of Emergency Management
March 26, 2024
Christina Hernon, MD, FAAEM, an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist, shares her experience as a spontaneous responder during the Boston Marathon bombing.
S1:E2 Head Above Water
March 12, 2024
Dennis Ren, MD talks with Brent Kaziny, MD, MA about the chaos and uncertainty medical staff faced during Hurricane Katrina.
S1:E1 Origins
February 12, 2024
Ready. Prep. Go! host Dennis Ren, MD has a conversation with Joelle Simpson, MD, MPH about her experience as a medical student at the George Washington University during 9/11 and how she contributed to public health efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ready. Prep. Go! Trailer
Ready. Prep. Go!, a podcast from the Pediatric Pandemic Network, features compelling conversations with emergency, disaster, and preparedness subject matter experts and those on the frontlines.