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
S2:E5 Downtime
November 12, 2024
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.
S2:E4 Campfire Conversations
October 29, 2024
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.
S2:E3 What Happens in Vegas
October 15, 2024
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.
S2:E2 Preparedness Plus
October 1, 2024
Dawn Bailey, a family engagement specialist and advocate for children with complex medical needs, discusses the challenges of disaster preparedness for families like hers.
S2:E1 Prep School
September 17, 2024
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.
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
Phyllis Hendry, MD, FAAP, FACEP, a key figure in pediatric emergency care and transport services, sheds light on the complexities of pediatric transport, the necessity of community-based response, and the lessons learned from Hurricane Ian.
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:E6 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
Brigitte French, CA-PEM, IAEM-CEM, DVM, a Pediatric Pandemic Network program manager, discusses her transition from veterinary medicine to emergency management and her experience in the Air Force.
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.