97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news and local voices in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday morning, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck chats with government officials, UNC scholars, business and nonprofit leaders, area musicians, and others in our community as they share their thoughts, their experience, and their expertise on the central issues of today. Click here to listen back to all of Aaron’s conversations – and tune in to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” at 7:30 a.m. on 97.9 The Hill to hear those conversations live.
Welcome to “Paying it Forward,” a monthly interview series made possible by Piedmont Health. In this series, we hear from the folks at Piedmont about the importance of community health centers – and why they chose a career in community health.

In this month’s installment, Aaron is joined by Plutarco Acosta, Piedmont’s director of graduate medical education. Acosta’s a first-generation American whose parents were migrant farmers; he got interested in health and medicine after a personal encounter with a professional who gave him an easy trick to cure poison ivy. Now he works behind the scenes with fellow health professionals at Piedmont Health Services – and he speaks about that role and the importance of community health centers in general.
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Giving Kids a Smile: 'Paying It Forward' with Piedmont Health's Katayoun SadriAaron welcomes Dr. Katayoun Sadri, the lead dentist at Piedmont Health's new dental location in Chapel Hill.

Building Trust in Young Patients: 'Paying It Forward' with Piedmont Health's Lauren KrenekFor this month's round of "Paying it Forward," Aaron welcomes Piedmont Health pediatrician Lauren Krenek, who just arrived from Texas.
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Helping Patients in Uncertain Times: 'Paying It Forward' with Piedmont Health CEO Daniella Jaimes-ColinaPiedmont Health CEO Daniella Jaimes-Colina joins Aaron to discuss the importance of community health - particularly in this challenging time.

'Paying It Forward' with Piedmont Health's Aubrey WomackAaron welcomes Piedmont Health dietitian Aubrey Womack to discuss how to eat healthy - and how to get your kids to do the same.

'Paying It Forward' and Celebrating PACE, with Piedmont Health's Nicole Brown and Johnnie DouglasIn honor of National PACE Month, Aaron chats with a physical therapist and a participant in Piedmont Health's PACE program.

'Paying It Forward' with Evan Ashkin and Mary TayloeAaron welcomes Piedmont Health's Evan Ashkin and Mary Tayloe, who work with the Formerly Incarcerated Transition program.

'Paying It Forward' with Piedmont Health's Eshan SafayaAaron welcomes pharmacist Eshan Safaya, to discuss his lifelong passion for healthcare and why he loves working at Piedmont Health.

'Paying It Forward' with Piedmont Health's Tracy BellesThis month, Aaron welcomes Tracy Belles, the intake coordinator for Piedmont's PACE program, providing all-inclusive care for the elderly.

'Paying It Forward' with Piedmont Health's Caroline SmithAaron welcomes Dr. Caroline Smith, a pediatrician at Piedmont Health's Charles Drew Community Health Center in Burlington.
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