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Provider Pulse Ep. 20: Crossing Oceans, Building Trust: Franky Erra and the Marshallese Community
Manage episode 514671663 series 3671322
Franky Erra grew up on Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands—an archipelago shaped by ocean, community, and a deep history of resilience. In this episode, Franky traces his path from a close-knit childhood surrounded by family and coral lagoons to his current role as a Disease Research and Intervention Specialist with Public Health – Seattle & King County TB Program.
Through his story, we explore the Marshallese experience in America—from the legacy of U.S. nuclear testing and migration under the Compact of Free Association (COFA), to the challenges of navigating education, language, and healthcare systems far from home.
Franky reflects on the cultural bonds that sustain Marshallese identity, the mistrust that shapes health access, and his work building trust through tuberculosis outreach and community engagement.
Visit EthnoMed.org for additional resources. Follow us on YouTube and Instagram @EthnoMedUW
Chapters
1. Franky Erra Opening Quote (00:00:00)
2. Episode Introduction (00:00:21)
3. Growing Up on Majuro: Franky Shares Memories of Life in the Marshall Islands (00:01:14)
4. Historical Interlude: A Brief History of the Marshall Islands (00:03:06)
5. Language, Culture, and Childhood: Schooling and Sense of Identiy (00:04:55)
6. Dreams Beyone the Lagoon: Marshallese Identity and Curiosity to Explore the Outside World (00:07:00)
7. Leaving Home - From Majuro to Indiana: Leaving to Study Mechanical Engineering in Indiana (00:09:34)
8. Finding Community in Arkansas: A contrast to the community in Indiana (00:10:57)
9. Returning Home and Rediscovering Purpose: Dropping out of college, returning to Majuro, conservation work (00:13:20)
10. Move to Washington State: Rebuilding a life in Auburn, finding community in church and family (00:14:47)
11. A New Skill and then COVID: A change of career plans (00:15:50)
12. Contact Tracing During COVID-19: Working as a contact tracer, feeling the emotional toll (00:17:43)
13. From COVID to TB: Transitioning to the TB Program (00:20:28)
14. Understsanding Tuberculosis: Brief Background on TB and Latent TB Infection (00:21:21)
15. Connecting with Community Again: Finding meaning in serving the Marshallese community (00:22:15)
16. Expanding TB Outreach Across Cultures (00:24:47)
17. What Americans Don't Know: Discussing the history of the Marshall Islands (00:27:37)
18. Ignorance Has Consequences: How historical amnesia can affect clinical care and community trust (00:29:27)
19. Trust, Health, and Identity (00:30:25)
20. Advice to the Next Generation: Encouraging Marshallese youth to seek mentorship, explore careers (00:30:50)
21. Outro (00:33:46)
22. Additional Resources at EthnoMed.org (00:34:37)
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