Imagine a world where a child with a broken tooth, an anxiety attack, or an asthma flare-up doesn’t have to wait weeks for care. Instead, help is available right at school, through a nurse, a trusted adult, or even a video call with a doctor.
That world is already being built.
In the first episode of A Dose of Optimism, host Omkar Kulkarni sits down with Dr. Smita Malhotra, Chief Medical Director for Los Angeles Unified School District, and Andrew Post, President of Hazel Health, to explore how schools are stepping into a new role: health hubs for kids and families.
Dr. Malhotra’s team has brought telehealth, vision, and dental programs directly into classrooms, offering checkups, cleanings, and therapy sessions at no cost to families. Meanwhile, Hazel Health connects children with clinicians online, enabling everything from mental health sessions to same-day prescriptions.
The results are fewer missed school days, earlier treatment, and stronger family partnerships.
The episode highlights a critical truth: health equity starts with accessibility. When 80% of students in a district live below the poverty line, bringing care to them isn’t just convenient, it’s life-changing.
“Every dollar we invest in kids’ health is an investment in our collective future.”
Listen to Episode 1 now, and get your dose of optimism about the future of children’s health.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The rise of school-centered healthcare and its impact on access and equity
- How telehealth is transforming student health and reducing absenteeism
- The importance of mental health screening and early intervention in schools
- Partnerships between districts, hospitals, and technology providers
- Why trusted adult relationships in schools are key to children’s resilience
About Dr. Smita Malhotra:
As Chief Medical Director of the Los Angeles Unified School District, Dr. Smita Malhotra is responsible for all medical and mental health services in the nation’s second-largest school district. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped lead the efforts to re-open the district’s 780-plus campuses. She also worked to bring Narcan (naloxone) to all K-12 schools, part of a district response to the Fentanyl crisis.
Previously, Dr. Malhotra has been the Director of a Newborn Nursery and co-founded a program that helped to build resilience in children going through trauma in Los Angeles County. In 2014, she started a private practice with the goal of healing the whole child and family by combining traditional medicine with alternative therapies such as mindfulness, meditation, acupuncture and yoga. Her first book, The Newborn Handbook, published in 2020, guides new parents and caregivers through the first three months with a newborn.
Dr. Malhotra has also contributed to The Washington Post, HuffPost and has been interviewed on CNN, NPR, Los Angeles Times and other media outlets. Dr. Malhotra’s TEDx talk, “The Power of Embracing A Non-Linear Path” has had more than a half million views and counting. It was the second highest most watched TEDx talk in the world when it was released in November 2023.
About Andrew Post:
With over 20 years in education, healthcare, and philanthropy, Andrew serves as President at Hazel Health, leading Strategic Partnerships and Government Affairs to advance policy priorities and growth. He has been a teacher, school administrator, Assistant Superintendent, President of Catapult Academy, and Chief Innovation Officer at Invo Healthcare, and also founded a nonprofit combining literacy and sports to support students in the U.S. and Jamaica. He holds degrees from the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University and is a proud husband and father of three.
