September 8, 2025 • 41 mins
On KG Smooth's last show as the host of the Public Affairs Podcast, we welcome Harris Health, established in 1966, is the public healthcare safety-net provider serving the residents of Houston and Harris County, Texas. Here to discuss the Ben Taub Hospital expansion plans is the President and CEO of Harris Health, Dr. Esmaeil Porsa.
The 6th Annual Tech Fest Live Expo + K–12 Robotics Competition is designed to build on the momentum of STEM Go Pro Day and set the tone for Houston’s moment on the global stage as we head toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here to talk about all things Tech Fest Live is the Founder & CEO, Khalil Vinson.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
From your local Houston BMW Center Studios. Welcome to the
Public Affairs Podcast, addressing local issues that affect our nation
in Shape of our World. I'm your host KG Smooth,
and this conversation is it's going to be a great one,
but it's also a little bittersweet because Houston, this will
be my last show of the host of the Public
(00:24):
Affairs Podcast. Yes, I know, I know, I know how
you feel. I know I know you all love when
I speak truth to power that i'm when I challenge
the system. The conversations that we have on here, they
have been pretty amazing. But don't worry, the same energy
is going to stay. Sky Houston will be the new
(00:45):
host of the Public Affairs Podcast beginning next Sunday on
the fourteenth, So we carry the same energy. You know.
Of course we're different, but she's going to do a
great job. So gives a chance. I know you all
will miss me, but you still got me at night
(01:05):
for the Quiet Storm. Well, the quiet storm is turning
into love and R and B now that I am
nationally syndicated. So yeah, Houston, this is great And what
better way to end it off than, you know, talk
about some great things that are happening here in our
great city of Houston. He is the president and CEO
(01:26):
of Harris Health. Doctor oh your first name, s Mile.
S Mile Porsa is on the Public Affairs podcast How
are you, sir?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
I'm doing great. Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
No, thank you for being here. Listen, my great comy
as we call it, that's a coworker in Homie. We
put it together comby Mike Comy. Connie Bodacious has been
telling me about the incredible renovations that is happening at
ben Toop Hospital, and she has been talking about this
(02:00):
practically all summer, practically all summer, doctor Portsa, No, I'm serious.
And so she was saying, how.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
You know you've got to get doctor Porsa on the
Public Affairs podcast talk about what they're doing and Ben
Tubb and just you know, Hair's Health and their health centers.
And I was like, absolutely, Connie, you know that's right
up my let's right up my driveway, you know.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
So thank you for being here.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Absolutely my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
And yeah, so tell us about yourself, doctor.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Portso, Okay, I actually did my training here in Houston
every South a few years ago as part of ut
residency program in interial medicine. After my training, I actually
stayed here in Houston and work inside the Harris County Jail.
I actually took care of inmates, oh wow for twelve years.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Moved to Dallas taking care of the inmates of the
Dallas County Jail as their medical director. That into the
administration a Parkland Hospital, which is their secty net hospital
for Dallas County, in charge of the medical staff office
Graduate Medical Education. I was their interim chief medical Officer
and their chief strategy officer before moving back to Houston
(03:16):
and taken on this role. On March second, twenty twenty,
the week that we had our first COVID.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Nation that I was just about to say that that
was the week that we got our first COVID, yes,
because I remember being at the rodeo and them shutting down,
yes because of the COVID. And then on this show
that week that it happened. I had a toxicology doctor
who worked who works for NASA, and she was on
(03:45):
this program giving us what we then knew at that
moment about coronavirus before they changed the name to COVID nineteen.
So that's that's wild.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Yeah, so it's been a blessing. It's been a crazy
last five years, but like I said, it's been a blessing.
Culminated and then November twenty twenty three bond referendum for
Harry Self were almost three out of four people who
participate in that election voted yes in support of our
two and a half billion dollar bond, the first time
(04:21):
that Harry's Health has done that in the last sixty
years of our existence.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
So very very excited. And you know you mentioned Connie
and you know her excitement about the renovations and expansions
that we're doing not at ben Tap but at the
LBJ Hospital. We're going to talk about the exciting stuff
that are happening at ben Top as well. But let
me if I may, I shall start with LBJ and
then will transition to Ben Top Hospital.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
Absolutely what is going on?
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yeah, so very quickly about first and foremost, for those
who may not know what Harry Self is and what
it means to this community, Harry Self is the safety
net hospital system for the entirety of Harris County, for
the population of five million. Unfortunately, this county also has
the unfortunate recognition of having the highest number and rate
(05:12):
of uninsured in the entire country. One out of four
Houstonians currently do not have access to health insurance. So
we have the highest number and rate of uninsured anywhere
in the country, the.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Highest of the uninsured, and we've got the biggest medical
center in.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
The exactly exactly, which is a very interesting, uh juxtaposition,
but regardless, So we are the fourth largest state in
the hospital system in the country, largest one in Texas.
We have two hospitals that be very proud of our
Level of three Trauma Center Hospital LBJ in northeast corridor
of Harris County, and of course of Level one Trauma Hospital,
(05:49):
the top hospital in the Texas Medical Center. In addition
to that, we have forty locations across Harris County providing
primary care, specialty services, chronic dialysis, dental, you name it,
and also a very expensive healthcare for the homeless program.
And as of three years ago, we are also taking
care of the detainees inside the Harry Scanty Jail. So
(06:11):
all in all, quite a big system of care. But
I always say is that while we are very proud
of our hospitals, you put them together, we have about
maybe forty forty five thousand in patient business every year.
On the outpatient side, last year we had one point
five million encounters. So bulk of what we do is
(06:31):
on the outpatient, which is exactly what we should be doing,
because we really want to be focused on health promotion
and disease prevention rather than managing diseases.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
So in addition to that, we are the major training
ground for the future healthcare providers. You t and Beergarjia medicine.
Thousands of the residents, medical students fellows trained at our system.
According to the Texas Medical Board, almost half of all
the doctors who practiced medicine in Houston, regardless of where
they are, did their training at Harry South. Almost half
(07:03):
of all the doctors in Houston. Wow, that's a huge number.
And we're also a huge economic engine for the community.
In twenty twenty two when we did the study, the
impact of Harry's Self on Harris County was almost five
billion dollars in economic impact. So that's Harry self, Yeah,
five billion, but it'd be wow wow. Yeah. So that's
(07:26):
ten thousand employees. More than four hundred did are different
contractors that we work with. The tax revenues everything else
that happens because of Harry's self. That total amount is
closed to five billion dollars. Wow, Okay, that's Harry self.
Let's talk about LBJ Hospital, So what is happening there? Yeah,
(07:47):
So what I talked about was two and a half
billion dollar bond one point six billion dollars was earmarked
towards the expansion of LBJ Hospital. LBJ being Level three.
Traumas in our hospital actually broke around on the new
expansion on the LBJ campus now almost a year and
a half ago. The new hospital will be completed in
(08:09):
late twenty twenty eight and will open its doors in
January twenty twenty nine. This hospital will have almost twice
the capacity of the existing hospital. Is going to open
with about three hundred ninety beds with a helipad. This
is going to be the first lobal Mont trauma capable
hospital outside of the Texas Medical Center, the first time
Harris County has had a lobal Mont trauma capable hospital
(08:32):
outside of the Texas Medical Center. Really today, if somebody
is a victim of a major trauma, car accident, of fall,
gun shot wound, a stab wound anywhere in Harris County,
they have to be driven to or flown into the
Texas Medical Center. When this hospital opens its doors in
January twenty twenty nine, folks will be able to receive
(08:55):
that care on that location. So very very excited about that.
In addition to that, we're also building a new patient
garage and the central titya plant. I won't get into
the nitty gritty, but this hospital is going to be
one of the most resilient buildings in the entire state
of Texas, not just the hospital. Very very excited about that.
(09:17):
I want to transition and talk about what is happening
in bent Top Hospital because recently it has been in
the news. As I mentioned previously, Bentop is one of
only two lobal mont trauma hospitals in the entirety of
Harris County, a county but almost five million population. This
county is at least four, if not five, love of
(09:37):
montrauma hospitals, but like I said, we only have two
when Bentob opens his door. In nineteen ninety, the population
of Harris County was almost half of what it is today.
So while the population of Harris County has almost doubled,
the capacity of ben Top Hospital actually has decreased because
about a decade ago, it transformed from quad occupant ses.
(10:00):
We had four hospital beds in every patient room out
of necessity. In order to become compliant with the new
industry standards and infection prevention practices, the hospital transitioned to
dull occupancy rooms, two hospital beds in every patient room.
As a result of that, and also because of the
(10:22):
population growth, because of the fact that we have so
many uninsured currently one point two million people in Harris
County are running short. Our hospital is busy. There are
days where almost half of an emergency room capacity is
taken up by patients who've been admitted to the hospital,
but they don't have a bed to be placed in.
(10:44):
What that means is that extra wait times for people
to get seen in the emergency room. A hospital that
is not able to perform as efficiently as it should,
and a lot of times actually the entire hospital operates
above capacity. How is that possible that became above represent capacity?
We actually have hospital beds in our corridors and hallways
(11:05):
with patients, you know, Oh my goodness, because we have
to so to say that adding capacity to the Bent
Top Hospital is the public health necessity is an understanding.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
I was just about to say that, so got understatement.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Exactly so knowing that you know, we have been like
I said. Part of the twenty a half billion dollar
bond that passed in November twenty twenty three, about four
hundred million dollars was earmarked toward expansion of ben Toop Hospital,
adding a new patient tower with about one hundred patient beds,
which is desperately desperately needed for Bentop Hospital. The unfortunate
(11:44):
issue is that we do not have the same opportunity
at Bentop that we do at the LBJT. We do
not have any space to create that tower. We cannot
build on top of the existing bent Top Hospital. A
lot of people know this is not a secret. The
current band Toop Hospital is challenged with very significant infrastructure issues.
(12:06):
To spend four hundred million dollars of taxpayers money and
build on top of a building that is literally falling
apart doesn't make sense. It's not a fiscally responsible approach.
The current footprint to bend Top Hospital does not have
enough land on it to allow for the creation of
this expansion. The only land that is available for this
(12:27):
purpose is a piece of land that is immediately across
from our emergency room at Bentop Hospital. This land is
owned by the City of Hospital and is managed by
Hermon Park Conservancy. It is part of Hermon Park. It
is separated from Hermon Park by Cambridge Street, so it
(12:48):
is about eight point nine nine acres of land part
of Hermon Park, as I mentioned, separated from Herman Park
proper by Cambridge Street. When I say this is the
only feasible, fiscally responsible, operationally possible way of doing this,
this is what I mean by it. By creating this
(13:10):
tower on this piece of land in adjacency to the
existing mental hospital, we can actually connect this tower to
the existing mental hospital through a skybridge. Doing that will
make everything that is available in the existing Benttalp Hospital
to the patients in this new tower. Emergency room services,
operating rooms, diagnostic radiology, laboratory, specialty services, you name it.
(13:35):
If you were to build this tower anywhere else, you
would actually have to build another hospital. We do not
have the capacity to build another hospital. This is the
only way to add the dispersing needed capacity to Bentop Hospital,
but also as a first phase of the eventual replacement
(13:58):
of the entire Bentop Hospital. So this terror will go
up in the next five years, God willing, if everything
goes well, I will as the first phase of the
eventual replacement of the Top Hospital. And I'd say eventual
because it is going to cost about another one and
a half two billion dollars to replace the Bent Top Hospital.
We currently do not have that funding, so it's going
(14:20):
to take us a while to get to that point.
But this would be a first step, again, a very
fiscally responsible, operationally feasible approach to expand the desperately needed
capacity of the Top Hospital to continue to provide the
life saving services that it provides today, but also really
(14:41):
important to be ready to provide the additional services that
this community needs into the future.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Indeed, you're listening to the Public Affairs podcast. We are
talking to doctor smail Ports there you go, who's the
president and CEO of Harris Health. We are talking about
the expansions that have been LBJ. Is this a part
of I remember about I think it might have been
(15:07):
ten years ago. I think it might have been in
around twenty fifteen where they were going to not necessarily
rebuild or renovate or add on or have expansion to
the medical center. And I remember, you know somewhere downtown
where they had this whole like unveiling and then they
(15:28):
had you know, the blueprints and you know what it
would look like and all of that, and I don't
even remember. I think some ground might have been broken,
but I don't know what has happened with that since
is Is this a part of that from ten years ago?
Speaker 2 (15:46):
No, it's not. I think you maybe referred to Helix
Park TMC three. So yeah, that was the five and
a half billion dollar project that was maybe they and
a half two years ago.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Maybe that was it.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
There was a whole bunch of buildings. A lot of
the hospitals have expanded their footprint. I believe Better College
of Medicine actually is going to move the medical schools
to that area. But no, that was a completely separate
activity than what we're talking about here.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
Okay, So what why is this important for the community?
What should the people listening know about this incredible expansion?
Speaker 2 (16:22):
First and foremost, the fact that this is being done
out of truly a public health necessity. This is an
urgent need that needs to be addressed. You know, I
want people to know that this is not being done
because we want to We're doing this because they absolutely
(16:45):
have to. So somebody asked me earlier today, you know
why would they a non indigent person in Harris County
or city if usn't care about this, And this is
how I've explained the situation. Yes, we have a statue
toy mandate as a safety net hospital to take care
of the indigen that is our mission. But as the
level one trauma hospital MENTOP hospital takes care of everything everybody.
(17:07):
If you're a victim of a car accident, if you're
a victim of a major trauma, it doesn't matter if
you have insurance or not. Chances are the analyst is
going to bring you to mental hospital. So you need
to care that when that happens to anybody in the
City of Houston. We want to be able to provide
that life saving, timely care to those patients. If you
(17:30):
are ever put in a situation because we are inundated
with patients and we don't have the capacity or we
don't have the finances to run our operations. If you
are not able to provide that timely, life saving care,
everybody in the City of Houston is going to suffer.
And not just the indigent in addition to that, when
(17:52):
Harry's Health fails to provide the services that we provide
today or into the future, patients are not going to
stop getting sick. When patience gets sick, they're going to
go to emergency rooms. Yep, somewhere else. Well, that's somewhere
else is where everybody else is going to be going
to receive care. So access to healthcare for everybody in
(18:15):
the city of Houston actually will suffer if Harry's self
is not able to provide on the promise of what
Harry's Health is about.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
Well, I know that you all will deliver.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Thank you for that determined I.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Can feel it. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely everybody listening. If you
need more information and to see everything that doctor Portersa
is talking about here, just log onto their site harrishealth
dot org. That's Harris Health dot org to look at
the proposed ben toom Land. They have town hall meetings,
(18:52):
you can learn about financial assistance, find a doctor, all
the things. He dot org is here for you. With that,
any last words to the people, thank you doctor Portsoll,
first of all, just for explaining it so eloquently and
to where people can understand. So I really appreciate you
coming on sharing your scholarship on.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
This now my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Ry.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
I just want to emphasize to the people of Harris County,
City of Houston that we are committed to be the
servants of this community. We are committed to our mission
of improving the health of our community. All these steps
that we are taking in terms of expansion of the
hospital on the LBJ campus they hopefully God willing, the
(19:38):
expansion of Bean Top Hospital and the land adjacent to
Bend Top Hospital. These are all the necessary steps to
address the public health issues that this city is currently facing.
And I don't think this is a secret to anybody.
Everything that has happened this year in terms of the
federal government's action in cutting Medicaid, what is coming down
(20:03):
the park later this year, and reducing access to Affordable
Care Act, taking away the tax credits. The situation in
Harris scanning a state of Houston in terms of the
number and percentage of uninsured people is only going to
get worse. And that is upon us, that is coming
at us very very quickly. So the reliance on the
(20:26):
services that Harry's South provides is only going to increase,
and that is really really important for people to understand.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Well, thank you, Thank you for that, Ladies and gentlemen.
The President and CEO of Harris's Health, doctor smel Porsa,
thank you so much for coming on.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
You're welcome.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Thank you and to everyone listen to the podcast. We'll
be back after this from your local Houston BMW Center Studios.
Welcome back to the Public Affairs Podcast addressing lovel issues
that affect our name in Shape our World. I'm your
host KG Smooth, ma'am welcoming back on the show for
(21:05):
the third year. He is here to talk about the
sixth annual tech Fest expo and robotics competition. Ladies and gentlemen,
the founder and CEO, mister Khalil Vinson back on. How
you doing like I you doing well?
Speaker 4 (21:20):
Good morning, good morning?
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Then you good to see you, bro. Likewise, man there
Even since last year, Bro, the warp speed of technology advancement,
especially in AI and artificial intelligence, has been remarkably unbelievable.
Speaker 5 (21:50):
I feel like when I came up here the other time,
I was saying how fast technology is moving, and this
is why our movement is so important, because it's moving
at a pace we've never seen.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
Technol out and I mean, like, whoa, everybody please go
back and watch the first Terminator. I'm telling you do
yourself that favor. As we just talk about AI right quick,
Like yeah, old movie. I think it came out in
like eighty two or eighty four or something like that.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
History Repeazza itself.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
It was it that might have been a documentary, just
like how I feel The Matrix is not you know,
some action movie. It's the Matrix is a documentary, you know.
And I think the same about Terminator, which the same
black woman wrote both movies. Shout out to Sophia Stewart.
(22:41):
But them jew boys in Hollywood stole he stuff and
you know, used it and she had got her money
back for those films I think back in twenty twenty.
But yeah, Terminator foreshadowing like a mug, I think, yep,
(23:02):
what do you think about this? I mean, of course
everything is a tool, like you know through checking out
here we are we are about to embark on the
thirtieth anniversary of the Internet of When Windows ninety five
came out.
Speaker 5 (23:20):
Silicon Cowboys on Hulu or any streaming platform. Check that
was a story about Compact Houston, Houston legendary organization company
it's a good it's a good watch man, because we're
talking about computers. You're talking about it's a it's a
good watch Silicone.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
Cowboys, Silicon cowboys. Okay, okay, so let's talk about chech
fast for the folks who are still moving to this city.
We told y'all we was closed now. But no, you're
doing something very wonderful for our youth that is very
(23:58):
very necessary. Give us the history and how tech Festival
was conceived.
Speaker 5 (24:04):
Yeah, so tech Fest was conceived, of course by myself,
Khalil Vince and the founder and CEO of tech fest Live.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
About six years ago.
Speaker 5 (24:12):
So I graduated from Texas State University with my Computer
information Systems degree, and what I noticed was that for professionals,
we can go to cs and Vegas, we can go
to south By Southwest up in Austin, we can do
Blackest Tech, we can do Afro tech. I did not
see an opportunity for a middle school or high school
student to get the same level of understanding and exposure
(24:33):
to the world of technology. So I decided to start
techfest Live. We hosted our first two events virtually because
of the global pandemic twenty twenty and twenty twenty one,
we had fifty students. Twenty twenty, we had ninety students
twenty twenty one. Then we moved over to the Ion
and we hosted about four hundred students. Organizations like Microsoft, NASA, JSC,
(24:53):
Exxon and others were part of that event. We then
moved on to Post Houston across from the Downtown Aquarium
where we did eleven hundred students. Companies like JP Morgan, Comcasts,
and Microsoft again supported that event as well with speakers, workshops,
and exhibitors. And then we just recently wrapped up our
fifth annual expo at the University of Houston for about
twenty two hundred middle school and high school students. Fortunate
(25:16):
enough to have companies like cash App, Sitgo, Research Institute
and others support that initiative. And so my whole goal
is at tech Fest Live, we believe technology is not vertical, right,
So it's the invisible horizontal backbone to all industry, whether
we're talking about media, sports, gaming, healthcare, transportation, et cetera.
Those industries sit on top of the technology backbone. And
(25:38):
so I think people oftentimes think that technology is like
its own industry, and it's not it's woven into all industries.
Our large medical field, sure, all med stuff, but it's
met tech, right, NASA, JSC technology. Even our large oil
and gas organizations. Yes, they don't lead with that, but
they're tech companies. And my pitch to the world is
(26:00):
that all companies are technology companies, no matter if you're
in agriculture, no matter if you're in health and beauty.
It's all technology and it's all combined. I mean, the
equipment that we're speaking on right now was once a
technology invention.
Speaker 1 (26:13):
Right, you're right. I mean I'm really fascinated by the
technology of a microphone. How this smaller because if you
really saw what, you know, a microphone looks like it's
just this small, little kind of speaker wire looking thing.
(26:36):
It looks like an open speaker with these wires going through.
So yeah, I'm fascinated by that as well. That is
hearing you talk about this, Khalil, and you'd see me
grinning hearing you talk about the sponsors. How each year
(26:58):
that name just got bigger and more tag on to it, Like,
I'm so happy and proud for you, bro.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
I appreciate it. Yeah, No, I appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (27:13):
I think I think we all have a duty to
make sure that we're looking out for our youth and
young adults. And it looks like a bunch of different
ways for a bunch of different organizations. I we'll just
talk about here in Houston, But I mean, that's what
it is. We are in a new age. We're in
a digital era, and for us to progress forward as
(27:34):
a society, as a people, as black and brown people,
we have to understand the world of technology you were
talking about. You're talking about AI and how fast it's
moving and what does that look like. So what I've
been saying is, remember when we did a job interview
and they said, are you proficient in Microsoft Office? They
(27:55):
don't really ask you that anymore. They're gonna start asking
us are we proficient in a tools. It's just a
retooling of the mind. It's not this robot apocalypse, right,
I mean, sure, maybe thirty forty whatever, But right now,
present day.
Speaker 1 (28:12):
Life's a Will Smith movie. It's eye robot and I
am legend.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
Yeah, I mean, and those things are good comparisons to
kind of, you know, look into the future. But if
we're talking about right now, I think they're just asking
us to learn a skill, And so it really comes
back down to are you willing to learn a skill?
Same way are you willing to get up and go
to the gym if you need to, or if you're
willing to eat better, or if you're willing, if you're
willing to learn.
Speaker 4 (28:38):
A new skill, a new tool, it'd be just all right.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
Yeah, no, you're absolutely right. And that's how I see
all things that are introduced. I use it as a tool.
And just like Khalil is encouraging you to learn some
AI model, yes please do. It is going to be
beneficial to you. I was doing earlier this year, like
in January, there was this app and it had the
(29:04):
twenty eight twenty eight different AI modules and I didn't
do all twenty eight. I didn't have the time, but
I did five of them. I did a good five.
I think it's like a total of seven lessons. I
mean not seven, about twelve lessons for each you know
model started with chat GPT and you know went on
(29:26):
to a couple of other ones, which I had already
been pretty proficient in chat GPT because I got hip
to that, like as soon as it, you know, came
about what was that? When when did when did Gary Vee.
I see Gary v it was like October of like
the twenty nineteen. I want to say that sounds about right, Yeah,
(29:48):
something like that. So I had been on that, but
learning the different ones. And you know how specific you
have to be in your prompt to get the result
that you want the artificial intelligence to generate.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
Do you see how they just created a new job
a prompt engineer?
Speaker 5 (30:08):
They brah, Wow, it's not that it's gonna necessarily.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
In some aspects.
Speaker 5 (30:18):
Let's be real, and some aspects there are jobs, but
the replacement is a new skill. And now you're a
prompt engineer. Right, didn't exist, So we're going to see
a lot of jobs over the next twenty years that
did not exist. So yes, I think that's the natural
cyclical nature of business. Things come and go. But as
old jobs leave, new jobs appear. That's where that skilling
(30:39):
up skilling part comes in because yes, this job is
no longer available, but ten new jobs just popped up.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
So what we're gonna do? Right? Oh, that is a
great point to Shay, my friend. To Shay, you're listening
to the Public Affairs podcast. We're talking to Khalil Vinson,
who is the founder and CEO of tech Fest. The
sixth annual tech Fest Expo and Robotics competition happening November
(31:06):
twelfth and thirteenth at He's leveling up. You heard in
the conversation how he started at the Ion and ended
up at U of H. Now we're going bigger NRG arena.
Who wow Yeah, November twelfth and thirteenth at NRG Arena.
(31:30):
That is That is fantastic, bro, thank you spectacular. I
can think of all of the adjectives.
Speaker 5 (31:40):
And the best part about it it's a free expo
U and he just upped the antie that it's absolutely free.
Speaker 1 (31:48):
How why.
Speaker 5 (31:52):
I think education is priceless. I think our youth there's
not a dollar amount you can put on it to
teach our youth. Now, there are aspects that need funding
where nonprofit five I want to see through. There's aspects
to this that need funding. But as far as saying
that this student who doesn't have access to the information already,
(32:15):
I'm gonna charge you for the access makes no sense
to me.
Speaker 1 (32:17):
Yeah, no, no, seriously, But I mean that's what they're
doing in higher education when you pay all of these
tens of thousands of dollars to go to said university
only to graduate and end up doing the total opposite
(32:41):
of what you got your degree in. And now here
you are in debt paying for something that you have
that is prestigious, but you ain't even doing the career
that you went and got the paper for. It's you
know what, what a dirty little game, you know. But
(33:04):
things are changing.
Speaker 4 (33:05):
Things are definitely changing.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
Things are definitely changing. So what can these teens expect
at these six annual tech Ficus, tech Fest, expo and
robotics competition. Man, me trying to say that, I don't
know why. It's hard for me to say that tech Fest.
Speaker 5 (33:21):
You know why, because we didn't add a robotics competition.
This is the first time we're doing a robotics competition.
Speaker 4 (33:25):
So it's new.
Speaker 1 (33:25):
Oh that was new.
Speaker 5 (33:28):
Yeah, our partner Stemming School is hosting that robotics competition,
so we're really excited. I got word that we might
be bringing some international students to be a part of
this as well. Oh nice, So it's it's it's going
to be fitting for sure.
Speaker 1 (33:41):
There's a whole I was toying around with the smart
TVs when of I'm saying songs and they've got the
TV plus thing and it's just like all of these
just different stuff that I had no idea existed. And
robotics competition where the kids make the robots and they're
in the you know arena, you know, ba in and
out or shooting each other down or whatever like that.
(34:03):
One is lit and there's a lot of episodes of
this thing. I didn't know that this was a thing. Thing.
Speaker 5 (34:12):
It's global like it's and they're and they're passionate and
they get fired up for it. I mean, it's it's
pretty cool. It's pretty dope.
Speaker 1 (34:20):
No, it really is. I mean, because there was a
time where I felt like the powers that be wanted
to continue to dumb our kids down, you know which
stuff taking away after school programs or the music programs
and things of that nature, only you know, leaving the
(34:41):
sports where we know everybody ain't athletic. But this, this here,
this is this is dope. I was. I was a techie,
you know, I was very technical. Like I had a
friend that you know, we toyed around. He made his
first computer, and I was going in that way, but
then I got pulled in another direct. I was. I
was into everything.
Speaker 5 (35:01):
Yeah, I'm gonna challenge you on something and I can
say this because it's an official organization. We're cool nerds. Yeah,
that's who we are. Yeah, we're cool nerds. That stereotype
of what does it mean to be a nerd? And uh,
they don't get these same opportunities or they're this certain
(35:22):
type of stereotype. Look it around and see what the
what the nerds look like today?
Speaker 1 (35:27):
Yep.
Speaker 5 (35:27):
Kind of lifestyles they have yep, on their own, choosing
what kind of cars they drive, where they where they
hang out.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
What is that? Cool nerds? It's the new revolution.
Speaker 1 (35:36):
Yep. I love it. Where do the people or the
parents need to take their child to register for the
sixth annual tech Fest Expo and Robotics Competition.
Speaker 5 (35:50):
Yeah, so the sixth annual tech Fest Expo and Robotics Competition.
Registration opens up two months before the expo, which will
be September twelfth, on our website at tech Fest Live.
Speaker 4 (36:00):
Parents.
Speaker 5 (36:01):
What you can expect out of the sixth annual Techfest
Xpo or Robotics Competition. I'm really excited this year, not
only because we're in our sixth year. We're making progress,
but I'm really excited because the world's largest sporting event
is coming to the city of Houston about six months
before this event, and so our focus does have a
World Cup focus, but we're focused on three themes sustainability, innovation,
(36:24):
and technology. And the reason being is because when the
world is coming to Houston, what is our major industries
and organizations doing From a sustainability, technology, and innovation standpoint.
I'll give you an example. What does waste management have
to do for the millions of people coming here? From
a sustainability and making sure the trash and all of
the eco friendly things are going on? Right, what are
(36:48):
we recycling That's a lot of people come into this city.
We already got enough people here. Can look outside and
see what the highway looks at sixteen right now. Right
from a technology standpoint or logistics, what is Metro doing
to transport all these people?
Speaker 1 (37:02):
Right?
Speaker 5 (37:02):
So I'm looking at our industries here, our major industries
and the other ones. What are we doing to prepare
our city? And we need to be telling that story.
So Techfest Live is raising a hand to whoever wants
to listen and say we want to tell that story
for STEM, for World Cup, for FIFA, we want to
tell that story for the city of Houston and our
youth and young adults.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
Slow clap. That is genius. Yes, one time, for the
one time. Khalil Vincent, Khalil, that's I got you, man,
oh man, I got you, like no for real. Yeah.
So going to the website of Kings I'm sorry.
Speaker 5 (37:45):
Yeah, y'all can visit us at Techfestlive dot com. Registration
will open two months before the expo that will be
September twelfth. We hope to see you there. And again
it's free expo.
Speaker 1 (37:55):
It's free, free ninety nine without the ninety nine, So
pull up and go to the website. Man, so good
to see you. Congratulations on everything, and it's just going
to get bigger and better as we continue to grow.
So thank you, No, I appreciate you. Thank you.
Speaker 5 (38:10):
I mean, it's been great to be up here three
years in a row. And thank you for letting me
tell my story.
Speaker 1 (38:14):
Yeah for sure. Well, and we'll see yourself.
Speaker 4 (38:17):
That's definite.
Speaker 1 (38:18):
Khalil Vincent, founder and CEO of tech Fest, Expo and
Robotics Competition. We appreciate you, and I appreciate you for listening.
This is my last show, Houston. This is the last
time that I will be on the Public Affairs podcast
on a Sunday morning. Yes, I know, and I said
(38:39):
it at the beginning of the show. I know, I know,
I know. But the next host is Sky Houston. Sky
Houston is going to be the new host of the
Public Affairs podcast. Houston. I love you, I really do
love you, and I have been hosting this community affairs
program since two thousand and fourteen. I first took over
(39:05):
the community show. It was called Access Houston on ninety
seven nine in the Box because Magic had its own
it had Sunday Morning Live, you know, with Marcus Davis
and then doctor j Thomas Smith. And then once those
fellas had left, we decided to just make one community show.
(39:27):
Thus came the Public Affairs Podcast with myself and at
first the great Uncle Funky Larry Jones. And now back
to just being me and Houston. You always stopped me
in the streets. You guys talk about this show to
me more than the Quiet Storm. And you know, I
loved it because I didn't know how popular the show
(39:50):
was on Sunday Morning, and you know, I had, you know,
street cats at me. I'm like, man, I heard you
on Sunday morning, like I was like dangn like you
was up there early, I was leaving after hours or
I was leaving the strip club. And just all of
the things that we've talked about, me sharing about my awakening,
me challenging the system, uh and and and all the
things that they do to continue to keep us down physically, emotionally, mentally,
(40:17):
just all the leaves and Houston, I just I love you.
I love you. That's all I can say is that
I love you. I love you, like Tyler the creator
in that song, ring Ring Ring.
Speaker 2 (40:27):
I love you, I love you.
Speaker 1 (40:29):
I love you.
Speaker 5 (40:30):
I love you.
Speaker 1 (40:32):
But there's more to come. So this show was being
taken off of my hands because I am now nationally syndicated, Yes,
I am nationwide. Now the Quiet Storm will now be
Love and R and B. So I'm the new host
of the nationally syndicated show Love and R and B
with KG Smooth, and so I need to focus specifically
(40:56):
directly on the national show. And so they are taking
this show off of my hands. But your new host,
Sky Houston will be in and take over beginning next Sunday.
So thank you for allowing me into your cars, your homes,
your workplace and your hearts and I will see you
(41:18):
soon on the radio. It's the end of an era
here on the Public Affairs Podcast. But this is not goodbye,
this is just i'll see you later. I'm KG Smooth,
One love one life, and thank you for listening to
the Public Affairs Podcast
From your local Houston BMW Center Studios. Welcome to the
Public Affairs Podcast, addressing local issues that affect our nation
in Shape of our World. I'm your host KG Smooth,
and this conversation is it's going to be a great one,
but it's also a little bittersweet because Houston, this will
be my last show of the host of the Public
(00:24):
Affairs Podcast. Yes, I know, I know, I know how
you feel. I know I know you all love when
I speak truth to power that i'm when I challenge
the system. The conversations that we have on here, they
have been pretty amazing. But don't worry, the same energy
is going to stay. Sky Houston will be the new
(00:45):
host of the Public Affairs Podcast beginning next Sunday on
the fourteenth, So we carry the same energy. You know.
Of course we're different, but she's going to do a
great job. So gives a chance. I know you all
will miss me, but you still got me at night
(01:05):
for the Quiet Storm. Well, the quiet storm is turning
into love and R and B now that I am
nationally syndicated. So yeah, Houston, this is great And what
better way to end it off than, you know, talk
about some great things that are happening here in our
great city of Houston. He is the president and CEO
(01:26):
of Harris Health. Doctor oh your first name, s Mile.
S Mile Porsa is on the Public Affairs podcast How
are you, sir?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
I'm doing great. Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
No, thank you for being here. Listen, my great comy
as we call it, that's a coworker in Homie. We
put it together comby Mike Comy. Connie Bodacious has been
telling me about the incredible renovations that is happening at
ben Toop Hospital, and she has been talking about this
(02:00):
practically all summer, practically all summer, doctor Portsa, No, I'm serious.
And so she was saying, how.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
You know you've got to get doctor Porsa on the
Public Affairs podcast talk about what they're doing and Ben
Tubb and just you know, Hair's Health and their health centers.
And I was like, absolutely, Connie, you know that's right
up my let's right up my driveway, you know.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
So thank you for being here.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Absolutely my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
And yeah, so tell us about yourself, doctor.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Portso, Okay, I actually did my training here in Houston
every South a few years ago as part of ut
residency program in interial medicine. After my training, I actually
stayed here in Houston and work inside the Harris County Jail.
I actually took care of inmates, oh wow for twelve years.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Moved to Dallas taking care of the inmates of the
Dallas County Jail as their medical director. That into the
administration a Parkland Hospital, which is their secty net hospital
for Dallas County, in charge of the medical staff office
Graduate Medical Education. I was their interim chief medical Officer
and their chief strategy officer before moving back to Houston
(03:16):
and taken on this role. On March second, twenty twenty,
the week that we had our first COVID.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Nation that I was just about to say that that
was the week that we got our first COVID, yes,
because I remember being at the rodeo and them shutting down,
yes because of the COVID. And then on this show
that week that it happened. I had a toxicology doctor
who worked who works for NASA, and she was on
(03:45):
this program giving us what we then knew at that
moment about coronavirus before they changed the name to COVID nineteen.
So that's that's wild.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Yeah, so it's been a blessing. It's been a crazy
last five years, but like I said, it's been a blessing.
Culminated and then November twenty twenty three bond referendum for
Harry Self were almost three out of four people who
participate in that election voted yes in support of our
two and a half billion dollar bond, the first time
(04:21):
that Harry's Health has done that in the last sixty
years of our existence.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
So very very excited. And you know you mentioned Connie
and you know her excitement about the renovations and expansions
that we're doing not at ben Tap but at the
LBJ Hospital. We're going to talk about the exciting stuff
that are happening at ben Top as well. But let
me if I may, I shall start with LBJ and
then will transition to Ben Top Hospital.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
Absolutely what is going on?
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yeah, so very quickly about first and foremost, for those
who may not know what Harry Self is and what
it means to this community, Harry Self is the safety
net hospital system for the entirety of Harris County, for
the population of five million. Unfortunately, this county also has
the unfortunate recognition of having the highest number and rate
(05:12):
of uninsured in the entire country. One out of four
Houstonians currently do not have access to health insurance. So
we have the highest number and rate of uninsured anywhere
in the country, the.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Highest of the uninsured, and we've got the biggest medical
center in.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
The exactly exactly, which is a very interesting, uh juxtaposition,
but regardless, So we are the fourth largest state in
the hospital system in the country, largest one in Texas.
We have two hospitals that be very proud of our
Level of three Trauma Center Hospital LBJ in northeast corridor
of Harris County, and of course of Level one Trauma Hospital,
(05:49):
the top hospital in the Texas Medical Center. In addition
to that, we have forty locations across Harris County providing
primary care, specialty services, chronic dialysis, dental, you name it,
and also a very expensive healthcare for the homeless program.
And as of three years ago, we are also taking
care of the detainees inside the Harry Scanty Jail. So
(06:11):
all in all, quite a big system of care. But
I always say is that while we are very proud
of our hospitals, you put them together, we have about
maybe forty forty five thousand in patient business every year.
On the outpatient side, last year we had one point
five million encounters. So bulk of what we do is
(06:31):
on the outpatient, which is exactly what we should be doing,
because we really want to be focused on health promotion
and disease prevention rather than managing diseases.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
So in addition to that, we are the major training
ground for the future healthcare providers. You t and Beergarjia medicine.
Thousands of the residents, medical students fellows trained at our system.
According to the Texas Medical Board, almost half of all
the doctors who practiced medicine in Houston, regardless of where
they are, did their training at Harry South. Almost half
(07:03):
of all the doctors in Houston. Wow, that's a huge number.
And we're also a huge economic engine for the community.
In twenty twenty two when we did the study, the
impact of Harry's Self on Harris County was almost five
billion dollars in economic impact. So that's Harry self, Yeah,
five billion, but it'd be wow wow. Yeah. So that's
(07:26):
ten thousand employees. More than four hundred did are different
contractors that we work with. The tax revenues everything else
that happens because of Harry's self. That total amount is
closed to five billion dollars. Wow, Okay, that's Harry self.
Let's talk about LBJ Hospital, So what is happening there? Yeah,
(07:47):
So what I talked about was two and a half
billion dollar bond one point six billion dollars was earmarked
towards the expansion of LBJ Hospital. LBJ being Level three.
Traumas in our hospital actually broke around on the new
expansion on the LBJ campus now almost a year and
a half ago. The new hospital will be completed in
(08:09):
late twenty twenty eight and will open its doors in
January twenty twenty nine. This hospital will have almost twice
the capacity of the existing hospital. Is going to open
with about three hundred ninety beds with a helipad. This
is going to be the first lobal Mont trauma capable
hospital outside of the Texas Medical Center, the first time
Harris County has had a lobal Mont trauma capable hospital
(08:32):
outside of the Texas Medical Center. Really today, if somebody
is a victim of a major trauma, car accident, of fall,
gun shot wound, a stab wound anywhere in Harris County,
they have to be driven to or flown into the
Texas Medical Center. When this hospital opens its doors in
January twenty twenty nine, folks will be able to receive
(08:55):
that care on that location. So very very excited about that.
In addition to that, we're also building a new patient
garage and the central titya plant. I won't get into
the nitty gritty, but this hospital is going to be
one of the most resilient buildings in the entire state
of Texas, not just the hospital. Very very excited about that.
(09:17):
I want to transition and talk about what is happening
in bent Top Hospital because recently it has been in
the news. As I mentioned previously, Bentop is one of
only two lobal mont trauma hospitals in the entirety of
Harris County, a county but almost five million population. This
county is at least four, if not five, love of
(09:37):
montrauma hospitals, but like I said, we only have two
when Bentob opens his door. In nineteen ninety, the population
of Harris County was almost half of what it is today.
So while the population of Harris County has almost doubled,
the capacity of ben Top Hospital actually has decreased because
about a decade ago, it transformed from quad occupant ses.
(10:00):
We had four hospital beds in every patient room out
of necessity. In order to become compliant with the new
industry standards and infection prevention practices, the hospital transitioned to
dull occupancy rooms, two hospital beds in every patient room.
As a result of that, and also because of the
(10:22):
population growth, because of the fact that we have so
many uninsured currently one point two million people in Harris
County are running short. Our hospital is busy. There are
days where almost half of an emergency room capacity is
taken up by patients who've been admitted to the hospital,
but they don't have a bed to be placed in.
(10:44):
What that means is that extra wait times for people
to get seen in the emergency room. A hospital that
is not able to perform as efficiently as it should,
and a lot of times actually the entire hospital operates
above capacity. How is that possible that became above represent capacity?
We actually have hospital beds in our corridors and hallways
(11:05):
with patients, you know, Oh my goodness, because we have
to so to say that adding capacity to the Bent
Top Hospital is the public health necessity is an understanding.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
I was just about to say that, so got understatement.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Exactly so knowing that you know, we have been like
I said. Part of the twenty a half billion dollar
bond that passed in November twenty twenty three, about four
hundred million dollars was earmarked toward expansion of ben Toop Hospital,
adding a new patient tower with about one hundred patient beds,
which is desperately desperately needed for Bentop Hospital. The unfortunate
(11:44):
issue is that we do not have the same opportunity
at Bentop that we do at the LBJT. We do
not have any space to create that tower. We cannot
build on top of the existing bent Top Hospital. A
lot of people know this is not a secret. The
current band Toop Hospital is challenged with very significant infrastructure issues.
(12:06):
To spend four hundred million dollars of taxpayers money and
build on top of a building that is literally falling
apart doesn't make sense. It's not a fiscally responsible approach.
The current footprint to bend Top Hospital does not have
enough land on it to allow for the creation of
this expansion. The only land that is available for this
(12:27):
purpose is a piece of land that is immediately across
from our emergency room at Bentop Hospital. This land is
owned by the City of Hospital and is managed by
Hermon Park Conservancy. It is part of Hermon Park. It
is separated from Hermon Park by Cambridge Street, so it
(12:48):
is about eight point nine nine acres of land part
of Hermon Park, as I mentioned, separated from Herman Park
proper by Cambridge Street. When I say this is the
only feasible, fiscally responsible, operationally possible way of doing this,
this is what I mean by it. By creating this
(13:10):
tower on this piece of land in adjacency to the
existing mental hospital, we can actually connect this tower to
the existing mental hospital through a skybridge. Doing that will
make everything that is available in the existing Benttalp Hospital
to the patients in this new tower. Emergency room services,
operating rooms, diagnostic radiology, laboratory, specialty services, you name it.
(13:35):
If you were to build this tower anywhere else, you
would actually have to build another hospital. We do not
have the capacity to build another hospital. This is the
only way to add the dispersing needed capacity to Bentop Hospital,
but also as a first phase of the eventual replacement
(13:58):
of the entire Bentop Hospital. So this terror will go
up in the next five years, God willing, if everything
goes well, I will as the first phase of the
eventual replacement of the Top Hospital. And I'd say eventual
because it is going to cost about another one and
a half two billion dollars to replace the Bent Top Hospital.
We currently do not have that funding, so it's going
(14:20):
to take us a while to get to that point.
But this would be a first step, again, a very
fiscally responsible, operationally feasible approach to expand the desperately needed
capacity of the Top Hospital to continue to provide the
life saving services that it provides today, but also really
(14:41):
important to be ready to provide the additional services that
this community needs into the future.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Indeed, you're listening to the Public Affairs podcast. We are
talking to doctor smail Ports there you go, who's the
president and CEO of Harris Health. We are talking about
the expansions that have been LBJ. Is this a part
of I remember about I think it might have been
(15:07):
ten years ago. I think it might have been in
around twenty fifteen where they were going to not necessarily
rebuild or renovate or add on or have expansion to
the medical center. And I remember, you know somewhere downtown
where they had this whole like unveiling and then they
(15:28):
had you know, the blueprints and you know what it
would look like and all of that, and I don't
even remember. I think some ground might have been broken,
but I don't know what has happened with that since
is Is this a part of that from ten years ago?
Speaker 2 (15:46):
No, it's not. I think you maybe referred to Helix
Park TMC three. So yeah, that was the five and
a half billion dollar project that was maybe they and
a half two years ago.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Maybe that was it.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
There was a whole bunch of buildings. A lot of
the hospitals have expanded their footprint. I believe Better College
of Medicine actually is going to move the medical schools
to that area. But no, that was a completely separate
activity than what we're talking about here.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
Okay, So what why is this important for the community?
What should the people listening know about this incredible expansion?
Speaker 2 (16:22):
First and foremost, the fact that this is being done
out of truly a public health necessity. This is an
urgent need that needs to be addressed. You know, I
want people to know that this is not being done
because we want to We're doing this because they absolutely
(16:45):
have to. So somebody asked me earlier today, you know
why would they a non indigent person in Harris County
or city if usn't care about this, And this is
how I've explained the situation. Yes, we have a statue
toy mandate as a safety net hospital to take care
of the indigen that is our mission. But as the
level one trauma hospital MENTOP hospital takes care of everything everybody.
(17:07):
If you're a victim of a car accident, if you're
a victim of a major trauma, it doesn't matter if
you have insurance or not. Chances are the analyst is
going to bring you to mental hospital. So you need
to care that when that happens to anybody in the
City of Houston. We want to be able to provide
that life saving, timely care to those patients. If you
(17:30):
are ever put in a situation because we are inundated
with patients and we don't have the capacity or we
don't have the finances to run our operations. If you
are not able to provide that timely, life saving care,
everybody in the City of Houston is going to suffer.
And not just the indigent in addition to that, when
(17:52):
Harry's Health fails to provide the services that we provide
today or into the future, patients are not going to
stop getting sick. When patience gets sick, they're going to
go to emergency rooms. Yep, somewhere else. Well, that's somewhere
else is where everybody else is going to be going
to receive care. So access to healthcare for everybody in
(18:15):
the city of Houston actually will suffer if Harry's self
is not able to provide on the promise of what
Harry's Health is about.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
Well, I know that you all will deliver.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Thank you for that determined I.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Can feel it. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely everybody listening. If you
need more information and to see everything that doctor Portersa
is talking about here, just log onto their site harrishealth
dot org. That's Harris Health dot org to look at
the proposed ben toom Land. They have town hall meetings,
(18:52):
you can learn about financial assistance, find a doctor, all
the things. He dot org is here for you. With that,
any last words to the people, thank you doctor Portsoll,
first of all, just for explaining it so eloquently and
to where people can understand. So I really appreciate you
coming on sharing your scholarship on.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
This now my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Ry.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
I just want to emphasize to the people of Harris County,
City of Houston that we are committed to be the
servants of this community. We are committed to our mission
of improving the health of our community. All these steps
that we are taking in terms of expansion of the
hospital on the LBJ campus they hopefully God willing, the
(19:38):
expansion of Bean Top Hospital and the land adjacent to
Bend Top Hospital. These are all the necessary steps to
address the public health issues that this city is currently facing.
And I don't think this is a secret to anybody.
Everything that has happened this year in terms of the
federal government's action in cutting Medicaid, what is coming down
(20:03):
the park later this year, and reducing access to Affordable
Care Act, taking away the tax credits. The situation in
Harris scanning a state of Houston in terms of the
number and percentage of uninsured people is only going to
get worse. And that is upon us, that is coming
at us very very quickly. So the reliance on the
(20:26):
services that Harry's South provides is only going to increase,
and that is really really important for people to understand.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Well, thank you, Thank you for that, Ladies and gentlemen.
The President and CEO of Harris's Health, doctor smel Porsa,
thank you so much for coming on.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
You're welcome.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Thank you and to everyone listen to the podcast. We'll
be back after this from your local Houston BMW Center Studios.
Welcome back to the Public Affairs Podcast addressing lovel issues
that affect our name in Shape our World. I'm your
host KG Smooth, ma'am welcoming back on the show for
(21:05):
the third year. He is here to talk about the
sixth annual tech Fest expo and robotics competition. Ladies and gentlemen,
the founder and CEO, mister Khalil Vinson back on. How
you doing like I you doing well?
Speaker 4 (21:20):
Good morning, good morning?
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Then you good to see you, bro. Likewise, man there
Even since last year, Bro, the warp speed of technology advancement,
especially in AI and artificial intelligence, has been remarkably unbelievable.
Speaker 5 (21:50):
I feel like when I came up here the other time,
I was saying how fast technology is moving, and this
is why our movement is so important, because it's moving
at a pace we've never seen.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
Technol out and I mean, like, whoa, everybody please go
back and watch the first Terminator. I'm telling you do
yourself that favor. As we just talk about AI right quick,
Like yeah, old movie. I think it came out in
like eighty two or eighty four or something like that.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
History Repeazza itself.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
It was it that might have been a documentary, just
like how I feel The Matrix is not you know,
some action movie. It's the Matrix is a documentary, you know.
And I think the same about Terminator, which the same
black woman wrote both movies. Shout out to Sophia Stewart.
(22:41):
But them jew boys in Hollywood stole he stuff and
you know, used it and she had got her money
back for those films I think back in twenty twenty.
But yeah, Terminator foreshadowing like a mug, I think, yep,
(23:02):
what do you think about this? I mean, of course
everything is a tool, like you know through checking out
here we are we are about to embark on the
thirtieth anniversary of the Internet of When Windows ninety five
came out.
Speaker 5 (23:20):
Silicon Cowboys on Hulu or any streaming platform. Check that
was a story about Compact Houston, Houston legendary organization company
it's a good it's a good watch man, because we're
talking about computers. You're talking about it's a it's a
good watch Silicone.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
Cowboys, Silicon cowboys. Okay, okay, so let's talk about chech
fast for the folks who are still moving to this city.
We told y'all we was closed now. But no, you're
doing something very wonderful for our youth that is very
(23:58):
very necessary. Give us the history and how tech Festival
was conceived.
Speaker 5 (24:04):
Yeah, so tech Fest was conceived, of course by myself,
Khalil Vince and the founder and CEO of tech fest Live.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
About six years ago.
Speaker 5 (24:12):
So I graduated from Texas State University with my Computer
information Systems degree, and what I noticed was that for professionals,
we can go to cs and Vegas, we can go
to south By Southwest up in Austin, we can do
Blackest Tech, we can do Afro tech. I did not
see an opportunity for a middle school or high school
student to get the same level of understanding and exposure
(24:33):
to the world of technology. So I decided to start
techfest Live. We hosted our first two events virtually because
of the global pandemic twenty twenty and twenty twenty one,
we had fifty students. Twenty twenty, we had ninety students
twenty twenty one. Then we moved over to the Ion
and we hosted about four hundred students. Organizations like Microsoft, NASA, JSC,
(24:53):
Exxon and others were part of that event. We then
moved on to Post Houston across from the Downtown Aquarium
where we did eleven hundred students. Companies like JP Morgan, Comcasts,
and Microsoft again supported that event as well with speakers, workshops,
and exhibitors. And then we just recently wrapped up our
fifth annual expo at the University of Houston for about
twenty two hundred middle school and high school students. Fortunate
(25:16):
enough to have companies like cash App, Sitgo, Research Institute
and others support that initiative. And so my whole goal
is at tech Fest Live, we believe technology is not vertical, right,
So it's the invisible horizontal backbone to all industry, whether
we're talking about media, sports, gaming, healthcare, transportation, et cetera.
Those industries sit on top of the technology backbone. And
(25:38):
so I think people oftentimes think that technology is like
its own industry, and it's not it's woven into all industries.
Our large medical field, sure, all med stuff, but it's
met tech, right, NASA, JSC technology. Even our large oil
and gas organizations. Yes, they don't lead with that, but
they're tech companies. And my pitch to the world is
(26:00):
that all companies are technology companies, no matter if you're
in agriculture, no matter if you're in health and beauty.
It's all technology and it's all combined. I mean, the
equipment that we're speaking on right now was once a
technology invention.
Speaker 1 (26:13):
Right, you're right. I mean I'm really fascinated by the
technology of a microphone. How this smaller because if you
really saw what, you know, a microphone looks like it's
just this small, little kind of speaker wire looking thing.
(26:36):
It looks like an open speaker with these wires going through.
So yeah, I'm fascinated by that as well. That is
hearing you talk about this, Khalil, and you'd see me
grinning hearing you talk about the sponsors. How each year
(26:58):
that name just got bigger and more tag on to it, Like,
I'm so happy and proud for you, bro.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
I appreciate it. Yeah, No, I appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (27:13):
I think I think we all have a duty to
make sure that we're looking out for our youth and
young adults. And it looks like a bunch of different
ways for a bunch of different organizations. I we'll just
talk about here in Houston, But I mean, that's what
it is. We are in a new age. We're in
a digital era, and for us to progress forward as
(27:34):
a society, as a people, as black and brown people,
we have to understand the world of technology you were
talking about. You're talking about AI and how fast it's
moving and what does that look like. So what I've
been saying is, remember when we did a job interview
and they said, are you proficient in Microsoft Office? They
(27:55):
don't really ask you that anymore. They're gonna start asking
us are we proficient in a tools. It's just a
retooling of the mind. It's not this robot apocalypse, right,
I mean, sure, maybe thirty forty whatever, But right now,
present day.
Speaker 1 (28:12):
Life's a Will Smith movie. It's eye robot and I
am legend.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
Yeah, I mean, and those things are good comparisons to
kind of, you know, look into the future. But if
we're talking about right now, I think they're just asking
us to learn a skill, And so it really comes
back down to are you willing to learn a skill?
Same way are you willing to get up and go
to the gym if you need to, or if you're
willing to eat better, or if you're willing, if you're
willing to learn.
Speaker 4 (28:38):
A new skill, a new tool, it'd be just all right.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
Yeah, no, you're absolutely right. And that's how I see
all things that are introduced. I use it as a tool.
And just like Khalil is encouraging you to learn some
AI model, yes please do. It is going to be
beneficial to you. I was doing earlier this year, like
in January, there was this app and it had the
(29:04):
twenty eight twenty eight different AI modules and I didn't
do all twenty eight. I didn't have the time, but
I did five of them. I did a good five.
I think it's like a total of seven lessons. I
mean not seven, about twelve lessons for each you know
model started with chat GPT and you know went on
(29:26):
to a couple of other ones, which I had already
been pretty proficient in chat GPT because I got hip
to that, like as soon as it, you know, came
about what was that? When when did when did Gary Vee.
I see Gary v it was like October of like
the twenty nineteen. I want to say that sounds about right, Yeah,
(29:48):
something like that. So I had been on that, but
learning the different ones. And you know how specific you
have to be in your prompt to get the result
that you want the artificial intelligence to generate.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
Do you see how they just created a new job
a prompt engineer?
Speaker 5 (30:08):
They brah, Wow, it's not that it's gonna necessarily.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
In some aspects.
Speaker 5 (30:18):
Let's be real, and some aspects there are jobs, but
the replacement is a new skill. And now you're a
prompt engineer. Right, didn't exist, So we're going to see
a lot of jobs over the next twenty years that
did not exist. So yes, I think that's the natural
cyclical nature of business. Things come and go. But as
old jobs leave, new jobs appear. That's where that skilling
(30:39):
up skilling part comes in because yes, this job is
no longer available, but ten new jobs just popped up.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
So what we're gonna do? Right? Oh, that is a
great point to Shay, my friend. To Shay, you're listening
to the Public Affairs podcast. We're talking to Khalil Vinson,
who is the founder and CEO of tech Fest. The
sixth annual tech Fest Expo and Robotics competition happening November
(31:06):
twelfth and thirteenth at He's leveling up. You heard in
the conversation how he started at the Ion and ended
up at U of H. Now we're going bigger NRG arena.
Who wow Yeah, November twelfth and thirteenth at NRG Arena.
(31:30):
That is That is fantastic, bro, thank you spectacular. I
can think of all of the adjectives.
Speaker 5 (31:40):
And the best part about it it's a free expo
U and he just upped the antie that it's absolutely free.
Speaker 1 (31:48):
How why.
Speaker 5 (31:52):
I think education is priceless. I think our youth there's
not a dollar amount you can put on it to
teach our youth. Now, there are aspects that need funding
where nonprofit five I want to see through. There's aspects
to this that need funding. But as far as saying
that this student who doesn't have access to the information already,
(32:15):
I'm gonna charge you for the access makes no sense
to me.
Speaker 1 (32:17):
Yeah, no, no, seriously, But I mean that's what they're
doing in higher education when you pay all of these
tens of thousands of dollars to go to said university
only to graduate and end up doing the total opposite
(32:41):
of what you got your degree in. And now here
you are in debt paying for something that you have
that is prestigious, but you ain't even doing the career
that you went and got the paper for. It's you
know what, what a dirty little game, you know. But
(33:04):
things are changing.
Speaker 4 (33:05):
Things are definitely changing.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
Things are definitely changing. So what can these teens expect
at these six annual tech Ficus, tech Fest, expo and
robotics competition. Man, me trying to say that, I don't
know why. It's hard for me to say that tech Fest.
Speaker 5 (33:21):
You know why, because we didn't add a robotics competition.
This is the first time we're doing a robotics competition.
Speaker 4 (33:25):
So it's new.
Speaker 1 (33:25):
Oh that was new.
Speaker 5 (33:28):
Yeah, our partner Stemming School is hosting that robotics competition,
so we're really excited. I got word that we might
be bringing some international students to be a part of
this as well. Oh nice, So it's it's it's going
to be fitting for sure.
Speaker 1 (33:41):
There's a whole I was toying around with the smart
TVs when of I'm saying songs and they've got the
TV plus thing and it's just like all of these
just different stuff that I had no idea existed. And
robotics competition where the kids make the robots and they're
in the you know arena, you know, ba in and
out or shooting each other down or whatever like that.
(34:03):
One is lit and there's a lot of episodes of
this thing. I didn't know that this was a thing. Thing.
Speaker 5 (34:12):
It's global like it's and they're and they're passionate and
they get fired up for it. I mean, it's it's
pretty cool. It's pretty dope.
Speaker 1 (34:20):
No, it really is. I mean, because there was a
time where I felt like the powers that be wanted
to continue to dumb our kids down, you know which
stuff taking away after school programs or the music programs
and things of that nature, only you know, leaving the
(34:41):
sports where we know everybody ain't athletic. But this, this here,
this is this is dope. I was. I was a techie,
you know, I was very technical. Like I had a
friend that you know, we toyed around. He made his
first computer, and I was going in that way, but
then I got pulled in another direct. I was. I
was into everything.
Speaker 5 (35:01):
Yeah, I'm gonna challenge you on something and I can
say this because it's an official organization. We're cool nerds. Yeah,
that's who we are. Yeah, we're cool nerds. That stereotype
of what does it mean to be a nerd? And uh,
they don't get these same opportunities or they're this certain
(35:22):
type of stereotype. Look it around and see what the
what the nerds look like today?
Speaker 1 (35:27):
Yep.
Speaker 5 (35:27):
Kind of lifestyles they have yep, on their own, choosing
what kind of cars they drive, where they where they
hang out.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
What is that? Cool nerds? It's the new revolution.
Speaker 1 (35:36):
Yep. I love it. Where do the people or the
parents need to take their child to register for the
sixth annual tech Fest Expo and Robotics Competition.
Speaker 5 (35:50):
Yeah, so the sixth annual tech Fest Expo and Robotics Competition.
Registration opens up two months before the expo, which will
be September twelfth, on our website at tech Fest Live.
Speaker 4 (36:00):
Parents.
Speaker 5 (36:01):
What you can expect out of the sixth annual Techfest
Xpo or Robotics Competition. I'm really excited this year, not
only because we're in our sixth year. We're making progress,
but I'm really excited because the world's largest sporting event
is coming to the city of Houston about six months
before this event, and so our focus does have a
World Cup focus, but we're focused on three themes sustainability, innovation,
(36:24):
and technology. And the reason being is because when the
world is coming to Houston, what is our major industries
and organizations doing From a sustainability, technology, and innovation standpoint.
I'll give you an example. What does waste management have
to do for the millions of people coming here? From
a sustainability and making sure the trash and all of
the eco friendly things are going on? Right, what are
(36:48):
we recycling That's a lot of people come into this city.
We already got enough people here. Can look outside and
see what the highway looks at sixteen right now. Right
from a technology standpoint or logistics, what is Metro doing
to transport all these people?
Speaker 1 (37:02):
Right?
Speaker 5 (37:02):
So I'm looking at our industries here, our major industries
and the other ones. What are we doing to prepare
our city? And we need to be telling that story.
So Techfest Live is raising a hand to whoever wants
to listen and say we want to tell that story
for STEM, for World Cup, for FIFA, we want to
tell that story for the city of Houston and our
youth and young adults.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
Slow clap. That is genius. Yes, one time, for the
one time. Khalil Vincent, Khalil, that's I got you, man,
oh man, I got you, like no for real. Yeah.
So going to the website of Kings I'm sorry.
Speaker 5 (37:45):
Yeah, y'all can visit us at Techfestlive dot com. Registration
will open two months before the expo that will be
September twelfth. We hope to see you there. And again
it's free expo.
Speaker 1 (37:55):
It's free, free ninety nine without the ninety nine, So
pull up and go to the website. Man, so good
to see you. Congratulations on everything, and it's just going
to get bigger and better as we continue to grow.
So thank you, No, I appreciate you. Thank you.
Speaker 5 (38:10):
I mean, it's been great to be up here three
years in a row. And thank you for letting me
tell my story.
Speaker 1 (38:14):
Yeah for sure. Well, and we'll see yourself.
Speaker 4 (38:17):
That's definite.
Speaker 1 (38:18):
Khalil Vincent, founder and CEO of tech Fest, Expo and
Robotics Competition. We appreciate you, and I appreciate you for listening.
This is my last show, Houston. This is the last
time that I will be on the Public Affairs podcast
on a Sunday morning. Yes, I know, and I said
(38:39):
it at the beginning of the show. I know, I know,
I know. But the next host is Sky Houston. Sky
Houston is going to be the new host of the
Public Affairs podcast. Houston. I love you, I really do
love you, and I have been hosting this community affairs
program since two thousand and fourteen. I first took over
(39:05):
the community show. It was called Access Houston on ninety
seven nine in the Box because Magic had its own
it had Sunday Morning Live, you know, with Marcus Davis
and then doctor j Thomas Smith. And then once those
fellas had left, we decided to just make one community show.
(39:27):
Thus came the Public Affairs Podcast with myself and at
first the great Uncle Funky Larry Jones. And now back
to just being me and Houston. You always stopped me
in the streets. You guys talk about this show to
me more than the Quiet Storm. And you know, I
loved it because I didn't know how popular the show
(39:50):
was on Sunday Morning, and you know, I had, you know,
street cats at me. I'm like, man, I heard you
on Sunday morning, like I was like dangn like you
was up there early, I was leaving after hours or
I was leaving the strip club. And just all of
the things that we've talked about, me sharing about my awakening,
me challenging the system, uh and and and all the
things that they do to continue to keep us down physically, emotionally, mentally,
(40:17):
just all the leaves and Houston, I just I love you.
I love you. That's all I can say is that
I love you. I love you, like Tyler the creator
in that song, ring Ring Ring.
Speaker 2 (40:27):
I love you, I love you.
Speaker 1 (40:29):
I love you.
Speaker 5 (40:30):
I love you.
Speaker 1 (40:32):
But there's more to come. So this show was being
taken off of my hands because I am now nationally syndicated, Yes,
I am nationwide. Now the Quiet Storm will now be
Love and R and B. So I'm the new host
of the nationally syndicated show Love and R and B
with KG Smooth, and so I need to focus specifically
(40:56):
directly on the national show. And so they are taking
this show off of my hands. But your new host,
Sky Houston will be in and take over beginning next Sunday.
So thank you for allowing me into your cars, your homes,
your workplace and your hearts and I will see you
(41:18):
soon on the radio. It's the end of an era
here on the Public Affairs Podcast. But this is not goodbye,
this is just i'll see you later. I'm KG Smooth,
One love one life, and thank you for listening to
the Public Affairs Podcast
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.