FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 5/7/2026 — PBS North Carolina announces Health Heroes, a new game show-like series for kids that highlights careers in public health. Produced by Rootle, PBS North Carolina’s PBS KIDS brand, Health Heroes is designed to introduce young learners to careers in public health in a fun and family-friendly format.
Health Heroes premieres Saturday, June 6, 7:30 AM, on the Rootle PBS KIDS channel as part of its Block Party weekend programming. Episodes will also be available on the Rootle PBS KIDS livestream, YouTube and the free PBS app.
“Health Heroes shines a light on the people who support North Carolina’s learners and families every day,” said Lauren McDowell Pyle, PBS North Carolina’s Director of Children’s Media and Education Engagement. “By bringing together real kids and public health professionals, the series shows how public health, collaboration and care make a difference. We hope this series helps families understand how public health works, why it matters and how they are an essential part of it.”
Health Heroes is made possible with support from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
“Educating children about the power of public health helps us realize our goal of improving the health and well-being of every person who calls North Carolina home,” said Dr. Devdutta “Dev” Sangvai, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. “We are grateful for our partnership with PBS North Carolina as they help highlight our department’s everyday Health Heroes.”
Consisting of five short episodes, Health Heroes features “game show host” Garin Hyde and three young “contestants” who quiz a public health specialist with age-appropriate questions. Each episode highlights a specific career within the five foundational blocks of public health: Communicable Disease Control; Environmental Public Health; Maternal, Child and Family Health; Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention; and Access to and Linkage to Care.
“When children see public health in action—through stories, real experts and relatable examples—it can spark curiosity and build early understanding,” said Dr. Kelly Kimple, NCDHHS Director of the Division of Public Health. “By sharing about public health early, we can provide moments of connection to build trust and inspire young people while also opening the door to a new generation of public health professionals who see governmental public health as a familiar, accessible and meaningful career path.”
PBS North Carolina’s Lauren McDowell Pyle added, “Health Heroes reflects PBS North Carolina’s education mission at its best: empowering children with knowledge, building trust through authentic representation and sparking curiosity about public health careers and how they can contribute to healthier communities.”
Episode Schedule
Health Heroes premieres Saturday, June 6, on the Rootle PBS KIDS channel, the Rootle PBS KIDS livestream and YouTube. Visit pbsnc.org/schedule for the latest broadcast information.
Episode 1: Communicable Disease Control
Premieres Saturday, June 6, 7:30 AM
Contestants Connor, Olivia and Lily interview Dr. Emily Herring, a public health veterinarian who tracks diseases and tests for illnesses to figure out how to stop them.
Episode 2: Environmental Public Health
Premieres Saturday, June 6, 8:45 AM
Connor, Olivia and Lily meet Jon Fowlkes, a public health specialist who works to keep our food, water and environment safe, clean and healthy.
Episode 3: Maternal, Child and Family Health
Premieres Saturday, June 6, 1:30 PM
The contestants get to know Juanella Tyler, who keeps families—especially mothers and babies—healthy by ensuring their doctors and caregivers have the best information possible.
Episode 4: Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention
Premieres Saturday, June 6, 2:45 PM
Connor, Olivia and Lily talk with Dr. Kim McDonald, who works with doctors and caregivers to prevent chronic illnesses, like asthma and diabetes, as well as injuries.
Episode 5: Access to and Linkage to Care
Premieres Sunday, June 7, 7:30 AM
The contestants interview Andrea Leyland, who teaches families the importance of oral health and connects them to quality care.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services manages the delivery of health- and human-related services for all North Carolinians, especially our most vulnerable people—children, elderly, disabled and low-income families. The department works closely with health care professionals, community leaders and advocacy groups; local, state and federal entities; and many other stakeholders to improve the health, safety and well-being of all North Carolinians. Learn more at ncdhhs.gov.
Rootle, PBS North Carolina’s PBS KIDS brand, provides wholesome, educational and entertaining content and resources for children and is a trusted educational partner to families, caregivers and educators across the state. Learn more at pbsnc.org/rootle.
As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, Rootle PBS KIDS channel, the Explorer Channel and the North Carolina Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
-PBS NC-
Media Contact
For press info and resources, email press@pbsnc.org.