Central Line: Leadership in Healthcare

Redefining Possibility and Futures Thinking with Dr. Zayna Khayat

Today on the show we are thrilled to sit down with Dr. Zayna Khayat. In this fascinating conversation we talk about what Futures Thinking actually is and how critically important it is for healthcare continue to evolve. Dr. Khayat candidly shares her thoughts on why Canada is behind the curve and what needs to happen to shake up the healthcare system. She also talks about how healthcare professionals can deal with the everyday issues common in their work, while also integrating Futures Thinking into their practice.

Dr. Khayat is Future Strategist with SE Health, a health and social impact enterprise with a major focus on creating a better future for aging adults in their homes and communities. Dr. Khayat was previously the lead of health system innovation at MaRS Discovery District, a health innovation hub in Toronto, Canada. In 2017 she was seconded to the REshape Innovation Centre at Radboud university medical centre in the Netherlands. Zayna completed her Ph.D. in diabetes research from the University of Toronto (2001), followed by a career in strategy consulting, including as a Principal in the healthcare practice of The Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

 

Bonus Episode: Meet Your Host with Leah Wuitschik

After many requests the tables are turned and your host, Leah Wuitschik, is in the guest's chair. Hear about her path in healthcare and how she has landed in the fields of leadership development and coaching for healthcare professionals. She also shares her thoughts on vulnerability in healthcare and how to support clinicians in making the transition to a leadership or management role.

Bonus Episode: Stress in Medicine

In this bonus episode host Leah Wuitschik shares her thoughts on the book Stress in Medicine, written by past podcast guest Dr. Nina Ahuja. Stress in Medicine shares real-life stories of what it's like to work in medicine, the ups and the downs. With humour and frankness Dr. Ahuja talks about the need to have tough conversations about stress in healthcare, while also giving a practical approach to dealing with the inevitable challenges that come with practicing medicine. 

The Evolution of Nursing Leadership with Dr. Jeanne Besner

Today I sit down with the admirable Dr. Jeanne Besner. Dr. Besner retired from full-time work with Alberta Health Services in 2011 after a 50 year career that spanned practice as a public health nurse and nurse practitioner in several communities in Canada’s north, as provincial nurse epidemiologist in Alberta, as well as director of public health nursing, director of primary care development, and founding director of the Health Systems and Workforce Research Unit with Alberta Health Services. She was invested to the Order of Canada in 2011 and was presented with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and has received numerous other accolades throughout her career. Dr. Besner shares her remarkable story as well as her passion and advocacy for the role that Registered Nurses play in leadership. She also talks about how nursing leadership has evolved and where it needs to go to continue to shape and influence our healthcare system.

Shifting to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion with Julia Hanigsberg

Today we talk with Julia Hanigsberg, the President and CEO of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Canada’s largest paediatric rehabilitation hospital and an academic health science centre fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. Julia has spent her career in government, post-secondary education and healthcare as a champion for cultural transformation, innovation, excellence and social justice.

During our conversation we talk about Julia's unique path into healthcare and how COVID has forced us to quickly and efficiently overcome challenges that previously seemed immense. We also talk about the Black Lives Matter movement and why equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice needs to be the focus of every healthcare leader.

Championing Patient / Family / Caregiver Partnership with Julie Drury

Julie Drury is the Strategic Lead - Patient Partnership for the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement. Julie is passionate about the potential of patient / family / caregiver engagement, partnership and leadership in health and healthcare. As the mother of a child who was diagnosed with SIFD, a rare form of mitochondrial disease, Julie has particular experience in system navigation, complex care, care coordination, palliative care, and patient safety.

Julie bravely shares the story of her daughter, Kate, and her own experiences as a mom with the healthcare system. Julie recounts how Kate received great care as well as devastating harm. This journey has contributed to Julie's path in becoming a passionate advocate for patient / family / caregiver partnership.

With a focus on the opportunity for positive change Julie shares how healthcare professionals and clinicians need to shift their thinking in order to move from a perspective of "doing for or doing to" to one of "doing with". As a true champion for patient / family / caregiver partnership and engagement Julie also highlights how COVID-19 has impacted the lived experiences of patient / family/ caregivers and why we must not lose sight of the important goal of a partnership approach. Julie talks about being "gently fierce" in her approach and how healthcare professionals can lead from a new place.

Leadership Lessons for Empowering Others with Andrea Robertson

Today we sit down with Andrea Robertson. Andrea is the President and Chief Executive Officer of STARS. STARS is a not for profit organization that has provided helicopter emergency medical care to help save the lives of more than 45,000 critically ill and injured patients across Western Canada for over 35 years.

 

Prior to joining STARS, she served in a variety of leadership roles in health care. Andrea held the positions of Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Alberta Health Services; operational experience spanned roles such as the Vice President for the Foothills Medical Centre and Alberta Children's Hospital; and planning roles including the Vice President of the South Health Campus.

 

In a very candid conversation Andrea shares her experiences with Imposter Syndrome in the early days of her career and the strategy she employed to manage it. She tells us the amazing origin story of STARS, the impact they have on caring for the most critical ill and injured, and the current challenges they deal with as a result of COVID-19. She also shares with us her leadership approach for empowering a team of highly trained and committed professionals. Finally, she talks about how mental wellness is perceived, particular in a field that deals with tragic and traumatic events on a daily basis, and the steps we can take to support each other on our mental wellness journey.

Authentic Leadership and Why It Matters with Nick Thain

Today we talk with influential leader Nick Thain. Nick is the Senior Operating Officer for the Community, Rural and Continuing Care Portfolio within the Calgary Zone, at Alberta Health Services. In his 26 year health care career, he has had the opportunity to practice in a variety of settings and system governance models.  Nick started his career as a paramedic and has transitioned from a frontline practitioner into a number of leadership roles.

 

Nick is known for being an authentic, collaborative and inclusive leader and has a passion for team and leadership development. Nick shares his stories about leadership, from how on his first night in a leadership capacity he was responsible for the Pine Lake Tornado site command to his current role as Senior Operating Officer and leading the COVID-19 Emergency Operations Centre for Alberta Health Services.

 

Through everything it has been important to Nick to stay true to his personal leadership statement and to ensure that he is showing up authentically everyday. As he says, "what you see is what you get." He shares his ideas on how you can be authentic even when things are challenging and why this makes the difference for connection and getting things done.

Advancing Leadership Education in Medicine with Dr. Nina Ahuja

After completing her medical degree at McMaster University followed by residency training in ophthalmology at University of Ottawa, Dr. Ahuja began her surgical practice in Hamilton in 2003. Dr. Ahuja has held numerous executive leadership roles at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and is a Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders. Dr. Ahuja founded Docs in Leadership to promote and deliver physician-developed leadership curriculum for all health professionals, with best practices relevant to the health system context.

 

Dr. Nina Ahuja share with us her passion for her work in ophthalmology and the impact she sees on a daily basis. She talks about her experiences with developing physician and healthcare leadership. Specifically, how to enhance health system literacy and emotionally intelligent leadership. She also shares with us how strong leadership influences the care and experience of the patient.

 

Finally, she tells us about her new book "Stress in Medicine: Lessons Learned Through My Years As A Surgeon, From Med School To Residency, And Beyond" which discusses the role of stress on physician wellbeing through personal stories and experiences. Finally, we close the conversation with Dr. Ahuja offering practical ideas on how to manage stress in healthcare.

Kindness and Leadership in the Time of COVID-19 with Bonnie Beach

Today we talk with Bonnie Beach, Director of Nursing Now Canada and COVID-19 Planning Executive Lead for the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of the Government of Canada. With an unconventional path into health service Bonnie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her extensive time working abroad. 

Bonnie is incredibly passionate about the work she does, and shares her lessons with embracing humility and making sure that all voices are heard. She also highlights how kindness is fundamental to leadership and in connecting people together, particularly in challenging times such as COVID-19. Her thoughts on this are so important for every healthcare leader and she encourages us to be mindful of kindness and to challenge ourselves to be a bit better, everyday.