Healthcare Change Makers Podcast | Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada

Step inside the minds of Canada’s healthcare leaders; welcome to Healthcare Change Makers.

Join us as we talk to leaders about driving change in our complex healthcare organizations. Learn valuable lessons about how to manage the bigger challenges and risks facing organizations today – the implementation of new technology, natural disasters, patient safety, and the big problem of congestion and poor access to care.

Healthcare Change Makers is hosted by Ellen Gardner and Philip De Souza, with hosting support and marketing by Michelle Holden, Marc Aiello and the entire Communications and Marketing Team at HIROC. The show is produced by Podfly Productions.

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Dr. Glaucomflecken: The Importance of Sharing a Laugh

(Access show transcript) From Ophthalmologist by day to TikTok star by night, Dr. Glaucomflecken leaves his mark by making a difference in his patients’ lives and making the internet laugh through comedy skits. He strongly believes in the importance of laughter, especially when facing hardships.

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Dr. James Maskalyk: Making the Emergency Department Healthier for Everybody

(Access show transcript) Being an emergency physician and cancer survivor has taught Dr. James Maskalyk the importance of stress management and pursuing a greater well-being. He’s now dedicated to making a difference within medical culture through the role of Wellness Director across several Toronto hospitals.

Denise Lalanne and Carrie Ricker: A Small Change Can Make a Huge Difference

Coming from different career backgrounds, Denise Lalanne and Carrie Ricker bring complementary expertise to IWK Health Centre, working together on the Chez NICU Home initiative. Improving patient care through innovative and strategic solutions has been at the forefront of both of their goals.

Adam Topp: Transformation and Service as Anchors to Success

As Chief Executive Officer of Shared Health Manitoba, Adam Topp is no stranger to system transformation. Adam gives us a window into developing the unique health system in Manitoba, and what he’s learned from other provinces along the way.

Sarah Downey: A Time of Excitement and Challenge in Mental Health

Transitions are tough, but as CAMH’s newly installed CEO, Sarah Downey is excited about being part of an organization with a worldwide reputation in research, treatment and advocacy for mental health. There is nothing more important in her view, than dignified care for people with mental health issues.

Dr. Katharine Smart: Providing Healthcare is About Building Relationships

Being the former president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), a role she held during the height of the pandemic, has inspired Dr. Katharine Smart to be fearless and lean into the platform she was given to make an impact.

Show Summary

Our guest Dr. Katharine Smart does it all - she’s a pediatrician working in Whitehorse, former Canadian Medical Association (CMA) president, the podcast host for Spark: Conversations, and holds a strong platform on social media.

Catherine Gaulton: Absolute Optimism for the Year Ahead

In our final episode of 2022, CEO Catherine Gaulton shares a preview of what’s to come in the new year – things like HIROC’s new strategic plan and the launch of a new start-up known as Collaborative Benefits (Co).

Show Summary

Marking Healthcare Change Maker’s 50th episode, we’re in the mood to celebrate. HIROC CEO Catherine Gaulton and Director of Communications and Marketing, Philip De Souza jump right in celebrating the podcast, and HIROC’s 35th anniversary.

Doran Walker and David B. Kay: Developing Their Own Playbook for a Strong Mentoring Relationship

David Kay and Doran Walker don’t follow a playbook when it comes to their mentor/mentee relationship. But setting goals along the way is crucial and both parties benefit from the simple acts of listening, suggesting, and reflecting.

CJ Blennerhassett: Growing Midwifery in an Area Where it’s Really Needed

When the chance to return to her native Nova Scotia presented itself, CJ Blennerhassett jumped at it. As Vice President of the Association of Nova Scotia Midwives, she’s embraced the challenge to improve access to high-quality reproductive care in the province.

Dr. Brian Goldman: Leaning into Uncertainty

Medicine has become too complex to enable clinicians to be solo operators. In his book The Power of Teamwork, Dr. Brian Goldman explains that having a diversity of thought in healthcare has made moving from ‘I Alone’ to ‘We Together’ a necessity.

Show Summary

Our guest Dr. Brian Goldman is a longtime staff physician at Sinai Health System, and a podcaster – host of White Coat, Black Art on CBC Radio One and the CBC podcast The Dose. He’s also the author of three books.

Janice Kaffer and Bill Marra: Healthcare CEOs Should Never Lead From Their Office Desk

As past and present CEOs, Janice Kaffer and Bill Marra approach the role with different strengths but are united in their belief that CEOs need to be visible and hear directly from frontline staff and from patients and families.

Show Summary

Welcome to Healthcare Change Makers, a podcast produced by HIROC. I’m Ellen Gardner with Michelle Holden and Philip De Souza.