Central Line: Leadership in Healthcare

In this episode of Central Line: Leadership in Healthcare, host Leah Wuitschik speaks with Bonnie Barnes, co-founder of the DAISY Foundation, which was created to honour extraordinary nurses after the compassionate care her stepson Patrick received before his passing. Since 1999, the DAISY Award has grown into a global movement, recognizing over 230,000 nurses in nearly 7,000 healthcare facilities across 43 countries. Bonnie shares how the program has expanded to include nurse leaders, educators, and teams, emphasizing the power of meaningful recognition in boosting morale, combating burnout, and reinforcing the impact of nursing. She also discusses DAISY's ongoing research, international growth, and how expressing gratitude through nominations provides therapeutic benefits for patients and healthcare professionals alike. To learn more about the DAISY Foundation visit https://www.daisyfoundation.org/

  In this episode of Central Line: Leadership Between the Lines, host Leah Wuitschik interviews Reverdi Darda, founder and CEO of ATMA CENA. With over three decades in healthcare leadership, Rev shares her inspiring journey of transformation—from her roots as a registered nurse to becoming a trailblazer in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Rev discusses the innovative approaches her organization is championing, including ketamine-assisted therapy and psilocybin treatments. She offers an inside look at how these therapies are reshaping mental health care by addressing trauma, depression, and anxiety through patient-centred, interdisciplinary care. Together, Leah and Rev delve into the challenges of breaking stigma, navigating regulatory landscapes, and building a culture of well-being in healthcare leadership. Rev's reflections on her own personal journey and advice for balancing leadership with self-care provide a wealth of insights for leaders feeling stretched by competing demands. Tune in to hear how Rev's work is transforming individual lives and paving the way for a new era in mental health care.

In this episode of Central Line: Leadership in Healthcare, host Leah Wuitschik speaks with Alain Doucet, outgoing President and CEO of the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL). Alain reflects on his journey leading the organization, highlighting his experiences building a strong organizational culture, navigating challenges like the pandemic, and expanding the understanding of leadership across healthcare roles. They discuss the importance of fostering leadership in "basement dweller" roles—individuals in technical or administrative positions who may not traditionally view themselves as leaders—and how doing so improves outcomes for patients and communities.

Join host Leah Wuitschik and guest Rosa Edinga in the latest episode of Central Line: Leadership in Healthcare as they dive into the heart of human-centred leadership. Discover how consistent behaviour builds trust and aligns with core values, and explore the empowering impact of making conscious choices and taking responsibility. Rosa shares practical insights on creating a safe, judgment-free space where leaders can express thoughts and think deeply. They discuss the vital role of coaches in guiding leaders to be brave, challenge their beliefs, and confidently navigate tough situations. In the fast-paced world of healthcare, taking a moment to reflect and grow is crucial. Leah and Rosa highlight how coaching can transform leaders, helping them stay aligned with their values and improve communication skills. Tune in for inspiring wisdom and actionable tips to enhance your leadership journey.

In this episode, Leah sits down with two visionary leaders, Sue Bookey-Bassett and Patrick Neumann, who are using virtual modeling to inform a revolutionary approach to the design of healthcare workplaces. Sue, an Assistant Professor at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, combines her experience as a healthcare leader with her passion for creating supportive environments for nurses and other healthcare professionals. Patrick, a human factors specialist and Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, brings his expertise in designing work systems with a focus on human-centric solutions. Together, Sue and Patrick lead the Better Work Better Care Coalition, where they use simulation and biomechanical modeling to explore the workloads of nurses and personal support workers. Their research delves into the demands of a typical working day, assessing the impact of time pressures and physical strain on healthcare professionals. By running "what if" scenarios, they identify key factors that lead to negative outcomes, like missed care and physical injuries, using data to inform better workplace design and process improvements. Tune in as Sue and Patrick share surprising insights from their work, the challenges of translating research into practical applications, and their vision for how this innovative approach can drive meaningful change in healthcare. Sue and Patrick invite you to join the Better Work Better Care Coalition on LinkedIn, where you'll receive special invitations to webinars and read the newest articles on the Coalition's work. https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14331090/

Leah sits down with Kat Newport, a passionate Conflict Educator and Coach renowned for her expertise in guiding leaders and teams through tough situations. Kat shares her unique approach to conflict, viewing it not as a hurdle, but as a catalyst for positive growth and creativity in the workplace. Kat delves into her philosophy of "Smart Conflict," emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in how we handle disputes. She provides practical tools and strategies for navigating workplace conflicts, offering insights on effective communication, providing feedback, and managing relationships to ensure psychological safety. While most people tend to shy away from conflict, Kat sees it as a breeding ground for creativity. She argues that without differing perspectives (aka conflict), we limit our ability to think outside the box. By engaging with conflict constructively, we can foster innovation and growth within our teams and organizations. The conversation touches on the unique challenges faced in the healthcare sector, where conflict can be particularly intense due to the high stakes involved. Kat and Leah discuss the emotional burden on healthcare providers and the critical need for effective conflict management to ensure patient wellbeing and professional resilience. Kat emphasizes the power of intentionality in shaping our workplace environment and relationships, encouraging listeners to engage in conversations about conflict proactively. Join Leah and Kat for an inspiring discussion on turning workplace conflict into an opportunity for positive change and innovation. Discover the secrets of SMART Conflict discussed in the podcast: https://share.hsforms.com/1OhnWOJZ5QPq6Up4toMtHdgnwn0r Kat's website: www.SmartConflictBook.com

Ila Edgar is the founder of Big Change Inc, a consulting organization that supports organizations, leaders, and teams in building stronger trust in pursuit of achieving amazing things together, and co-host of a podcast dedicated to helping people intentionally design trust in their relationships, Trust on Purpose.  Listen as Ila talks about her personal journey of trust, navigating a landscape devoid of frameworks and reference points that often led to painful lessons, to her discovery of a trust framework that provides structure to the nebulous concept of trust. With it came the power to recognize trust as a choice and lessons in intentionally designing, cultivating, evaluating, and discerning trust - using the domains of competency, sincerity, reliability, and care - considerations sorely lacking in many organizations today. Ila shares her firsthand experiences within the healthcare system, highlighting the impact of trust - and its absence - on both individuals and institutions. She discusses the significance of trust extending beyond personal relationships, permeating into professional spheres like healthcare, and how a lack of trust can breed skepticism and hinder progress, yet intentional trust-building can transform organizational dynamics.  Join Ila and Leah as they offer insights into the complexity of humanity and trust, its construction, erosion, and potential for renewal. This conversation invites listeners to reflect on their own relationships—with themselves, their colleagues, and the systems they inhabit—prompting a deeper exploration of trust in all its complexity. If you would like to connect with Ila directly or request the “Do Over” cards she talks about, find her here.

In the newest episode of Central Line - the podcast from TallTrees Leadership - Leah sits down with Tim Guest, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Nurses Association, to explore the dynamic landscape of nursing in Canada. With over three decades of experience spanning diverse nursing and leadership roles, Tim shares his insights on the evolving expectations and needs within the profession. His journey embodies a commitment to advancing nursing practices and policies through advocacy and nurse-driven, incremental change. Tim sheds light on the pressing challenges facing nurses today, and he emphasizes the importance of empowering nurses to have a voice at decision-making tables and advocating for a healthier work environment. He envisions a future where nurses play a central role in addressing the healthcare system's systemic issues and maximizing their potential to provide primary care to the public. Tim's message resonates with optimism and resilience. He assures listeners that change is underway, with governments increasingly recognizing the vital role of nurses and investing in solutions. Join us for an enlightening conversation that celebrates the power of advocacy and the dedication of nurses to serve their communities.     

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey and insights of Dr. Leigh Chapman, Chief Nursing Officer for Canada. With a rich background, including a PhD from the University of Toronto and two decades of frontline and leadership roles, Leigh's dedication to advancing nursing in Canada is undeniable. Leigh shares her experiences working in both frontline clinical healthcare, as well as national policy development and leadership.    Through engaging with nurses from coast to coast, Leigh highlights both challenges and hopes within the profession. From the despair palpable during the COVID pandemic to the emergence of optimism and desire to transform the healthcare system, she reflects on the contributions of nurses and the criticality of hearing their voices in addressing challenges within the profession. Leigh emphasizes the importance of unity and collaboration, advocating for a shift away from divisive mentalities.    Listen as Dr. Chapman shares her vision for nursing as a united profession, driven by collective efforts towards positive changes in the workplace and enhanced patient care.

In this month's episode of The Central Line podcast, Leah sits down with two extraordinary leaders within the Canadian Mental Health Association - Jason Platts and Danny Lang. We delve head first into the heart of leadership and the profound impact that a daily practice of servant leadership can have on our teams and in our communities. The conversation strips away what you think you know about leadership, and offers thought provoking perspectives about what it truly means, and who has the capacity to do it. Hear how these two leaders dedicate their lives to unearthing purpose and meaning in the lives of both staff and clients. They stress that regardless of where you are in your organization, leadership is about recognizing your influence where you're at, and using it to make a positive impact. Our guests draw inspiration from thought leader Simon Sinek, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the health and wellbeing of our teams, so that they can rise to their full potential at work. Join us as we learn from seasoned leaders who share their biggest lessons, providing insights that are exceptionally clear and focused. Equip yourself with fresh perspectives needed to lead from wherever you are and foster positive change in your workplace. Central Line is a podcast created by us, TallTrees Leadership, where we have conversations with amazing individuals who have something to say about leadership, healthcare, and leadership IN healthcare. It's the ultimate resource for emerging and current leaders in healthcare! Central Line is hosted by Leah Wuitschik, a leadership development expert, executive coach, healthcare professional, and President & Co-Founder of TallTrees Leadership.   

This episode of Central Line features a conversation between Host Leah Wuitschik of TallTrees Leadership and Dr. Kathleen Ross, President of the Canadian Medical Association. It delves into the multifaceted world of healthcare and leadership. In particular, what makes a truly great leader who can affect real change. True leadership is portrayed as a balance between listening, reflection, inclusiveness, collaboration, and openness to doing things differently.  Dr. Ross discusses three pivotal tenets of leadership: self-awareness, the benefits of mentorship and sponsorship (which are different), and the power of identifying your passion. She goes on to clarify that mentorship and leadership lessons can be found both within and outside one's career, and underscores the importance of not getting trapped in the pitfalls of our passions.  The conversation ultimately stresses the need for collaboration, breaking through silos (or “cylinders of excellence”), and new approaches to address the colossal challenges faced by the healthcare system and to meet the diverse needs of Canadians.

Canadian health system reform. Is it possible? Your answer to this question might be based on your experiences with the system, your role in it, and whether or not you believe we know and have what it takes to make it happen. We welcome Canadian Senator Rebecca Patterson to the Central Line podcast to discuss her answer to these questions. You'll hear about how her experiences in the Canadian military and as a registered nurse and healthcare leader have always centred on those she serves, and have led her to her current position as Canadian Senator, where she continues to serve her country and leads the way in transforming the country's healthcare system.  Leah and Senator Patterson discuss the unfortunate truth that many healthcare workers feel forgotten and unheard and that we have created a system that has allowed that. Senator Patterson shares her thoughts on what she believes needs to change and how we will accomplish it together. She discusses the undeniable requirement of inviting to hear from the people who are delivering healthcare to the public. Including the voices of all stakeholders - physicians, primary caregivers, those in family medicine, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists -  and giving their voices equal power to others in the room, is the only way to make the right change. Senator Patterson believes reform is possible. She also believes that if we don't change, we will fail. She shares her belief that we need people on the front lines to raise their voices, show up with courage, and be willing to stand up and blaze new trails. And we need others to hold those people up and give volume to their voices. Only then will we move toward reform.  This was an extra special conversation with an extra special guest. Senator Patterson's dedication to healthy Canadians shines through in everything she says.

If you asked 100 people, 99 of them would say that technology has made our world progressively more efficient and productive in almost every facet of modern life. If you asked those same people, they'd also say that healthcare has been one of the industries most impacted by technological advances but that it still needs to be grounded in a high-touch, human approach - something computers can't do.  With all of the attempts, some successful, many failures (at least at delivering on their promised improvements), can technology possibly improve a patient's healthcare journey in a human way and get nurses back to patient-focused care?  On this episode of The Central Line podcast, we talk with the CEO of a company that is doing just that. Dave Bennett and the team at pCare have found a way to balance the benefits of technology while maintaining the human touch in bedside patient care, not to mention freeing up valuable time for nursing staff to focus on patient care rather than drowning in administrative work.

In this thought-provoking episode of "Central Line: Leadership in Healthcare," your host Leah Wuitschik sits down with Dr. Sid Viner. Dr. Viner is the Vice President & Medical Director for Alberta Health Services.  He has executive-level responsibility for clinical operations in AHS across the province, and a passion for quality improvement, patient safety and health system transformation. Dr. Viner shares valuable insights on managing change personally and within healthcare teams and organizations, learned from over 30 years of clinical practice and medical leadership experience. Join them as they dive deep into the intricacies of achieving successful and lasting change within individuals and organizations.

In this episode, we explore the concept of cultivating a thriving healthcare culture and the vital role of leaders in creating a positive emotional environment. Our guest, Jennifer Krippner with the Institute for Healthcare Excellence, shares practical strategies for fostering a culture of positivity and well-being in healthcare organizations. We discuss the connection between a positive emotional environment, improved patient outcomes, and stress and burnout's impact on healthcare professionals. Discover real-life examples of successful initiatives and effective communication techniques that empower healthcare teams to thrive. Join us as we uncover the keys to creating a culture of excellence and positivity in healthcare.  

Have you ever wondered what innovation means for nursing and healthcare? The good news is that it doesn't have to be as complicated as you may have thought. In today's episode, Leah sits down with Dr. Dan Weberg, an expert in nursing, healthcare innovation, and human-centred patient design. Learn how your daily actions can significantly change the healthcare system for the better.

In healthcare, clinicians are often promoted into leadership roles due to their excellent clinical skills. However, there is often a gap in the proper knowledge, skills, and tools to be confident in being a leader. Dr. Rachel Miller unpacks her own experiences with this, how she learned what she needed to succeed in her leadership approach and the critical importance of building trust in herself and others. In addition to being a board-certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Dr. Rachel Miller is a Certified Executive Coach, an author of “How to Succeed as a Healthcare Leader,” and a Dr. John Maxwell Leadership Coach, Speaker, and Trainer. Through her company, Pocket Bridges, LLC, she helps healthcare leaders and executives to lead their systems feeling confident and empowered to decrease physician burnout, improve provider engagement, and enhance leadership skills.

In this episode, we talk with Danielle Dorschner. Danielle shared about the moment in time when she knew she wanted to be a nurse, how she moved into leadership roles, and how engaging in volunteering supported her own learning and growth in leadership. Danielle is a bilingual healthcare leader with over 30 years of healthcare experience, from local service delivery to the international front.  She has recently retired as the Executive Director of OHSNI, a community-based organization coordinating and managing care for Nunavummiut medical travellers and their families coming to Ottawa for health care services. After working in a hospital setting for a few years, she then worked in public health and then moved to Accreditation Canada where she worked for 16 years in various positions, progressing to the Executive Director of the Canadian Accreditation program. 

On this episode, Leah is joined by Cory Jenks, an ambulatory care clinical pharmacy specialist and formerly a retail pharmacist, outpatient clinical pharmacist and inpatient clinical pharmacist. Corey is also an accomplished improv comedian and travels around the country, speaking to other healthcare professionals and teaching them how to apply the skills of improve comedy to create a more adaptable, empathetic and humanising healthcare experience.

Every day we make choices on how much time and energy we invest into our work. Often, those choices are rooted in the belief that if we "just" work harder things will get better. Host Leah talks with Kathy Howe, Executive Director for the Alberta Association of Nurses, on how this belief is baked into the healthcare culture, how things are changing, and what you need to do as a leader to change this for yourself and others.    

Whether we mean to or not, we sometimes behave in ways that create walls between ourselves and our teams. However, as leaders, it's important to remember that your people usually know when things are going off the rails or when you are not being vulnerable. They want to see whether you have the courage to tell them and to show your authentic self. In this episode we hear from Todd Buchanan, Business & Operations Manager, Peer Support South East Ontario, unpacks the idea of being vulnerable in a leadership role and how that inspires people to do their best work. 

Many healthcare organizations, already beleaguered by staffing shortages among many other challenges, sailed into a storm of all storms, the COVID-19 pandemic. Tresha Moreland, a 30-year experienced HR leader in healthcare who specializes in strategic planning, workforce planning, and employee engagement, shares that it's never too late to start again and build a resilient organization and 10 steps on how to get there.

On today's episode we hear about the lived experience of Kristine Russell and how she used this experience as a catalyst for her involvement and career in healthcare. After the birth of her third child, a daughter named Ellie, Ellie and Kristine developed septic shock from Group A Streptococcus. This severe illness required life saving measures for both her and Ellie. With little to no research around long term implication from sepsis or severe infection at birth, Kristine dove head first into the world of health research, patient quality improvement and patient engagement not only in a healthcare setting but beyond. As a result, Kristine offers a unique perspective on how healthcare leaders can partner with patients and clients in care, specifically in research. Additionally, Kristine offers practical ideas on how healthcare professionals can value the lived experience of their patients and clients.

In this episode we sit down with Dr. Laura Janusik. Dr. Janusik is known throughout the world as a leading expert in teaching and training listening. Her PhD in Communication and her MBA assist her in using research-based information to help people change their daily communication interactions to develop greater cohesion, increase trust, demonstrate empathy, meet deadlines, and increase productivity...all through the power of listening! In our conversation Dr. Janusik talks about the challenges with communication in healthcare, how words don't create meaning; people do, and four ways healthcare leaders can listen and understand better.

In today's episode Leah talks with Registered Nurse Caroline Brunt. Through her experience as a Street Nurse/ Outreach Nurse working with marginalized populations in Vancouver's Downton East Side, the gay community in the West End and migrant farm workers in the Fraser Valley providing STI/HIV care Caroline has learned the critical value of creating connection. Based on this experience Caroline shares her perspectives on how to instil humanity into care and to connect with people in a way that meets them where they are at. As part of her career Caroline spearheaded an award winning nursing documentary about people who use drugs - talking about the complexity of the nurse patient relationship, health access, equity and respect. The documentary is titled Bevel Up: Drugs, Users and Outreach Nursing. Bevel Up is used in nursing schools across the country and has helped change how we treat people who are marginalized, not only in Canada, but in other countries around the world.  

On this episode of Central Line, Leah is joined by Dr. Ann Messer, the founder, executive director and board chair of One Good Turn, a global non-profit which travels to the most remote areas of the world. One Good Turn gives health workers worldwide the resources and knowledge to help build self-sustaining and healthy communities by providing the local health staff the physical exam skills, diagnostic reasoning skills and the health knowledge to approach rational treatment to better serve their communities. If you would like to learn more about One Good Turn and find out how you can help go to www.onegoodturn.org If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe so you never miss an episode and leave a five star review as helps us reach new audiences and spread our message! Thanks for listening!

Today we chat with Michelle Troseth and Tracy Christopherson. Michelle and Tracy are co-founders of MissingLogic®. They help healthcare organizations and healthcare leaders combat burnout through the power of a framework driven approach founded on Polarity Intelligence™. The core of their work is leading healthcare organizations through transformational change that results in the best place to give and receive care, and for leaders to live their best lives both personally and professionally. We talk about leadership for when there are no answers, which often comes down to managing the polarities that are so common in healthcare. Michelle and Tracy share how their work supports healthcare leaders to thrive and be resilient. We also talk frankly about the mental strain that is on healthcare professionals, particularly during this pandemic, and what needs to happen to address and ease that strain. Michelle and Tracy are offering a free three-part leadership masterclass series, which includes: Masterclass 1:  Finding Stability in a World of Constant Change and Chaos  Masterclass 2:  Becoming a Resilient Leader During Unprecedented Times   Masterclass 3:  Living a Balanced Life Through the Hard Times and Beyond    The three-part masterclass series is offered as a self-paced program with videos and workbooks for reflection.  Healthcare leaders will walk away with tools and strategies they can apply immediately and well into the future.   Learn more about the masterclass series here.  

Dr. Upton D. Allen is a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. He is Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Allen is also a Senior Associate Scientist in Child Health Evaluative Sciences program at SickKids Research Institute. His primary appointment is with the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Paediatrics at SickKids. He is cross-appointed as a professor in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto. Dr. Allen is leading research studies on different aspects of covid-19, including genetic susceptibility, immune response profiles within the black Canadian communities. In Ontario, he's leading studies addressing covid-19 antibody testing and associated risk profiles, as well as immune responses to covid-19 vaccines. In addition, he's working closely with various groups addressing issues relating to covid-19 among racialized groups, including, but not limited to vaccine education and hesitancy. He's co-chair of the Health Committee of the Black North Initiative with a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion within the health care system. Dr. Allen shares with us his work around equity, diversity, and inclusion, and the shifts that have occurred as a result of covid-19 as well as social change. He also shares ideas and steps that healthcare institutions and individuals can take to ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our work in healthcare.

Today we talk with Neil Ritchie, Executive Director of the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care. He is an experienced health care executive who has worked as a CEO, Chief Operating Officer, Senior Operating Officer and Vice President of large, multi-site academic teaching centers, regional health authorities and community hospitals in three provinces Canada. He's also worked as Director of Business Development for Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine. He has been an executive with several health technology start-up companies and created a successful international partnership with a Dutch software development company to deploy a governance, risk and compliance software solution to pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes and disability care organizations throughout Canada. Neil shares with us the work that is being done in Canada and beyond to green our health care delivery systems. With climate change increasingly impacting our world it is evident that health care will be equally affected. Neil offers his perspective on how health care leaders can step up and influence change in this area.  

Today I'm delighted to talk with Jo-Anne Poirier, President and CEO of VON Canada. VON Canada has been pioneering care at home for over 120 years. VON Canada is a highly-trusted non-profit organization that works with clients, employees, volunteers and partners to provide innovative clinical, personal and social support to people who want the comfort and peace of mind of living in their own homes and communities. Jo-Anne shares with us how VON Canada has created a "family" culture of caring and compassion. This culture has supported the organization, the staff, the volunteers, and the clients, through many ups and downs, including the shooting rampage tragedy in Nova Scotia. Jo-Anne talks about the fascinating history of VON Canada and how the people of the organization come together to care for one another.

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).  

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Today I sit down with noteworthy healthcare leader Emily Gruenwoldt. Emily is the President & CEO of Children's Healthcare Canada and Executive Director of the Pediatric Chairs of Canada. Previous to these roles, she spent over ten years with the Canadian Medical Association in various Director-level roles including Professional Affairs, Physician Leadership Development, and Strategy & Innovation. Emily has significant health care governance experience having served two terms as a board member for each of Carefor Home & Health Services and The Ottawa Hospital, and one term at Arnprior Regional Health. She is also co-founder of Emerging Health Leaders. In 2017, Emily was recognized by the Ottawa Business Journal as a recipient of the Top Forty Under Forty Award. She is also the recipient of the Canadian College of Health Leaders Robert Zed Young Health Leader award (2011). We talk about her career to date, including the story of the professor who dramatically changed the course of her career. She shares with us her passion for pediatric health, and the work she does to support children and their families navigating the healthcare system. We also talk about the gap Emily saw that led to the creation of Emerging Health Leaders (EHL) and her hopes for the continued success of all the local nodes of EHL. Finally, Emily talks about how she stepped out of her comfort zone early in her career to become involved in healthcare governance and how this experience was the best leadership training she could have ever hoped for.  

In today's episode host Leah Wuitschik interviews her mother! Carol Gray is an incredibly experienced healthcare leader who has had a career working and leading in a number of unique areas. Hear about her time working as a nurse in a very rural Northern Alberta community, working as a public health nurse, and her leadership in both public/ population health and acute care. She also shares her experiences leading the H1N1 response and the parallels she sees now with COVID19. Throughout all of this she talks honestly about the incredibly challenging situations which required her to find her courage to go forward. Faced with very vocal opposition over controversial decisions she has had to choose how to move forward and face that opposition. Finally, she shares suggestions as to how healthcare leaders can find their courage and draw on it to do the right thing.

Hear from Dr. Sandra Davidson, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, on her thoughts on how leveraging entrepreneurial thinking is so important for making change in nursing and healthcare. As an accomplished academic and professional leader Dr. Davidson brings a unique perspective about how we respond to complexity and challenge in healthcare, dealing with ambiguity, and applying innovation in leadership.  

Today I'm talking with Kandice Simser, Manager of Willow Creek Continuing Care Centre in Claresholm, Alberta. In our open and candid conversation she shares with us the challenges of being an emerging health leader, particularly in a rural environment and during a pandemic. She also shares the worries she has had a newer leader, the sometimes hard lessons she has learned, the scariest moment she experienced in her career, and the support that she draws on to get through the tough times.    

Today I'm sitting down with Feisal Keshavjee, an accomplished health care leader who has worked in all facets of the health care system, including policy, public, private, corporate and early stage. A busy healthcare consultant and current Chair of the Canadian College of Health Leaders, Feisal has worked in both the private and public sector around the world. In this episode he talks about how having a “personal board of directors” has been key to his leadership journey and how the LEADS Framework can be used a model for the COVID19 response. Additionally, he shares how the concept of optionality supports our ability to lead through change and uncertainty, while at the same time, opening doors for growth and development in leadership and our career.    

Today I'm talking with Dr. Eric Wasylenko, a palliative care physician and clinical ethicist from southern Alberta. Currently he is the Medical Director, Health System Ethics & Policy for the Health Quality Council of Alberta, as well as holding appointments as clinical associate professor, division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology, Coming School Medicine, University of Calgary, and clinical lecturer John Doster, Health Ethics Centre at University of Alberta. In this episode Eric shares his unique path throughout his career and into leadership, experiences dealing with challenging ethical issues, his thoughts on how climbing the ladder may not be the best path to influence, the moments in which he knew he had an impact, and the value of thoughtful transparent communication.  

Today I'm talking with Carlene Donnelly, Executive Director of CUPS. Carlene has over 25 years experience in the non-profit and social services sector and has dedicated her career to finding ways to create more positive outcomes for individuals and families. She believes that by working together with research and community partners and applying current brain science, people will become healthier and entire communities stronger. Since 1996, Carlene has been involved with numerous advisory and steering communities working with all levels of government on developing strategies, policies & recommendations surrounding the challenge of poverty and trauma for vulnerable citizens.  In this episode Carlene offers her insights into resiliency, from the perspective of an organization, a community, and personally. She shares with us her experiences in growing and developing CUPS into a streamlined organization devoted to comprehensive support for families and individuals dealing with poverty and trauma. She also offers her thoughts on the evolving role of non-profits in the care and support in our community and how strategic leadership is key to that evolution.   

Today we are sitting down with Mary Smith. Mary is the Executive Director of the Association of Registered Nurses of Manitoba. With extensive experience in healthcare administration, leadership, research, education, policy, and clinical practice, she has hands on experience leading groups through complex change and empowering others in the achievement of a shared vision.  In our conversation today we cover everything from the biggest lesson Mary learned working with northern Indigenous communities, the situation that challenged her values and inspired her to do graduate studies, the value and role of professional associations in leadership, and finally, Mary's thoughts on being part of the solution.    

Damian is the director of clinical operations at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH), a 340 bed facility on central Vancouver Island. Damian brings 15 years of mixed clinical and administrative leadership to his work, and leading 1100 staff within 18 different departments at the site means that there is rarely monotony or pause in his day to day practice. Damian strives to live his professional and personal life within the values of curiosity, authenticity, relationships, visibility & empathy – something he identifies as the CARVE approach. Regardless of whether it is at work, in the community, or amongst family and friends, Damian focuses on putting people first. Often, that starts with the simple things that can often be overlooked or taken for granted, yet always seem to be crucially important – being curious, listening to learn, and nurturing new and existing relationships. With remarkable honesty Damian shares his path to leadership, as well as his perspective on values and visible leadership. He also shares a few of the biggest challenges of his career, the impact on his personal and family life, and one big lesson about authenticity that he learned along the way.  

Today we are joined by Barb Shellian, Director Rural Health, Calgary Zone, Alberta Health Services. A legend in Canadian nursing, she shares with us about how she got to where she is at, stories that illustrate the power and importance of everyday leadership, and the key to integrating this into your work. Regardless of your level of experience, role, or title, you are a leader.  

Hello Leaders! Welcome to Central Line: Leadership in Healthcare, the ultimate resource for emerging and current leaders in healthcare. Leading in healthcare is tough, so if you are looking to learn first-hand from nurses, physicians, administrators, and other healthcare professionals in leadership and management, this is the podcast for you! Join our host, Leah Wuitschik, as she features in-depth interviews with actionable advice from today's successful healthcare leaders on how they got to where they are, lessons learned along the way, and what it takes to thrive as a successful leader in healthcare.