The Heart of It

When you were young, did you want to be an astronaut or a doctor? This episode's guests were both. Host Dr. Victoria Lee is joined by Bob Thirsk and Dave Williams, two Canadians who began their careers as physicians before becoming record-setting astronauts and health care administrators. Bob and Dave share how space flight and health care might have more in common than you think, from intense training and robotics to virtual health and a responsibility to take care of our home planet.ChaptersWhat led Bob and Dave to becoming astronauts? - 2:50Canada's role in space exploration - 5:46Being a physician prepares you to be an astronaut - 8:13Space exploration drives innovation in health care - 11:30We live in a global village - 25:05Returning to health care after retiring as astronauts - 32:24Guest biosRobert “Bob” Thirsk was born in the Fraser Health region, in New Westminster, and holds the Canadian record for most time spent in space, at over 204 days. He is a former engineer, family physician and vice-president of Public, Government and Institute Affairs for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. He currently serves as a director on several social purpose organizations. Dave Williams spent more than 17 hours walking in space – a Canadian record. He is a former emergency physician, director of the Department of Emergency Services at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, and president and CEO of Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ontario. He is currently an adjunct professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto and McGill University.About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, takes listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.  Listen to and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. Did you catch our previous episode, which was a conversation about death and dying? Subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a beat.   This episode of The Heart of It was recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the q̓ ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt and Semiahmoo First Nations, treaty lands of the sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) First Nation, and on the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.Send us a text

It's never easy to talk about end-of-life care preferences – whether they be for ourselves, a loved one or someone in our care. But understanding what matters most as we journey to the end of our lives is so important. Join us for a gentle and impactful conversation about palliative care, advance care planning and the path to a medically assisted death. Guest biosDr. Andrew Collins is the regional medical director and regional department head for palliative medicine within Fraser Health. He has been providing end-of-life care to patients and their identified family members since 2016.Tammy Dyson has been Fraser Health's regional lead for the Medical Assistance in Dying program (MAiD) since 2017. She has worked in the field of end-of-life care in the Lower Mainland and the California Bay Area for more than 25 years as a social work clinician, consultant and educator.About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, takes listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.  Listen to and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.   This episode of The Heart of It was recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the q̓ ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt and Semiahmoo First Nations, treaty lands of the sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) First Nation, and on the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.Send us a text

When emergencies happen, our responses need to be quick and coordinated. But from climate events to pathogens and IT challenges, we don't know when or how our planning will be tested. This episode's guest is Tracie Jones, who manages Fraser Health's emergency preparedness and the BC Biocontainment Treatment and Training Centre. Tracie walks host Dr. Victoria Lee through recent examples of when our emergency plans were put into action and how we're preparing for what might come next.ChaptersWhat is emergency preparedness?The past decade: flooding, heat, wildfires and moreThe recent CrowdStrike outageFraser Valley flooding in 2021Supporting wildfire evacuees from Yellowknife  in 2023Community evacuationsPreparing for pathogensGuest bioTracie Jones is a nurse by training with experience in Emergency Departments and Intensive Care Units, as a Forensic Nurse Examiner, and in the specialty of Mass Gathering Medicine.  About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, takes listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.  Listen to and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. Did you catch our previous episode, which went behind the scenes of our emergency departments? Be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.   This episode of The Heart of It was recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the q̓ ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt and Semiahmoo First Nations, treaty lands of the sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) First Nation, and on the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.Send us a Text Message.

We know it can be scary or overwhelming to visit an emergency department, and you may wait longer than you'd like to receive care. We're here to care for you and look after you – and all the 2,000 people who visit our emergency departments every day.This episode goes behind the scenes of our emergency departments to explore the challenges facing them, how patients are triaged and what contributes to wait times. Host Dr. Victoria Lee is joined by Dr. Craig Murray, an emergency physician at Surrey Memorial Hospital, and Mary Van Osch, who leads our Emergency Network.ChaptersWhat is an emergency department? – 1:30Know your care options – 3:30The triage process – 5:09Wait times – 6:53Why are more people visiting emergency departments? – 17:33What happens when someone is admitted to the hospital? – 26:29Why you may be asked the same questions many times – 42:01Guest biosDr. Craig Murray is an emergency physician as well as the co-regional medical director and co-regional department head for Emergency Medicine at Fraser Health.Mary Van Osch is the regional lead for Fraser Health's Emergency Network.About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, takes listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.  Listen to and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.   This episode of The Heart of It was recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the q̓ ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt and Semiahmoo First Nations, treaty lands of the sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) First Nation, and on the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.Send us a Text Message.

Bernice Oxley is our guest this week for a conversation about the many ways we use technology to look inside bodies so that we can diagnose, treat and monitor medical conditions. This includes X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, mammograms and ultrasounds. Bernice is a regional director for Medical Imaging at Fraser Health. She takes us behind the scenes of medical imaging, sharing how we performed 13,000 more CT scans and MRIs last year than the year before, what happens during imaging, how to prepare, and how to turn mammograms into memorable experiences.ChaptersWhat is medical imaging? Wait times                                             Why you were able to get a CT scan at 3:00 a.m.What happens during a scan or X-ray and how to prepareNew technologies Making mammograms memorableGuest bioBernice has been a technologist for 38 years and is the director of Medical Imaging for our Fraser East sites. She is passionate about medical imaging, especially in introducing it to students and focusing on recruitment.About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, takes listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.  Listen to and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.   This episode of The Heart of It was recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the q̓ ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt and Semiahmoo First Nations, treaty lands of the sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) First Nation, and on the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.Send us a Text Message.

This episode covers many of the mental health supports provided by Fraser Health. If you visit an emergency department or mental health centre in your community, contact our virtual health service or receive a referral, our teams are here to help you. Host Dr. Victoria Lee is joined by Dr. Anson Koo, Fraser Health's program medical director and regional department head for Psychiatry and Mental Health. They discuss our community-based and digital services, why we're seeing more mental health concerns over time, and how we decide to keep someone in the hospital against their will because we're concerned about their mental health.ChaptersHow to start getting help for your mental healthVirtual servicesStigma is reducing, but still exists                     Coming to an emergency department with a mental health concernChildren and youth mental healthInvoluntary admissions and the Mental Health ActGuest bioDr. Anson Koo provides operational and medical leadership for the Mental Health and Psychiatry clinical programs in Fraser Health. His clinical focus lies in adult psychiatry and inpatient psychiatry, and his broader areas of interest include medical education and medical administration.Learn moreMental health servicesEmergency help for mental health concernsCommunity mental health centresVirtual psychiatry unitMental Health ActAbout The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, takes listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.  Listen to and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat. This episode of The Heart of It was recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the q̓ ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt and Semiahmoo First Nations, treaty lands of the sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) First Nation, and on the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.Send us a Text Message.

People with concerns related to their substance use come from all walks of life and have different treatment goals, so we have a range of services that help us meet them where they're at. In this important conversation, Dr. Victoria Lee is joined by Dr. Sarah Mark to discuss many topics, including treatment programs, culturally appropriate services and why “resiliency” is one word that Dr. Mark would use to describe the future of health care. Guest bioDr. Sarah Mark is a co-program medical director for Addiction Medicine and Substance Use Services (AMSUS) with Fraser Health, and its regional medical lead for AMSUS education.  Learn moreSubstance use servicesDrug checkingRapid Access to Addiction Care ClinicVirtual healthOverdose prevention service and sitesRoshni ClinicAbout The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, takes listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.  Listen to and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.  This episode of The Heart of It was recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the q̓ ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt and Semiahmoo First Nations, treaty lands of the sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) First Nation, and on the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.Send us a Text Message.

With a heart-shaped body, warm smile and outstretched arms, Fraser, our digital health care navigator, is here to help patients find the right service for their needs. They are just one of our many digital health services we offer to help people find information and support from the comfort of their homes.In this captivating episode, Dr. Victoria Lee is joined by Jennifer MacGregor, and Dr. Amyeen Hassanali to guide us through how artificial intelligence is transforming patients' and providers' experiences, whether it be through personalized nutrition guidance, translation services, or by using our virtual psychiatry unit. Guest biosDr. Hassanali serves as the chief medical information officer at Fraser Health and concurrently holds a part-time role as a hospitalist andsite medical director at Ridge Meadows Hospital.Jennifer Macgregor is our vice president of Digital Patient and Provider Experience. She has over 25 years of experience working with health systems globally in digital health.Learn more:Learn more about Fraser, our digital health care navigator: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/patients-and-visitors/meet-fraser Visit Fraser: https://askfraser.fraserhealth.ca/engage/dfd/home About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, takes listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health. Listen to and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.  This episode of The Heart of It was recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the q̓ ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt and Semiahmoo First Nations, treaty lands of the sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) First Nation, and on the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.Send us a Text Message.

What do the Texas Hold ‘Em Challenge and prescriptions for exercise have in common? They're two non-medical examples of how we're helping older adults avoid frailty and age healthily and independently in their homes. In this episode, Dr. Victoria Lee is joined by Dr. Grace Park and Paramjit Rai to discuss the many home-support programs within Fraser Health that are improving the health and well-being of older adults and providing respite for family caregivers. Guest biosDr. Grace Park is a family physician and the regional medical director for Home and Community Care at Fraser Health. Paramjit Rai is a health care aide/activity worker in Fraser Health's South Asian Adult Day Program. Learn more:Day Program for Older Adults: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Services/Seniors---Community-Services/day-programs-for-older-adultsHome Support services: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Services/home-and-community-care/home-support-servicesSouth Asian Day Program for Older Adults Program participants take on the Texas Hold ‘Em Challenge: https://www.instagram.com/fraserhealth/reel/C4_sUduvzMS/ About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, takes listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health. Listen to and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.  This episode of The Heart of It was recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the q̓ ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt and Semiahmoo First Nations, treaty lands of the sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) First Nation, and on the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association. Send us a Text Message.

Did you know that we perform more than 100,000 surgeries every year? This episode explores how we prepare patients for surgeries, how we support their recoveries, and everything that happens in between to help them have positive experiences.Join host Dr. Victoria Lee for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Dave Konkin and Dr. Feisal Mohamedali, our regional medical directors and department heads for Surgery and Anesthesiology, respectively.Guest biosDr. Dave Konkin is Fraser Health's regional medical director and department head for Surgery. His expertise lies in performing various major abdominal operations, including gastrointestinal, colorectal, gallbladder, trauma and hernia surgeries. Dr. Feisal Mohamedali is Fraser Health's regional medical director and department head for Anesthesiology. His team specializes in caring for seriously injured patients resulting from car accidents, gunshots and stabbings.Learn moreFraser Health virtual health: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/patients-and-visitors/virtual-healthAbout The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, take listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health. Listen to and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.  This episode of The Heart of It was recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the q̓ ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt and Semiahmoo First Nations, treaty lands of the sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) First Nation, and on the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.Send us a Text Message.

In season two, we'll be exploring what happens behind the scenes at Fraser Health to ensure patients receive the best care possible. We're going to dive into what happens when patients need surgeries and CT scans,  how to access mental health and substance use services, and the home-based supports available for seniors.  We'll also learn how our hospitals are trying to reduce wait times in emergency departments and how virtual health services can help you find information and support from the comfort of your home.We can't wait to share these episodes with you. Don't forget to subscribe in your favourite podcast player app so you don't miss a beat.Learn more about The Heart of It: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/podcast Send us a Text Message.

When we heard that Helen Bevan was going to be in town, we jumped at the opportunity to connect with her. Helen is one of the leading voices in the world when it comes to health care transformation.In this episode, Helen and Victoria cover a range of topics related to how health systems can provide the best care possible for patients, including continuous improvement of care and services, compassionate leadership and Fraser Health's own engagement radicals.Guest bioHelen is a leader of large-scale change, an innovator and an activist in health and care. She is currently Professor of Practice in Health and Care Improvement at Warwick Business School at the University of Warwick and a Strategic Advisor to the National Health Service's Horizons team. Helen has spent more than three decades working in England's National Health Service, focusing on large scale transformational change. She has led and facilitated many nationwide improvement initiatives, including those in cancer services, urgent and emergency care, and dementia care and treatment. About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, take listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.Listen to and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.This episode of The Heart of It was recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and home to the Vancouver Sea to Sky Métis Association.Send us a Text Message.

Trudy Robertson may not have seen it all – but she's seen a lot. Throughout a career spanning 40+ years, she's worked as a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, a clinical nurse educator, and now, as the clinical nurse specialist for the Fraser Health Neuroscience Network.In the final episode of season one of The Heart of It, she shares stories from when she was first deployed to the neurosurgical units at Royal Columbian Hospital 20 years ago, and how personal experiences, like her mother's brain aneurysm and her mother-in-law's Parkinson's disease, deepened her commitment to her practice. She also discusses how artificial intelligence has transformed stroke care for patients and her continued focus on equity, diversity, inclusion and staff wellness throughout the health care system.Guest bioTrudy Robertson is a clinical nurse specialist and has worked as a health care provider for over forty years. She initially pursued nursing as a licensed practical nurse in 1980 and spent 20 years in various roles, primarily at Royal Columbian Hospital, before joining the neurosurgical units. Over the course of her career, she has been instrumental in the development of educational programs and protocols for nurses in neurosciences and her work has improved patient care and outcomes, particularly in stroke and neurosurgery.About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, invites guests take listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.Listen and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.The Heart of It is recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Coquitlam, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen First Nations, and the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.

Tina Hartnell and Elaine Chu know that food is an important part of disease prevention and injury and illness recovery. They also know that honouring diversity in food preferences is an integral piece of restorative, person-centred care.In this episode, they share their journeys in the field of dietetics – including how their post-secondary education and first jobs introduced them to the link between food consumption and planetary health, and the many ways in which food can positively impact individuals. They also discuss the ways in which ‘choice dining' is helping transform the hospital food experience -through many of the five million prepared meals each year - the positive impact of reframing food as ‘plant powered' and their goal of a more sustainable and inclusive health care food service community.Guest biosTina Hartnell is the executive director of Food and Clinical Dietitian Services at Fraser Health. Working with a team of dietitians, nutritionists and other health care professionals, she is responsible for overseeing the food and nutrition services provided by the health authority to help ensure that patients and residents receive the best possible care. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to the field of dietetics.Elaine Chu is a registered dietitian, the regional manager of food operations at Fraser Health, and chairperson of the Lower Mainland Sustainable Hospital Food Operations Committee. She has been involved in a number of innovative food programs to rethink how patients interact with food in hospitals.Learn moreFraser Health Planetary Health strategy: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/planetaryhealth About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, invites guests take listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.Listen and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.The Heart of It is recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Coquitlam, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen First Nations, and the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.

Dr. Emily Newhouse and Darryl Quantz have always been interested in the intersection of science and social forces. It's what drives their planetary health work and commitment to local and global community well-being.In this episode, they discuss how access to education, food, the natural environment and health care is less available to communities most impacted by the climate crisis and how ‘once in a generation' language can no longer by used when describing extreme weather-related events.The solution? Listen to the kids!Both Darryl and Emily believe the flexibility, adaptability, courage and commitment shown by young climate activists can spur others to believe in and support a climate resilient planet. About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, invites guests take listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.Listen and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.The Heart of It is recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Coquitlam, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen First Nations, and the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.

Both Carolyne Neufeld and Peggy Napope know that health care is their calling. In their respective roles – and as nurses by training – they help strengthen and promote Indigenous health and culturally appropriate care, across diverse settings and communities. A large component of this work? Reframing narratives around what it means to be Indigenous, through stories of resilience, pride and joy.In this episode they share how their journeys in health care have been shaped by motherhood, anti-Indigenous racism, and their work in diverse and sometimes remote communities – and discuss practical steps anyone can take to advance Truth and Reconciliation in their personal and professional lives.Guest biosCarolyne Neufeld is vice president, Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety at Fraser Health. She leads a team that supports staff and medical staff to advance reconciliation and uphold relevant legislation; to improve health services for First Nations, Métis and Inuit people; to create a path forward that respects the human rights of Indigenous Peoples; and to integrate Indigenous knowledge into the values, policies and practices into our health care system.Peggy Napope is an Indigenous health liaison and licensed practical nurse. Her role is to help provide a culturally safe experience for Indigenous clients as an advocate, navigator and connector to resources and cultural supports. She is of Cree, Dakota and Métis descents and originally from Saskatchewan, Treaty 6 territory.Learn moreIndigenous Health Liaisons Program: https://ow.ly/45JT50QwycqTruth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action: https://ow.ly/IFfq50QwyeC About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, invites guests take listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.Listen and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.The Heart of It is recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Coquitlam, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen First Nations, and the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.

Travelling by rail through floodwaters to a town inaccessible by vehicle and delivering medications by helicopter to communities isolated by rockslides – for Dr. Aseem Grover, providing rural health care requires near-constant problem solving.In this episode of The Heart of It, Dr. Grover shares why unrelenting positivity is at the heart of his work, how he balances risk when finding solutions to complex challenges and why he loves practicing rural health care.Guest bioDr. Aseem Grover is a rural family physician in Hope, B.C. His responsibilities are diverse, encompassing patient care at a family medicine clinic, serving as site medical director for the 10-bed Fraser Canyon Hospital, and providing primary care and medication delivery to remote areas. His medical interests are chronic complex care, rural emergency medicine and addictions medicine.About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, invites guests take listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.Listen and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.The Heart of It is recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Coquitlam, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen First Nations, and the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.

As health care organizations across the world grapple with challenges, how can we emerge better, stronger and kinder than before? Marika Sandrelli has worked in community education and development projects for more than four decades. In this episode of The Heart of It, she shares why being a mission-driven person is more powerful than any policy or legislation. She also discusses what pulled her into the health system, why compassionate trauma and resiliency-informed practice (TRIP) is needed in health care now more than ever, and the impacts of “brave” spaces in achieving lasting, systemic change.Guest bioMarika Sandrelli is a strategic leader with Mental Health and Substance Use Services at Fraser Health. As a community organizer and activist she saw the health care system as confusing and advocated from the outside. One day someone said, “You have to learn the rules before you break them.” So, she joined the system and in 2015 won Fraser Health's Health Care Hero Award for changing how learning and practice are approached in mental health and substance use.Marika co-developed a Trauma and Resiliency Informed Practice course for researchers and evaluators, which she continues to facilitate along with her colleagues. Her caring approach has resulted in more skilled, confident, supported and supportive health care providers who are both better equipped to serve vulnerable patient populations with confidence and compassion, and take pride in the work that they do.About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, invites guests take listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.Listen and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.The Heart of It is recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Coquitlam, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen First Nations, and the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.

What matters to seniors? And how can deep listening ensure that we are not only meeting their needs, but driving compassionate and connected systems of care? In this episode of The Heart of It, Dr. Victoria Lee is joined by Dr. Akber Mithani for a journey into seniors' care. He shares how he felt pulled to a calling in medicine at an early age, and how his family and community's reverence for older relatives and friends drove him to this specialized field.Over the course of their conversation, Dr. Mithani shares stories from his own practice, including a 100th birthday that he will never forget, and what he envisions for the future of senior's care in his own communities and across the globe.Guest bioDr. Akber Mithani is the regional medical director for long-term care and assisted living at Fraser Health. He is also a clinical associate professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia. He has a lifelong passion for the care of the elderly, a well-respected expertise in long-term care and a robust experience with medical leadership.He received his medical doctor training at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He has worked in various clinical service areas including geriatric psychiatry and medicine, long-term care and acute specialized geriatric programs. He is an active researcher and educator in the field of geriatrics and has participated in over 30 peer-reviewed funded research projects, abstracts, book and journal publications. He currently supervises and teaches family practice residents in their mandatory clinical geriatric rotation and has lectured extensively across the world in areas of Islamic ethics and spirituality, especially in relation to end-of-life decision making and a palliative approach to care.About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, invites guests take listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.Listen and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.The Heart of It is recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Coquitlam, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen First Nations, and the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.

We're thrilled to launch The Heart of It – a new podcast that informs, educates and inspires anyone interested in learning about health care. In each episode, host Dr. Victoria Lee invites guests to take us to a part of – and the heart of – health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.  In season one, Dr. Lee gets to know her guests through their personal stories. We'll learn what drives their work, why they love what they do and how they knew that health care was their calling.We can't wait to share these stories – these conversations and revelations – with you. Don't forget to subscribe in your favourite podcast player app so you don't miss a beat.About The Heart of ItEvery episode, Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of Fraser Health, invites guests take listeners to the heart of health care, where passion, dedication and innovation drive individual, community and planetary health.Listen and watch more episodes of The Heart of It here. And be sure to subscribe to The Heart of It in your favourite podcast player app so that you don't miss a beat.The Heart of It is recorded on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Coquitlam, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen First Nations, and the home of the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.