This week, we had the opportunity to talk to Sikin Samanani, an occupational therapist with experience working in the long term care setting and for Indigenous populations in Alberta. Sikin tells us about how she landed on her journey in occupational therapy while elucidating the uniqueness of this discipline and the privilege it affords in making connections with patients. We also get to hear Sikin’s perspectives on the importance of empathy, patience, and advocacy in patient centered care and the areas of the system that merit more attention. Finally, we get to hear the advice she has for students who may be interested in pursuing a career in occupational therapy; advice which is also applicable to those who are interested in pursuing a career in other healthcare fields.

This week, we sat down with Samantha Perrotta, a PhD student in the Department of Health, Aging, and Society at McMaster University who has experience working as a recreational therapist and has completed her Master’s in Public Health. Sam discusses her educational and career journey and we learn that the journey to choosing a career is not necessarily always simple but may be influenced through life experiences and mentors. She also eloquently explains the approach recreational therapists take towards patient care and how she used her experiences to influence her approach to learning about healthcare and health inequities during her Masters of Public Health Program. We are then able to continue to gain more insight into the importance of considering the social determinants of health in individual health outcomes and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and teamwork in patient care from a public health and recreational therapy perspective. Sam also shares some great advice for students considering a field in healthcare!

This week, we sat down with Andrew Sweetnam, a PhD student in the Social Gerontology Program at McMaster University in the Health and Aging Department and a community development worker at Compass Community Health Center in Hamilton, ON. In both his research and career pursuits, he has a strong interest in food security and the social determinants of health. He tells us about his unique educational and career journey which started in kinesiology and led to a passion for enhancing food security while bringing in his perspectives on health systems. Listeners also get the opportunity to learn about the important approach community health centers take in patient care while emphasizing the role of interdisciplinarity in this line of work. Andrew also provides thought provoking insights for students to consider.

This week, we had the privilege to sit down with Patrick Deluca, an expert in geographical information systems (GIS) with interests in air quality monitoring, modeling and mapping, regional variations in health quality and healthcare, and more. Patrick is also an instructor at McMaster University. He tells us about his journey on choosing GIS as a career path while sharing valuable lessons on what he learnt along the way. Listeners also get an opportunity to learn about the unique and important relation of GIS with population health and how professionals in this field work collaboratively with other health professionals. We then touch on how GIS helps elucidate the importance of considering the social determinants of health and increasing awareness of health inequities

This week, we sit down with Farah, a lawyer working in the field of Health Law. In this podcast, Farah tells us about the process behind her decision to pursue law after obtaining a Bachelor’s of Health Sciences degree. Farah also speaks about what it’s like to practice law within the healthcare sector, including the intersection of her work with healthcare workers and patients. We also hear her interesting take on what students can do when exploring career choices during and after undergraduate studies.

In this week’s podcast, we sit down with Athani, a recent graduate from the Nursing Program at McMaster University, presently working as a Registered Nurse in the Forensics Unit at her hospital. Athani shares with us the experiences that led her to pursue a career in nursing, including her mother’s influence as a personal support care worker. Additionally, we hear insights Athani has about the healthcare system from a nurse perspective. Finally, Athani provides thoughtful advice for students interested in working in a healthcare field.

Kyle Vader is a physiotherapist in an interprofessional chronic pain program at Kingston Health Sciences Centre and PhD candidate in Rehabilitation Science at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. He completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) with a Minor in Psychology from McMaster University and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto. In this podcast, Kyle shares his unique journey that led him to where he is today. He also provides us with some insight on the healthcare system from a physiotherapist’s perspective, including the role of allied healthcare professionals in the provision of interprofessional care as well as areas of improvement in our health system. Lastly, Kyle provides thoughtful advice on students who are at the early point of their career journey. 

In this week’s podcast we get the opportunity to interview Denise Smith, a Health Sciences Librarian at McMaster University, and a sessional course instructor in the Bachelor of Health Sciences Program. In this podcast, Denise shares the role of health sciences librarians, clinical librarians and more, in promoting health information literacy and conducting informative research within the health sciences. She discusses how librarians work with physicians, researchers and other allied health professionals within the field of evidence-based research and patient and student information education. Denise also shares advice for prospective healthcare students in regard to critically appraising the literature and data sources they are exposed to. 

In this episode, we have the chance to talk with Dr. Debbie Nifakis, Psychologist and Associate Director in Counselling at the Student Wellness Centre and Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. In this podcast, Debbie shares her unique career path that led her to psychology. We also gain insight regarding the challenges and rewards of working as a psychologist along with what good inter-professional teamwork in the field of mental health may look like. This includes learning how psychologists and counsellors work alongside medical physicians to enhance patient care. Lastly, we hear Debbie’s advice for prospective healthcare students.

Today we sit down with Dr. Arig al Shaibah, an associated vice-president of equity and inclusion at McMaster University as well as an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Sociology. In this podcast, Dr. al Shaibah discusses her work on equity and inclusion at McMaster and explores the barriers that racialized individuals face at both the individual and systematic level. We also gain insight on how these barriers can be improved and what students can do to recognize their personal sense of agency, power, and privilege to contribute to equity and inclusion within their own circle of influence.

In this week’s podcast we interview Dr. Ana Tomljenovic-Berube, an assistant professor in the Life Science and Integrated Sciences department at McMaster University. In this podcast, she shares with us a little bit about her educational and career path, as well as the importance of the field of microbiology and genetics including ethical considerations, innovation, and the interconnectedness of microbiology and genetics to the healthcare field as a whole. We also gain insight on how students can keep up to date with scientific literature and prepare themselves for a career in healthcare.

Today we sit down with Dorit, a second year speech language pathology student at McMaster University. In this podcast Dorit gives us a breakdown of what the SLP graduate program looks like, the steps that are needed to apply to become a speech language pathologist, and the work that professionals in this field do. We also get her insight on what students can do to prepare while in their undergrad if they are considering this field. Along with the challenges, Dorit highlights the rewards and memorable moments experienced in her clinical placements. Make sure to tune in!

In today’s podcast we listen to a healthcare worker currently working in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many implications of this pandemic including the effects on the physical, mental, and social health of our communities and families. In such times however, we should look to those who are stepping up to make things better for all. We may be looking to those who are fighting to keep this virus at bay, such as our healthcare professionals. As such, we are incredibly thankful for the work done by our healthcare providers and for the optimism their work instills in us. So today, let’s hear from Sharon, a nurse practitioner in an emergency department and a nurse in ICU, on her experiences in dealing with this pandemic as a front line worker.