Healthcare Change Makers

Dr. Glaucomflecken has a unique backstory as he made the pivot from performing stand-up comedy to becoming a physician. TikTok is now his stage with over 2 million followers, creating comedic skits about the healthcare world. Besides comedy, he also uses his platform to spread awareness about his sudden cardiac arrest in 2020 and his diagnosis with testicular cancer.

On this episode, Dr. Glaucomflecken explains his introduction to content creation, the evolving idea of professionalism in the medical field, keeping a positive mindset, and more.

Quotables:

“I love making people laugh and exploring that creativity… it’s so different than what you do in medicine a lot of the time.”

“I’m able to learn a lot about the healthcare system by trying to put together these skits and relate to my patients better from a different perspective.”

“Doctors are regular people going through regular things, we have senses of humour and like to laugh and cry.”

“It’s really a wonderful that this idea of professionalism is changing to allow everyone in medicine to express themselves more because we need the public to see that side of us.”

“I started doing content creation because it was a way for me to take those difficult things in my life and add humour to them, present it to others and share a laugh.”

“I think more in the moment, which has helped me maintain positivity.”

Mentioned in this Episode:

Knock Knock, Hi! with the Glaucomfleckens

Dr.Glaucomfleken’s TikTok

Dr. Amy G Dala

Dr. Bryan Carmody

Mama Doctor Jones (Dr. Danielle Jones)

Dr. Emily Silverman

Medlife Crisis (Dr. Rohin Francis)

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Burnout is a prominent issue for healthcare workers and a topic Dr. James Maskalyk is passionate about. This led to the creation of a wellness program at St. Michael’s Hospital and later across 15 hospitals in the GTA through the University of Toronto. The program promotes facets such as peer support for providers, critical incident debriefing, and more.

On the episode, Dr. Maskalyk also touches on small yet important steps that can be taken to boost overall mood in the emergency department, such as mindfulness practices, and snacks.

Quotables:

“…medicine is not something that just happens in the emergency room, but something that very much follows us home as practitioners and patients.”

“It really is just about beginning the conversation that doctors are people too, and nurses are people too, and the people who are there who support us as porters, the people who cook the food, we are human beings working in an increasingly inhumane system – to be honest.”

“There is an opportunity for us to speak to each other about what’s happening inside of us that could be more clear, because vulnerability is not a skill that we learn in medical school, or I never did.”

“You standing there, beside these people, doing the best you can, is one of the most beautiful acts ever completed by a human being.”

“Life ultimately is a temporary situation. So, then the question becomes, what do you do with what you’ve been given… it sounds trite but the answer is just be kind, to yourself and other people.”

“It’s an honour to be here and to have the trust of my patients and my colleagues, who are in the ER this very moment helping people.”

Mentioned in this Episode:

• St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health

• University of Toronto

• Dr. Sara Gray

• Dr James Orbinski

• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

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Denise Lalanne is the Director, Digital and Client Services at IWK Health Centre, where she focuses on delivering the best care through leading strategic and operational plans.

Carrie Ricker supports IWK Health Centre’s Innovation and Research departments acting as legal counsel. Her passion lies in encouraging innovation through strategic business and legal advice.

Denise and Carrie joined forces for the Chez Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Home initiative where their mutual passion for innovation and providing high-quality care was amplified. Using technology, this initiative will provide NICU families with the education and tools needed to be fully engaged in the care of their baby.

In this episode, Denise and Carrie touch on how the Chez NICU Home initiative came to be and how it’s improving care at the IWK Health Centre.

Quotables

“We wanted to focus on the families and creating an environment that made them as comfortable and engaged as possible.” – CR

“Having that ability to phone in and find out how their baby is doing and participate in rounds is really helpful and really makes parents feel like they’re part of the process.” -DL

“At the IWK, how we approach it is really focused on promoting care for patients as well as the experience for the families that we serve.” – CR

“A small change in practice can actually have a huge difference from a patient and family perspective.” -DL

“It’s never easy but when it gets there and you see a mom saying how wonderful it was to be able to learn something or be able to see her baby today, it’s makes it all worthwhile.” – DL

“The reality is innovation brings with it some risks, change is risky, and everything we do in healthcare has some risks associated.” – CR

Mentioned in this Episode:

• IWK Health Centre

• Cisco Canada

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System change is a big topic across healthcare in Canada right now. HIROC’s Catherine Gaulton sits down with Adam Topp to learn about the transition undertaken by Shared Health Manitoba, and the importance of engagement at every step along the way.

Adam also touches on his organization’s approach to the current HHR crisis – having good practices in talent management, retention, and embedding a people leader in senior management.

Stick around until the end to hear about Adam’s past life as a DJ – we promise it’s worth it.

Quotables:

“A laser focus on doing one thing at a time, I think is probably the best approach to transformation and to leadership that I’ve come across.” – AT

“What we tried to do is learn from the benefits we’ve seen from the other provinces… take the best of those and put them in a system that is patient centred.” – AT

“The goal was not to reduce the autonomy of the regional health authorities; it was really to facilitate so that they could focus their efforts on operations.” – AT

“We need to listen well; we need to serve well.” – AT

“It does continue to amaze me when I see significant health organizations who don’t have a leader of people… someone on the senior executive team who is responsible for people management. That’s a regular deficit in organizational structures of our healthcare system.” – AT

“I think it’s really important that HIROC continue its work towards improving the quality of our healthcare system.” – AT

Mentioned in this episode:

• 2023 AGM and HIROC Conference (April 24, Toronto and Virtual)

• CancerCare Manitoba

• Hay Group

• Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg

• IWK Health Centre

• moreOB

• Nova Scotia Health Authority

• Salus Global

• Shared Health Manitoba

• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Today’s guest has a special place in the HIROC archives. Sarah Downey was our first guest on Healthcare Change Makers when we turned on the mike in 2018. The years that followed that fun interview have been busy for Sarah. For 7 and a half years she was the CEO of Michael Garron Hospital where she shepherded the hospital through a major redevelopment project that included the newly opened Thomson Centre.

Six months ago, Sarah made the decision to move into the President and CEO position at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, better known as CAMH. Leaving Michael Garron and the East York community was tough, but the pull to the mission of CAMH was stronger. Sarah believes mental health is the most important health issue of our lifetime.

It’s a new place and a new culture to learn about, but Sarah always comes back to the importance of being human and being vulnerable in a leadership role. Where talking to people in the coffee line-up is one of the most important things you can do as a CEO.

Quotables

“You forget until you have to make those transitions how emotional they are.” – SD

”It’s thrilling to see these latest two buildings. The spaces are bright and airy. They’re respectful, and focused on recovery, healing and dignified care.” – SD

“It’s not just a one in five who will get mental illness in their lifetime. It’s in everybody’s family. It’s in all your social circles, in all your employees. It’s everywhere.” – SD

“I had forgotten until I came back how many people call to get advice on how to navigate the system.” – SD

“Who’s more important for us to invest in than our young people? They are our future and we need them to be healthier and more resilient.”

“You need to regularly connect with people, use a bit of humour. They want to know that their leader is real.” – SD

“It’s become even more important the last few years to find a break and a space, but what an opportunity to learn.” - SD

“I hold my dad’s lessons in my heart every day and try to act in a way that would always do him proud.” – SD

“We should tell people every day in the moment how much they mean to us and how they’re helping us change our lives.” – PDS

Mentioned in this episode:

Michael Garron Hospital

CAMH: The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

The history of the Toronto Lunatic Asylum

Dr. Hilda Tremblett

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre - UHN

Dr. J. Downey, Past President, University of Waterloo (1993-1999)

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

Through all her roles, her focus remains steady on advocating for kids’ health across Canada, holding the unwavering belief that all kids deserve the same opportunity to be healthy.

Quotables

“I think kids all deserve the same opportunity to be healthy.” – KS

“I really believe that providing healthcare is about building relationships.” – KS

“I really believe that the right solutions have to benefit patients and providers.” – KS

“I think having and maintaining the trust of the public right now is so critical as we continue to battle misinformation broadly, not only about science, but about many things.” – KS

“I'm feel grateful to be in the healthcare space right now because even though it's really challenging, I think there's a lot of opportunity for us to really be reconsidering how we can rebuild our healthcare system in a way that's going to be sustainable and really provide high-quality care for Canadians.” – KS

“I think being around the right people and having gratitude for the privilege of the work we do are things that really help keep the focus on the right things.” – KS

Mentioned in this Episode:

• BC Children’s Hospital

• Canadian Medical Association

• Children’s Healthcare Canada

• Government of Yukon

• HIROC

• Spark: Conversations Podcast

• Women Executive Network

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Marking Healthcare Change Maker’s 50th episode, we’re in the mood to celebrate. HIROC CEO Catherine Gaulton and Director of Communications and Marketing, Philip De Souza jump right in celebrating the podcast, and HIROC’s 35th anniversary. 
Team HIROC is also celebrating a brand-new strategic plan, launching in 2023. Catherine previews what Subscribers can expect to see as a focus – topics like HHR and board education.
Also on the horizon, HIROC and the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) are collaborating on the launch of a brand-new start-up – Collaborative Benefits, simply known as Co. The two partners came together to determine the viability and approach for a universal provincial employee benefits strategy – co-designed by healthcare, for healthcare. 
With so many new initiatives coming in 2023, Catherine is also cognizant of self-care – that of her staff and everyone working in the healthcare system, including leaders. 
Before we let her go, Philip asks Catherine what gives her joy. Hearing her family play music, and seeing little kids pop up on Zoom meetings are just a few of the things that make her laugh and smile. 
Quotables
“The stories that say, you allowed us to take care of people, they make me not just smile… they make me grin every day.” – CG
“If it keeps our Subscribers up, it keeps me up.” – CG
“We need everybody working in this system – and that includes leaders.” – CG
“The compassion and strength of our leaders in the system is absolutely integral to how it is we deliver on what we need to for patients.” – CG 
“Subscribers will see a focus on more direct supports, on actioning patient safety, and looking at the science of implementation of patient safety.” – CG 
“Our work of course is to do what we can for not-for-profit entities that are delivering on healthcare in this country.” – CG
“That’s true innovation – 35 years later, a company that’s still innovating, still thinking outside the box.” – PD
“It’s very clear that you do what you love.” – PD
Mentioned in this Episode:
HIROC
The Ontario Hospital Association
Collaborative Benefits – Co (coming soon)
HIROC Top GTA Employer for 2023
2022 HIROC Hackathon
2023 HIROC Strategic Plan (coming soon)
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

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Our guests David Kay and Doran Walker have had a mentor/mentee relationship since 2018. Doran is an RN with an MBA, owner and Healthcare Consultant for BioMD consulting and a Patient Care Manager for Specialized Geriatrics, Glenrose for Alberta Health Services. He’s also the National Cochair for Emerging Health Leaders Canada.

The fact that they came together well before the pandemic Doran says is fortuitous, since he had someone to turn to when his professional life became more challenging, and he became a new father.

David runs his own healthcare and professional regulatory management consultancy. He says much of what he learned about being a good mentor comes from having strong mentors in the early stages of his career.

One of those was a CEO of a large teaching hospital who shared his insights with David on long drives around Saskatchewan. This CEO would call fellow CEOs after hours to have open and casual conversations, something that imprinted on David the value of compassionate leadership.

David and Doran talked to us about what they’ve learned from each other, what defines a good mentoring relationship, and the fact that we all probably have more mentors than we realize.

Quotables

“This was really another opportunity to give back to the next generation and to the profession” – DK

“I believe goal-setting is important for all of us – both personal goals and professional goal setting. It helps provide some focus.” – DK

“In some of those circumstances that we discussed I hadn’t lived it, but I could draw on something that might have been a little similar or at least this is how people might be feeling about what they’re hearing and ‘the why’. What do we do about the why, what’s the what and the how.” – DK

“Because of the mentorship relationship and our discussion on goals and values, what changed for me was a deeper understanding of who I was and what I needed to value. For that I’m grateful.” – DW

“There’s usually four or five different people who have mentorship within our lives in different ways. I think that’s going to be the next way forward for mentorship research and literature.” DW

“I like to call it a kitchen cabinet. I’ve been fortunate throughout my career of having a network of people around me whose opinions I trusted and who could be honest with me.” – DK

“Mentorship is probably the most direct way that knowledge can be passed on. It also has the added benefit of providing wellness to emerging leaders. Because when they come to stressful situations, they already have someone formally they can talk to about it.” – DW

Mentioned in this Episode:

Emerging Health Leaders Canada

Canadian College of Health Leaders

American College of Healthcare Executives

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Our guest CJ Blennerhassett, began her career as a midwife in a busy Toronto practice. She has since moved back to her home province of Nova Scotia where there are just 16 midwives who deliver reproductive care in an area that has both urban and large rural pockets.

CJ is still a practicing midwife but now combines her duties with her role as Vice President of the Association of Nova Scotia Midwives and President-elect of the Canadian Association of Midwives.

In those roles, CJ is honoured that her midwifery colleagues trust her to push health authorities, government, and decision-makers to think about creative solutions to the primary care crisis in Nova Scotia and across the country.

So many people in her province are without care, she says, while midwives are here and willing and excited about delivering that care.

Quotables

“When the opportunity presented itself to be back here in Nova Scotia, I really jumped at that – to be closer to family but also to participate in growing the profession in an area where it’s really needed.” – CJB

“Unfortunately, in Nova Scotia we turn away as many people as we take in to midwifery care. We’re only able to care for 50% of people who request midwifery care.” – CJB

“British Columbia has a model where they try their best to ensure the right care provider for the right patient at the right time.” – CJB

“I think about leadership as being somebody who is speaking on behalf of the will of the group.” – CJB

“We really want to see Indigenous midwives working in all Indigenous communities in Nova Scotia not only to bring birth and care to people in their home communities but to improve birth outcomes for those communities.” – CJB

“We offer a kind of care that is really unparalleled in this country and that’s something to be supported and celebrated.” – CJB

“One thing I have always felt strongly about in terms of midwifery care and ways it can benefit the healthcare system in lots of other areas is this focus on informed choice.” – CJB

“I’m really inspired by people who blend creativity with policy work.” – CJB

Mentioned in this Episode:

Association of Nova Scotia Midwives

CAM knovember 2022

Canadian Association of Midwives

Kensington Midwives

Jessica MacDonald

National Aboriginal Council of Midwives

Alisha Julien Reid, Mi’kmaq Midwife

Canadian Alliance of Racialized Midwives

Jennie Joseph

Stacey Abrams

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

Many people who read his most recent book The Power of Teamwork have an ah-ha moment when they realize that they’re not actually working on a team but a group. As Brian explains, many teams flounder because the members of that team are more focussed on individual goals than team goals, they haven’t had much input in setting those goals, and they don’t help one another.

Whether it’s in healthcare, the military, aviation or a corporate environment, for real team problem-solving to happen, Brian says everybody must feel safe to say what they see. That means breaking down longstanding hierarchies, taking chances and leaning into uncertainty.

Quotables

“Everybody talks fast. Everybody wants to cut to the bottom line, get to the answer quickly. And that is death to a team meeting.” - BG

“We hate uncertainty so much that we prematurely close conversations.” – BG

“To me the Rosetta Stone was meeting Alexa Miller at dotmd 2019 and eventually forging a friendship with her. I think the world of her and think Visual Thinking Strategies really deserves a stronger public airing.” – BG

“You have to know their superpower because you have to position them to function on a team that brings out the best in them, that doesn’t keep asking them to do what they’re not best at.” – BG

“You know you’re in a silo if you tend to see the world as insiders and outsiders.” – BG

“The highest compliment people tell me is that they feel I’ve taken them into the world of medicine, to my side of the gurney, and they understand more than they did before.” – BG

“I firmly believe that medicine has become so complex there is no ‘I alone’ anymore. We can’t understand everything, know everything. I’ve discovered that I work better in an environment where I can be prompted.” – BG

“Cross-over wisdom is something we practice a lot at HIROC and we do it on our team, speaking to people outside our sector – we learn a lot from looking at things from a new lens.” - PDS

Mentioned in this Episode:

Sinai Health System

White Coat Black Art

The Dose

Alexa Miller - Visual Thinking Strategies

Dr. Joel Thorp Katz

Emily Mathieu

Erin Byrnes

Dotmd – A Festival of Medical Curiosity

Dr. Trevor Jain

The Spy Who Knew Too Much by Howard Blum

The Ezra Klein Show

Dr. Teodor Grantcharov - The OR Black Box

David N. Titcher

Save the Date – the 2022 HIROC Conference

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