The Caring Support Podcast

Conquering Surgical Studies and Deficiencies in Women’s Healthcare with Dr. Najah Adreak

This week we had aspiring surgeon/scientist, TEDX speaker and advocate for Women's Heart Health, Dr. Najah Adreak on the Caring Support Podcast! We talked about becoming a surgeon and her drive to conquer the deficiencies in women's healthcare.
 
Season 2 Episode 13
 
About Dr. Najah Adreak
Dr. Najah Adreak is a clinical researcher and emerging leader in women's cardiovascular health. She has a Master's in Surgery from the University of British Columbia (UBC). She earned her medical degree from Tripoli University and trained in the Cardiac Surgery residency program in her country, Libya, before moving to Canada for further education and training. Dr. Adreak is the Trainee Representative for the Canadian Women Heart's Health Alliance and an active Training and Education Working Group member. She led the western committee for the Wear Red Canada campaign in 2021-2023.

Leading and Learning through COVID-19 - A Conversation with Susanne Kish

This week on the Caring Support Podcast, we talk with Healthcare Leader, Change Management & Efficiency Expert, Susanne Kish about her experience during the pandemic, how she led her team through the pandemic and the valuable lessons that she learned and wants to share with everyone in the hopes that we can be better prepared in the future.
 
Season 2, Episode 12
 
About Susanne Kish
Susanne started working in Hamilton, Ontario in Nuclear Medicine, as a Technologist at McMaster Hospital and maintained sidebar interests, Radiation Safety Officer, Professional Practice, and Quality Assurance Committee at the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario for several years and research imaging. By networking with all types of backgrounds, becoming engaged enriching her knowledge and her career grew. Working in regulations with Policies & Medical Directives, she increased her knowledge of Nursing Practice, and the needs of the Indigenous.
 
Susanne is a motivated individual, takes initiatives, and makes lasting improvements. This is a constant on her radar. She adored teaching students in the hospital, and was selected by many as a mentor, for healthcare projects with University of Toronto. She enjoys lecturing to large groups about the importance of bone density, to Kindergarten children about the importance of hand washing and what a Hospital is. She worked in the private sector with Healthcare IT, training Radiologists as a Program Manager to evaluating newly developed software. She returned to the professionalism of hospitals, there is no place like it!
 
The COVID Pandemic, was a piece of history that was unforgettable in Hospitals and she was a part of history, at St. Mary’s Hospital, in Kitchener. She was asked to manage the COVID Clinic, and it was a successful, well-run location. Every day was different, change was a constant from guidelines to process, and she enjoyed bringing a semblance of structure to the clinic while the global COVID crisis prevailed. She worked far too much at the time, and now the world of Healthcare has changed, and she is definitely glued to her seat for the changes to come, and they must, nothing can stay the same!

End Burnout & Healthcare Staff Shortages With 3D Problem Solving - A Conversation with David Dibble

This week, we sat down with David Dibble, creator of the 3D Problem-Solving model which works to transform systems within organizations to improve productivity, safety, and quality of care while reducing burnout, staff shortages, and costs. Learn more about 3D Problem-Solving in this episode of the Caring Support Podcast!
 
Season 2, Episode 10

Care Kit Episode 7: Let’s Learn About Self-Care - A Conversation with Karisa Haverkamp

The Caring Support Podcast has been joined again by the lovely Karisa Haverkamp, Registered Psychotherapist, Founder and Clinical Director of Blossoms Counselling in Brantford, Ontario. We are back with another Caring Support Care Kit episode where this week we are going to learn all about self-care.
 
Season 2, Episode 10
 
About Karisa Haverkamp
Karisa Haverkamp is a Registered Psychotherapist and certified perinatal mental health specialist.  Karisa has a private practice in Brantford ON.  Karisa empowers women to live authentic and fearless lives during pregnancy, motherhood and beyond.  Karisa treats anxiety, depression and chronic stress. She has 10 years of experience in the field including working with people from six nations of the grand river as a complex trauma therapist. Karisa is a mother of four and enjoys reading, running and weightlifting. Karisa is passionate about creating safe space to empower women to gain clarity and connection and to move forward with greater calm, confidence and joy.

The Importance of Self-Care at Work - A Conversation with Cathy Alvarez

Have you ever wondered how you can do self-care while at work? This week, the Caring Support Podcast got the chance to sit down with Cathy Alvarez, Nurse and co-founder of Replenish at Work, a nurse-led program that inspires and motivates nurses to prioritize their health and well-being. Come with us to learn more about this amazing program and how you can make sure you are taking care of yourself while on the job.
 
Season 2, Episode 9
 
About Cathy Alvarez
Cathy Alvarez has over 20 years of nursing experience in the fields of progressive care, holistic nursing, leadership, and education development. After experiencing burnout early in her career Cathy developed a passion for designing and implementing education programs that specifically focus on self-care, self-reflection, mindfulness, and resiliency for nurses. Her experience in curriculum development combined with her knowledge of evidence-based integrative wellness practices led her to co-found, Replenish at Work, a nurse-led program that inspires and motivates nurses to prioritize their health and well-being. The Replenish at Work framework guides participants to self-assess a NEED and embed quick and practical micro-restorative habits into the workday. The program is offered on-site, virtually, and a self-guided module is in development. All phases can be tailored to meet the needs of an individual or group. To learn more about Replenish at Work, please visit replenishwork.com or email her directly at cathy@replenishmbs.com to book an informational call.

Care Kit Episode 6: Let’s Learn About Burnout with Karisa Haverkamp from Blossoms Counselling

Today’s Caring Support Podcast Episode is part of a special series called the “Caring Support Care Kit” where we talk about how we and healthcare workers can take care of ourselves on a day-to-day basis. We were very lucky to have with us the amazing Karisa Haverkamp, Registered Psychotherapist, Founder and Clinical Director of Blossoms Counselling in Brantford, Ontario.
 
Season 2, Episode 8
 
About Karisa Haverkamp
Karisa Haverkamp is a Registered Psychotherapist and certified perinatal mental health specialist.  Karisa has a private practice in Brantford ON.  Karisa empowers women to live authentic and fearless lives during pregnancy, motherhood and beyond.  Karisa treats anxiety, depression and chronic stress. She has 10 years of experience in the field including working with people from six nations of the grand river as a complex trauma therapist. Karisa is a mother of four and enjoys reading, running and weightlifting. Karisa is passionate about creating a safe space to empower women to gain clarity and connection and to move forward with greater calm, confidence and joy. 

Music Therapy for Our Mind and Ears - A Conversation with Music Therapist Jennifer Buchanan

March is Music Therapy Awareness Month so the Caring Support Podcast was excited to get the chance to sit down with Music Therapist and Executive Director of the Canadian Music Therapy Association, Jennifer Buchanan.
Come along with us as we learn all about Music Therapy and how it just might be the right therapy choice for you or even the perfect career path.
 
Season 2, Episode 7
 
About Jennifer Buchanan
Jennifer is the Founder and Visionary Architect of JB Music Therapy (JBMT), a music therapy company that has been instrumental in the implementation of hundreds of music therapy programs throughout Canada for 30 years and that has been thrice nominated for the Community Impact Award by her local Chamber of Commerce. JBMT currently employs a diverse team of 18 Certified Music Therapists (MTAs) serving all ages in medical, education and community care settings.

All About Healthcare Human Resources with Eliza Mystille, Manager, Recruitment and Selection at Bruyère

Today, on the Caring Support Podcast, we are talking with Eliza Mystille. The Manager, Recruitment and Selection at Bruyere Continuing Care, located in Ottawa, Ontario. Come along with us as we dive into the world of Healthcare Human Resources.
 
Season 2 Episode 6
About Eliza Mystille
Ms. Eliza Mystille is the Manager, Recruitment and Selection at Bruyère. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Paris 13, a Master's degree in Communications from the University of Ottawa, and a graduate certificate in Human Resources Management from Algonquin College. She holds two professional designations from the Human Resources Professional Association, Certified Human Resources Professional and Certified Human Resources Leader. She has been working in both the public and private sectors, most recently in the healthcare sector for the past seven years. Ms. Mystille developed her expertise by combining her knowledge and experience in both communication and human resources fields, which enables her to create and find innovative solutions to solve recruitment issues among others.  When she is not recruiting, you can find her on the dance floor teaching Zumba.  She is also passionate about employment law, social justice, diversity and understanding human behaviours. 
 

Working as a Frontline PSW & HCA

This week, on the Caring Support Podcast, we got to sit down and talk with PSW (Personal Support Worker), Fola Tajudeen, and HCA (Health Care Assistant), Kayleigh Doan-Adams. While the titles to their jobs differ, they both work roles that are integral parts of the healthcare system. Come along with us to learn more about being a PSW and HCA on the healthcare frontlines.
 
Season 2 Episode 5

Living Life as a PSW In Today’s World - A Conversation with Taylor Booroff

Being a healthcare worker in today's world takes someone who is brave, courageous and strong. Someone who strives to care for their patients the way that they would care for their own family. Someone that fights for change to make for better work environments for others and someone that isn't afraid to stand up for what's right and let their voice be heard.
 
We were honoured to have Taylor Booroff as this week's special guest on the Caring Support podcast. Taylor is a personal support worker that began her career as a PSW at the young age of 19. She fought hard through COVID and is now using her voice to stand up and fight for changes that are so desperately needed not only in the PSW profession but in healthcare in general. Come along with us as we listen to Taylor's story.
 
Season 2 Episode 4