In Episode 2 of the FMWC 100 Series, Dr. Beverly Johnson and Isabella Churchill have the honour of interviewing Dr. Jane Philpott- honorary chair of the FMWC 100th celebration, a remarkable figure whose career spans diverse realms of healthcare, academia, and public service. Dr. Philpott's journey as a family doctor, former member of parliament, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Director of the School of Medicine at Queen’s University, and CEO of the Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization offers a rich tapestry of experiences and insights. As the honorary chair for the FMWC 1 ..read more

We present the Federation of Medical Women of Canada- Celebrating 100 Years of Legacy Podcast Series with Chair, Dr. Beverly Johnson and Co-Chair, Isabella Churchill,  In the first episode of this podcast series, co-hosts Dr. Beverly Johnson and Dr. Kameela Alibhai sat down with Dr. May Cohen, Medical Hall of Fame Laureate, Officer to the Order of Canada, physician and educator as our Past Honorary Chair. Together, they discuss her training and her experience as a woman in medicine, her general practice and advocacy work, the impact of the FMWC on her career trajectory and her term as FMW ..read more

For Episode 11, we sat down with Dr. Melanie Bechard (she/her) who is a pediatric emergency physician and an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa. She is currently the Chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, a nonpartisan organization of physicians advocating for an equitable, evidence-based, and sustainable health care system. In this episode we talk about the issues facing the Canadian healthcare system, limitations that come with privatization, and potential pathways to explore to alleviate the strain primary care physicians are facing.  We would like to thank Kameela Alibh ..read more

Episode 10 features Dr. Alika Lafontaine, current head of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and award-winning physician. Dr Lafontaine currently practices as an anesthesiologist in Grande Prairie, Alberta, and is the first indigenous doctor listed in the Medical Post’s 50 most powerful doctors. In this episode, we delve into his early life and upbringing as a Cree and Anishinaabe as well as his personal journey towards a career in medicine. Dr. Lafontaine sheds light on his role as CMA president, alongside the association’s values and mission. We conclude this episode with a conversation ..read more

In episode 9, we welcome Dr. Thais Coutinho, cardiologist and division head of Prevention and Rehabilitation at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, as well as Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Additionally, Dr. Coutinho sits as the chair of the Heart Institute’s Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre, and is an internationally recognized clinician scientist in the field of arterial health.  We discuss her calling to medicine, work-life balance, scope of practice, and future goals. Dr. Coutinho also offers some insight in regard to the mitigation of risks ass ..read more

In episode 8, we welcome Dr. Kathleen (Katie) Armstrong, a plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon in gender affirming top surgeries. She is the current coordinator of the medical ethics education for the university of Toronto’s plastic surgery residency training program. In this role, she trains medical students, residents and fellows in top surgery providing core lectures, office based and technical experience.   In this episode, we discuss Dr. Armstrong’s scope of practice, the history and accessibility of gender affirming surgery in Canada, as well as potential complications and ..read more

In the seventh episode, we welcome Dr. Ewurabena Simpson a pediatric hematologist/oncologist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) She is also an assistant professor with the Department of Pediatrics and the Assistant Dean, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the University of Ottawa In this episode, Dr. Simpson shares her experience as a black woman in the medical system, as well as the impact that being a mother has had on her professional life. We also discuss Dr. Simpson’s current role on the EDI committee, highlighting the significance of her work in shaping ..read more

In Episode 6, we welcome co-host Kira Bombay, a fourth year medical student at the University of Ottawa and member of the Rainy River First Nations. Our guest is Dr. Shannon Waters who is Coast Salish and a member of the Stz’uminus First Nation on Vancouver Island. She is a Public Health and Preventive Medicine physician who talks with us about the importance of supporting Indigenous rights and the vital but often underappreciated role the ecosystem plays in sustaining our health. Dr. Waters has also published a variety of written works, including this piece titled: “How Can I Give Back”: http ..read more

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Donna May Kimmaliardjuk, Canada’s first Inuk cardiac surgeon who is a staff surgeon practicing at Eastern Health located in St-John's in Newfoundland and Labrador. We discuss Dr.Kimmaliardjuk’s calling to become a surgeon as well as her lived experiences as an Inuk woman in the field of medicine. She provides insight into how she strikes a balance between her surgical career and her personal life and discusses her childhood experiences that have shaped her practice. The views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers and do not necessarily reflect ..read more

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Najma Ahmed, co-founder of Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns: a grasroot organization concerned about the increasing public health impact of firearms. Dr. Ahmed is the vice chair of education at UofT’s department of surgery and won the prestigious Royal College AMS/Donald Richards Wilson Award in 2016. We discuss her motivation, backlash and barriers she endured while founding her organization, as well as her thoughts on the new Bill C21. The views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers and do not necessarily reflect any institution/asso ..read more