FMWC Podcast

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Ramneek Dosanjh, the 2024-2025 President of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC), as we celebrate FMWC’s 100th anniversary. Dr. Dosanjh reflects on the significance of this milestone and the importance of challenging the status quo, amplifying FMWC’s efforts to drive change in addressing gender-based violence. She offers a stark reminder o...

In Episode 8 of the FMWC 100th Anniversary Podcast Series , the focus is on the pivotal shifts in women’s health legislation during the 1970s and 1980s, and the key role that female physicians played in the feminist movement. Building off the previous episode’s introduction of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada , this episode examines how feminist groups mobilized for change and...

In this special episode, host Dr. Isabella Churchill sits down with two inspiring past presidents of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) to discuss their journeys, achievements, and the evolving landscape for women in medicine. Join us as we explore the personal and professional stories of Dr. Alanna Danilkewich and Dr. Janet Dollin—two accomplished physicians who have not only broken...

In today’s episode we explore the landscape of medicine between 1945 and 1970 and the female trailblazers that paved the way for women in medicine in the modern era. We begin by introducing Dr. Bette Stevenson; the first female president of both the OMA and CMA and follow her impressive medical and political career. We also explore the concept of the feminine mystique, first introduced by Barbara...

In this special podcast episode, resident physician Justina Melkis had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Bev Johnson, Dr. Shelley Ross and Dr. Kari Smedstad. We’re honoured to host a compelling conversation with three distinguished past presidents of the Federal of Medical Women of Canada: Dr. Bev Johnson, Dr. Shelley Ross, and Dr. Kari Smedstad. Join us as we explore their journeys through medica...

In this podcast episode, medical student co-hosts Odessa and Justina had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Kathleen Ross, President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).  Dr. Ross shared her journey to medicine and leadership, fuelled by a passion for advocacy and equitable patient care. As a mother of two and rural-based family medicine physician with a diverse scope of practice, she brings...

Welcome to Episode #4 of the FMWC 100 series which explores the remarkable history of medical women in Canada. In this instalment,  Dr. Beverly Johnson, Mahakprit Kaur and Isabella Churchill narrate a journey of the first women trailblazers in medicine during the late 1800s - Dr. Emily Stowe and Dr. Jennie Trout. Listeners will hear about their indomitable courage and unwavering determination to b...

In Episode 3 of the FMWC 100 Series, Dr. Beverly Johnson and Isabella Churchill sit down with Santanna Hernandez, the Future Honorary Chair of the FMWC 100th celebration. She is a current 3rd year student at the University of Calgary’s medical school, a mother and recipient of the FMWC Student Leadership Award. Ms. Hernandez talks about breaking down barriers as a female and mother in medicine and...

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...

Episode 12 features Dr. Christopher Tran , endocrinologist at The Ottawa Hospital. Dr. Tran is the current Program Director of the Endocrinology and Metabolism residency training program at the University of Ottawa. In this episode, we gather Dr. Tran’s insights on osteoporosis, starting from the basics of what a fragility fracture is, to how the management of osteoporosis has evolved in the last...

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 Honorar...

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 Canadia...

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 h...

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 fi...

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...

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 sy...

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 th...

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 surgi...

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 end...

In this episode, we welcome Drs. Nour Bakhache and Hava Starkman. They are both third-year ObGyn residents and co-chairs of Cover ContraceptiON: a grassroots, non-partisan, volunteer-run campaign with the goal of providing universal, no-cost contraception to all those in Ontario. We discuss the goal of the campaign, the various challenges they have faced, and what it means to be a health advocate...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Fahima Dossa. She is a general surgery resident and trainee in the Surgeon Scientist Training Program at the University of Toronto and we discuss her research on gender equity, her path as a surgeon scientist, and her lived experience with micro and macro aggressions as a female surgeon.  The views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers and do...

Welcome to the first episode of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) Ottawa podcast with Dr. Gigi Osler. She is an otolaryngologist at the University of Manitoba and is the 2022 president of the FMWC.   In this episode, we discuss impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender equity and physician burnout and the role of social media in health care. Dr. Osler’s also shares her exp...