On Call: The Ottawa Hospital Podcast

K idney disease is a major health problem that affects around 4 million Canadians and 11 – 13 per cent of the population globally. Dialysis is an essential treatment that helps them maintain a quality of life – literally making the difference between life or death.      The Ottawa Hospital has one of the largest renal programs in Canada, w ith more than 900 patients receiving dialysis treatment. ...

It's normal to get nervous before a doctor's appointment. Talking about personal health situations can be difficult. But it doesn't need to be.    Dr. Erin Keely and Alicia Hilderley share their experiences with preparing for these meetings, and share tips on how to get the most out of appointments with your doctor.    On Call: The Ottawa Hospital Podcast features stories of care, innovation and c...

Tuberculosis (TB) was once one of the most common and deadliest infectious diseases in the world. Even to this day, it still impacts millions of people, with over 10 million new cases, and approximately 1.3 million deaths each year. Dr. Gonzalo Alvarez is a Respirologist and Scientist at The Ottawa Hospital. Much of his work is focused on TB research among Canadian Inuit and in new Canadians. He i...

While everyone has experienced the COVID-19 pandemic from a different situation, many of us have had one thing in common: weight fluctuation. While for some it was a minor change, for others it has had a serious impact on their self-esteem.   Psychology Resident Healey Gardiner talks about weight fluctuation during the COVID-19 pandemic, its potential impacts on someone's self-esteem, and how to c...

On December 15, 2020, The Ottawa Hospital administered the very first COVID-19 vaccinations in Ottawa. The day is still vivid in the minds of the health-care workers both on the front lines and behind the scenes who worked tirelessly to make this milestone a success.  In this episode, we chat with: Axelle Pellerin, Director of Education, responsible for the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at The Ottaw...

President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Cameron Love talks about the impact of COVID-19 on the health-care system long-term, what we might expect this fall, and the future of health care. Also, how can we apply the lessons of the pandemic to future health-care facilities like the New Civic Development?  Follow The Ottawa Hospital: Twitter: @OttawaHospital Instagram: @OttawaHospital  Facebook.com/...

Content warning: This episode features discussion about sexual assault, intimate partner violence, self harm, and other topics that listeners may find difficult to hear.  During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, care teams and researchers at The Ottawa Hospital noticed a disturbing trend: visits to the Emergency Department for sexual assault or intimate partner violence were going down. But...

Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic is a popular and important topic of conversation. Moral distress is not a phrase we hear a lot, but it's something many of us have likely experienced. What is it? Why is it concerning? Why is it affecting so many health-care workers?  In this episode, we chat with Dr. Kerri Ritchie (Clinical and Health Psychologist) and Mike Kekewich (Director of Clinical...

In Part 2 of our podcast series on the COVID-19 Brewer Assessment Centre, you'll hear from experts at The Ottawa Hospital and regional partners on what it was like in the days leading up to opening the site.  In this episode, you'll hear interviews from: Jean Claude Lemonde, Director, Information Services Operations at TOH Rosemary Bickerton, Nurse Manager at TOH and Site Lead at Brewer Assessment...

On March 11, 2020 Ottawa confirmed its first case of COVID-19, and the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Two days later, on March 13, the COVID-19 Assessment Center at Brewer Arena opened its doors. What took place in the days leading up to the opening? Hear from key players involved in getting the site up and running, in this two-part series chronicling those unforget...

With the new year comes signs of hope on the horizon in the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccine is here, and being rolled out in Ottawa and across the world. But we are not done yet! Cameron Love, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital, talks about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout here in Ottawa, what it was like to witness the first vaccine administered at The Ottawa Hospital, and how the hospital is ma...

Our mental health has been challenged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us are experiencing cognitive struggles like trouble concentrating, or difficulty with the most basic tasks. Komal Shaikh is a neuropsychology intern at The Ottawa Hospital. She shares tips for managing cognitive struggles during the pandemic, and how to recognize when they may become a larger mental health issue. 

In January of 2020, The Ottawa Hospital announced that Cameron Love would be stepping in as President and CEO in June of this year. No one could have predicted how much the world would change in that time. Cameron Love shares his experience of stepping into the new role during a global pandemic, and leading the Ottawa region through the COVID-19 response. 

The Ottawa Hospital does not exist in a vacuum - it is a microcosm of the greater community. As such, the events that affect our community, our employees and our patients have a direct effect on the hospital. In support of our employees, patients and the community at large, The Ottawa Hospital would like to engage in an honest conversation about racism, particularly against Black people. Join Elle...

Before Dr. Jack Kitts officially enters retirement, he sits down with us to discuss his time as President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital, how the hospital's vision came to be, and how he almost didn't go to university. Find out how a letter from the loved one of a patient inspired the hospitals vision to provide each patient with the world-class care, exceptional service and compassion that we wou...

As the government launches public consultations on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), we take an in-depth look at what MAiD looks like for care providers at The Ottawa Hospital, and the questions that still remain. Interviews with:  Mike Kekewich - Director of Clinical and Organizational Ethics at The Ottawa Hospital Dr. Viren Naik, Medical Director of the Champlain Regional MAiD Network Lauren C...

Clinical Dietitian Sophie Wannamaker joins to discuss how The Ottawa Hospital treats and recognizes malnutrition, and what can cause it in patients. On Call: The Ottawa Hospital Podcast features stories of care, innovation and compassion, all happening right here at The Ottawa Hospital.  Website:  https://www.ottawahospital.on.ca/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/OttawaHospital   Music: Bensound Sci-...

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Jocelyne McKenna about her experience with mental illness, and the challenge of caring for your own mental health, when your job is to care for others. Dr. Kerri Ritchie also joins to talk about maintaining mental health in high-stress environments. On Call: The Ottawa Hospital Podcast features stories of care, innovation and compassion, all happening right here at...

Get all the latest news and stories from around the hospital with On Call: The Ottawa Hospital Podcast. In the latest episode, three psychologists share their experiences dealing with life changes, and share tips on how to manage stress and maintain mental wellness during life changes. On Call: The Ottawa Hospital Podcast will feature stories of care, innovation and compassion, all happening right...

Claire Laroche talks about her therapy dog Nellie, and how pet therapy can help patients, including one patient in particular, who formed a strong bond with Nellie while at The Ottawa Hospital.  Music credit: bensound-scifi

Linda Wood is a volunteer at The Ottawa Hospital. She and her husband formed a strong bond with a young couple, that stretched beyond the walls of the hospital. Linda shares her story in the latest episode!  Music credit: bensound-scifi 

Welcome to On Call: The Ottawa Hospital Podcast. This is the first episode of On Call. In each episode, we'll bring you stories from around the hospital, news that you need to know, and exciting breakthroughs in the world of medical research. In this episode, we talk to Drs Kerri Ritchie and Caroline Gerin-Lajoie about mental resiliency, and why it's so important for those who work in health care....