Lupus Ontario Podcast

In this episode, we discuss how artificial intelligence and precision medicine may shape the future of lupus care by supporting more personalized, patient-centred approaches. We explore how AI could help with day-to-day disease management, flare prediction, and treatment decisions, while also highlighting important limitations and considerations for patients. Bio:  Dr. May Choi is a rheumatologist...

Join us for an engaging webinar featuring a rheumatology Fellow as she reflects on her year as the inaugural recipient of the Honey Agar Fellowship for High-Risk Pregnancy in Rheumatic Diseases. She will share key learnings, clinical experiences, and insights gained from working at the intersection of rheumatology and high-risk pregnancy care, highlighting how this fellowship is advancing knowledg...

What drives a patient organization like Lupus Ontario? The Heart of Lupus Ontario takes you behind the scenes to explore who we are, what we do, and why it matters. Discover how patient voices, advocacy, research, and community support come together to make a lasting impact on the lives of those living with lupus. Whether you're newly diagnosed, a long-time supporter, or simply curious — this...

In this episode, Jodie Nimigon-Young shares her personal journey with lupus, reflects on the 10th anniversary of her book  Fabulupus , and discusses how Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) can support others living with lupus.

In this episode, we sit down with Jan Gillis as she shares her journey living with lupus. Jan opens up about the challenges she has faced, how she navigates daily life, and the activities that keep her motivated. She also offers valuable advice and practical tips for managing lupus and staying positive. Tune in for an inspiring conversation!

  In part two of our series, Elizabeth Lo Serro, an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, delves into managing Lupus flares at work and in relationships, balancing career goals with health needs, and how Lupus has impacted her productivity and personal connections. Elizabeth also shares her hopes for better patient-centered care in Lupus treatment and discusses exciting upcoming projects. Join us as...

In the first episode of this two-part series, we sit down with Elizabeth Lo Serro, an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, who shares her journey with Lupus and how it has shaped her career. She specializes in supporting overwhelmed women with Lupus to reclaim their vitality and confidence. Tune in as she discusses strategies for managing work-life balance, workplace and school accommodations, disc...

In this episode of the Shared Stories Podcast, we feature two inspiring lupus warriors, Alex Gnydjenko and Joseph Gallagher, who openly share their journeys with lupus. They discuss the challenges they've faced, their strategies to navigate life with the condition, and how they've found resilience and strength along the way. The conversation is filled with valuable insights and practical t...

For Lupus Awareness Month this May we are featuring two stories from lupus warriors: Heidi Nielsen and Sunita Mandi. Heidi shared her story during our Lupus Ontario Gala speaking about how important it is to be your own advocate, while outlining her various symptoms and treatments. “We must find what works best for our bodies.” To view the video referencing Heidi’s story: https://www.youtube.com/w...

Hello everyone, coming up on the Lupus Ontario podcast, we talk about Social Prescribing! What it is, all the aspects of support for an individual that it entails, how social prescribing is delivered and go through examples of how social prescribing can benefit you in your health journey. We also speak about how Social Prescribing can benefit the entire health system including hospitals and primar...

Our conversation today is on the Transition of Care - from Pediatrics to Adult Care. We are pleased to be joined by Dr. Stephanie Wong and Nameerah Hasan for today’s conversation. Dr. Wong is the 2022-2023 Lupus Ontario Geoff Carr Fellow. Having completed her MD at the University of BC, Dr. Wong is expanding her clinical experience at SickKids Hospital in Toronto and also attending the transition...

In this episode we speak with Dr. Zahi Touma, Director of the Lupus Program at UHN in Toronto, Ontario about organ damage caused by lupus, but also damaged potentially caused by treatments for the disease. Please send us your lupus questions: media@lupusontario.org Note: this podcast is not intended to convey health information specific to a person's health journey and is intended for educatio...

Today on the podcast we have a very special guest – Mary McNeil joins us to speak about Sjogren’s disease (www.sjogrenscanada.org). Sjögren’s is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory autoimmune disease that usually attacks and damages salivary, tear and mucous secreting glands. This results in dry mouth which can impact the ability to communicate verbally, dry eyes, or even internal organ damage, arth...

For today’s podcast we have a special guest with us sharing her lupus story. Rupee discusses her diagnosis at a young age with lupus, the complications that arose and the importance of having a support network. We talk about how she satisfied her natural curiosity to learn about lupus and how her journey helped shape where she is at today. Visit our website (www.lupusontario.org) or our social med...

Have you ever considered naturopathic medicine to help you through your health journey? Have you wondered what a visit to a naturopath might look like or what a naturopathic practitioner can do for lupus or other chronic illnesses? If so, then you'll love this episode! Today we speak with Dr. Sasha Coleman, ND about naturopathic medicine. We discuss specifically how a lupus patient may benefit fro...

We are joined today by Mustapher who takes us through his lupus journey. Mustapher opens up about how the illness first began and the symptoms he endured, the complications that arose as the disease impacted his brain, kidneys, skin and heart.  We also speak about how he was eventually diagnosed with lupus and how his life changed over that time. His journey was complex and the impact on his...

We are joined today by Dr. Tala El Tal to discuss lupus from the pediatric perspective.  Dr. El Tal has recently completed her pediatric rheumatology fellowship at The Hospital For Sick Children (SickKids Hospital) in Toronto. Her clinical research interest focus on cognitive impairment, as well as mental health screening and interventions. Dr. El Tal is also the recipient of the 2021-2022 Ge...

Many individuals with Lupus are living with multiple autoimmune conditions. Lupus Ontario in collaboration with Sjogren’s Society of Canada, Arthritis Society, Raynaud's Association of America, and Fibromyalgia London Group will be hosting an information session to introduce these support networks and resources. Presenters include: Linda Keill, President of Lupus Ontario Dr. Leslie Laing, Presiden...

Our extra special guest today is Dr. Konstantinos Tselios. Not just a Rheumatologist and specialist when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of Lupus patients, Dr. Tselios is also an Assistant Professor with the Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.  Dr. Tselios joins us to talk about the medical journey a Lupus patient can go throu...

Today we speak with Joy Philips. Joy has a passion for dance and theatre, so much so that she had crafted her vision of her future around this passion and pursued it at the prestigious Randolph College For The Performing Arts in Toronto. However, being diagnosed with Lupus and confronted with the symptoms of the disease, Joy found herself having to pivot from the path of her dreams to something el...

Meghan is a recent graduate of the Bachalor of Commerce (BCom) program at the University of Ottawa. In our conversation Megan shares the immense struggle that students can deal with when considering taking time off of school, but also the growth that can come from it. We also talk about everything from sports, to residence life, and asking professors for assistance with exams. The conversation is...

Hello and welcome to the Lupus Ontario Podcast. With the return to school upon us for so many in Ontario, throughout the month of September we will be speaking with students to share what life with lupus is like as they strive to succeed in academics and with student life. If you are at all interested in understanding what student life can be like while confronting an illness, then you’ll find our...

Today on the podcast I have an extra special guest. If you are at all interested in understanding some of the difficulty in diagnosing lupus, the toll that can take on an individual or perhaps you are dealing with lupus and its effect on multiple organ systems – then you will find the following conversation to be incredibly enlightening. Yadi Castro was diagnosed with lupus 8 years ago however, he...

In this episode we speak with two long time members of Lupus Ontario: Sandra Williams-Reid and Laura Piccione. Sandra has experienced everything from coming to Lupus Ontario as a Lupus patient with questions and concerns regarding her diagnosis more than 30 years ago, through to becoming an active member of the Lupus community and serving on the Board of Lupus Ontario. Similarly, Laura Piccione ha...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Lupus Ontario podcast! In part one of this episode we speak with Linda Keill, Board President at Lupus Ontario (LO), to gain insight into what Lupus Ontario does, how it came to be, and how LO works to improve the lives of those diagnosed with Lupus.  Part two of the episode offers some insights into the Walk For Lupus. A milestone, this August is the 2...