Pods + PANS

Pods + PANS' Navigating Labs series is BACK! PANS' Lisa Woodill sits down with Pharmacy Practice Consultant Jaime McDonald to break down the key laboratory markers used to assess anemia. Together, they explore the role of ferritin, iron studies, vitamin B12, and other important lab values. They will also explore what pharmacists can do when they encounter a patient with general fatigue and how to...

In this episode of Pods + PANS, PANS' Lisa Woodill is joined by pharmacy leaders Pam Kennedy and Chelsea Caldwell as they share their experiences transitioning to an appointment-based model of practice. From rethinking workflow and redesigning physical spaces to adopting new technologies and supporting team change, this conversation offers a practical look at what it takes to successfully implemen...

We're bringing you a #ThrowbackThursday this week for Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈In this episode, PANS' Lisa Woodill sits down with Greg Richard, Pharmacist and Owner of Boyd’s Pharmasave—a community pharmacy dedicated to providing welcoming and affirming health care for the LGBTQ community. Greg shares his journey and commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and accessible pharmacy care—particularly for ge...

Preparing for a pharmacy job interview can be a daunting step in launching your career. In this episode, PANS' Recruitment Navigator Tristan Park is joined by Josh Ghiringhelli at the PANS office to share practical tips on how to prepare, communicate your experience effectively, and stand out as a candidate. Designed for students, new graduates, and newcomers, this conversation offers valuable ins...

Jaime McDonald’s Grand Rounds has long been a trusted clinical learning forum, using real‑world cases to support evidence‑based decision‑making and practical application. Now delivered through Pods + PANS, each episode features real clinical cases and walks listeners through Jaime's thought process: assessing patient context, identifying key issues, reviewing evidence, and considering practical ma...

In this episode, PANS’ Lisa Woodill sits down with Jane Gillis, pharmacist and President of Inclusion Nova Scotia, for an important conversation about major changes underway in our province. Jane shares insight into the upcoming closure of institutions in Nova Scotia, the Human Rights Remedy Report, and what these systemic shifts mean for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their famili...

In this episode, PANS' Lisa Woodill speaks with N.S. Infectious Disease Pharmacist Tasha Ramsey about key updates on RSV and pneumococcal vaccines in Nova Scotia. The discussion covers disease complications, available immunization agents, eligibility, dosing, co‑administration, and considerations for high‑risk patients and pregnancy. A practical, clinically focused episode to support pharmacists i...

Jaime McDonald’s Grand Rounds has long been a trusted clinical learning forum, using real‑world cases to support evidence‑based decision‑making and practical application. Now delivered through Pods + PANS, each episode features real clinical cases and walks listeners through Jaime's thought process: assessing patient context, identifying key issues, reviewing evidence, and considering practical ma...

Two U.S.-trained pharmacists, Josh Ghiringhelli (Michigan) and Jay Worthington (North Carolina) made the move north—and discovered that practicing in Nova Scotia is anything but business as usual. In this podcast, PANS' Recruitment Navigator Tristan Park sits down with Josh and Jay at the PANS office for a real conversation about their experiences with cross‑border licensure, expanded scope of pra...

We're bringing you a #ThrowbackThursday this week for PAM. Join PANS' Martha Lowe is and Pharmacists Bruce Johnson and Vanessa Johnson for a special Pharmacy Appreciation Month episode. Did you know there are many pharmacy families in Nova Scotia? The Johnson's are just one! Bruce was the first African Nova Scotian to graduate from DAL's College of Pharmacy in 1974 and his daughter Vanessa followe...

Jaime McDonald’s Pharmacist Rounds has been a long‑standing clinical learning forum where real-world pharmacy cases are explored through thoughtful discussion, evidence-based decision-making, and practical application. Originally delivered as virtual meetings with Community Pharmacy Primary Care sites, Jaime's Pharmacist Rounds is now being delivered through Pods + PANS as a new podcast series, tr...

In this episode, PANS' Lisa Woodill sits down with Allison Bodnar, PANS CEO, and Rose Dipchand, PANS Board member and Chair of the PANS Economics Committee, to break down Nova Scotia’s new Nova Scotia pharmacy agreements— Tariff Agreement , Pharmacy Services Agreement , and the first‑ever CPPCC Agreement . Find out how pharmacy contracts actually get negotiated (and why it’s not quick), what chang...

Relive a powerhouse year for Nova Scotia pharmacy—innovation, advocacy, and community in action. From our game‑changing primary care clinics and career changing AI Scribe to heartfelt celebrations, events and major awards, hear the moments that truly moved our profession this past year. Meet the PANS team, feel the momentum, and get inspired for 2026! Copyright Notice By accessing the PANS Pods an...

Join PANS' Lisa Woodill in her candid conversation with Dr. Gordon Gubitz and Lisa Grandy Allen on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) and its role in end-of-life care. Listeners will learn more about common misconceptions, ethical dilemmas, and the safeguards in place for patient decision-making. The episode also addresses pharmacy-specific challenges, including dispensing, conscientious objection...

PANS' Lisa Woodill talks with Lynn Renton, Coordinator of the ABI Provincial Network at Nova Scotia Health, about acquired brain injuries and the services available in Nova Scotia. Lynn shares insights on what ABI is, how the provincial network supports patients and clinicians, and the challenges faced by those living with brain injuries. This episode highlights the importance of teamwork between...

Krista Faulkenham recently made history as the first Pharmacy Technician in Nova Scotia to become a Pharmacy Manager at Bridgewater Guardian Pharmacy. PANS’ Glenn Rodrigues sits down with Krista and Pam Kennedy, Owner of Bridgewater Guardian, to discuss how this groundbreaking achievement came to life and the steps, challenges, and mindset that helped Krista reach this milestone. Whether you’re a...

In the final episode of Jaime’s Navigating Labs series, we turn our focus to the kidneys and the lab values that help us keep them healthy. PANS' Suzanne Richards-Aucoin gets Jaime to break down the most important renal markers, including creatinine, eGFR, and ACR, and how to interpret them in everyday pharmacy practice. Whether you’re new to reviewing kidney labs or want a refresher on interpreti...

In this episode, PANS' Lisa Woodill sits down with Laura Hergott, Manager of the Healthy by Nature Initiative at the BC Parks Foundation. Together, they explore the growing movement of nature prescriptions , also known as PaRx . Laura shares insights into how the PaRx program is making nature more accessible to Canadians, the science behind time spent outdoors, and practical tips for pharmacists a...

The Chief Medical Officer of Health in Nova Scotia has expanded eligibility for publicly funded RSV immunization to adults 75+, infants under 8 months entering their first RSV season, and high-risk infants under 2. Starting this Fall, these groups can receive the vaccine or monoclonal antibodies free of charge with a valid NS health card. In this episode, PANS’ Suzanne Richards catches up with Dr....

In this episode, PANS' Suzanne Richards-Aucoin catches up with Tasha Ramsey to talk about the Nova Scotia Vaccine Consult Service, just in time for vaccine season! Launched in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the service began as a lifeline for immunizers navigating rapidly changing vaccine guidance. Today, it continues to provide trusted, real-time support on both publicly and pri...

In this episode, PANS’ Lisa Woodill is joined by Jennifer Isenor & Natalie Kennie-Kaulbach for an engaging discussion on their new project - Making it Happen: Deprescribing Education Program. This new online, self-paced inter-professional deprescribing program was designed to explain and illustrate the fundamental steps of the deprescribing process. And did we mention it’s free!? Gain a deeper...

Many patients have drug therapy problems AFTER they start therapy, not before. The therapy isn’t working, it is causing side effects, or the patient isn’t taking it as prescribed. Or…everything is great. Assessing existing therapy is one of the most important roles of pharmacists, whether it’s renewals, med reviews, chronic disease management or checking in on a refill. The podcast series, 2 Cs 2...

In this episode, PANS' Suzanne Richards-Aucoin catches up with Miranda Teasdale, a Nova Scotia pharmacist who is leading the change on reducing environmental impact in pharmacy practice. From swapping plastic pill bottles for glass to implementing paperless systems and using low-impact packaging, this conversation highlights simple yet impactful ways pharmacies can reduce their day-to-day waste. C...

Back by popular demand! In this episode, PANS’ Suzanne Richards-Aucoin explores lab ordering for lipid monitoring for patients taking statins with Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Jaime McDonald. The discussion includes a comparison of the 2021 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Dyslipidemia Guidelines and the PEER simplified lipid guidelines (Patients, Evidence, Evidence, Research). Jaime reviews when...

DIS Program Manager and Pharmacist Rowan Sarty joins PANS host Glenn Rodrigues to demystify Nova Scotia’s new DIS Pharmacy Resource Library —a self-serve hub for training videos, FAQs, updates, and tips on using the Drug Information System. Learn what’s inside, why the site matters, and how to breeze through its quick multi-factor sign-up so you’re ready for other digital health solution rollouts...