Pulse: The Ottawa Hospital Foundation Podcast

A cancer diagnosis in early 2020 was shocking news for Dan MacMillan and Jenny Chen to absorb. In this episode, Dan shares the emotional journey of facing his diagnosis during a pandemic, and Jenny talks about supporting him, her best friend, during this difficult time. Together, they explain how their friendship turned into more and what inspires them to pay it forward to help others. (28:03)

Meet Dr. Jess Fiedorowicz, the Head and Chief of the Department of Mental Health at our hospital.  In this conversation, he explains what attracted him to The Ottawa Hospital from Iowa in 2020, the unique role our hospital plays in mental care in our community, his plans to grow the program, and the impact research will have on patient care. He also talks about the Life magazine photo that he has...

Dr. Jean Seely is a radiologist and the Head of Breast Imaging at The Ottawa Hospital. She has dedicated her career to increasing early detection for breast cancer to help more patients avoid the pain and suffering of a later diagnosis. In this episode, Dr. Seely reveals the personal story that led her down this career path. She dives into how digital imaging for breast health care has evolved ove...

Philanthropy plays a vital role in providing world-class care to patients at The Ottawa Hospital. In this episode, you'll meet Janet Pigott, a cancer patient, and Gavin Murphy, a generous supporter. Hear about the special connection Janet made to philanthropy as she waited for cancer treatment one day and Gavin's message to the community about why future support is critically important. (27:12)

Take a step inside the future of healthcare, as Cameron Love, the President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital, takes you on an audio tour of the new Civic development site on Carling Avenue. You'll hear about improved patient flow for the most complex healthcare procedures, a new novel Command Centre, technologically advanced operating rooms, and leading-edge research including the new neuroscience i...

Cutting-edge research at The Ottawa Hospital is transforming how we treat cancer — developing treatments uniquely tailored to each patient. In this episode, Dr. Arif Ali Awan, a medical oncologist and clinical investigator discusses: New ways cancer could be detected in the not-so-distant future.    How our knowledge of cancer is constantly changing. What personalized medicine is and what cancers...

In this episode, you'll meet Jenna Keindel. Jenna was diagnosed with a rare type of muscular dystrophy when she was 16 years old. For years, Jenna's doctors at The Ottawa Hospital tried to identify the genetic subtype of the disease because without that information they couldn't predict how it would progress. Finally, after 23 years, a breakthrough would take Jenna down a very different path. You'...

Giving back to our hospital became an even bigger priority for Mike Bull after his wife, Rie Bull, was rushed to our Emergency Department in 2017 after collapsing due to a ruptured brain aneurysm. Today, Mike continues to incorporate his love of cycling and philanthropy because he's grateful for how our experts tackled his wife's complex case. Listen to find out which doctor Mike calls Rie's hero,...

Dr. Guillaume Martel is a surgeon from The Ottawa Hospital's liver and pancreas unit. He's also the first Arnie Vered Family Chair in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Research — appointed in 2019.  In this episode, he discusses complex abdominal surgeries, his research into pancreatic, liver, and bile duct cancers, and the innovative clinical trials providing new hope to patients. 

Blood clots, or thrombosis, have been a much-discussed health topic during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Dr. Marc Carrier and Dr. Lana Castellucci help us better understand blood clots, the global impact their research is having on patient care, and how the pandemic thrust their area of expertise into the spotlight. 

Five years after stunning results from a world-first clinical trial for MS patients were announced, we check back in with the lead researchers. We also catch up with one of the patients who participated in the trial to get an update on how she is doing today.  Guests:  Dr. Harry Atkins Dr. Mark Freedman Jennifer Molson 

With the vision in her left eye deteriorating quickly in the fall of 2020, Michele Juma travelled from her home in Sault Ste. Marie to The Ottawa Hospital where she received specialized care. Tests revealed the mother of four had a meningioma tumour and time was not on her side to save her vision. 

Amy-Lynn Howson has been a nurse for nine years. It was only recently though she became known as the "Singing Nurse" from The Ottawa Hospital. It all started when she brought her guitar into work one night to sing "You are not alone" — a song she wrote four years ago under very different circumstances. 

Go behind the scenes to learn more about Dr. John Sinclair, the Director of Neurosurgical Oncology and the Director of Cerebrovascular Surgery at The Ottawa Hospital.  You'll learn about the innovative technology he's worked to bring to Ottawa to provide better care for cancer patients. He also gives us a glimpse inside the OR, his dream for the future, and he'll explain what his initial career pl...

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's, affecting at least 100,000 Canadians. Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are investigating this disease to learn more to help better care for patients and ultimately to find a cure. In this episode, you'll hear how the power of philanthropy is helping. Guests:  Dr. Julianna Tomlinson, senior research associa...

Meet gynecologic surgeon Dr. Sony Singh. In this episode, he provides insight into the number of people suffering from endometriosis. He also discusses uterine fibroids, minimally invasive surgery, and the impact of donor support advancing patient care. 

Our hospital has played a significant leadership role in our region's response to COVID-19. One year into the pandemic, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Cameron Love reflects on the challenges, the silver linings, and the signs of hope that are emerging. 

Vanessa Large, Cindy McCambley, and Leah Mills share their stories from the frontlines of the pandemic. Hear their candid accounts about fears of the unknown, the long-haul exhaustion, and the pride of caring for their patients during these unprecedented times. 

The Ottawa Hospital saved Kimberly Mountain's life after the discovery of a cancerous brain tumour. Today, she's confident if the cancer comes back, The Ottawa Hospital will be ready to save her again. Hear Kimberly's story. 

Bryde  Fresque   needed  a skilled team  and a complex surgery  to co me up with a diagnosis of  p heochromocytoma – a  rare   tumour  that  left his future uncertain .    Guests: - Bryde Fresque, patient - Dr. Carolyn Nessim, a  surgical oncologist and clinician investigator at The Ottawa Hospital   

Bushra Saeed-Khan was just eight weeks into what was to be a year-long tour in Afghanistan in 2009 when her light armoured vehicle hit an IED. What followed was a long journey from trauma to healing.  Guests: - Bushra Saeed-Khan - Dr. Nancy Dudek, Medical Director of the Amputee Program

Take a glimpse inside the life of the people caring for patients at the region's only Level 1 Trauma Centre.  Dr. Maher Matar, a trauma surgeon, discusses the highly-skilled team that comes together each time trauma patients come through our doors.  

In 2020, our community rallied to support The Ottawa Hospital in an unprecedented way. Tim Kluke, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, reflects on how, together, our hospital and community took on COVID-19 and his message of thanks.

It's been ten months since COVID-19 arrived in our region. In this episode, we take you back to the frontlines to hear two different stories of care at The Ottawa Hospital. Guests: - Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng, ICU and palliative care physician - Julie Renaud, Director, Cancer Care Program 

Fran Cosper shares his story of fierce determination after being diagnosed with Guillain Barré Syndrome - which would leave him completely paralyzed. It would be a healthcare team at our Rehabilitation Centre that would help him learn to walk again.