Dr. Noel DaCunha: Practising in rural communities is about the people

Dr. Jovita Beyer set out on a journey towards family medicine thanks to her rugby coach who also happened to be the family physician in her hometown of Rocky Mountain House. Throughout her career, Dr. Beyer credits mentors who have shaped her into the family doctor she is today, and how mentoring others has enriched her life and practice. Listen in to gain perspective on how mentorship can lead the way to wellness.

In this episode, Dr. Shirley Schipper bravely shares personal experiences and tribulations she has faced as a woman in leadership positions over the years. Listen to Dr. Schipper's honest take on the good, the bad, and the hope for equitable opportunities for leaders in medicine. 

Dr. Rollie Nichol's story begins with his military upbringing that shaped his aspiration for leadership. Family medicine may not have initially been on his radar, but it soon became his calling. Find out how Dr. Nichol discovered his path to family medicine, how the specialty has evolved over the years, and how he pushes the boundaries to ask ‘what’s next’ in these changing times.

Having started his professional career as a civil engineer, Dr. Allan Bailey quickly realized that his astute problem solving and systems thinking skills could quickly be transplanted into a different sector—health care. Realizing his childhood dream, Dr. Bailey found a new path in family medicine and has been building connections with his patients and community partners ever since.

After more than 30 years of rural family practice and 28 years as a family doctor in the community of Pincher Creek, Dr. Cathy Scrimshaw reflects on her time in rural family practice—the significant patient relationships she’s developed over the years, what it has meant to her personally, and what the future of family medicine and family practice holds.

Meet AIVCC Medical Director, Dr. Amy Gausvik and family physician Nicole Cardinal as they discuss the recent launch of the Alberta Indigenous Virtual Care Clinic—its purpose and importance in providing adaptive, community-based care for remote and rural patient populations. More information on the AIVCC can be found at https://aivcc.ca/.

Having been diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months didn’t stop Matt from achieving and excelling at all things he does. Matt is an accomplished meteorologist and, in his spare time, a public speaker, advocating and educating people on the importance of inclusion of people with physical disabilities. On this podcast, Matt shares his patient story about the challenges and successes he has experienced through the health care system.

Drs. Marjan Abbasi and Sheny Khera have created and lead real and tangible positive change for the senior patient population by developing a primary health care model for healthy aging. Rooted in the Patient’s Medical Home (PMH) vision, Drs. Abbasi and Khera designed a proactive and preventative care model by including the patient, their families, and the care teams who support them in the design, development, and implementation of it. The wholistic and comprehensive care model not only looks at the PMH vision but the whole health and wellness neighbourhood primary care networks and partner organizations can provide.

Dr. Susan Adelman is a champion and advocate for her patients wherever she practises—be it in the northern Alberta community of Peerless Trout First Nation to Stand Off, Alberta within the Blood Tribe community, or her street outreach work for safe substance use. Listen to Dr. Adelman while she shares her perspective on serving underserved populations and provides an exemplary model of how to build empathy and understanding for patients. 

Finding a way to connect the dots to solve the big problems family physicians and their practices face is what keeps Dr. Scott Garrison going. Learn how a simple conversation with his patient informed his passion to help family physicians answer the big questions and changed his professional trajectory.