Central Line: Leadership in Healthcare

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Leading in healthcare is tough, so learn firsthand from today’s successful healthcare leaders on how they got to where they are, lessons learned along the way, and what it takes to thrive.

  1. JAN 27

    Flashback Episode | Meeting People Where They Are

    This week, we’re revisiting our most-listened-to episode — a powerful conversation with Caroline Brunt, RN, street nurse, educator, and co-creator of the award-winning documentary Bevel Up. Caroline shares what decades of outreach and harm-reduction work have taught her about leadership, trust, and meeting people where they are. This episode explores the quiet, often invisible skills that matter most in healthcare leadership: presence, humility, non-judgment, and genuine human connection. It’s a conversation about learning through discomfort, challenging assumptions, and remembering that people are never problems to be fixed — they are human beings shaped by complex systems, trauma, and resilience. If this episode resonated the first time you heard it, it’s worth returning to. And if you’re listening for the first time, this conversation offers a powerful reminder of what compassionate leadership truly looks like.

    52 min

  2. 11/26/2025

    The Fight for Reproductive Rights and Sexual Health with Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah

    In this episode, Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, Co-Director of Policy and Advocacy at Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, shares her path from an early, instinctive feminism to becoming a respected national advocate. She offers a clear look at Action Canada’s work advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada and globally, and why this work remains as urgent as ever. Debbie breaks down the systemic and political barriers that continue to limit equitable access to care, highlighting how narratives shape policy—and how shifting those narratives can change outcomes. She also speaks to the power of communities working together to influence decision-makers and push for a more just, responsive healthcare system. Grounded, thoughtful, and deeply informed, Debbie’s insights cut through noise and rhetoric. She closes with practical, realistic advice for young activists who want to contribute meaningfully to this work. A thoughtful conversation for anyone interested in advocacy, equity, and the future of healthcare.

    41 min

  3. 10/24/2025

    Empowering Discovery in Nursing with Marilyn Wacko

    Marilyn Wacko, Executive Director of the Alberta Nurses Educational Trust (ANET), discusses her role in advancing nursing through education and research. ANET, a unique charity in Alberta, provides grants for continuing education, research, and scholarships to improve nursing practice and patient care. Marilyn highlights the importance of funding nursing projects with immediate healthcare impacts and shares inspiring stories of beneficiaries. She also addresses the challenges in nursing research funding and emphasizes the need for greater awareness and support for the profession.

    43 min

  4. 09/12/2025

    Bridging Gaps: A Global Journey in Women's Health with Kate Grant

    After leaving a successful advertising career, Kate Grant set out to find work with deeper meaning. That search led her to a hospital in Ethiopia, where she witnessed women suffering from obstetric fistula—a preventable childbirth injury that had left them incontinent, isolated, and forgotten. Moved to act, Kate joined the Fistula Foundation. What began as support for a single hospital has grown under her leadership into a network spanning 32 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia—restoring health, dignity, and hope to thousands of the world’s poorest women.

    46 min

  5. 07/31/2025

    From Goose Bay to Policy Change: Caring for Indigenous Communities with Hilary Fry

    Join host Leah as she talks with Hilary, a Labrador Inuk nurse and policy analyst, about her journey in nursing, the importance of community, and advancing cultural safety in healthcare. Hilary shares insights on Indigenous leadership, overcoming challenges, and practical steps for creating more inclusive care. A powerful conversation on reconciliation and making a difference in Canadian health.   If you would like to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation and other Indigenous events please check out these links: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/new-relationship/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-calls-to-action https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/news-events/upcoming-events/air-knowledge-sharing-event-2025 https://www.nccih.ca/634/Resources__Indigenous_Cultural_Safety,_Humility_and_Anti-racism.nccih?id=3973&col=3 https://www.healthcareexcellence.ca/en/events-and-opportunities/spotlight-series/2023-12-06-spotlight-series/

    33 min

  6. 06/13/2025

    Revolutionizing Healthcare: The Power of Systems Thinking with Claire Phillips

    In this episode of Central Line Leadership in Healthcare, nurse and healthcare technology manager Claire Phillips shares her journey from a sociology major to a nursing leader. Discussing her passion for systems thinking, Claire highlights how this approach can revolutionize healthcare by addressing complex issues, such as burnout and patient care efficiency. Through her company, Nursing the System, she aims to train 10,000 nurses in systems change by 2030. Claire emphasizes the importance of practical tools and education in empowering nurses, thereby making healthcare more resilient and effective.

    39 min

  7. 03/06/2025

    From Loss to Legacy: The Story Behind the DAISY Award with Bonnie Beach

    In this episode of Central Line: Leadership in Healthcare, host Leah Wuitschik speaks with Bonnie Barnes, co-founder of the DAISY Foundation, which was created to honour extraordinary nurses after the compassionate care her stepson Patrick received before his passing. Since 1999, the DAISY Award has grown into a global movement, recognizing over 230,000 nurses in nearly 7,000 healthcare facilities across 43 countries. Bonnie shares how the program has expanded to include nurse leaders, educators, and teams, emphasizing the power of meaningful recognition in boosting morale, combating burnout, and reinforcing the impact of nursing. She also discusses DAISY’s ongoing research, international growth, and how expressing gratitude through nominations provides therapeutic benefits for patients and healthcare professionals alike. To learn more about the DAISY Foundation visit https://www.daisyfoundation.org/

    38 min

  8. 01/15/2025

    Breaking Barriers in Mental Health with Reverdi Darda

    In this episode of Central Line: Leadership Between the Lines, host Leah Wuitschik interviews Reverdi Darda, founder and CEO of ATMA CENA. With over three decades in healthcare leadership, Rev shares her inspiring journey of transformation—from her roots as a registered nurse to becoming a trailblazer in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Rev discusses the innovative approaches her organization is championing, including ketamine-assisted therapy and psilocybin treatments. She offers an inside look at how these therapies are reshaping mental health care by addressing trauma, depression, and anxiety through patient-centred, interdisciplinary care. Together, Leah and Rev delve into the challenges of breaking stigma, navigating regulatory landscapes, and building a culture of well-being in healthcare leadership. Rev’s reflections on her own personal journey and advice for balancing leadership with self-care provide a wealth of insights for leaders feeling stretched by competing demands. Tune in to hear how Rev’s work is transforming individual lives and paving the way for a new era in mental health care.

    41 min
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Leading in healthcare is tough, so learn firsthand from today’s successful healthcare leaders on how they got to where they are, lessons learned along the way, and what it takes to thrive.

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