Doctors Unscripted with Dr. Nadia Giannetti

The MUHC Foundation
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You’ve seen the white coat. You’ve seen the stethoscope. But do you know the person behind them? Doctors Unscripted, hosted by Dr. Nadia Giannetti, pulls back the curtain on what it really means to be a doctor at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). Each episode features candid conversations with physicians from across specialties, exploring why they chose medicine, the challenges they’ve faced, the moments that shaped them, and what keeps them going. Whether you’re an aspiring physician, a current medical student, or simply curious about the human side of healthcare, this podcast brings you closer to the people behind the profession. Doctors Unscripted is proudly brought to you by the MUHC Foundation.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Mentorship, Medicine, and Medical Innovation with Dr. Nadia Giannetti

    In the final episode of Doctors Unscripted, the script is flipped as Tarah Schwartz, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the MUHC Foundation, sits down with host Dr. Nadia Giannetti for a candid conversation about the career, experiences, and values that have shaped her journey in medicine. Dr. Giannetti reflects on her path to becoming a cardiologist and heart failure and transplant specialist, including the unexpected opportunity that led her to Stanford University and ultimately defined her career. She shares lessons learned from more than 25 years in healthcare, the challenges and rewards of building a world-class heart failure and transplant program, and the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise. The conversation also explores topics that have resonated throughout the season: mentorship, leadership, work-life balance, and the realities of balancing a demanding medical career with family life. Dr. Giannetti opens up about her own experiences with pregnancy loss, motherhood, and career advancement, while offering advice to young physicians navigating major life and career decisions. Looking ahead, Dr. Giannetti shares her vision for the future of healthcare, including her growing focus on medical technology, artificial intelligence, remote patient monitoring, and innovations that could transform how care is delivered to patients across Canada. Whether you're a medical student, resident, practicing clinician, or simply curious about the human side of healthcare, this episode offers a fitting conclusion to a season dedicated to learning from those who have walked the path before us. To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit:  muhcfoundation.com

    28 min

  2. May 20

    Leadership, Research, and the Long Game with Dr. Marc Rodger

    What does it take to build a career that changes clinical practice, shapes future leaders, and still leaves room for personal passion and fulfillment? In this episode of Doctors Unscripted, host Dr. Nadia Giannetti sits down with Dr. Marc Rodger, Chair of Medicine at McGill University, Physician-in-Chief at the McGill University Health Centre, and internationally recognized researcher in venous thrombosis. Dr. Rodger reflects on the path that led him from aspiring community internist to physician-scientist, researcher, educator, and healthcare leader. Together, he and Dr. Giannetti discuss the importance of following opportunities as they arise, the value of formal research and leadership training, and why mentorship has become one of the most meaningful parts of his career. The conversation also explores major life and career decisions, including Dr. Rodger’s move from Ottawa to Montreal, balancing administrative leadership with active clinical research, and the realities of building a fulfilling life in medicine. Dr. Rodger shares insights into his internationally recognized thrombosis research, his passion for developing future leaders, and the advice he gives young physicians about defining success on their own terms. To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit:  muhcfoundation.com

    25 min

  3. Apr 15

    Success, Sacrifice, and Fertility in Women in Medicine with Dr. Victoria Mandilaras

    What does it take to build a successful career in medicine without losing sight of your personal life? In this episode of Doctors Unscripted, host Dr. Nadia Giannetti sits down with Dr. Victoria Mandilaras, a medical oncologist at the McGill University Health Centre who specializes in gynecologic and gastrointestinal cancers. Dr. Mandilaras shares insights into her rapid career progression and what it takes to succeed in a highly competitive field like oncology. Together, she and Dr. Giannetti explore the realities of work-life balance in medicine, including the pressures that come with ambition, achievement, and the expectations placed on physicians, particularly women. The conversation also dives into an increasingly important topic for young female doctors: fertility preservation. Dr. Mandilaras discusses the considerations, challenges, and evolving options available to women in medicine who are navigating both career growth and family planning. If you are a medical student, resident, or practicing physician thinking about how to build a meaningful career while maintaining personal priorities, this episode offers an honest and timely perspective. To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit:  muhcfoundation.com

    30 min

  4. Mar 18

    Beyond the Scalpel with Dr. Liane Feldman

    In this episode of Doctors Unscripted, host Dr. Nadia Giannetti sits down with Dr. Liane Feldman, Edward W. Archibald Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery at McGill University and Surgeon-in-Chief at the McGill University Health Centre. Dr. Feldman is an internationally recognized leader in minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery and enhanced recovery after surgery. Her patient-centered research focuses on improving surgical recovery, optimizing perioperative care processes, and using technology to enhance operative performance. She founded a multidisciplinary enhanced recovery program at the MUHC that was recognized by Accreditation Canada as a leading practice. She currently serves as President of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons and has held leadership roles across major surgical organizations in Canada and the United States. In this candid conversation, Dr. Feldman reflects on how she chose surgery as her specialty, what draws physicians to the intensity and precision of the operating room, and the mindset required to thrive in a demanding surgical career. She also shares how she prioritizes her own well-being, maintains balance, and sustains longevity in a high-performance field. If you are a medical student considering surgery, a clinician navigating leadership, or simply curious about what drives those at the top of their field, this episode offers insight into the discipline, humanity, and resilience behind surgical excellence. To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit:  muhcfoundation.com

    30 min

  5. Feb 18

    From Lab to Launch with Dr. Yen-I Chen

    What does it take to turn a medical idea into a device that can actually be used by patients around the world? In this episode of Doctors Unscripted, host Dr. Nadia Giannetti sits down with Dr. Yen‑I Chen, Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University and researcher in the Division of Gastroenterology at the McGill University Health Centre. Dr. Chen offers a behind-the-scenes look at medical innovation, from conducting clinical research to navigating patents, regulatory approvals, and the complex process of getting medical devices cleared for use across different countries. Together, he and Dr. Giannetti discuss what physicians are rarely taught about commercialization, regulation, and translating research into real-world impact. The conversation also turns to the personal side of life in academic medicine. Dr. Chen reflects on balancing the demands of being a clinician, researcher, and parent, and how defining priorities early can help create a sustainable and fulfilling career. If you’re curious about how medical research moves beyond the lab, what it takes to bring new technologies to patients, and how doctors navigate ambition alongside family life, this episode offers an honest and insightful perspective. To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit:  muhcfoundation.com

    23 min

  6. Jan 21

    Dialysis, Distance, and Decisions with Dr. Rita Suri

    What happens when doctors step outside their comfort zone (and even their hometown) to learn how medicine is practiced elsewhere? In this episode of Doctors Unscripted, host Dr. Nadia Giannetti sits down with Dr. Rita Suri, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at the McGill University Health Centre. Dr. Suri shares why training outside your home institution can be transformative for young physicians. She reflects on how exposure to different healthcare systems across Canada and around the world shaped her approach to patient care, leadership, and research, and why bringing that knowledge back home ultimately benefits patients and institutions alike. The conversation also explores Dr. Suri’s research focus on improving health outcomes and quality of life for patients with end-stage kidney failure receiving hemodialysis, as well as the importance of being intentional about career choices. Together, she and Dr. Giannetti discuss how physicians can better understand what they want from both their professional and personal lives, and how mapping out goals early can help create a more fulfilling career in medicine. If you’re a medical student, resident, or practicing clinician thinking about where, and how, you want to build your career, this episode offers thoughtful insight into growth, purpose, and long-term vision in medicine. To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit:  muhcfoundation.com

    29 min

  7. 12/17/2025

    Understanding the Maternal Heart with Dr. Natalie Dayan

    What can pregnancy teach us about a woman’s long-term heart health? And, what does it look like to build a medical career while raising a family at the same time? In this episode of Doctors Unscripted, host Dr. Nadia Giannetti, Cardiologist and Associate Physician-in-Chief at the McGill University Health Centre, sits down with Dr. Natalie Dayan, Director of Obstetrical Medicine at the MUHC, Assistant Professor of Medicine at McGill, and attending physician whose work is reshaping our understanding of cardiometabolic health in the postpartum period. Dr. Dayan and Dr. Giannetti discuss her research on pregnancy outcomes in women with chronic conditions like obesity, hypertension, and heart disease, as well as her investigations into why pregnancy complications can raise cardiovascular risk later in life. They also discuss the realities of navigating work–life balance as a physician-scientist and mother of three, from managing demanding clinical schedules to being fully present at home. If you’re curious about the intersection of women’s health, cardiometabolic research, and the personal stories that shape medical careers, this candid conversation offers a thoughtful and relatable look behind the scenes. To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit:  muhcfoundation.com

    21 min

  8. 11/13/2025

    Following Your Heart with Dr. Patrick Lawler

    What does it take to build a life in medicine that spans continents, disciplines, and generations? In this episode of Doctors Unscripted, host Dr. Nadia Giannetti, Cardiologist and Associate Physician-in-Chief at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), sits down with Dr. Patrick Lawler, a cardiologist and critical care physician whose path to medicine began in Boston. From his Fulbright scholarship at Sweden’s world-renowned Karolinska Institute, to medical school at McGill University, and advanced training at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. Lawler’s career has been defined by curiosity, excellence, and a deep commitment to patient care. Together, Dr. Giannetti and Dr. Lawler explore how early influences shaped his approach to medicine, the pivotal choices that guided his training, and what it’s like to balance a demanding career in cardiology with family life alongside his wife, who herself is a pediatric cardiologist. To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit:  muhcfoundation.com

    22 min

  9. 10/15/2025

    Breathing Room with Dr. Anne Gonzalez

    What does it take to push the boundaries of pulmonary medicine while balancing the realities of life outside the hospital? In this episode of Doctors Unscripted, host Dr. Nadia Giannetti, Cardiologist and Associate-Physician-in-Chief at the MUHC, sits down with Dr. Anne Gonzalez, a pulmonary and critical care physician at the McGill University Health Centre. With advanced training in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, as well as Interventional Pulmonary Medicine, Dr. Gonzalez’s work focuses on the investigation of patients with lung cancer, from first suspicions to treatment decisions, and the evaluation of novel interventional techniques such as advanced bronchoscopy and pleural procedures. Together, Dr. Giannetti and Dr. Gonzalez explore the pivotal choices that shape a medical career, from deciding whether to head straight to med school or pursue further education, to staying at the forefront of innovation in pulmonary care. Dr. Gonzalez also shares her perspective on balancing clinical practice with family life, and why that balance often looks different for women in medicine. If you’re curious about the cutting edge of pulmonary care, the sacrifices behind a doctor’s path, and the human side of life in medicine, this candid conversation is for you. To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit:  muhcfoundation.com

    26 min

  10. 09/17/2025

    Infectious Curiosity with Dr. Donald Vinh

    What drives a doctor to dedicate their life not just to treating patients, but to uncovering the very mysteries of the human immune system? In this first episode of Doctors Unscripted, host Dr. Nadia Giannetti, Cardiologist and Associate-Physician-in-Chief at the MUHC, sits down with Dr. Donald Vinh, clinician in the Infectious Diseases Division at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and leading scientist in the Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program at the RI-MUHC. While Dr. Vinh is known internationally for his groundbreaking work on genetic defects of immunity and their role in infectious disease, this conversation goes beyond the lab and the clinic. He shares what inspired him to pursue medicine, how he continues to push forward in the face of challenges, and what it means to balance scientific discovery with family life. If you’ve ever wondered what fuels the passion behind a career in medicine, from the personal sacrifices to the moments of inspiration, this conversation offers an honest and deeply human look at one Montreal doctor’s journey. To learn more about how the MUHC Foundation supports life-changing research and patient care at the MUHC, visit:  muhcfoundation.com

    25 min

  11. Trailer

    Doctors Unscripted with Dr. Giannetti - Launching September 17, 2025

    Hosted by Dr. Nadia Giannetti, Doctors Unscripted shares the untold stories of MUHC doctors. From career-defining moments to personal challenges, discover the human side of healthcare. Launching September 17th, with new episodes every month.

    1 min

Trailer

About

You’ve seen the white coat. You’ve seen the stethoscope. But do you know the person behind them? Doctors Unscripted, hosted by Dr. Nadia Giannetti, pulls back the curtain on what it really means to be a doctor at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). Each episode features candid conversations with physicians from across specialties, exploring why they chose medicine, the challenges they’ve faced, the moments that shaped them, and what keeps them going. Whether you’re an aspiring physician, a current medical student, or simply curious about the human side of healthcare, this podcast brings you closer to the people behind the profession. Doctors Unscripted is proudly brought to you by the MUHC Foundation.

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