Chats on Change

Nova Scotia Health
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A Nova Scotia Health podcast - Chats on Change takes you to the heart of Nova Scotia Health’s transformation through conversations with our people. , we explore thought-provoking ideas and bold initiatives shaping a new era of healthcare in Nova Scotia. For more, visit: www.nshealth.ca/podcasts Questions, comments or topic suggestions? E-mail: podcasts@nshealth.ca

  1. Mar 17

    What is a Physician Assistant?

    What does it take to improve access to care, reduce surgical wait times, and get patients back on their feet - literally? In this episode of Chats on Change, guest host Dr. Todd Howlett is joined by orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Brendan O’Neill and physician assistant Stephanie Konway from Dartmouth General Hospital. Together, they share how with the care and expertise of physician assistants, patients can be assessed sooner and move more quickly toward surgery and recovery. Physician assistants are a growing part of Nova Scotia Health’s care teams, working alongside physicians to expand capacity, improve patient flow and strengthen continuity of care. In orthopaedics, that means faster assessments, more coordinated care, and helping patients get back on their feet sooner. Hear how this collaborative approach is making a difference for patients — and what it means for the future of care in Nova Scotia.

  2. Feb 25

    Black Women's Leadership in the Public Sector with the Honourable Twila Grosse

    In celebration of African Heritage Month, guest host Candace Thomas, Nova Scotia Health’s Vice President of Legal, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, sits down with the Honourable Twila Grosse, Nova Scotia’s Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs and Minister of the Public Service Commission. Together, they share an honest conversation about identity, representation and the realities of leading as Black women in the public sector. From navigating expectations and public scrutiny to carrying the responsibility of “see it to be it,” this episode explores what leadership looks like when it is rooted in community, resilience and hope. Links: Black Cultural Centre for Nova ScotiaAfrican Nova Scotian AffairsHave a question or suggestion for a future guest? Email podcasts@nshealth.ca

  3. 12/15/2025

    From Intake to Recovery: Mental Health and Addictions Services, Closer to Our Communities

    Chats on Change welcomes back special guest host, Bethany McCormick, who will have a conversation with Dr. Dave Martell, Sarah Janes and Alanna Blanchard from Nova Scotia Health’s Mental Health and Addictions program. Together, they will discuss the how our organization is expanding access to treatment and services for Nova Scotians. Do you have a question or comment about we discussed, or a suggestion for our next guest? E-mail podcasts@nshealth.ca. What is a Recovery Support Centre? Recovery Support Centres (RSCs) provide accessible, supportive environments for adults seeking assistance with substance use and gambling issues, offering outpatient withdrawal management and harm reduction services. What is a Mental Health Day Hospital? Mental Health Day Hospitals – located in Halifax, Sydney, Kentville, and Truro – offer intensive group and individual therapy for those needing more support than what is available at community clinics, transitioning from, or avoiding inpatient care. What is a Central Intake Service? Provincial Intake supports Nova Scotians in accessing mental health and addictions care by providing timely access to intake assessment, service navigation and brief intervention support.      To self-refer: prebooking.nshealth.ca, through theYourHealthNS app, or through the provincial toll-free number at 1-855-922-1122Hours: Monday to Friday (including weekday holidays): 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Extended Hours: Tuesday & Thursday until 8 p.m. Weekends: On-call clinicians are available to respond to urgent requests.

  4. 11/12/2025

    Loss and Connection: Finding Community in Grief

    Chats on Change welcomes special guest host, Vice President Bethany McCormick, for a moving and human conversation about grief, emotional wellness, and community with guests Lindsay Sutherland, Director of the Nova Scotia Palliative Care Network, and Tim Guest, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Hospice and Palliative Care Association. The Nova Scotia Grief Alliance is a province-wide initiative focused on improving grief support through education, resources, and collaboration. Launched inApril, it is co-led by the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association and Nova Scotia Health. The NS Grief Alliance connects individuals and organizations to share best practices and learn together. Links: Nova Scotia Grief Alliance – A network for individuals and organizations working in grief support. NSHPCA Healing Pathways-Grieving Well – A place to find local and online resources to support you in your grief and wellness. Life Changes – A variety of resources and navigation points for grief, bereavement, trauma, and resiliency. The Knowledge Collaborative – A free education for non-profit community-based service providers providing mental health and addictions supports and/or services in Nova Scotia.

  5. 10/20/2025

    Tenzr Health: Changing the Rehab Game

    Join Karen in conversation with Gautam Sadarangani, President and COO/CTO of Tenzr Health, and Natalie Thornley, Interdisciplinary Clinical Leader at the Acquired Brain Injury Program. Together, they explore how gamified rehabilitation is transforming patient care. Learn how Nova Scotia Health became the first in Canada to use Tenzr’s digital, connected therapy platform to keep patients engaged and clinicians informed, all while improving recovery outcomes.Links: Tenzr Health changing the rehabilitation game for therapists and patientsNova Scotia Health Innovation Hub

  6. 10/08/2025

    How System Accountability Transforms Care

    In this episode Karen sits down with Dr. Paige Moorhouse and Kate Melvin to unpack what “system accountability” really means in practice. Together, they explore how teams across the province are working to decrease ambulance offload times, strengthen emergency department flow, and improve timely access to care. From collaboration across hospitals and communities to data-driven decisions that make a real difference for patients, this conversation shines a light on progress, and the people driving it forward.

  7. 09/26/2025

    Beyond the Data: Progress Powered by People

    It's Nova Scotia Health's 10th Annual Report and Annual General Meeting - and you have a seat at the table. Join Karen as she chats 2024/2025 in review with Administrator Chris Power; Dr. Nicole Boutilier, Executive Vice President, Medicine and Clinical Operations; and Derek Spinney, Vice President Corporate Services, Infrastructure and Chief Financial Officer. They discuss their highlights of the past year and how teams across Nova Scotia Health are moving mountains to transform healthcare. Highlights include: 💡 3,000+ more surgeries than last year💡 1,600+ new physicians and nurses hired💡 80,000 more monthly primary care appointments But even greater, behind each achievement and every number is a person—and a story of care, dedication, and determination to create a healthcare system that Nova Scotians deserve. Links: More than MedicineNova Scotia Health RecruitmentNeed a Family Practice Nova Scotia Health Innovation HubWest Bedford Transitional HealthCIHI Report shows encouraging progress in surgical wait times in Nova Scotia

    Beyond the Data: Progress Powered by People

  8. 09/10/2025

    Gift of Life: Living Donation Week

    In this special mini-episode, Karen chats with members of the Multi-Organ Transplant Team to discuss Living Donation Week. This week, September 7 through 15, is Living Donation Week in Canada, and living kidney and liver donations are a gift of life with a shorter pathway to back to wellness for those waiting for a transplant. Learn more about becoming the Lving Kidney Donor Program in Nova Scotia. Links: Living Donation Week Multi-Organ Transplant Program of Atlantic Canada Note - Right now in Nova Scotia, there is only a living kidney donor program.

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About

A Nova Scotia Health podcast - Chats on Change takes you to the heart of Nova Scotia Health’s transformation through conversations with our people. , we explore thought-provoking ideas and bold initiatives shaping a new era of healthcare in Nova Scotia. For more, visit: www.nshealth.ca/podcasts Questions, comments or topic suggestions? E-mail: podcasts@nshealth.ca

Information

  • Creator
    Nova Scotia Health
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nova Scotia Health
  • Show Website
    Chats on Change