Dear listeners, Although breastfeeding initiation rates in Canada remain among the highest in the world, maintaining exclusive breastfeeding for the recommended six months continues to be a major challenge. In this episode, pediatrician and lactation consultant Dr. Rajinder Gulati joins us to unpack why so many mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they intended and what healthcare systems can do differently. We discuss the striking regional differences across Canada, including why British Columbia consistently outperforms other provinces, and explore what lessons can be learned from both su
Dear listeners, Today’s guest is Dr. Alan Cohen, a pediatric neurosurgeon whose career has spanned more than four decades at some of the world’s most respected institutions, including Boston Children’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins. Throughout his career, Dr. Cohen has cared for children facing some of the most serious neurological conditions imaginable and has guided countless families through life-altering diagnoses, difficult decisions, and moments of profound uncertainty. In his new memoir, Comfort Always: Healing in the Age of Technology, Dr. Cohen reflects on a question that sits at the hea
Plastics are everywhere—and so is the confusion surrounding them. In this episode, we sit down with Chris DeArmitt, independent scientist, materials expert, and founder of the Plastics Research Council. Known for his rigorous, evidence-first approach, Chris has spent years analyzing peer-reviewed research to better understand the real impact of plastics and microplastics on human health and the environment. Together, we unpack some of the most common misconceptions driving public concern today. Are microplastics truly harming our health, or is the science still evolving? Why has plastics becom
Dear listeners, Today’s episode is a deeply moving conversation about grief, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going after unimaginable loss. We’re joined by Marcia Earhart — certified life, grief, and trauma coach, educator, mental health first responder, and founder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary. But beyond her professional work, Marcia brings something even more powerful to this conversation: lived experience. After the loss of both of her sons, alongside chronic illness and significant family trauma, Marcia found herself navigating what she calls the “garden of grief.” I
Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we take a closer look at the growing role of AI chatbots in healthcare—and the risks that come with them. Dr. Christie Bergerson, biomedical engineer and AI expert at ECRI, joins us to unpack how tools like ChatGPT are being used by both patients and clinicians. From drafting clinical notes to answering medical questions, these technologies are already shaping care in meaningful ways—but not always safely. We explore why AI chatbots can be particularly risky in healthcare, including their tendency to sound confident even when the
Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we sit down with Tom Swales—physiotherapist, performance expert, and founder of the Advanced Movement Therapist Certification. Tom shares lessons from more than two decades working with elite athletes and everyday patients, and reflects on how a life-threatening infection in 2023 transformed his perspective on resilience, recovery, and patient care. We explore how his AMT approach integrates strength training with rehabilitation, why movement literacy matters for all patients—not just athletes—and where integrated performance med
Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, Dr. Dimitre speaks with Sharmeen Aqueel, founder and CEO of Lyvvora, a Lending-as-a-Service platform built specifically for healthcare clinics and pharmacies. With a background in enterprise tech, Sharmeen shares how she identified a hidden but urgent problem in primary care: outdated, opaque financing that holds back even thriving clinics. Together, they explore how Lyvvora is helping practices across Canada access fast, fair, and flexible capital—without the paperwork headache. From real-world success stories to insights on the
Dear listeners, What if a molecule could help you live longer and feel better doing it? In this episode, I’m joined by scientist and entrepreneur Chris Burres, founder of MyVitalC, to explore ESS60—a powerful antioxidant that could reshape how we think about aging and vitality. We break down the science, bust a few myths, and share real steps you can take today to support a longer, healthier life. Let’s dive right in! Listen to the podcast here. Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 115: Can We Hack Aging? The Science of ESS60 with Chris Burres appeared first on Primary Medicine Podcast.
Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, family physician Dr. Rory Sullivan joins us to explore the intersection of medicine and storytelling. We discuss how his clinical experience shaped his debut novel Waking on the Ground, the realities of publishing while practicing, and what’s next on his creative path. A must-listen for anyone curious about narrative medicine and the art of balancing creativity with clinical life. Website – https://roryosullivan.ca Book – https://roryosullivan.ca/eamon-rourke/ Narrative Medicine workshop – https://narrativebasedmedicine.ca/offeri
Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, Dr. Dimitre Ranev sits down with Dr. Yatin Chadha — known to many from the Beyond MD podcast. This time, he joins us to discuss his newest venture: two practical online radiology courses designed to help clinicians build confidence in CT head interpretation. We cover what inspired these courses, how he created them, and how primary care, emergency, internal medicine, and trainee clinicians can use them in daily practice. We also touch on what it takes to build an online course in medicine and our thoughts on the future of medical
Dear Listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we tackle a critical but often overlooked topic in healthcare—physician practice financial health. Host Dr. Kevin is joined by Matt Seefeld, CEO of MedEvolve and a nationally recognized expert in healthcare revenue cycle optimization. With over 20 years of consulting experience, Matt shares how technology, AI, and automation are revolutionizing billing, staffing, and operational efficiency in medical practices. Whether you’re a physician-owner, clinic manager, or simply curious about the business side of healthcare, this episode
Dear Listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we explore the rapidly growing and often misunderstood world of male enhancement procedures. Joined by Dr. Joel Pash — anaesthesiologist, Stanford faculty member, and co-founder of The Upsize Clinic — we dive into the latest techniques, the surge in patient demand, and the critical need for safe, evidence-based practices. Dr. Pash shares insights on what’s driving this trend, the risks of poorly performed procedures, and how clinicians can access proper training to better support their patients. Please visit Dr. Pash US and Canad
Dear Listeners, On this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we speak with Dr. Sarah Nasir, a dual board-certified family physician and addiction medicine specialist, about her innovative, holistic approach to treating addiction. From leading a methadone clinic to founding Zenara Care and Transcendant You, Dr. Nasir shares how blending evidence-based care with whole-person healing can transform recovery—especially in underserved communities. Listen to the Podcast Episode here! Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 110: Healing the Whole Person Dr. Sarah Nasir on Holistic Approaches to Addic
Dear Listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, Dr. Dimitre speaks with Dr. Jeff, a board-certified neurological surgeon and founder of ReCELLebrate, about an exciting frontier in healthcare—natural killer (NK) cell-derived exosome therapy. Dr. Jeff shares his journey from virology research to pioneering anti-aging treatments, and dives into how exosomes are being explored to boost traditional cancer therapies, prevent disease, and even slow aging. Tune in for a deep dive into this innovative blend of immunotherapy, cancer care, and regenerative medicine. Listen to the Podcast
Dear Listeners, This week on the Primary Medicine Podcast, we’re joined by Todd Minerson, Country Director for Movember Canada and a global leader in men’s health advocacy. Since 2003, Movember has raised over $1.6 billion worldwide to support initiatives in men’s mental health, prostate and testicular cancer, and overall wellbeing. Todd brings a wealth of experience in community leadership and social change, including his past work with the White Ribbon Campaign and youth homelessness in Toronto. In this episode, Todd shares how Movember’s Canadian initiatives are breaking down barriers and s
Dear Listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. John Oliffe, a renowned expert in men’s health promotion and Professor at the University of British Columbia. As the founder of UBC’s Men’s Health Research program and a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair, Dr. Oliffe has led groundbreaking studies on how masculinity impacts men’s health behaviours, illness management, and overall wellbeing. With over $44 million in funding and 450+ publications, his work spans prostate cancer, smoking cessation, mental health, and suicide prevention—helping shape policies and clinic
Dear Listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we welcome back Dr. Sam Gharbi—clinician, educator, and health tech innovator—to discuss the rapid growth of Arya Health, one of Canada’s fastest-growing EMRs. Dr. Gharbi shares how Arya is transforming physician workflows with AI tools like AI Scribe, eFaxTriage and Co-Pilot, and we explore its recent milestones and its potential as a game-changer for physician sustainability and retention. Listen to the Podcast Episode here! Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 106: Building the Future of EMRs with Dr. Sam Gharbi on Arya Health
Dear Listeners, Welcome back to the Primary Medicine Podcast! Today’s guest is Ron Richard, a true healthcare innovator with over 35 years of experience in respiratory, pulmonary, and sleep medicine. From launching over 40 medical products and holding 15 patents to working with industry leaders like ResMed and Qualcomm, Ron has helped shape the future of patient care. He’s also a creative force—an author, musician, and entrepreneur. In this episode, we dive into his journey, the hurdles clinicians face when innovating, and practical tips for bringing new medical ideas to market. If you are int
Dear Listeners, Welcome to the Primary Medicine Podcast! Today, we’re exploring a groundbreaking approach to chronic pain—one that challenges the idea that all persistent pain stems from injury or disease. Our guest, Dr. David Clarke, President of the Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS), specializes in stress-related, brain-generated conditions and helps patients overcome pain without drugs or surgery. We’ll discuss how stress and trauma can manifest as physical symptoms, the science behind neuroplastic pain, and evidence-based strategies for lasting relief. Listen to the
Dear Listeners, Today, we’re diving into the critical topic of enhancing interoperability in Canadian health care with an exceptional guest, Dr. Rashaad Bhyat. Dr. Bhyat is a family physician, digital health expert, and Senior Clinician Leader at Canada Health Infoway, a federally funded, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing digital health solutions across Canada. Canada Health Infoway is on a mission to create a more connected and efficient health care system by accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies like electronic health records and e-prescribing services. Intero
Dear Listeners, Welcome back to the Primary Medicine Podcast! Today, we’re diving into the world of healthcare technology and innovation with a guest who has been a driving force in transforming digital health across Canada. Mike Checkley is the President of QHR Technologies, the company behind Accuro EMR—one of the leading electronic medical record systems used by healthcare providers nationwide. With over two decades of experience, Mike has a unique journey through technology and healthcare, from his early days in software programming to shaping QHR’s mission to improve patient care through
Dear Listeners, Welcome to the Primary Medicine Podcast. Today, we’re spotlighting Quilt In-Home Care, an innovative company founded by Blake Cheeseman and Peter Kotzeff, born from a personal experience with Peter’s grandmother and Blake’s mother during the pandemic. They faced the challenge many families do: finding high-quality, reliable in-home care. So they created Quilt to improve the in-home care experience for seniors and their families. Quilt’s mission is simple yet profound—help people grow old wherever they want to. With a vision that puts technology and compassion at the forefront,
Dear Listeners, Welcome to today’s podcast, where we have the pleasure of speaking with Rima Sehgal, a dedicated mental health professional with over three decades of experience. Rima’s journey in psychotherapy has been marked by her unwavering passion for empowering clients to regain control and confidence in their lives. As the founder of TherapySupports, Rima has expanded her practice by bringing together a talented team of psychotherapists in Toronto, Ontario. This diverse and experienced team is dedicated to offering virtual psychotherapy services that are convenient, accessible, and tail
Dear Listeners, Join us on the Primary Medicine Podcast as we explore the dynamic world of healthcare technology with Dr. Jonathan Baktari, CEO of e7 Health, eNational Testing and US Drug Test Centers. Discover how his companies are revolutionising patient care through innovation and software, and why they are a recognized leader in the healthcare tech industry. Dive into a conversation with Dr. Baktari, a national business thought leader and opinion writer, as we discuss the digital future of health and wellness. Listen to the Podcast Episode here! Hope you enjoy! Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post
Dear Listeners, In this episode we will be again exploring the intersection of medicine and technology. Today, we’re introducing Dr. Amjed Kadhim-Saleh, or Dr AJ, a dedicated family physician and innovator from Toronto. Dr AJ, a University of Ottawa alumnus and University of Toronto-trained family doctor, manages a diverse patient base and strives for efficiency in practice. He’s also the brain behind Pippen, an AI-powered tool designed to enhance doctor-patient interactions and reduce administrative strain for physicians. Join us as we delve into Dr AJ’s journey and the transformative potenti
