AHS Podcasts

Length: 25 minutes With rising financial strain and food insecurity, dietitians face unique challenges in supporting health goals while acknowledging real-life circumstances. In this episode, host Kally Cheung sits down with Janine Whyte, a Registered Dietitian and Team Lead with Alberta Health Services, to explore practical strategies for navigating sensitive conversations about affordability, building trust, and meeting clients where they are at. Key Takeaways: • Why assumptions can harm care, and what to do instead • How thoughtful questions opens doors to meaningful dialogue • Understanding that other life challenges often take precedence and how flexibility builds trust Want to learn more? Discover tools and resources to support patients living with financial strain and food insecurity at www.ahs.ca/foodinsecurity. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/nutrition/Page18033.aspx

In this follow-up episode, host Stephanie Cox, Provincial Practice Lead with Professional Education & Practice, continues the conversation with Wendy Busse, a registered dietitian and leading expert in food sensitivities. Building on the foundation from Part 1, Wendy shares practical strategies for supporting clients who may have conditioned reactions to food. Topics include: • How to approach food sensitivities with empathy and respect • Explaining conditioned food sensitivity in simple, relatable terms • Helping clients recognize the impact of dietary restrictions on quality of life • Strategies for gradual, safe reintroduction of foods and fostering food freedom This episode emphasizes the importance of compassionate counseling and small, achievable steps that can make a significant difference in clients’ lives. Learn more: • FAST Freedom Program Website https://fastfreedomprogram.com/ • Screening Tool: Are you Stuck in the C-FAST? https://fastfreedomprogram.com/courses/free/lessons/c-fast-model/topics/are-you-stuck-in-the-c-fast/

In this episode, Lisa Mowers, Provincial Practice Lead with Professional Education and Practice, and Shameem Kizar, a Registered Dietitian with Alberta Health Services explore the University of Alberta’s culinary medicine elective for medical students and how it’s shaping the future of healthcare. You’ll learn: • What culinary medicine is and why it’s important for future physicians • How medical students are gaining practical skills to turn nutrition science into everyday meals • Where culinary medicine is headed in the next 5–10 years • The unique role dietitians play in helping patients and colleagues put nutrition science into action Want to learn more? Watch this CBC video featuring the University of Alberta’s culinary medicine elective: These future physicians are learning culinary medicine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA90vT4SBBo Did you know? The Alberta Health Services Wellness Kitchen offers online food and nutrition education classes accessible to all Albertans. Explore the Cooking, Food & Nutrition offerings in the SHC Wellness Centre Virtual Program Guide. These classes offer opportunities for Albertans to learn more about health food preparation, mindful eating and good nutrition.

In this episode, host Kim Young, Provincial Practice Lead with Professional Education & Practice, has a conversation with Carlene Johnson Stoklossa, a Registered Dietitian and Team Lead with Alberta Health Services. Together, they explore Carlene’s professional journey as a dietitian and researcher, and insights into the importance of recognizing sarcopenia obesity in chronic disease management. Topics include: • The benefits and challenges of getting involved with research and moving evidence into practice. • Being curious and open to opportunities throughout one’s professional journey. • Insights into how sarcopenic obesity may be identified in a variety of chronic or metabolic diseases. Carlene’s recent publication: Sarcopenic Obesity in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: A Scoping Review - Vieira - Obesity Reviews - Wiley Online Library https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/obr.13973

In this insightful episode, host Stephanie Cox, Provincial Practice Lead with Professional Education & Practice, welcomes Wendy Busse, a registered dietitian and leading expert in food sensitivities. Together, they explore how dietitians can effectively support clients struggling with food sensitivities. Topics include: • Wendy’s journey to becoming a respected voice in food sensitivity practice • Understanding conditioned food avoidance and sensitivity • Recognizing red flags and responding to unvalidated food sensitivity tests that often lead to unnecessary diet restrictions This conversation is just the beginning, Wendy will return for Part 2, where she’ll dive deeper into strategies for engaging clients who may have conditioned responses to food. Learn more: • FAST Freedom Program website https://fastfreedomprogram.com/

In this inspiring episode, dietetic interns Sukhdeep Kaur and Lore Pasaran Ugarte from the University of Alberta, sit down with five outstanding Registered Dietitians - Erin Montgomery-Fajic, Kristy Landry, Dave Dyjur, Staci Fudge, and Adela Delgado - who have been recognized by previous interns for their excellent mentorship and precepting. Together, they explore what sets these mentors apart and share insights into creating meaningful and supportive learning environments. Topics include: • Navigating virtual placements with confidence • Personalizing learning experiences to meet diverse needs • Collaborating through twinset and tripleset placements • Fostering a growth mindset in emerging professionals Whether you're a current intern, a seasoned RD, or simply passionate about mentorship, this episode offers valuable perspectives on cultivating excellence in dietetic education. Learn more about careers as a Registered Dietitian in Alberta: • Dietetics Specialization | Undergraduate Program https://www.ualberta.ca/en/undergraduate-programs/bachelor-of-science-in-nutrition-and-food-science-dietetics-specialization.html • Dietitian | Alberta Health Services https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/careers/Page11759.aspx

In this episode, Lisa Mowers, Provincial Practice Lead with Nutrition Services, sits down with Dr. Donna Vine, Professor of Human Nutrition and Academic Lead and Chair of Nutrition and Dietetics programs at the University of Alberta. We explore key aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome including: • the connection between mental health and eating disorders • why routine screening for disordered eating is essential • new patient-centred pathways for more effective care Dr. Vine shares her inspiring leadership of PCOS Together https://pcos.together.ualberta.ca/, a groundbreaking program advancing PCOS research, promoting health equity, and empowering better care. Tune in and discover how dietitians can make a powerful impact supporting clients with this complex condition. Learn more: • Provincial PCOS Primary Care Clinical Pathway https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/aph/if-aph-prov-pcos-primary-care-clinical-pathway.pdf • Summary - Your Journey with PCOS - Patient Pathway https://myhealth.alberta.ca/HealthTopics/pcos-pathway/Documents/pcos-pathway-summary.pdf • Addressing a Possible Eating Disorder - Point of Care Reference https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/nutrition/if-nfs-pocr-addressing-possible-eating-disorder.pdf

In this episode, host Stephanie Cox, Provincial Practice Lead with Professional Education & Practice, sits down with Sarah Frank Nichols, Provincial Lead with Public Health Nutrition, to explore their shared experiences with the "Food is Our Medicine" learning journey. They reflect on the: • personal and professional impact of the course, • importance of Indigenous teachings, and • power of small, meaningful actions in advancing truth and reconciliation. Through heartfelt conversation, they encourage listeners to embrace curiosity, engage in dialogue, and take steps (big or small) toward understanding and change. Learn more: • Nutrition Services Reconciliation Action Statement https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/nutrition/if-nfs-reconciliation-action-statement.pdf • Nourish: Food is Our Medicine https://nourishleadership.ca/programs/food-is-our-medicine/

In this episode, Jennifer Alexander, Program Director with Nutrition Services, sits down with Heidi Bates, Director of the Integrated Dietetic Internship Program at the University of Alberta. Heidi shares: • her journey to become a leader in field of dietetics, • what it means to be “fierce” in our profession, and • the exciting changes taking place at University of Alberta. She also explains how the partnership with Alberta Health Services has enriched the training of students and offers pearls of wisdom for dietitians eager to shape the next generation. Get ready for an inspiring, fun, and candid conversation that’s sure to spark new ideas and energy in your own professional journey! Learn more about careers as a Registered Dietitian in Alberta: • Dietetics Specialization | Undergraduate Program www.ualberta.ca/en/undergraduate-programs/bachelor-of-science-in-nutrition-and-food-science-dietetics-specialization.html • Dietitian | Alberta Health Services www.albertahealthservices.ca/careers/Page11759.aspx

Debbie Pinter, Connect Care Clinical Informatics Officer, helps us unpack the technology on the tip of everyone’s tongue: Artificial Intelligence. Find out how our powerful EMR is already setting Alberta nurses up for success.