

AHS Podcasts
Alberta Health Services
Podcast by Alberta Health Services
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 4, 2025 • 25min
Episode 6: Navigating Food Sensitivities with Wendy Busse
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/

Aug 27, 2025 • 34min
Episode 5: Cultivating Excellence - Insights from Exceptional Preceptors
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

Jul 8, 2025 • 26min
Episode 4: Finding the Path Together: The Overlap of PCOS and Eating Disorders
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

Jun 2, 2025 • 23min
Episode 3 - Stories That Spark Change - Our Experience with Food Is Our Medicine
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/

May 5, 2025 • 33min
Episode 2: Next-Gen Dietitians - A Fearless Conversation with Heidi Bates
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

Apr 30, 2025 • 37min
Connecting Care with technology and AI
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.

Apr 10, 2025 • 23min
Episode 1 Title: Does food impact mood?
In this podcast, Lisa Mowers, AHS Provincial Practice Lead, dives into the question, "Does food impact mood?". She is joined by Dr. Elnaz Vaghef Mehrabani, a seasoned nutrition researcher who is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Calgary and is an instructor at Athabasca University and Mount Royal University.
Some of the topics explored in this podcast:
• What the evidence tells us right now about how food is impacting mood and mental well-being.
• How nutrition impacts our mood at different stages of life, including prenatal and early childhood development.
• Current research on the Mediterranean style diet and healthy eating aligning with Canada’s food guide to help people with mental health concerns.
• Practical tips for a person-centred approach when helping client use food to improve their mood.

Jan 3, 2025 • 38min
Back to the Future
In this episode, Vickie and Tyler talk about the last quarter century in nursing and what may come in future!
Nursing is unique profession. At AHS, our first contact with nurses begins in their student rotation, continues through their new grad orientation, and throughout their career into informal and formal leadership roles. What better way to understand those experiences than to have our AHS nurses share them. In this bite sized, playful and safe space, nurses talk about their careers and experiences, so they can have a bit of fun, relate, and connect with their community.
‘This is Nursing’ was developed by Tyler Burley and Victoria Radford, Nursing Practice Leads who work in the Associate Chief Nursing Office at AHS.

Dec 30, 2024 • 35min
In our prescriber era
In this episode, Vickie and Tyler interview Shannon Falsetti, a Nurse Clinician with the Medicine Program Improvement and Integration Network (PIN) and a pioneer in RN prescribing at AHS.
Nursing is unique profession. At AHS, our first contact with nurses begins in their student rotation, continues through their new grad orientation, and throughout their career into informal and formal leadership roles. What better way to understand those experiences than to have our AHS nurses share them. In this bite sized, playful and safe space, nurses talk about their careers and experiences, so they can have a bit of fun, relate, and connect with their community.
‘This is Nursing’ was developed by Tyler Burley and Victoria Radford, Nursing Practice Leads who work in the Associate Chief Nursing Office at AHS.

Apr 26, 2024 • 39min
Nursing Week 2024: From Bedside to Hilltop, Charting the Way
In this episode, Vickie and Tyler interview Justin Burkett, Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary and Board Chair with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta.