AHS Podcasts

What’s it really like to work as a Home Care dietitian? In this episode, host Jennifer Alexander, Program Director with Professional Education and Practice, reconnects with Annie Kwong, an experienced Calgary Home Care dietitian with more than 22 years of practice. Together, they explore: • the unique role of dietitians in Home Care • what a typical work day is like in this area of practice • the opportunities and challenges of delivering nutrition care in clients’ homes Annie also reflects on how Home Care practice has evolved over the past two decades and shares her thoughts on future innovations. Whether you're curious about Home Care or considering it as a career path, this conversation offers an insightful look into a rewarding and impactful area of practice.

What makes a preceptor truly memorable? Is it clinical expertise, teaching skills, or something more? In this episode, Megan Olson and Jocelyn Armstrong, Provincial Internship Leads with AHS Nutrition Services, reflect on what they've learned through the Preceptor Recognition Initiative and the powerful stories dietetic interns have shared about the preceptors who shaped their learning journeys. Together, they explore what students value most in exceptional preceptors and how mentorship, encouragement, belonging, and support can have a lasting impact on future professionals. Topics include: • The story behind the Preceptor Recognition Initiative • What students say makes a preceptor memorable and impactful • How preceptors create belonging and psychological safety for learners • The role of preceptors in building confidence, capability, and professional identity • Connections between preceptorship, recruitment, and workforce development • Why recognition matters and the difference it can make for preceptors Continue the Conversation: • Visit the University of Alberta Dietetics Preceptor Portal for resources and tools to support learner supervision, teaching, feedback, and assessment. https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/idipreceptor-portal/home?pli=1&authuser=0

What if helping clients make lasting change wasn't about having the right answer, but having the right conversation? In this episode, Lisa Mowers speaks with Anita Eggink, Registered Dietitian and Provincial HealthChange Consultant, about the impact of HealthChange® on dietetic practice. Together, they explore how this practical framework can help dietitians build trust, navigate challenging conversations, and empower clients to take action in ways that work for them. Topics include: • What HealthChange is and how it supports dietetic practice • Shifting from giving advice to partnering with clients in behavior change conversations • Practical communication strategies for complex and challenging client situations • Insights from HealthChange workshops designed specifically for dietitians • Professional development opportunities, including e-modules and the new Professional Learning Community • How HealthChange is helping prepare future dietitians for person-centered practice through collaboration with the University of Alberta.

In this episode, Tesia Bennett, Provincial Practice Lead with Professional Education & Practice, talks with Jessica Stembridge and Victoria Baxter, two Alberta Health Services Registered Dietitians that work at the Pediatric Centres for Wellness and Health. With many years of experience supporting families through behaviour change to promote healthy child growth, Jessica and Victoria share insights from their clinical practice. Topics include: * Common questions and concerns raised by parents and families during dietitian visits * Challenging situations encountered when working with parents and families in pediatric obesity care * Practical advice for registered dietitians new to pediatric obesity care and behaviour change counselling * Recommended resources for healthcare providers and the families they support Helpful Resources: * Craving Change® resources on hunger types: https://www.cravingchange.ca/4kids/ * Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility: https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/division-of-responsibility/ * Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation – Weight-Related Conversation Resources. Parent Guide and Health Provider Casebook: https://hollandbloorview.ca/research-education/bloorview-research-institute/research-centres-labs/weight-related-conversations

In this episode, Lisa Mowers, Provincial Practice Lead with Professional Education & Practice, sits down with Dr. Raylene Reimer, Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, Registered Dietitian, and leading nutrition researcher. Together, they explore emerging research on menopause, gut health, and metabolism, and the important role nutrition plays for women’s health during midlife.   Topics include: * What the MOMENTUM study is revealing about menopause, metabolism, and women’s health * How nutrition can support common menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep disruption, and weight changes * The impact of menopause on long-term health risks, including heart, bone, muscle, and gut health * Key emerging research areas dietitians should have on their radar   Continue the conversation: * Learn more about the MOMENTUM Study at the University of Calgary. https://www.ucalgary.ca/research/momentum * Explore the science of fermented foods, gut health, and Canadian research at fermentedfoods.ca https://fermentedfoods.ca/

In this episode, host Kim Young, Provincial Practice Lead with Professional Education & Practice, speaks with Robin Lucciantonio, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator at the Garneau Endocrinology Clinic in Edmonton. Together, they explore Robin’s approach to diabetes care and how her commitment to collaboration, equity and person-centred practice contributed to her receiving the Diabetes Impact Award from the Alberta Diabetes Foundation. Topics include: • How Robin’s professional and personal experiences have shaped her approach to collaboration and person-centered care. • The application of harm reduction principles in nutrition care and diabetes management, emphasizing flexibility and alignment with people’s goals and lived experience. • A compelling case example illustrating efforts to support equitable access to advanced diabetes technologies, including automated insulin deliver (AID) systems. For more information about Robin’s November 2025 poster presentation at Diabetes Canada titled “Looping while Blind” go to https://theglucoseneverlies.com/roger-t1d-journey/

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