AHS Podcasts

More than 380,000 computed tomography (CT) scans are performed in Alberta every year. A province-wide research study is examining whether this powerful tool is being overused, specifically when diagnosing concussions and blood clots in the lungs.

Dr. Verna Yiu assumes the role of Interim President and CEO of Alberta Health Services effective Jan. 11, 2016. In this 40-minute podcast, Verna discusses a broad range of topics, including her personal background, her leadership style and her to-do list for the organization.

Holiday gatherings might not seem like the ideal time to talk about Palliative and End of Life Care, Advance Care Planning and Goals of Care designations but they are actually a perfect opportunity for families to discuss their wishes. Dr. James Silvius, Medical Director, Seniors Health, Community Seniors Addictions & Mental Health and Max Jajszczok, Executive Director, Provincial Continuing Care, provide some helpful tips and information.

Dr. Judy MacDonald, Medical Officer of Health, Alberta Health Services – Calgary Zone, talks to media about possible Hep A exposure risk in Lake Louise.

Cheryl Houtekamer, a program supervisor with Youth Addiction Services in the Calgary Zone of Alberta Health Services, shares her insights about how parents can talk to their children about alcohol and other drugs.

Last February, the Supreme Court of Canada overturned a ban on physician-assisted death and gave federal and provincial governments 12 months to craft legislation to respond to the ruling. Dr. Jim Silvius — Medical Director for Seniors Health at Alberta Health Services — discusses the ruling’s implications on Canadians and their health system.

Helen Bevan, Chief of Service Transformation at the National Health Services Institute for Innovation and Improvement in England, talks about the origins Change Day (http://changedayab.ca/) and how everyone can have an impact on their health or the health system.

Dr. Stephen Tsekrekos, Medical Director of AHS Workplace and Health, talks about the importance of AHS staff, physicians and volunteers receiving their annual influenza immunization.

Our podcast guest, Deb Runnalls, has spent more than three decades working with the homeless, and representing marginalized populations at all levels of government, Alberta Health Services and internationally. Her experiences, professionally and personally, stroked another passion – for patient- and family-centred care. Hear from her about why Patient and Family Centred Care is so important.

Health Minister Sarah Hoffman's July 8, 2015 announcement about Calgary Cancer Centre.