Listen Now: Solving Healthcare’s Workforce Crisis with Drs. Nickerson and Jattan
Episodes
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A Prescription for Change: Solving Healthcare’s Workforce Crisis with Drs. Peter Nickerson and Aaron Jattan: S3, Episode 6
Healthcare systems across Manitoba—and Canada—are facing a critical challenge: a shortage of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. These very real issues mean patients can’t always get the care they need, when they need it, and close to their home. In this episode, we explore the root causes of this crisis, and dive into our guests’ big ideas to help solve it.
Just as there is a family physician designation in Canada, Dr. Aaron Jattan argues that there should be one for rural doctors, recognizing the extra training and skills needed in this role.
Dr. Peter Nickerson believes we need a distributed education model to train learners across the province. With Winnipeg exceeding its training capacity, rural communities who want physicians need to invest in training them locally.
Expanding training programs is a step in the right direction, but long-term solutions to multi-faceted problems require strategic planning, policy changes, and investment in retention efforts. Tune in to hear how Manitoba is working to address these challenges—and what more can be done.
Dr. Peter Nickerson [BSc(Med)/86, MD/86] Dean and Vice-Provost (Health Sciences) at the University of Manitoba, is a transplant nephrologist at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg and a medical consultant to the Transplant Immunology Laboratory at Shared Health. He has won numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Society of Transplantation. Dr. Nickerson brings his expertise in health sciences and patient care to the discussion on rural health.
Dr. Aaron Jattan [Medical Resident/17], is the Acting Regional Lead for Clinical Services and Chief Medical Officer for the WRHA, a dedicated family physician with extensive experience in both urban and rural healthcare, and an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba committed to medical education and improving access to care. Dr. Jattan chairs and sits on national committees with the College of Family Physicians of Canada. He completed his residency at the University of Manitoba in the Brandon stream.
View episode transcript (PDF)
Get dying right: Why Dignity in Care matters with Dr. Harvey Chochinov: S3, Episode 5
Distinguished Professor Dr. Harvey Chochinov helps answer this question by sharing stories and insights gained from decades of research in palliative care wards.
Dr. Chochinov pioneered “dignity therapy” and now he shares his bigger idea on how dignity-centered health care can transform our experiences of end-of-life care and our views on medical assistance in dying (MAID), personhood, family, and much more.
Dr. Harvey Chochinov is the Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba. He is Senior Scientist at the CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, member of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, and recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award for Academic Innovation from the University of Manitoba. Dr. Chochinov is the co-founder of the Virtual Hospice, the world’s largest repository of information and support for patients, families, and care providers.
He is the author of Dignity Therapy: Final Words for Final Days, winner of the 2011 Prose Award and Dignity in Care: The Human Side of Medicine.
Gut Instincts: Unlocking the Microbiome’s Secrets to Health and Happiness with Dr. Heather Armstrong: S3, Episode 4
The gut communicates with every organ system in our body to tell it what to do. Research happening at UM is now pushing the boundaries of what we know about the gut and Dr. Armstrong's insights have given us a glimpse into how this field could transform the way we approach health and disease. What is a healthy microbiome? How can we tell if someone's microbiome is unhealthy? How can we predict what illness they're headed towards and what their trajectory looks like? And how do we intervene to improve health outcomes?
As Canada Research Chair in Integrative Bioscience, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine with the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, and a research scientist with the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), Dr. Heather Armstrong investigates the intersection of gut health and chronic diseases. An award-winning scientist and a rising star in her field, Dr. Armstrong aims to unravel the complex interactions between gut microbes, diet, and inflammation to better understand the pathology of these diseases and how they are linked to cancer.
For the love of tariffs: Amanda Lang on how Trump's re-election will impact Canada: S3, Episode 3
Renowned business and political journalist Amanda Lang [BES/91] analyzes what Canadians should expect in the significant political shift due to the results of the US election. What does it mean for climate change efforts and energy projects? What will be the future populism and academic freedom? Which industries will benefit and which may suffer?
Amanda Lang is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. With over 25 years covering North America’s top business stories, alum Amanda Lang has appeared on Bloomberg TV, CBC, and now hosts “Taking Stock” on CTV. She’s not only a journalist but a keen observer of politics, leadership, and business who has with deep personal connections to Canada’s political landscape.
From Sea Ice to Shipping Lanes: Manitoba's Maritime Future with Feiyue Wang: S3, Episode 2
Hudson Bay's sea ice condition has changed dramatically over the last several decades. Now, climate change is opening a new economic opportunity that will change shipping transportation. Working together with local communities to create a new port, the Hudson Bay Seaway that has been there for almost 100 years can realize its true potential and secure economic prosperity for the region.
Dr. Feiyue Wang is Canada Research Chair in Arctic Environmental Chemistry and the Lead researcher of the new Churchill Marine Observatory and Sea-Ice Environmental Research Facility. His research provides critical knowledge and tools for improving policies and practices for sustainable development in the Arctic.
AI and the Future of Humanity: Work, Worship and Relationships with Neil McArthur: S3, Episode 1
The artificial intelligence (AI) transformation has happened so fast that it is taking many of us by surprise. According to Neil McArthur, even the people creating it don't know exactly how it functions - but we don't need to panic. In fact, we can harness AI to make society better.
Dr. McArthur is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics. Maclean’s named him one of Canada’s leading thinkers on AI.
Upcoming Episodes
COMING Fall 2025 - LIVE EVENT
Economic Reconciliation in Winnipeg
A panel discussion including:
Diane Roussin [BSW/96], Project Director of the Winnipeg Boldness Project
More details on panelists coming soon.
Discussion Moderator:
Angie Bruce [MBA/09], Vice President (Indigenous), University of Manitoba
Fall 2025
Desautels Concert Hall, Fort Garry Campus
Check back for more event details coming soon!
Episode archive
Season 2
Episode 01: Menopause, menstruation and the weaponization of women's health with Dr. Jen Gunter
This episode features guest host, UM Chancellor, Anne Mahon in conversation with Dr. Jen Gunter, talking about misinformation in women’s health, despite the fact accurate information is readily available. In 2023, women’s health is still being weaponized for profit.
Dr. Jen Gunter is a UM alum and New York Times best-selling author of the Vagina Bible and the Menopause Manifesto. As a board certified OB/GYN in both Canada and the United States, she is a candid advocate for women and science.
Episode 02: Climbing the mountain of Reconciliation with Niigaan Sinclair
Listen in to President Benarroch and special guest Dr. Sinclair as they unpack "the big idea" that we are all deeply invested in Reconciliation, whether we recognize it or not.
Episode 03: Feeding the world without costing the Earth with Associate Dean (Research), Nazim Cicek
Tune in to UM researcher, Nazim Cicek talking about how agriculture practices are connected to the health of the entire planet and how UM research is advancing agriculture to produce food that can both nourish and sustain our world.
Episode 04: How leaders can remain relevant in the changing global context with Suzanne Gagnon
As the inaugural Director of the James W. Burns Leadership Institute, an Associate Professor in Leadership and Organization, and the Canada Life Chair in Leadership Education at the Asper School Business, Gagnon’s big idea is that leaders need to lead from the outside in – that you cannot lead effectively in today’s world without knowing you are embedded in a deeply interconnected, global system.
Episode 05: How talking about mental illness can help us thrive featuring Dr. Joss Reimer
Dr. Joss Reimer is a two-time UM alum, President-Elect of the Canadian Medical Association, Chief Medical Officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and she led Manitoba's COVID-19 vaccine implementation task force. In this episode, she candidly shares about her mental health and the depression she has managed throughout her adult life. Through the lens of her personal and professional experience, she speaks to how we need to invest in the proper supports to ensure everyone can thrive.
Episode 06: Why breastmilk matters to all of us with Dr. Meghan Azad
Dr. Azad and President Benarroch discuss how UM is leading globally unique work on the significance of infant nutrition and how this impacts policy decisions and our understanding of human health. Dr. Azad is a professor of pediatrics and child health and a Canada Research Chair. She holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Developmental Origins of Chronic Disease and her research program is focused on the role of infant nutrition and the microbiome in child growth, development and resilience.
Episode 07: What you need to know about climate change with sea-ice expert, Julienne Stroeve
The story of climate change is going to unfold differently than many people assume. That, professor Julienne Stroeve will argue, is because scientists and policymakers have been too conservative in their language. Climate change will make Canada a different country in 20 years, for better and worse.
Dr. Stroeve is a Canada 150 Research Chair at the University of Manitoba and a global expert on sea ice and climate change.
Season 1
Episode 01: Cosmology and Beyond with Dr. James Peebles
The first episode in this podcast series features President Benarroch in conversation with leading astrophysicist, Nobel Laureate and the Albert Einstein Professor Emeritus at Princeton, Dr. James Peebles [BSc(Hons)/58, DSc/89].
Together, they'll unpack some of Dr. Peebles's groundbreaking work that has been vital to our understanding of the universe, including topics like the Big Bang Theory and dark matter. We'll also hear from a UM student and aspiring astrophysicist, and hear Dr. Peebles take questions from our live audience.
Bonus content: Watch a behind the scenes sneak peek of Episode 01.
Episode 02: Anti-Racism in Medical Education with Dr. Marcia Anderson
This episode features President Michael Benarroch in conversation with vice-dean of Indigenous health, social justice and anti-racism at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, and Doctors Manitoba 2022 “Physician of the Year” Dr. Marcia Anderson [MD/02].
Together, they’ll discuss how the University of Manitoba can further ground medical education in anti-racist practices and provide greater health equity for Canada’s Indigenous, Black and racialized communities.
Episode 03: Cultivating Deep Inclusion with Queer Education Researcher Dr. Robert Mizzi
This episode features President Michael Benarroch in conversation with Canada Research Chair in Queer, Community, and Diversity Education and associate professor in the Faculty of Education, Dr. Robert Mizzi. Together, they’ll discuss Dr. Mizzi’s ideas around “deep inclusion,” and how the University of Manitoba can continue to make strides in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Episode 04: Creating a Home for Survivors’ Stories with NCTR director Stephanie Scott
This episode features President Michael Benarroch in conversation with executive director of the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation, Stephanie Scott. Together they discuss the lasting effects of Canada’s residential school system and the forced separation of Indigenous families. They explore how we as a university can help heal these wounds and plot a path forward to true Reconciliation.
Episode 05: How Canada Can Become a Global Public Health Leader with Dr. James Blanchard
This episode features President Michael Benarroch in conversation with executive director of the Institute for Global Public Health Dr. James Blanchard. Together they’ll discuss how the University of Manitoba can be at the center of engaging the academic sector in global public health and how Canada can become a world leader in this field.
Episode 06: Understanding Indigenous Self-Determination and Water Rights with Dr. Nicole Wilson
This episode features President Michael Benarroch in conversation with Indigenous peoples' water rights researcher Dr. Nicole Wilson. Together they’ll discuss how Canada can better understand, govern and enhance Indigenous self-determination over water rights.
Episode 07: Why Guaranteed Income is Affordable, Effective and Just with Economist Evelyn Forget
This episode features President Michael Benarroch in conversation with economist and academic director of Manitoba Research Data Centre Evelyn Forget. Together they’ll discuss how a basic income guarantee is not only possible and affordable, but an effective and just way to reduce poverty in Canada.
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