DocTalks
The DocTalks Podcast, a conversation on what’s new and relevant in the world of medicine and hospital health care in Canada. Join us for each episode, as our host, Mandi Fields interviews St. Joseph's Health Care London's physicians, patients and caregivers to dive deep into what it’s like to treat and live with some of today’s most common health challenges.
Our episodes focus on various health concerns from cancer and diabetes, to mental health care and dementia. We explore the latest research, discoveries and treatments with world renowned experts from St. Joseph’s. We want to help our listeners know how to prevent and detect illness and how to better navigate our health care system. Be sure to check here for our latest episodes or subscribe to the DocTalks Podcast. You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram @stjosephslondon.
The DocTalks Podcast is brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation with production by Emily Mackey and Jordan Moore.
Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcast is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.
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PatientTalks: Living with T1D w/ Lujane Al-Azem
Nov 03, 2026
What is it like to get a life-changing diagnosis as a post-secondary student? On today's episode of PatientTalks, a spinoff of the DocTalks podcast, Lujane Al-Azem joins host Mandi Fields to talk about her diagnosis with type 1 diabetes as a university student, the lifestyle changes required and advice she has for others going through a similar experience. Lujane is a Care Partner at St. Joseph's. Care Partners are past or current patients, residents or caregivers who help inform and improve how care is given and received. Their work involves patient and family councils, co-design and quality...
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Breathing Better: COPD w/ Dr. Cory Yamashita
Oct 20, 2026
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is expected to affect one in four Canadians in their lifetime, yet many people may not recognize the symptoms until the disease has progressed. Often linked to smoking, COPD causes breathing difficulties that can develop gradually over months or years, making it easy to mistake symptoms for normal ageing. On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, Dr. Cory Yamashita, Division Chair of Respirology at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, joins us to discuss the symptoms and risk factors of COPD, the potential long-term effects of vaping and why quitting...
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PatientTalks - The Breast Reconstruction Journey w/ Gen Kroeker
Oct 06, 2026
The choice of breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is extremely personal. In this episode of PatientTalks, a spinoff of the DocTalks podcast, we're joined by Gen Kroeker to talk about her journey with breast cancer and what led her to decide to have breast reconstructive surgery after her mastectomy. Gen speaks to the impact of that choice, vulnerable conversations with her care team, and reflects on the decision years later. Gen is a model in the 'Show & Tell Lounge' at Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day on Oct. 22, 2026. BRA Day is an opportunity for patients to discover if breast...
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The metabolic moment: understanding GLP-1s with Dr. Tamara Spaic
Sep 22, 2026
It's almost impossible these days to watch TV, scroll on social media or take transit without seeing ads for GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications have taken the world by storm for treatment of Type-2 diabetes and obesity. Dr. Tamara Spaic joins the DocTalks Podcast this episode to talk about the life-changing benefits of GLP-1 medications, side effects and the risk of prescribing them for cosmetic weight loss. Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcast is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for...
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Dr. Michael Borrie
The future of memory: dementia research with Dr. Michael Borrie
Dec 09, 2025
More than 500,000 Canadians live with dementia -- an overall term for a set of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain such as Alzheimer’s disease. There is currently no cure or treatments that can reverse dementia however, through research, St. Joseph’s Lawson scientists, led by Dr. Michael Borrie, Medical Director for St. Joseph’s Aging Brain and Memory Clinic, a key member of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration and Aging (CCNA) and Program Director of the South Western Ontario Regional Geriatric Program, are completing clinical trials on medications and treatments that can...
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Heart health in men w/ Dr. Neville Suskin
Nov 25, 2025
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a human heart beats about 100,000 times per day. Last season, DocTalks featured an episode on heart health in women – today, Dr. Neville Suskin joins the show to discuss heart health in men. Men are 2 times more likely to suffer a heart attack than women, and are newly diagnosed with heart disease on average 10 years before women. Dr. Suskin discusses why this is, the risk factors of heart disease and St. Joseph’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcast is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended...
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