Airway, Breathing, Conversation

Recorded on May 23, 2025.

Join us for grand rounds this week where Dr. Leah Ferguson, an associate professor within the College of Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan and Certified Mental Performance Consultant, discusses performance optimization and practical performance enhancement tips for individuals in healthcare. Please note that due to technical difficulties, sections of this presentation unfortunately had to be removed.

Leah Ferguson is a citizen of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and Associate Professor in the College of Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research focuses on sport psychology and Indigenous Peoples' wellness, where she works with Indigenous and non-Indigenous athletes, youth, girls, and women to collaboratively enhance sport experiences and wholistic wellness outcomes. She is particularly interested in the role of self-compassion as a resource for girls and women to overcome challenges and setbacks to flourish in sport and life. She is a Mental Performance Consultant with the Sport Medicine & Science Council of Saskatchewan, a Professional Member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association, and a Certified Mental Performance Consultant®. She translates her sport psychology research into practice through her applied work with athletes, teams, coaches, and sport parents, ranging from grassroots to high performance levels, to facilitate well-being and performance for positive sport experiences.

Please note that while this podcast is run by healthcare professionals, it is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing beats care that is individualized to your own unique medical needs, so if you have any questions about content covered in this podcast that relates to your own health, please speak with your doctor today.

Additionally, the views expressed on this show are our own and do not necessarily represent those of the USask Department of Anesthesiology.

Recorded on May 9, 2025.

Join us for grand rounds this week where Dr. Kevin Wong, an anesthesiologist practicing in Saskatoon, Canada, and Kent Earle, a physiotherapist practicing in Saskatoon, Canada, discuss pain reprocessing therapy and its use in treating chronic pain.

Kevin Wong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Saskatchewan. He completed his medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan, followed by residency training in Anesthesiology at McGill University.

Kent Earle is a licensed practicing physiotherapist working in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Working in a large rehabilitation center, he sees a wide range of clinical populations from musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain to performance enhancement.

Please note that due to the live presentation nature of this Grand Rounds, a 30-second edit was made to remove a live audience mic at about the 16:50 mark.

Please also note that while this podcast is run by healthcare professionals, it is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing beats care that is individualized to your own unique medical needs, so if you have any questions about content covered in this podcast that relates to your own health, please speak with your doctor today.

Additionally, the views expressed on this show are our own and do not necessarily represent those of the USask Department of Anesthesiology.

Recorded on May 2, 2025.

Join us for grand rounds this week where Cassidy Bell, a PGY-3 anesthesia resident in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, discusses neurodivergence and neuro-affirming care in the perioperative setting.

Cassidy is a third-year resident in the University of Saskatchewan Department of Anesthesiology. She is proudly born and raised in Saskatoon and completed her undergraduate degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology as well as her medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan. She has a passion for making anesthesia more inclusive and her current resident research project is on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the Department of Anesthesiology. Outside of work, Cassidy is an animal lover and can usually be found snuggled up with her dog and two cats at home or exploring in the mountains with her dog and husband, Connor.

Please note that while this podcast is run by healthcare professionals, it is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing beats care that is individualized to your own unique medical needs, so if you have any questions about content covered in this podcast that relates to your own health, please speak with your doctor today.

Additionally, the views expressed on this show are our own and do not necessarily represent those of the USask Department of Anesthesiology.

Recorded on April 11, 2025.

Join us for grand rounds this week where Drs. Keltie Anderson, Ahmed Cherry, and Henry Bi, a rheumatologist, orthopedic spine surgeon, and anesthesiologist respectively practicing in Saskatoon, discuss their approaches to patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the perioperative period.

Please note that while this podcast is run by healthcare professionals, it is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing beats care that is individualized to your own unique medical needs, so if you have any questions about content covered in this podcast that relates to your own health, please speak with your doctor today.

Additionally, the views expressed on this show are our own and do not necessarily represent those of the USask Department of Anesthesiology.

Recorded on April 4, 2025.

Join us for grand rounds this week where Dr. Michael Dinsmore, an anesthesiologist at Toronto Western Hospital and University of Saskatchewan alumnus, discusses brain ultrasonography in the perioperative and critical care setting.

Michael Dinsmore is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine at Toronto Western Hospital, where he also serves as the Program Director for Neuroanesthesia. He completed his medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan, followed by residency training in Anesthesiology at the University of Toronto and a fellowship in Neuroanesthesia at Toronto Western Hospital. Dr. Dinsmore's academic and research interests center on technological innovation in perioperative care, including the development of novel tools and techniques in anesthesia. His current work includes advancing opioid-sparing strategies in spine surgery, and exploring the clinical utility of transorbital ultrasonography.

Please note that while this podcast is run by healthcare professionals, it is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing beats care that is individualized to your own unique medical needs, so if you have any questions about content covered in this podcast that relates to your own health, please speak with your doctor today.

Additionally, the views expressed on this show are our own and do not necessarily represent those of the USask Department of Anesthesiology.

Recorded on March 21, 2025.

Join us for grand rounds this week where Dr. Anulika Nwakaeze, a PGY3 anesthesia resident at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, discusses evidence surrounding the use of video laryngoscopy in adult intubations as an alternative to traditional direct laryngoscopy.

Anulika is a third-year resident in the Department of Anesthesiology in Saskatoon. She completed her undergraduate degree at McGill University, followed by a master's degree in the Neurobiology of Aging and Depression at the University of Toronto, and her medical degree at the University of Alberta. She has a special interest in medical education and is conducting her resident research project on caregiver understanding of pediatric fasting guidelines. Outside of medicine, Anulika is passionate about travel, and loves to explore new restaurants in Saskatoon with her partner.

Please note that while this podcast is run by healthcare professionals, it is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing beats care that is individualized to your own unique medical needs, so if you have any questions about content covered in this podcast that relates to your own health, please speak with your doctor today.

Additionally, the views expressed on this show are our own and do not necessarily represent those of the USask Department of Anesthesiology.

Recorded on March 7, 2025.

Join us for grand rounds this week where Dr. Colin Ellis, a respirologist and sleep medicine specialist in Saskatoon, discusses Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), including epidemiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and recent developments in training modalities.

Dr. Ellis is a respirologist and sleep medicine specialist practicing in Saskatoon. He completed internal medicine and respirology training at the University of Saskatchewan before completing a 1-year sleep medicine fellowship at UBC in Vancouver. He specializes in sleep-related breathing disorders, and has special interest in the management of hypoventilation disorders and non-invasive ventilation.

Please note that while this podcast is run by healthcare professionals, it is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing beats care that is individualized to your own unique medical needs, so if you have any questions about content covered in this podcast that relates to your own health, please speak with your doctor today.

Additionally, the views expressed on this show are our own and do not necessarily represent those of the USask Department of Anesthesiology.

Recorded on January 31, 2025.

Join us for grand rounds this week where Dr. Kerri Schellenberg, a neuromuscular neurologist at the University of Saskatchewan and director of the ALS/MND clinic and EMG lab at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, discusses ALS, the role of the ALS/MND clinic, and the role anesthesiologists' play in the administration of Tofersen.

Kerri Schellenberg MD, MMedED, is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Saskatchewan, and a fellowship trained neuromuscular neurologist. She is the Director of the ALS/MND clinic and Director of the EMG Lab at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. As the current chair of the Canadian ALS (CALS) physician research group, the co-chair of the Neuromuscular Disease for Canada (NMD4C) Clinical Trials Network, and board member for the Scientific Medical Advisory Council (SMAC) for ALS Canada, she has formed multiple national and international research collaborations. Her research includes participation in multiple Phase II and III treatment trials, authorship on the Canadian guidelines for ALS care, publications specific to ALS care in Saskatchewan, and ALS healthcare provider wellness. With a Masters of Medical Education from Dundee University, she has supervised multiple medical students and residents, and serves as the Competency Committee chair for neurology at USask.

Please note that while this podcast is run by healthcare professionals, it is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing beats care that is individualized to your own unique medical needs, so if you have any questions about content covered in this podcast that relates to your own health, please speak with your doctor today.

Additionally, the views expressed on this show are our own and do not necessarily represent those of the USask Department of Anesthesiology.

Recorded on January 19, 2025.

Join us this week where we continue our conversation with Drs. Jason Brooks and Anne-Marie Friesen, discussing a wide array of topics related to performance, adaptability, and resiliency in medicine.

Over the last 20 years as a mental performance coach, Jason has collaborated with outstanding performers in diverse fields—from elite athletes, performance artists, physicians and tactical law enforcement officers, to business leaders and entrepreneurs. Through these experiences, Jason has observed how these individuals develop unique sets of beliefs and practices that equip them to thrive in demanding performance settings, and that contribute towards them living their best life. He continues to share and expand on these ideas through his coaching practice, and also through the many talks and seminars that he conducts across North America.

Dr. Anne-Marie Friesen is a senior anesthesia resident based in Saskatoon. Originally from Ottawa, she began her career as an intensive care nurse before transitioning into medicine. Outside of her medical career, Dr. Friesen has a strong passion for fitness, with her athletic journey beginning in powerlifting, where she competed at the provincial level. She has since transitioned to bodybuilding, now competing at the national level with the goal of earning her pro card. The discipline and focus she’s developed through both her medical and athletic pursuits have shaped her approach to overcoming challenges, always striving for continuous growth in both her personal and professional life.

Dr. Friesen also has this to say about Dr. Brooks:

"I first met Dr. Jason Brooks as a medical student, balancing my passion for powerlifting with an emerging interest in performance psychology during a challenging time in my life. The loss of a close friend to suicide, just before the COVID pandemic, left me grappling with grief and tough questions. It was in those moments of uncertainty that I began to explore the power of my inner narrative, learning that hope and change are always within reach. Dr. Brooks played a pivotal role in that journey, guiding me to see that transformation is possible and that we can achieve far more than we often believe. Thank you, Dr. Brooks."

Please note that while this podcast is run by healthcare professionals, it is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing beats care that is individualized to your own unique medical needs, so if you have any questions about content covered in this podcast that relates to your own health, please speak with your doctor today.

Additionally, the views expressed on this show are our own and do not necessarily represent those of the USask Department of Anesthesiology.

Recorded on January 19, 2025.

Join us this week where Dr. Jason Brooks, a performance and personal development coach, and Dr. Anne-Marie Friesen, a PGY-4 anesthesia resident at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, discuss a wide array of topics related to performance, adaptability, and resiliency in medicine.

Over the last 20 years as a mental performance coach, Jason has collaborated with outstanding performers in diverse fields—from elite athletes, performance artists, physicians and tactical law enforcement officers, to business leaders and entrepreneurs. Through these experiences, Jason has observed how these individuals develop unique sets of beliefs and practices that equip them to thrive in demanding performance settings, and that contribute towards them living their best life. He continues to share and expand on these ideas through his coaching practice, and also through the many talks and seminars that he conducts across North America.

Dr. Anne-Marie Friesen is a senior anesthesia resident based in Saskatoon. Originally from Ottawa, she began her career as an intensive care nurse before transitioning into medicine. Outside of her medical career, Dr. Friesen has a strong passion for fitness, with her athletic journey beginning in powerlifting, where she competed at the provincial level. She has since transitioned to bodybuilding, now competing at the national level with the goal of earning her pro card. The discipline and focus she’s developed through both her medical and athletic pursuits have shaped her approach to overcoming challenges, always striving for continuous growth in both her personal and professional life.

Dr. Friesen also has this to say about Dr. Brooks:

"I first met Dr. Jason Brooks as a medical student, balancing my passion for powerlifting with an emerging interest in performance psychology during a challenging time in my life. The loss of a close friend to suicide, just before the COVID pandemic, left me grappling with grief and tough questions. It was in those moments of uncertainty that I began to explore the power of my inner narrative, learning that hope and change are always within reach. Dr. Brooks played a pivotal role in that journey, guiding me to see that transformation is possible and that we can achieve far more than we often believe. Thank you, Dr. Brooks."

Please note that while this podcast is run by healthcare professionals, it is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing beats care that is individualized to your own unique medical needs, so if you have any questions about content covered in this podcast that relates to your own health, please speak with your doctor today.

Additionally, the views expressed on this show are our own and do not necessarily represent those of the USask Department of Anesthesiology.