Today, we are joined by Dr. Todd Hill and Dr. Ward Flemons.

Dr. Todd Hill is a clinical psychologist, professor and Director of Behavioral Medicine in the Dept of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). He is also the Director of the CSM's Centre for Mindfulness (C4M).

Dr. Ward Flemons is a Professor Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine and Department of Medicine Vice-Chair, Health Analytics and Safety. He is the former Head of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Calgary and former Medical Director of the Foothills Medical Centre's Sleep Clinic. He was a Medical Director for the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) for over 10 years.

In the conversation, Dr. Hill and Dr. Flemons share how their personal journeys and formative experiences led them to discover mindfulness as a vital tool for fostering compassionate care and culture change within medical education.

We also cover:

• How childhood experiences and early mentors shaped their commitment to helping others flourish
• The evolution from individual mindfulness practice to institutional culture change through breaking down silos
• Their vision for cultivating a culture of compassionate caring where meaning in medical work is recognized

Dr. Hill and Dr. Flemons conclude by envisioning a future where leaders embody mindful practice naturally, creating institutions where people care not because they have to, but because they want to.

Website Links & Phone Numbers:

Dr. Todd Hill’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-hill-56b61573/

Dr. Ward Flemon’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/w-ward-flemons-740244121/

Centre for Mindfulness, Cumming School of Medicine: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/centres/centre-mindfulness/home

EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/

EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/

Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141

Physician Support Line Website:  https://www.physiciansupportline.com/

Dr. Krasner’s Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/

Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/

Relevant Publications:

Flemons WW, Feasby TE, Wright B. Building a safety and quality culture in healthcare: where it starts. Healthc Pap. 2011;11(3):41-7; discussion 79-83. doi: 10.12927/hcpap.2011.22552. PMID: 21952026.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:00) Origin Stories in Healthcare

(10:00) Todd's Path to Medical Education

(13:00) Ward's Journey to Patient Safety

(17:00) Discovering Mindfulness for Healthcare

(22:00) Conceiving Culture Change

(26:00) Building Leadership Support

(35:00) Collaboration and Mindfulness

(42:00) Envisioning Future Success

(49:00) Conclusion and Reflection Exercise