Episode Summary

In this episode of Amplify: Elevating Patient Voices, Ursula Mann and Anne Marie Hayes sit down with Neelam Bance for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, lived experience, healthcare innovation, and the importance of listening deeply to patients and caregivers.

Neelam shares reflections from her personal and professional journey — including motherhood, identity, advocacy, and leadership — and how these experiences shaped her perspective on creating more human-centered healthcare systems.

The discussion explores the value of curiosity, empathy, and meaningful collaboration in driving change across healthcare and patient engagement spaces. From recognizing barriers within systems to understanding the emotional realities behind patient experiences, this episode highlights why lived experience must remain at the center of innovation and decision-making.

This conversation is reflective, inspiring, and filled with insights for healthcare leaders, patient advocates, caregivers, and anyone passionate about creating more compassionate systems of care.

Why You Should Listen

• Learn why listening to lived experience is essential in healthcare innovation
• Hear Neelam’s perspective on balancing leadership, motherhood, and advocacy
• Explore the importance of empathy and curiosity in driving meaningful change
• Understand how patient-centered thinking can improve healthcare systems and conversations
• Gain insights into leadership rooted in humanity, connection, and collaboration

Episode Highlights

• 00:00 – Introduction to Neelam Bance and her journey in healthcare leadership
• 03:12 – The importance of lived experience in shaping healthcare conversations
• 07:45 – Balancing leadership, motherhood, and personal identity
• 12:30 – Why empathy and curiosity are essential in innovation
• 18:05 – Challenges within healthcare systems and the need for patient-centered thinking
• 24:18 – Building meaningful collaboration between patients, caregivers, and healthcare leaders
• 30:42 – Reflections on advocacy, listening, and creating lasting change
• 36:10 – Final thoughts on leadership, humanity, and the future of healthcare

Links

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelambance/
MedGeneius https://www.linkedin.com/company/medgeneius/
ODINsight https://odinsight.ca/

Medical Disclaimer:

The content shared on Amplify is for informational and educational purposes only.

Nothing discussed on this podcast—including stories, experiences, perspectives, or commentary from hosts, guests, or contributors—should be interpreted as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations.

Always seek the guidance of your physician or other licensed provider with any questions regarding your health, medical conditions, or treatment options.

What happens when surviving cancer in your 20s leads to a completely different health journey decades later? In this powerful episode of Amplify: Elevating Patient Voices, hosts Ursula Mann and Anne-Marie Hayes sit down with Jackie to explore the realities of women’s heart health, delayed diagnosis, and why patient-led advocacy is changing the future of care.

After surviving Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at 24, Jackie went on to build a successful career in fashion and live what she thought was a healthy, “normal” life — until nearly 20 years later, she experienced chemotherapy-induced heart failure. What began as flu-like symptoms eventually led to a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, opening her eyes to the long-term “legacy” cancer treatment can leave behind.

Today, Jackie is a passionate advocate working to improve awareness, access to care, and support systems for women living with heart disease. She shares why women are still too often misdiagnosed, how heart disease symptoms can look very different in women, and why advocacy starts with simply believing that your health matters.

This episode is an urgent and empowering conversation about equalizing care, listening to lived experience, and ensuring women are no longer treated as “small men” in cardiovascular medicine.

Why You Should Listen

• Learn how chemotherapy and cancer treatments can impact heart health decades later
• Hear why women’s heart disease symptoms are still frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed
• Understand the growing connection between gynecology, hormones, and cardiology
• Discover the importance of patient-led support communities and advocacy
• Gain practical insights into heart health risk factors every woman should know
• Explore how Canada and global organizations are working to improve women’s cardiac care

Episode Highlights

• 00:32 – Why women’s heart health remains under-researched and misunderstood
• 04:35 – Jackie’s cancer diagnosis at 24 and the long-term effects of treatment
• 06:32 – Discovering chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy nearly 20 years later
• 07:54 – The moment Jackie’s mother pushed her to request an EKG
• 09:49 – The alarming statistics around women and heart disease misdiagnosis
• 12:42 – Feeling isolated while searching for trustworthy patient support
• 16:48 – Jackie’s advice for women: “Put yourself first”
• 18:12 – Hidden heart disease risk factors linked to hormones, pregnancy, and autoimmune conditions
• 22:48 – Why women are still being treated as “small men” in research and medication dosing
• 25:30 – What “bikini medicine” means and why it limits women’s care
• 28:24 – Canada’s progress in women’s heart health and the new national women’s health framework
• 30:43 – Jackie’s “Heart Warrior Queens” philosophy: love boldly, live bravely, lead your own journey

Resources & Organizations

• HeartLife Foundation
• HeartLife Women / Life in Hearts
• Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance
• Global Heart Hub
• Bill S-243: An Act to establish a national framework for women’s health in Canada

About Jackie

Jackie is a patient advocate living with chemotherapy-induced heart failure following treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in her 20s. After nearly two decades working in the fashion industry as an apparel buyer, her diagnosis inspired her to dedicate her life to advocacy and women’s heart health awareness.

She is the

Episode Summary

In this episode of Amplify: Elevating Patient Voices, hosts Ursula Mann and Anne Marie Hayes are joined by Jeff Beach, President & CEO of Asthma Canada.

Jeff shares his deeply personal journey—from a childhood marked by severe allergies to a life-changing asthma diagnosis in adulthood—and how that experience shaped his path into patient advocacy and leadership.

The conversation explores the realities of living with asthma, including common misconceptions, the importance of proper disease management, and what “good control” truly looks like. Jeff also provides a behind-the-scenes look at leading a national patient organization—navigating funding, maintaining independence, and ensuring patient voices remain at the center of healthcare decisions.

With World Asthma Day approaching, this episode is both timely and powerful—reminding us that asthma is not just occasional wheezing, but a chronic condition that requires awareness, action, and advocacy.

Why You Should Listen

• Understand the difference between controlled and uncontrolled asthma
• Learn how lived experience shapes healthcare leadership and advocacy
• Discover why asthma is often misunderstood—and underestimated
• Hear practical insights on managing triggers and improving daily life
• Get inspired by stories of resilience, including patients who went from struggling to walk to running marathons
• Gain perspective on how patient organizations operate, stay independent, and drive change

Episode Highlights

00:01 – Introduction to Amplify & today’s conversation
Setting the stage: patient voices and why this discussion matters.

04:39 – Jeff’s journey with asthma
From childhood allergies to an unexpected diagnosis in adulthood.

07:21 – The reality of diagnosis
Why asthma can be difficult to identify—especially in children.

11:22 – Rescue vs. controller medication
What proper asthma management really looks like.

13:14 – Signs your asthma is not controlled
Common misconceptions and warning signs to watch for.

14:12 – Can people with asthma stay active?
Breaking the myth—why movement is part of better control.

18:38 – From lived experience to leadership
Jeff’s path into patient advocacy and nonprofit leadership.

23:36 – Funding, independence, and trust
How patient organizations operate and stay patient-centered.

27:53 – The role of patient voices in healthcare
Why advocacy and storytelling drive real change.

31:17 – Looking ahead: World Asthma Day
Shifting from awareness to taking asthma seriously.

Links & References

• Asthma Canada: https://asthma.ca/
• Asthma Canada YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AsthmaSocietyCanada
• Asthma & Allergy HelpLine: https://asthma.ca/what-we-do/helpline/
• Patient Voice Partners: https://patientvoicepartners.com
• Medlior Health Outcomes Research: https://www.medlior.com/
  
  

Medical Disclaimer:

The content shared on Amplify is for informational and educational purposes only.

Nothing discussed on this podcast—including stories, experiences, perspectives, or commentary from hosts, guests, or contributors—sho

Episode Summary

In this deeply moving episode of Amplify: Elevating Patient Voices, we sit down with Charles Cook—a two-time deceased donor transplant recipient who received a life-saving heart transplant in 2016 and a kidney transplant in 2017.

Charles shares his extraordinary journey—from being diagnosed with a genetic heart condition at 17, to surviving a massive stroke, to enduring years of recovery and ultimately facing end-stage heart failure. His story is one of resilience, faith, and an unshakable commitment to “keep banging”—his personal mantra for overcoming life’s toughest obstacles.

In recognition of National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Week, this conversation highlights the life-saving impact of organ donation, the importance of representation in healthcare, and why Charles has dedicated his life to giving back through advocacy and patient support.

Why You Should Listen

• Hear a powerful, real-life story of survival against overwhelming odds
• Understand the true impact of organ donation—from a recipient’s perspective
• Learn how resilience and mindset can shape outcomes in the face of adversity
• Discover the importance of advocacy and representation in healthcare systems
• Be inspired to take action and help amplify patient voices

Episode Highlights

• 00:00 – Introduction to Charles Cook and his powerful story
• 03:30 – A life-changing diagnosis at 17—and losing a dream overnight
• 12:30 – A sudden stroke and a near-death experience on the highway
• 21:00 – Facing heart failure and the reality of limited time
• 23:30 – The life-saving role of an LVAD as a bridge to transplant
• 27:00 – “Keep Banging”: the mindset that carried Charles through
• 31:00 – Advocacy, representation, and addressing disparities in care
• 38:00 – Life after transplant and finding purpose in giving back

Links & References:

• ACB Organ Health YouTube
• Transplant Ambassador Program
• Kidney Foundation

About the Guest

Charles Cook is a two-time organ transplant recipient, receiving a heart transplant in 2016 and a kidney transplant in 2017 at Toronto General Hospital.

He is an active volunteer and advocate, working with organizations such as the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Transplant Ambassador Program, and the African Caribbean and Black Organ Health initiative.

Driven by gratitude for the “two gifts of life” he received, Charles is committed to paying it forward by supporting patients, raising awareness, and advocating for more equitable access to transplant care.

Medical Disclaimer:

The content shared on Amplify is for informational and educational purposes only.

Nothing discussed on this podcast—including stories, experiences, perspectives, or commentary from hosts, guests, or contributors—should be interpreted as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations.

Always seek the guidance of your physician or other licensed provider with any questions regarding your health, medical conditions, or treatment options.

Episode Summary

In this powerful episode of Amplify: Elevating Patient Voices, Harjeet Kaur shares her journey through an ultra-rare stage IV blood cancer—subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL)—and the life-altering moments that followed. From months of unexplained symptoms and relentless advocacy for answers, to undergoing a stem cell transplant during the height of COVID-19, Harjeet’s story is one of resilience, courage, and survival.

But her journey goes beyond the medical. As a South Asian woman, Harjeet opens up about the cultural silence surrounding cancer, the stigma she faced, and the emotional weight of navigating illness without open conversations. Today, she is using her voice to break that silence—advocating for awareness, representation, and more inclusive support systems for patients from underrepresented communities.

Why You Should Listen

• To hear a deeply human story of survival, strength, and transformation
• To understand how culture and stigma can shape the cancer experience
• To learn why patient advocacy—especially self-advocacy—can be life-saving
• To gain insight into the challenges faced by young adults and immigrants navigating healthcare systems
• To be inspired by how one voice can create impact, build community, and drive change

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction to Harjeet’s ultra-rare cancer journey

03:39 – Early symptoms and being dismissed as “just a viral illness”

06:02 – Months without answers—and fighting to be heard

07:50 – The life-changing moment: stage IV cancer diagnosis at 32

10:37 – Emotional impact and silent suffering

14:47 – “I want to live”: facing limited treatment options

15:47 – Choosing a stem cell transplant—and her brother as donor

17:37 – Transplant during COVID and complete isolation

19:32 – Cultural stigma and silence around cancer in South Asian communities

24:47 – Turning pain into purpose: advocacy and building Chai & Hope

Resources & Links

• Patient Voice Partners: https://patientvoicepartners.com
• Young Adult Cancer Canada (YAC)
• Canadian Cancer Society
• Harjeet Kaur on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harjeetkaur
• Chai & Hope (South Asian Cancer Community) https://www.instagram.com/chaiandhope

Medical Disclaimer:

The content shared on Amplify is for informational and educational purposes only.

Nothing discussed on this podcast—including stories, experiences, perspectives, or commentary from hosts, guests, or contributors—should be interpreted as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations.

Always seek the guidance of your physician or other licensed provider with any questions regarding your health, medical conditions, or treatment options.

What happens when your life changes in an instant—and you’re left to navigate uncertainty, fear, and a system that isn’t built around you?

In this episode of Amplify: Elevating Patient Voices, hosts Ursula Mann and Brent Korte sit down with Claire Snyman, a brain tumor survivor, patient advocate, and health data champion.

Claire shares the moment everything shifted—from a sudden onset of vertigo to an unexpected diagnosis of a brain tumor. What followed was not just a medical journey, but an emotional and systemic one—marked by uncertainty, gaps in communication, and the need to advocate for her own care while critically ill.

Through her story, Claire reveals what it means to “surf the waves of uncertainty,” rebuild life after brain surgery, and transform personal experience into purpose. Today, she is helping reshape how patients access care, understand their data, and take an active role in their health journey.

This episode is a powerful reminder that behind every patient is a story—and a system that still has work to do.

• You want to understand the real-life impact of a brain tumor diagnosis beyond the clinical perspective
• You’re interested in patient advocacy and the role of caregivers in navigating care
• You work in healthcare, research, or policy and want insight into system gaps
• You believe patients should have access to their data—and a voice in their care

• [00:00:00] Introduction & setting the stage
  Ursula and Brent introduce Claire Snyman’s story and the realities behind a brain tumor diagnosis
• [00:04:24] Life before diagnosis
  Claire shares her busy life as a working mom before everything changed
• [00:05:18] First symptoms appear
  Sudden vertigo, migraines, and the first signs that something was wrong
• [00:07:09] The unexpected diagnosis
  Hearing “you have a brain tumor” — and realizing the news was about her
• [00:08:31] Processing the shock alone
  Claire receives the diagnosis while her husband is out of the room
• [00:10:53] Living in uncertainty (“watch and wait”)
  What it means to monitor a brain tumor while fearing every symptom
• [00:12:48] Surfing the waves of uncertainty
  Learning how to mentally cope with fear and constant unknowns
• [00:14:04] Symptoms worsen
  The turning point when her condition begins to deteriorate
• [00:16:02] When the system fails
  A missed diagnosis, lack of documentation, and gaps in care
• [00:17:24] Medical emergency & urgent surgery
  Discovering the tumor doubled in size and required immediate intervention
• [00:18:52] The importance of advocacy and support
  Why having a caregiver and speaking up can be life-saving
• [00:21:13] Living with long-term effects
  Brain injury, memory challenges, and invisible struggles
• [00:26:54] “Two Steps Forward” mindset
  How Claire rebuilt her life and found meaning after recovery
• [00:27:53] Empowering patients through data & advocacy
  Helping others take ownership of their health and information
• [00:30:14] Advice for patients and caregivers
  Track, educate, ask, and manage — a practical framework for navigating care
• [00:31:11] Finding healing in nature
  How walking and hiking became part of Claire’s recovery

Links:

• Website: https://twosteps.ca/
• Mental health resources: https://twosteps.ca/mental-health-resources/
• Book link:

Kidney disease is often called a “silent illness”—but for those living with it, the reality is anything but quiet.

In this powerful episode of Amplify: Elevating Patient Voices, Ursula Mann joined by Christine Pisapia and special guest Susan McKenzie, a kidney transplant recipient and leading patient advocate. Sue shares her deeply personal journey—from delayed diagnosis and emergency dialysis to receiving a life-changing transplant from her sister-in-law.

Together, they unpack the hidden challenges within the healthcare system, including missed early detection, long donor testing timelines, and the emotional toll of dialysis. The conversation also shines a light on the transformative impact of peer support through the Transplant Ambassador Program, and why a “transplant-first” approach could improve both patient outcomes and healthcare costs.

This episode is a candid, eye-opening look at the realities of kidney disease—and a hopeful call to action for better awareness, advocacy, and patient-centered care.

🎧 Why You Should Listen

• Gain a real-life perspective on kidney disease, dialysis, and transplant
• Understand the gaps in early diagnosis and healthcare systems
• Learn why living donor transplants are often the best option
• Discover the emotional and mental health impact of dialysis
• Be inspired by powerful patient advocacy and peer support initiatives

⏱️ Episode Highlights

[00:00:00] – Introduction to Kidney Transplant Conversations
Ursula and Brent introduce the episode and welcome Christine Pia and guest Susan McKenzie.

[00:02:00] – Sue’s Personal Journey with Kidney Disease
Family history, early warning signs, and the long road to diagnosis.

[00:04:30] – Delayed Diagnosis and Missed Opportunities
How lack of early intervention led to disease progression.

[00:06:00] – Finding a Living Donor
Challenges of genetic conditions and the emotional journey of donor matching.

[00:08:30] – What Donor Testing Really Involves
A deep dive into the extensive and often lengthy donor evaluation process.

[00:12:00] – Why Preemptive Transplant Matters
The missed opportunity to avoid dialysis and why timing is critical.

[00:14:30] – The Reality of Dialysis
Breaking the myth: why dialysis is physically and emotionally exhausting.

[00:17:00] – The Hidden Struggles Patients Face
Living with illness while trying to maintain a “normal” life.

[00:18:30] – The Power of Peer Support
How the Transplant Ambassador Program is changing patient experiences.

[00:24:00] – Advocacy and the ‘Transplant First’ Movement
Why systemic change is needed to prioritize transplants over dialysis.

[00:26:00] – The Cost of Dialysis vs. Transplant
A compelling case for better healthcare investment decisions.

[00:29:00] – Barriers to Living Donation
Why willing donors sometimes don’t make it through the system.

[00:32:00] – Debunking Myths About Donor Risk
Understanding the real (and minimal) risks of kidney donation.

[00:33:30] – What People Don’t Know About Kidney Disease
Why awareness and education are still lacking.

[00:34:00] – A New Podcast to Amplify Kidney Patient Voices
Sue shares her upcoming initiative to educate and support patients.

[00:35:00] – A Heartwarming Ending
Sue reflects on life after transplant—and time with her twin granddaughters.

Want to Share Your Voice?

If you’re a patient or caregiver, you can join Patient Voice Connect to share your experiences and help shape healthcare here.

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In this episode of Amplify: Elevating Patient Voices, hosts Ursula Mann and Brent Korte sit down with Sandra Walker, venture capital partner at Hard Climate Venture Studio and founder of Viacern.

Sandra has spent decades working across global healthcare systems—spanning pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostics, venture capital, and now climate innovation. Throughout her career, she has been drawn to tackling the kinds of complex, messy problems that require systems thinking, collaboration, and bold leadership.

The conversation explores how leaders make decisions within complex systems, why unconscious bias often shapes those decisions, and how personal experiences—like caregiving—can influence how we approach change.

Sandra also shares her journey as a remote caregiver for her father during a critical health period, highlighting the emotional and logistical challenges many caregivers face but rarely talk about.

From healthcare leadership to climate innovation, this episode examines how different systems intersect—and why solving tomorrow’s healthcare challenges requires thinking beyond traditional boundaries.