DocTalks Presented by Podagogies

From low to high fidelity simulations, and from task trainers to the latest high-tech mannequins, this episode explores all the learning possibilities in "sim", with particular focus on TMU Med School's Sim Lab. But, the benefits from simulations go far beyond the tools involved. This episode also looks into the pedagogical value of including simulation throughout medical training. Dr. Gurmeet Lall serves as the Director of Clinical anatomy and simulation at TMU School of Medicine. Dr. Rajani Vairavanathan is a family and emergency doctor who serves as Director of high fidelity simulation and clinical faculty at TMU. Read the transcript: tinyurl.com/bdz8v8ss

Emergency physician and award-winning educator Dr. Jonathan Sherbino joins DocTalks to unpack why education research matters, and how it improves patient care. Drawing on his work leading MERIT at McMaster University, Sherbino challenges assumptions about innovation, rigour, and legitimacy in medical education. The conversation explores competency-based education, diagnostic error, and why experience, not “thinking harder” or bias checklists, drives clinical expertise. A thoughtful, evidence-informed discussion on building safer systems, better training, and scholarship that truly translates to practice. Dr. Sherbino is a Professor of Medicine and Assistant Dean, Health Professions Education Research, McMaster University. He holds the William J. Walsh Chair in Medical Education. Dr. Sherbino is the past chair of the National Specialty Committee for Emergency Medicine, Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada, and the co-founder of a nationally certified medical education training program. He also directs the McMaster Health Education, Research & Innovation & Theory (MERIT) Centre. Read the transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2p9wt2m9

In this episode, Dr. Clare Hutchinson, pediatrician and Interim Assistant Dean of Curricular Innovation at TMU’s School of Medicine, joins Heather and Curtis for a deep dive into the importance of feedback in medical education. Dr. Hutchinson shares how she helps students shift away from the fear of judgment by normalizing feedback from Day One. Drawing on Pendleton’s model and the R2C2 framework, she highlights how focusing on actionable behaviors rather than personal criticism can make feedback more timely, specific, and learner-centered. Dr. Clare Hutchinson is a Pediatrician and Pediatric Rheumatologist at North York General Hospital. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine, and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto. She received her MD, CM from McGill University before completing Pediatric residency and Pediatric Rheumatology fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children. She completed a Master of Health Professions Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Wilson Centre fellowship. Her current role is as the Interim Assistant Dean, Curricular Innovation for the Toronto Metropolitan University. Read the transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mr452yzk

Dr. Jamaica Cass discusses her work in Indigenous health, emphasizing the importance of incorporating decolonization and reconciliation into medical education. She provides insights into her role as the Indigenous health lead, including creating a culturally safe admissions process and developing a longitudinal, mandatory curriculum that addresses the colonial roots of Indigenous health disparities. She also talks about how she approaches her clinical practice serving an Indigenous community and ways to approach this work with care. As Indigenous Health Lead, Dr. Jamaica Cass will participate in providing guidance in all aspects of work at the school of medicine. This will include working with the executive committee to develop an Indigenous admissions policy, pursue Indigenous community engagement and develop an Indigenous Health curriculum. A member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Turtle Clan, Dr. Cass practices Indigenous Health as a primary care physician on-reserve at Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. In addition, as an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Queen's University, she currently supervises both undergraduate clerks and family medicine residents. Dr. Cass earned her PhD from Queen's University in breast cancer molecular biology before pursuing a career in medicine. She completed her Medical Doctorate at Tulane University, and completed her family medicine residency at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Valerie Mueller joins DocTalks to continue our mini-series on Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) as TMU welcomes its first cohort of residents. Dr. Mueller speaks about managing the transition to CBME, and the way in which its formal assessment and documentation processes allow for greater accountability, and earlier intervention and delivery of enhanced education plans. This episode also unpacks how CBME fits into the broader picture of residency evaluation, including some approaches to goal-setting with residents around Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs). Dr. Valerie (Val) Mueller is the Associate Dean PGME at TMU SoM. She completed her medical training at McMaster University followed by residency training in Obstetrics & Gynecology and subspecialty training in Maternal Fetal Medicine. She has transitioned into the field of LIfestyle Medicine, assisting patients with complex chronic disorders. Val has been active in medical education for over 20 years, including roles within Undergraduate Medical Education and Postgraduate Medical Education, holding various roles over her previous years at McMaster University. Read the transcript: https://tinyurl.com/337hvz42

Dr. Marina Malak joins DocTalks as part of the mini-series on Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) as TMU welcomes its first cohort of residents. Bringing a family medicine perspective, Dr. Malak explores how CBME is structured by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), including the Triple C curriculum—comprehensive care, continuity, and a focus on family medicine. She unpacks how TMU is building an educational program from the ground up and reflects on assessing complex competencies like professionalism and trust. The episode also tackles how failure can be reframed as growth, the role of cultural context in assessment, and what it means to help learners feel truly ready for independent practice. Dr. Marina Malak is a family physician in Mississauga, Ontario, and the Director of Assessment and Competence of Family Medicine/Enhanced Skills at the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine (TMU SoM). She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and McMaster University, a board member of the National Committee of Continuing Professional Development at the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), and a Peer Guide and Mentor with the Ontario College of Family Physicians of Ontario (OCFP). She is also an advisory member of the Halton Physicians Association, and a Wellness Mentor and community physician leader with Trillium Health Partners. She is passionate about patient care; medical education; and promoting mental, physical, and emotional wellness. Read the transcript: https://tinyurl.com/9w4xe9z4

Dr. Brent Thoma joins DocTalks to launch our mini-series on Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) as TMU welcomes its first cohort of residents. A national leader in medical education, Dr. Thoma explains key CBME concepts like EPAs, competence committees, and entrustment scores, while reflecting on the shift from time-based to outcomes-based training. He shares insights from his own journey and explores how TMU is building CBME programs with intention—avoiding pitfalls and leveraging lessons from across Canada. Whether you're new to CBME or guiding learners through it, this episode offers an accessible and practical introduction. Dr. Brent Thoma is a Clinical Professor and the former interim Associate Dean of Postgraduate Medical Education at Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine. His academic work focuses on technology-enhanced learning including simulation, online educational resources, and learning analytics. His PhD thesis focused on the use of competency-based assessment data for organizational development. Read the transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3976vszz

This special National AccessAbility Week episode of DocTalks features Dr. Pamela Liao, Disability Health Lead at TMU’s School of Medicine, and Melissa Helwig, Head Medical Librarian. Together, we explore how medical education can become more inclusive for learners with disabilities—from dismantling outdated technical standards to embedding accessibility into curriculum design and library resources. With stories of lived experience and national leadership in disability justice, this conversation highlights how inclusion strengthens care, curriculum, and community. Dr. Pamela Liao is the disability health lead in the TMU School of Medicine and Special Advisor to the Dean. She's also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, and is a steadfast advocate for equity, diversity and inclusivity in the medical profession. Melissa Helwig is TMU Library's inaugural head medical librarian. She brings 18 years of experience in health science librarianship at both Dalhousie University and at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Melissa's day-to-day work is often focused on curriculum support, and she's interested in helping people use the library to engage in their continuing education journey. Read the transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3wx2hnwf

In this episode of DocTalks, Dr. Aniket Hooda, emergency physician and education lead at Etobicoke General Hospital, reflects on the unique challenges and rewards of teaching in the fast-paced world of emergency medicine. Dr. Hooda shares how he balances clinical care with on-the-spot teaching, sets clear learning objectives, and uses the One-Minute Preceptor model to build clinical reasoning. Reflecting on his own training, he offers strategies for giving meaningful feedback—and reminds us why clinical teaching is a powerful responsibility and privilege. Dr. Aniket Hooda is an Emergency Physician in the William Osler Health System, and currently serves as both the simulation lead and education lead in the emergency department of the Etobicoke General Hospital. Read the transcript at https://tinyurl.com/4w6ehhuz

In this inaugural episode of DocTalks, we introduce a brand-new branch of Podagogies dedicated to exploring the world of medical education. Co-hosts Curtis Maloley and Chelsea Jones welcome the new DocTalks co-host, Dr. Heather McNeil, Interim Assistant Dean of Faculty Development at the TMU School of Medicine. To kick things off, we’re joined by Dr. Teresa Chan, an educational leader, researcher, and the founding Dean of the School of Medicine. Together, we dive into the evolving role of medical educators, the importance of mentorship, and how technology—from podcasts to AI tutors—is transforming how future healthcare professionals are trained. Dr. Teresa M. Chan is the Founding Dean of the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine as well as TMU’s Vice-President, Medical Affairs. Previously, she served as Associate Dean, Continuing Professional Development and an Associate Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. She was also a Clinician Scientist with McMaster Education, Research, Innovation and Theory (MERIT), and has been a practicing emergency physician with Hamilton Health Sciences since 2013. Read the transcript: https://tinyurl.com/8tr26wey