Today we are joined by Dr. Tsion Firew an emergency physician, a fierce advocate for global health equity, and a dedicated humanitarian whose work has taken her from the frontlines of emergency rooms in New York City to crisis zones around the world. Tsion is currently the Chair of Emergency Medicine at Africa Health Sciences University & King Faisal Hospital in Rwanda, a Senior Advisor overseeing Emergency Medical Services at the Ministry of Health in Rwanda and an Associate Professor of Em...
Oct 28, 2025•41 min
Today, we’re heading to Alaska to meet April Kyle, the CEO of Southcentral Foundation, one of the nation’s leading native-owned healthcare organizations. April Kyle’s story is deeply intertwined with her Alaskan heritage and the rich tapestry of her family’s history. Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, with ancestral roots linked to the Danina Athabascan tribe, April was heavily influenced by her family’s strong matriarchal structure. April joined Southcentral Foundation in 2003, working as a ...
Oct 14, 2025•46 min
Today we are joined by Dr. Gautam Nayak, a cardiologist focused on delivering world class cardiovascular care to North Central Washington in the US. He is also a co-founder of a healthcare technology start up. Gautam is a past president of the Washington American College of Cardiology chapter, and an Associate Clinical professor of Medicine at the University of Washington. He also served 10 years in the US Navy, and was deployed to the Middle East in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Ope...
Sep 30, 2025•56 min
Today, we are joined by Dr Jailyn Avila from San Diego in Southern California. On Jailyn’s website, she describes how she was born into an immigrant military-conservative family. After leaving home and getting married, she slowly realised her true self. After completing medical school, and an emergency medicine residency, she transitioned to the transgender woman she is today and settled back into San Diego with her wife and 3 children. Today we talk wtih Jailyn about her forks in the road throu...
Sep 16, 2025•47 min
In the 31st episode of the Forks in the Road, hosts Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland reflect on key conversations from episodes 26 to 30. They revisit discussions with remarkable healthcare leaders Dr. Resa E Lewis, Dr. Josephine Elzen Junker, Jarrard O'Brien, Dr. Aditi Joshi, and Dr. Minako Abe, exploring pivotal moments and common themes such as role of reflection and clarity of purpose in navigating their forks in the road, the natural iterative evolution of career paths, the power of adaptab...
Sep 02, 2025•41 min
Today, we are joined by Dr Minako Abe, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Tokyo Cancer Clinic, where she leads clinical operations, regenerative medicine, and advanced cancer immunotherapy. A U.S. board-certified physician in both Emergency Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Abe has over 15 years of clinical experience in New York and New Jersey. After returning to Japan in 2014, she joined her father’s cancer clinic in Tokyo, where she blends immune cell therapies, regenerative car...
Aug 19, 2025•46 min
Today we are joined by Dr. Aditi Joshi, a telehealth and digital health expert. Aditi studied and worked in The US, starting in emergency medicine and then took opportunities to research and build telehealth practices, well before telehealth was understood. She was an early adopter and leader in this field. She is now a global digital health consultant, an author, speaker and practicing emergency physician. As the co-creator of the widely adopted Telehealth Success Framework, Aditi has helped sh...
Aug 05, 2025•52 min
Joining us today is Jarrard (Jay) O’Brien, a leader in organisational development and culture transformation with over twenty years of experience spanning healthcare, government, and education. Jay’s career has taken him around the globe, from his role as the inaugural Chief Experience Officer at Alfred Health in Melbourne, to co‑founding South Australia’s Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health, and shaping human‑centred design culture in New Zealand’s largest District Health Board. C...
Jul 22, 2025•51 min
Today’s guest is someone who brings a deep philosophical view to her work and her life. Dr. Josefin Elzén Junker is a Senior Consultant in Cardiothoracic Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, one of the leading medical institutions in Europe. Dr. Elzén Junker is not only a leading clinician but also a critical care transport physician, flying patients across vast distances in specially equipped ICU aircraft. She’s also a researcher and edu...
Jul 09, 2025•47 min
Today’s guest is Resa E Lewiss MD, an emergency medicine and lifestyle medicine physician. She is currently an adjunct Professor of Emergency Medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in the US. She is also a TEDMED speaker, healthcare designer, and award-winning educator. In addition to her clinical and academic work, Resa is a widely published writer, contributing to both scientific journals and major outlets like CNBC , Fast Company , Harvard Business Review. She’s also...
Jun 24, 2025•47 min
In the 25th episode of the Forks in the Road podcast, hosts Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland reflect on key conversations from episodes 20 to 24. They revisit discussions with remarkable healthcare leaders Dr. Tillman Ruff, Dr. Gopal Taori, Dr. Dion Forstner, Susie Tegan, and Dr. Joan Vitello, exploring pivotal moments and common themes such as the influence of personal background, resilience in the face of challenges, purpose and passion in careers, and the significance of human connection. Wha...
Jun 10, 2025•35 min
As a child, Joan experienced illnesses that required hospitalisation and surgery. During this time she came to deeply value the compassion and care shown to her by her paediatrician, which inspired her early aspiration to become one herself. However, her journey through medical school was marred by negative experiences, ultimately leading her to make the difficult decision to leave the program. After some time away, Joan discovered the field of specialist nursing. She returned to study, and from...
May 27, 2025•46 min
Today we’re joined by Susi Tegen, Chief Executive of the National Rural Health Alliance in Australia. Susi is deeply passionate about rural and remote communities, and her work spans health, economic development, primary industries, agriculture, and education across Australia. Susi is a strategic and energetic leader, currently serving on the Distribution Working Group for the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care. She’s also a member of the Advisory Network of the National ...
May 13, 2025•48 min
Today we are joined by Dion Forstner, a Radiation Oncology Specialist. His clinical expertise lies in the treatment of head, neck, and skin cancers. Dion studied medicine, graduating with honours from the University of Tasmania in 1994. He went on to train in Radiation Oncology in South Australia. Dion is based at both St Vincent’s Hospital and Macquarie University Hospital, and previously served for nine years as Head of Radiation Oncology in the South Western Sydney Local Health District. Conj...
Apr 29, 2025•46 min
In this episode of the Forks in the Road podcast, hosts Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland introduce Dr. Gopal Taori, the Clinical Director of Critical Care Medicine at Dandenong Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Taori shares his inspiring journey from India to Australia, his pivotal career moments, and the values of optimism and community service that guide him. He discusses how his experiences in a rural Indian village influenced his approach to leadership and patient care. Dr. Taori also hi...
Apr 15, 2025•33 min
In Episode 20, hosts Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland engage with Dr. Tilman Ruff, a public health and infectious diseases physician and an Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Australia. But Dr. Ruff is much more than his titles. His work and leadership have had, and continue to have, a profound impact on global health and peace. His career includes pivotal contributions to travel medicine, hepatitis B control, immunization, and maternal and child health in Indonesia and th...
Apr 01, 2025•48 min
In the latest episode of Forks in the Road , we take a reflective journey through the previous five episodes, distilling the key themes and powerful insights shared by our esteemed guests. These discussions shed light on the challenges, triumphs, and transformative experiences that shape leadership across diverse fields. Here are the key takeaways and emerging themes that can inspire and influence your own leadership path. Key moments in the podcast: 00:38 Episode 19 Overview and Key Themes 01:1...
Mar 18, 2025•36 min
Welcome to today’s episode! We are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Andrea Austin, an emergency physician, educator, author, and advocate for physician well-being. Dr. Austin is a passionate changemaker, dedicated to fostering innovation, creativity, and problem-solving in the healthcare field. As a U.S. Navy veteran and former Lieutenant Commander, Dr. Austin brings a unique perspective with operational medicine experience, including a deployment to Iraq in 2016. Her passion for supporting healthca...
Mar 04, 2025•41 min
Today, we're joined by Katherine Dowson, the Associate Program Director for Lived Experience in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Program at Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia. Katherine’s career began in child protection, but it was an experience working in Malawi, East Africa, after completing her Master’s in Public Health that truly shifted her career path. She describes her calling as being rooted in empowering women to bring about change in their lives, the lives of their children, and thei...
Feb 18, 2025•50 min
Today, we are joined by David Swain, the CEO of Endeavour Foundation, an organization that provides services to support people with disabilities. David trained as a nurse and started his career as a nursing officer in the Army. Unfortunately, a serious accident cut his time in the military short, forcing him to focus on recovery. That pivotal moment in his life brought with it valuable lessons and shaped his future path. With over 30 years of experience, David has held senior roles across govern...
Feb 04, 2025•45 min
Today we are joined by Helen Angus, CEO of AMS Healthcare, Toronto, Ontario Canada. Helen has a Masters of Science in Planning and started her career as an urban planner but very early began working for the Government of Ontario. She has worked in a range of government roles, including working on the first comprehensive plans for cancer and chronic kidney disease services and on programs to combat violence against women and end human trafficking. In 2016 Helen was appointed as Deputy Minister of...
Jan 21, 2025•44 min
Rob Moodie is a Professor of Public Health at the University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and an Honorary Professor at Kamuzu University in Malawi. He has held leadership roles at the Nossal Institute and the University of Melbourne's School of Population and Global Health. With a background in medicine and public health, Rob has worked globally in refugee healthcare and HIV prevention, including for Save the Children, Médecins Sans Frontières, WHO, and UNAIDS. Rob has chaired major health...
Jan 07, 2025•46 min
In Episode 13 of the Forks in the Road podcast, hosts Anne and Stephen reflect on the journey from Episodes 7 to 12, sharing highlights, key themes, and valuable feedback from both their online episodes and in-person events held in Brisbane and Melbourne. The episode emphasizes the power of storytelling, with guests sharing personal and career-changing moments. Themes such as career design, the importance of mentoring, and the impact of networks in professional growth are discussed. They also hi...
Dec 20, 2024•42 min
In today’s episode, we are joined by Neeraj Lal, Chief Operating Officer, Apollo Hospitals-Gujarat Region. With a rich background spanning over two decades in hospital administration across India, Neeraj is a seasoned professional driven by a relentless pursuit of quality. As an esteemed assessor for the International Society for Quality in Healthcare, Neeraj has conducted audits for over 40 hospitals, playing a pivotal role in shaping healthcare standards across various specialties in India. Be...
Dec 03, 2024•32 min
In today’s episode we are joined by Mathew Knight, General Manager - Victorian Rehabilitation Hospitals, Healthscope. Starting with a passion for health and science, Matthew tells us how he chose the profession of physiotherapy. He reflects on the critical decision after his studies: hospital or private practice? Mathew chose the hospital route, believing it would offer broader experience. As a new graduate, Mathew worked in a rehabilitation hospital, where he quickly embraced leadership opportu...
Nov 19, 2024•32 min
In today’s episode we are joined by Kelli Blakely, the General Manager of Ashford Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia. Kelli has over 20 years of experience in the private health industry. Kelli emphasizes the significance of seizing opportunities, even when the timing doesn’t feel right . One pivotal moment for her was transitioning from nursing into a business development role, which greatly expanded her horizons and revealed career possibilities she hadn't considered before. In our conversati...
Nov 05, 2024•33 min
In today’s episode we are joined by Michael Symonds, Director of Forensic & Analytical Science Service at NSW Health Pathology in Australia. Michael started his career in diagnostic radiography and has transitioned into various leadership roles and specialty areas beyond his initial training. In our conversation, we explore the opportunities he encountered throughout his career and the crucial role of mentorship. Michael shares his insights on the challenges of leadership, embracing vulnerab...
Oct 22, 2024•37 min
In today’s episode we are joined by Eddie Torral, Managing Partner of Intermedika Consulting based in Phuket, Thailand. Eddie shares his fascinating career journey providing insights into his diverse background, starting from his roots in Ecuador, growing up in Europe and his extensive experience in the hospitality industry in Asia, and his surprising transition to the healthcare sector. Eddie details his innovative role at Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, where he integrate...
Oct 08, 2024•39 min
In today’s episode we are joined by Richard Larison, Executive Vice President, Medpoint Asia, Manila, Philippines Navigating a career path is seldom a straight line. This notion comes remarkably true in our conversation with Richard Larison, a seasoned leader in hospital administration who has spent a significant part of his career working internationally. From his humble beginnings with an accounting degree to becoming the CEO of various hospitals, Richard’s journey offers profound insights int...
Sep 24, 2024•34 min
In today's episode, hosts Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland delve into an insightful conversation, reflecting on the key themes and lessons drawn from interviews with leaders across various sectors in the first five episodes. From self-awareness to strategic mentorship, they highlight the valuable takeaways that have guided these leaders in making pivotal career decisions. 00:00 Introduction to Forks in the Road Podcast 00:39 Recap of Previous Episodes 01:54 Exploring Self-Awareness 07:18 The Rol...
Sep 17, 2024•20 min
