The Cure That Should Be Written Into Policy: Prescribing Housing for Health with Dr. Andrew Boozary
Atypical Podcast With Amie Archibald-Varley
Release Date: 05/29/2025
Life is not TYPICAL: Unravelling the Illusion of a Linear Life
Atypical Podcast With Amie Archibald-Varley
Ever tell yourself that life will finally settle down after this next hurdle? For a brief moment, it seems to—and then life smacks you with the unexpected. Job loss, a new love, divorce papers, your teenager's puberty, a health scare, a new life. Good or bad, it's always change. We crave the constant, but the only thing constant is change. In this introductory episode of ATYPICAL Podcast with Amie Archibald-Varley, Amie and her guest dismantle the pervasive myth of linear progression of life and offer a liberating alternative. What if we just embrace the unexpected? How can we do it? Life...
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Beyond the Bedside: Our Healthcare Future (with Former Minister Mark Holland)
Atypical Podcast With Amie Archibald-Varley
In this poignant and powerful final episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, we close this chapter with a truly essential conversation. We are honoured to welcome former Minister Mark Holland, who offers an exclusive look into the federal government's pivotal efforts to improve Canadian healthcare. From the pressing issue of Pharmacare to strategies for a healthier nation, Minister Holland addresses what's being done on a federal level to make a tangible difference in the lives of Canadians. Amie & Sara dive deep into the critical issues that define our healthcare landscape. We discuss the...
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The Cure That Should Be Written Into Policy: Prescribing Housing for Health with Dr. Andrew Boozary
Atypical Podcast With Amie Archibald-Varley
This week on The Gritty Nurse Podcast, we're diving deep into a topic that's should not be considered revolutionary--but is fundamentally human and morally ethical: the idea that a safe, stable and affordable housing should be considered a prescription for health. Medicine is not just about pills and procedures – it is about examining and dealing with humans and their entire situations. We discuss the profound impact of social medicine and how addressing the root causes of illness, like housing insecurity, can transform individual well-being and public health and improve healthcare outcomes...
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F*ck the Cake, WE WANT Change: Maybe It's Not Time For Celebration For Nurses Week
Atypical Podcast With Amie Archibald-Varley
Five years have passed since the initial waves of the pandemic, yet the echoes of devastation resonate deeply within Canada's nursing workforce. Burnout remains rampant, exacerbated by chronic understaffing, unsafe patient-to-nurse ratios, and a shocking lack of basic protections against workplace violence. This Nursing Week, the usual calls for celebration ring hollow for many on the frontlines. Instead of accepting platitudes, this episode dives into the stark realities facing nurses across the country. We'll explore why "thank yous" are no longer enough and why this designated week must...
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We Need Another Leader: Navigating Difficult Times with Authentic Leadership, Courage and Clarity
Atypical Podcast With Amie Archibald-Varley
In a world grappling with constant change and unprecedented challenges, the need for effective leadership has never been more critical. Whether it's navigating turbulent times in the workplace, steering through personal storms, or fostering resilience in our communities, strong leadership is the compass that guides us forward. Join us for a vital conversation on "We Need Another Leader," where we delve into the essential qualities and actionable strategies for leading with impact during difficult times. This week, we're honoured to welcome Dr. Laura Desveaux, a seasoned leadership expert, to...
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Does the CMA Apology Go Far Enough? Indigenous Sovereignty of Health And The Pathway To Healing with Dr. Jamaica Cass
Atypical Podcast With Amie Archibald-Varley
Is it too late to say sorry? Do apologies for medical harm actually create change? The Canadian Medical Association recently issued an apology to Indigenous Peoples for the harms inflicted upon them by the medical system, acknowledging a history of racism, neglect, and abuse. In this crucial episode, we delve into the significance of this apology and explore what true transformative medical justice must entail for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in Canada. Our esteemed guest, Dr. Jamaica Cass, a First Nation physician, brings her invaluable perspective to this vital conversation. We...
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Speaking Through Silence: Broken Oaths & Healthcare's Lack of Morality On The Crisis in Palestine with Dr. Yipeng Ge
Atypical Podcast With Amie Archibald-Varley
You would sooner see a medical society protect a physician who has sexually assaulted numerous patients than see them openly defend a physician who stands against the genocide of the people of Gaza/Palestine. This is where we are....and it is SHAMEFUL. In this episode, Amie Archibald-Varley, Sara Fung and guest Dr. Yipeng Ge delve into the critical role of healthcare workers not remaining silent amidst the ongoing crisis in Gaza/Palestine. We discuss the ethical and moral obligations we all share in advocating for humanitarian principles. We'll explore: The Silence and the Struggle: We...
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We Need a Prescription for Leadership: Hamza Khan on Leading vs Managing
Atypical Podcast With Amie Archibald-Varley
"We always have done it this way"---is the death of inspiration and innovation in healthcare. In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss moving beyond traditional administrative roles and cultivate the kind of leadership that inspires innovation and drives meaningful change with best-selling author, award-winning entrepreneur, and globally-renowned keynote speaker, Hamza Khan. We discuss his background working in the armed forces and how it led him to becoming a world speaker on rehumanizing workplaces to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth (something desperately needed in...
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Decoding the Deception: RFK Jr.'s RACIST Vaccine Lies and the Fight Against Medical Misinformation
Atypical Podcast With Amie Archibald-Varley
In this episode, Amie & Sara delve into the alarming rise of medical misinformation, focusing on the dangerous and racist rhetoric perpetuated by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. throughout his "health stances" and during his confirmation hearing. We dissect his false claims about offering differing vaccine schedules for Black people, exposing the medical racist undertones, the fact that he MISUNDERSTOOD the research and the potential harm such misinformation can cause. This rhetoric echoes a long and disturbing history of racism in medicine, from the Tuskegee Syphilis Study to ongoing disparities in...
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Fraud, Felonies and Murder: True Crime in the Medical World From the Medical Investigators Notebook
Atypical Podcast With Amie Archibald-Varley
Do you think your physician should continue to practice after 245 complaints of sexual misconduct? Ever wonder what really goes on behind the closed doors of a hospital? Join Amie Archibald-Varley & Sara Fung as we delve into the dark side of healthcare with Bruce Sackman, a seasoned medical center investigator who's seen it all. From the mundane to the truly shocking, this podcast pulls back the curtain on the crimes plaguing our hospitals. Hear firsthand accounts of investigations into fraud, bribery, thefts, drug diversions, and even internet scams targeting vulnerable patients. This...
info_outlineThis week on The Gritty Nurse Podcast, we're diving deep into a topic that's should not be considered revolutionary--but is fundamentally human and morally ethical: the idea that a safe, stable and affordable housing should be considered a prescription for health. Medicine is not just about pills and procedures – it is about examining and dealing with humans and their entire situations.
We discuss the profound impact of social medicine and how addressing the root causes of illness, like housing insecurity, can transform individual well-being and public health and improve healthcare outcomes overall. Joining us this week is Dr. Andrew Boozary, a leading voice in healthcare advocacy and social medicine. Dr. Boozary will unpack the compelling evidence linking housing to health outcomes, from chronic disease management to mental wellness. We'll explore innovative programs where housing is being integrated into healthcare solutions, and challenge the traditional boundaries of what it means to truly care for a patient.
Tune in as we discuss: The core principles of social medicine and why it's gaining traction in healthcare. The state of homelessness in our in the GTA and how current trends reflect broader issues. How homelessness is a profound health crisis,and the economic impact it has. The biggest challenges to achieving truly equitable housing for all. Why housing is fundamentally a human right, and what that truly means for policy and practice. Inspiring wins and success stories, like the impactful work of Dunn House, demonstrating what's possible when we prioritize housing. Practical actions the average person can take to support those who are unhoused in their communities.
Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation that will make you rethink the very definition of healthcare and the essential role of social determinants in fostering a healthier society.
More about Dr. Boozary
Dr. Andrew Boozary is a primary care physician, policy practitioner, researcher, and founding executive director of the Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine at the University Health Network. As the driving force behind Dunn House, Canada’s first social medicine housing initiative, he has been a leader in integrating health care and housing to address the social determinants of health. His work focuses on advancing health equity and improving outcomes for underserved populations.
Dr. Boozary completed his medical training at the University of Toronto and health policy training at Princeton and Harvard. He has served in senior advisory roles for policymakers at various levels of government, shaping public policy on primary care reform and pharmacare. He is also the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Public Health Review and holds the Dalla Lana Professorship in Policy Innovation at the University of Toronto. Recognized for his impact in health equity and social justice,
Dr. Boozary is a Clarkson Laureate for Public Service and the youngest physician to receive the Louise Lemieux-Charles Health System Leadership Award. In 2024, Toronto Life named him one of the city’s most influential people. His writing and analysis appear in high-impact academic journals and major media outlets, and he was the youngest Convocation speaker for the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
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