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Dr Sayeh Zielke - The Heart Doc on a Mission
05/12/2026
Dr Sayeh Zielke - The Heart Doc on a Mission
In this episode of The Owners Circle Podcast, Shawn Hass sits down with renowned cardiologist Dr. Sayeh Zielke to discuss her unexpected journey from advanced cardiac training in Calgary and England to becoming one of the driving forces behind cardiac care expansion in Southern Alberta. Dr Zielke shares how a series of locum visits to Lethbridge revealed not only a tremendous medical need, but also a warm and welcoming community that ultimately convinced her and her husband a fourth-generation Alberta farmer to put down roots and build something meaningful. Throughout the conversation, her passion for patient care shines through as she explains the emotional weight of losing patients to waitlists and limited access to treatment, and why she feels called to help transform cardiac care for generations to come. Recording from inside the shell of the future cardiac wing, Dr. Zielke paints a vivid picture of the state-of-the-art facilities and technology planned for the region, including cardiac catheterization labs, advanced imaging, and expanded ICU capacity that could dramatically improve outcomes for Southern Albertans. The discussion also dives into practical heart health advice, with Dr. Zielke emphasizing the importance of understanding long-term cardiovascular risk before symptoms ever appear. She encourages listeners to “know their numbers” blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar while highlighting how lifestyle choices made decades earlier often determine future cardiac outcomes. Shawn and Dr. Zielke also explore the role of community support in healthcare initiatives, particularly through the Bringing Hearts Home campaign, and why local buy-in can accelerate momentum in ways government funding alone cannot. As always, the episode closes with the fan-favourite rapid-fire segment, where listeners discover Dr. Zielke's love for the Backstreet Boys, her weakness for cheesies, and her surprisingly simple prescription for better health: more fruits and vegetables. It’s an inspiring and deeply human conversation about leadership, service, resilience, and building a healthier future for Southern Alberta. Subscribe to the Owners Circle Podcast for future episode; Click here for the following links.for this episode;
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