Finding Answers Within To Connect With A Community Around You 
Dr. Sarah Gander Is Breaking Down Barriers For Accessing Social Pediatrics Services

In This Episode

Work in the medical field is difficult, especially lately. That’s why we loudly celebrate every medical professional who goes above and beyond for their communities every day. During this episode, Dave went the extra mile to show his support by being on his way for his 2nd vaccine shot. And his dedication was doctor approved by our guest, Dr. Sarah Gander.

Sarah is a Social Pediatrician, and beyond her various medical responsibilities, she is also adding to her skill set by taking a coaching certification. She’s the Co-founder of NB Social Pediatrics Inc., a non-profit focused on breaking down barriers so children and their families have the support they need regardless of their life situation. She shares with Dave and Greg how she’s facing complex issues head-on and not shying away from the reality that terrible things can and do happen in our communities. We think Sarah says it best:

“I think we should just speak truth to that stuff. Like there are some terrible things that have happened in our community and if there was ever a time in Canada to start openly talking about terrible things, now is the time.”

Episode Breakdown

First 10 Minutes
We learn that Dave isn’t showing his face on video this episode because he is on his way for his 2nd dose of the vaccine! It’s a perfect episode for him to be doing his part because our guest is Dr. Sarah Gander. We jump right in to hear what Dr. Sarah is doing with her work to become a certified coach on top of her medical degree. We also hear about Sarah’s background as a pediatrician and her work in the community working with people, specifically women with addictions.

10 Minutes – 20 Minutes
Sarah shares details of her current work focus with us and talks about what drives her in the different paths she selected to expand her practice through organizations she’s part of. Dave has to drop off the episode to get his vaccination but not before he brings up how he agrees with Sarah on how we need to meet people where they are. This attitude will help in other conversations about the history of residential schools that have dramatically impacted Indigenous communities in Canada. Greg and Sarah continue that conversation to talk about how conversations are changing over time with different generations. Greg and Sarah talk about shifting the conversation and holding space for each other instead of throwing rocks. 

20 Minutes – 30 Minutes
Greg references a lesson he learned from recent guest Lily Lynch about how it’s not a fair playing field for people being asked to speak at events. Greg’s original thought was just yes to all opportunities to speak, but Lily raised the point that sometimes we need to know the times to step back and let someone else speak. The pair finish up by discussing how people can find out more about Dr. Sarah’s work for the community.

Sarah Gander, MD MEd FRCPC

Sarah Gander, MD MEd FRCPC

Associate Professor Dalhousie University/Assistant Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland/Co-founder NB Social Pediatrics Inc.

Dr. Sarah Gander is native to New Brunswick who has settled in Saint John and is raising her family of two boys, Eddie and David with her husband Steve. Sarah started her practice as a Pediatrician in 2008 after training in Newfoundland and Kingston, Ontario. She has a busy clinical practice and is faculty at both Dalhousie University and Memorial University of Newfoundland. She co-founded the New Brunswick Social Pediatrics Research Program and is very involved with numerous organizations in the community aiming to better the care of families and children living in difficult living situations, particularly poverty. She is also the founder of NB Social Pediatrics Inc., a non-profit aimed advocating for child rights as per the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child using a medical-legal-social approach and empowering the voices of children and youth. Her research interests include the social determinants of health, behavioral disorders in children and neonatal abstinence syndrome. She is the host of the Fac Dev Lounge Podcast on iTunes and involved in the NBMS Physician Wellness Strategy.