 |
Living Transplant: Patient Stories | Organ Donation | Medical ExpertsAuthor: Living Transplant: Patient Stories Organ Donation Medical Experts with Candice Coghlan. Supported by the Ajmera Transplant Centre, Toronto General Hospital, UHN
Living Transplant: Patient Stories Organ Donation Medical Experts is a podcast that takes you behind the scenes at the transplant program at Toronto General Hospital with the goal to educate, inspire and fuel your passion about transplant, with your host, Candice Coghlan, an Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Centre for Living Organ Donation at the UHN Ajmera Transplant Centre and a kidney transplant recipient. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Life Sciences, Medicine, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
Listen Now...
Reimagining Healthcare: Advocacy, Equity, and Dignity with Kamika Sylvester, RN
Episode 10
Thursday, 22 January, 2026
In this powerful episode of The Living Transplant Podcast, host Candice Coghlan is joined by Kamika Sylvester, RN — nurse, patient advocate, nonprofit founder, and tech entrepreneur — for a deeply honest conversation about racism in healthcare, patient advocacy, and reimagining what truly equitable care can look like. Kamika shares her journey as a patient first, navigating a life-altering diagnosis at just 18 years old, and how that experience shaped her path into nursing, advocacy, and systems change. Together, Candice and Kamika unpack why mistrust exists in healthcare for many racialized communities, how bias and burnout impact both patients and providers, and why dignity and listening must be at the centre of care.Listeners will also learn Kamika’s practical ABCDs of Advocacy, a simple but powerful framework to help patients and families navigate complex healthcare systems with confidence:A – Adjust your attitudeB – Bring backupC – Have concise conversationsD – Keep detailed documentationThe conversation also explores:Why representation in healthcare teams matters for patient outcomesHow burnout affects healthcare providers — especially those from racialized communitiesWhat real cultural safety looks like beyond “checkbox” trainingHow healthcare leaders, providers, and allies can use their privilege to create meaningful changeWhat a truly inclusive, reimagined healthcare system could look likeThis episode is essential listening for patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and anyone committed to building a more just, compassionate, and equitable healthcare system.LinksCentre for Living Organ DonationAjmera Transplant CentreCode Melanin – Supporting Black, Indigenous, and racialized healthcare professionals and addressing burnoutThe Black Birth Project – Advancing equity in maternal and birth outcomesGreen Table Talk (ACB Organ Health Committee) – Community conversations on organ health and equityEach episode, we share patient stories about organ donation from transplant recipients and living donors, along with insights and education from leading medical experts. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, a donor, or simply curious about the world of organ transplantation, you’ll hear expert advice and inspiring journeys of hope, resilience, and second chances.About our HostCandice Coghlan is the Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Centre for Living Organ Donation at the UHN Ajmera Transplant Centre. She is also a board member for the National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant recipient. After she was diagnosed with kidney failure in her early 20s, she was on dialysis until receiving a transplant from her mother.Have questions? Comments? Ideas for an episode? Please reach out to the Centre for Living Organ Donation at livingorgandonation@uhn.ca. Thanks for spending your time with us.The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General or University Health Network.
