"Hsien and Sammy offer insights that we'll all need one day. Its encouraging to know that caregivers can take control in what feels like a very uncontrollable situation."
-Lahaan
5 Star rating on Apple podcasts
A podcast about unlocking the secrets to a better illness experience.
The Podcast
New Episodes every
Tuesday!
We’ve cared for and interviewed thousands of patients and families who have faced serious illness.
Discover the keys to move from an
IN THE DARK to an IN THE KNOW experience.
Spring Edition
Welcome to WRR Spring Edition! Explore our new content and upcoming events!
Season 2: Spring Series features quick 20 minute conversations with innovators who make the experience of serious illness better.
Our In the Waiting Room with Live Event Series continues featuring a new guest every Friday!
Join the WRR Podcast Club! Each week Sammy and Hsien will feature one episode for discussion, learning and connection.
Season 1
In their breakout season 1, Hsien and Sammy focused on what they learned from caring for and interviewing thousands of patients and families. They explored the differences between those who felt “in the dark”—feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, scared, unaware, and reactive—versus those who felt “in the know”—feeling prepared, informed, in control and hopeful. In the end, they uncovered 7 keys to being prepared and hopeful. The keys are simple, actionable, and can be used by anyone right away. Start listening Here.
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Media
Events
About Us
Hsien and Sammy have worked their careers helping those who are facing serious illness. For years, they often heard patients and families say they felt unprepared and overwhelmed. Despite years of education, research, and advocacy, they continued to hear patients and families say “Why didn’t anyone tell me that sooner…”
They started the Waiting Room Revolution movement because they wanted to improve the patient and family illness experience. They want to build a community to share deeply human stories about caring for others. Through interviews with experts, clinicians, patients and caregivers, they are harnessing the advice of those with lived experience to better prepare those who are just starting their caring journey.
They cannot do it alone. Individuals, families and communities have to be empowered as the catalyst for change. They believe we have so much to learn from one another.
Together, we can move from being “in the dark” to being “in the know.”
Dr. Hsien Seow, PhD
He is the Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care and Health System Innovation and an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology, McMaster University. He publishes health care and policy research focused on improving care for patients with serious illness. He won the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s New Investigator award in 2015 and held the Cancer Care Ontario Chair in Health Services Research in 2009-2014.
Dr. Samantha Winemaker, MD
She is an Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, in the Division of Palliative Care at McMaster University. She teaches palliative care to health care professionals. She won the Ontario College of Family Physicians Award of Excellence in 2010, the Elizabeth J. Latimer Prize in Palliative Care in 2018, and the Dr. S. Lawrence Librach Award for Palliative Medicine in the Community in 2019.