The Gritty Nurse

In this episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast with host Amie Archibald-Varley, she interviews fellow nurse, Danielle Gibbs Koenitzer. Danielle recounts her experience presenting to the Emergency Department at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital—the very institution where she served as a nurse. Despite her clinical background as an emergency room nurse and professional ties to the facility, Danielle's care was marked by significant gaps, dangerous dismissal of her symptoms and pain. and questions concerning racial bias and health equity. 
Her experience is not an anomaly, but a reflection of a documented public health crisis. In Canada, studies show that Black patients are 22% less likely to receive any pain medication compared to white patients, and many healthcare providers still hold the dangerous, non-evidence-based belief that Black people have a higher pain threshold. These biases often lead to misdiagnosis and medical neglect, where symptoms are ignored until they reach a point of no return.
The conversation moves beyond the clinical errors to address the institutional silence that followed. Danielle discusses her ongoing efforts to seek accountability from the hospital's leadership team, who have yet to provide substantive answers or engage in a meaningful quality improvement process. This is a factual look at the systemic barriers Black women face in healthcare and the breakdown of institutional responsibility when patients demand transparency. Black women do not seek justice and accountability only during the month of February, but every day they navigate a system that fails them.
Episdoe EDIT: @10:37 Danielle says 180 cm, she meant to say 180cc of fluid.
Takeaways
Danielle's journey into nursing was influenced by her mother's advice.
She has worked in various nursing roles, including critical care and education.
Danielle experienced severe pain after a medical procedure but faced challenges in receiving adequate care.
Her experience highlights systemic failures in healthcare, particularly for Black women.
Racial bias plays a significant role in how pain is perceived and treated in healthcare settings.
Danielle's colleague had a vastly different experience at the same hospital, raising concerns about racial disparities.
The healthcare system often dismisses the pain of women, especially women of color.
Education on racial bias in healthcare is crucial for future providers.
Advocacy for patients is essential, but can be difficult for those within the system.
There is a need for co-conspirators to address and change systemic issues in healthcare.
Keywords: nursing, healthcare, racial bias, pain management, advocacy, systemic issues, black women, healthcare disparities, patient experience, interventional radiology
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Danielle's Journey
02:25 The Painful Experience: A Personal Story
05:04 Systemic Issues in Healthcare for Black Women
07:46 Racial Bias in Pain Management
10:42 The Aftermath: Seeking Accountability
13:03 Reflections on Healthcare Inequities
21:38 Addressing Racial Bias in Healthcare
25:21 The Challenges of Self-Advocacy in Medicine
27:15 The Need for Systemic Change in Healthcare
32:00 Empowering Patients and Advocates
35:34 The Call for Co-Conspirators in Healthcare Reform
* Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts 
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782
* Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast
Stay Connected:
Website: grittynurse.com
Instagram: @grittynursepod
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482
X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse
Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact
Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!
www.hospitalnews.com

Can an algorithm truly care for a patient? As we move further into 2026, the healthcare industry is being flooded with AI tools promising to automate everything from charting to triage. But there's a massive problem: most of these tools are being built by engineers who have never spent a 12-hour shift on a med-surg floor.
In this high-stakes conversation, Rebecca Love, RN, joins us to explain why the "Nursing Voice" is the most valuable asset in the 2026 tech landscape. We discuss the recent surge in ambient clinical scribes and the ethical "black boxes" of agentic AI—and why tech giants are destined to fail if they don't put nurses at the center of the development loop. This episode is a banger! Please like, follow and SUBSCRIBE! 
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
The Missing Link in Innovation: Why tech companies are struggling to achieve ROI because they lack the "frontline intuition" only a nurse provides.

The 2026 AI Reality Check: A look at the current trends, from Google's Nurse Handoff tools to the 18% error rate recently found in some AI-generated discharge summaries.

Ethics of the "Black Box": How nurses serve as the ultimate "Human-in-the-Loop" to prevent algorithmic bias and hallucinations from reaching the patient.

Why Big Tech Can't "Do It Right" Alone: The specific clinical nuances—like reading a patient's non-verbal cues or navigating family dynamics—that cannot be coded into a Large Language Model (LLM).

The Accountability Crisis: As AI begins drafting clinical work, who is legally responsible? Rebecca dives into the shifting liability landscape for RNs and NPs.

More About Rebecca Love RN, BS, MSN, FIEL
Rebecca Love, RN, BS, MSN, FIEL is an experienced nurse executive and first nurse featured on Ted.com, first nurse panel at SXSW. Rebecca is a regular contributor on the Forbes Business Council, has been featured in BBC, Fortune, Becker's, AXIOS, STAT, Forbes, Chief Healthcare Executive Magazine and ABC news and has co-authored two books: The Rebel Nurse Handbook and the The Nurses Guide to Innovation.
Rebecca, was the first Director of Nurse Innovation & Entrepreneurship in the United States at Northeastern School of Nursing – the founding initiative in the Country designed to empower nurses as innovators and entrepreneurs, where she founded the Nurse Hackathon, the movement has led to transformational change in the Nursing Profession. In early 2019, Rebecca, along with a group of leading nurses in the world, founded and is President Emeritus of SONSIEL: The Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs & Leaders, a non-profit that quickly attained recognition by the United Nations as an Affiliate Member to the UN.
Rebecca is an experienced Nurse Entrepreneur, founding HireNurses.com in 2013 which was acquired in 2018 by Ryalto, LTD UK, where she served as the Managing Director of US Markets, until it's acquisition in 2019. Rebecca served as the Chief Clinical Officer of IntelyCare, Inc. In 2023, Rebecca founded the Commission for Nurse Reimbursement- dedicated to solving the United States Nursing Crisis by creating a new economic model to reimburse for nursing services.
Rebecca is passionate about empowering nurses and creating communities to help nurses innovate, create and collaborate to start businesses and inventions to transform healthcare. In 2024, Rebecca signed as the Co-Chair of the NursingIsSTEM Coalition. In addition, Rebecca sits as an advisory board member on several leading digital health startups and organizations, has co-authored 2 books, founded 3 companies, speaks internationally, and is dedicated and passionate about empowering nurses to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship.
Connect with her on Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/rebeccalovenursing
 Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts 
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782
* Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast
Stay Connected:
Website: grittynurse.com
Instagram: @grittynursepod
TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482
X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse
Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact
Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!
www.hospitalnews.com

A Historic Seat at the Table...
In this landmark episode of the Gritty Nurse Podcast, we sit down with a true trailblazer: The Honorable Marjorie Michel, Canada's first Black Minister of Health.
The Canadian healthcare system is at a critical crossroads, and Minister Mitchell is leading the charge toward a more modern, equitable, and efficient future. We dive deep into the "gritty" realities of reform, from the essential—yet often undervalued—role of nurses to the technological frontier of AI in clinical settings.
Inside the Episode:
The Modernization Mandate: How Canada is pivoting to meet the demands of a 21st-century population.

Nursing at the Core: Why nursing leadership is non-negotiable for a functioning healthcare system.

The Mental Health Frontier: Strategies for closing the gap in provincial and national care.

Breaking New Ground: The urgent need for a National Men's Health Strategy.

The AI Revolution: Can technology solve the staffing crisis or is it a new set of challenges?

Whether you're a nurse on the front lines or a citizen concerned about the future of care, this conversation offers a rare look at the intersection of policy, passion, and progress. 
Don't Forget to Like, Share and SUBSCRIBE on Apple and Youtube!
About The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, Canada
Marjorie Miche is a Haitian-Canadian politician who has served as Minister of Health since 2025 in Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet. A member of the Liberal Party, she has been the member of Parliament (MP) for Papineau since 2025, succeeding former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Her political career began in 2016 as a policy adviser to Jean-Yves Duclos, later serving as his chief of staff. In 2019, she became the first Black chief of staff in the Trudeau government, according to The Hill, staying on when Duclos became Treasury Board president before moving to the PMO. She went on to lead the Liberal Party's Quebec operations in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections before joining Trudeau's office in 2021 and later becoming deputy campaign director of the party," wrote Gazettereporter Harry North.
The Liberal Party website does not mention any previous experience in public health care, but describes her as passionate about people: "A strong advocate of sustainable networking, she has been actively involved with the Réseau des Femmes d'Affaires du Québec since 2005, making economic inclusion her primary focus."
Michel is the daughter of former Haitian Prime Minister Smarck Michel, and holds a master's degree in social work, and organizational psychology from UCL (Belgium).
https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/marjorie-michel(122684)
https://www.canada.ca/en/government/ministers/marjorie-michel.html
https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=20406
* Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts 
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* Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast
Stay Connected:
Website: grittynurse.com
Instagram: @grittynursepod
TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482
X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse
Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact
Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!
www.hospitalnews.com

In this episode of the Gritty Nurse podcast with Amie Archibald-Varley, Dr. Katie Boston-Leary shares her journey from an accidental entry into nursing to becoming the Senior VP of Equity and Engagement at the American Nurses Association. She discusses the importance of equity in nursing, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the systemic barriers that exist within the profession. Dr. Boston-Leary also addresses the current crises in healthcare, the significance of the racial reckoning statement, and the upcoming Opportunity and Impact in Nursing Summit from Feb 12-Feb 14 in Washignton, DC. She offers valuable advice for every nurse on thriving in their careers while balancing personal and professional responsibilities. This is an episode you dont want to miss!
Keywords
nursing, equity, leadership, healthcare, systemic change, imposter syndrome, racial reckoning, nursing summit, workforce diversity, social change, oppourtunity and impact summit 2026, american nurses association, Dr. Katie Boston-Leary, Senior VP of Equity and Engagement
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Katie Boston-Leary
02:46 Journey into Nursing and Leadership
05:42 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
08:31 The Role of Equity in Nursing
11:17 Addressing Systemic Barriers in Nursing
14:22 Navigating Current Challenges in Nursing
16:58 The Racial Reckoning Statement
19:41 The Upcoming Summit for Change
21:56 Advice for New Nurses
27:44 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Takeaways
Everything happens for a reason.
Equity in nursing is about leveling the field for everyone.
Imposter syndrome is common, even among leaders.
Nursing is a profession that requires diverse voices.
Systemic barriers in nursing need to be addressed.
Current crises in healthcare are multifaceted.
The racial reckoning statement is a critical step for ANA.
The upcoming summit will focus on solutions and impact.
New nurses should aim to thrive, not just survive.
Self-care is essential for nurses to be effective. 
About The Oppourunity and Impact Summit
Join us at the 2026 Opportunity & Impact in Nursing Summit, hosted by the American Nurses Enterprise, where nurse leaders, innovators, and industry partners come together to expand opportunity, advance pathways, and drive real action across the nursing profession.
This Summit is where purpose meets progress; where we unite to remove barriers, amplify key voices, and advance fairness and representation through strategies that strengthen the nursing workforce.
Together, we will accelerate action and deepen the cross-sector collaboration needed to create lasting impact. Secure your seat now. 
https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/nurse-equity-summit/
More About Dr. Boston Leary
Dr. Katie Boston-Leary is the Senior Vice President of Equity and Engagement at the American Nurses Association addressing DEIAB and workforce challenges within the profession. Katie is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing and the School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. She sits on numerous boards and national committees in nursing and healthcare and is an editorial advisory board member with Nursing Management, Nursing 2025, OADN and ACHE.
Katie leads the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing Forum an organized ANA's inaugural Equity Summit in Washington, DC. Katie is a 2024 ICN Global Nurse Leaders Institute Scholar and was previously identified in by Health Leaders Media as "One of Five Chief Nursing Officers Changing Healthcare". She also won the ICABA TD Bank 2023 Woman of Impact award, the 2024 Spectrum Circle Award for Innovation in Health and won
the 2025 National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) President's Trailblazer Award. She was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow at the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing with the NBNA, is a Fellow with American Organization of Nursing Leadership (AONL), the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She was recently named as an honored listee on Marquis' Who's Who in America.
Katie authored two chapters in The Sage Encyclopedia of Multicultural Counseling, Social Justice, and Advocacy, the first encyclopedia focused on racism and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. Katie was also featured in the award-winning documentary film, Everybody's Work funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She recently co-authored a Sigma published book titled Harmony by Design, Navigating Work and Life in Healthcare.She has conducted research on care delivery models, time allocation, nurses' well-being, racism and civilized oppression in nursing with Quint Studer, Joslin Insight and McKinsey.
She is a well-known speaker internationally with many publications, podcasts and national outlets namely CNBC, NY Times, Cheddar TV, Axios, Beckers, Forbes, Bloomberg News and on NBC's Today Show. She completed her PhD at Walden University in Health Services, obtained a dual degree MBA and MHA from the University of Maryland Global Campus and her bachelor's degree in nursing from Bowie State University in Maryland. She is a board-certified Nurse Executive and obtained a nurse executive leadership certificate from
Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
* Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts 
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782
* Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast
Stay Connected:
Website: grittynurse.com
Instagram: @grittynursepod
TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482
X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse
Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact
Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!
www.hospitalnews.com

What happens when high-stakes clinical expertise meets a heart for patient advocacy? Join us as we sit down with Jessi Dressler, a veteran registered OB-GYN sonographer and the founder of New Life Imaging Ultrasound.
After years of navigating the high-pressure environment of emergency rooms and hospitals, Jessie recognized a glaring gap in the healthcare system: the need for emotional support and personalized care during the most vulnerable moments of pregnancy. Today, she's bridging that gap by bringing high-quality 3D and 4D mobile ultrasound technology directly to expectant mothers across Middle Tennessee and Kentucky.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Shift from ER to Entrepreneurship: Why Jessie left the clinical grind to focus on the patient experience.

Advocacy in Loss: Jessie's mission to provide free scans for women experiencing confirmed pregnancy loss, offering comfort and acknowledgment when it's needed most.

The Power of Connection: How in-home ultrasounds create a space for families to bond with their babies without the rush of a traditional doctor's office.

Closing the Care Gap: Addressing the emotional needs of expectant parents that the modern healthcare system often overlooks.

Whether you are an expectant parent, a healthcare professional, or someone passionate about patient advocacy, Jessie's journey is a powerful reminder of how one person can humanize healthcare.
Where you can Find Jessi's services: 
https://www.newlifeimagingus.com/about
Connect with Jessi Here:
https://www.facebook.com/jessidressy/
TikTok @jessidress
IG: @jessidressy
* Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts 
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782
* Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast
Stay Connected:
Website: grittynurse.com
Instagram: @grittynursepod
TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482
X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse
Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact
Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!
www.hospitalnews.com