ChatGPD Podcast
New episodes monthly
ChatGPD is a graduate professional development podcast hosted by Dr. Pamela Plant, and designed and led in partnership with graduate student leaders.
Through candid conversations with alumni who have embarked on diverse and inspiring career paths, we invite our guests to share their journeys, lessons learned, and how their time at IMS helped shape their careers.
ChatGPD Episode 14 - Public Healthcare Consultant: Driving Impact on the Ground
What does it take to drive large-scale health system impact while staying close to the communities you serve?
In this month’s episode, Serena Peck, MSc, a Healthcare Consultant with Vancouver Island Health Authority, shares how she built a career bridging systems and community. Her work focuses not just on policy, but on how programs are delivered in practice—and how they can better meet real patient needs.
Working on Vancouver Island, Serena highlights how geography shapes care, from patients traveling by boat to access services, to the need for locally responsive solutions. She also reflects on her work with First Nations communities, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, communication, and trust.
Serena discusses her decision to move from research into more applied work where she could see the impact of her efforts firsthand. She also offers insight into identifying what aspects of graduate school can guide your career path.
Listen now to explore how to build a career that stays grounded while still driving large-scale meaningful change.