In this episode, neonatologist Dr. Arnaud Gagneur, midwife Andrea Houle, and parent Fiona Wong, who once hesitated to vaccinate, share their perspectives on one of the most sensitive conversations in perinatal care. Drawing from the PromoVac approach and real-life clinical experiences, we unpack the roots of vaccine hesitancy, from mistrust in healthcare systems to the influence of online disinformation, and explore how midwives can respond with empathy, compassion, and evidence.
You’ll walk away with practical tools to build trust, address concerns without confrontation, and support informed decision-making for healthier families and communities. Join us for an honest, authentic and often courageous discussion about the power of listening and being heard.
Dr. Arnaud Gagneur is a neonatologist and pediatric infectious disease specialist whose research focuses on vaccine acceptance. He developed the PromoVac strategy—an evidence-based approach using motivational interviewing to address vaccine hesitancy—which is now implemented across Quebec through the EMMIE program. Dr. Gagneur collaborates with global health agencies, including UNICEF, the CDC, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, to train health professionals in effective, empathetic vaccine communication.
Andrea Houle is a cisgender midwife of French and British settler descent, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and Chargée des affaires professionnelles at the Ordre des sages-femmes du Québec. She’s spent more than 16 years providing midwifery care in both urban and rural communities, and now focuses on regulation, professional standards, and quality of care in Quebec.
Fiona Wong is originally from Winnipeg Manitoba and now lives and works in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. She’s a mom of 3 young boys ages 7, 3 and 10 months. Fiona is a professional photographer and owns and operates Fnwngphotography.
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We welcome feedback at CAMpodcast@canadianmidwives.org
Strength in Practice is produced by the Canadian Association of Midwives, in collaboration with Bespoke Podcasts.
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