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Digital Health in Canada

Digital Health Canada

The Digital Health Canada Podcast explores the human side of digital health in Canada. Join us as we bring together digital health leaders to connect, empower, and inspire. New episodes are released monthly and free to all—tune in wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to subscribe!

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23 episodes
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Avg 37 min
English

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S3 · E30
Monday · 35 min
Why Health Data Needs to be Human
Health data is more than standards and electronic medical records — it's a person's story. But how we make health data solutions more human, both in what they capture and how they're shaped? Rachel Gillespie, Senior Consultant and Strategic Advisor, Mariner Innovations Sundas Shamshad, Senior Program and Policy Advisor, Government of Alberta; patient partner Learn more: 00:44 Meet The Guests 05:43 Language And Labels 07:38 Beyond The EHR 10:23 Cultural Safety Moments 12:38 AI In Care Journey 19:06 Meaningful Patient Partnership 22:14 Measuring What Matters 30:21 Future Hopes And Wrap-up Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S3 · E29
September 28 · 34 min
Intergovernmental Collaborations to Drive Interoperability
Canada's digital health landscape is shaped not just by technology, but by the relationships between governments, communities, and the people delivering care. Today, our leaders guide us through partnership and policy, care and collaboration, and how we can move health care forward together. Guests: Elizabeth Toller, Director General, Health Care Strategies, Health Canada Dr. François de Wet, Territorial Chief of Staff, Nunavut · Learn more: Bill S-5: The Connected Care for Canadians Act Working Together bilateral agreements Summary: 00:46 Meet the Guests 03:49 Bill S-5 and Regulation 05:00 Nunavut's Interoperability Landscape 11:11 Impacts of (Dis)connected Care 14:08 Policy Signals and Standards 17:49 Pan-Canadian Wins 22:12 Stories That Stick 29:16 Five-Year Vision Forward Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S3 · E28
August 31 · 32 min
Global Strategies in Digital Health
Every health system is shaped by the choices it makes—and the ones it avoids. In this episode, two international leaders reflect on the decisions that transformed digital health in their countries, the trade‑offs that came with them, and the insights they're drawing from Canada's own journey. Guests: Päivi Sillanaukee, Special Envoy for Health and Wellbeing, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland Kate Ebrill, Interoperability Lead, National Lead Sparked, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Summary: 00:21 Meet The Guests 04:32 Canada And Australia Compared 05:52 Finland's Foundational Decisions 10:40 Modernizing With FHIR 12:07 Federated Data And Innovation 16:51 Trust And Patient Rights 25:56 EU Health Data Space Lessons 27:47 Closing Thanks And Reflections 28:07 Post eHealth Debrief Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S3 · E27
July 27 · 29 min
Human x AI - Creating a Winning Formula
As technology rapidly changes and a health human resource crisis continues, it is critical for our health systems to adapt, innovate, and lead with compassion. Today, our guests reflect on the balance between technological intelligence and human connection, and how humans and AI can amplify each other's strengths – so everyone can thrive. Guests: Jimmy Yang, Managing Director-Canada Health Industry and Portfolio Lead, Accenture Dr. Andy Smith, President and CEO, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Summary: 00:00 Live at eHealth 00:35 Meet the Guests 03:12 Purpose and Partners 03:56 Why Humans and AI 09:25 Ambition and Diversity 12:26 Coalitions and Guardrails 16:11 Supporting the Workforce 20:34 AI Costs and Humanity 25:33 Hopes and Wrap Up Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S3 · E26
June 29 · 29 min
Physician Perspectives on AI
AI is opening new doors in care delivery, but its true impact depends on how people experience and shape it. Explore how clinicians build confidence in new tools, why some solutions thrive while others stall, and what health leaders can do to bridge the gap. Guests: Dr. Samuel Gareau-Lajoie, family physician; Partner, Vetted Medical Dr. Payal Agarwal, family physician; Chief Medical Information and Innovation Officer, Waterloo Regional Health Network; Provincial Clinical Lead, Digital Health, Ontario Health Learn More: Care for Tech/Soignons La Tech Ontario AI Scribe Program Summary: 00:12 Introducing Our Guests 05:22 First AI in Practice 09:43 Building Clinician Trust 12:08 Adoption by Unexpected Users 15:40 Patients and Dr ChatGPT 17:34 Beyond Scribes Use Cases 19:33 AI Literacy and Privacy 21:17 Future Hopes and Wrap Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S3 · E26
May 25 · 33 min
Getting Down To Business with AI Implementation
AI has incredible potential to transform care – but what does that look like in practice, and what is the potential value for health systems and organizations? Today, we invite two leaders to explore the rapidly changing AI landscape and how leaders can support effective - and strategic - implementation. Guests: Julien Billot, Chief Executive Officer, SCALE AI Matt Gallagher, Director, Business Development Health Division (Ontario), Airudi Learn More: SCALE AI Airudi Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy Summary: 00:28 Meet the Guests 06:19 Health Projects Focus 08:25 Beyond the Chatbot Hype 10:42 Talk Business Not AI 16:12 Change Management That Sticks 21:42 When AI Is Not the Answer 25:07 Rethink Processes for Big Gains 28:00 Closing Reflections and Wrap-Up Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S2 · E24
April 27 · 38 min
High-Quality Care in a High-Tech World
When it comes to high-quality care, technology accelerates possibility—and people determine impact. In this episode, our guests explore the skills that leaders need to bring out the best of a tech-enabled world, and help make sure that the future of care in Canada is both high-tech and high-quality. Guests: Dr. Jennifer Zelmer, President and CEO, Healthcare Excellence Canada Dr. Kendall Ho, Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, & Medical Director, HealthlinkBC 811 Virtual Physician Service Learn More: Healthcare Excellence Canada HealthLinkBC 811 Virtual Physician Service Summary: 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 04:31 Defining Quality Care 08:13 Safety Sets the Pace 10:23 Analogies for Guardrails 14:52 Co Design With Patients 15:48 Fixing Human Problems 16:41 High Performing Systems 21:59 Leader Playbook for Change 27:06 Developing Trust Based Leaders 32:00 Digital Health in One Word Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S2 · E23
March 30 · 34 min
Inflection Point: GenAI and Accelerating Care
Why is Generative AI (GenAI)—AI that can create content in response to a user's prompt or request—so different from other technologies in health? Listen to this episode for thoughts on what you need to know to prepare yourself and your team for a GenAI world. Guests Dr. Zayna Khayat, applied health futurist and keynote speaker with affiliations at AMS Healthcare, the Rotman School of Management, Deloitte, and Teladoc Health Will Falk, Senior Fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute; Executive-in-Residence at the Rotman School of Management; CSA Public Policy Fellow at the CSA Group Learn More: AI in Action: Transforming Clinical Care Across Canada Environmental Scan Summary 00:14 Welcome to the Podcast 03:56 Why AI Feels Different 04:16 GenAI vs Predictive vs Agentic 06:00 AI Empowered Patients 09:14 New Interoperability Reality 10:17 From Digital to AI Systems 19:51 Leadership Skills for AI Era 25:17 Mindset Shifts 28:38 One Word Takeaways Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S2 · E22
February 23 · 36 min
Health Data Sovereignty: Systems, Safeguards, Strategy
What does it take to protect a key strategic asset— our health data — in an era of accelerating AI? In this episode, we explore why data sovereignty is a strategic imperative for Canada, and the digital health future we stand to build — or lose. Guests: Dr. Kumanan Wilson, Specialist in General Internal Medicine at The Ottawa Hospital; Chief Executive Officer/Chief Scientific Officer, Bruyère Health Research Institute; Vice President Research & Academic Affairs, Bruyère Health; and Chief Scientific Officer of CANImmunize Inc. Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law at the University of Ottawa. Learn More: Ensuring the sovereignty and security of Canadian health data The catch-22 of Canadian digital sovereignty e-Health Conference and Tradeshow Summary: 00:00 Why Canada's health data matters in the age of AI 01:41 Kumanan's journey: from public health to building an immunization app 03:38 Michael Geist's path: law, tech policy, privacy & data 05:22 Defining data sovereignty 09:40 When laws collide 15:27 Health benefit vs economic benefit 20:43 Practical safeguards and strategies 26:23 Learning from global examples 30:15 Closing reflections Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S2 · E21
January 26 · 36 min
AI Scribes from Evaluation to Adoption
AI scribes have been piloted in multiple provinces and territories – but what's the verdict so far? We explore the data, the potential impacts…and the balance between hype and hope. Guests: Dr. Onil Bhattacharyya, Frigon Blau Chair in Family Medicine Research and Director, Women's College Hospital Institute for Health Systems Solutions and Virtual Care Simon Hagens, Consultant; Adjunct Professor, University of Ottawa Learn More: Clinical Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence and Automation Technology to Reduce Administrative Burden in Primary Care (WIHV) Canada Health Infoway AI Scribe Program Summary: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:16 Introduction to AI Scribes 00:28 Meet the Experts: Dr. Onil Bhattacharyya and Simon Hagens 04:08 AI Scribes: Initial Studies and Findings 06:23 Scaling AI Scribes: Challenges and Successes 14:03 Long-Term Evaluation and Data Quality 16:31 Patient Experience and AI Scribes 19:43 Future of AI in Healthcare 25:08 Patient-Driven AI 30:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons. ·
S2 · E20
Dec 29, 2025 · 39 min
Transforming Health Data, Transforming Canada
What is possible if we unlock the full potential of health data in Canada? Across the digital health sector, organizations are striving to move us from silos to seamless systems. In today's conversation, two leaders share what excites them about this transformation, what's at stake, and what it means for our health – and our health systems. Guests: Dr. Anderson Chuck, President & CEO, Canadian Institute for Health Information Dr. Fahad Razak, co-founder, GEMINI; Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics, University of Toronto Learn More: Summary of CIHI's Transformation Plan GEMINI Artificial intelligence at Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada Episode Summary: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:20 Dr. Anderson Chuck's Leadership Journey 03:23 Dr. Fahad Razak's Leadership Journey 07:26 The Culture Problem in Digital Health 10:28 CIHI's Transformation Agenda 15:19 Canada's Unique Strengths in Health Data 25:06 The Urgency of Innovation 27:35 Collaborations and Success Stories 37:22 Leadership and Vision for the Future Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S2 · E19
Nov 24, 2025 · 37 min
Beyond Innovation: Digital Health Startups and Purpose
What does it really take to build a digital health start-up—and not just survive, but truly thrive? Two leaders at the forefront of digital health innovation unpack the lessons behind the buzz, what it takes to grow a business with purpose—and evolve as a leader along the way. Guests: Mark McAllister, CEO and co-founder, VeroSource Solutions John Sinclair, President & CEO, Novari Health Learn More: VeroSource Solutions Novari Health Episode Summary 00:52 Introducing the Guests: Mark McAllister and John Sinclair 01:29 John Sinclair's Career Journey 02:32 Mark McAllister's Career Journey 04:42 Challenges in the Early Days 07:46 Scaling and Building Trust 13:51 Key Milestones and Success Stories 17:15 Company Culture and Employee Retention 27:47 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 32:46 Closing Thoughts and Resources Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S2 · E18
Oct 27, 2025 · 37 min
AI in Action - Transforming Clinical Care
Under the hype, what's really happening with AI adoption in Canadian health care? The AI in Action: Transforming Clinical Care Across Canada Working Group recently completed a first-of-its-kind environmental scan of AI-driven clinical initiatives in Canadian health care delivery. Two leaders share what they found, why it matters, and what it means for you – today and tomorrow. Guests: Dr. Tania Tajirian, Chief Health Information Officer and Chief of Hospital Medicine, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Dr. Angel Arnaout, Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Provincial Health Services Authority Learn More: AI in Action: Transforming Clinical Care Across Canada Environmental Scan Setting the Winning Conditions for AI-Powered Health Care Report Digital Health in Canada Episode 15: Setting the Winning Conditions for AI-Powered Healthcare Summary: 00:00 Introduction to Digital Health Canada Podcast 00:58 Introducing Dr. Tania Tajirian and Dr. Angel Arnaout 07:27 AI in Action Working Group 10:24 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Implementation 12:30 Insights from the AI Environmental Scan 18:40 Global Perspectives on AI in Healthcare 26:55 Advice for Emerging Professionals 31:24 Future Directions Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S2 · E17
Sep 29, 2025 · 34 min
Unleashing Collective Impact for Health Data Transformation
Scroll LinkedIn, watch a webinar, or attend a conference – and you'll hear many ideas for how we can improve Canada's health data landscape. But how do we move from conversation to change? Two health leaders share a collaborative model to bridge idea, strategy, and action. Guests: Dr. Ewan Affleck, Chair, Networked Health - AB Claire Snyman, Chair, Networked Health – BC Learn More: Networked Health Pan-Canadian Health Data Charter The Unforgotten (film) Two Steps Forward Summary: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:13 Claire Snyman's Journey 03:17 Ewan Affleck's Journey 06:12 The Creation of Networked Health 07:49 The Collective Impact Model 09:31 Patient Stories and Data Access 16:00 The Role of Storytelling in Healthcare 23:03 What Does Success Look Like? 28:49 Reflections on the Conversation 34:05 Closing Remarks and Next Steps Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S2 · E16
Aug 25, 2025 · 40 min
Untangling the Information Ecosystem - Health, Media, and the Public
Digital health journalism plays a crucial role in shaping how the public understands and engages with health innovation. In this episode, we sit down with two journalists to explore the stories behind the stories – and untangle the complex relationship between health, media, and the public. Guests: Chris Hannay, Health Business Reporter, Globe and Mail Nick Tsergas, Editor, Canada Healthwatch Learn More: "Your data is unwell," Chris Hannay, The Globe and Mail, April 4, 2025 "Doctors turn to social media to help patients where they're at," Samantha Edwards, The Globe and Mail, April 4, 2025 Canada Healthwatch Canadian Medical Association: Healthcare For Real Summary: 00:00 Introduction to Digital Health Canada Podcast 01:00 Meet the Journalists: Chris Hannay's Journey 03:27 Nick Tsergas: From Nursing to Health Journalism 08:44 The Intersection of Health and Business 14:23 Challenges in Health System Literacy 19:06 Trust and Misinformation in Health Media 24:53 Under-Reported Stories and Their Impact 33:14 Public Awareness and Media Influence 36:11 Reflections and Future of Digital Health Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S2 · E15
Jul 28, 2025 · 42 min
Setting the Winning Conditions for AI-Powered Healthcare
Digital Health Canada's Setting the Winning Conditions for AI-powered Healthcare report summarizes actionable insights from interviews with eight leading healthcare organizations implementing AI. In this episode, we dive into those conditions and their implications—learning what sets winning AI implementations apart. Guests: Muhammad Mamdani, Vice President of Data Science and Advanced Analytics, Unity Health Toronto Ted Scott, Vice President Innovation and Partnerships, Hamilton Health Sciences Learn More: Setting the Winning Conditions for AI-Powered Healthcare (report) Unity Health Toronto Hamilton Health Sciences Episode Summary 01:16 Meet the Experts: Career Journeys 03:00 Challenges in Health Care: From Theory to Practice 08:55 Data Challenges and Privacy Concerns 13:08 Building Trust and Equity in Healthcare 20:11 Defining Value in Healthcare 24:37 Evaluating and Scaling AI Solutions 27:42 Future of AI in Canadian Health Care 29:40 Advice for AI Adoption in Healthcare 35:14 Final Thoughts and Reflections Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S2 · E14
Jun 30, 2025 · 32 min
Special Edition: Live from the e-Health Conference
It's a special edition of Digital Health in Canada! Join us for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the 25th e-Health Conference and Tradeshow. Get all the conference buzz, insights, and highlights, and find out why this is the place to be if you're a digital health professional. Thank you to everyone who participated in this episode's interviews! Learn More: e-Health Conference and Tradeshow Episode Summary: 00:44 Behind the Scenes at eHealth 2025 01:10 On the Spot Interviews: First Impressions 05:27 Memories and Milestones: Past Presidents Speak 12:51 Patient Partners and Their Impact 13:29 Conversations at the Ask a Patient Partner Booth 17:11 Innovators Share Their Insights 27:59 Looking Forward to eHealth 2026 in Halifax 29:35 50th Anniversary Wishes and Closing Remarks Music: RetroFuture Clean, Breakdown, How it Begins, Dreamer, and Equatorial Complex, all by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S2 · E13
May 26, 2025 · 38 min
Create Today, Celebrate Tomorrow - Digital Health Canada is 50!
Digital Health Canada turns 50 this year! This season on the podcast, we are exploring how far we've come and re-imagining where we can go next – as an association and a sector. To kick off the party, we welcome two Digital Health Canada presidents, from the association's early and current days. Guests: Denis Protti, Professor Emeritus, Health Information Science, University of Victoria Chris Carvalho, CEO, Carveira Group Consulting Inc. Learn More: Health Information Science at the University of Victoria Digital Health Canada's 50th Anniversary celebrations Episode Summary: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:22 Celebrating 50 Years of Digital Health Canada 00:47 Meet the Presidents: Denis Protti and Chris Carvalho 07:44 Founding the Health Information Science Program 15:47 The Early Days of Digital Health Canada (COACH) 22:59 The Evolution of Digital Health Canada 28:03 Reflections on Leadership and Progress 36:29 Digital Health Canada's 50th Anniversary Celebrations 38:14 Closing Remarks and Call to Action Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S1 · E12
Apr 28, 2025 · 44 min
International Digital Health – Learnings for Canada
Interoperable? Try international. Join this continent-crossing conversation as we explore international digital health strategies and what learning about other countries' health systems can teach us about our own. Guests: Derek Ritz, Principal Consultant, ecGroup Inc. Liz Keen, Head of Clinical Governance - Transformation and Innovation, Infosys Consulting Learn More: Digital Health Canada: The Core Competencies of Health Informatics Changing the conversation on evaluating digital transformation in healthcare: Insights from an institutional analysis Fair Society, Healthy Lives (the Marmot Review) Episode Summary: 00:00 Introduction to Digital Health in Canada 00:44 Guest Introductions: Derek Ritz and Liz Keen 01:45 Career Journeys in Digital Health 06:43 Global Perspectives on Healthcare Systems 11:09 Challenges and Innovations in Digital Health 18:10 Lessons from International Healthcare Systems 22:33 The Future of Digital Health 34:37 Advice for Aspiring Digital Health Professionals 38:59 Co-Host Reflections Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
S1 · E11
Mar 31, 2025 · 47 min
Bold Futures with Health Policy
Canada's health policy landscape is dynamic, nuanced, and continuously evolving. What do health care leaders need to know about this space, and what key topics are lighting up dashboards – or slipping under the radar? Guests: Helen Angus, Chief Executive Officer, AMS Healthcare Rosalie Wyonch, Associate Director of Research, C.D. Howe Institute Learn More: AMS Healthcare C.D. Howe Institute Data Disarray: The root of health data dysfunction in Canada (Alberta Virtual Care Coordinating Body) Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons. Episode Summary: 00:00 Welcome to Digital Health in Canada 00:50 Introducing Our Guests: Helen and Rosalie 01:19 Rosalie's Journey: From Economist to Health Policy Leader 03:37 Helen's Path: From Urban Planning to Healthcare Leadership 05:07 The Role of Policy in Digital Health 06:53 Lessons from the Pandemic: Rapid Digital Health Transformation 08:40 Challenges and Opportunities in Policy Implementation 22:55 Leadership in Healthcare: Skills and Inspiration 26:16 Accountability and Incentives in Healthcare 29:33 Breaking Down Silos: A System-Wide Approach 38:20 Final Thoughts and Advice for Healthcare Leaders

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