The challenges that currently shape Canada’s access environment are being  exacerbated by an increasingly unstable and competitive global marketplace.

The result?  Without new pathways, new investments and a new commitment to collaboration, too many Canadians will have too little access to breakthrough medicines available to patients in other countries around the world.

To deliver world-class care, Canada must align its life sciences ecosystem—from manufacturers and patient groups to policymakers. By harmonizing policy and funding strategies, we can improve equitable access to life-saving innovations for all Canadians. 

In this episode of From the Burgundy Chairs, Santis Health Senior Advisor Avis Favaro sits down with Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President & CEO of Innovative Medicines Canada. Their conversation focuses on a shared vision for the future: moving past old hurdles through meaningful partnership to support a thriving innovation economy and a healthier Canada.

--

Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President & CEO, Innovative Medicines Canada

Dr. Bettina Hamelin, PharmD, EMBA, joined IMC in 2024 with over 30 years of experience in academia, industry, and not-for-profit organizations. Most recently, she served as President and CEO of Ontario Genomics, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to catalyzing and supporting the development of genomics- and engineering biology-based solutions across key sectors of the economy.

Prior to joining Ontario Genomics, Dr. Hamelin served as Vice President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Research Partnerships Directorate, where she was responsible for encouraging public/private sector collaboration and technology transfer by connecting Canadian research enterprises to Canadian and global innovation partners. She also previously held positions of increasing responsibility in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, including leadership positions at BioChem Pharma and Pfizer, in addition to 10 years of academic research expertise as a tenured professor at Université Laval.

Dr. Hamelin is an active volunteer in the broader research and innovation community, serving as a Board Director at the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization and IRICoR, a centre of excellence in commercialization and research specialized in drug discovery. She also chairs the National Engineering Biology Steering Committee, serves on Ontario’s COVID-19 Genomics Network Steering Committee, is involved in several advisory committees, and is a Mentor at the Creative Destruction Lab, a global startup program for seed-stage, science-based companies.

How can we modernize our primary care system to ensure every Ontarian has equitable, "one-stop" access to life-saving immunizations? What does "unlocking the script" actually mean for patients in rural communities or those navigating private insurance?

In this episode of From the Burgundy Chairs, Santis Health Senior Vice President, National Practice Lead, Management Consulting  and former Physician Dr. Brendan Carr explores the strategic shift needed to position the local pharmacist as a vital clinical partner.

Dr. Carr is joined by a panel of experts leading this charge including: Angeline Ng, VP of Professional Affairs at the Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA); Dr. Paul Jones of Arthur Family Practice and Arthur Travel Health; and Antonella Pucci, Manager of Immunization Initiatives at the Canadian Public Health Association.

Together, they discuss reframing prescriptive authority as a tool to reduce the burden on physicians and close the immunization gaps—such as Ontario’s stalled HPV vaccination rates—that leave too many Canadians behind.

In this episode, we sit down with Adrian Schauer, Founder and CEO of AlayaCare, Canada’s leading software provider for the home care sector.

Adrian shares the story of AlayaCare’s founding and growth, the key challenges and opportunities for digital health in Canada, his own experience as a Canadian innovator growing both here and abroad, and where he sees the digital health landscape going in the future.

--

Adrian Schauer, Founder and CEO, AlayaCare

Adrian Schauer is the founder and CEO of AlayaCare, a home healthcare software company that has grown to over 600 employees in eleven years and is delivering its disruptive solution across the globe. AlayaCare’s purpose is to enable the type of care that we would all want our loved ones to receive at home rather than in a hospital or long-term care facility. By combining virtual care tools with the supporting software for in-person homecare, AlayaCare is leading the industry through a transition from fee-for-service to value-based care.

Adrian is a serial technology entrepreneur. Prior to AlayaCare, Adrian built two mobile software companies, both of which were leaders in their respective markets before being acquired. Adrian is an active Angel Investor and sits on the boards of several companies including fast growing technology firms.

In 2016, Adrian received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Emerging Entrepreneur category in Quebec, and, more recently, AlayaCare has been named a Deloitte Technology Fast50 winner 4 years in a row, securing the #37 position in 2022 and the 17th spot on the 2021 Start-up 50 ranking of Canada’s Top new Growth Companies as published by Canadian Business and Maclean’s.

Adrian is the co-founder of Madiro, a charitable organization created to support innovative solutions to the health problems in low-income countries. He holds a Master of Applied Science from the University of Toronto and Bachelor of Engineering from Queens University.

How can we rethink care approaches to reduce this stigma and address the trauma and systemic inequities that exist? What does truly respectful, integrated perinatal care look like for everyone?

In this episode, Santis Health, in collaboration with Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH), unpacks these important questions. Santis senior advisor Avis Favaro is joined by two experts of the Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition  who are dedicated to advocating for respectful perinatal care. Dr. Martha Paynter, an associate professor at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Nursing, brings her expertise at the nexus of reproductive justice and prisoner health, having worked to advance abortion access for over twenty years. She is joined by Dr. Saraswathi Vedam, Lead Investigator of the Birth Place Lab and Professor of Midwifery at the University of British Columbia, whose research focuses on improving maternity care through national and provincial studies examining respectful care and inequities affecting marginalized communities.

Together, they will unpack the complex issues driving stigma and power imbalances in perinatal care and discuss concrete steps to foster stronger relationships and create healthier outcomes for marginalized and often overlooked populations. 

--

Avis Favaro, Senior Advisor, Santis Health

Avis Favaro is an acclaimed medical journalist with decades of experience. As a Senior Advisor at Santis Health, Avis leverages her extensive background in uncovering and reporting on stories that matter to Canadians. Avis leads Santis' media and executive presence training programming. 

Dr. Martha Paynter, Associate Professor, University of New Brunswick, Faculty of Nursing

Dr. Martha Paynter has worked to advance abortion access in Canada for over twenty years. A writer, nurse and public scholar, she is recognized internationally for her expertise at the nexus of reproductive justice and prisoner health. 

She is an associate professor at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Nursing, where her research addresses the health rights of people experiencing incarceration, as well as sexual and reproductive health care in Canada and around the world. 

Dr. Saraswathi Vedam, Lead Investigator, Birth Place Lab, Professor of Midwifery, University of British Columbia

Dr. Saraswathi Vedam is Lead Investigator of the Birth Place Lab and Professor of Midwifery  at the University of British Columbia. She has been a clinician and a health professional educator for over 30 years in which she has successfully coordinated multi-stakeholder community-led research projects in provincial and national settings. Her research focuses on improving maternity care through national and provincial studies examining birth preferences, respectful care, and inequities affecting marginalized communities.

The 2025 Health and Media Annual Tracking Survey, commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), found that 43% of Canadians are highly susceptible to health misinformation. The impact of this is significant with 37% having acted on online medical advice because they couldn’t access a family doctor, and nearly one in four experiencing negative health outcomes as a result.

The damage isn’t limited to physical health. Misinformation is also driving stress and fear — with 43% of Canadians reporting anxiety or mental distress linked to the spread of false or misleading health information.

The first of a series on the topic, in this episode of Santis Health’s podcast, Santis senior advisor Avis Favaro sits down with Dr. Brendan Carr, Senior Vice President, Management Consulting, and Dr. Joss Reimer, physician and former president of the CMA. Together, they unpack what’s driving the decline in trust in institutions and traditional sources of health information, the role of misinformation, disinformation and what can be done to rebuild confidence in science and care delivery.

This episode is for everyone, decision-makers who see trust not as lost, but as something we can rebuild — paving the way for stronger relationships and healthier communities.

--

Avis Favaro, Senior Advisor, Santis Health

Avis Favaro is an acclaimed medical journalist with decades of experience. As a Senior Advisor at Santis Health, Avis leverages her extensive background in uncovering and reporting on stories that matter to Canadians. Avis leads Santis' media and executive presence training programming. 

Dr. Brendan Carr, Senior Vice President, National Practice Lead, Management Consulting, Santis Health

Dr. Brendan Carr is a distinguished health system leader who served as the President & CEO of the Nova Scotia Health Authority, William Osler Health System, and Island Health in British Columbia. He brings an array of expertise in strategic health system leadership and governance with a focus on improving outcomes and rethinking the delivery of care. Dr. Carr’s vast experience in enacting positive improvements and large scale initiatives make him uniquely-suited to providing guidance to Santis clients in the areas of stakeholder engagement, transformation, and strategic implementation.

Dr. Joss Reimer, Past President, Canadian Medical Association & Chief Medical Officer, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

Dr. Joss Reimer is past president of the Canadian Medical Association and chief medical officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. She is an expert in public health, health communications, health equity and immunizations. She was also the medical lead and spokesperson for Manitoba’s COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce and spent nine years as director of population health at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Reimer practices maternity care and has received awards such as Humanitarian of the Year by Doctors Manitoba and holds the King Charles III Coronation and Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals.   She completed her medical training at the University of Manitoba and McMaster University and holds a master’s in public health focused on health communication.

After attending the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s B7 summit in May, BD-Canada posed the question: what happens when we shift our view of health as a strategic investment instead of a spending item? This episode of From the Burgundy Chairs reframes medical technologies not as cost centres, but as strategic investments -vital tools to strengthen Canada’s economic resilience, create high-value jobs, and fuel innovation.

In our latest podcast, we explore how a stronger, more integrated MedTech ecosystem can support national priorities from workforce productivity to global competitiveness, and why now is the moment to embed health innovation into Canada’s economic planning.

--

Robyn Saccon, Vice President of Public Affairs, BD-Canada

Robyn Saccon is Vice President of Public Affairs at BD-Canada, a global medical technology company that advances health care by improving discovery, diagnostics and delivery of care. Robyn has led BD’s efforts to strengthen system partnerships and shape health policy through evidence-based advocacy.

Rob Pankhurst, Vice President (West), Medtech Canada

Rob Pankhurst is the Vice President (West) of Medtech Canada, the national association representing the medical technology industry. Rob brings deep public and private sector experience, and is a vocal advocate for aligning government priorities with industry innovation.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Checkley, President and Co-Founder of Accuro, one of Canada’s “Big 3” Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems used by more than a quarter of physicians across Canada and by millions of patients. 

Mike shares how he and his co-founders built Accuro EMR from a school project into one of Canada’s leading digital health platforms. He reflects on the strategies that fueled the company’s growth, lessons learned along the way, and offers insights into Accuro’s current work and the future of digital health.

In this episode of From the Burgundy Chairs, created in partnership with Roche Canada, we explore the opportunity for inclusive collaboration in building a connected health data system. Hosted by Avis Favaro,  guests Carlene Todd, Vice President, Access, Roche Pharma Canada and Sudha Kutty, Executive Vice-President, Evidence, Products and Services, Canada’s Drug Agency, examine how together public and private sectors can accelerate innovation, enable better, faster patient and disease insights, and improve health outcomes through the responsible, accountable use of health data. 

In this episode, we explore how connected health data can support evidence-informed decisions across the health system, driving sustainable, high-quality care for all Canadians. We also discuss the importance of strong governance frameworks that protect privacy, build trust, and enable improved access decision-making. 

--

Avis Favaro

Senior Advisor, Santis Health

Avis Favaro is an acclaimed medical journalist with decades of experience. She was Canada’s longest-serving television Medical Correspondent and currently contributes to CTV News as a freelance contributor. At Santis, she supports media training, backed by her extensive background in health storytelling. 

Carlene Todd, Vice President, Access, Roche Pharma Canada

Carlene Todd is Vice President, Access at Roche Pharma Canada. She leads Market Access & Pricing, Policy and Health Ecosystems and Patient Services teams at Roche Pharma Canada. With nearly 25 years at Roche, she brings deep expertise in global reimbursement systems and health policy. She is also a member of the Resilient Healthcare Coalition, committed to driving health system transformation and ensuring timely access to innovation for patients.

Sudha Kutty, Executive Vice-President, Evidence, Products, and Services, Canada’s Drug Agency

Sudha Kutty is the Executive Vice-President, Evidence, Products, and Services at Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC). She is responsible for overseeing a large portfolio of work including pharmaceutical reviews, post market drug evaluation, appropriate use as well as medical devices and clinical interventions. Recognized as a seasoned health care executive, she has more than 25 years of strategic, health care leadership experience. Sudha is passionate about health care and she brings a wealth of experience in promoting health system improvements by actively supporting the adoption of evidence into practice.  Prior to joining CDA-AMC in January 2023, Sudha was the Vice President of Strategy and External Relations at Humber River Health. Before that, she was the Interim Vice President of Quality Improvement at Health Quality Ontario (Ontario Health). Sudha holds an Honours BSc in Human Biology and International Relations from the University of Toronto, a degree in law from the University of Western Ontario, and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. She is also a member of the Law Society of Ontario.

Theranostics is a patient-centric approach in medicine that combines diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to precisely visualize and treat cancer without harming healthy tissue. This innovative treatment method is an incredible showcase of technology in the health care system.

Featuring Mike Hamilton, CEO of GE HealthCare Canada, and Dr. Narinder Paul, Chief of Medical Imaging at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, this podcast explores the key aspects of theranostics, how it functions, the challenges of implementation in Canada, current applications, and a successful example of theranostics adoption in Ontario.

In this episode, we will learn about the real-world impact of theranostics and its potential to revolutionize patient care across Canada.

--

Mike Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer, GE HealthCare Canada

Mike Hamilton is a senior executive and board member with over 30 years’ experience in health care and medical technology, gained through progressively senior commercial and executive roles in Canada and internationally. Since September 2022, he has served as the President and CEO of GE HealthCare Canada, where he is responsible for shaping the vision for the Canadian division and implementing the commercial strategy across the entire range of Imaging, Ultrasound, Patient Care Solutions, and Digital Solutions. Additionally, Mike is involved with the C.D. Howe Institute’s Health Policy Council and serves on the Corporate Advisory Council of the Canadian College of Health Leaders. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Western University and holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business.

Dr. Narinder Paul, Chief of Medical Imaging at St. Joseph’s Health Care London

Dr. Paul obtained his medical degree in 1987 and has held significant academic and administrative roles at the University Health Network and the University of Toronto, eventually becoming a full Professor in 2015. He currently serves as Site Chief and Director at Toronto General Hospital, with his research primarily focused on radiation dose reduction and image optimization in cardiothoracic imaging, driven by patient needs and clinical translation. Dr. Paul also holds graduate appointments and has actively participated in numerous provincial, national, and international professional organizations, receiving multiple awards for his contributions to radiology.

RPNs deliver more than one-third of nursing care in Ontario, yet many remain underrecognized, underutilized, and misunderstood across the health care system. As patient needs grow and system pressures mount, RPNs are increasingly called upon to play critical roles on the front lines—often while facing high workloads, burnout, and barriers to practicing to their full scope.

In this episode, host Jeff Goodyear, Associate at Santis Health, sits down with Dianne Martin, CEO of the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN), to explore the evolving role of RPNs and the future of nursing in the province. Together, they discuss workforce challenges, the impact of misperceptions about RPNs, and the urgent need for system-wide solutions that value and support all nursing professionals. Tune in for an honest conversation about the path forward—and how empowering RPNs is essential to the sustainability of Ontario’s healthcare system.

--

Dianne Martin

Chief Executive Officer, Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN)

Dianne is Chief Executive Officer of Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN). She’s been a nurse since 1979, initially graduating as a Registered Practical Nurse and then in 1998. She graduated as an Registered Nurse with a diploma in nursing and is dually registered as both an RN and RPN today. She subsequently has obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from York University and a Master of Leadership from Royal Roads University.

In her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario, she has been recognized for her work to build bridges of greater understanding, clarity, and respect among the categories of nurses in Ontario. Her Knowledge Process Model which she developed in 2013 has been used in Canada and internationally to provide clarity to different categories of nurses and ensure safe nursing practice based on patient need.

Dianne has experience working in several Ontario hospitals predominantly in the field of Perinatal Care. She has held several leadership positions as a senior policy analyst with the Nursing Policy and Innovation Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (formerly The Nursing Secretariat).

In 2015 Dianne received an honorary Bachelor of Applied Studies from Georgian College and in 2016 she received the Premier’s Award which recognizes college graduates whose achievements have made a difference in the province of Ontario.

She is the daughter of a nurse, mother to a nurse, and she holds all those who care for others in the highest regard.

But what happens in times of crisis? How does the government function when leadership is in flux? 

In this episode, we  break down the Caretaker Convention and its real-world impact. We’ll hear from those who’ve lived it firsthand—senior civil servants Marcel Saulnier and Saäd Rafi, former Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro, and experienced political staffers from across party lines: Jill Pilgrim, Dave Penner, and Sean Ashton.

Guest Biographies:

Peter Cleary: Former Advisor to Health Ministers federally, provincially and currently Principal managing Santis’ Government Affairs practice. 

Tyler Shandro: An Associate at Santis Health, lawyer and Alberta’s Health Minister during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Saäd Rafi: Former Deputy Minister in the Government of Ontario, CEO of the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, and formerly a senior partner at a “Big Four” consulting firm. Currently an Executive Advisor at Santis Health. 

Dave Penner: Former Prime Minister’s Office Advisor to Stephen Harper and currently the Senior Director of Santis’ Federal Government Affairs practice. 

Jill Pilgrim: Lawyer and former Director of Policy to Health Minister Mark Holland, as well as Policy Advisor to the Ministers of Families, Children and Social Development, and Employment and Workforce Development. Currently a Senior Consultant at Santis Health.

Marcel Saulnier: An Associate with Santis Health, formerly an Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office, Director of Policy Research at the Canadian Medical Association, Executive Director of the pharmacare initiative at Health Canada, Executive Secretary of the Naylor Report and Associate Assistant Deputy Minister with Health Canada. 

Sean Ashton: Former political advisor to British Columbia’s Health Minister, Adrian Dix, Advisor to Ontario NDP’s 2022 election campaign, and campaign mobilizer in the United States. Currently, a Consultant on Santis Health’s Western Canada team.

To foster patient-first care, Canada needs healthy physicians.

In Canada, the issue of burnout is reaching critical levels, with nearly three-quarters of health care providers reporting symptoms of burnout. This has a profound impact not only on physicians but also on patient care and the sustainability of our health system. Dr.Bill, a key venture of RBCx, in partnership with the Ontario Medical Foundation, has invested $150,000 into three grants for physician-led research projects to help address this challenge. With over 200 applications, the selected projects focus on peer support, mindfulness training, and wellness evaluations.

In our latest episode hosted by acclaimed health journalist Avis Favaro, we’ll hear from three dedicated Ontario physicians — Dr. Noah Ivers, Dr. Elli Weisbaum, and Dr. Treena Wilkie — who are leading these projects and pioneering solutions to help physicians thrive. Together, we’ll explore the specific approaches of each project, early findings, and the potential to help reshape physician wellness in Canada.

-- 

Dr. Noah Ivers, MD, PhD, CCFP

Family Physician and Scientist, Women's College Hospital

Dr. Noah Ivers (MD, CCFP, PhD) is a family physician at Women's College Hospital and a scientist at Women’s College Research Institute, where he leads a research program in implementation science, focusing on the use of data to drive evidence-based, patient-centred improvements in healthcare. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, where he is also the Scientific Lead for the Office of Health System Partnerships. He also has cross-appointments at the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation and the Institute for Medical Sciences at the University of Toronto and is an adjunct scientist at ICES. He holds a Canada Research Chair in the Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice.

Dr. Elli Weisbaum, BFA, MES, PhD

Assistant Professor, Buddhism, Psychology & Mental Health program (BPMH), Faculty of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

Dr. Elli Weisbaum, BFA, MES, PhD, has worked internationally facilitating mindfulness workshops and retreats within the sectors of education, healthcare and business. She is currently the Acting Program Director for the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program (BPMH), at New College, in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and is jointly appointed to the Department of Psychiatry, in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, with a cross-appointment to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in their Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME). 

Past and ongoing collaborations include working with UofT’s Faculty of Law, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Faculty of Engineering, Rotman School of Management, Physical Therapy Department, the Ontario Hospital Association, The Hospital for Sick Children, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to integrate mindfulness into programming for faculty, staff, clinicians, patients and students. 

She attended her first retreat with Zen Master and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh at the age of ten and has continued to train with his international Plum Village community. Elli’s novel background in both academic research and traditional mindfulness practice provides a distinct approach to her ongoing work teaching and researching in the field. 

Dr. Treena Wilkie, BScH, MD, FRCPC

Forensic Psychiatrist, Chief of Forensic Services, Complex Care and Recovery Program, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Associate Professor, University of Toronto

Dr. Treena Wilkie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and the Associate Chief Medical Officer at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She has been qualified as a specialist in forensic psychiatry by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and is the Chief of the Forensic Service, in the Complex Care and Recovery Program at CAMH. Dr. Wilkie is a clinician and educator of psychiatry residents. Her clinical and scholarship interests include the alignment of risk assessment and management principles with recovery-based care, and physician wellness and professionalism initiatives.

In this episode, Avis Favaro is joined by Dr. Nadiya Sunderji, President and CEO, and Dr. Kevin Young, Vice-President of Medical Affairs and Chief of Staff at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care to explore the current state of mental health and addictions care in Ontario. This conversation explores some of the innovative solutions that have been introduced at Waypoint to address these pressing issues, as well as the ongoing gaps that still need to be filled across Ontario.

Tune in as we navigate this complex landscape and uncover the insights that can help shape a more effective and compassionate mental health system for all Ontarians.

--

Dr. Nadiya Sunderji has been President and CEO of Waypoint since 2022, prior to which she served as VP Medical Affairs & Chief of Staff for several years. Under her leadership, Waypoint has continued to support and lead health and mental health system transformation, working with valued partners, as well as advancing internal quality improvement and staff well-being initiatives. Dr. Sunderji is a psychiatrist affiliated with the University of Toronto and she completed a Master of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. She is also a physician adviser to the Ministry of Health, as well as a contributor to the creation of a provincial Core Services Framework for mental health and substance use health care, and to the governance of Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence. receiving international and national recognition for her leadership and research in collaborative care, quality improvement and education, Dr. Sunderji oversees Waypoint’s STREAM lab, Supporting Transformation through Research, Evidence and Action in Mental health, and previously held several competitive research grants and a journal editorship, all advancing integrated mental health care.

Dr. Kevin Young is the Vice-President of Medical Affairs and Chief of Staff at Waypoint, a position he has held since June 2022, and the co-Medical Director of Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario. He previously served as the inaugural Medical Director of Integrated Care at Waypoint. With more than a decade of leadership in geriatric medicine, Dr. Young founded and led a regional geriatric program and is now also advancing innovation in mental health and addiction care, including involvement in provincial governance. Notably, Dr. Young led the development of the province's first Hospital to Home program focused on mental health and addictions, the first adoption of publicly funded repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in Ontario Health Central Region for treating severe depression, and an innovative urgent psychiatry assessment clinic to prevent unnecessary admissions from regional general hospitals. He has also driven a transformative vision for addiction services at Waypoint and surrounding region. Passionate about system integration, Dr. Young is committed to achieving meaningful change through partnerships and collaboration.

Joined by Amy Coupal, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO),

we delve into the complex landscape of caregiving in Ontario, focusing on the experiences of caregivers and the recent policy developments shifting the landscape for this underrepresented group.

--

Amy Coupal is the CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO), a charitable organization that exists to support Ontario’s 4 million caregivers who provide physical and/or emotional support to family members, partners, friends and neighbours. A visionary leader with over 20 year’s experience in the not-for-profit sector, Amy is passionate about mobilizing change through knowledge exchange and building collaborative initiatives that positively impact the lives of individuals and communities.

The impact of this work is demonstrated through the breadth of direct to caregiver programs and services available through OCO, as well as the early successes of embedding caregiving in the culture of health care and the amplification of the voices of caregivers to influence decision making at a system level.

Amy has a Master of Education from the University of Calgary and is an Adler-trained coach. Her insights have been shared through speaking and media engagements, both internationally and here in Canada.

Amy has a deep understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with caregiving. As a caregiver for most of her life, Amy helped to support her brother who had Cerebral Palsy. She was also a caregiver to her mother throughout her cancer journey and now supports her father through older adulthood.

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that affects millions worldwide. Though psychosis is the hallmark symptom of this serious mental illness, cognitive impairment is another core feature that significantly impacts patients' daily functioning and quality of life. In this podcast episode, we delve into the critical intersection of schizophrenia and cognitive impairment, exploring its far-reaching effects and the challenges it presents for both patients and healthcare providers.

Our expert panel, consisting of Chris Summerville, CEO of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada and Dr. Heather McNeely, Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist in the Schizophrenia and Community Integration Service at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton explores the various domains of cognition affected, including memory, attention, and executive functioning, and how these impairments manifest in patients' lives.

The conversation also touches on current assessment methods, emerging treatment options, and the importance of addressing cognitive symptoms alongside other aspects of schizophrenia management. Our guests share their perspectives on the challenges faced in clinical practice, ongoing research initiatives, and the potential for cognitive remediation therapies to improve outcomes for individuals with schizophrenia.

This episode aims to raise awareness about the often-overlooked cognitive aspects of schizophrenia, highlight the need for comprehensive care approaches, and discuss strategies for enhancing cognitive function and overall well-being in patients living with this challenging condition.

--

Chris Summerville, D.Min., CPRRP, LL.D (Honorary), Chief Executive Officer, Schizophrenia Society of Canada

Chris has been a prominent advocate in the mental health field for over 30 years, driven by personal experiences with family members who have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression, and through his own journey with mental health services. Since 2007, he has served as CEO of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada. With a doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary and certification as a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Recovery Practitioner (CPRRP), Chris also received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Brandon University for his leadership in mental health advocacy.

As a leader and advocate, Chris supports a recovery-oriented, holistic approach to mental health that incorporates bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspectives. His contributions include serving on the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Commission of Canada since 2007, where he has been involved in initiatives like the Hallway Group and the Headstrong Project. Chris has also been active on various boards, including the Mood Disorders Society of Canada and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Canada.

Dr. Heather McNeely Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist in the Schizophrenia and Community Integration Service at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

Dr. Heather McNeely is a practicing clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist in the Schizophrenia and Community Integration Service at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton where she is also Clinical Lead for the Clinical Neuropsychology Service. She is also a Full Professor and Academic Lead of the Schizophrenia Division in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. McNeely is actively involved in teaching, psychology training and research aimed at improving clinical and social outcomes for adults with schizophrenia and related disorders. She has been extensively involved in leading quality improvement initiatives at St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, and she has been an invited contributor to provincial and national expert panels on implementation of quality care standards for adults with schizophrenia.

Upon forming government in 2015, the Trudeau Liberals successfully provided time-limited funding outside of the CHT - an approach that has been used on several occasions since to provide funding to PTs. From COVID-19 support, to home care and mental health, and the most recent set of bilateral health deals - the Government of Canada is providing time-limited funding to provinces largely outside of the CHT.

Our latest podcast reflects on the process of landing the first set of bilateral health agreements in 2017, and this approach continues to be used. Joined by four individuals that had intimate knowledge of the 2017 agreements including former health minister Jane Philpott, Marcel Saulnier, Dave Clements and Peter Cleary, this podcast will explore some unique insights on the formation of these agreements and how effective they can be in impacting improvements to health care services led by Provinces & Territories.

--

Jane Philpott

Dr. Jane Philpott is the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Director of the School of Medicine at Queen's University, and CEO of the Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization in Kingston, Ontario. She is a medical doctor, a Professor of Family Medicine, and former Member of Parliament. From 2015 to 2019 she served as Canada’s Minister of Health, Minister of Indigenous Services, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government. Prior to politics, Jane spent the first decade of her medical career in Niger, West Africa and then she was a family doctor with Markham Stouffville Hospital for 17 years, including six years as Chief of Family Medicine. Jane has recently published her first book called Health for All: A doctor’s prescription for a healthier Canada.

Marcel Saulnier

With nearly 30 years of experience in the federal government focusing on strategic policy, health care policy, and intergovernmental relations, Marcel serves as an advisor to the Santis team and its clients on key health initiatives and supports them in achieving their strategic policy, health care policy and government relations objectives. Prior to joining Santis, Marcel served as an Associate Assistant Deputy Minister for the Strategic Policy Branch of Health Canada. In his role he advised the Minister and Deputy Minister on health care policy and led Federal-Provincial-Territorial negotiations on bilateral agreements for mental health, home care and virtual care. Marcel has since various other leadership positions as the Director of Policy Research for the Canadian Medical Association, Director General of Policy Coordination and Director General of Health Care Strategies for Health Canada, and Executive Director of the Secretariat supporting the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare for Health Canada.

Dave Clements

Dave has nearly 30 years experience in the healthcare and higher education industries and brings expertise in health and science policy, communications and stakeholder engagement. He has served in executive roles in organizations that include the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Queen's University's Faculty of Health Sciences. He spent nearly a decade working for the federal and BC provincial governments, including as Director of Communications and Senior Advisor for the Hon. Jane Philpott, Canada's former Minister of Health. In 2014 and 2015, he served as executive director for the Advisory Panel on Healthcare Innovation, appointed by the Hon. Rona Ambrose, then Minister of Health for the Government of Canada. He is an adjunct professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Carleton University.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a once-a-day pill that reduces the risk of transmission by 99% if taken consistently. This breakthrough medication has offered protection for those at risk of contracting HIV. While gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (gbMSM) still make up over 40% over new HIV cases, there has been a notable decline in these numbers, largely attributed to the increased uptake of PrEP within this community.

Worryingly, however, is that in groups where PrEP uptake is virtually non-existent, transmission rates are on the rise. Indigenous Peoples, immigrants, and members of African, Caribbean and Black communities are all seeing increasing impacts of HIV. Women are also disproportionately affected, especially among Indigenous populations, where one third of new HIV infections were among women in 2020. Yet, less than 10% of the population that would benefit is using PrEP.

During a 2022 Montreal conference, the Government of Canada committed to 2030 global targets of zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS deaths, and zero stigma and discrimination. With only six years to go, Canada is further away from this goal than when we committed. So how do we increase awareness of this issue? How can we increase uptake of PrEP and other person-centric options for at-risk groups? How can we increase the urgency in the fight against HIV?

As part of Pride Month conversations, and in collaboration with Gilead Life Sciences Canada, Danielle Flieler sat down with Patrick O’Byrne, a Nurse Practitioner and Full Professor of Nursing at the University of Ottawa; Mia Biondi, Assistant Professor and the Nurse Practitioner program coordinator at York University School of Nursing; and Ken Monteith, Executive Director of COCQ-SIDA.

--

Patrick O’Byrne NP PhD is a Nurse Practitioner and Full Professor of Nursing at the University of Ottawa. Dr. O’Byrne’s work focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections. Dr. O’Byrne set up the first nurse-led HIV PEP and PrEP clinics in Canada, and Canada’s first mailout HIV self-testing program.

Mia Biondi is trained as a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner and is PhD prepared in Microbiology. Mia is an Assistant Professor and the NP program coordinator at York University School of Nursing. Clinically and her research is focused on refugee health, street outreach, HIV prevention and viral hepatitis. 

Ken Monteith is the Executive Director of COCQ-SIDA (la Coalition des organismes communautaires québécois de lutte contre le sida). Trained as a lawyer, he worked in the community youth sector and in the HIV/AIDS sector. He participates actively in research, especially projects concerning the quality of life of people living with HIV and prevention for men who have sex with men. He holds degrees in Industrial Relations, Common and Civil Law from McGill University and was a member of the Québec Bar from 1991 to 2001, when he resigned to devote himself more fully to his community work on HIV/AIDS. Ken Monteith was diagnosed with advanced HIV infection in 1997.

Across Canada, health leaders have identified team-based models of care as a tool to help combat these challenges. Team-based primary care offers a broader range of health services to patients by health care providers committed to the delivery of comprehensive, coordinated, and high-quality care through intentionally designed collaborative practices.

No one profession can do it all. Team-based primary care will help build a stronger, more resilient health system and provide quality care for all and less burn-out for our health workforce.

Joined by three primary care leaders, this podcast explores the importance of the use of consensus driven definitions, principles, standards and indicators for team-based primary care implementation that is in aligned, yet contextually specific to the unique systems and populations within provinces and territories in this country.

--

Dr. Ivy Oandasan is the Co-Lead Team Primary Care: Training for Transformation, an initiative aimed at accelerating transformative change in the way primary care practitioners train to work together. She is also a professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Director of Education, College of Family Physicians of Canada and an active family physician who has been involved in teaching and research since 1997. She led a national research team that conducted the environmental scan and literature review on the evidence for interprofessional education for collaborative patient centred practice that was funded and ultimately used by Health Canada in 2004.

Leslee Thompson is the Chief Executive Officer of Accreditation Canada and Health Standards Organization (HSO), two organizations united in common vision for safer care and a healthier world. With over 30 years of senior executive and corporate director experience working at provincial, national and international levels, Leslee is a leader who makes things happen. Her clinical roots as a Registered Nurse continue to influence her relentless pursuit of quality and safety in health care, and Leslee has become internationally recognized for her work on partnering with patients to improve outcomes. She has also been Board Chair of the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, Chair of Council of Academic Hospitals Ontario and is currently executive in residence at Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto.  

Dr. Tara Kiran is a family physician and scientist at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto and the Fidani Chair of Improvement and Innovation at the University of Toronto. She is also principal investigator at OurCare, a national public engagement initiative focused on the future of primary care, the public's expectations, and what policy changes they recommend to shape the system. Over the last decade, Dr. Kiran has led a program of research evaluating the impact of primary care reforms on quality in primary care in Ontario. She and her team have studied the impact of financial incentives on diabetes care and cancer screening, compared chronic disease prevention and management between various practice models, evaluated the impact of mandated after-hours provision on emergency department use, explored the association between the access bonus and healthcare use, and highlighted the quality gaps for patients left out of enrolment models.

But Ontario’s health system is under incredible pressure. Hospitals are faced with a series of unique challenges including capacity restraints, staffing shortages, rising infrastructure costs and the evolving needs of patients. Tackling these challenges is top of mind for hospital leaders with the ultimate goal to deliver efficient, accessible and high-quality care.

Hosted by Santis Health Executive Associate, Saäd Rafi, this podcast episode offers a pulse check on Ontario’s hospital system. Bringing together three hospital leaders from across the province, we explore the shared challenges and overarching themes for sector-wide improvements.

--

Dr. Frank Martino is the President and Chief Executive Officer of William Osler Health System, one of Canada’s largest community hospital networks, serving Brampton, Etobicoke and the surrounding region with over 1.1 million patient visits each year. A strong advocate for quality patient care, Dr. Martino has dedicated his over 30-year career to improving the health of individuals and communities to effect change for the betterment of patients. Dr. Martino joined Osler in 1991 and has held progressively senior roles – including serving as Interim Vice-President of Quality & Medical Affairs, Chief of Staff, and Chief of Family Medicine. He has practiced family medicine in Brampton for decades.

Lynn Guerriero is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Niagara Health. She came to Niagara Health as an accomplished leader in the Ontario health care system, with more than 30 years of leadership, management and clinical experience within a variety of health care provider settings. Lynn has also held senior roles at Cancer Care Ontario and prior to joining Niagara Health was Assistant Deputy Minister for the OHIP Division of the Ontario Ministry of Health.  

Cynthia Davis is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lakeridge Health. A registered nurse by profession, Cynthia has a passion for patient-centred care, which she fosters through engagement and partnerships. Over the course of her time in this position, she has led the organization through many transformative changes as it continues to realize its vision as the integrated health system in Durham Region. She has also advanced the development and opening of a new long-term care home and the site selection process for a potential new hospital in Durham Region

One of the key challenges in addressing the HHR crisis is identifying how to retain health workers in their roles amidst long-standing and systemic pressures on the workforce – including a high-needs, aging population, staffing shortages, and inadequate focus on worker well-being and retention in recent history. Improvements to workplace culture and workplace mental health are critical to retention efforts.

In this podcast episode, Victoria Wiebe sits down with Eduardo Castro, Ashley Kim, and Nancy Hood from CMHA Ontario to discuss Your Health Space – a free workplace mental health program developed by CMHA Ontario to support health workers’ psychological health and safety in the workplace.    Ed, Ashley, and Nancy will share more about the imperative for change, how the Your Health Space program is inspiring change in health care workplaces across Ontario, and the program’s impact to-date in addressing recruitment and retention challenges on-the-ground.

This is the third part of Santis’ three-part series on health human resources. In November, we held a webinar with thought leaders from across the country to speak about “what it will take” to advance change for Canada’s health human resources crisis. In January, we held the second part of this series, exploring the government perspectives on what it will take to advance change for Canada’s health workforce, current initiatives underway, and the role of collaboration in driving the change we wish to see. You can view both of these webinars on the Santis Health YouTube channel.

At the same time, the Commission released 94 calls to action for reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples and Canadians. Among them was a call to action to “those who can effect change within the Canadian health care system to recognize the value of Indigenous healing practices and use them in the treatment of Indigenous patients in collaboration with Indigenous healers and Elders”.

One example of an organization effecting change is St. Joseph’s Care Group. Located in Thunder Bay, St. Joseph’s Care Group is a catholic health care organization with a unique focus on caring for those with unmet needs. They operate a hospital and several long-term care facilities, while also providing housing support, mental health and addictions support, rehabilitation and palliative care. Given their northern location, they also provide care and support for a large Indigenous population.

In this episode, Pia Lindemann Kristensen is joined by Paul Francis Jr., Vice President of N’doo’owe Binesi, the Indigenous Health, Partnerships and Wellness division of St. Joseph's Care Group. They discuss the importance of culturally safe care for Indigenous Peoples and explore St. Joseph’s Care Group’s journey to recognize and implement Indigenous healing practices in its health care settings.

--

Paul Francis Jr. is the Vice President of N’doo’owe Binesi (Healing Thunderbird), the Indigenous Health, Partnerships and Wellness division of St. Joseph’s Care Group in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

A registered social worker, Paul is a graduate of the Master of Social Work Indigenous Field of Study Program at Wilfrid Laurier University and a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Since 2019, he has maintained a small private practice, Shkode Mkwa Counselling. Paul is committed to his Anishinaabe spiritual practices and enjoys attending and helping with traditional ceremonies. Paul believes in the power of Indigenous healing practices and that possibilities exist to integrate them within the mainstream health care system for the benefit of all.  

Paul is Odawa (Anishinaabe) and mixed European ancestry, a member from Wiikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island and is a member of the Bear Clan. Paul is a proud father to Tristan, Royal, Harlow, Ailee and Siinese, with his wife Kyla.

There is increasing evidence that better health outcomes are achieved when patients are able to access pharmacist-delivered health services. While all pharmacists across Canada currently have some level of prescribing authority, this varies greatly by jurisdiction. From both a cost and patient wellness perspective, the role of pharmacists in the health system is key. However, when red tape, jurisdictional complications and an increased workload prevent pharmacists from practicing to their full scope, patients don’t receive the best possible care.

Advocates across Canada are calling on governments and the broader health sector to not only recognize the essential role of pharmacists in the health system and utilize this valuable resource accordingly, but also to explore the innovative tools and resources that are rapidly becoming available to the pharmacy sector. By enabling innovation, pharmacists can be empowered to drive forward positive change in how Canadians access high-quality health care.

Joined by Sandra Hanna, CEO of the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada, and Blair Laufman, Vice President of Medication Management Solutions at BD-Canada, we explore the evolution of pharmacists’ scope of practice and the role of technology within the sector.

--

Sandra Hanna is the CEO of the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada. Sandra is a graduate of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto, a practicing pharmacist, and has completed her masters in law and the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program. She has served as CEO of Neighbourhood Pharmacies since 2019, after serving for two years as the Vice President, Pharmacy Affairs at the Association. Sandra is focused on helping to navigate the pharmacy industry through transformation while continuing to build strong, productive relationships with stakeholders. Prior to her role at Neighbourhood Pharmacies, Sandra’s counsel was sought by pharmacy retailers, manufacturers, and service providers in her capacity as Chief Innovation Officer at Gold Links Health Solutions. She continues to practice in an independent pharmacy in Guelph, Ontario and has a passion for innovation in health care.

Blair Laufman is the Vice President of the Medication Management Solutions (MMS) business unit at BD (Becton Dickinson and Company) Canada. Blair leads a customer-centric and innovative team focusing on the safety of medication delivery and management for better patient outcomes. Blair is responsible for driving and executing the MMS business strategy in Canada and overseeing the growth and P&L responsibilities for a category growing with recent mergers and acquisitions. Having joined BD in 2007, Blair has held several commercial roles in sales, business development and marketing with increasing scope and responsibilities. Blair holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology from McMaster University and a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University.

With rates of addiction rising across the country, community organizations like Addiction Services Central Ontario (ASCO) offer services including bed-based treatment slots, drop-in programs, peer support, counselling, case management, harm reduction and psychoeducation to those affected by addictions.

On International Overdose Awareness Day, the world’s largest annual campaign to end the overdose crisis and acknowledge those who are affected by addiction and overdose, Santis Health is proud to share this conversation with Penny Marrett, Executive Director of ASCO. We discuss the current state of addictions services in Ontario and across Canada, some of the challenges being faced today and the steps we can take together to strengthen the addictions sector.

--

Penny Marrett is the Executive Director of Addiction Services Central Ontario (ASCO), a leading government funded clinical treatment provider for substance use, problem gambling and mental health concerns. 

Under Penny’s leadership, ASCO operates more than 13 programs from different locations in York Region, South Simcoe and North York, embracing a holistic, biological, psychological, social and spiritual approach to understanding addiction. This year, ASCO celebrates their 40th anniversary. Since 1983, the organization has served thousands of clients each year, providing a range of addiction and mental health programs and services, supports and referrals for adults, youth (12+) and their families. 

Over the span of her 40-year career in the not-for-profit sector, Penny has also been an active volunteer. Her volunteer experience has included serving a Board Member of Addictions and Mental Health Ontario, the Windsor Family Health Team, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, the Trillium Chapter of the Canadian Society of Association Executive and the Canadian Soccer Association. She has also volunteered at Distress Centres of Greater Toronto and the Assaulted Women’s Helpline, among others.

However, along with these promising advancements, we must also critically examine the ethical dilemmas and regulatory hurdles accompanying AI integration in our health care systems.

In this second episode in Santis’ AI Podcast Series, Ben King and Zahava Uddin discuss the use of artificial intelligence in health care, specifically through the lens of administrative efficiencies. We talk about the GE HealthCare Command Center approach and how it's used to optimize acute care utilization. Zahava also shares her industry perspective on the role of predictive analysis and machine learning across hospitals to balance work loads, improve patient flow and support transitions in care.

--

Zahava Uddin is a Managing Director with GE HealthCare’s Command Center team. She helps health care organizations re-engineer clinical operations and implement capabilities for real time orchestration of patient care delivery.

At the core of this work, is the planning, design, build and activation of Real Time Apps that prompt timely action by expediters and front-line care teams across the organization to eliminate delays, solve care progression barriers, level-load demand and de-risk issues. In many instances, the deployment of these Apps is accompanied by the development of a hospital command centre department that proactively monitors capacity pressures and other risk and provides a centre of gravity for learning and culture change.

Since joining GE HealthCare (GEHC) in 2000, Zahava has worked in both Canada and the US on hospital capacity strategy, workflow re-engineering, health care facility design, capital equipment planning and hospital command centers. Prior to GEHC, Zahava worked in administration at an academic health sciences centre in Toronto and at a health care consultancy that develops functional programs for Canadian hospital redevelopment projects.

Zahava has an MBA in Health Services Management and a BSc in Biochemistry, both from McMaster University. She is a Six Sigma Black Belt and a Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders. She routinely presents on topics related to seamless patient care and digital transformation at forums that have included the Brazil National Congress of Private Hospitals, TECHNA, Canada’s National Health Leadership Conference, DASH Toronto and Canadian Healthcare Infrastructure.

However, along with these promising advancements, we must also critically examine the ethical dilemmas and regulatory hurdles accompanying AI integration in our health care systems.

In this first episode of Santis’ two-part AI Podcast Series, Ben King and Dr. Jaron Chong discuss the implementation of artificial intelligence in the practice of radiology. We unpack the evolving AI discussion since Dr. Chong began practicing, and explore the need for oversight to ensure AI augments, not replaces, the capabilities of radiologists to benefit patient care.

--

Dr. Jaron Chong MD, MHI, FRCPC is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Medical Imaging at Western University. He completed his diagnostic radiology residency training at McGill University with an Abdominal Imaging fellowship at Yale New-Haven Hospital and a Masters in Health Informatics at the University of Toronto. His clinical interests include cross-sectional abdominal imaging, Abdominal/GU oncologic imaging in MRI and CT modalities, with research interests in the appropriate utilization of medical imaging and AI-assisted augmented radiology. He also serves as the Chair of the Canadian Association of Radiologists Artificial Intelligence Standing Committee.

On February 7, 2023, and subsequently in Budget 2023, the Government of Canada outlined its plan to invest close to $200 billion over 10 years to improve health care services for Canadians, including a commitment by all levels of government to improve how health information is collected, shared and used by adopting common standards and policies. 

In this episode, we learn more about how the Government of Canada is working with provinces and territories, health data partners, and other stakeholders to modernize Canada’s health data system. We also hear from the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) to contextualize the necessity and impact of pan-Canadian efforts to modernize Canada’s health data system. With a federal health plan that puts health data front and centre, this episode will explore what the future state could be for Canadians and the health care system with more robust, quality data – using cancer as a tangible example. 

Jo Voisin is Assistant Deputy Minister at Health Canada's Strategic Policy Branch. 

In her ten years working at Health Canada, she was instrumental in the negotiation of the Common Statement of Principles and health agreements with provinces and territories in 2017, focused on funding for home and community care, and mental health and addictions. She occupied several executive leadership positions, including in federal-provincial-territorial relations, health product regulation, horizontal policy and public health. Jo returned to Health Canada in 2020 to support Canada’s efforts to fight COVID-19 after two years working in youth employment policy. 

Jo also worked in social policy at the Privy Council Office, and in economic policy at Treasury Board Secretariat and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Jo is an avid weekend and vacation cyclist, as well as an artist.

Dr. Stuart Edmonds joined the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in February 2020 following the amalgamation with Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC). As Executive Vice President of Mission, Research and Advocacy, he oversees the Research and Advocacy teams.Prior to the amalgamation, Stuart spent eight years at PCC as Vice President of Research, Health Promotion and Survivorship. He has held leadership roles at several national cancer research institutes and government agencies. Stuart holds a Doctorate in pharmacology from Oxford University.

Recent debates about the pros and cons of opening health care to “other organizations” have ramped up on the heels of Ontario’s February 2023 announcement to expand the role of private clinics in the province’s delivery of health care. Not up for debate; however, are the pressures within the system – an aging population, a health human resource crisis, a rise in chronic illness and barriers accessing care.

Traditional thinking and old solutions won’t address these crises. The question then becomes “what is the right mix of new policies and programs that can provide Canadians with the kind of high-quality, accessible, publicly funded health care that seems increasingly out of reach?”

In this podcast episode, Ross Wallace is joined by Bernard Lord, Chief Executive Officer of Medavie, to explore the private delivery of publicly funded health care services, and the value of collaboration to meet the health care needs of Canadians. 

While the federal government has spent the last two years focused on the COVID-19 response, one of Health Canada’s key policy objectives is to create a National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases, and to decide on how to invest the $500 million a year that it set to flow in 2022.

In this episode, Peter Cleary is joined by Rute Fernandes, General Manager of Takeda Canada, a pharmaceutical company that specializes in the development of rare disease medications. They discuss global best practices to develop better approaches to provide access to these critical medications, and what Canada can learn from other OECD countries and their rare disease drug strategies.

As health care continues to be debated in legislatures, virtual forums and at dinner tables across the country, we must ask hard questions and find ways to reimagine the way Canadians access health care services, programs and information.

In this episode, Ross Wallace is joined by Bernard Lord, Chief Executive Officer of Medavie, a health solutions partner, to discuss innovative, collaborative, patient-focused approaches to health and care that help people stay healthy and in their homes as long as possible, help them navigate the health care system when they do need it and ultimately ensure they receive care at the right time and in the right place.

--

Bernard Lord is the Chief Executive Officer of Medavie.

In his role, Bernard provides strategic leadership to further the organization’s mission to improve the wellbeing of Canadians. Previously, Bernard spent almost a decade on the Board of Medavie, served as President and CEO of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunication Association of Canada, and served as Premier of New Brunswick from 1999 to 2006. He sits on boards of several companies and organizations and, most recently, was appointed as chair of the International Federation of Health Plans.

In this series, we discuss the impact of the pandemic on frontline health care workers, the programs that have attracted and/or caused staff to leave and solutions to this crisis as policy makers need to act immediately.

Our first episode focuses on home and community care in Ontario. The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) represents over 220 not-for-profit organizations that provide a variety of health and wellness services to Ontarians. OCSA’s home and community care members have struggled throughout the pandemic pivoting to offering their services virtually.

CADTH’s previous strategic plan covered the period of 2018-2021, but due to the all-consuming obligations of COVID-19, the Agency decided to postpone the creation and launch of a new plan by 12 months. CADTH is now in the early days of formulating and crystallizing new strategic priorities that will come into effect April 1, 2022.

In this episode, Ross Wallace is joined by CADTH President & CEO Suzanne McGurn to discuss CADTH’s role during the pandemic, the Agency’s areas of future focus, global trends in health technology assessment – and their impact on Canada – and Suzanne's own insights after 12 months at the helm of the organization.

In this episode, Adrienne Spafford, CEO of Addictions and Mental Health Ontario, Camille Quenneville, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario Division, and Kimberly Moran, CEO of Children’s Mental Health Ontario discuss the impact of the pandemic and where policy makers must focus their attention as we move beyond COVID-19.

In this episode, the Health Charities Coalition of Canada, ALS Canada and Diabetes Canada discuss the agility and adaptability of Canadian health charities.

Elisabeth Baugh is the CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada and the Chair of the Health Charities Coalition of Canada.

Tammy Moore is the CEO of ALS Canada and has been involved in the ALS community for over a decade.

And Dr. Seema Nagpal is the Vice President, Science and Policy at Diabetes Canada where she guides the research funding program.

What changes in the Canadian pharmaceutical market drove these reforms? What goals is the Board looking to achieve through these forthcoming changes?  What does “success” look like over the coming years? And what key learnings is it taking away from a stakeholder engagement process that was both long and contentious?

In this episode, Peter Cleary and Ross Wallace are joined by PMPRB Executive Director Doug Clark, to discuss the PMPRB’s recent reform push, what happens next, and how the Board hopes to constructively engage the public, patients and other stakeholders over the coming months.

A career public servant, Doug Clark has a background in international trade law, intellectual property policy, pharmaceutical industry issues and competition law enforcement. In 2006, Doug became the Director of the Patent and Trademark Policy Directorate at Industry Canada, where he led a number of legislative and regulatory initiatives under the Patent Act and Trademarks Act, including the development of Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) and pharmaceutical patent litigation reform. In 2009, Doug joined the Competition Bureau as Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Civil Matters Branch, and most recently became Executive Director of the PMPRB in 2013.

Physician Assistants, who play an integral role in a strong and sustainable Canadian health care system, are one such example.

For years, Physician Assistants (PAs) have advocated to establish the profession within the national health care framework, and in October of this year, both Ontario and Alberta announced PAs will soon be regulated. Both regulation announcements are milestones for the profession itself and for PAs who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode, Patrick Nelson is joined by Sahand Ensafi and Kirsten Luomala to discuss PAs' role in Canada’s health care system pre- and post-regulation.

Kirsten Luomala began her career in the Canadian Armed Forces as a medical technician and she eventually graduated from the inaugural PA degree class. In the following years, Kirsten taught in the Forces’ PA program and she completed her Master of PA studies in Education and ER medicine. Now, Kirsten works at Alberta’s Demonstration Project in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Alberta, and she is the Alberta Board Director for the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants.

Sahand Ensafi is a Certified Physician Assistant working in Emergency Medicine at the University Health Network in Toronto. As the inaugural PA at UHN, Sahand is a passionate advocate for the profession. He is a McMaster PA Graduate, a clinical instructor and Assistant Professor at McMaster, and is the Ontario Board Director for the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants.

In this episode, Harry Cayton, former Chief Executive of the U.K.'s Professional Standards Authority joins Ian Chesney to discuss regulated health professions in Ontario, lessons learned from across Canada and what challenges and opportunities Ontario’s regulatory model presents to policy makers.

Harry Cayton brings a wealth of knowledge to the field of professional regulation. He is the former Chief Executive for the Professional Standards Authority in the U.K. and has assisted many governments in Canada and around the world in enhancing and reforming their health care regulatory oversight mechanisms and processes.

Mr. Cayton received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal College of Psychiatrists and was awarded a Fellowship through Distinction from the Faculty of Public Health. He has also been awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, which recognizes his service to the health care system through regulatory reform.

Most recently, Harry led the public inquiry into the operations of the B.C. College of Dental Surgeons, which led to significant recommendations for regulatory reform of the profession.

In this episode, Jodi Hall, Chair of the Canadian Association for Long Term Care (CALTC), joins Patrick Nelson to discuss what role the federal government can play in supporting Canada's seniors and how the current Liberal Government measures up.   Jodi Hall is a longtime advocate for seniors, the Chair of CALTC and the Executive Director of the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes (NBANH). Jodi started her career in long-term care as a nurse working with directly with residents before serving as the Director of Education and Practice with the New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurse Association and Administrator of Orchard View Long Term Care. In addition to her role as Chair of CALTC and Executive Director of NBANH, Jodi is also the President of the New Brunswick Continuing Care Safety Association and Co-Chair of the Collaborative for Healthy Aging Care in New Brunswick.

Donna Duncan is the CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA); the largest association representing long-term care providers in Canada. OLTCA represents almost 70% of Ontario's 637 long-term care homes, located in communities across the province. These homes provide care and accommodation to more than 70,000 residents annually. Donna is a passionate and experienced broader public sector executive and board director, with deep expertise in defining and leading successful transformational organization and system change initiatives in health care and post-secondary education. Donna has served as the interim CEO of The Ontario Caregiver Organization and, from 2010-2017, served as the President and CEO of the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, a large children’s mental health treatment, research and teaching centre.

Is the pandemic an opportunity to address the longstanding gaps in health technology? Will it motivate governments to procure and distribute innovation more efficiently? Or will buy in become a greater challenge due to the increased uncertainty that we are all experiencing?

In this episode, Inder Singh, Founder and CEO of Kinsa, and Dr. Sacha Bhatia, Chief Medical Innovation Officer at Women’s College Hospital, join Ross Wallace to discuss digital health care amidst the pressures of a global pandemic.

Inder Singh is the Founder and CEO of Kinsa, a public health company with a mission to stop the spread of contagious illness through earlier detection and earlier response. Prior to founding Kinsa, Inder was the Executive Vice President of the Clinton Foundation’s Health Access Initiative. In this role, he helped two million people access lifesaving HIV, malaria and tuberculosis medications by negotiating lower priced drugs and diagnostics in 70 developing nations. He also holds five academic degrees from Harvard – MIT Division of Health Sciences & Technology, Harvard’s Kennedy School, MIT Sloan and the University of Michigan.

Dr. Sacha Bhatia, Chief Medical Innovation Officer and F.M. Hill Chair in Health System Solutions at Women’s College Hospital studies the appropriateness of care, digital health innovations and health service design. Dr. Bhatia leads rigorous evaluation of digital health tools to move new models and policy approaches from theory to implementation, evaluation and spread, and scale across Canada. Dr. Bhatia is an award-winning cardiologist and he received both his MD and MBA in Health Care Administration from McGill University.