Digital Health in Canada – Details, episodes & analysis

Is now the most challenging time for health care leaders? Across our health systems, leaders are navigating increased complexity, demands, and opportunities. In this episode, we learn from two leaders about their leadership philosophies, their journeys, and how they and their organizations are rising to the challenge.

Guests: 

Tracey MacArthur, President and CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences

Dr. Victoria Lee, President and CEO, Fraser Health

Learn More:

Hamilton Health Sciences

Fraser Health

Music:  RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.

Episode Summary:

00:00 Introduction to Digital Health in Canada

00:09 Meet the Hosts and Guests

01:03 Leadership Journeys and Philosophies

04:11 Attributes of Effective Leadership

06:28 Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic

17:08 Changing Expectations of Leaders

23:26 The Transformational Potential of Digital Health

36:11 Advice for Aspiring Leaders

39:50 Hosts' Debrief

Patient partnership and patient leadership are core to health system transformation. We explore strategies and models for meaningful collaborations with patients, the impacts of patient leadership, and the journeys of two remarkable leaders in this space.

Guests: 

 Adrienne Zarem, patient partner, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Accreditation Canada, Healthcare Excellence Canada

Alies Maybee, patient partner, co-founder, Patient Advisors Network (PAN)

Learn More:

Patient Advisors Network (PAN)

EMPaCT at Women's College Hospital

Essential Together - Healthcare Excellence Canada

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.

00:00 Introduction to Digital Health in Canada 01:03 Meet Alies Maybee: A Lifelong Journey in Healthcare 03:39 Meet Adrienne Zarem: From Chiropractor to Caregiver Partner 05:40 Exploring Different Models of Patient Partnership 07:10 Capacity Building and Relationship Building in Healthcare 08:11 Canada as a Global Leader in Patient Engagement 11:59 Advocacy vs. Partnership: Different Approaches to System Change 13:19 Examples of Successful Patient Partnership Initiatives 25:55 Advice for Aspiring Patient Partners 33:31 Towards the Future of Patient Engagement 37:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Innovation is more than technology - it's a culture, a commitment, and a leadership style. Learn how to foster safe environments for big ideas, how to leverage creative partnerships, and what innovative initiatives are underway at two Canadian health care organizations.

Guests:

 Jennifer Urosevic, President and CEO, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada

 Dr. Gillian Strudwick, Chief Clinical Informatics Officer and Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Learn more:

CAMH's new Temerty Discovery Centre 

Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada Eye Health Screening Initiative

HLTH Foundation Techquity for Health Coalition Case Study Competition

Digital Health Canada members can continue the conversation on the Community Hub!

00:00 Introduction to Digital Health in Canada

01:07 Introducing Our Guests: Dr. Gillian Strudwick and Jennifer Urosevic

01:28 Gillian Strudwick's Journey and Work

03:00 Jennifer Urosevic's Journey and Work

04:08 Personal Stories and Career Pivots

09:27 Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada's Techquity Award

14:09 CAMH's New Discovery Centre

17:09 Mentorship and Fostering Innovation

27:09 Community and Co-Design in Healthcare

33:29 Advice for Early Career Professionals

35:43 Closing Thoughts

38:18 Host Reflections

Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.

The impact of AI has accelerated across sectors, and health care is no exception. In our debut episode, explore leadership in the age of AI, implications for health systems and users, and the potential that AI may bring to transforming health. 

Guests:

Tim Murphy, Vice President, Health, Alberta Innovates

Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia, CEO, eHealth Centre of Excellence

Learn more:

Alberta Innovates: Enabling Better Health through Artificial Intelligence

eCE Automates 

St. Michael's CHARTWATCH

Digital Health Canada members can continue the conversation on the Community Hub!

Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.

 

 Welcome to Digital Health in Canada—the Digital Health Canada Podcast, where care meets connection, innovation meets inspiration, and impact meets empowerment.

New episodes every month, visit digitalhealthcanada.com for more. 

There are many ways to think about health; it’s multi-faceted, multi-sectoral, and influenced by the social determinants of health. So, what does it look like to care for the whole person, and what are different ways to be well? Today, we speak with two leaders to explore how these factors shape health and wellness – as individuals and communities.

Guests: 

Dr. Andrew Boozary, Executive Director, Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine, University Health Network

Pam Nolan, Executive Director, First Nations Digital Health Ontario

Learn More:

Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine - UHN

Social Medicine Housing Program

First Nations Digital Health Ontario (FNDHO)

Indigenous Digital Health Ecosystem 

Music:  RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.

Episode Summmary:

00:00 Introduction to Digital Health in Canada

00:54 Introducing the Guests: Pam Nolan and Dr. Andrew Boozary

01:37 Pam Nolan's Journey in Digital Health

04:55 Dr. Andrew Boozary's Path and Social Medicine

07:35 Housing Initiatives and Health Outcomes

14:47 Understanding Community Needs and Digital Integration

19:15 Social Medicine and Policy Decisions

21:38 The Role of Hospitals in Social Medicine

32:31 The Power of Data and Partnerships

41:10 Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways

When entrepreneurship and patient care meet, startups are driving innovation, spreading new models of care, and offering creative solutions to shared challenges. Join us to hone your entrepreneurial skills, learn from two leading innovaors - and spark your next great idea.

Guests:

• Chenny Xia, CEO, Gotcare
  
• Rick Menassa, CEO, iCare Home Health and Health Espresso

Learn More:

Gotcare

iCare Home Health

Health Espresso

Music:  RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.

Summary:

00:52 Meet the Innovators: Chenny Xia and Rick Menassa 01:32 Journey to Entrepreneurship in Healthcare 03:01 Innovative Approaches in Home Care 08:00 Defining and Evolving Startups 14:36 Building Trust and Relationships 25:10 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 29:42 Reflections and Takeaways

When data saves lives, cybersecurity doesn’t only protect systems. It protects patients. In this episode, we explore a remarkable international collaboration to advance cybersecurity in digital health, and learn how health professionals can empower themselves to stay cyber-safe. Digital Health in Canada goes international as we speak to two co-chairs of the Global Digital Health Partnership’s cybersecurity work stream!

Guests:

Mikki Smith, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology

Fuller Yu, Chief of IT Operations and Cybersecurity, Hong Kong Hospital Authority

Learn More:

Global Digital Health Partnership - Cyber Security Work Stream

Proposed Global Digital Health Model Security Notice

Guidance for Medical Device Cybersecurity

Cyber Security Awareness Month 2024

Music:  RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.

Episode Summmary:

00:00 Introduction to AI and Cybersecurity Concerns

01:38 Mikki Smith's Journey in Cybersecurity

06:41 Fuller Yu's Experience and Insights

09:20 Health Care as a Prime Target for Cyber Attacks

15:51 Global Collaborations in Cybersecurity

26:08 Human Factors in Cybersecurity

32:03 Future Trends and Preparedness

37:39 Empowering Professionals and Final Thoughts

Data drives our health system – and digital health research is a formidable engine for innovation! In today’s episode, we explore how research turns into impact, knowledge spurs action, and what leaders need to know to support the next generation of digital health professionals. 

Guests:

• Dr. Kimberlyn McGrail, Professor, UBC School of Population and Public Health; CEO and Scientific Director, Health Data Research Network Canada
• Dr. Tracie Risling, Associate Dean of Innovation, Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary; president-elect, Canadian Nurses Association

Learn more:

• Canadian Medical Association 2025 Health and media annual tracking survey
• World Economic Forum: Global Risks Report 2025

Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.

Summary:

00:00 Introduction to Digital Health in Canada

01:43 Guest Journeys: From Journalism to Nursing and Beyond

03:55 Mentorship and Inspiration in Academia

07:45 Learning from Students: Fail Space and Connectivity

14:02 Impact of Research on Policy and Practice

16:30 Knowledge Mobilization and Applied Health Research

27:52 Equity and Access in Digital Health

35:30 Key Messages for Health Research Enthusiasts

38:42 Conclusion and Reflections

When it comes to health system transformation, the frontlines are at the forefront. Explore how clinical expertise and leadership drive innovation as two physician leaders share their journeys – and what past lessons we need to carry into our future health systems

Guests: 

• Dr. Chandi Chandrasena, Chief Medical Officer, OntarioMD
• Dr. Lisa Bryski, former emergency department physician

Learn more:

• OntarioMD
• Physician Burnout: Potential Causes & Solutions

Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.

Summary:

00:00 Meet the Hosts and Guests 02:08 Challenges and Mentorship in Medicine 06:01 Digital Health Technologies in Practice 07:22 Adoption and Evolution of EMRs 11:45 The Role of Change Management 23:59 Leadership and Public Health During COVID-19 28:07 Lessons from the Pandemic 35:51 Final Thoughts and Future Directions