Sayeh is an authentic healthcare executive with a passion for driving the adoption of innovation in the Canadian healthcare system. With over 30 years of experience, she is a pharmacist with deep expertise in different aspects of the healthcare industry, including hospital and community practice where she gained firsthand experience with digital health tools. She has led business development activities for small to mid-sized pharmaceutical companies, and managed product development for a healthcare information systems organization where she was responsible for product design, quality assurance, stakeholder engagement, and marketing for all of North America. She has also conducted in-depth due diligence and forecasting as an equity research analyst for a leading Canadian investment bank. She has held senior roles in operations, professional affairs and advocacy, marketing, product management, and clinical program development. Her international experience provides a unique perspective to current issues in the healthcare system.
As President of HumanisRx, Sayeh is focused on evolving and executing against the company’s strategic plan and developing new partnerships to advance the identification and resolution of medication issues using digital technologies.
In her spare time Sayeh enjoys discovering new cultures and experiences, whether its hiking Mauna Kea, skiing in the desert in Dubai, or finding the perfect Tom Yum Goong in Bangkok.
Sayeh has been a Digital Health Canada Member for 5 years.
Why do you want to join the Digital Health Canada Board of Directors at this point in your career?Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience in healthcare as a practitioner, healthcare leader, strategic planner, and clinical program developer. These multifaceted roles have equipped me with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the Canadian digital health landscape. They have also solidified my deep commitment to advancing digital health initiatives that enhance patient health and drive efficiencies within the system.
Joining the Digital Health Canada Board of Directors represents a natural progression in my professional journey, enabling me to leverage my expertise to drive innovation and collaboration within the industry. I am particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of working alongside a diverse group of professionals who share my passion for improving the healthcare system through the adoption of technology.
My extensive involvement with various Digital Health Canada committees over the past few years has culminated in a readiness and eagerness to contribute to the strategic direction of the organization. This contribution will ultimately benefit patients, healthcare providers, and the broader community. I am confident that my training and practice as a pharmacist in both acute and primary care, coupled with my leadership experience in senior healthcare roles will allow me to provide valuable insights and support Digital Health Canada’s mission.
In essence, my aspiration to join the Board is driven by a profound commitment to making a meaningful impact in the digital health sector, a desire to give back to the community, and an eagerness to collaborate with like-minded individuals to create a more accessible and healthier future for all Canadians.
The challenges in our healthcare system present a strong opportunity to adopt digital health technologies as a solution. Over the past 5 years as the President of a digital health organization I have directly advocated for this adoption with both public and private entities, as I firmly believe health human resource management alone can only address part of the challenges we face. This role has also involved developing new partnerships and engaging with various stakeholders, which aligns with Digital Health Canada’s strategic plan and is crucial for advancing digital health initiatives.
In previous roles, I was responsible for the evaluation of various digital health tools and resources to ensure their ease of use, robustness, interoperability, and acceptance by patients and providers. I was also involved in designing a physician order entry system and a medication therapy management system. Both systems were designed with patient safety as their core distinguishing factor. These roles often involved engaging with pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to ensure these technologies would ultimately gain adoption. By continuing to engage with all healthcare providers and disciplines in digital health initiatives, should I be elected, I will commit to supporting the Digital Health Canada mandate of geographic, sectoral and disciplinary diversity of the communities the organization serves.
Finally, throughout my career I have had the fortune of benefiting from the experience and insights of amazing mentors and leaders, and thus, recognize the importance of mentorship. As a result, I am committed to sharing my experience, knowledge and expertise to support and guide members, particularly those beginning their journey in digital health such as students and emerging leaders. I am and will continue to be 100% aligned with Digital Health Canada’s goal of empowering members with the tools and relationships they need to enable digital healthcare.
Medications are often the cornerstone of managing many acute and chronic health conditions. However, medications can also have a negative impact on health when they are not taken properly or due to their adverse effects. According to a study conducted in BC a few years ago, 12% of Emergency Department visits are due to adverse drug events. Medication-related digital technologies are an area that is under-recognized in general, and under-represented in the Digital Health Canada ecosystem. Through my contacts and network, I will enhance the focus on digital health tools in the area of medication management and also introduce the stakeholders and those involved in this space to the Digital Health ecosystem, and thereby also contribute to expanding Digital Health Canada’s membership. I will also ensure these stakeholders recognize Digital Health Canada as the knowledge authority and “go to” for innovation in the digital health industry, making it a win-win collaboration.
In addition, my experience as a pharmacist and healthcare provider both in the acute care and primary care settings, as an end-user of digital health tools in daily practice, as well as my international experience working in both Canada and the U.S. provides me with a broad perspective on the healthcare system that allows me to tap into expert insights from all facets of healthcare to benefit all Digital Health Canada’s members.
Finally, as a caregiver to a patient in the healthcare system, I experienced first-hand the incredible benefits of the Canadian healthcare system and some of its challenges, particularly as it concerns equity. I intend to use this experience as a compass to guide discussions on access and equity at the Board level.
Importantly, I have been told by colleagues, partners and vendors that I’m a connector and an enabler, helping “make things happen”. I will bring this same energy and ability to the Board of Digital Health Canada.
Yes.
- Executives/CIOs
- Telehealth
- Clinicians
- Vendors
- Digital Health Entrepreneurs
- 2025 eHealth Conference Program Committee member
- 2024 Women Leaders in Digital Health Award Adjudication Committee member
- 2024 eHealth Conference Program Committee member
- 2024 eHealth Conference volunteer
- 2023 eHealth Conference Abstract Review Committee member
- 2023 Digital Health Canada Trial Mentorship Program member
- 2022 Women Leaders in Digital Health Award Adjudication Committee member
- 2022 eHealth Conference Abstract Review Committee member
- 2021 Digital Health Canada Awards Adjudication Committee member
- 2021 eHealth Virtual Conference Program Committee member
As the saying goes, “it takes a village”. The ability of Digital Health Canada to connect, inspire and empower its 7,000+ diverse individual and corporate members would not be possible without the help of volunteers. By contributing my time wherever I can and more specifically to all the committees above, I am doing my part to ensure Digital Health Canada’s mission is achieved and the strong network of professionals it supports can ensure the success of our healthcare system.
For the past five years I have been the President of HumanisRx, leading the organization to develop new collaborations and partnerships and engaging with many health sector stakeholders including multiple provincial governments, healthcare providers, and patients. I also sit on the Board of Directors of HumanisRx and lead its Advisory Board.
For the past four years, I have also been an active member of the Audit and Finance Committee of the Ontario Pharmacists Association. This experience has helped me understand the challenges of managing a non-profit advocacy organization similar to Digital Health Canada.
My previous leadership experiences have included being the General Manager of the community pharmacy division of Pharmacare Hawaii (located in Oahu), and Senior Director of Strategy and Partnerships for Remedy Holdings, which operated in the long-term care sector.
Digital Health Canada members should vote for me because I have firsthand experience as a healthcare provider when digital health applications and tools are not used and the consequences of not doing so. I have also experienced and overcome the challenges of integrating systems, and the potential solutions when it’s not possible or practical to do so.
I am a pragmatic and results-oriented healthcare executive and see challenges as opportunities. We are currently faced with one of the most significant crises in our healthcare system, and Digital Health Canada plays a significant role in being part of the solution, resourcing and advocating for the solution. I have been tireless in my advocacy roles in the past within the profession of pharmacy. I look forward to continuing to advocate for the adoption of digital health technologies, applications and resources with public and private entities within Canada, and for breaking down the barriers to achieve adoption. I will also advocate for the important role of individuals who are employed by or hope to be employed by the Canadian digital health ecosystem, ensuring they have the training, resources and funding to guarantee the success of our healthcare system.
My goal is to make Canada the envy of the world as it concerns Digital Health and have representatives of other nations visit us to get ideas for their systems (for a change)!
No.
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Toronto.
Registered pharmacist (RPh) with the Ontario College of Pharmacists.