The Park Centre Ballroom at Delta Hotels by Marriott Dartmouth was at capacity with 180 attendees for Digital Health Canada’s ATL25: Atlantic Conference on Thursday, October 9.
The day opened with a strong presentation from Jennifer Sheils, Vice President Strategy, Transformation & Chief Innovation Officer, Horizon Health Network, Executive Lead CAN Health Network- Atlantic Edge on The Power of Partnership in Canadian Healthcare Innovation: Driving Value, Sustainability, and Resilience. This keynote explored how collaboration across health systems, government, industry, and communities is unlocking innovation, improving access to care, and delivering better outcomes for patients. Drawing on real-world examples and emerging models, the session highlighted how collective action can accelerate change, overcome barriers, and shape a more sustainable, innovative future for healthcare.
“… the energy was electric and the room was buzzing after Jennifer Sheils, CHE – VP of Strategy, Transformation and Chief Innovation Officer at Horizon Health Network, delivered a fantastic keynote. It was centred on partnership and truly patient‑centred care—powered by digital health transformation, innovation, and collaboration. I know I speak for myself and colleagues Lee Vickers and Nicole Chevarie when I say her leadership truly resonated. I even found myself exchanging hugs and excitement with others afterward—a reminder of the power of shared purpose and partnership. – Brittany Leblanc, Horizon Health Network
The panel on Making Systems Work for Patient Care: A Clinical Perspective brought the clinical perspective to the forefront, exploring the challenges, strategies, and lessons learned when implementing major systems. Attendees gained insights into balancing innovation with workflow, patient safety, and frontline adoption from panellists Samuel Bourassa-Blanchette, Chief Medical Information Officer, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, Erin Gisborne, OPOR Senior Director-Clinical, Nova Scotia Health, and Robin Carriere, Provincial Chief Nursing Information Officer, New Brunswick Department of Health.
There’s an undeniable sense of digital momentum and partnership growing across the Atlantic provinces, and it’s exciting to see how collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose are shaping the future of healthcare. – Erin Gisborne, Nova Scotia Health Authority
Rethinking Mobility in Healthcare (Sponsored by Spectralink) brought together healthcare leaders Matt Keyser, Channel Sales Manager, Spectralink, Joe Walsh, Chief Solutions Officer, St. Joseph’s Health System, and Guy-Marie Joseph, President and Co-Founder, ConnecTalk Consulting Services Inc., to share real-world solutions that have transformed how their teams work. Attendees left with proven strategies that address common challenges and a clearer vision of what’s possible when mobility solutions are purpose-built for healthcare.
How to Avoid ED Closures (Sponsored by Petal Health), welcomed Dr. Janet Sommers and Dr. Matthew Myatt, who underlined real-world lessons and best practices from their experience in healthcare leadership. Improving access to care is a profound challenge to Canada’s long-term success. Petal’s Elliot Desilets guided this session.
The Atlantic provinces continue to lead the way in digital health innovation, and this event was a powerful reminder of the momentum building across the region. It was fantastic to connect with peers, partners, and stakeholders from across the ecosystem, all working together to drive meaningful change and improve access to care. – Eliot Desilets, Petal
Digital health founders open up about the realities of building in a complex space, sharing the hurdles they’ve faced, the breakthroughs that kept them going, and what they see on the horizon in Start-Ups Unplugged: Challenges, Wins and the Road Ahead. This candid panel included Nevin Pick, President, Mobia Health Innovations, Justin Hartlen, CEO, Virtual Hallway, and Mark Richardson, CEO, Skip the Waiting Room
Digital Pathways to Equity: Addressing Social Determinants highlighted practical approaches to leveraging digital tools to identify, address, and improve social determinants of health, bridging the gap between technology and community impact.
The engaging panel with Janine Kaye (CIHI) and Darren Mastropoalo (211 Nova Scotia) explored how data standards for social determinants and health equity can support safer, more appropriate care and better reporting. – Christine McKenzie, CIHI
Closing Keynote speaker Rachel Gillespie, Senior Consultant, Mariner Innovations, received a standing ovation for When Data Doesn’t Speak – A Widow’s Story and a Call for Human-Centred Healthcare Transformation, her personal story and how it has reshaped her professional commitment to digital health transformation.
Thank you to everyone who attended, sponsored, and presented at ATL25. See you in back in Halifax for e-Health26!
Visit the Digital Health Canada Event Calendar to see all upcoming events.