Candidate name: Darren Hay
Title: Vice President, Business Development
Organization: Medioh (Hypertec Group)
Darren Hay is a Canadian digital health executive dedicated to the development of a stronger health system and healthier people through the acceleration of innovative healthcare, business and technology solutions. He has over twenty-five years of experience in the management of innovative organizations on the leading edge of healthcare innovation in government, health systems, health plans and consumer markets in both Canada and the United States. Darren currently serves as the Vice President, Business Development for Hypertec’s global healthcare division, Medioh (the logistics and scalability partner behind North America’s largest digital health and RPM deployments (including OTN, Optum, United Health Group, Ascension, UPMC, Anthem, etc.). Prior to joining Medioh/Hypertec, Darren held senior executive roles as Chief Revenue Officer at Care Angel, Senior Vice President at ADT/IdealLife, Vice President at Telus Health and Vice President at Emergis. He has served as a Governor-appointed member of the State of Florida’s Telehealth Advisory Council, Executive in Residence for both McMaster University’s Department of Family Medicine’s and Ontario Centres of Excellence’s OSCAR EMR initiatives, Advisor to BCTech and Chief Health Advisor for the Pathway Group.
How long have you been a member of Digital Health Canada?
1 year.
Why do you want to join the Digital Health Canada Board of Directors at this point in your career?
Healthcare in Canada is at an inflection point. COVID and the realities of managing health and wellness in a post-COVID world have been an abrupt reminder that healthcare is no longer business as usual in Canada. A reminder that approaches to digitally enabled care must be embraced, if we are to rise to the challenge and enhance health access, outcomes and equity for Canadians. Digital Health Canada is uniquely positioned to support this new digitally enabled healthcare paradigm and I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to the Board of Directors, to help accelerate digital care adoption in Canada.
Over the course of my career, I have had the good fortune to contribute to a number of key Canadian and US digital health initiatives, that have shaped my view of the transformative power of digital health. From my work crafting the Province of Ontario’s original (and 3 subsequent) eHealth Strategy to the creation of the Eastern Ontario Telemedicine Network (Care Connect) with Kathy Steegstra, to crafting the government proposal to create the Ontario Telemedicine Network and designing the governance and funding model to support its success with Ed Brown, to my roles as the Executive in Residence for both McMaster University’s Department of Family Medicine’s and Ontario Centres of Excellence’s OSCAR EMR initiatives, to my years leading digital health and professional services for Telus Health and Emergis and my work with US health plans and health systems over the past 10 years, I have always worked to create a more accessible healthcare system through thoughtful innovation. At this point in my career, the opportunity to apply these experiences and learnings to support the acceleration of thoughtful innovation and truly make a difference in both the health of Canadians and the long-term sustainability of the Canadian healthcare system is a strong personal motivator.
How does your experience align with the Digital Health Canada strategic plan and mandate?
As Digital Health Canada continues to execute its Strategic Plan and fulfill its mandate as an advocate and accelerator for digital health innovation in Canada, the role of a strong leadership team and a forward-looking Board will be essential. Board Directors that provide strong governance tempered with a deep knowledge of current and emerging digital health innovation, innovative funding models, provider/payor/vendor stakeholders and what has worked and what hasn’t, will be increasingly critical to success. Through my roles leading large US and Canadian digital health deployments, as a Board Member on the Governor of Florida’s Telehealth Advisory Board, as a Board Advisor to numerous Canadian and US digital health companies and as the global healthcare lead for Hypertec Group’s digital health logistics company (Medioh), I have developed a unique perspective on both the current state of digital health innovation and opportunities for transforming healthcare through innovation. A perspective and commitment to making healthcare better, more equitable and accessible, that aligns directly with the mandate and strategy of Digital Health Canada.
What unique skills, perspectives and contributions would you bring to the Digital Health Canada Board?
My depth of experience has been augmented by direct exposure to digital innovation models, leading digital health solutions and payment structures to support adoption and utilization across the United States and Canada. Through my roles leading large US and Canadian digital health deployments, as a Board Member on the Governor of Florida’s Telehealth Advisory Board, Chair of the Canada Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Health Innovation Committee, as a Board Advisor to numerous Canadian and US digital health companies and as the global healthcare lead for Hypertec Group’s digital health logistics company (Medioh), I have developed a unique perspective on the current and future state of digital health innovation, market-leading solutions, innovative funding and policy models that drive adoption. This unique international perspective is augmented by my skill as a connector. Moving the digital health and healthcare agenda requires collaboration and building networks of partners. The ability of Digital Health Canada to make connections and build partnerships is key and I feel that I can certainly bring this to the table.
Do you or have or have you ever had any direct patient care experience (clinical)?
No, I am not a clinician.
What segments within the Digital Health Canada community do you feel you will best represent?
- Executives/CIOs
- Telehealth
- Vendors
- Leaders
- Digital Health Entrepreneurs
With which Digital Health Canada committees, task groups or activities have you volunteered in the past five years? Describe your most significant contributions to Digital Health Canada’s mission.
- Women Leaders in Digital Health Adjudication Committee
- 2023 Digital Health Awards Adjudication Committee
What other board appointments or relevant leadership experiences have you had in the past five years?
- Canada Florida Chamber of Commerce – Chair, Health Innovation Committee
- State of Florida Governor’s Telehealth Advisory Board – Board Member
- Ontario Centres of Excellence, Government of Ontario – Executive in Residence
- McMaster University Department of Family Medicine – Executive in Residence
- Care Angel – Board Advisor
- ThoughtWire – Strategic Advisor
- HeadCheck Health – Strategic Advisor
- Independa/LG – Board Advisor
Please tell us why you feel Digital Health Canada members should vote for you.
With visionary leadership and a strong Board, Digital Health Canada is in an excellent position to drive the transformation of healthcare in Canada through thoughtful innovation. Through my roles leading large Canadian and US digital health deployments, as a Board Member on the Governor of Florida’s Telehealth Advisory Board, Chair of the Canada Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Health Innovation Committee, as a Board Advisor to numerous Canadian and US digital health companies and as the global healthcare lead for Hypertec Group’s digital health logistics company (Medioh), I have a developed a unique perspective on the current and future state of digital health innovation, market-leading solutions, innovative funding and policy models that drive adoption. I would love the opportunity to leverage my unique international perspective and experience to help accelerate the adoption of digital health innovation in Canada, to support a strong, sustainable Canadian healthcare system.
Do you currently hold the Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems – Canada (CPHIMS-CA) credential?
No
What is your educational background? Please list all degrees and designations.
Master of Business Administration McMaster University, Degroote School of Business Specializing in Health System Management
Bachelor of Science McMaster University
