Event Details
Digital Health Canada ATL25
Details
- Date: October 9, 2025
-
Time:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm ADT
Venue
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Dartmouth
-
240 Brownlow Avenue
Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X6 Canada
Organizer
- MEMBER PRICE / NON-MEMBER PRICE
- $299 / $386
Registration fees shown include 14% HST.
Cancellation policy
Registration cancellations received before 5:00 PM ADT on Sept 8, 2025, will be eligible for a full refund. Registration cancellations received after 5:00 PM ADT on Sept 8, 2025, are non-refundable. An alternate attendee’s name may be substituted until Oct 8, 2025. For more information, please request substitutions in writing to info@digitalhealthcanada.com. Any registration transferred from a member to a non-member will be adjusted to the non-member rate.
Sponsorship opportunities
To inquire about sponsoring this event, contact Dino Falvo.
Accreditation
Earn 5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for attending this event.
Digital Health Canada ATL25
Details
- Date: October 9, 2025
-
Time:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm ADT
Venue
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Dartmouth
-
240 Brownlow Avenue
Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X6 Canada
Organizer
- MEMBER PRICE / NON-MEMBER PRICE
- $299 / $386
Join us for Digital Health Canada’s Atlantic 2025 Conference! This popular annual one-day conference offers networking and learning for members and digital health professionals from across the Atlantic Region. Registration for Digital Health Canada Members is $299 for Individual Members and $103 for Student Members. Non-Members, register for $386. Registration fees shown include 14% HST. Register here. Bring your team and save with Member Bundle Tickets! 5 Tickets: $1,102/10 Tickets: $2,046/25 Tickets: $5,507. Register here. Socialize the night before at the MeetUp. Maximize your networking and register separately for the Dartmouth MeetUp taking place the evening before the conference. Find more information and register here. Tell others about the conference. Download one of the images below and post on LinkedIn.
Schedule
| 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. |
Networking Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m.–9:15 a.m. |
Opening Remarks
|
| 9:15 a.m.–10:15 a.m. |
The Power of Partnership in Canadian Healthcare Innovation: Driving Value, Sustainability, and ResiliencePartnerships are the engine driving transformation in Canadian healthcare. This keynote explores 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 highlights how collective action can accelerate change, overcome barriers, and shape a more sustainable, innovative future for healthcare.
|
| 10:25 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. |
Making Systems Work for Patient Care: A Clinical PerspectiveLarge-scale health system rollouts can transform care delivery—but only if they meet the realities of clinical practice. This session brings the clinical perspective to the forefront, exploring the challenges, strategies, and lessons learned when implementing major systems. Attendees will gain insights into balancing innovation with workflow, patient safety, and frontline adoption.
|
| 11:10 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. |
Networking Break |
| 11:40 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. |
Rethinking Mobility in Healthcare (Sponsored by Spectralink)Clinicians face no shortage of challenges: unreliable communication, fragile devices that don’t last, inefficient workflows, slow medication scanning, and the constant demand to do more with less. These challenges directly impact staff efficiency, patient safety, and the overall care experience. This session brings together healthcare leaders to share real-world solutions that have transformed how their teams work. You’ll hear how organizations are tackling issues like:
If you’ve ever asked, “What would it take to solve these challenges for my team?” then this session offers answers. You’ll leave with proven strategies that address common challenges and a clearer vision of what’s possible when mobility solutions are purpose-built for healthcare.
|
| 11:40 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. |
How to Avoid ED Closures (Sponsored by Petal Health)Panellists will share practical “lessons learned” and best practices in this compelling vendor/solution agnostic discussion.
|
| 12:25 p.m. -1:25 p.m. |
Networking Lunch |
| 1:25 p.m.-2:10 p.m. |
Start-Ups Unplugged: Challenges, Wins and the Road AheadDigital 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. This candid panel will highlight lessons learned and what it really takes to move innovation from idea to impact.
|
| 2:20 p.m. – 3:05 p.m. |
Digital Pathways to Equity: Addressing Social DeterminantsThis session highlights practical approaches to leveraging digital tools to identify, address, and improve social determinants of health, bridging the gap between technology and community impact.
|
| 3:05 p.m. – 3:35 p.m. |
Networking Break |
| 3:35 p.m. – 4:35 p.m. |
Closing Keynote: When Data Doesn’t Speak - A Widow’s Story and a Call for Human-Centred Healthcare TransformationWhat happens when digital tools are introduced into healthcare, but the systems behind them can’t, or won’t, talk to one another? One year ago, I lost my husband to cancer. Our experience with the healthcare system in New Brunswick was largely positive. We were met with compassionate teams, innovative tools, and a sincere desire to help. But behind the scenes, I witnessed a system struggling to coordinate care across regions, unable to use the very data it was collecting, and far too often disconnected from itself, and from the patient experience. In this presentation, I’ll share my personal story and how it has reshaped my professional commitment to digital health transformation. As a consultant with Mariner working at the intersection of technology, change, and public service, I now approach my work with a deeper urgency and clarity about what matters most. This session will explore:
Whether you’re in government, health IT, or policy design, this session is a call to remember why the work matters and who it’s ultimately for. Learning Outcomes Participants will:
Closing Keynote Speaker
|
| 4:35 p.m. |
Closing Remarks
|
Speakers
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Shelagh Maloney
CEO, Digital Health Canada
Read MoreShelagh Maloney’s career has been defined by a passion for digital health and its transformative ability to improve the patient and provider experience. Prior to assuming the role of CEO, Digital Health Canada, Shelagh held national executive leadership roles in both the public and private sectors where she earned widespread recognition for her business development, relationship management, consensus-building, and communication skills.
A dedicated advocate for innovation and equity through digital health, Shelagh has shaped policy and practice through influential volunteer roles. She is currently Vice -Chair, Vision Loss Rehab Canada and has served as Vice Chair of SNOMED International, Board Chair of Digital Health Canada, and Board Director, Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). Shelagh holds a B.Sc . in Applied Health Sciences from the University of Waterloo and is a Certified Professional in Health Information & Management Systems (CPHIMS-CA).
In recognition of her contributions to the industry, Shelagh was an inaugural recipient of the Women Leaders in Digital Health in 2017 and was named a Digital Health Canada Fellow in 2023.
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Jennifer Sheils
Vice President Strategy, Transformation & Chief Innovation Officer, Horizon Health Network, Executive Lead CAN Health Network-Atlantic Edge
Read MoreJennifer Sheils is the Vice President of Strategy, Transformation and the Chief Innovation Officer for Horizon Health Network. To ensure a focused and coordinated approach to strategy and innovation, Jennifer leads this unique portfolio that encompasses the programs of continuous improvement, transformation, change management, and business intelligence.
She is also the executive leader responsible for the oversight of our IT systems, technology, cybersecurity, and e-health strategy for digital transformation.
Jennifer is part of the Executive Leadership team at Horizon, is a Board Director for the Canadian College of Health Leaders, sits on the Advisory Committee for Digital Health Canada Atlantic Chapter, and is a member of the Canadian Health Information Executive Forum (CHIEF). Jennifer is also a member of the CAN Health Network National Board of Directors and an advisory member for the National AI Council in Healthcare.
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Samuel Bourassa-Blanchette
Chief Medical Information Officer, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services
Read MoreDr. Samuel Bourassa-Blanchette is a dual-certified Infectious Diseases Physician and Medical Microbiologist currently serving as Chief Medical Information Officer and Clinical Assistant Professor with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services. With a foundation in internal medicine, medical microbiology, and infectious diseases, Dr. Bourassa-Blanchette completed medical training at McGill University, followed by postgraduate education at the University of Ottawa and the University of Calgary. Further advancing his expertise, he earned a Master of Education from the University of Ottawa. He is committed to excellence in both patient care and academic medicine and shows a professional interest in education and Digital Health implementation.
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Erin Gisborne
OPOR Senior Director-Clinical, Nova Scotia Health
Read MoreErin Gisborne is the Senior Director of Clinical for Nova Scotia’s One Person One Record (OPOR) program, leading provincial clinical readiness, engagement, and adoption efforts across multiple Go-Lives. A registered nurse with 15 years of experience in corrections, adult medicine, and critical care, Erin later moved into professional practice and clinical informatics, where she supported a CIS implementation in Ontario. She has lived in Nova Scotia for three years and is passionate about driving digital practice transformation, preparing clinicians for change, and aligning provincial partners to improve patient care and clinician experience.
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Robin Carriere
Provincial Chief Nursing Information Officer, New Brunswick Department of Health
Read MoreRobin Carriere is a healthcare leader with extensive experience driving clinical and digital transformation across hospitals and regional health authorities. Robin has led multidisciplinary teams through more than half a dozen major Electronic Health Record (EHR) implementations in Ontario, British Columbia and New Brunswick. Robin bridges the clinical and technical worlds, ensuring that digital health solutions truly enable front-line practice and system-wide improvement. Known for his clear-eyed approach and ability to navigate complex change, he brings practical, real-world insight into how technology and clinical practice can align to deliver lasting impact.
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Matt Keyser
Channel Sales Manager, Spectralink
Read MoreMatthew Keyser is a senior leader with extensive experience in healthcare, enterprise, and retail technology, specializing in building global partnerships that drive innovation and improve care delivery. With over two decades of experience, he has guided healthcare organizations through the complexities of technology transformation by aligning solutions with the needs of clinicians, administrators, and patients.
Matthew has been instrumental in launching healthcare technology solutions across North America and Europe, working closely within an organization to integrate new systems into existing infrastructures while minimizing disruptions to daily operations. His expertise in strategic alliance development includes establishing master distributorships across multiple countries and cultivating trusted relationships. By listening closely to individuals’ challenges, he helps organizations navigate the dynamic intersection of technology and clinical workflows, delivering practical, scalable solutions that enhance patient care.
Passionate about collaboration and innovation, Matthew helps healthcare organizations to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
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Joe Walsh
Chief Solutions Officer, St. Joseph’s Health System
Read MoreJoe Walsh is Chief Solutions Officer for St. Joseph’s Health System, where he leads digital solutions across five organizations. With over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, he has guided major hospital builds, system-wide integrations, a large-scale HIS refresh, and the comprehensive revision of clinical downtime plans to support frontline resilience.
A PhD candidate in Health Information Science at the University of Victoria, Joe’s research focuses on clinical downtime resilience and safety frameworks for safer, more reliable care. He also brings leadership experience in analytics, privacy, and health records.Joe is an active contributor to Canada’s digital health community, speaking on cybersecurity, interoperability, and the role of mobility and integration in empowering clinicians at the point of care.
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Guy-Marie Joseph
President and Co-Founder, ConnecTalk Consulting Services Inc.
Read MoreGuy-Marie Joseph is President and Co-Founder of ConnecTalk Consulting Services Inc., where he leads efforts to deliver innovative technology solutions that help organizations improve communication, security, and operational efficiency. With over three decades of experience in the information technology sector, he has guided clients through the complexities of digital transformation, specializing in networking, enterprise wireless, unified communications, and custom software solutions.
Guy-Marie combines deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of business strategy and organizational change. He works closely with organizations to design and integrate tailored solutions, ensuring technology investments align with operational needs, daily practices, and long-term growth. Under his leadership, ConnecTalk has built trusted partnerships across industries while fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Guy-Marie is also a dedicated community leader, supporting cultural and artistic initiatives within the Haitian-Canadian community.
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Elliot Desilets
Director of Government Relations, Petal Health
Read MoreElliot Desilets is the Director of Government Relations at Petal Health, where he leads stakeholder engagement initiatives across Canada and spearheads strategic partnerships with provincial healthcare systems. With over a decade of experience in healthcare, Elliot has held diverse roles supporting systems in both Canada and the United States, with a particular focus on the Canadian public sector over the past five years.
In addition to his role at Petal Health, Elliot serves as a Board Member at Large for Manitoba with the HIMSS Canadian Prairie Chapter, contributing to the advancement of health information and technology across the region.
Elliot holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, where he was also a member of the baseball team. He later earned a Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Manitoba, conducting research aimed at enhancing the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces.
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Janet Sommers, MD, CCFP (EM)
Medical Executive Director, Northern Zone and Senior Medical Director, Virtual Urgent and Emergent Care Nova Scotia at Nova Scotia Health
Read MoreDr. Jan Sommers is an emergency physician at Colchester East Hants Health Centre. She is the current Medical Executive Director of the Northern Zone for Nova Scotia Health Authority, and as Zone Emergency Department Head from 2022-2025. She is a graduate of Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine (2005) and completed her family medicine training at Dalhousie’s Northumberland Site in Moncton, NB (2007). She returned to Halifax for an additional year of training in emergency medicine acquiring her certificate of added competence (emergency medicine) in 2008. She has worked as a clinician and innovator in the delivery and development of virtual care since 2020. Her professional interests include leadership, quality improvement, clinical teaching, mentoring wellness in medicine, leveraging technology and innovation to improve access to health care, and deepening her knowledge and practice of emergency medicine. Dr Sommers is married to Dr Ryan Sommers (Dalhousie Medicine, 2006) and together they have four children and two dogs. She is an avid reader, gardener, and outdoor enthusiast.
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Nevin Pick
President, Mobia Health Innovations
Read MoreNevin Pick is the President of Mobia Health Innovations, where he leads the company’s mission to transform healthcare through innovative digital solutions. With extensive experience in healthcare technology and business leadership, Nevin is focused on delivering impactful software that improves access, coordination, and outcomes across the healthcare system. Under his leadership, Mobia Health Innovations continues to drive forward partnerships and solutions that address some of the most pressing challenges in modern healthcare.
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Justin Hartlen
CEO, Virtual Hallway
Read MoreJustin Hartlen is the CEO and co-founder of Virtual Hallway, one of Canada’s largest clinical networks and the country’s leading online provider of accredited medical education. Nearly 10,000 clinicians use the platform to share insight across more than 50 specialties, making Virtual Hallway a trusted space for collaboration and case-based learning.
With close to 20 years of experience introducing innovation to physicians and health systems, Justin has seen firsthand what drives adoption—and what holds it back. That perspective shapes his work at Virtual Hallway, where the focus is on breaking down silos and enabling faster, more informed clinical decisions across the healthcare system.
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Mark Richardson
CEO, Skip the Waiting Room
Read MoreAfter a 15 year career in Provincial Healthcare IT, and a number of IT implementations Mark decided to start a company to change how to access healthcare services. It has been an eye opening journey of over 8 years, with slow incremental changes and opportunities.
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Darren Mastropaolo
Chief Executive Officer, 211 Nova Scotia
Read MoreDarren Mastropaolo is the Chief Executive Officer at 211 Nova Scotia, a not-for-profit organization that provides free, confidential, 24/7 navigation assistance for people in need of community, social and government services. 211NS maintains the province's largest up-to-date database of social supports and has designed, developed, or advised on some of the Nova Scotia's most impactful social innovation.
Prior to his role at 211NS, Darren has spent the past 10+ years leading scalable public sector innovation, primarily in mental health. He built and led the Innovation & Data team at Kids Help Phone which launched KHP's Innovation & Applied Research Accelerator (acceleratorKHP), he was part of the founding team at Crisis Text Line where he led volunteer retention and international expansion for the world’s most scalable mental health service delivery model and technology (100,000+ trained volunteers and 12 million+ conversations), and developed impactful partnerships with some of the worlds largest orgs and brands - Coca-Cola, Google.org, ESPN, AARP, Truth Initiative, UK's Royal Foundation, Ireland’s Ministry of Health, NZ Telehealth.
Darren describes himself as a lifelong learner who believes in the power of asking good questions. He studied psychology with a focus on learning and behaviour at Bucknell University where he played NCAA basketball. Outside of work, you’ll find him spending quality time with family, cooking, exploring a river, and playing tennis or music. Darren lives in Nova Scotia with his wife, his growing family, and a very good dog.
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Janine Kaye
Manager, Interoperability Engagement, Canadian Institute for Health Information
Read MoreJanine Kaye has been a leader in digital health for over 20 years, with experience spanning business intelligence, data warehousing, data governance, and master data management. As Manager of Interoperability Engagement at CIHI, she is focused on advancing Canada’s healthcare interoperability landscape, with a strong emphasis on information quality and patient safety.
Janine holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo and is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS-CA). She also contributes to the sector as a faculty member with Digital Health Canada, supporting the development of future digital health professionals.
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Rachel Gillespie
Senior Consultant, Mariner Innovations
Read MoreRachel Gillespie is a Senior Consultant and trusted advisor with Mariner Innovations, where she leads large-scale transformations across healthcare, government, and the private sector. In 2024, she lost her husband to cancer, an experience that reshaped how she sees the world and deepened her understanding of the human side of change. Today, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her mission: helping organizations design change that connects people, strengthens systems, and restores humanity at the centre. A speaker and writer on the power of human-centred transformation, Rachel lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where she is raising her daughter and building communities of change, connection, and belonging.
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