Event Details
Digital Health Canada BC26
Details
- Date: February 5
-
Time:
8:00 am - 7:00 pm PST
Venue
- Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
-
1133 W Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3T3 Canada
Organizer
- MEMBER PRICE / NON-MEMBER PRICE
- $297 / $377
Registration fees shown include 5% GST.
Sponsorship
To inquire about sponsoring this event, contact Dino Falvo.
Cancellation
Registration cancellations received before 5:00 PM PT on January 5, 2026, will be eligible for a full refund. Registration cancellations received after 5:00 PM PT on January 5, 2026, are non-refundable. An alternate attendee’s name may be substituted until February 4, 2026. 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.
Professional Development
Earn 4.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for attending this event.
Digital Health Canada BC26
Details
- Date: February 5
-
Time:
8:00 am - 7:00 pm PST
Venue
- Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
-
1133 W Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3T3 Canada
Organizer
- MEMBER PRICE / NON-MEMBER PRICE
- $297 / $377
Join us February 5, 2026 in the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront Ballroom for the Digital Health Canada BC 2026 Conference, bringing together professionals, organizations, and ideas from across the British Columbia digital health landscape. Attendees connect with existing communities and initiate new relationships within both traditional and emerging segments of health and healthcare in the greater Vancouver area.
Early Bird registration for Digital Health Canada Members is $297. Registration includes your ticket to the MeetUp on the 19th floor immediately following the conference.
Tell others about the conference! Download and post any of the promotional images below.
Schedule
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. |
Networking Breakfast + Registration Opens |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. |
Opening Remarks
|
| 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. |
Built With Patients: Digital Health That Earns Trust and Improves CareA brain tumor diagnosis turned Claire into a “non-routine patient” navigating disconnected systems and forcing her to build her own “single source of truth” just to manage her care. In this keynote, Claire will connect lived experience with digital health practice to show why solutions must be designed with patients, families, and caregivers and not delivered to them.
|
| 10:25 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. |
Technology-Enabled Care at Home: Practical Models for Supporting SeniorsThis session explores practical, technology-enabled care models that support seniors in remaining safely and independently at home while easing pressure on long-term care systems. It will examine how these programs are being implemented, the policy and funding structures that enable them, the role of technology in bridging care gaps outside traditional facility-based care, and the impact that these programs have on patients. Grounded in real examples from British Columbia, the discussion highlights patient experience and the measurable impact on quality of life, long-term care waitlists, and system capacity.
|
| 11:10 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. |
Networking Break |
| 11:40 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. |
Unlocking the Potential of Canada’s Hospital Data: Enabling Timely Insights and Innovation (Sponsored by CIHI)CIHI is partnering with provinces, territories, and hospital organizations to modernize hospital data, making pan-Canadian insights available faster than ever before. By improving the timeliness, quality, and usability of hospital data, this work supports health system leaders, clinicians, and governments in responding to emerging health issues, emergency department pressures, and hospital capacity challenges. Transforming hospital data requires strong collaboration and responsible data stewardship across the health system. CIHI is advancing near real-time data flows and modernizing hospital data standards to create a strong foundation for connected care and future innovation. A key focus of this work also involves partnering with hospital and health authorities to assess the potential of AI-assisted coding and automation to make meaningful improvements to manual coding workflows, overall data quality, and clinical documentation. Working with partners, CIHI and is developing an approach to evaluating these innovative tools, along with an implementation toolkit to support future scale and spread. This session will explore CIHI’s vision for near real-time, fit-for-purpose hospital data flows; how collaboration across the hospital sector is enabling innovation; and insights on how AI-assisted coding can improve data timeliness and quality, reduce administrative burden, and support coders in focusing on more complex and value-added work.
|
| 11:40 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. |
Bridging the Gaps: Connecting Practices, Communities & Care in BC’s Digital Era (Sponsored by Petal Health)British Columbia is in the midst of an evolving health landscape that demands deeper integration. Building connections across primary care networks, digital systems, and provincial policies to offer a seamless, patient-centered experiences for both providers and communities is essential. This panel discussion with Dr. Baldev Sanghera, Family Physician, Doctors of BC President-Elect, and Dr. Jaron Easterbrook, Family Physician, Family Practice Services Committee Member, will explore the intersection of care delivery, technology, and system-wide alignment in British Columbia through their combined decades of clinical and operational expertise. Moderated by Elliot Desilets of Petal Health, this session will:
|
| 12:25 p.m. -1:25 p.m. |
Networking Lunch |
| 1:25 p.m.-2:10 p.m. |
Connecting Practices, Communities + Care: The Power of Shared Primary Care DataThe Health Data Coalition (HDC) empowers family physicians and nurse practitioners by putting meaningful clinical data in their hands. Through the HDC Discover application, providers gain insights into their patient populations, identify strengths, and uncover opportunities to improve care. In family medicine, data is more than numbers—it represents relationships with known people and their stories, often with life-changing outcomes. HDC Discover offers over 400 practice measures, aggregated at individual, clinic, community, regional, and provincial levels. Users can compare trends across groups, visualize their impact, and see how collective efforts drive better patient outcomes. This session will share how through trust and connection, primary care data connects practices, strengthens communities and transforms care delivery.
|
| 2:20 p.m. – 3:05 p.m. |
The BYOAI Era: Healthcare’s Next Big Risk—or Its Biggest Opportunity? The BC SCRIBE TrialAs generative AI becomes ubiquitous, healthcare organizations are confronting the rise of “Bring Your Own AI” (BYOAI), as clinicians independently adopt consumer tools to address documentation and workflow pressures. While these tools may improve efficiency, unregulated clinical use introduces significant risks related to privacy, security, regulatory compliance, and liability—risks that bans have proven ineffective at addressing. In response, British Columbia launched the BC Scribe Trial, a first-of-its-kind, multi-vendor evaluation of ambient AI scribes designed to provide a governed alternative to unmanaged BYOAI. Led by PHSA with partner health authorities, the program evaluated six tools across multiple EMRs and care settings, spanning approximately 8,000 providers, guided by Canada Health Infoway’s Technology Evaluation Framework. Designed with scale in mind, the program established pathways for post-trial deployment through standardized, health authority–compliant contracts, a self-pay access model, enterprise support structures, and clear vendor accountability—forming a new public–private partnership model for safe, scalable, and trustworthy AI adoption.
|
| 3:05 p.m. – 3:35 p.m. |
Networking Break |
| 3:35 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. |
Closing Keynote: Addressing Health System Challenges
|
| 4:20 p.m. – 4:35 p.m. |
Digital Health Canada Strategy Focus Group
|
| 4:35 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. |
Closing Remarks
|
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
MeetUpSegue into snacks and socializing after the conference.Keep the important conversations flowing or join us after work and wind up the day over a snack and a beverage at the official conference MeetUp on the 19th floor of the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront.
|
Speakers
-
Bob Baker
Cultural Advisor, Performer
Read MoreBob Baker (Squamish Ancestral name is S7aplek, Hawaiian name is Lanakila) is co-founder and Spokesperson for Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song) the most reputable Dance Group of the Squamish Nation.
Born and Raised Squamish, Bob has been exercising his Culture through Singing, Dances, and various presentations, for over 35 years . Accomplishments range from revival of Sea-going Canoes and traditions, to Cultural projects such as the 27 ft. Grandmother Welcome Figure, at Ambleside Beach Park, to dance presentations in Taiwan, Hawaii, Japan, Switzerland, (Montreaux Jazz Festival), and opening Ceremonies for Western Canada Summer games, Nation Aboriginal Hockey Championships, International U18 Lacrosse Championships, and recently, opening ceremony for the Canada Aboriginal Music Awards. To Blessing Ceremonies for B.C. Ferries, in Flensburg, Germany and the Tallships flotilla Blessing Ceremony here at English bay, Vancouver. On-going performances and projects continue through-out the Lower Mainland, Vancouver, Squamish-Whistler and Vancouver Island.
In the warmer months Bob can be found training in the traditional dug-out war canoes, as well as the Great Sea-going Canoes, and as a steersman for Tribal Journeys, and the Pulling Together Journey, visiting Villages along our beautiful coasts of British Columbia and, Washington State.
Read Less -
Chris Carvalho
Board President, Digital Health Canada
Read MoreRead Less -
Shelagh Maloney
CEO, Digital Health Canada
Read MoreShelagh’s career has been defined by a passion for digital health and its transformative ability to improve the patient and provider experience. In her previous national executive leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, Shelagh earned widespread recognition for her business development, relationship management, consensus-building, and communication skills. Shelagh was named as one of the Women Leaders in Digital Health (2017) and a Digital Health Canada Fellow (2023). 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). Notably, she played a key role in hiring Digital Health Canada’s first CEO during her tenure as Board President (2006-2008). 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).
Read Less -
Claire Snyman
Health Care Advocate, Two Steps Forward
Read MoreClaire Snyman is an author, TEDx speaker, and Patient Experience & Engagement Strategist. Drawing on her lived experience with a brain tumour and chronic health conditions, she inspires people to take an active role in their own health. Claire advocates for stronger collaboration between patients, families, and healthcare systems to enhance access to care and health data, communication, improve the patient experience, and embed an understanding of what matters most to people across healthcare. She currently serves as Chair of NetworkedHealth BC.
Read Less -
Derrick Bernardo
President and CEO, Broadmead Care
Read MoreA senior health and continuing care executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience across public and private long-term care organizations. Known for driving innovation, leading complex system transformations, and delivering creative solutions to large-scale initiatives. Passionate about building vibrant communities where seniors and staff thrive, with a strong track record of cross-sector collaboration and stakeholder engagement across provinces. Holds an MBA, a BSc in Nursing, and a BSc.
Read Less -
Glenn Maxwell
Client Partner, Broadmead Care
Read MoreMr. Glenn Maxwell is a current client partner with Broadmead Care's LTC@Home Initiative. Glenn was born in1947 in Toronto, Canada. Glenn received his BA in 1970 and soon after completed his professional teachingcertifi cate in 1971. In 1984, he completed his Masters in Public Administration at the University of Victoria.
He devoted his life to teaching and later transferred to the Secretary Treasurer’s Offi ce in 1990 as Coordinator ofEnrollment and Student Information. By the late 90's Glenn experienced profound hearing loss which impactedhis ability to work. This diagnosis resulted in his early retirement from the education sector.Read Less -
Ian Rongve
Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health
Read MoreRead Less -
Juliana Wu
Executive Director, Health Data Advancement, Canadian Institute for Health Information
Read MoreAs Executive Director of Health Data Advancement, Juliana Wu provides vision and leadership for CIHI’s activities relating to emerging data expansion priorities and strategic planning efforts for the modernization and transformation of hospital and other health data infrastructure.
Ms. Wu has over 20 years of progressive leadership and management experience across CIHI’s data holdings and the corporate data request program. Prior to joining CIHI, she worked as a strategy consultant in the pharmaceutical industry. Ms. Wu earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and mathematics from Wellesley College in the United States and completed graduate-level training in business economics at Harvard University.
Read Less -
Dr. Baldev Sanghera
Family Physician, Doctors of BC President-Elect
Read MoreDr Sanghera is a full-service family physician in Burnaby who has been providing comprehensive care for the past 28 years across a wide range of settings—including palliative, geriatric, and pediatric care in community practice, long-term care, obstetrics, and hospitals. This breadth of experience has allowed him to work closely with family physicians, specialists, and hospitalists, deepening his understanding of the systemic issues that affect physicians across all care environments. This, along with his unique life experiences, has also instilled in him the belief that there is always a constructive way forward.
Outside of his clinical work, he is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of doctors, having previously acted as a clinical instructor for UBC medical students and a National Board examiner for the Medical Council of Canada.
Dr Sanghera has been actively involved with Doctors of BC in various capacities, including as a Representative Assembly Delegate, Vice Co-Chair of the Family Practice Services Committee, and Vice Co-Chair of the Shared Care Committee, among other roles. He has also held several other leadership positions, including Founding Board Member and Board Director of the Burnaby Division of Family Practice, Physician Lead of Burnaby’s Primary Care Network Steering Committee, and Co-Founder and Director of BC’s first physician-led and operated UPCC, to name just a few.
Read Less -
Dr. Jaron Easterbrook
Family Physician, Family Practice Services Committee Member
Read MoreDr Easterbrook is a family physician at Three Cedars MD, located on the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples in Sidney, BC. He attended medical school at the University of Calgary and completed his Family Medicine Residency at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine in 2018. Dr Easterbrook also has a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Victoria and an MBA in International Marketing from the University of Toronto.
Before he started practicing medicine, Dr Easterbrook spent 15 years in marketing, most recently as National Marketing Manager for Apple and Product Manager for EMR & Integration with Canada Health Infoway. He made the switch to medicine after shadowing an ICU physician.
Dr Easterbrook currently leads FPSC’s work on the After Hours Care and Urban Locum programs. Among other medical leadership activities, he was Vice Chair of his Division as a resident, previously on the board of the Health Data Coalition, and is the Treasurer for BC Family Doctors (formerly the Society of General Practitioners, which he led through a successful rebrand).
He is passionate about knowledge transfer, sharing tools and resources to reduce workloads and improve practices for family doctors across the province. Dr Easterbrook delivers longitudinal family medicine through his clinic in Sidney and provides inpatient care at Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Read Less -
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.
Read Less -
Monique Rasmussen
Regional Director, Coding & Informatics, Providence Health Care
Read MoreMonique Rasmussen is the Regional Director of Coding and Informatics Services at Providence Health Care here in BC, leading enterprise-wide strategies for clinical coding, data quality, and clinical documentation improvement across multiple health organizations. With over 25 years in Health Information Management, she oversees a team of coding professionals and drives innovation through advanced coding technologies to support delivery of high-quality data with BC's health system. She holds a Master of Health Administration specializing in Health Informatics and Information Management and actively contributes to national and provincial HIM advisory committees.
Read Less -
Gayle Grout
Executive Director, Health Data Coalition
Read MoreGayle Grout is a seasoned Information Management leader with a passion to build solutions to support our healthcare system in Canada. She has experience in IT Strategy, Software Implementation and Business Development and enjoys improving products, services, processes and supporting people development. Her increased interest in implementation science, coupled with her change management experience, is what gets her excited about supporting professions that ultimately have the greater population's good health in mind.
Read Less -
Dr. Cole Stanley
Medical Director, Health Data Coalition
Read MoreDr. Cole Stanley is a Family Physician in Vancouver and Medical Director with the Health Data Coalition of BC (HDC). He works clinically in community and inner-city primary care settings and has a longstanding interest in using shared clinical data to support quality improvement, equity, and better system design in primary care. Cole is a Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) Faculty member and has been involved in developing and implementing data-informed improvement initiatives across clinics and communities. His work focuses on bridging the gap between digital health tools, real-world clinical workflows, and meaningful improvements in patient care.
Read Less -
Dr. Lawrence Yang
Medical Director, Health Data Coalition
Read MoreLawrence Yang MD CCFP is a clinical instructor at UBC & SFU. Lawrence runs engaging workshops on healthcare leadership & improving team dynamics in healthcare. Trained at Weill Cornell Medical College in NYC, he is a longitudinal care family doctor in Surrey BC. As co-medical director of the physician led Health Data Coalition, Lawrence is an advocate for the sextuple aim using data informed QI. He is a former department head of family medicine at Surrey Memorial Hospital & is currently on the board of his local Division of Family Practice. He co-leads the provincial Physician QI Alums program. He’s an alum of the Clinician Quality Academy of Health Quality BC and an IHI trained QI Coach and Advisor.
Read Less -
Dr. Angel Arnaout
Chief Medical Informatics Officer (CMIO), Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)
Read MoreDr. Angel Arnaout, MD MSc FRCSC MBA FACS
Surgical Oncologist and Professor of Surgery, UBC
Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Provincial Health Services Authority
Dr. Angel Arnaout is a Surgical Oncologist, UBC Professor of Surgery, Scientist and Chief Medical Informatics Officer at the Provincial Health Service Authority (PHSA) in BC. At PHSA, she is spearheading the use of AI tools to address practical pain points for frontline healthcare providers, using a responsible framework for deployment, evaluation, monitoring and remuneration.Read Less -
Cynthia Johansen
Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health
Read MoreCynthia Johansen was appointed deputy minister in April 2025. Previously, she served as registrar and chief executive officer for the BC College of Nurses and Midwives, the largest health profession regulator in Western Canada.
With a regulatory career beginning in 2003, she has played a pivotal role in bringing people and organizations together — including government, other regulators and the public — to improve and transform professional practice standards and regulation.
Cynthia’s leadership was instrumental in advancing the amalgamation of the nursing regulatory colleges in B.C., implementing a national nursing licensure database for Canada, and integrating Indigenous-specific anti-racism into professional standards for health professionals. She holds degrees in political science, leadership studies and information management.
Read Less
