Digital Health Canada SK25
Details
- Date:
- November 13
- Time:
-
8:00 am - 4:30 pm CST
Venue
- Delta Hotels Regina
-
1919 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina, SK S4P 4H2 Canada
Organizer
- MEMBER PRICE / NON-MEMBER PRICE
- $276 / $356
Join us in Regina on Thursday, November 13, for SK25, Digital Health Canada’s 2025 Saskatchewan Conference featuring regional experts discussing Saskatchewan’s Digital Health Strategy, Digital Literacy & Patient Empowerment, Innovation in Practice, AI in Healthcare Settings, and Indigenous Health Data & Digital Approaches.
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Schedule
| 8:00 a.m–9:00 a.m. |
Registration + Networking Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. |
Opening RemarksShelagh Maloney will set the stage for SK25 with opening remarks, framing the importance of digital health innovation across Saskatchewan. This will be followed by a land acknowledgment and opening prayer led by a knowledge keeper, grounding the day in respect, reflection, and shared purpose.
|
| 9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. |
Opening Keynote: Saskatchewan’s Digital Health StrategyHow is Saskatchewan shaping the future of connected care? This session will highlight the province’s bold vision for digital health, outlining priorities for building a system that is more patient-centered, integrated, and sustainable. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of where the strategy is headed and how it will impact patients, providers, and communities across Saskatchewan.
|
| 9:45 a.m.–10:45 a.m. |
Digital Health Executive Team DiscussionWhat does Saskatchewan’s Digital Health Strategy mean for the future of care in Saskatchewan? This panel will feature perspectives from multiple regional leaders with a focus on collaboration, culture change, and confidence in the new strategic direction.
|
| 10:45 a.m.–11:25 a.m. |
Networking Break |
| 11:25 a.m.–12:15 p.m. |
Digital Health Executive Team Panel Discussion: Engagement SessionThis session will take a deeper dive into Saskatchewan’s Digital Health Strategy, including:
|
| 12:15 p.m.–1:25 p.m. |
Networking Lunch |
| 1:25 p.m.–2:00 p.m. |
Digital Literacy & Patient Empowerment: Connecting Seamlessly Through a Provincial Booking SystemWhat does it take to truly empower patients in the digital era? How can we ensure that no one is left behind as healthcare becomes more digital? This panel explores how a provincial booking system can bridge the gap between patients and programs, creating smoother, more accessible pathways to care. Panelists will share real-world lessons on digital literacy, equity, and the role of technology in building trust and confidence among patients.
|
| 2:10 p.m.–2:55 p.m. |
Partnering with Indigenous Communities to Advance Virtual HealthcareHow can digital tools support Indigenous health sovereignty and improve access to care? This keynote explores innovative approaches that respect cultural values, strengthen partnerships, and create pathways toward more equitable, community-driven healthcare solutions.
|
| 2:55 p.m.–3:35 p.m. |
Networking Break |
| 3:35 p.m.–4:30 p.m. |
Practical Use of AI in Healthcare SettingsAI in healthcare is no longer just theory—it’s happening now. This session features a live AI scribe demonstration, capturing a doctor–patient interaction in real time. Speakers will unpack the learnings from this technology, explore other AI-enabled tools, and hear how AI is being scaled nationally. The panel will ask: how can we responsibly integrate AI into care while safeguarding trust and quality?
|
| 4:30 p.m.–4:40 p.m. |
Closing RemarksTo wrap up the day, Shelagh Maloney will reflect on the key themes and takeaways from SK25, and invite continued collaboration in building a digitally connected, equitable, and innovative health system for all Canadians. • Shelagh Maloney, CEO, Digital Health Canada |
Speakers
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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).
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Brenda Dubois
Matriarch
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David Matear
Assistant Deputy Minister, Health, Government of Saskatchewan
Read MoreDavid W. Matear is an internationally experienced senior executive healthcare leader. He is a Board certified (FACHE) and PhD qualified organizational leader, academician, educator, researcher, and senior administrator. For over 28 years David has demonstrated expertise in government, university, hospital, public health services, institutionalized and vulnerable populations, consulting, and public and private industry senior leadership appointments within Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, and the Middle East, seeking to bring leadership excellence to complex healthcare systems.
His areas of expertise include healthcare and academic strategic planning and management, policy analysis and strategy, public health, systems analysis and evaluation, leading organizational change, emergency management, quality improvement and organizational performance, developing and managing human capital and operations in academic, healthcare services, and business environments.
As an authentic and trusted operational leader recognized for fostering collaborative environments, driving organizational change, and achieving outstanding results, David is adept at leading diverse teams and implementing effective, data-driven solutions. In 2022, as Provincial Incident Commander for the Government of Manitoba, he led organization of the Incident Command System (ICS) at provincial, regional and local levels for emergency response and recovery management for the Covid-19 pandemic. He successfully reestablished healthcare system operations to pre-pandemic levels due to a strong focus on results achievement, responsiveness, and accountability. In 2023, as Provincial Executive Director for the Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force (DSRTF) in Manitoba he led the elimination of diagnostic and surgical backlogs and significant system capacity increases, resulting in reductions in wait times. David currently serves the province of Saskatchewan as Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Health with responsibility for Strategy and Innovation, and Health Informatics Branches, focusing on the collaborative development of provincial health strategy and digital health strategy.
David’s numerous achievements also include board membership with the American College of Healthcare Executives, Canada (ACHE Canada). Currently Vice-Chair of the Board, and Director for Western Canada he collaboratively planned and implemented a strategic plan for a nationwide education program. He developed strategic partnerships with 6 high profile organizations, established an annual American (ACHE) – Canadian (CCHL) joint educational event and achieved the highest evaluation scores recorded for an educational event. In his distinguished career he has been awarded with the American College of Healthcare Executives, Regents Award (Senior Leadership), Canada; Commendation from the BC Provincial Premier for his role in the BC Wildfires of 2017; Public Service Medal for leadership role in the Alberta Wildfires of 2016; nominated for North Zone Leadership Award. Alberta Health Services (Spirit of Excellence Awards); Strategic Leadership Award, Health Authority Abu Dhabi; and a Speaker Award – Healthcare Quality Management at the International Primary Healthcare Conference. David’s personal success has been built on a transformational and collaborative approach in leadership and strategic management which identified high priority strategic goals.
David’s extensive experience in healthcare and academic leadership along with strong background on numerous boards and committees, many speaking engagements, demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, leading transformational change, relationship building, financial operations, fostering collaboration and consensus building, analyzing complex data to plan, implement, evaluate, and report on business performance qualifies him as an SME – subject matter expert in all areas of executive leadership and management.
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Dr. Christo Lotz
Assistant Professor Department Family Medicine USASK, SMA Chair EMR Comanagement and family physician, Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA)
Read MoreDr. Christo Lotz is a dedicated family physician based in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, with a profound passion for transforming health care through innovative data management. Drawing from his extensive experience navigating Electronic Medical Records (EMR), he recognizes the critical shortfall where clinicians spend excessive time on data entry rather than interpretation, often at the expense of patient engagement and optimal outcomes. Committed to advancement, Dr. Lotz advocates for enhanced system integration and accessibility, enthusiastically exploring cutting-edge strategies involving machine learning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and graph theory to revolutionize the field. Beyond his professional pursuits, Dr. Lotz is deeply involved in community volunteering and serves as the family Uber, shuttling his four children to various activities. In his leisure time, he indulges in hands-on hobbies like repairing bicycle drive trains and 3D printing intricate clock mechanisms. As the household IT expert, he ensures seamless streaming of favourites like Stranger Things, YouTube, and The Mandalorian, blending technical savvy with family life.
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Michelle Mula
Vice President, Quality, Safety & Information and Chief Information Officer, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Read MoreMichelle Mula is an accomplished digital transformation leader dedicated to advancing quality, safety, and innovation across Saskatchewan’s health system. As Vice President – Quality, Safety & Information and Chief Information Officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, she leads the Saskatchewan Health Authority's digital transformation agenda, integrating data, technology, and clinical excellence to enhance patient outcomes and system performance. Michelle has guided largescale initiatives in virtual care, analytics, and digital health enablement, fostering collaboration between clinicians, business partners, and patients to deliver safer, more connected care. Recognized as 2021 Woman Leader in Digital Health, she is known for her strategic vision, inclusive leadership, and ability to translate innovation into measurable health improvements. Michelle continues to inspire teams and partners to embrace technology as a catalyst for transformation, ensuring healthcare in Saskatchewan remains accessible, equitable, and patient centred.
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Dr. Jenny Basran
Deputy Chief Medical Officer - Quality, Safety and Information, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Read MoreDr. Jenny Basran is a specialist in Internal and Geriatric Medicine with over 20 years of experience in acute and community care. An Associate Professor of Medicine and former Head of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, she focuses on system improvement, technology and aging, and health system modelling. She has led provincial and national initiatives to advance care for older adults, patient safety, and system performance, and served on the executive of the Canadian Geriatric Society and CADTH’s Health Technology Expert Review Panel. A graduate of Intermountain Healthcare’s Advanced Training Program in Quality Improvement, Dr. Basran co-led Saskatchewan’s Connected Care Strategy and has also served as Senior Medical Information Officer at the SHA. Now Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Quality, Safety, and Information at the Saskatchewan Health Authority, she partners with Michelle Mula to advance digital transformation, analytics, and quality improvement across the system.
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Kevin Belitski
Patient Family Partner, Saskatchewan Ministry of Health
Read MoreKevin Belitski, CISM, is a Patient Family Partner with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and a member of Saskatchewan’s Digital Health Executive Team (DHET), where he represents patient and family perspectives in provincial digital health governance. He brings 30 years of IT leadership across regulated sectors, with strengths in security, enterprise architecture, and change adoption. At SaskCentral and previously with the Government of Saskatchewan, Kevin led modernization and standards work that improved resilience, reduced cost and complexity, and strengthened privacy and security controls. He has contributed to multiple SHA committees and the Executive Leadership Team through the Patient and Family Leadership Council, and is part of a group recognized with the 2022 IPFCC Partnership Award. Kevin champions privacy-by-design, equity, and co-design to improve access, safety, and experience for patients and providers.
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Dr. Shazia Mahmood
Radiation Oncologist and Vice President Medical Services, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency
Read MoreDr. Shazia Mahmood, who has been with the Cancer Agency since 2004, serves as Vice-President, Medical Services and is responsible for managing the staff and systems that facilitate cancer patient treatment and follow-up in an appropriate and timely manner. She also oversees physician resource planning to ensure that the Agency has enough physicians to meet patient demand.
Dr. Mahmood started at the Agency as a Radiation Oncologist, with a specialty in treating gynecological, breast, head and neck, and gastroenterology cancers. She has served as Director of Radiation Oncology and Director of Disease Site Groups, Quality and Safety.
She holds a bachelor of Medicine and bachelor of Surgery, Fellow of College of Radiation Oncology and Fellow of Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada. She completed her Fellowship in South Africa and practised as a Consultant Radiation Oncologist.
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Zen Tharani
CEO, Xenex Consulting Inc.
Read MoreZen Tharani leads with purpose as the Founder & CEO of Xenex Consulting Inc., a Canadian firm specializing in digital transformation and management consulting. With a BSc in Health Information Science and an MSc in Health Informatics, he brings over 25 years of experience guiding public and private sector organizations through innovation and change. As an Ivey-certified executive coach, adjunct professor at the University of Victoria and a TEDx speaker, Zen helps emerging and established leaders unlock clarity, confidence and impact in complex environments. His strategic roles have included serving as Executive Director of Digital Health Strategic Initiatives at the British Columbia Ministry of Health and as an industry-elected board member at Digital Health Canada, where he advanced equity, diversity and inclusion in national digital-health priorities. A recipient of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award, Zen is driven by a commitment to making health systems more connected, people-centred and resilient.
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Brenda Andreas
Patient Family Advisor, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Read MoreBrenda is a patient partner within the Saskatchewan Health Authority as well as with other health partner organizations. She lives in a small rural community and is passionate about bringing voice and visibility of the patient within primary care. Currently Brenda is a member of the MOH Primary Care Oversight Committee and sits on the Governance and Digital Health subcommittees.
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Alison Hamilton
Co-Founder and Director, Humans.Inspired.Inc
Read MoreAlison Hamilton is a Patient Family Partner and leadership consultant passionate about advancing people-centered health care. With over 20 years of experience spanning utilities and health care, Alison brings a unique perspective that bridges organizational strategy with the lived experience of patients and families. Her work focuses on Leadership, Learning, and Adaptation, where she and her team support clients in finding clarity, confidence, and capacity to thrive within complex systems and improve outcomes for both care providers and patients.
As a Patient Family Partner, Alison contributes her voice and expertise to ensure policies, programs, and innovations in digital health reflect the realities and hopes of those receiving care. Deeply committed to shaping a health system that values connection, dignity, and human impact as much as technology, she believes meaningful progress happens when patients, families, and professionals work together to co-create a healthier, more equitable future for all.
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Vince Salamon
Strategy and Innovation Specialist, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Read MoreVince Salamon is an Innovation Specialist with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), where he supports teams in applying design thinking and innovation practices to improve health service delivery across the province. His work focuses on bridging innovation and implementation, helping clinical and operational teams transform complex challenges into actionable, human-centred solutions.
Vince has led and facilitated initiatives such as the development of SHA’s virtual therapy design work, the exploration of virtual reality applications in long-term care and mental health, and design events addressing service gaps in therapy delivery. He uses models such as the Double-Diamond and SHA Innovates’ fivephase design process to guide teams through discovery, ideation, and testing, ensuring that insights from patients, families, and providers drive decision making.
With a background in strategy, facilitation, and creative problem-solving, Vince brings a practical yet imaginative approach to system innovation—helping to shape services that are more connected, responsive, and equitable for the people of Saskatchewan.
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Joel Schneider
Patient Partner, Saskatchewan Health Authority and Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research
Read MoreI have had the privilege of participating in, co-designing and co-leading over forty engagements in fours years as a patient partner working with the provincial health authority, the Saskatchewan Centre for Patient Oriented Research and other organizations. My lived experience, unfortunately is varied as well. I believe that is part of the reason I am a good fit for a lot of work I do. As a stroke survivor and chronic disease patient, I think it's important to give back and to contribute to the system and ultimately, the people, who saved my life and gave me back my livelihood. I am a research partner and sit on the Patient Partner Advisory Council for SCPOR, a research participant several times as well and have been asked to do some informal patient education. I've been a part of a broad range engagements on varying levels from focus and working groups to committee work, strategic planning events, speaking opportunities at the municipal, provincial and national level.
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Stacey Lovo
Associate Professor and Director of Virtual Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, University of Saskatchewan and Virtual Health Hub
Read MoreDr. Stacey Lovo BScPT, MSc, PhD is an Associate Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Saskatchewan and the Director of Virtual Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at the Virtual Health Hub. She is a fourth generation settler in Canada and lives on Treaty 6 Territory and Homeland of the Métis. Stacey is a co-PI in the nātawihowin and mamawiikikayaahk Research, Training and Mentorship Network (Saskatchewan CIHR Network Environment in Indigenous Health Research or Sk-NEIHR). Her research interests include enhancing access to rehabilitation and primary team-based care in collaboration with rural, remote and Indigenous communities using teams and virtual health technologies. She works closely with Indigenous communities and stakeholders to enhance culturally responsive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive healthcare.
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Shirley Wolfe-Keller
Elder and Knowledge Keeper
Read MoreA proud Anishinabe, Saulteaux {Nakawa} mother, grand and great grand mother. Born and Raised on the Mucowequan first nation. A member of Fishing lake first nation. Shirley lived a dual life style, urban and on reserve, later also lived in rural Sask.
She's a proud woman raised by her mother, aunt, two uncles, and grandmother, all deceased. Shirley's upbring was traditional, sacred and spiritual, knowing her culture and the Saulteaux, Nakawa language. She believes and respects her language, is the ways of the Natural Law given from the beginning of time by the Creator. The belief in taking both worlds and applying them to her life is a positive practice.
She is university, and college educated, health board, and other boards committees member for many years, active in First Nation, communities, knowledgeable and respects other cultures, world view is important to her.
Believes in kinship respect, sharing, truth, fairness, the family or individual in and understanding.
Her passion is in helping people in any situation they be in, all ages, learning from, sharing and teaching if the need is there. Taking both worlds and applying to support in the difficult times and era. Working to make things better.Read Less -
Briana Bowes
Program and Research Coordinator, Virtual Health Hub
Read MoreBriana Bowes is an MSc Health Sciences student at the University of Saskatchewan under the supervision of Dr. Stacey Lovo and works with the Virtual Health Hub. Her work focuses on community-directed virtual care, health equity, and Indigenous health research, in collaboration with First Nations communities, Elders, and FSIN e- Health.
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Dr. Ebenezer Adediji
Family Physician, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Read MoreDr Ebenezer Adediji is an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and practices medicine with passion. He is a licentiate of the medical council of Canada and a Certificate of the College of family physician of Canada. He serves in different academic and leadership capacity, which include: Family Medicine Area Department Lead, Saskatchewan health Authority (SHA), Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) Regional president, and Member of World Business and Executive Coaches (WBECs).
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Dr. Jay Kalra
Professor, University of Saskatchewan and Royal University Hospital
Read MoreDr. Jay Kalra MD, PhD, FRCPC, FCAHS, CCPE is an award-winning clinical researcher, educator, healthcare provider, academic leader, and community builder. He is a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and Life Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, UK. Dr. Kalra is a dedicated physician who has gained international acclaim for his role in laboratory medicine reorganization and innovative research in Medical Error and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Medicine. He has served as national president of several medical associations and scientific societies including the Canadian Association of Pathologists. He is a recipient of numerous awards and honors including Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Achievement Award in Clinical Research, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals, and the Saskatchewan Centennial Leadership Award.
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Dr. Stephen Lee
Associate Professor, University of Saskatchewan
Read MoreStephen Lee is a Internist and Infectious Disease physician and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. He has a Masters of Health and Clinical Informatics from Oregon Health and Science University and is also Board Certified in Clinical Informatics. His research interests are at the intersection of data science, artificial intelligence, and medicine.
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Trevor Tessier
Vice President of Business Development, BDM Healthware Inc.
Read MoreTrevor Tessier is a reserve military medic trained at Regina’s 16 Field Ambulance and a former Respiratory Therapist. He holds an MBA from Thompson Rivers University. In primary health care, he’s held leadership roles in both northwest and southeast Saskatchewan, focusing on team-based care in rural and remote communities. At BDM Healthware Inc. as Vice President of Business Development, he works on AI and analytics tools to improve care coordination and decision support. Trevor is also a long-time entrepreneur: he runs a rental property business in Regina for over ten years and co-founded health tech ventures like RespiratoryExam.com that helps to educate health care workers from around the world.
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Kaitlyn Hebert
Health Informatics & Privacy Consultant, Spark Advisory Collective
Read MoreKaitlyn is both a licensed health professional and certified information privacy professional in the Canadian market. She has been passionately pursuing activities that have lasting impacts on the improvement of our healthcare system, while simultaneously advocating for equitable access to care through thoughtful leadership in each role she pursues. From virtual care, to quality care to technologies that use human and artificial intelligence, her systems thinking approach & holistic perspective bring expertise to every project she collaborates on.
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