Angela has spent over 25 years working in healthcare including acute care facilities and healthcare policy organizations. 20 of those have been spent working in healthcare IT across the country for hospitals, software vendors, government and government agencies, and most recently PwC, leading process and system optimization initiatives, and digital transformation. Her successful record includes leading the implementation of Ontario’s first provincial-scale diagnostic imaging strategy. In that capacity while leading the effort to provide all hospitals with the capability to contribute to the provincial DI repositories and share that information provincially, her work on the Emergency Neuro Image Transfer System (ENITS) resulted in significant reductions in unnecessary patient transfers, savings of tens of millions of dollars, and multiple provincial awards. More recently, her work on the Long-Term Care eConnect initiative resulted in the efficient provision of digital health information to this critical sector and an Innovation in Care Delivery Team Award. Angela is currently at PwC as Senior Director in the Healthcare Advisory practice where she is working with multiple healthcare organizations to help them achieve their digital transformation objectives. Angela also serves as Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto for the Master of Health Informatics Program, and has held a seat on the Digital Health Canada Board since 2020 where she has also been a member the Board’s Finance & Audit Committee.
How long have you been a member of Digital Health Canada?
8.5 years
Why do you want to join the Digital Health Canada Board of Directors at this point in your career?
I was privileged enough to be voted onto the Digital Health Canada Board of Directors by my colleagues and peers in June 2020. During that time, I have learned more about the workings of the Board and the Digital Health Canada organization as a whole. In addition, I have become a member of the Finance & Audit Committee. Given the volume of learning and experience I have gained in that time, I think it makes sense to put it to use for another two years on the Board and contribute in a more informed way.
How does your experience align with the Digital Health Canada strategic plan and mandate?
My career spans over 25 years in healthcare, with 19 of those in information management strategy and digital health transformation for hospitals, for-profit corporations, government, and most recently PwC. In my various progressive roles, I have successfully led multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams to deliver optimized workflow and patient experience through the sharing of data, high quality products and IT services on time and on budget, in complex, dynamic, and often highly political environments. I have consistently met stakeholders’ needs through negotiation, critical thinking, and overall leadership. At the same time, I have provided subject matter expertise and strategic advice to more senior executives, managed significant budgets, and built my teams to be highly engaged and motivated even during times of constant change through my supportive leadership abilities and by championing a relentless focus on patients and their caregivers. This experience aligns with the work that Digital Health Canada is doing to ensure that its members and the sector overall are educated, certified, connecting through events and other forums, and creating an inspirational and robust health informatics community.
What unique skills, perspectives and contributions would you bring to the Digital Health Canada Board?
I am in the healthcare sector by design: my work and academic experience have been purposeful in becoming a leader and advocating for greater alignment of practices and processes for a more integrated health system. I have led transformative innovation in informatics, diagnostic imaging, labs, general hospital workflows including transition of care settings, long-term care, and neurosurgery, for the benefit of patients, caregivers, and clinicians. The combination of clinical, IT, and informatics from a number of sectors means that I can provide a holistic perspective and collaborate well with other Board members. I can say that from the past two years of being on the board, that has been my experience and I would like to continue to contribute.
Do you or have or have you ever had any direct patient care experience (clinical)?
I worked in a clinical setting and with patients, mostly performing administrative functions for 9 years in a hospital and private clinic. I also worked in a clinical setting the subsequent 7 years in managerial and leadership roles. In addition, I volunteered at a hospital where I worked closely with patients providing assistance to registered health providers such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
What segments within the Digital Health Canada community do you feel you will best represent? Select all that apply.
- Executives/CIOs
- Emerging Professionals
- Clinicians
- Vendors
- IM/IT Practitioners
- Leaders
- Academic & Research
- Healthcare Institutions
- National eHealth Organizations
- Digital Health Entrepreneurs
With which Digital Health Canada committees, task groups or activities have you volunteered in past five years? Describe your most significant contributions to Digital Health Canada’s mission.
Within the last five years, I have taught Core Health Informatics courses for Digital Health Canada for the CPHIMS exam and also in support of Digital Health Canada’s partnership with The Centre for Education and Training. Teaching these courses has been significant as I can see the positive impact these programs have. I have stayed in touch with many students and watched them thrive as they move on to new roles within the health informatics space. That has been significant but also humbling and rewarding. I have also presented at several Digital Health Canada conferences. For the last two years, I have sat on the Board of Directors and also been a member of the Finance & Audit Committee
What other board appointments or relevant leadership experiences have you had in the past five years?
In addition to my contributions to Digital Health Canada, I have also taught at Skills for Change (also a program for new Canadians). Additionally, I am Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto’s Health Informatics program where I support the professor in a course on emerging trends in global, public, and population health.
Please tell us why you feel Digital Health Canada members should vote for you.
Digital Health Canada members should vote for me because I can eloquently, passionately, and tirelessly represent their own commitment to advancing the health informatics agenda in Canada through my leadership, innovation, collaboration, professionalism, and integrity. I have spent the majority of my life in multidisciplinary settings – from my university education and beyond. An environment which supports and encourages diversity for the common goal of improving information to improve health outcomes is one in which I would thrive and in doing so, be an advocate for Digital Health Canada members and Digital Health Canada’s overall mandate. Furthermore, my last two years of experience on the Board have given me the knowledge I need to understand its workings and how best to contribute.
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’s in Health Science Administration from the University of Toronto; Honours Bachelor of Arts: Specialist Degree International Relations and two Minor Degrees in French and Japanese Studies from the University of Toronto
