Volunteers

Gillian has volunteered as an awards adjudicator, Board Development Committee member, and Webinar Wednesday presenter. She was selected as one of the Women Leaders in Digital Health in 2020.

How do you think volunteering contributed to your own professional experience?

I have learned about other areas of digital health that I have less exposure to, and this really gives me a good sense of the digital health landscape in Canada

What kinds of connections have you made because of your work as a volunteer?

I have made wonderful connections with colleagues from ‘coast to coast to coast’ in Canada. These have spanned from those in research, leadership, clinical practice and beyond. Volunteering has been a great experience!

Janine has volunteered as a Faculty Member and Webinar Wednesday presenter.

How do you think volunteering contributed to your own professional experience?

The volunteer work I do for Digital Health Canada has helped ensure I stay up to date on the latest developments in digital health and allowed me to engage in interesting discussions with professionals outside my own employer / beyond my domain focused network.

What kinds of connections have you made because of your work as a volunteer?

I have made many connections with digital health professionals across Canada and the US who are often working in different but complementary areas of the healthcare system. As a result I have a stronger network of resources I can reach out to when I face challenges that are not necessarily in my area of expertise.

Cassie has volunteered as a member of the 2021-2022 Board of Directors and as 2022-2023 Board of Directors President.

How do you think volunteering contributed to your own professional experience?

I am a big believer in the benefits of volunteering! I have been deeply involved in such a capacity for more than two decades in various roles within the digital health community. Volunteering has enabled me to work with a diverse group of stakeholders, and to participate in new initiatives that I may not have had the chance to do otherwise.  I love being able to use my brain in different ways, and to learn from others’ experiences.  Volunteering gives me the opportunity to grow my mindset and my professional network.

What kinds of connections have you made because of your work as a volunteer?

I am so grateful for all of the many connections I have been able to make, just by getting involved within the digital health community.  My volunteer experiences have enabled me to connect with professionals at all stages of career and experience, in public and private organizations and from across the country.  Volunteering has been a very positive experience for me. Being able to connect with committed, like-minded professionals as we work towards achieving common goals has been very rewarding!

Anne has volunteered as a Faculty Member for more than two years.

How do you think volunteering contributed to your own professional experience?

Having the opportunity to volunteer throughout my career has been rewarding in terms of being able to help others; and it has also been immensely beneficial for me in my own development. I’ve tried to vary the type of volunteering I do: from mentoring to committee participation to board positions and teaching – each of these have helped me build up different skillsets that have had a direct impact on my career growth. For example, the board positions I’ve held have taught me to think strategically about an organization’s future and how to minimize risk. The teaching roles I’ve taken on have helped me stay current with the latest developments in my sector. And the mentoring I’ve done has led to building relationships with talented and dedicated individuals who have inspired me to continue my own growth.

What kinds of connections have you made because of your work as a volunteer?

Volunteering has allowed me to connect with individuals across the digital health industry, within Canada and internationally. Through this, I have learned about how other organizations operate, unique solutions that are being implemented to address specific challenges and where to go to get information or resources on specific topics. I’ve been able to meet people in various stages of their careers – from emerging professionals up to senior management – each offering their unique perspective on the industry and adding to my own understanding of the vast and fast-paced digital health industry.

Christine has volunteered as a Faculty Member for more than two years.

How do you think volunteering contributed to your own professional experience?

It’s a great way for me to learn about emerging trends and innovations in the health informatics space. Hearing about the amazing work that peers and colleagues are doing across the country is so very energizing!

What kinds of connections have you made because of your work as a volunteer?

I’ve gotten to know health informatics professionals from a wide range of backgrounds and specialties, making me realize just how extensive and varied the field of health informatics really is. I look forward to the time I spend with other volunteers – it’s fun!

Cory has volunteered as a Webinar Wednesday presenter.

How do you think volunteering contributed to your own professional experience?

I really appreciate learning more about the lives of Canadian healthcare leaders and clinicians. Volunteering with DHC has really expanded my understanding of what happens coast to coast!

What kinds of connections have you made because of your work as a volunteer?

It has been great to connect with health leaders and clinicians working in rural communities across Canada!

Zen has volunteered as a Webinar Wednesday presenter and as a member of the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Board of Directors.

How do you think volunteering contributed to your own professional experience?
Volunteering has been a transformative experience for me. It has allowed me to contribute my skills and expertise toward meaningful projects, while also providing me with opportunities to learn from others and develop new skills. Through my volunteer work with Digital Health Canada, I have been able to connect with individuals who share my passion for leveraging technology to improve healthcare outcomes, and to collaborate with them on projects that have the potential to make a real difference in people’s lives.

The most inspiring aspect of volunteering has been seeing the impact of our collective efforts. Whether it’s implementing new technologies that make healthcare more accessible and convenient, or working to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients, every small step we take has the potential to make a big difference in the lives of Canadians. And it’s a privilege to be part of a community that is making that happen.

Kaitlyn has volunteered as a Webinar Wednesday presenter, on event planning committees, and as Virtual LinkUp moderator.

How do you think volunteering contributed to your own professional experience?

Based in Regina, Saskatchewan, I am the full-time privacy officer with Lumeca Health, a virtual health tech company. Over the last few years, I have achieved my CIPP/C through the IAPP, as well as achieved my Virtual Care and CORE-HI certificates through Digital Health Canada. I have been a health care provider since 2010, as a registered dental hygienist, and enjoy making an impact in my community and abroad. Grateful to be raising my four children alongside my supportive husband in the prairies.

What kinds of connections have you made as a result of your work as a volunteer?

When you give of yourself, particularly your time, without expecting anything in return, an incredible joy is filled inside oneself that is hard to replicate otherwise. I have volunteered in a variety of ways since my youth, and when I feel lost, it is often that I have stepped away from giving of my time. I always return to volunteerism and value the experience. With Digital Health Canada, I have had the joy of presenting on Lumeca Health’s continuous improvement journey through the Webinar Wednesday series. I have also enjoyed sitting on a panels as a moderator for the Sask Link Ups, planning committees for conferences and hosting the RapidFire sessions, giving space to health tech companies making a difference throughout Canada and abroad. My connection to Digital Health Canada has been valuable, and I encourage anyone considering stepping forward to volunteer to jump in with both feet!