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From the Burgundy Chairs

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This podcast has
54 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
Santis Health
Explicit
No
Date created
2020/03/14
Latest episode
2026/10/12
Average duration
33 min.
Release period
37 days

Description

From the Burgundy Chairs is a podcast for health system leaders created by Santis Health. Bringing you insight, understanding, and thoughtful discussion on the issues affecting Canada’s health system, From the Burgundy Chairs will take you beyond the immediacy of the daily news cycle to untangle some of the health sector’s most intractable problems.

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Check latest episodes from From the Burgundy Chairs podcast


Beyond the Agenda: The Unspoken Priorities for Canada’s Health System
2026/10/12
When Canada’s Health Ministers meet this October, the headline issues will take up most of the oxygen. Tariffs and wait times are driving the news cycle, and a number of equally consequential health challenges are being pushed to the margins. The long-term sustainability of our health care system rests on pillars that risk being left off the official agenda, including long-term care, mental health services and chronic disease management. In this special episode of From the Burgundy Chairs, Santis Health’s Manager of Federal Government Affairs, Danielle Flieler, sits down with leading voices from each of these sectors to discuss the priorities that decision-makers cannot afford to overlook. Featuring Jodi Hall, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Association for Long Term Care, Diana Vincze, Associate National Executive Director of the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, and Carrie Thibodeau, National Director of Programs and Public Policy at The Kidney Foundation of Canada, this episode explores why these issues must stay top of mind for ministers, health leaders and Canadians. Join us for a candid look at what sits beneath the formal agenda and what it will take to keep Canada’s health system on a sustainable footing. -- Jodi Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Association for Long Term Care Jodi Hall joined the Canadian Association for Long Term Care (CALTC) as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer in 2021. From 2017 to 2021, she served as Executive Director of the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes, where she led the provincial implementation of the interRAI LTCF assessment in every long-term care home in the province and the development of a provincial recruitment and retention strategy. During that time she also sat on the CALTC Board of Directors and served as its Chair from 2019 to 2021. Jodi began her career on the front lines of long-term care, first in the dietary department of a local home while in high school and later as a nurse. She went on to serve as Director of Education with the Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses and as administrator of a long-term care home outside Fredericton. She has also served as Board Chair of the New Brunswick Continuing Care Safety Association and Co-Chair of the Collaborative for Healthy Aging and Care. Diana Vincze, Associate National Executive Director, Mood Disorders Society of Canada Diana Vincze was appointed Associate National Executive Director of the Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) in August 2026. In this role, she oversees the coordination of MDSC's national programs, leads the organization's strategic operational growth and guides its multi-sector partnership strategy in support of the evolving mental health needs of Canadians. Diana brings more than 14 years of experience managing large-scale, cross-sector initiatives in health care. Before her appointment, she held national program leadership roles at MDSC, where she led the development and national rollout of health care education initiatives, coordinated national virtual learning programs and managed multi-stakeholder collaborations that advance care for patients and families across Canada. Diana holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa and a Project Management Certification from the University of British Columbia. She is fluent in English, French, Hungarian and Romanian. Carrie Thibodeau, National Director, Programs and Public Policy, The Kidney Foundation of Canada Carrie Thibodeau is the National Director of Programs and Public Policy at The Kidney Foundation of Canada, where she leads the Foundation's national programs and its policy and advocacy work on behalf of Canadians living with kidney disease. She has been a leading voice in the Foundation's push for a National Chronic Kidney Disease Framework, which calls for prevention, early detection and timely intervention, equitable access to kidney care, and stronger research and data on the disease. With an educational background in applied health sciences and communications, Carrie has focused her professional career on kidney health. She has worked closely with patients and medical professionals for many years, including as a project lead on Improving Engagement and Empowering Patients on their Transplant Journey, a qualitative study on the patient experience of kidney transplantation.
Digital Health Founders: Mike Wessinger, PointClickCare
2026/08/31
Digital Health Founders is a Santis Health series featuring one-on-one conversations with leaders from across Canada’s digital health ecosystem. From transformative startups to public sector changemakers, these episodes explore how innovators are shaping the future of care through collaboration, technology and bold thinking.   In this episode, we sit down with Mike Wessinger, co-founder of PointClickCare, North America’s leading software provider for the long-term care, post-acute care, and senior care industries.     Mike shares the genesis story of PointClickCare and how he and his brother pioneered the SaaS model in health care before the cloud was even a recognized concept. Drawing on his experience, Mike discusses the early days of shifting financial risk from users to vendors, the complexities of scaling a Canadian tech company across 50 distinct U.S. markets, and why he believes the integration of AI will strip away administrative burdens to allow true human-centric care in the future. -- Mike Wessinger, Co-Founder and Executive Chair, PointClickCare Mike Wessinger is PointClickCare’s Co-Founder and Executive Chair of the board. Prior to taking on the role of Executive Chair, Mike served as PointClickCare’s Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to 2021. Mike’s vision and leadership established PointClickCare as the first cloud-based health information system for the senior care industry. Relentless in his pursuit to disrupt the health care status quo, Mike’s forward-thinking vision drove the organization to level silos across the health care ecosystem, creating North America’s largest care collaboration network. In his role as Executive Chair, Mike continues to champion corporate culture, enhance governance, recruit diverse talent, and partner with internal and external boards and teams to solve critical health care challenges and propel PointClickCare forward as a world-class organization.  Outside of PointClickCare, Mike is also Co-Chair of the C100 board of directors, where he actively leverages his years of experience to coach and mentor leaders at the helm of rapidly scaling tech companies.
Finding the Safe Harbour: AI & the Future of Health Policy
2026/08/04
Generative AI is rapidly reshaping the landscape of Canadian health care, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and critical regulatory challenges. In this episode of From the Burgundy Chairs, Santis Health's Digital Health Practice Lead, Ben King, is joined by Will Falk, an Executive-in-Residence at the Rotman School of Management and a Policy Fellow at the Canadian Standards Association Public Policy Group.     Together, they unpack the core themes of Will's recent report, “A Complement, Not a Substitute: Generative AI’s role in Canadian Healthcare in 2026.” The discussion explores the urgent need for health systems to adopt AI, evaluates the unique strengths and weaknesses of current AI tools, and outlines how policymakers can continue to foster innovation in Canada without compromising patient safety.   Listen in for a unique perspective on one of Canada’s biggest digital health priorities and explore the complex requirements of integrating AI into our health ecosystem.  -- William Falk, Executive-in-Residence, Rotman School of Management (U of T) Will Falk has spent over 25 years as a strategist and advisor in New York and Toronto, advising top academic centres, governments, and innovative companies in healthcare. Currently he is an Executive-in-Residence at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, a Senior Fellow at the CD Howe Institute and a Policy Fellow at the CSA Public Policy Group.   Mr. Falk is interested in the impacts of technological change on health systems and their governance and payment mechanisms. He works with several innovative enterprises on digital health and software development including as an Innovation Fellow at Women’s College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care. He has been a Board Director or Advisor for more than a dozen enterprises including local and national charities, startups, health systems and publicly listed companies. Will received his B.Sc. from the University of Toronto (Trinity College) and an M.P.P.M. from Yale University’s School of Management where he was later a Visiting Research Fellow.
The New Clinical Reality: AI at the Point of Care
2026/07/14
Canadian health systems are facing sustained pressure from workforce shortages, rising patient complexity, and increasing administrative burden on clinicians. In response, artificial intelligence tools are beginning to be introduced into clinical environments with evidence demonstrating improvements in workflow efficiency, reductions in documentation burden, and gains in system capacity. However, adoption remains uneven, and the real-world impact of these tools is still being defined. While some clinicians are actively integrating AI into daily practice, others are navigating uncertainty around trust, integration, and operational fit within existing workflows. At the same time, public trust in the use of AI in health care remains mixed, adding an additional layer of complexity for health system leaders working to scale adoption responsibly. This episode of From the Burgundy Chairs - in collaboration with Heidi - will examine how AI is currently being used in clinical settings, what early experiences are revealing about its value and limitations, and what health system leaders should understand as adoption accelerates.   -- Dr. Maxim (Max) Ben-Yakov is an emergency physician based in Toronto, where he serves as an EMR Medical Lead at Hennick Humber Hospital and acts as Director of Emergency Clinical Informatics for the University Health Network.   Dr. Paul Hacker is a palliative care physician based in Ottawa providing community-based care in home and residential hospice settings, and serves as a Clinical Advisor with Heidi, an AI Care Partner.   Dr. Sanjay Mehta is a pediatrician based in Toronto who serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and practices in both emergency and community pediatric care settings.
Digital Health Founders: Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia, Amplify Care
2026/06/15
Digital Health Founders is a Santis Health series featuring one-on-one conversations with leaders from across Canada’s digital health ecosystem. From transformative startups to public sector changemakers, these episodes explore how innovators are shaping the future of care through collaboration, technology and bold thinking.   In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia, Founder and CEO of Amplify Care, a leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to driving bold digital health and AI adoption across the healthcare system.   Dr. Alarakhia shares the story of Amplify Care’s founding and evolution, how his firsthand experience as a practicing family doctor shapes his approach to technology, his passion for co-designing solutions with clinicians and patients to reduce administrative burden, and where he sees the Canadian digital health landscape going in the future. -- Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia, Chief Executive Officer, Amplify Care Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia is the founder of and visionary force behind Amplify Care (formerly the eHealth Centre of Excellence), where his extensive experience in primary care as a practicing family doctor at the Centre for Family Medicine FHT and deep expertise in health informatics have shaped the organization’s bold approach to digital health and AI adoption. As a leading influence in the field, Dr. Alarakhia is dedicated to transforming Canada’s healthcare system by driving ground-breaking, patient-centred solutions that reduce administrative burden for clinicians, while creating more efficient and proactive workflows that can improve patient outcomes. His passion for actioning evidence and championing co-design with clinicians and patients has made him a transformative player in the Canadian digital health ecosystem, continually pushing boundaries to ensure Amplify Care remains at the forefront of innovation and that care is delivered efficiently and effectively. Dr. Alarakhia was awarded the Digital Health Executive of the Year Award in 2019 and the College of Family Physicians of Canada Award of Excellence in 2018 and 2022. He was recognized by Digital Health Canada as the Clinical Innovator of the Year in 2023, and in 2024, he was the recipient of the John C. Sibley Award for Excellence in Education for Part-Time Faculty. Dr. Alarakhia and Amplify Care won the Innovation Award in 2022 from the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. Amplify Care also received a Canadian Medical Association Joule Innovation Grant and an AFHTO Team Award in 2020, as well as a Patient Care Innovation Team Award at the 2019 Canadian Health Informatics Awards, and a 2019 Ingenious Award from the Information Technology Association of Canada.
Unpacking the Inaugural Canadian Health Perspective Research
2026/06/03
In this deep dive, veteran health journalist Avis Favaro sits down with Nik Nanos (Nanos Research) and Patrick Nelson (Santis Health) to break down the inaugural Santis-Nanos Canadian Health Perspective - a national survey tracking public sentiment on health care delivery, priorities, and system innovation. Worried and frustrated by the status quo, Canadians have lost confidence in the system's current trajectory. However, the data reveals more than just discontent; it provides a clear mandate. Canadians are giving governments and decision-makers the license to move faster, innovate, and disrupt the status quo to improve access - all while protecting our publicly-funded system. Combining Nanos Research’s public opinion methodology with Santis Health’s deep sector expertise, this conversation reveals the critical evidence gaps facing Canadian health care today and how leaders can partner to build better outcomes, better access, and better health for all. Read the full report: santishealth.ca/canadian-health-perspective/
A Critical Moment for Canada: Ensuring World-Leading Access to Innovative Medicines
2026/04/27
While Canadian researchers are making incredible biomedical breakthroughs in labs across the country, our capacity to bring those medicines to patients and their health care teams is inefficient, complex and fragmented. The challenges that currently shape Canada’s access environment are being  exacerbated by an increasingly unstable and competitive global marketplace. The result?  Without new pathways, new investments and a new commitment to collaboration, too many Canadians will have too little access to breakthrough medicines available to patients in other countries around the world. To deliver world-class care, Canada must align its life sciences ecosystem—from manufacturers and patient groups to policymakers. By harmonizing policy and funding strategies, we can improve equitable access to life-saving innovations for all Canadians.    In this episode of From the Burgundy Chairs, Santis Health Senior Advisor Avis Favaro sits down with Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President & CEO of Innovative Medicines Canada. Their conversation focuses on a shared vision for the future: moving past old hurdles through meaningful partnership to support a thriving innovation economy and a healthier Canada. -- Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President & CEO, Innovative Medicines Canada Dr. Bettina Hamelin, PharmD, EMBA, joined IMC in 2024 with over 30 years of experience in academia, industry, and not-for-profit organizations. Most recently, she served as President and CEO of Ontario Genomics, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to catalyzing and supporting the development of genomics- and engineering biology-based solutions across key sectors of the economy. Prior to joining Ontario Genomics, Dr. Hamelin served as Vice President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Research Partnerships Directorate, where she was responsible for encouraging public/private sector collaboration and technology transfer by connecting Canadian research enterprises to Canadian and global innovation partners. She also previously held positions of increasing responsibility in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, including leadership positions at BioChem Pharma and Pfizer, in addition to 10 years of academic research expertise as a tenured professor at Université Laval. Dr. Hamelin is an active volunteer in the broader research and innovation community, serving as a Board Director at the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization and IRICoR, a centre of excellence in commercialization and research specialized in drug discovery. She also chairs the National Engineering Biology Steering Committee, serves on Ontario’s COVID-19 Genomics Network Steering Committee, is involved in several advisory committees, and is a Mentor at the Creative Destruction Lab, a global startup program for seed-stage, science-based companies.
Unlocking the Script: The Future of Vaccine Access in Ontario
2026/03/31
With over 2.5 million Ontarians currently without a family doctor, the pharmacy is no longer just a place to pick up prescriptions—it is where health care must start. Yet, a significant regulatory bottleneck remains: while Ontario pharmacists can now administer a wider range of vaccines, they often lack the authority to prescribe them, forcing patients back into a strained primary care system for a simple signature. How can we modernize our primary care system to ensure every Ontarian has equitable, "one-stop" access to life-saving immunizations? What does "unlocking the script" actually mean for patients in rural communities or those navigating private insurance?   In this episode of From the Burgundy Chairs, Santis Health Senior Vice President, National Practice Lead, Management Consulting  and former Physician Dr. Brendan Carr explores the strategic shift needed to position the local pharmacist as a vital clinical partner.   Dr. Carr is joined by a panel of experts leading this charge including: Angeline Ng, VP of Professional Affairs at the Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA); Dr. Paul Jones of Arthur Family Practice and Arthur Travel Health; and Antonella Pucci, Manager of Immunization Initiatives at the Canadian Public Health Association. Together, they discuss reframing prescriptive authority as a tool to reduce the burden on physicians and close the immunization gaps—such as Ontario’s stalled HPV vaccination rates—that leave too many Canadians behind.
Digital Health Founders: Adrian Schauer, AlayaCare
2026/03/09
Digital Health Founders is a Santis Health series featuring one-on-one conversations with leaders from across Canada’s digital health ecosystem. From transformative startups to public sector changemakers, these episodes explore how innovators are shaping the future of care through collaboration, technology and bold thinking. In this episode, we sit down with Adrian Schauer, Founder and CEO of AlayaCare, Canada’s leading software provider for the home care sector. Adrian shares the story of AlayaCare’s founding and growth, the key challenges and opportunities for digital health in Canada, his own experience as a Canadian innovator growing both here and abroad, and where he sees the digital health landscape going in the future. -- Adrian Schauer, Founder and CEO, AlayaCare Adrian Schauer is the founder and CEO of AlayaCare, a home healthcare software company that has grown to over 600 employees in eleven years and is delivering its disruptive solution across the globe. AlayaCare’s purpose is to enable the type of care that we would all want our loved ones to receive at home rather than in a hospital or long-term care facility. By combining virtual care tools with the supporting software for in-person homecare, AlayaCare is leading the industry through a transition from fee-for-service to value-based care. Adrian is a serial technology entrepreneur. Prior to AlayaCare, Adrian built two mobile software companies, both of which were leaders in their respective markets before being acquired. Adrian is an active Angel Investor and sits on the boards of several companies including fast growing technology firms. In 2016, Adrian received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Emerging Entrepreneur category in Quebec, and, more recently, AlayaCare has been named a Deloitte Technology Fast50 winner 4 years in a row, securing the #37 position in 2022 and the 17th spot on the 2021 Start-up 50 ranking of Canada’s Top new Growth Companies as published by Canadian Business and Maclean’s. Adrian is the co-founder of Madiro, a charitable organization created to support innovative solutions to the health problems in low-income countries. He holds a Master of Applied Science from the University of Toronto and Bachelor of Engineering from Queens University.
Rethinking Care Approaches to Reduce Stigma
2025/12/16
When pregnancy overlaps with incarceration, trauma histories, or systemic discrimination, care decisions become deeply influenced by power imbalances and stigma. These intersecting challenges often leave vulnerable populations facing significant gaps as they navigate pregnancy and childbirth. How can we rethink care approaches to reduce this stigma and address the trauma and systemic inequities that exist? What does truly respectful, integrated perinatal care look like for everyone? In this episode, Santis Health, in collaboration with Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH), unpacks these important questions. Santis senior advisor Avis Favaro is joined by two experts of the Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition  who are dedicated to advocating for respectful perinatal care. Dr. Martha Paynter, an associate professor at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Nursing, brings her expertise at the nexus of reproductive justice and prisoner health, having worked to advance abortion access for over twenty years. She is joined by Dr. Saraswathi Vedam, Lead Investigator of the Birth Place Lab and Professor of Midwifery at the University of British Columbia, whose research focuses on improving maternity care through national and provincial studies examining respectful care and inequities affecting marginalized communities. Together, they will unpack the complex issues driving stigma and power imbalances in perinatal care and discuss concrete steps to foster stronger relationships and create healthier outcomes for marginalized and often overlooked populations.    --   Avis Favaro, Senior Advisor, Santis Health Avis Favaro is an acclaimed medical journalist with decades of experience. As a Senior Advisor at Santis Health, Avis leverages her extensive background in uncovering and reporting on stories that matter to Canadians. Avis leads Santis' media and executive presence training programming.  Dr. Martha Paynter, Associate Professor, University of New Brunswick, Faculty of Nursing Dr. Martha Paynter has worked to advance abortion access in Canada for over twenty years. A writer, nurse and public scholar, she is recognized internationally for her expertise at the nexus of reproductive justice and prisoner health.  She is an associate professor at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Nursing, where her research addresses the health rights of people experiencing incarceration, as well as sexual and reproductive health care in Canada and around the world.  Dr. Saraswathi Vedam, Lead Investigator, Birth Place Lab, Professor of Midwifery, University of British Columbia Dr. Saraswathi Vedam is Lead Investigator of the Birth Place Lab and Professor of Midwifery  at the University of British Columbia. She has been a clinician and a health professional educator for over 30 years in which she has successfully coordinated multi-stakeholder community-led research projects in provincial and national settings. Her research focuses on improving maternity care through national and provincial studies examining birth preferences, respectful care, and inequities affecting marginalized communities.
Trust in Science: Confronting Misinformation, Rebuilding Confidence
2025/10/14
Trust in traditional public health systems is eroding. At the same time, health misinformation - and disinformation - is spreading faster than ever, reshaping how Canadians view and interpret  science and health care. The 2025 Health and Media Annual Tracking Survey, commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), found that 43% of Canadians are highly susceptible to health misinformation. The impact of this is significant with 37% having acted on online medical advice because they couldn’t access a family doctor, and nearly one in four experiencing negative health outcomes as a result. The damage isn’t limited to physical health. Misinformation is also driving stress and fear — with 43% of Canadians reporting anxiety or mental distress linked to the spread of false or misleading health information. The first of a series on the topic, in this episode of Santis Health’s podcast, Santis senior advisor Avis Favaro sits down with Dr. Brendan Carr, Senior Vice President, Management Consulting, and Dr. Joss Reimer, physician and former president of the CMA. Together, they unpack what’s driving the decline in trust in institutions and traditional sources of health information, the role of misinformation, disinformation and what can be done to rebuild confidence in science and care delivery. This episode is for everyone, decision-makers who see trust not as lost, but as something we can rebuild — paving the way for stronger relationships and healthier communities. -- Avis Favaro, Senior Advisor, Santis Health Avis Favaro is an acclaimed medical journalist with decades of experience. As a Senior Advisor at Santis Health, Avis leverages her extensive background in uncovering and reporting on stories that matter to Canadians. Avis leads Santis' media and executive presence training programming.  Dr. Brendan Carr, Senior Vice President, National Practice Lead, Management Consulting, Santis Health Dr. Brendan Carr is a distinguished health system leader who served as the President & CEO of the Nova Scotia Health Authority, William Osler Health System, and Island Health in British Columbia. He brings an array of expertise in strategic health system leadership and governance with a focus on improving outcomes and rethinking the delivery of care. Dr. Carr’s vast experience in enacting positive improvements and large scale initiatives make him uniquely-suited to providing guidance to Santis clients in the areas of stakeholder engagement, transformation, and strategic implementation. Dr. Joss Reimer, Past President, Canadian Medical Association & Chief Medical Officer, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Dr. Joss Reimer is past president of the Canadian Medical Association and chief medical officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. She is an expert in public health, health communications, health equity and immunizations. She was also the medical lead and spokesperson for Manitoba’s COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce and spent nine years as director of population health at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Reimer practices maternity care and has received awards such as Humanitarian of the Year by Doctors Manitoba and holds the King Charles III Coronation and Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals.   She completed her medical training at the University of Manitoba and McMaster University and holds a master’s in public health focused on health communication.
The Future of MedTech: A Strategic Investment in Canada’s Economic Health
2025/09/09
As Canada prepares for the fall return of Parliament, a major policy question is emerging across industries: what is the country’s economic strategy for the next decade, and what role should health play in it? After attending the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s B7 summit in May, BD-Canada posed the question: what happens when we shift our view of health as a strategic investment instead of a spending item? This episode of From the Burgundy Chairs reframes medical technologies not as cost centres, but as strategic investments -vital tools to strengthen Canada’s economic resilience, create high-value jobs, and fuel innovation. In our latest podcast, we explore how a stronger, more integrated MedTech ecosystem can support national priorities from workforce productivity to global competitiveness, and why now is the moment to embed health innovation into Canada’s economic planning. -- Robyn Saccon, Vice President of Public Affairs, BD-Canada Robyn Saccon is Vice President of Public Affairs at BD-Canada, a global medical technology company that advances health care by improving discovery, diagnostics and delivery of care. Robyn has led BD’s efforts to strengthen system partnerships and shape health policy through evidence-based advocacy. Rob Pankhurst, Vice President (West), Medtech Canada Rob Pankhurst is the Vice President (West) of Medtech Canada, the national association representing the medical technology industry. Rob brings deep public and private sector experience, and is a vocal advocate for aligning government priorities with industry innovation.
Digital Health Founders: Mike Checkley, Accuro EMR
2025/07/22
Digital Health Founders is a Santis Health series featuring one-on-one conversations with leaders from across Canada’s digital health ecosystem. From transformative startups to public sector changemakers, these episodes explore how innovators are shaping the future of care through collaboration, technology and bold thinking. In this episode, we sit down with Mike Checkley, President and Co-Founder of Accuro, one of Canada’s “Big 3” Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems used by more than a quarter of physicians across Canada and by millions of patients.  Mike shares how he and his co-founders built Accuro EMR from a school project into one of Canada’s leading digital health platforms. He reflects on the strategies that fueled the company’s growth, lessons learned along the way, and offers insights into Accuro’s current work and the future of digital health.
Episode 41: The Health Data Imperative: Why Canada’s Health Future Depends on Collaboration
2025/07/08
Canada is making important strides in modernizing its health data infrastructure, but progress remains uneven and insufficient. While digital health investments continue at both the federal and provincial levels, health data across the system remains fragmented. Many provinces still lack transparent, public-facing health data strategies, and existing ones often exclude key health system partners. As a result, health data is underutilized, which has dire implications for patient care and health system functioning. In this episode of From the Burgundy Chairs, created in partnership with Roche Canada, we explore the opportunity for inclusive collaboration in building a connected health data system. Hosted by Avis Favaro,  guests Carlene Todd, Vice President, Access, Roche Pharma Canada and Sudha Kutty, Executive Vice-President, Evidence, Products and Services, Canada’s Drug Agency, examine how together public and private sectors can accelerate innovation, enable better, faster patient and disease insights, and improve health outcomes through the responsible, accountable use of health data.  In this episode, we explore how connected health data can support evidence-informed decisions across the health system, driving sustainable, high-quality care for all Canadians. We also discuss the importance of strong governance frameworks that protect privacy, build trust, and enable improved access decision-making.  -- Avis Favaro Senior Advisor, Santis Health Avis Favaro is an acclaimed medical journalist with decades of experience. She was Canada’s longest-serving television Medical Correspondent and currently contributes to CTV News as a freelance contributor. At Santis, she supports media training, backed by her extensive background in health storytelling.  Carlene Todd, Vice President, Access, Roche Pharma Canada Carlene Todd is Vice President, Access at Roche Pharma Canada. She leads Market Access & Pricing, Policy and Health Ecosystems and Patient Services teams at Roche Pharma Canada. With nearly 25 years at Roche, she brings deep expertise in global reimbursement systems and health policy. She is also a member of the Resilient Healthcare Coalition, committed to driving health system transformation and ensuring timely access to innovation for patients. Sudha Kutty, Executive Vice-President, Evidence, Products, and Services, Canada’s Drug Agency Sudha Kutty is the Executive Vice-President, Evidence, Products, and Services at Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC). She is responsible for overseeing a large portfolio of work including pharmaceutical reviews, post market drug evaluation, appropriate use as well as medical devices and clinical interventions. Recognized as a seasoned health care executive, she has more than 25 years of strategic, health care leadership experience. Sudha is passionate about health care and she brings a wealth of experience in promoting health system improvements by actively supporting the adoption of evidence into practice.  Prior to joining CDA-AMC in January 2023, Sudha was the Vice President of Strategy and External Relations at Humber River Health. Before that, she was the Interim Vice President of Quality Improvement at Health Quality Ontario (Ontario Health). Sudha holds an Honours BSc in Human Biology and International Relations from the University of Toronto, a degree in law from the University of Western Ontario, and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. She is also a member of the Law Society of Ontario.
Episode 40: Theranostics: The Leading Edge of Precision Care in Cancer Treatment
2025/05/26
This podcast was created with support from GE HealthCare Canada. Theranostics is a patient-centric approach in medicine that combines diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to precisely visualize and treat cancer without harming healthy tissue. This innovative treatment method is an incredible showcase of technology in the health care system. Featuring Mike Hamilton, CEO of GE HealthCare Canada, and Dr. Narinder Paul, Chief of Medical Imaging at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, this podcast explores the key aspects of theranostics, how it functions, the challenges of implementation in Canada, current applications, and a successful example of theranostics adoption in Ontario. In this episode, we will learn about the real-world impact of theranostics and its potential to revolutionize patient care across Canada. -- Mike Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer, GE HealthCare Canada Mike Hamilton is a senior executive and board member with over 30 years’ experience in health care and medical technology, gained through progressively senior commercial and executive roles in Canada and internationally. Since September 2022, he has served as the President and CEO of GE HealthCare Canada, where he is responsible for shaping the vision for the Canadian division and implementing the commercial strategy across the entire range of Imaging, Ultrasound, Patient Care Solutions, and Digital Solutions. Additionally, Mike is involved with the C.D. Howe Institute’s Health Policy Council and serves on the Corporate Advisory Council of the Canadian College of Health Leaders. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Western University and holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business. Dr. Narinder Paul, Chief of Medical Imaging at St. Joseph’s Health Care London Dr. Paul obtained his medical degree in 1987 and has held significant academic and administrative roles at the University Health Network and the University of Toronto, eventually becoming a full Professor in 2015. He currently serves as Site Chief and Director at Toronto General Hospital, with his research primarily focused on radiation dose reduction and image optimization in cardiothoracic imaging, driven by patient needs and clinical translation. Dr. Paul also holds graduate appointments and has actively participated in numerous provincial, national, and international professional organizations, receiving multiple awards for his contributions to radiology.

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