CCHL National Conference 2025

• Provide a purpose-built community gathering of health leaders;
• Develop essential skills and behaviors to enhance leadership;
• Connect health leaders with their peers, community, and system;
• Inspire participants to lead the future of healthcare collaboratively; and
• Present world-class cutting-edge knowledge, focused on solutions and workplace application.

Theme

Unstoppable!

Following on the success of previous CCHL National Conference themes of Reunited! (2023) and Come Together (2024), the 2025 CCHL National Conference will reflect the current healthcare environment and challenges while capturing sentiments such as optimism, resilience, change, future focus, and readiness.

This year, we're celebrating the relentless nature of healthcare leaders, professionals, pioneers, and advocates who, together, continue to push boundaries, drive transformative change, and elevate care, despite the challenges. Our intention for 2025 is to keep the momentum going with our theme, Unstoppable!

This theme inspires the notion of continuous momentum. It’s an energetic reminder to stay optimistic, tenacious, and persistent as we forge new paths for the future. It's an opportunity to recognize the ceaseless drive of our leaders who refuse to be deterred by setbacks. In 2025, we are not just sustaining momentum—we are accelerating it through partnerships that reimagine care, break down silos, and build towards a brighter, more connected healthcare system.

Join over 500 health leaders from across Canada and from all aspects of healthcare as we collectively strive to imagine and re-imagine healthcare. With ample networking time, interactive concurrent sessions, visionary plenary speakers, a diverse audience of health leaders, and meaningful engagement with the corporate healthcare sector, we will see new partnerships and real illustrations between healthcare leaders and their staff, patients, families, and communities. The 2025 CCHL National Conference will connect you and your peers in a spirit of optimism and readiness.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a community that is determined to keep pushing the envelope. Together, let's celebrate progress, embrace innovation, and continue to re/imagine; re/energize; re/build leadership in healthcare.

The future is now in Canadian healthcare. We are Unstoppable! 

Registration

Registration is now open

Please login to your CCHL account to register for this event. If you are not a member, and haven't yet created a profile, please click Become a member to create one. Once logged in, use the blue "Register for event" button at the top of this webpage to complete your registration.

Early bird registration deadline: May 2, 2025

Regular registration deadline: June 13, 2025

Member Rate
The CCHL National Conference member registration rates are available to members of both CCHL and the Canadian Nurses Association. Join the College today for only $195 for the first year and get reduced rates on CCHL events. CCHL membership details available here.

*For the Patient Representative rate, please send information about the patient organization you represent to conference@cchl-ccls.ca.
**For the student rate, please send information on your current full-time student enrolment to conference@cchl-ccls.ca.

Program-at-a-glance

Title Sponsor: Sodexo
In collaboration with the Canadian Nurses Association

*Program is subject to change without notice. 

Keynote Speakers

09:00 - 10:00 | Monday, June 16, 2025

The Geeks and the Freaks: The Age of AI and Infinite Leverage

We are on the brink of a revolution based on the meteoric rise of ChatGPT and Generative AI. These exponential technologies are transforming the way we communicate, collaborate, and create, revolutionizing industries around the world. However, when everyone has an AI co-pilot, who will stand out? Shawn Kanungo argues that we need more freaks — leaders that are both unique and bold.

With the rise of generative AI, cloud technologies, and remote talent, we’re entering into an age of infinite leverage where our work can be replicated at no cost, and we don’t need permission to get started. As a result, we can build exponential organizations — a new breed of businesses that can be more nimble, flexible, and highly leveraged.

In this provocative and counter-intuitive keynote, Kanungo dives deep into the age of artificial intelligence and infinite leverage. He explores why this will shape the future, and how it will impact culture, business, technology, and individuals. Ultimately, the future will favour the freaks.

Shawn Kanungo
Strategy in a World of Disruption

As a globally recognized innovation strategist and bestselling author, Shawn Kanungo works at the intersection of creativity, business, and technology. He spent 12 years at Deloitte working closely with leaders to help them better plan for the opportunities associated with disruptive innovation. In his high energy keynotes, Kanungo draws on his extensive experience to provide audiences with an optimistic roadmap for the future; one that embraces unexpected approaches to innovation to remain competitive and relevant.

Since leaving Deloitte, Kanungo has worked with hundreds of organizations on their journey to digital transformation. He’s led complex projects incorporating artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, behavioural economics, Web3, and more. Today, Kanungo is a Partner with Queen & Rook, where he advises leading organizations and executives on disruptive trends and invests in early-stage ventures.

Kanungo is the first innovation expert to have a streaming special, released on Apple TV and Prime Video in August 2023. It complements and shares the name of his bestselling debut book, The Bold Ones, a playbook for individuals to become bolder and push their careers and organizations forward. It has been touted as one of McKinsey’s top decision-making books for leaders. Kanungo’s work has also been featured in the Globe and Mail, The Guardian, CBC, and CTV.

A prolific content creator, Kanungo’s content on innovation has garnered millions of views across LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. He’s been recognized by Edify magazine as one of their “Top 40 Under 40” and was called the “best virtual keynote speaker I’ve ever seen” by Forbes in 2021.

16:15 - 17:15 | Monday, June 16, 2025

Monday Afternoon Plenary

Janet M. Davidson
Health Care Consultant

Janet Davidson works in health care consulting with a focus on strategy, organization management and design, and governance. Formerly, she served as Deputy Minister of Health for Alberta. Janet has over 40 years of experience in healthcare in the government, voluntary and hospital/community sectors in a number of Canadian jurisdictions and internationally. Janet currently holds the position of Administrator of the Nova Scotia Health Authority. She is a Board member of Bayshore Healthcare, the Hospital for Sick Children and Health Workforce Canada. She is immediate past chair of the Canadian Institute for Health Information and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada. She is the inaugural Johnson Fellow with the CD Howe Institute and co-chairs their health policy council.

She is a former CEO of Trillium Health Centre and Toronto East General Hospital (now Michael Garron) and also served as Chair of the Ontario Hospital Association. Sher also served in an Executive capacity with Vancouver Coastal Health and Alberta Health Services.

Janet received a Bachelor of Nursing Science from the University of Windsor and a Master’s in Health Services Administration from the University of Alberta. She is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors’ Education program at Rotman, the UC Berkeley School of Public Health’s Global Health Leadership program and has an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Windsor. She is an Officer of the Order of Canada and has been named twice to the list of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Women.

08:30 - 09:30 | Tuesday, June 17, 2025

National Conversation | Driving change: Insights, strategies, and engagement for unstoppable health system redesign

The CCHL National Conversation brings members together throughout the year to explore a priority topic in Canadian health care, fostering thought leadership and supporting effective health leadership. Through expert-informed dialogue, storytelling, and member participation, we identify key leadership skills and share insights via an Executive Summary distributed nationwide.

Members, via polling, selected the following topic for the 2025 National Conversation:

Health System Redesign
The need for health system redesign in Canadian healthcare is critical to address the growing challenges of accessibility, equity, and sustainability. As the population ages and the demand for services increases, our current systems must evolve to ensure timely, equitable care for all Canadians. Redesigning the health system will help us adapt to these pressures, integrate innovative technologies, and create a more resilient and responsive healthcare environment that meets the needs of every community.

What strategies can health leaders employ to influence the redesign of health systems within their specific contexts?

This high-energy plenary session combines dynamic expert panelists with interactive audience participation to create a memorable and impactful experience. Attendees will actively contribute using live polls, Q&A platforms, and rapid-fire audience challenges. Knowledge Nuggets—concise, high-impact bursts of information—will be woven seamlessly throughout the session, delivering key insights and actionable takeaways in just a few minutes, ensuring maximum engagement and immediate applicability for the audience.

Attendees will leave energized, equipped with actionable insights, and inspired to apply new knowledge in their leadership roles.

This is not just a session to observe—it's one to participate in, connect, and grow.

Speakers:

Dr. Santanna Hernandez
Canadian Armed Forces

Dr. Santanna Hernandez is Dene, from the Liidlii Kue Nation and Cold Lake First Nation on her father’s side and Dutch on her maternal side. She was raised on the traditional territory of the Sto:lo Nation and spent many years as a guest on the unceded territory of the Sinixt (Lakes), Syilx (Okanagan), Ktunaxa and Secwepemc (Shuswap) nations, whom she honours for the many traditions and gifts they shared with her. Dr. Hernandez is a mother of four children and a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, and she is working on her own healing journey from post-generational trauma and ongoing systemic racism.

She recently completed her medical education at the University of Calgary and will be continuing her training in southern Alberta in rural family medicine. She served as the first Indigenous president of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students and continues to support the federation in the position of past president. She serves as co-chair on the ii'taa'poh'to'p student advisory circle and is continually working on research and initiatives to support Indigenous students at the university.

Dr. Hernandez uses her leadership and governance experience to walk a parallel path with allies. Before attending medical school, she completed a bachelor of Indigenous social work degree at the University of Victoria with a focus on Indigenous health and health policy. Dr. Hernandez has served three terms as the Student Director for the Canadian Medical Associations Board of Directors.

Vickie Kaminski
Healthcare Executive

Vickie is a senior healthcare executive with more than 45 years of experience in the Canadian and international health care system. Her professional background is in nursing. Vickie has led health systems in Ontario, Newfoundland, Alberta and Manitoba. She also served as the Chief Executive (Deputy Minister) of South Australia Health. In these previous roles Vickie was responsible for leading health system transformation, major capital construction, and improving service integration across the health system. Vickie has worked extensively with Boards, Governments and senior health care providers. She is well versed in dealing with the complexities of decision making in bilateral and tripartite governance responsibilities.

Shiyen Shu
Executive Coach

As an acclaimed Speaker, certified Executive Coach, and trusted advisor, Shiyen Shu is committed to helping great people become extraordinary healthcare leaders. Recognized as one of the Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership by leadersHum, alongside luminaries such as Simon Sinek, Adam Grant, and Marshall Goldsmith, Shiyen’s thought leadership has made a global impact. She has also been celebrated as a Top 75 Canadian Immigrant and awarded the prestigious Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award for her contributions.

With a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from McMaster University, Shiyen began her career as a frontline clinician before shifting her focus to Organizational Development. Through her work across the healthcare system, she saw firsthand the leadership challenges that impacted teams and organizational outcomes. Her passion for developing leaders led her to establish Dream Dare Lead Inc., a firm dedicated to supporting individuals and organizations achieve greater levels of success and excellence in healthcare and beyond.

Shiyen extends her impact as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto and Board Chair for a not-for-profit organization. Born in Mumbai, and now based in Mississauga, she finds joy as a devoted mother of three, blending family life with her mission to transform the future of leadership.

Janet M. Davidson
Health Care Consultant

Janet Davidson works in health care consulting with a focus on strategy, organization management and design, and governance. Formerly, she served as Deputy Minister of Health for Alberta. Janet has over 40 years of experience in healthcare in the government, voluntary and hospital/community sectors in a number of Canadian jurisdictions and internationally. Janet currently holds the position of Administrator of the Nova Scotia Health Authority. She is a Board member of Bayshore Healthcare, the Hospital for Sick Children and Health Workforce Canada. She is immediate past chair of the Canadian Institute for Health Information and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada. She is the inaugural Johnson Fellow with the CD Howe Institute and co-chairs their health policy council.

15:00 - 16:00 | Tuesday, June 17, 2025

The Curious Mind: A Doctor’s Prescription to 21st Century Leadership and Innovation

Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa
Physician | Expert in Human Connection, Authentic Leadership, and Organizational Wellness

An accomplished physician, nationally ranked spoken word poet, and thought leader, Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa is a multi-faceted powerhouse whose journey exemplifies authentic leadership in every aspect. Through powerful storytelling and compelling narrative, she draws from her diverse experiences — across sectors, stages, and disciplines — to share meaningful and actionable insights on leadership, connection, and wellness, and how to unlock our true potential for transformative results in our organizations, communities, and lives.

Oriuwa’s career is a testament to her insatiable curiosity about the human experience and the profound connections that define it. She is currently a resident doctor in psychiatry at the University of Toronto where she earned her medical degree and became the first Black woman named sole valedictorian of the department. Oriuwa has since become a vocal advocate for improving disparities in Black health and confronting institutional discrimination, spearheading change initiatives in healthcare and beyond.

In addition to her medical degree, Oriuwa has a master’s degree in Health Systems Leadership and Innovation from the University of Toronto. She’s also served on multiple boards informing their efforts in advancing equity, leading authentically, and prioritizing workplace wellness, and is the author of Unlike the Rest, her memoir of becoming, belonging, and being seen on her journey as a medical trailblazer and leader.

Oriuwa has been named one of TIME magazine’s “2021 Next Generational Leaders” and one of Maclean’s Power 50. She has also been named one of Best Health Magazine's “Women of the Year” and been featured in several major media outlets, including CBC’s The National, CTV News, CP24, Toronto Star, and TODAY, amongst others. In 2021, Oriuwa was honoured in Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes campaign with a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll made in her image to commemorate her contributions as a frontline healthcare worker.

An in-demand speaker, Oriuwa has spoken at numerous national and international events. She honed her ability to captivate and inspire audiences as a competitive poet. She infuses her keynotes with the rhythm, emotion, and precision of poetry, transforming critical and timely discourse into an artful narrative that leaves a profound, impactful, and lasting impression.

Concurrent Program

Monday, June 16, 2025

10:45 - 12:15

1. The leadership your organization needs most: An executive session

Executive leaders, where in your organization would better leadership most significantly enable your people to address strategic priorities? Which people would you target for development and support, what should the focus be, and what form(s) would be most beneficial for them? Once you’ve decided these things, what are the next steps to operationalize it?

The purpose of this highly customized and interactive session, exclusive to executives, is to guide participants to create an action plan to address their most urgent strategic people/leadership priority.

The session will be informed by CCHL’s most recent international research, our evidence-based programs, the results of a rapid research pre-survey completed by healthcare CEOs across the country, and participants’ input.

The structure begins with reviewing the importance of leadership and the kind of leadership most needed in the current and evolving healthcare landscape, including based on lessons learned in the recent past.

Each participant will then select their top people/leadership priority as the focus for the session and will use a CCHL tool to self-audit the state of leadership development and integration in their organizations. From there, we will discuss how leadership development and integration can address the priorities and participants will create an action plan with practical next steps.

Learning objectives:

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Identify their top people/leadership priority
• Explain the importance of leadership and how leadership development and integration can enhance outcomes
• Create the foundations for a strategy to address their top priority.

Speaker:
Dr. Jaason Geerts – Vice-President of Research and Leadership Development CCHL; Associate, Cambridge Judge Business School; Adjunct Professor, Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa

2. Setting a new standard in long-term care: how to navigate the Stellar Certification Program

Join us to network and learn how the Stellar Certification Program will enhance the culture of your organization and recognize your workplace excellence. Discover how your organization can create a healthy work environment for direct care nurses as they lead from the point of care. This workshop will provide guidance and strategies for long-term care home organizations across Canada that are seeking certification from the Stellar Certification Program. This workshop is suited to administrators, directors of nurses, nurse resource experts, educators and nurses in direct care.

The program focuses on creating a healthy work environment for direct care nurses, reducing moral distress and burnout. It emphasizes patient- and family-centered care, fostering job satisfaction, and a sense of belonging among the nursing staff. Additionally, Stellar Standards guide Leaders through systems transformation by setting a benchmark for excellence in the workplace, enhancing hiring practices and creating a positive work environment. It ensures that highly qualified nurses are recruited and retained, while also promoting ongoing professional development.

Achieving Stellar certification helps build a sustainable nursing workforce, leading to better retention, recruitment and satisfaction, as well as reduced moral distress. The program acknowledges organizations that prioritize safety, follow best staffing practices, and support nurses’ development. It also ensures an inclusive workforce reflecting Canada’s diversity.

Stellar Certification is a significant step forward in enhancing the culture and excellence of health-care organizations. Through this session, the program’s impact will be clearly demonstrated, highlighting the transformative power of nursing to create a positive health-care environment.

During this workshop, participants will:

1. Explore and learn about the Stellar Certification Program for their LTC home.
2. Examine the entire certification process, from understanding the requirements, preparing the application, to the final review and awarding of Stellar certification.
3. Review and complete the self-assessment guide for your LTC home (interactive element).

Speakers:
Josee Morin – Lead, Stellar Certification, Canadian Nurses Association
Misty Fortier – Director, Credentialling Centre, Canadian Nurses Association
Valerie Grdisa – Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Nurses Association

3. La gestion de proximité au sein du CISSS de l'Outaouais

Le Plan santé du gouvernement du Québec s'articule autour de la Loi sur la gouvernance du système de santé et de services sociaux et vise un retour à une gestion de proximité. Par son modèle de gestion de proximité, le CISSS de l'Outaouais souhaite répondre aux défis de santé spécifiques à chaque secteur géographique de la région. Avec ses cinq réseaux locaux de services (RLS) et une population de plus de 410 000 habitants, les enjeux d'accès aux services, de volume de soins, et de pénurie de personnel, exacerbés par une réalité frontalière unique avec l'Ontario sont nombreux. Depuis 2015, une forte perception de perte dans les RLS a été observée, notamment en raison de la rupture des liens avec les partenaires locaux. Le modèle de proximité mis en place pour adresser ces enjeux repose sur des données populationnelles de santé publique et est structuré autour du Comité de coordination opérationnel local et du Comité territorial, ce dernier incluant des usagers et résidents, le tout pour une amélioration continue des services à la population, dans une optique de création de valeur. Les bénéfices de cette approche incluent un sentiment renouvelé d'appartenance et de concertation entre les parties prenantes, une prise de décision locale accrue, et une amélioration de l'expérience des usagers. La prochaine étape consiste à évaluer le modèle actuel, développer des tableaux de bord pour un suivi plus précis, et envisager l'extension de ces gains aux secteurs urbains. Cet atelier permettra aux participants de discuter en petit groupe de leur vision de la gestion de proximité en plus de suggérer des pistes de solution pour l'opérationnaliser. Ce sujet cible l'atteinte des résultats soit, l'amélioration de la santé populationnelle, par l'engagement des autres et le développement de coalitions.

Speaker:
Dr Marc Bilodeau – PDG, CISSS de l'Outaouais
Nicole Boucher-Larivière - Directrice de proximité pour le Réseau Local de Services du Pontiac, CISSS de l'Outaouais

4. Achieving Strategic Priorities with LEADS

Join us for an innovative session on the Achieving Strategic Priorities with LEADS (ASPL) - Executive Leadership Program, a unique CCHL initiative embraced by forward-thinking healthcare organizations across Canada. This session provides valuable insights into how this groundbreaking program is transforming the way senior leaders advance their strategic priorities.

Through leadership lessons, interactive discussions, and practical activities, you'll learn how the ASPL Program is designed to:

• Familiarize senior leaders with the LEADS in a Caring Environment framework
• Facilitate dialogue to build collective leadership capacity through the alignment of LEADS to a strategic plan
• Identify the LEADS domains and capabilities crucial for an organization’s future success
• Explore opportunities to integrate the LEADS framework within an organization

Strategically aligning priorities with the LEADS framework offers a vital opportunity to reflect on equity, diversity, and inclusion in leadership practices, while also serving as a launchpad for inspiring healthcare leaders. By achieving strategic priorities with LEADS, senior leaders can invest in their teams, ensuring the necessary people and resources to advance ambitious plans. This session offers a real-world exploration of how the ASPL program, guides senior leaders to seamlessly integrate the fundamental building blocks of health leadership—being, caring, and doing. By using the LEADS framework, leaders learn to move strategy forward and achieve tangible results through setting direction, aligning decisions with vision, and committing to action.

Join us and learn how the ASPL program can transform your leadership approach to drive strategy and innovation within your organization.

Speaker:
Doug Miron – MA Leadership CEC PCC CHE & Fellows Program Coach | Canadian College of Health Leaders, Leadership Faculty | LEADS Coach and Facilitator

5. Governing the unstoppable: Harnessing generative AI in healthcare administration with confidence and integrity

 Statement of Purpose

This concurrent session will explore the transformative potential of generative AI in health administration while emphasizing the critical need for proper corporate governance and policy development. Led by Niagara Health’s General Counsel and Privacy Officer, with a background in health administration, this session will provide actionable insights into addressing the pain points healthcare organizations face due to the rapid adoption of AI tools, particularly in administrative and executive functions.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Participants will learn how to identify governance gaps in the use of generative AI, understand legal, privacy, and security implications, and collaborate with key stakeholders to create effective policies. Attendees will leave with tools to address the challenges posed by generative AI, including a framework for policy development and implementation.

Relevance to the Selected Topic

This session aligns with the AI and digital tech theme by addressing the ethical, operational, and legal implications of AI in healthcare. It leverages the presenter’s experience guiding a large healthcare organization through the implementation of governance policies for AI, offering practical insights for attendees navigating similar challenges.

Practical Applications and Engagement

The session will include interactive exercises, such as drafting foundational governance policies and evaluating AI-driven risks. Participants will role-play as leaders, privacy officers, and ICT professionals to simulate decision-making processes and create governance frameworks collaboratively.

Leadership Lessons Learned

This session will demonstrate how strong governance and policy frameworks enable leaders to harness AI’s potential while mitigating risks. It will emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership, linking insights to the LEADS in a Caring Environment Framework.

Connection to CCHL’s Foundational Commitments

The session will address equity, diversity, and inclusion by exploring biases in AI tools and prioritize the patient voice through discussions on transparency and trust. It promises timely, practical solutions for leaders managing the transformative impact of AI.

Speaker:
James Hall – General Counsel & Privacy Officer, Niagara Health

6. Nothing worth doing can be done alone: Health justice in collaboration 

Canada's healthcare system continues to grapple with the limitations of siloed, hyper-individualistic care cultures, which prioritize operational efficiency over meaningful, inclusive engagement with patients and families. This approach perpetuates isolation, overlooking the transformative potential of collaborative care. To truly innovate and address the needs of diverse communities, healthcare must champion collective action and co-designed solutions.

This presentation offers a practical, relational framework to shift away from the culture of individualism in systems of health and well-being toward value-based care rooted in collaboration and inclusivity. Presenters will highlight initiatives at William Osler Health System (Osler), including its pioneering Health Justice Plan, co-created with members of Osler’s Patient and Family Advisory Council and community partnerships. These initiatives demonstrate how collaboration with patients and families drive innovation, improve patient outcomes, and enhance operational efficiency.

Through interactive discussions and actionable insights, healthcare leaders will explore strategies to foster a culture of co-design and collaboration. This session will inspire attendees to harness innovative solutions, build thriving partnerships, and integrate community voices to deliver care that is collective, engaged, and impactful.

By the end of the session, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how value-based care—designed in partnership with patients and communities—can create a healthcare system that not only thrives but also serves as a foundation for a more just and equitable world.

Speakers:
Yasir Khalid – Director of People-Centered Care & Health Justice, William Osler Health System
Arany Sivasubramaniam – Health Justice Specialist, William Osler Health System

7. Successful long-term careers: The ups and downs

In this session, we will discuss how to set your own goals for a successful long-term career, consider what steps to take to achieve those goals, and ideas for how to execute the steps. Every career has its ups and downs, and the path can get muddy along the way. Join Cheryl Gibson as she relates some of her experiences and provide ideas for how sessions attendees can face these ups and downs while keeping their career path on-track.

Speaker:
Cheryl Gibson – Olympian and tax lawyer

13:45 - 15:15

8. Getting better at getting better: Revisiting the levers of transformation for high-performance healthcare organizations 

Unstoppable high-performing health systems around the world share a set of common levers for change:

• Engaging healthcare providers and front-line managers in creating an improvement culture
• Focusing on population needs
• Creating supportive policies and incentives
• Building organizational capacity
• Engaging patients and citizens
• Promoting evidence-informed decision-making

Through this session, participants will explore the value of these foundational levers and associated leadership competencies for enabling health system transformation within their own organizational context and at a pan-Canadian level. A case study will illustrate the potential when these approaches are applied in practice.

Learning objectives

During this highly interactive session, participants will:

• Reflect on how foundational levers and leadership competencies required to create high performing health systems can accelerate progress towards high-quality, safer care
• Assess their organization’s strengths and areas for improvement to enable transformation
• Crowd-source pan-Canadian priorities for supporting leaders to drive change

Activities

Leadership for transformation competencies validation exercise

Self-Assessment and solution-oriented group discussion: how strong is your organization’s foundation to accelerate improvement and transformation?

25-10 liberating structures exercise to crowd-source priorities for pan-Canadian action that will support leaders to drive change over the next 3-5 years

Speakers:
Jérôme Ouellet – Director, Leadership Programs, Healthcare Excellence Canada
Robert James Borris –
Carla St Croix –
Jennifer Zelmer – President and CEO, Healthcare Excellence Canada

9. Relieving the strain on hospital resources by implementing an Admission Discharge Unit

The Admission Discharge Unit (ADU) at Erie Shores HealthCare actively alleviates strain on hospital resources, particularly in the emergency department, by optimizing patient flow and resource management. This project is closely aligned with CCHL’s foundational topics, such as Patient Voice, Leadership, Innovation, and Value-Based Healthcare. By the end of this session, participants will gain actionable strategies to reduce emergency overcrowding by streamlining patient transfers and discharges, enabling hospitals to deliver essential services more efficiently. Additionally, the ADU is a critical transition point for patient care, ensuring improved access and outcomes while fostering collaboration across departments.

The ADU’s success stems from strong leadership and interdepartmental teamwork, with senior leadership actively driving the initiative in collaboration with key stakeholders. This innovative approach resulted in a 29% increase in patient discharge satisfaction (from 61% to 90%) between January and December 2024. Dedicated family spaces and clear discharge instructions empower patients and families, embodying Patient Voice. Furthermore, with a specialized team managing admissions and discharges, nurses can focus more on direct patient care, improving discharge

education, medication reviews, and reducing readmission risks. Since the launch of the ADU and the introduction of dedicated staff, the team has remained stable, with no staff leaving the unit.

Financially, the ADU offers a significant cost-saving opportunity, potentially saving $2.1 million annually while efficiently managing nine patient beds. The team actively reduces bed idle time by 7.4 hours per patient, accelerating admissions and maximizing bed utilization. The addition of a Patient and Family Liaison role further enhances the patient experience.

This presentation will highlight leadership lessons such as fostering collaboration, leveraging innovation to address resource challenges, and prioritizing patient-centered care. The ADU represents a systemwide change, showcasing how Leadership and Innovation can drive operational efficiency and improve patient outcomes within value-based healthcare models.

Speakers:
Holly Kettle – Clinical Director of ED/Med/Surge/Allied Health and After Hours, Erie Shores HealthCare
Patti Fields – Home First Lead Nursing Admin, Erie Shores HealthCare
Kristin Spicer – Reg Practical Nurse, Erie Shores HealthCare

10. Optimiser le bien-être et la rétention des employés grâce au modèle de gestion Montfort 

Cette présentation examine le modèle de gestion Montfort, qui intègre les principes Lean et une approche transformationnelle fondée sur des données probantes pour relever les défis actuels en ressources humaines en santé, notamment le bien-être, la qualité de vie au travail (QVT) et la fidélisation des employés. En s’appuyant sur les résultats du Sondage universel de HSO auprès de la main-d'œuvre, ce modèle vise à créer un environnement de travail durable et résilient, axé sur la santé mentale et le développement professionnel des cadres et de leurs équipes.

Objectifs:

• Explorer les outils Lean et les pratiques transformationnelles du modèle Montfort, visant à optimiser l’efficacité organisationnelle, réduire le stress opérationnel et promouvoir un environnement de travail centré sur le bien-être.
• Comprendre comment l’approche transformationnelle favorise une culture organisationnelle positive, stimulant l’engagement et la fidélisation du personnel.
• Analyser l'impact du modèle de gestion sur les résultats du Sondage universel de HSO d’Agrément Canada pour cibler les axes d’amélioration et ajuster les stratégies de manière proactive.

Pertinence : Les ressources humaines sont essentielles pour assurer des soins de qualité. Cette présentation démontre comment l’intégration des principes Lean et transformationnels, éclairée par les données du Sondage universel, répond aux défis de rétention et de bien-être, contribuant à des équipes plus engagées et productives.

Les participants découvriront des exemples concrets de l'application du modèle Montfort, tels que des tournées des employés et des cercles de qualité, ainsi que l'alignement de ce modèle avec le cadre LEADS en leadership.

Activités:  La séance inclura une simulation interactive de tournée d’employés, des discussions en groupes et des échanges d’expériences, pour favoriser l’adoption de ces méthodes dans les environnements de travail des participants.

Les leaders découvriront comment le modèle Montfort, en s’appuyant sur une approche intégrée et sur les données probantes soutiennent les équipes.

Speaker:
Sara Leblond – Directrice, développement organisationnel, milieu sain, EDI, amélioration continue et le bureau de projet, Hopital Montfort
Caroline Roy-Egner – Vice présidente Stratégie et Capital Humain
Martin Gagnon – Directeur de l’Éducation à l’Institut du Savoir Montfort

11. The role of the Canadian Forces Health Services and the importance of collaborating with provincial healthcare systems 

Statement of Purpose: The Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) serves as the 14th healthcare system in Canada, delivering comprehensive healthcare to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members both domestically and internationally. This presentation will explore CFHS’s operations, its collaborative role within our broader healthcare ecosystem, and highlight the importance of strategic partnerships in preparing for potential crises such as high casualty flows resulting from conflict or war, ensuring both military and civilian healthcare systems remain robust.

 Learning Objectives and Outcomes: Participants will:

• Gain insight into the role of CFHS and the significance of collaboration with provincial health systems in fostering sustainable healthcare partnerships.
• Understand the strategic planning and lessons learned in managing sustained casualty flows and healthcare system responses.
• Learn about the application of innovation, collaboration, and value-based care principles in achieving patient-partnered outcomes.

 Relevance to the Selected Presentation Topic: The presentation aligns with "Collaboration, Innovation, and Value-Based Healthcare" by illustrating how CFHS’s effective collaboration with various healthcare partners leads to improved patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and sustainable healthcare strategies.

 Practical Applications: The discussion will provide actionable strategies for enhancing partnerships between military and civilian healthcare systems, particularly in high-stakes situations such as conflict and crises.

 Patient and Family Involvement: CFHS prioritizes patient-partnered care, ensuring that military personnel and their families are actively involved in the healthcare process, particularly during complex, high-intensity medical treatments.

 Participant Engagement: Interactive discussions and sharing of lessons learned with participants will help demonstrate how innovation in healthcare practices, such as the integration of military medical support with provincial healthcare systems, can enhance response capacity during large-scale health emergencies.

 Leadership Lessons Learned: The presentation will provide key leadership lessons drawn from both CFHS operations and crisis preparedness exercises, providing insight into how effective leadership in collaboration, coalition-building, and systems transformation can strengthen health system responses.

Speakers:
Brigadier-General Marilynn Chenette, CD, CHE – Commander CF H Svcs Gp, CFHS
Captain (Navy) Nick Gauthier, CD, CHE – Commander 1 Health Services Group (1 HSG), CFHS
Colonel William Rideout, CD – Director Health Services Operations (DHSO), CFHS

12. Improving mental health care with digital innovations: Exploring barriers and facilitators for development and adoption

This session will explore how the integration of digital technologies and innovations in mental healthcare can improve adherence to quality standards for Major Depression and Anxiety and Related Disorders within Ontario. At St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH), novel digital tools and associated performance indicators were built into the electronic medical record (EPIC) to optimize measurement-based care and standardize discharge summaries for patients and providers, with the goal of enhancing patient outcomes and continuity of care. These digital tools were intended to be adaptive to clinicians’ workflows and responsive to a range of patient encounter needs while aligning with provincial initiatives to embed up-to-date evidence and quality standards into clinical practice.

Learning objectives will include understanding the barriers and facilitators for (1) developing and implementing digital solutions within EPIC across various clinical settings (i.e., inpatient and outpatient units), (2) navigating change management processes and fostering clinician adoption, (3) adapting standard processes based on clinical intervention (i.e., inpatient stays, individual therapy, group therapy), and (4) addressing and improving data accuracy with the use of digital tools.

The session will also demonstrate how the practical application of digital tools can enhance shared decision-making and empower patients to take an active role in their care. Through case examples and interactive discussions, an increased use of innovative digital tools as compared to clinician driven decision making will be explored.

Leadership lessons learned will emphasize the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and a patient-centered approach in leveraging digital technologies to elevate the standard of care and drive excellence in mental health treatment.

Speaker:
Danielle Rice – Clinical Lead; Clinical & Health Psychologist, St. Josephs Healthcare Hamilton

13. Collaboration, innovation, and grassroots care based on the community health transformation (CHT) model. Applied to indigenous health in a rural remote Manitoba community 

True healthcare transformation begins within communities, built on collaboration and the voices of those directly impacted. This session will provide a clear, practical framework for creating sustainable, value-based health systems that create innovation, respect cultural traditions, and address healthcare disparities in underserved populations.

Drawing on the success of implementing my proprietary Community Health Transformation Model in a rural, remote community in Manitoba, I will highlight how trust-building, grassroots engagement and cross-sector collaboration can create lasting improvements in health outcomes. This model offers a pathway for leaders to transform systems that reflect the needs and strengths of the people they serve.

Participants will gain:

• Practical tools for capacity-building and designing value-based, community-driven health systems.
• Strategies for integrating cultural traditions and patient-centered care into healthcare delivery.
• Approaches to building collaboration across sectors like education, public health, and housing to drive innovation.

This session illustrates the power of leadership and grassroots engagement to drive systems transformation. I will demonstrate how this approach creates trust (through truth), improves access, and achieves meaningful change by sharing a real-life case study. Whether you’re an aspiring leader, middle manager, or senior executive, this session will equip you with the tools and confidence to lead equity-focused transformation and reimagine healthcare systems.

Speaker:
Diane Gudmundson – Retired Nurse Practitioner

14. Co-create CCHL’s New Strategy!

Objectives: Engage members/CNC participants in an interactive session designed to gather feedback on CCHL’s current state – including the challenges and opportunities associated with our current environment, and offer recommendations regarding what CCHL should be doing more of, less or differently to chart the course for an inspired Strategic future

Approach: Interactive “co-creation” session – small group with plenary discussion. Small group discussion will be facilitated – as will plenary discussion.

Speaker:
Sue Owen – President & CEO, Canadian College of Health Leaders

15. Coaches’ Corner 

Take your leadership to the next level. Come and speak with leaders from across Canada in a one-on-one setting. Hear personal leadership stories, ask questions and gain valuable advice. Leaders of health regions, hospitals, private sector and community organizations, from coast to coast, will be available to provide armchair coaching in relaxed surroundings. This session is ideal for emerging or mid-career leaders looking for advice and feedback from some of Canada’s most respected health leaders.

Note that pre-registration is required to attend the Coaches' Corner Sessions.

Sponsored by: Roche

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

10:15 - 11:45

16. Applied artificial intelligence in healthcare: A case example 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform society yet its adoption in healthcare has been slow. This session will use several case examples of AI in healthcare to review basic concepts in AI, discuss its strengths and challenges, and convey implications for healthcare administrators, providers, and patients. This session will also review approaches to the responsible development and deployment of AI solutions in healthcare environments and the need for greater AI literacy to use AI in an effective manner to improve patient outcomes and healthcare system efficiency. Attendees will also gain insights into strategic considerations in using AI solutions in healthcare settings. The attendees will review a case where they will need to identify critical factors to consider when deciding to adopt an AI solution.

Speaker:
Dr. Muhammad Mumdani – Vice President - Data Science and Advanced Analytics, Unity Health Toronto

17. Nurturing resilience through the network

The Alberta Health Services (AHS) Nursing Mentorship Network, referred to as “the Network,” aims to cultivate resilience, collaboration, and leadership among healthcare professionals. This interactive session will showcase an innovative mentorship approach designed to empower nurses to navigate challenges, enhance workforce well-being, and improve patient care through initiatives such as Community of Practice (CoP) sessions and a pilot formal mentorship program.

Participants will:

1. Understand the structure and impact of the Network in fostering resilience among nurses.
2. Engage in World Café style discussions focused on mentorship challenges, leadership development, resources, and strategies for effectively matching mentees with mentors.
3. Collaboratively develop solutions to enhance mentoring skills and address challenges in mentorship relationships.
4. Gain insights into the new pilot formal mentorship program aimed at improving the overall mentoring experience.

This proposal aligns with the retention theme by emphasizing the essential role of mentorship in nursing workforce well-being. Through initiatives like mentorship matching strategies, CoP sessions, and other resources, the Network fosters a supportive culture for Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, and nursing students at all career stages.

The session will provide a framework for creating and implementing mentorship networks within participants' organizations, sharing tools and methods for promoting nurse engagement, professional development, and emotional support.

While direct patient participation is not part of our mentorship program, we strive to integrate the patient voice for continuous improvement, recognizing that robust mentorship enhances patient care and empowers nurses in their careers. We recognize that when nurses receive robust support through mentorship, the quality of patient care significantly enhances. Our aim is to empower nurses as they advance in their practice, ultimately becoming more effective nurses. Overall, this session exemplifies a pioneering approach to mentorship in nursing while addressing key issues of leadership, retention, and inclusion.

Speakers:
Dawn Vallet-Macdonald – Provincial Senior Practice Consultant, Alberta Health Services (AHS)
Justine Bremner – CoACT Team Lead, Alberta Health Services (AHS)

18. Une francophonie audacieuse pour des communautés en santé : l'approche collaborative et innovante de planification stratégique pour trois organisations Montfor 

Cette présentation illustre le processus de planification stratégique collaboratif, inclusif et innovant réalisé pour la première fois par trois organisations – l'Hôpital Montfort, l’Institut du Savoir Montfort et Santé Montfort – se dotent d’une vision commune, de missions complémentaires, de valeurs et de principes fondamentaux, et de 5 objectifs clés et 17 résultats à atteindre en 4 ans.

À la fin de la séance, les participants seront en mesure de :

• identifier les éléments structurants favorisant l’adoption d'un processus de planification stratégique collaboratif et intégré ;
• connaitre les approches innovantes et leur valeur ajoutée pour encourager la collaboration et l’identification de solutions novatrices;
• apprécier la force du processus démocratique utilisé pour dégager les priorités et identifier les résultats ayant la plus grande valeur pour la santé des communautés.

Le processus présenté est collaboratif, innovant et a permis de concevoir un plan stratégique pour que les soins, l’enseignement et la recherche soient fondés sur la valeur.

Les participants verront concrètement la mise en œuvre du processus et comment adopter une telle approche de planification stratégique.

Les participants découvriront la gouvernance et le mandat de planification, impliquant trois conseils d’administrations et un comité directeur de 33 personnes; comment on a impliqué en 10 semaines plus de 1 300 personnes et organisations à Ottawa et à travers l’Ontario, lors de 80 consultations et 4 conférences publiques, dans les deux langues officielles.

Par une démonstration, on présentera l’approche participative, transparente et démocratique de remue-méninge électronique ; comment on a fait des choix à partir des 800 idées reçues, pour dégager 200 résultats potentiels, réduits à 55, puis à 17 après validation par 300 personnes.

La présentation permet de comprendre comment un leadership collaboratif a permis à trois organisations et un comité directeur de mobiliser les parties prenantes dans l’objectif d’améliorer la santé des communautés.

Speakers:
Martin Sauvé – Directeur des communications et co-responsable, planification stratégique, Hôpital Montfort
Dominic Giroux – Président-directeur général, Hôpital Montfort et Santé Montfort
Estelle Ethier – Cheffe de la direction, Institut du Savoir Montfort

19. Advancing climate action through standards and accreditation

This presentation will provide an overview of the impact of climate change on healthcare and how climate action can be advanced through standards and accreditation.

By the end of this presentation, participants will understand impacts of climate change on their organization and how they can address sustainable health care. Participants will be able to apply these learnings to advance climate action within their own organization. Participants will have the opportunity to share their understanding of the climate crisis and ask questions about the impact on healthcare.

There is a clear need for standardized requirements for health and social service organizations in Canada to address climate resiliency and sustainable health care. HSO is working to address this need in collaboration with partners by embedding requirements within standards, assessment programs, and survey instruments to address the growing impacts of climate change on human and planetary health.

The World Health Organization has called climate change the greatest global health threat facing the world in the 21st century. Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year. The direct damage costs to health are estimated to be between US $2-4 billion per year by 2030.

The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care Green Hospital Scorecard has revealed that while some recognition of climate change has been undertaken in hospitals, including assigning climate-related responsibilities to health care providers, less than 30% of hospitals report that climate risks have been integrated into policies.

This presentation will highlight how collaboration and innovation across the healthcare system in partnership with patients and families can address the climate crisis by working towards an environmentally sustainable, net-zero, and climate-resilient health system. This presentation will also address lessons for healthcare leaders in addressing climate change within their organizations.

Speakers:
Vishal Jain – Director, Health Equity, Health Standards Organization
Myles Sergeant – Executive Director, Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care
Maya Kalogirou – President, Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment

20. Re-imagining care through health, community, and family caregiver partnerships: Forging a future of integrated care, together

Purpose: This session highlights how engaging family caregivers as essential partners in healthcare can drive transformative change, improve outcomes, and strengthen system and community resilience. Participants will explore practical strategies to integrate caregivers into health and community systems, addressing workforce challenges in both while recognizing family caregivers as navigators bridging these interconnected systems.

Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will: Understand the pivotal role family caregivers play in enhancing patient outcomes and system performance. Identify tools and strategies for implementing caregiver-inclusive practices across health and community settings. Develop actionable steps to scale caregiver-centered initiatives in their own contexts.

Relevance to Presentation Topic: Aligned with the "Unstoppable!" theme, this session emphasizes bold approaches to integrating family caregivers into healthcare and community systems, advancing equity, resilience, and sustainability while addressing workforce pressures across sectors.

Applications: Participants will gain insights into frameworks like the Alberta Caregiver Strategy and the Caregiver-Centered Care Competency Framework, along with examples of caregiver-inclusive models that improve care transitions, reduce readmissions, and enhance system performance. The session highlights caregivers as "hidden workforce" members who bridge health and community systems, mitigating workforce pressures.

Patient & Family Involvement: Co-design principles are central to this session. Family caregivers shaped the frameworks and case studies, grounding solutions in lived experience.

Participant Engagement Activities: Interactive discussions, breakout groups, and collaborative planning exercises will enable participants to apply concepts to their settings.

Leadership Lessons Learned: Participants will explore how healthcare leaders can champion caregiver and community inclusion, fostering collaboration to build equitable, sustainable systems.

Why Attend? This session equips healthcare leaders to reimagine care partnerships, recognizing family caregivers as vital contributors to integrated, caregiver-centered care.

Speakers:
Jasneet Parmar – Professor and Physician, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta
Glenda Tarnowski – Growth and Innovation Lead, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta
Helen Lightfoot – Senior Practice Consultant Connecting People & Community for Living Well, Alberta Health Services

21. Are health leaders 'UNSTOPPABLE' in fostering a culture of health within organizations? Insights from frontline healthcare professionals

Nurturing frontline healthcare professionals (HPs) to adopt healthy self-care habits and behaviors is critical, as they are the backbone of healthcare organizations. This focus is essential for addressing workforce shortages and moving towards sustainable healthcare systems. The purpose of this session is to explore how to foster and support an organizational culture centered on shared values that promote healthy self-care strategies. Additionally, we aim to create department and unit climates that nurture and encourage HPs to thrive while engaging in daily self-care practices.

Results from our mixed methods study, particularly the interview phase, reveal that while some HPs practice healthy self-care behaviors, others do not. Additionally, some HPs noted that their overall personal health impacts their ability to provide clinical care to patients. Therefore, establishing an organizational culture of health and supportive department/unit climates—alongside adopting healthy self-care habits—may lead to improved patient care and increased patient satisfaction.

The learning objectives for the World Café-style activity include: (1) create strategies and tactics to develop and embody a caring organizational culture of health and to improve department/unit climates to help HPs acquire healthy self-care habits and behaviors; (2) develop a comprehensive plan and a set of recommendations for effectively communicating, coordinating, and promoting healthy self-care strategies throughout the career spans of HPs; and (3) formulate tactics to encourage HPs to adopt and maintain healthy self-care habits and behaviors.

Quotes from HP interviews and emergent themes from data analysis will stimulate, guide, and reinforce these learning outcomes, ultimately leading to practical applications based on the lessons learned. Examples include designing healthy workplaces aligned with shared values and understanding which managerial actions support HPs adopting healthy self-care practices. This will contribute to the ‘unstoppable’ realization of a healthy workforce.

Speakers:
Claudia Steinke – Associate Professor, University of Lethbridge
Helen Kelley – Associate Professor, University of Lethbridge
Suha Damag – PhD Candidate, University of Lethbridge
Olu Awosoga – Professor, University of Lethbridge

22. Co-create CCHL’s New Strategy!

Objectives: Engage members/CNC participants in an interactive session designed to gather feedback on CCHL’s current state – including the challenges and opportunities associated with our current environment, and offer recommendations regarding what CCHL should be doing more of, less or differently to chart the course for an inspired Strategic future

Approach: Interactive “co-creation” session – small group with plenary discussion. Small group discussion will be facilitated – as will plenary discussion.

Speakers:
Sue Owen – President & CEO, Canadian College of Health Leaders

23. Coaches’ Corner

Take your leadership to the next level. Come and speak with leaders from across Canada in a one-on-one setting. Hear personal leadership stories, ask questions and gain valuable advice. Leaders of health regions, hospitals, private sector and community organizations, from coast to coast, will be available to provide armchair coaching in relaxed surroundings. This session is ideal for emerging or mid-career leaders looking for advice and feedback from some of Canada’s most respected health leaders.

Note that pre-registration is required to attend the Coaches' Corner Sessions.

Sponsored by: Roche

13:30 - 14:30

24. Transforming healthcare with federated learning: Ethical ai for enhanced decision-making and care delivery           

The Federated Learning (FL) project, a planned collaboration between GE HealthCare, the Ontario Brain Institute (OBI), and Intel, aims to transform healthcare by using a Federated Learning solution to train AI models that will enhance decision-making, streamline operations, and improve care delivery while addressing critical ethical considerations. The purpose of this initiative is to demonstrate how innovative technologies can create generalizable and continuously improving AI models, particularly as they encounter diverse patient populations.

Participants will learn about the transformative role of FL in advancing healthcare outcomes through secure, decentralized AI training that preserves patient privacy while leveraging diverse datasets. Key learning objectives include understanding how FL mitigates biases, improves outcomes, promotes fairness in AI models, and ensures alignment with ethical principles such as transparency and accountability.

This project is highly relevant to the integration of AI into everyday healthcare practice. It addresses systemic challenges like data security, equity, and trust and provides practical tools for more inclusive and effective AI. Additionally, patient and family involvement is central to this initiative, as FL builds confidence in AI-driven systems by prioritizing privacy, fairness, and equity in its design and outcomes.

To engage participants, the session will include real-world examples, lessons learned from deploying FL frameworks, and discussions on how continuous learning enhances clinical insights. By sharing leadership strategies and lessons from cross-organizational collaboration, the project emphasizes the importance of innovation, ethical alignment, and stakeholder engagement.

This project demonstrates how embracing ethical and responsible AI can address healthcare challenges while improving outcomes for diverse populations, ensuring AI technologies truly reshape care delivery and decision-making for the better.

Speakers:
Tom Mikkelsen – President and Scientific Director, Ontario Brain Institute
Dr. Daniel Zikovitz – Director of Digital Innovation and AI, GE Healthcare

25. Elevating nutrition: A key strategy for improving hospital outcomes and efficiency

Based on previous engagement sessions with health leaders across Canada, there is a lack of awareness around the positive impact of nutrition care on decreasing lengths of stay and hospital cost savings, all of which have a direct impact on bed capacity and flow.

Up to 1 in 2 adults and 1 in 3 children admitted to Canadian hospitals are malnourished. After discharge from hospital, around 1 in 4 adults lose weight within 30 days of discharge and 1 in 5 are readmitted to hospital. Senior health leaders are in a unique position to elevate nutrition as an executive mandate across healthcare settings, advocating for its inclusion as a core quality and safety indicator.

The aim of this interactive session is to increase the awareness of nutrition care as a solution to improve access and flow and gain insights from health leaders who have utilized the impact of malnutrition to drive significant changes in their hospitals. Additionally, patient and caregiver experiences with food and nutrition will be shared. Through a facilitated interview style didactic exchange, attendees will engage in prompted discussions to identify current organizational priorities that can be applied to drive changes in nutrition care in their healthcare system.

Speakers will assess attendee baseline knowledge and perceptions about hospital malnutrition, followed by a review of evidence supporting the impact of nutrition. Tools and opportunities for collaboration to improve nutrition care for a better healthcare delivery towards quality patient care, will be shared.

Speakers:
Dr. Leah Gramlich – Physician, Alberta Health Services
Carlota Basualdo-Hammond – Executive Director Nutrition and Food Services, Alberta Health Services

26. Artificial intelligence in healthcare: Navigate pitfalls like a machine

This session will give healthcare leaders the opportunity to engage with other participants in considering challenges involved in implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in healthcare settings.

In a healthcare system that is increasingly technology-driven, innovation demands access to data, but many people remain of the view that patient privacy rights are paramount to those of researchers and developers of new health technologies. Outdated privacy laws hinder access to the large volumes of data that are needed to drive innovation. Other concerns arise regarding data privacy, bias, over-reliance on imperfect systems, and the potential for adverse events. Despite the risks, we need to develop and embrace AI tools if we are going to enhance our ability to deliver healthcare in an economical and sustainable manner.

The interactive exercises in this session will help healthcare leaders to work through some of the challenges that confront institutions implementing and developing AI tools and to consider some of the associated ethical implications.

The panel will highlight some of the exciting AI and digital health tools that are changing the way we deliver care in Canada, demonstrating the positive impact that AI and digital technology can have on patients and families and our ability to deliver quality care.

Through hypothetical fact scenarios based on real-world cases, this interactive session will offer participants the opportunity to actively engage in consideration of the many competing interests at play when implementing new AI tools in a healthcare setting. Leaders will hear firsthand how large organizations have been successful in making AI and digital technology a priority to the tremendous benefit of patients, families, healthcare providers, and the healthcare system more broadly.

Speakers:
Keegan Boyd – Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Nataly Farshait – Director of Healthcare Safety and Risk Management, Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC)
Leo Dias – Vice President of Performance Excellence and Information Services, Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC)
Melanie de Wit – Chief Legal Officer, Unity Health

27. Unlocking the potential of robotic assisted surgery to improve surgical care quality in Canada

Purpose: Demonstrate how robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) has improved outcomes, reduced surgical backlogs and benefits surgeon ergonomics and attraction and retention.

Learning Objectives:

• Use of RWE in provincial planning
• RAS OR workflow and slate planning best practices to reduce surgical backlog
• RAS benefits for HHR

 Relevance: This session will demonstrate how Alberta is executing system transformation using RAS to improve quality, health system capacity and health equity.

Local RAS RWE demonstrated benefits across multiple performance metrics including LOS, blood loss and transfusions, complications and readmissions. Looking forward, the evaluation of RAS also considered value to ergonomics, HHR attraction and retention; and surgical education to future-proof the health system.

The EDSP employs comprehensive stakeholder engagement that can be replicated to support evidence-based decision making and orchestrate change.

Practical applications: Adoption of RAS in Canada lags other developed nations, potentially leading to suboptimal patient outcomes and reducing competitiveness of Canadian programs. Globally, da Vinci RAS is used in urology, gynecolgy, colorectal/rectal, general surgery, head & neck and cardiac procedures.

RAS adoption is expected to improve health system security by improving patient outcomes, efficiency and driving HHR benefits. Importantly, savings generated from improved outcomes is expected to offset the cost of technology adoption. Looking forward, the adoption of RAS creates a pathway to integrate digital innovations and AI into surgical education and care*.

Leadership Lessons: Creation of a RAS governance committee aligns the interests of the OR team, surgeons and leadership; and collaborates with Industry to support technology training and drive the development of a successful RAS program.

RAS is new to some surgeons and some RAS surgeons in hospitals without the technology need a refresh of skills. Industry collaboration facilitates access to global best practices and global surgeon proctors to support our surgeons.

*Pending Health Canada submissions and approval of future technology

Speaker:
Connie Wong – Director, Global Access and Value Economics, Intuitive Surgical

28. UNSTOPPABLE leadership and partnership to improve patient access, care and throughput

This session will describe a case study which began as a request to solve one problem related to waitlist management in cardiology and has since led to development of a comprehensive provincial Central Intake Solution. It will highlight successes and challenges, requiring leaders to be tenacious, optimistic and drive forward with an unstoppable attitude to succeed.

After this session attendees will have:

1)         Increased insights into the multiple reasons why, despite much time and effort, waitlists continue to be a top challenge.
2)         Increased knowledge of the impact of inappropriate referrals on our health system.
3)         An understanding of a working model to develop equitable provincial wide Central Intake, including impacts of technology integration.
4)         Helped re-imagine and inform waitlist optimization for the future.

The audience will hear from presenters who have been part of this innovation journey since 2018; highlighting required collaboration to understand provincial needs, engage appropriate stakeholders, co-develop, and deliver a solution to deliver value, managed through an innovative, value-based contract.

The case study will describe an innovation, which is currently in use and being further developed in the province of NL. This is a future road map innovation for which we would like to seek input from the attendees at this session.

Leadership lessons learned throughout the journey will be shared, such as:

The importance of:

-           Selecting the right partners
-           Executive leadership in transformative change
-           Significant need for focused change management with transformative change impacting numerous stakeholder groups.
-           Clinical and Technology collaboration/partnerships

Speakers:
Nevin Pick – President, Mobia Health Innovations
Bonnie S Cochrane – Business Development Executive, Mobia Health Innovations
Cassie Chisholm – Vice President Transformation Health Systems, NL Health Services

Optional Events

Please review the optional events below in addition to the CCHL National Conference. Note that there may be additional costs to these optional events.

Optional Event: ACHE Workshop

Be the best part of their day: Supercharging communication with values-driven leadership
08:30 - 11:30 | Sunday, June 15, 2025

*Cette séance est disponible en anglais seulement.

This seminar offers healthcare leaders an opportunity to enhance their communication skills and become the highlight of their colleagues' day. By incorporating values-driven leadership principles, participants will gain actionable insights to engage more meaningfully with key stakeholders such as board members, physicians, senior leaders, staff employees and community members.

The presenter will draw from his extensive research on five United States hospital systems. He will share impactful lessons that led to the identification of three vital components of executive engagement. Additionally, he will present 15 actions that can be implemented to strengthen relationships and drive positive outcomes.

Seminar Objectives:
• Discover the three key components of executive engagement.
• Gain insights into 15 actionable steps to foster and improve professional relationships.
• Develop a personal leadership values statement to guide decision-making and actions.

Speaker
David L. Schreiner, PhD, FACHE – President/CEO, Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital

David L. Schreiner, PhD, FACHE, is president/CEO, Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital, Dixon, Ill. He is a passionate advocate for rural hospitals, having spent most of his life in small towns and working in small communities.

Schreiner considers himself a values-driven leader who lives in the moment, has an unquenchable thirst for continual learning, challenges existing practices, produces positive results, innovates to improve the lives of others and loves unconditionally. He aims to be a missionary for excellent health and vibrant communities and spread love through generosity and healing. His research focuses on improving the health of others, with a particular emphasis on rural communities.

From 2016 to 2019, Schreiner served on ACHE’s Board of Governors. He is also the past chairman of the American Hospital Association Rural Health Task Force. He was the 2007 Dixon, Illinois Citizen of the Year and received the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of St. Francis College of Business.

His first book, Be the Best Part of Their Day: Supercharging Communication with Values-Driven Leadership, will be available January 2024.

As an independent chartered chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Canadian Chapter of ACHE is authorized to award 3.0 hours of ACHE In-Person Education Credit toward advancement or recertification in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Attendance at this program entitles certified Canadian College of Health Leaders members (CHE / Fellow) to 3 Category I credits towards their maintenance of certification requirement for attending the conference.

Pre-registration is required to participate in this workshop. The cost to attend this workshop is $195 (plus tax).

Optional Event: CCHL Leadership Integration Forum 2025
12:30 - 16:30 | Sunday, June 15, 2025

*Cette séance est disponible en anglais seulement.

Join us in Edmonton on June 15, 2025, for an enriching half-day event designed to ignite inspiration among health leaders and provide you with tangible strategies to enhance your organizational leadership capacity and performance.

Regardless of your organization’s current starting point, this event promises to deliver insights and clear action steps for advancing leadership integration within your context. Don’t miss the opportunity to take your organization’s leadership to new heights.

For additional information and to register, click here.

Optional Event: Honouring Health Leadership Event
18:00 - 23:00 | Sunday, June 15, 2025

We invite you to join us and celebrate the accomplishments of the National Awards Program recipients at the College’s Honouring Health Leadership Event, a hallmark of excellence in healthcare and professionalism.

The cost to attend this event is as indicated below.

Individual ticket    $205.00 (plus tax)
Table of eight       $1,600.00 (plus tax)

For additional information and to register, click here.

Attendance at this program entitles certified Canadian College of Health Leaders members (CHE / Fellow) to 2 Category I credits towards their maintenance of certification requirement for attending the event.

CHE Program One-on-One Consultations

08:00 - 5:00 | Monday and Tuesday, June 16-17, 2025

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet in a “One-on-One” setting with Stéphane Joannette, Director of Professional Certifications and Strategic Alliances at The Canadian College of Health Leaders during the National Conference to answer some of your questions and to gain insights on the CHE Program.

Click here to book your One-on-One consultation with Stéphane.

Our Sponsors

Hoping to gain exposure, build good will, and connect with health leaders?

Sponsoring CCHL’s National Conference might be the perfect approach.

With a stellar program, we know that the Canadian College of Health Leader’s National Conference will provide an inspiring and interactive environment for top decision makers in the healthcare field and will offer you many networking opportunities. The College is offering a number of levels of sponsorship. Each level provides the sponsor with a significant list of benefits and opportunities. Flexibility is available at each level. We invite you to join us and support this event!

Please contact Jaime Cleroux at jcleroux@cchl-ccls.ca with any questions.

Title Sponsor

In collaboration with

Gold

Bronze

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Conference Venue

Edmonton Convention Centre
9797 Jasper Ave
Edmonton, AB T5J 1N9

Accommodations

The Westin Edmonton

10135 100 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 0N7
Toll free: 1-800-937-8471
Online booking: Click here to reserve your room.
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yegwi-the-westin-edmonton/

Traditional room – King                         $255.00 (Single/double occupancy)
Traditional room – Two doubles             $255.00 (Single/double occupancy)
Executive King                                      $280.00 (Single/double occupancy)
Deluxe Wing – King                               $305.00 (Single/double occupancy)

Enjoy comfort at The Westin Edmonton. Situated in the capital city of Alberta, Canada, our hotel in downtown Edmonton connects you with our thrilling Arts District, a few minutes' stroll to Rogers Arena and Ice District, restaurants and outdoor activities. Energize with delicious breakfast and dinner options from Share Restaurant. Business travelers capitalize on high-speed Internet access and work desks with ergonomic chairs. Our 416 hotel rooms and suites exceed expectations thanks to our famous Westin Heavenly® beds. The Westin Edmonton is just steps away from the Edmonton Convention Centre and the beautiful River Valley.

Reservations must be made by May 12, 2025 to benefit from the conference rate.

The Fairmont McDonald

10065 100 St NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 0N6
Tel:  1-780-429-6419
Toll free: 1 800-441-1414
Online booking: Click here to reserve your room.
https://www.fairmont.com/macdonald-edmonton/

CCHL Accommodation - $309.00 (Single/double occupancy)

For more than a century, Fairmont Hotel Macdonald has effortlessly delivered timeless luxury in the heart of downtown Edmonton. Nestled upon the North Saskatchewan River Valley, the hotel’s charm and ever-evolving elegance has earned it the spotlight as one of the city's most sought-after locations since 1915. Boasting dignified style and luxurious detail, our recently renovated guestrooms are elegantly appointed with modern décor and the finest amenities.

Reservations must be made by May 12, 2025, to benefit from the conference rate.

Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton Downtown

One Thornton Court
99 Street and Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 2E7
Tel: 1-780-423-9999
Toll-free: 1-866-441-7591
Booking link: Click here to reserve your room.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yegcy-courtyard-edmonton-downtown/

Guest room rate - $189.00 (Single/Double occupancy)

The newly renovated Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton Downtown features 188 modern guestrooms offering panoramic views of the North Saskatchewan River. Located conveniently in the downtown core next to the Edmonton Convention Centre and easy walking distance to Edmonton City Centre Mall, Rogers Place, Ice District, The Royal Alberta Museum and access to the river valley trail system via the 100th Street Funicular. All of our main floor outlets and meeting space offer floor to ceiling windows with spectacular views of the North Saskatchewan River. Riverside Bistro gives our guests a memorable dining experience with a menu that promotes local producers, in a comfortable atmosphere or relax on our seasonal patio.

Reservations must be made by May 15, 2025, to benefit from the conference rate.

Transportation

Air Canada

Canada is pleased to offer you special discounts on fares. To book a flight with the promotion code TVCN3AA1, access aircanada.com and enter your promotional code in the promotion code box before initiating your search. Note that some restrictions apply.

WestJet

WestJet is pleased to offer 5% off Econo* and 10% off EconoFlex and Premium fares for travel within Canada and 2% off Econo*, 5% off EconoFlex and 10% off Premium base fares for guests travelling Trans-border. No discount will apply to Ultra Basic or Business class bookings. To take advantage of this offer, you will need to use the discount code 8H8N6UT. Please visit westjet.com to make a booking online.

Porter

Porter Airlines is proud to offer a up to 10% discount on available base fares (with the exception of the lowest class fare during a public seat sale) for travel to and from the CCHL National Conference 2025. The discounted fares are available for booking from January 19, 2025 to June 14, 2025 and available for travel:

Location and dates of Travel:
From: All Markets to Edmonton (YEG) from 12 June 2025 to 16 June 2025
From: Edmonton (YEG) to All Markets from 16 June 2025 to 20 June 2025

Please book online at flyporter.com or
through your travel agent using promo code “CCHL25”.

Porter Airlines is committed to effortless travel, onboard. We’ve put a lot of care into our service since our first flight in 2006, with a fresh smile for every flight. Our elevated all-economy service is designed around you, to be the best possible experience. And our planes are designed around the environment, to the highest standards service, and amenities that enhance your journey, all delivered in style and comfort.

The promo code is intended for use by conference attendees and organizers and is not meant for distribution outside of authorized channels. Porter’s fare rules and conditions apply. For any questions regarding Porter’s services or any pre-travel concerns, contact us at 1-888-619-8622.

Conference Policies