Hospitals and health systems are embracing robotic-assisted surgery as the standard of care across Canada and worldwide. From urology and gynecology to thoracic and general surgery, robotic-assisted surgery improves outcomes, recovery and length of stay which can contribute to increased capacity.
Whether you're a frontline healthcare professional, in finance, or a hospital administrator, this session will offer insights into how robotic-assisted surgery can transform surgery outcomes, change workflows, and support surgeon and workforce attraction and retention. This session will also discuss innovative procurement and funding strategies.
You will learn the following:
- how robotic-assisted surgery leads to improved patient outcomes and downstream efficiencies within the hospital;
- strategic insights for health leaders on implementation, planning, governance and return on investment;
- innovative procurement and funding strategies to drive value; and
- the evolving role of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic surgery in surgical programs.
Top surgeons and health administrators will share their experiences, challenges, and insights about integrating robotic-assisted surgery into their hospitals and health systems.
Featured Speakers:
Amy McCavour, RN
Amy McCavour is the Clinical Executive Director for Horizon Health Network’s Surgery Program. Amy joined Horizon in 2015 working in progressive leadership roles as registered nurse in the surgical and coronary care units. In 2019, Amy held the position of Medical and Surgical ICU Nurse Manager becoming the Administrative Director of Surgical Services and Critical Care in 2021. In 2022, Amy was appointed as the Executive Director and Co-Leader of Regional Surgical Services, and in 2024 was appointed as the Clinical Executive Director of Surgery.
Dr. Frances Wright, MD
Dr. Wright began her career with Sunnybrook in 2004 as staff in the Department of Surgery. She has many years of administrative and leadership experience that includes serving as Program Director for General Surgery Oncology Fellowship Program at the University of Toronto; Head of Breast Cancer and Melanoma at Louise Temerty Breast Centre; Provincial Skin Cancer Lead for Cancer Care Ontario (CCO); Quality and Knowledge Transfer Lead, Surgical Oncology Program, CCO and is currently the Provincial Head of Surgical Oncology Program for CCO-Ontario Health. Dr. Wright is a graduate of the University of Toronto. She completed residency training in general surgery at Queen’s University followed by fellowship training in General surgical oncology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Wright obtained her MEd from the University of Toronto. She holds certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dr. Wright is currently a Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Liane Feldman, MD
Dr. Liane Feldman is the Edward W. Archibald Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery at McGill University and Surgeon-in-chief at the McGill University Health Centre. Dr. Feldman’s clinical focus is minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery. Her patient-centered clinical research program focuses on improving quality and outcomes of abdominal surgery. Dr. Feldman established a multidisciplinary group implementing evidence-based Enhanced Recovery perioperative care plans at the McGill University Health Centre which was recognized as a leading practice by Accreditation Canada, and has been contracted by the Ministry of Health to support ERAS implementation across the province. She has served in international leadership roles including at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), where she served as President; the American College of Surgeons, where she serves on the Board of Regents; and the Fellowship Council, where she led the implementation of Entrustable Professional Activities.
Tara Klassen, PhD
Tara Klassen, PhD, is an accomplished, self-motivated translational scientist with more than 25 years of experience in developing and conducting health- focused scientific research projects. Tara has won multiple awards for her innovation, teaching, and research, including the Brandon University Inaugural Outstanding Young Alumni Award, the University of Alberta Excellence in Teaching Award, and the American Epilepsy Society Young Investigator Award, twice. In 2023, she was recognized by the Cumming School of Medicine with their Service to People and Partners award for her contributions as a health systems scientist. Tara now sits within Surgical Care Alberta, where she leads the Evidence Decision Support Program and the Provincial Advisory Council on Device Innovation.
Moderator:
Don Juzwishin, PhD, FCCHL
Don Juzwishin, PhD, FCCHL, has 40 years of experience in global, national, provincial and local healthcare administration, research, consulting and education. His areas of interest are the effective application of science and values to inform health policy, decisions, healthcare reform and informatics. He specializes in the creation and application of health technology assessment to inform decisions of clinical and cost effectiveness of healthcare interventions. Don is Editor-in-Chief of Healthcare Management Forum and is work package lead for AGE-WELL Canada’s technology and aging network. He also holds adjunct Associate Professor positions at the Universities of Alberta, Calgary, and Victoria.
FEES:
CCHL members: Free
Non-members: $40.00
