People Leadership in the Digital Health Age

Healthcare leaders are called to evolve into the kind of visionaries who can unite purpose, people, and technology to propel Ontario’s healthcare system forward. This keynote is a rallying call to embrace courage, creativity, and collaboration as the true drivers of digital transformation.

• Redefining leadership mindsets for a digitally empowered healthcare future
• Moving from hierarchy to collaboration—leading across boundaries, not just within them
• Inspiring courage and creativity amid uncertainty and transformation
• Building a culture that embraces continuous learning, inclusivity, and innovation

As healthcare organizations transform digitally, inclusive leadership is emerging as the cornerstone of successful innovation. This session explores how digital tools and data can empower diverse teams, amplify underrepresented voices, and drive equitable patient outcomes across Ontario’s healthcare system.

• Leveraging digital platforms to promote collaboration, transparency, and equity in leadership decision-making
• Using analytics to identify and address disparities in patient care and workforce engagement
• Building diverse, digitally fluent teams that reflect the communities they serve
• Ensuring inclusivity is embedded in the design, adoption, and governance of healthcare technologies

As Ontario’s healthcare system undergoes rapid digital transformation, leaders must balance technological change with the human side of innovation. This discussion explores how forward-thinking people strategies can build resilience, inclusion, and agility across healthcare organizations navigating digital disruption.

• How can healthcare leaders foster team resilience amidst digital change?
• What leadership approaches best promote diversity and inclusion in health IT teams?
• How can emotional intelligence guide leaders through complex digital transitions?
• What strategies help retain top clinical and technical talent in Ontario’s healthcare system?

Myfanwy Marshall

Vice President, People and Experience, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Dhara Desai

Director, Digital Solutions, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Christie Lockhart

Medical Director of Quality, Innovation, and Research, Michael Garron Hospital

Artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping how healthcare organizations operate, optimize resources, and deliver patient-centered care. This session highlights practical ways Ontario’s healthcare leaders can harness intelligent technologies to reduce administrative burden, streamline workflows, and drive measurable system-wide impact.

• Applying AI-driven insights to enhance clinical decision support and operational planning
• Automating repetitive administrative and data-entry tasks to free up frontline capacity
• Integrating predictive analytics to improve patient flow, scheduling, and resource allocation
• Ensuring ethical use, transparency, and staff readiness in AI and automation adoption

Digital excellence in healthcare requires leaders who can align strategy, technology, and process to deliver measurable outcomes. This discussion explores how strategic leadership can simplify complexity, drive innovation, and create a foundation for efficient, patient-centered digital transformation across Ontario’s health system.

• How can leaders align digital health initiatives with provincial priorities and regulations?
• What strategies foster agility and innovation in hospital and health region operations?
• How can resources be effectively managed to maximize patient and system outcomes?
• What models of vendor collaboration can drive healthcare innovation forward?

• Leadership Fundamentals: Vision, Motivation, and Culture in Healthcare
• Emotional Intelligence and Ethical Leadership in Patient Care
• Innovation and Creativity in Hospital and Community Health Settings
• Strategic Thinking for System Integration and Transformation
• Communication Mastery for Healthcare Leaders
• Building Effective Multidisciplinary Teams
• Future Trends: Preparing Ontario Healthcare for Digital Shifts
• Personal Development for Leaders: Skills for the Next Era

As healthcare organizations accelerate digital adoption, ensuring the security and integrity of patient data has never been more critical. This session examines how leaders can champion a culture of trust, resilience, and accountability while implementing secure, scalable digital health solutions.

• Embedding cybersecurity and privacy-by-design principles into every stage of digital health adoption
• Strengthening governance frameworks for responsible data sharing and interoperability
• Building workforce awareness and readiness to mitigate emerging security risks
• Partnering with technology providers to align innovation with patient safety and regulatory compliance

As emerging technologies redefine the future of care delivery, visionary leadership is essential to guide adoption, integration, and impact. This discussion explores how Ontario’s healthcare leaders can balance innovation with governance, ensuring technology serves both clinical excellence and patient trust.

• How can healthcare leaders integrate emerging technologies effectively into care delivery?
• What leadership qualities are essential for addressing evolving cybersecurity threats in healthcare?
• How can data and analytics be leveraged to improve patient outcomes and trust?
• What barriers exist in healthcare technology adoption, and how can leadership overcome them?

Ted Scott

Vice President Innovation and Partnerships, Hamilton Health Sciences

Nicole Thomson

Vice President of Quality, Research & Patient Experience, Waterloo Regional Health Network

Michael Cole

Chief Information Security Officer, Lakeridge Hospital