On this episode of Tech About Town, we welcome JP Eskander, CEO and founder of Sifio Health, and Stacy Sobering from Communitech to discuss how AI-driven scheduling and workflow optimization can reduce surgery wait times and improve hospital efficiency. 

They explore the barriers to innovation in healthcare, the impact of COVID-19 on tech adoption, and why Canada is an ideal testbed for new solutions. Plus, hear how startups like Sifio Health are navigating the complex healthcare landscape to bring real change. Stacy Sobering also shares how programs like Fast Track Health are connecting Canadian innovators with customers across the country and around the world.

You can also catch JP’s pitch from The Fast Track Health Showcase here.

00:20 – The buzz at the Fast Track Health Showcase
02:09 – What is Sifio Health? AI-driven hospital optimization
03:17 – Real-world hospital inefficiencies and the impact on patient care
04:58 – The challenge of integrating healthcare data systems

06:18 – Why healthcare innovation faces barriers
08:55 – How AI-driven scheduling improves patient outcomes
10:40 – How COVID-19 accelerated tech adoption in healthcare

12:19 – The surprising cost vs. revenue model difference in Canadian and US healthcare
14:03 – Why Canada is an ideal testbed for healthcare innovation
15:19 – The role of Fast Track Health in supporting startups like Sifio Health
18:01 – Can AI help design the hospitals of the future?

20:18 – How hospital referrals impact patient wait times

21:36 – The ongoing need for tech-driven solutions in healthcare