As Canada prepares for the fall return of Parliament, a major policy question is emerging across industries: what is the country’s economic strategy for the next decade, and what role should health play in it?

After attending the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s B7 summit in May, BD-Canada posed the question: what happens when we shift our view of health as a strategic investment instead of a spending item? This episode of From the Burgundy Chairs reframes medical technologies not as cost centres, but as strategic investments -vital tools to strengthen Canada’s economic resilience, create high-value jobs, and fuel innovation.

In our latest podcast, we explore how a stronger, more integrated MedTech ecosystem can support national priorities from workforce productivity to global competitiveness, and why now is the moment to embed health innovation into Canada’s economic planning.

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Robyn Saccon, Vice President of Public Affairs, BD-Canada

Robyn Saccon is Vice President of Public Affairs at BD-Canada, a global medical technology company that advances health care by improving discovery, diagnostics and delivery of care. Robyn has led BD’s efforts to strengthen system partnerships and shape health policy through evidence-based advocacy.

Rob Pankhurst, Vice President (West), Medtech Canada

Rob Pankhurst is the Vice President (West) of Medtech Canada, the national association representing the medical technology industry. Rob brings deep public and private sector experience, and is a vocal advocate for aligning government priorities with industry innovation.

Digital Health Founders is a Santis Health series featuring one-on-one conversations with leaders from across Canada’s digital health ecosystem. From transformative startups to public sector changemakers, these episodes explore how innovators are shaping the future of care through collaboration, technology and bold thinking.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Checkley, President and Co-Founder of Accuro, one of Canada’s “Big 3” Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems used by more than a quarter of physicians across Canada and by millions of patients. 

Mike shares how he and his co-founders built Accuro EMR from a school project into one of Canada’s leading digital health platforms. He reflects on the strategies that fueled the company’s growth, lessons learned along the way, and offers insights into Accuro’s current work and the future of digital health.

Canada is making important strides in modernizing its health data infrastructure, but progress remains uneven and insufficient. While digital health investments continue at both the federal and provincial levels, health data across the system remains fragmented. Many provinces still lack transparent, public-facing health data strategies, and existing ones often exclude key health system partners. As a result, health data is underutilized, which has dire implications for patient care and health system functioning.

In this episode of From the Burgundy Chairs, created in partnership with Roche Canada, we explore the opportunity for inclusive collaboration in building a connected health data system. Hosted by Avis Favaro,  guests Carlene Todd, Vice President, Access, Roche Pharma Canada and Sudha Kutty, Executive Vice-President, Evidence, Products and Services, Canada’s Drug Agency, examine how together public and private sectors can accelerate innovation, enable better, faster patient and disease insights, and improve health outcomes through the responsible, accountable use of health data. 

In this episode, we explore how connected health data can support evidence-informed decisions across the health system, driving sustainable, high-quality care for all Canadians. We also discuss the importance of strong governance frameworks that protect privacy, build trust, and enable improved access decision-making. 

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Avis Favaro

Senior Advisor, Santis Health

Avis Favaro is an acclaimed medical journalist with decades of experience. She was Canada’s longest-serving television Medical Correspondent and currently contributes to CTV News as a freelance contributor. At Santis, she supports media training, backed by her extensive background in health storytelling. 

Carlene Todd, Vice President, Access, Roche Pharma Canada

Carlene Todd is Vice President, Access at Roche Pharma Canada. She leads Market Access & Pricing, Policy and Health Ecosystems and Patient Services teams at Roche Pharma Canada. With nearly 25 years at Roche, she brings deep expertise in global reimbursement systems and health policy. She is also a member of the Resilient Healthcare Coalition, committed to driving health system transformation and ensuring timely access to innovation for patients.

Sudha Kutty, Executive Vice-President, Evidence, Products, and Services, Canada’s Drug Agency

Sudha Kutty is the Executive Vice-President, Evidence, Products, and Services at Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC). She is responsible for overseeing a large portfolio of work including pharmaceutical reviews, post market drug evaluation, appropriate use as well as medical devices and clinical interventions.

This podcast was created with support from GE HealthCare Canada.

Theranostics is a patient-centric approach in medicine that combines diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to precisely visualize and treat cancer without harming healthy tissue. This innovative treatment method is an incredible showcase of technology in the health care system.

Featuring Mike Hamilton, CEO of GE HealthCare Canada, and Dr. Narinder Paul, Chief of Medical Imaging at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, this podcast explores the key aspects of theranostics, how it functions, the challenges of implementation in Canada, current applications, and a successful example of theranostics adoption in Ontario.

In this episode, we will learn about the real-world impact of theranostics and its potential to revolutionize patient care across Canada.

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Mike Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer, GE HealthCare Canada

Mike Hamilton is a senior executive and board member with over 30 years’ experience in health care and medical technology, gained through progressively senior commercial and executive roles in Canada and internationally. Since September 2022, he has served as the President and CEO of GE HealthCare Canada, where he is responsible for shaping the vision for the Canadian division and implementing the commercial strategy across the entire range of Imaging, Ultrasound, Patient Care Solutions, and Digital Solutions. Additionally, Mike is involved with the C.D. Howe Institute’s Health Policy Council and serves on the Corporate Advisory Council of the Canadian College of Health Leaders. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Western University and holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business.

Dr. Narinder Paul, Chief of Medical Imaging at St. Joseph’s Health Care London

Dr. Paul obtained his medical degree in 1987 and has held significant academic and administrative roles at the University Health Network and the University of Toronto, eventually becoming a full Professor in 2015. He currently serves as Site Chief and Director at Toronto General Hospital, with his research primarily focused on radiation dose reduction and image optimization in cardiothoracic imaging, driven by patient needs and clinical translation. Dr. Paul also holds graduate appointments and has actively participated in numerous provincial, national, and international professional organizations, receiving multiple awards for his contributions to radiology.

To build a stronger, more resilient health system in Ontario, we must fully recognize and support Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs).

RPNs deliver more than one-third of nursing care in Ontario, yet many remain underrecognized, underutilized, and misunderstood across the health care system. As patient needs grow and system pressures mount, RPNs are increasingly called upon to play critical roles on the front lines—often while facing high workloads, burnout, and barriers to practicing to their full scope.

In this episode, host Jeff Goodyear, Associate at Santis Health, sits down with Dianne Martin, CEO of the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN), to explore the evolving role of RPNs and the future of nursing in the province. Together, they discuss workforce challenges, the impact of misperceptions about RPNs, and the urgent need for system-wide solutions that value and support all nursing professionals. Tune in for an honest conversation about the path forward—and how empowering RPNs is essential to the sustainability of Ontario’s healthcare system.

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Dianne Martin

Chief Executive Officer, Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN)

Dianne is Chief Executive Officer of Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN). She’s been a nurse since 1979, initially graduating as a Registered Practical Nurse and then in 1998. She graduated as an Registered Nurse with a diploma in nursing and is dually registered as both an RN and RPN today. She subsequently has obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from York University and a Master of Leadership from Royal Roads University.

In her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario, she has been recognized for her work to build bridges of greater understanding, clarity, and respect among the categories of nurses in Ontario. Her Knowledge Process Model which she developed in 2013 has been used in Canada and internationally to provide clarity to different categories of nurses and ensure safe nursing practice based on patient need.

Dianne has experience working in several Ontario hospitals predominantly in the field of Perinatal Care. She has held several leadership positions as a senior policy analyst with the Nursing Policy and Innovation Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (formerly The Nursing Secretariat).

In 2015 Dianne received an honorary Bachelor of Applied Studies from Georgian College and in 2016 she received the Premier’s Award which recognizes college graduates whose achievements have made a difference in the province of Ontario.

She is the daughter of a nurse, mother to a nurse, and she holds all those who care for others in the highest regard.

On March 23, Prime Minister Mark Carney asked Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament and call a federal election, officially kicking off what’s known as the Writ Period. During this time, the federal government and its 370,000 public servants must follow the Caretaker Convention—a set of rules ensuring government operations continue while avoiding major new decisions until election day.

But what happens in times of crisis? How does the government function when leadership is in flux? 

In this episode, we  break down the Caretaker Convention and its real-world impact. We’ll hear from those who’ve lived it firsthand—senior civil servants Marcel Saulnier and Saäd Rafi, former Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro, and experienced political staffers from across party lines: Jill Pilgrim, Dave Penner, and Sean Ashton.

Guest Biographies:

Peter Cleary: Former Advisor to Health Ministers federally, provincially and currently Principal managing Santis’ Government Affairs practice. 

Tyler Shandro: An Associate at Santis Health, lawyer and Alberta’s Health Minister during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Saäd Rafi: Former Deputy Minister in the Government of Ontario, CEO of the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, and formerly a senior partner at a “Big Four” consulting firm. Currently an Executive Advisor at Santis Health. 

Dave Penner: Former Prime Minister’s Office Advisor to Stephen Harper and currently the Senior Director of Santis’ Federal Government Affairs practice. 

Jill Pilgrim: Lawyer and former Director of Policy to Health Minister Mark Holland, as well as Policy Advisor to the Ministers of Families, Children and Social Development, and Employment and Workforce Development. Currently a Senior Consultant at Santis Health.

Marcel Saulnier: An Associate with Santis Health, formerly an Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office, Director of Policy Research at the Canadian Medical Association, Executive Director of the pharmacare initiative at Health Canada, Executive Secretary of the Naylor Report and Associate Assistant Deputy Minister with Health Canada. 

Sean Ashton: Former political advisor to British Columbia’s Health Minister, Adrian Dix, Advisor to Ontario NDP’s 2022 election campaign, and campaign mobilizer in the United States. Currently, a Consultant on Santis Health’s Western Canada team.

Episode 37 | Tackling Physician Burnout - Building a Resilient Health Care System for Physicians 

To foster patient-first care, Canada needs healthy physicians.

In Canada, the issue of burnout is reaching critical levels, with nearly three-quarters of health care providers reporting symptoms of burnout. This has a profound impact not only on physicians but also on patient care and the sustainability of our health system. Dr.Bill, a key venture of RBCx, in partnership with the Ontario Medical Foundation, has invested $150,000 into three grants for physician-led research projects to help address this challenge. With over 200 applications, the selected projects focus on peer support, mindfulness training, and wellness evaluations.

In our latest episode hosted by acclaimed health journalist Avis Favaro, we’ll hear from three dedicated Ontario physicians — Dr. Noah Ivers, Dr. Elli Weisbaum, and Dr. Treena Wilkie — who are leading these projects and pioneering solutions to help physicians thrive. Together, we’ll explore the specific approaches of each project, early findings, and the potential to help reshape physician wellness in Canada.

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Dr. Noah Ivers, MD, PhD, CCFP

Family Physician and Scientist, Women's College Hospital

Dr. Noah Ivers (MD, CCFP, PhD) is a family physician at Women's College Hospital and a scientist at Women’s College Research Institute, where he leads a research program in implementation science, focusing on the use of data to drive evidence-based, patient-centred improvements in healthcare. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, where he is also the Scientific Lead for the Office of Health System Partnerships. He also has cross-appointments at the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation and the Institute for Medical Sciences at the University of Toronto and is an adjunct scientist at ICES. He holds a Canada Research Chair in the Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice.

Dr. Elli Weisbaum, BFA, MES, PhD

Assistant Professor, Buddhism, Psychology & Mental Health program (BPMH), Faculty of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

Dr. Elli Weisbaum, BFA, MES, PhD, has worked internationally facilitating mindfulness workshops and retreats within the sectors of education, healthcare and business. She is currently the Acting Program Director for the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program (BPMH), at New College, in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and is jointly appointed to the Department of Psychiatry, in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, with a cross-appointment to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in their Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME). 

Past and ongoing collaborations include working with UofT’s Faculty of Law, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Faculty of Engineering, Rotman School of Management, Physical Therapy Department, the Ontario Hospital Association, The Hospital for Sick Children, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to integrate mindfulness into programming for faculty, staff, clinicians, patients and students. 

She attended her first retreat with Zen Master and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh at the age of ten and has continued to train with his international Plum Village community. Elli’s novel background in both academic research and traditional mindfulness practice provides a distinct approach to her ongoing work teaching and researching in the field. 

Dr. Treena Wilkie, BScH, MD, FRCPC

Forensic Psychiatrist, Chief of Forensic Services, Complex Care and Recovery Program, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Associate Professor, University of Toronto

Dr. Treena Wilkie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and the Associate Chief Medical Officer at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She has been qualified as a specialist in forensic psychiatry by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and is the Chief of the Forensic Service, in the Complex Care and Recovery Program at CAMH. Dr. Wilkie is a clinician and educator of psychiatry residents. Her clinical and scholarship interests include the alignment of risk assessment and management principles with recovery-based care, and physician wellness and professionalism initiatives.

Mental health and addictions care is a critical issue affecting countless individuals and families across Ontario. As the demand for services continues to grow, the challenges within the system have become increasingly apparent, from long wait times to inadequate access to community supports.

In this episode, Avis Favaro is joined by Dr. Nadiya Sunderji, President and CEO, and Dr. Kevin Young, Vice-President of Medical Affairs and Chief of Staff at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care to explore the current state of mental health and addictions care in Ontario. This conversation explores some of the innovative solutions that have been introduced at Waypoint to address these pressing issues, as well as the ongoing gaps that still need to be filled across Ontario.

Tune in as we navigate this complex landscape and uncover the insights that can help shape a more effective and compassionate mental health system for all Ontarians.

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Dr. Nadiya Sunderji has been President and CEO of Waypoint since 2022, prior to which she served as VP Medical Affairs & Chief of Staff for several years. Under her leadership, Waypoint has continued to support and lead health and mental health system transformation, working with valued partners, as well as advancing internal quality improvement and staff well-being initiatives. Dr. Sunderji is a psychiatrist affiliated with the University of Toronto and she completed a Master of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. She is also a physician adviser to the Ministry of Health, as well as a contributor to the creation of a provincial Core Services Framework for mental health and substance use health care, and to the governance of Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence. receiving international and national recognition for her leadership and research in collaborative care, quality improvement and education, Dr. Sunderji oversees Waypoint’s STREAM lab, Supporting Transformation through Research, Evidence and Action in Mental health, and previously held several competitive research grants and a journal editorship, all advancing integrated mental health care.

Dr. Kevin Young is the Vice-President of Medical Affairs and Chief of Staff at Waypoint, a position he has held since June 2022, and the co-Medical Director of Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario. He previously served as the inaugural Medical Director of Integrated Care at Waypoint. With more than a decade of leadership in geriatric medicine, Dr. Young founded and led a regional geriatric program and is now also advancing innovation in mental health and addiction care, including involvement in provincial governance. Notably, Dr. Young led the development of the province's first Hospital to Home program focused on mental health and addictions, the first adoption of publicly funded repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in Ontario Health Central Region for treating severe depression, and an innovative urgent psychiatry assessment clinic to prevent unnecessary admissions from regional general hospitals. He has also driven a transformative vision for addiction services at Waypoint and surrounding region. Passionate about system integration, Dr. Young is committed to achieving meaningful change through partnerships and collaboration.

Caregivers exist in all areas of our communities, whether it’s a family member providing physical support to their loved one or a friend providing emotional support to their neighbour. Caregiving has recently taken center stage with government decision makers considering policies like the National Caregiving Strategy, compensation for caregivers, and implications for the caregiving community with the introduction of the Safe Long-Term Care Act.

Joined by Amy Coupal, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO),

we delve into the complex landscape of caregiving in Ontario, focusing on the experiences of caregivers and the recent policy developments shifting the landscape for this underrepresented group.

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Amy Coupal is the CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO), a charitable organization that exists to support Ontario’s 4 million caregivers who provide physical and/or emotional support to family members, partners, friends and neighbours. A visionary leader with over 20 year’s experience in the not-for-profit sector, Amy is passionate about mobilizing change through knowledge exchange and building collaborative initiatives that positively impact the lives of individuals and communities.

The impact of this work is demonstrated through the breadth of direct to caregiver programs and services available through OCO, as well as the early successes of embedding caregiving in the culture of health care and the amplification of the voices of caregivers to influence decision making at a system level.

Amy has a Master of Education from the University of Calgary and is an Adler-trained coach. Her insights have been shared through speaking and media engagements, both internationally and here in Canada.

Amy has a deep understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with caregiving. As a caregiver for most of her life, Amy helped to support her brother who had Cerebral Palsy. She was also a caregiver to her mother throughout her cancer journey and now supports her father through older adulthood.

This podcast was created with support from Boehringer Ingelheim Canada.

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that affects millions worldwide. Though psychosis is the hallmark symptom of this serious mental illness, cognitive impairment is another core feature that significantly impacts patients' daily functioning and quality of life. In this podcast episode, we delve into the critical intersection of schizophrenia and cognitive impairment, exploring its far-reaching effects and the challenges it presents for both patients and healthcare providers.

Our expert panel, consisting of Chris Summerville, CEO of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada and Dr. Heather McNeely, Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist in the Schizophrenia and Community Integration Service at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton explores the various domains of cognition affected, including memory, attention, and executive functioning, and how these impairments manifest in patients' lives.

The conversation also touches on current assessment methods, emerging treatment options, and the importance of addressing cognitive symptoms alongside other aspects of schizophrenia management. Our guests share their perspectives on the challenges faced in clinical practice, ongoing research initiatives, and the potential for cognitive remediation therapies to improve outcomes for individuals with schizophrenia.

This episode aims to raise awareness about the often-overlooked cognitive aspects of schizophrenia, highlight the need for comprehensive care approaches, and discuss strategies for enhancing cognitive function and overall well-being in patients living with this challenging condition.

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Chris Summerville, D.Min., CPRRP, LL.D (Honorary), Chief Executive Officer, Schizophrenia Society of Canada

Chris has been a prominent advocate in the mental health field for over 30 years, driven by personal experiences with family members who have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression, and through his own journey with mental health services. Since 2007, he has served as CEO of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada. With a doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary and certification as a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Recovery Practitioner (CPRRP), Chris also received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Brandon University for his leadership in mental health advocacy.

As a leader and advocate, Chris supports a recovery-oriented, holistic approach to mental health that incorporates bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspectives. His contributions include serving on the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Commission of Canada since 2007, where he has been involved in initiatives like the Hallway Group and the Headstrong Project. Chris has also been active on various boards, including the Mood Disorders Society of Canada and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Canada.

Dr. Heather McNeely Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist in the Schizophrenia and Community Integration Service at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

Dr. Heather McNeely is a practicing clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist in the Schizophrenia and Community Integration Service at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton where she is also Clinical Lead for the Clinical Neuropsychology Service. She is also a Full Professor and Academic Lead of the Schizophrenia Division in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. McNeely is actively involved in teaching, psychology training and research aimed at improving clinical and social outcomes for adults with schizophrenia and related disorders. She has been extensively involved in leading quality improvement initiatives at St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, and she has been an invited contributor to provincial and national expert panels on implementation of quality care standards for adults with schizophrenia.