Health is driven by more than what happens in a clinic or the operating room, it is driven by long-standing system decisions. One of the ways Dr. Andrew Boozary and the UHN are impacting health equity is through the inception of Dunn House, Canada’s first hospital-led supportive housing initiative. This unique model couples health and social care by improving health outcomes for unhoused Torontonians, embedding concreate solutions to UHN’s most vulnerable patients.

“This brings a wholistic approach to healthcare, that it’s not just about access to physicians and nurses, that there’s really a more integrated way to think about health, and Dunn House is real action on that kind of thinking and philosophy.”

In this exciting episode of Healthcare Change Makers, learn more about UHN’s social medicine program, the impact of Dunn house, and the value of partnership with community organizations.

And stay tuned until the end to hear Dr. Boozary’s take on medical TV dramas and which musician helps give him an energy boost.  

Quotables:

“How do we recenter humanity in healthcare for those of us who work in the system, for families, for caregivers, and most ultimately for patients.”

“Health and so much protection in society are system choices or policy choices, and it’s not about individual failures but how resources, protection, power, and privilege, really play roles in worse health outcomes.”

“The idea that some lives matter more than others is the fundamental issue or injustice that we face in the world.”

“Whatever it is that grips you, that you lose sleep over, that makes your blood boil, whatever it is that you feel this sense of injustice, to not lose that feeling and energy, and pursue it however you can.”

“If the University Health Network is really serious (which they are) about advancing health and not being the university healthcare network, but truly about heath, we need to be able to take different approaches in how we reach people… who need it most.”

“Housing and health are inextricably linked.”

“This is what I think is really the secret sauce, is the partnership and the willingness to think differently about the solution – that the band-aid fixes are not going to work. That there is a moral distress that becomes imposed on health workers seeing the same revolving door… and how can we start embedding, building concrete solutions for people.”

“I think it’s really important to shout out the incredible work of community health centres that have been leading social medicine work for 50 years or more.”

“Preventing some of these feelings of despair or burnout is understanding this is part of the work, and how do you hold and create space for some of it, because trying to deny it or push it out or discount it has its own downsides as well.”

“We don’t need a magic wand, we need real investment in people, and that we can see magical outcomes if we actually dedicate that focus.”

Mentioned in this Episode:

·       HIROC’s 2025 Conference, Save the Date

·       University Health Network (UHN)

·       Dr. Kevin Smith

·       UHN’s Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine

·       UHN’s Dunn House

·       Dr. Jeff Turnbull

·       Wendy Muckle

·       Dr. Paul Farmer

·       Emmanuelle Gattuso

·       City of Toronto

·       Fred Victor

·       The United Way

·       Angela Robertson, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre

·       Camden Coalition

·       Kendrick Lamar

·       The Knick (tv drama)

·       The Pitt (tv drama)

Access More Interviews with Healthcare Leaders at HIROC.com/podcast

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Email us at [email protected].

Karen and her team are full steam ahead with all the initiatives at Nova Scotia Health today. She speaks with pride about their work around improving patient care and much more. One of the initiatives they’re working on includes the West Bedford Transitional Health facility which helps enhance the chances of patients going back home successfully. Another proud initiative includes the YourHealthNS mobile app, which over half the population in NS have already downloaded enabling them to better navigate the healthcare system.

“We’re on quite a pace, quite a tear, and there’s going to be no rest that’s for sure,” explains Karen when speaking to the dedication of her team and the magnitude of their efforts.

On our newest episode of Healthcare Change Makers, learn more about the initiatives Karen and her team are proud of, the collaboration between NS Health and Life Sciences Nova Scotia, and ways to be supportive of those around you! 

Quotables:

“I like to sit down with the members of the team and basically say, that was then this is now – your history is irrelevant, I’m turning a page.” – KO

“I really like to give people a fresh start with a new leader and it’s something that has worked really well for me. Even in this current role, I can think of a number of people with a fresh start that just blossomed.” – KO

“I want to serve my province in this role and hopefully make a difference.” – KO

“I love having an opportunity to showcase the innovation and intellectual pros of some of our professionals. And they could come from any part of our system, these are people who want to make positive change for the better.” – KO

“Success breeds success, it energizes you and you need the energy to get through the bad.” – KO

“You need to have people around you that care about you, not about your job but about you, and can help separate the important from the urgent. We all get stressed out over the urgent, where it’s the important things you have to stay focused on.” – KO

“I think for the leader, it’s important to find the ways to raise people, to develop people, so they can give voice to what it is they care about and are passionate about.” – KO

Mentioned in this Episode:

·       Nova Scotia Health

·       NS Health’s More Than Medicine

·       Dr. Angela Merkel

·       Dr. Jane Philpott

·       Margaret Thatcher

·       Chelsea Handler

Access More Interviews with Healthcare Leaders at HIROC.com/podcast

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Email us at [email protected].

With the insights from 2024 under her belt, Catherine is filled with ideas, hope, and confidence in the magic of the reciprocal model for the upcoming year. One of the initiatives Catherine is looking forward to includes continuing to meet Subscribers where they are across Canada through joining Subscriber forums, conferences, and quality days. Another exciting thing on the horizon is finalizing HIROC’s strategic plan for 2026 onwards by tapping into the phenomenal guidance from staff, Subscribers, and the board.

On our final episode of the year, reflect alongside Catherine as she shares some of the new things she has learned in 2024, the top trends and success stories she’s heard from Subscribers, and what brought her joy this year. You’ll even hear about her new puppy, stay tuned until the end!

Quotables:

“We’ve done lots of work around ensuring we’re staying focused on service, that’s such a dominant feature for HIROC and its staff.” - CG

“It’s amazing to me how creative and talented the people who work in this system are.” - CG

“When you listen to what Subscribers are able to do with $20,000 or less, it’s absolutely amazing to me. Whether that’s making sure newborns’ temperatures are kept constant or how we use the implementation of oxytocin protocols as a driver across the system.” - CG

“There’s this predominant underpinning of change, and yet the things that are important stay very true for Subscribers in all of those jurisdictions.” - CG

“How do we learn from each other so that these are not pockets of things that are innovative and so they really spread? HIROC is in the midst of that, and we have the beauty of seeing everything that’s happening in so many parts of the country and supporting it.” - CG

“We as a group focus on where things didn’t go marvellously well, but the fact is that the overwhelming majority of the time, we’re delivering exactly what people in this country need and I’m grateful for that.” - CG

Mentioned in this Episode:

• HIROC Staff Café

• HIROC Safety Grants, Learn More

• HIROC East Coast Safety Symposium

• HIROC Prairies and Territories Safety Symposium

• André Picard

• True Reconciliation Book

Access More Interviews with Healthcare Leaders at HIROC.com/podcast

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Email us at [email protected].

Gail Hunt’s team at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) in Ontario describe her as being good at breaking down complicated things from a strategic perspective – a quality that helps lead the organization into the next decade. RVH recently announced a new 10-year strategic plan which has been carefully curated to ensure staff and the larger community feel connected, equipped, and excited long term.

“With the population growth in this area of the province, what do we need to be able to meet the needs of the future, meet the patient expectations, and have the team members here be able to fill all the roles”, says Gail when explaining one of the main priorities with their new strategic plan.

On our newest episode of Healthcare Change Makers, learn more about how RVH’s leadership will keep the momentum going with their strategic plan, ways in which Gail ensures she is approachable to staff, how to balance being an introvert in leadership, and much more! Also, stay tuned until the end to hear about Gail’s love for Jiu Jitsu!

Quotables:

“The relationship with medical schools really helps ensure you have that feeder system coming in that’s going to help you, make sure you have the specialists and physicians that you need as you grow.” - GH

“RVH does so much research right now, we have an amazing team here and we run the largest clinical trials for community-sized hospitals.” - GH

“We mapped out what some of our big moves are, and everything we do now ties back to asking where is it taking us? Where is that big move? So, the team here can feel connected.” - GH

“We felt we needed to embed our values in actions that people can relate to. Do great things, inspire trust, be kind, the things we could imagine ourselves doing and that’s how we make our choices.” - GH

“Really connecting with a couple layers away from you on a regular basis gives you that feedback about if the culture is building in the direction I’m aiming for and what my expectations are, do people feel they can speak up about things, do they feel connected to the vision?” - GH

“Whether you’re introverted or extroverted you bring your own strengths and gifts to every role you’re in. Instead of trying to be something you’re not, own what you are and let the team know that’s what you’re like and where they have to help lift you up.” - GH

“I have certain underlying values about really supporting other organizations in the community. A lot of times hospitals are the big player in the community and fundraising, and the smaller agencies in the community have a harder struggle raising money.” - GH

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH)

• RVH Foundation

• Pamela Ross

• Telus Friendly Future Foundation

• Dancing with Easter Seals Stars

• Adam Grant

Access More Interviews with Healthcare Leaders at HIROC.com/podcast

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Email us at [email protected].

Advocating for change and collaboration in our healthcare supply chain is part of Christine Donaldson’s purpose, this shines through in her leadership approach. Her team’s advocacy work is reflected with action as HealthPRO Canada recently became an Aboriginal Procurement Champion with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), thus making strides towards a more inclusive healthcare supply chain and system.

“Part of our Indigenous journey and reconciliation of where we’re heading into the future is to do it through business partnerships,” says Christine when explaining the importance of collaborating with CCAB.

Christine also shares her leadership approach centred around collaboration, transparency, openness, and meeting people at the level they’re at.

And collaboration is a big part of the work Christine and her team are doing on moving toward a more sustainable procurement model.

Don’t miss our special 70th episode of Healthcare Change Makers! It’s a great chance to hear from Christine about how HealthPRO is focusing on sustainable practices, their strategies to ensure constant supply for its hospital members, and Christine’s advice to healthcare organizations on implementing a collaborative culture!

Quotables:

“Sustainable products have always been an interest of mine, how do we really take the weight of the system, be more climate friendly, look at greening our healthcare environment, it’s always fascinating to me from back to my clinical days.” - CD

“My professional clinical background has been unbelievably important in how I’ve taken different leadership roles in my career.” - CD

“In the end, we look different on the outside but we’re really the same and that’s really that spirit of getting at the ground floor, really getting to know each other goes a long way towards that healthy new world we’re building for the future.” - CD

“I want all Canadian patients to have the same access, the best products, the highest quality, and how can we make that happen? Some of that is organic and getting the right people together.” - CD

“The legacy of any issues or mistakes is you move forward, and you create the stronger and better systems moving forward.” - CD

“In your career you want to have a purpose for the greater good of the system or greater good of what you do, and I think what drives us is we have an important role in the whole machinery of how things operate.” - CD

“We’re using procurement as a gateway to create some better practices.” - CD

“Too often we start off with contributing challenges, problems, and issues, I like to flip it on its head and say let’s talk about some of the positive first and get to a place of where we can really understand each other.” - CD

“You learn as much from the person you’re mentoring as much as they learn from you, it’s a two-way street and it’s part of that very healthy way of challenging each other and dialoguing.” - CD

Mentioned in this Episode:

• HealthPRO Canada

• U of T Pharmacy

• Dr. Fiona Miller

• Dr. Zubin Austin

• Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)

Access More Interviews with Healthcare Leaders at HIROC.com/podcast

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Email us at [email protected].

For this episode of Healthcare Change Makers, we sat down and had a captivating conversation with Dr. Steven Harrison, the CEO of Tri-County Mennonite Homes. Steven has a wealth of experience as a seasoned leader in long-term care. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear all about his insights from working internationally and how this experience has shaped his views about Canada embracing global perspectives and solutions for challenges at home. We also learned more about Steven’s career journey, beginning as a PSW and his decision to pursue a career in leadership focusing on system design and change, rather than becoming a clinician.

Furthermore, Steven also discusses overcoming the most pressing issues in seniors’ care, such as the damage caused by the pandemic, and the coordinated efforts needed to recover and adapt. We also talk about a much-needed shift from large-scale institutional models to more personalized, community-based care, emphasizing the importance of adapting to modern societal needs.

When speaking about his leadership values, Steven believes in the importance of hard work, resilience, giving back to his community and learning from failure. As a healthcare leader, Steven says it’s critical to be vulnerable and selfless, especially when it comes to inspiring his staff and providing a safe space for them to express their concerns. Steven also talks about how impactful it is for his staff to create opportunities for them to be their best selves by focusing on their strengths and pushing them out of their comfort zones.

Quotables:

“Leadership is truly a privilege. You hear people say that a lot, but it is. It becomes very real when it impacts you directly as a leader. So, I always take that approach that you have to be selfless, supportive, community oriented, focused – those kinds of things, but it’s not a birthright being in a leadership role. What this also taught me is be ready for tomorrow and learn from every single opportunity that presents itself to you.” – SH

“Vulnerability is key to leadership. It’s not about crying in a meeting or anything like that. It’s really about understanding that you have a role and a place within the organization, and people look up to you constantly.” – SH

“In my home, in the community, working for home care, the experiences all those years ago is so different from today. Our needs have changed. The system’s changed. Expectations have changed. But what has stayed core to all of this is that compassion, the perseverance, the willingness to go above and beyond. That’s what makes you a great clinical support person and PSW.” – SH

“I always joke with people – my luggage feels heavier coming home than when I go out into the world because I’m bringing that much more depth and understanding of people and all that work I’ve done when I come back.” – SH

“Most people I’ve met in health and social services come into the field out of a place of wanting to help in some way. You don’t come here because you want to be a millionaire. There are other options to do that. You come here because this is your calling, so to speak, and as one of my team would say here, it gets you in your feels like it really is an emotional response to things. That makes the job a whole lot easier when you start from that place.” – SH

“I look at our organization, and we are not just a building. It’s bricks and mortar, but what happens inside that building is what will set us apart. It is inspiring people to operational excellence. It’s not the edifice that will make this house a home, it is what they will do inside this home that will make it rich and lively and I think that is the most important part.” – SH

“I was once told, compromise when you can, but never be intransigent. Always remember, shifting your position is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of learning from the room, growing your position and actually inspiring others.” – SH

“You need to manage your reputation, but you have to stay true to who you are, stay true to that character, and hold that near and dear to your heart. It’s not a popularity contest being in leadership, so don’t expect everyone to love you, but certainly don’t expect everyone to hate you either. Find your middle ground but be comfortable in you own skin and who you are.” – SH

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Tri-County Mennonite Homes

• AdvantAge Ontario

• Ontario Hospital Association (OHA)

• Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC)

Access More Interviews with Healthcare Leaders at HIROC.com/podcast

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Email us at [email protected].

John Yip and the team at SE Health are growing their social impact by bringing hope and happiness to different segments of society. As SE Health celebrates its 115-year anniversary, they’ve continued to stay true to their long legacy of service through leveraging powerful initiatives such as operating hospices for the homeless, investing in start-ups in the health space, running a technology company, and supporting communities across the country, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Through these initiatives, SE Health keeps their vision strong by impacting how people live and age at home.

“It’s the combination of business and social mission that makes SE Health a perfect landing spot for me,” says John when explaining why his organization is so special to him.

In this exciting new episode, learn all about a few of SE Health’s main priorities and their balance between business and social impact, how being a first-generation Canadian helps shape John’s values, his practical tips for emerging leaders, how running triathlons positively impacts his life, and so much more!

Quotables:

“If you have a room full of providers, we’ll talk provider talk and that means full of acronyms, but you bring a patient, a care giver, and family member, it becomes real, and that tangible experience helps shape and influence the direction of where these Ontario health teams would go.” - JY

“There’s enormous pressure to perform and as a result a lot of young leaders aren’t themselves, so the first piece of advice I would give is to be your authentic self, lead with empathy, be kind, be thoughtful.” – JY

“My parents really instilled those values of work ethic and around kindness as a means to integrate into Canadian society where they really believed that they were so lucky they were able to leave where they came from which was war-torn China.” – JY

“We have 8,000 staff that serve 22,000 Canadians every day and we want to make sure we take care of our own.” – JY

“You don’t need to go very far to experience adventure, you can do it in your own backyard.” - JY

“It’s healthy to have different interests and do different activities and that leads to a very positive lifestyle.” – JY

“Everyone has their own brand with how they lead, and it takes time to figure out what your personal brand is.” – JY

“I’m a big supporter of the public library system because I spent a lot of time there, I read everything and it still sticks with me, so I think reading creates that sense of curiosity.” - JY Mentioned in this Episode:

• SE Health

• McMaster DeGroote School of Business

• Unity Health Toronto

Access More Interviews with Healthcare Leaders at HIROC.com/podcast

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Michael Green understands that forging relationships with those who support Canada Health Infoway’s mission is crucial to navigating our complex system and accelerating innovation. With this understanding top of mind, Canada Health Infoway works with different systems and stakeholders across the globe to strategize, innovate and advance digital health.

“Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel in Canada or any other country, it’s often better to try and take the best international practice, and then try to implement that at home,” says Michael when explaining the importance of collaborating with international organizations who set health standards.

In this fascinating episode of HIROC’s Healthcare Change Makers, learn all about how Canada Health Infoway is impacting the advancement of digital health in Canada, Michael’s expert strategies for finding partners to support Infoway’s mission, how his team is adopting and securely implementing artificial intelligence (AI), as well hearing who inspires Michael, and much more!

Quotables:

“We’re an organization that is focused on digital health and innovation.” - MG

“Our concept is to work with all the different systems across Canada and really try to help them innovate faster than they can do on their own.” - MG

“In a complex health system like Canada there’s so many stakeholders that are into play, and so we really try and make sure that we connect with the best people that are responsible for digital health, for example, in each of the provinces.” - MG

“One of the big roles we have is liaising with some of these big international organizations that set standards, and really helping provinces across Canada to synchronize and link into those to effectively get their systems speaking to each other.” - MG

“There’s tremendous potential with AI and at the same time, there’s so many different solutions appearing, so what we try and do is provide advice to people to help guide them through the AI forest.” - MG

“I think one of the things that most people in the organization including myself feel, is that we’re making a difference and helping to improve healthcare, and that’s a very exciting challenge.” – MG

“We try and help front line institutions and care providers with tools to prioritize privacy and cyber security.” - MG

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Canada Health Infoway

Access More Interviews with Healthcare Leaders at HIROC.com/podcast

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Email us at [email protected].

Paris Semansky is Director, Communications and Public Affairs at CAMH. This role urges her to wear a variety of hats, including being a brand protector, advocate, and problem-solver.

Patricia Hoffer also wears a number of hats while being Chief Communications Officer and Vice President, External Relations at St. Joseph’s Health Care London. She takes pride in leading a diverse and dedicated group of communicators and storytellers.

In this episode, Paris and Patricia share key strategies that help them ensure their teams succeed in the healthcare setting, their thoughts on strategic integrated communications, the importance of removing the noise that comes with their jobs, and more!

Quotables:

“We’re known for the what and the how, but when we go back to the why then that’s where the strategy comes in and that’s where the purpose and the matter come in.” – PH

“When you have a team approach, you bring much more diversity and thought, much more creativity, and much more strategy to the table.” - PH

“Make sure that Communications has a seat at the leadership table, because without it we don’t have a line of sight on not just the issues, but opportunities that others won’t think about from a communications perspective, storytelling perspective, or brand perspective.”- PH

“One of the core things we can do to make our team successful is to have our team not all be the same, in experience, socioeconomic background, racial background, religious background, there’s so many different components to that.” - PS

“Our goal is to take your plan and enable success and make it sing no matter what it is, whether it’s an issue we’re trying to manage or a great story that we’re trying to tell.” – PH

“When communicators have the opportunity to be at decision making tables in the middle of a crisis, we show our full scope of practice. We show our ability to be strategic and to think about the broader community.”– PS

“The role and value of communications is all about driving culture, improving and strengthening our brand and reputation, and making that alignment of what are the priorities of the organization, what is the strategy, and how does that all converge with our community we serve.” – PH

“We’re the boundary spanners and environment scanners, we’re looking at what’s going on in the world, we’re that contact with the outside world.” - PS

“Provide time and opportunity and space to be proactive versus reactive because that fuels creativity and allows time for that strategic opportunity.”- PH

“Why am I throwing the covers off in the morning?” - PH

Mentioned in this Episode:

• CAMH

• St. Joseph’s Health Care London

Access More Interviews with Healthcare Leaders at HIROC.com/podcast

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Email us at [email protected].

Dr. Devin Singh refused to be a bystander when he recognized inefficiencies in health systems, and he jumped into action by co-founding Hero AI – a clinical automation platform which aims to improve patient safety and wait times. Devin fuels Hero AI by tapping into his experiences and expertise as Emergency Physician at The Hospital for Sick Children to recognize the needs of providers and patients.

“It was really important to think through what the real barriers are to improving care in our institution and beyond”, says Dr. Devin Singh when explaining the early stages of creating Hero AI.

In this episode, Devin shares his journey on becoming an entrepreneur including the barriers and lessons learned, advice he would give to other healthcare leaders on driving innovation and change, and how the sports space inspires his career.

Quotables:

“I’m so blessed that SickKids was willing to take this new technology on - there are hard questions to tackle, and as an institution rather than shying away SickKids said this is important let’s figure this out.” -DS

“Although there’s so much cool technology that’s evolving, the technology isn’t the most important part – it’s actually about the humans, and it’s about the workflow that is being adopted and enabled by the technology.” -DS

“Don’t let what feels like brick walls you run into again and again early on in the journey actually feel like these are reasons not to continue. They’re actually exciting opportunities to break ground on something that’s new and novel.” -DS

“Early on in the entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial journey, you want to find the people who are going to say no quickly. It means they represent a really different opinion or potential landmine or roadblock down the road.” -DS

“I always find in the athletics or sports space it’s surprising to see how much failure someone has to go through to be great. And so that’s something I’ve really taken to heart around this idea of truly promoting a fail fast fail safe culture.” -DS

“No one can ever take education away from you.” -DS

Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Hospital for Sick Children

• Hero AI

• Special Olympics Ontario

• University of Edinburgh

• Cambridge University

• Dr. Jason Fischer

• Dr. Sasha Litwin

• Dr. Anna Goldenberg

Access More Interviews with Healthcare Leaders at HIROC.com/podcast

Follow us on Twitter, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Email us at [email protected].