Speakers

André Picard is one of Canada’s top health and public policy observers and commentators. He has been a part of The Globe and Mail team since 1987, where he is a health reporter and columnist. He is also the author of six bestselling books.

André is an eight-time nominee for the National Newspaper Awards, Canada’s top journalism prize, where he has twice been named the country’s top newspaper columnist. He is past winner of the prestigious Michener Award for Meritorious Public Service Journalism, and the Centennial Prize of the Pan-American Health Organization, awarded to the top health reporter in the 17 countries of the Americas.

André’s work has been recognized by a number of health advocacy groups.

He was named Canada’s first “Public Health Hero” by the Canadian Public Health Association and a “Champion of Mental Health” by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health. He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his dedication to improving healthcare.

In 2023, André was appointed to the Order of Canada for his lifelong dedication to advancing public health understanding and practices within the nation.

Call for Abstracts

The HIMSS Eastern Canada Chapter invites the submission of abstracts for the Digital Health Innovation Conference on October 30, 2025 at the Chelsea Hotel in downtown Toronto, Ontario. Share your innovative ideas, experiences, and insights with public and private sector digital health leaders and emerging informatics professionals.

We invite abstract submissions that demonstrate how partnerships have contributed to improved quality outcomes locally, nationally, or globally. Partnerships may involve stakeholders across sectors, including the public and private spheres, healthcare providers, patients, and policymakers. Submissions should highlight effective approaches, key insights, and lessons learned. Please consider the following context when preparing your abstract:

Conference Theme - Shaping the Future of Digital Health: Balancing Innovation, Impact and Risk. A deep dive into the complex decisions that leaders, policymakers, clinicians, or innovators must make when advancing digital health solutions.
Digital Health: Refers broadly to the use of technology—like apps, AI, data platforms, wearables, and telehealth—to improve healthcare delivery, outcomes, and access.
Balancing: Every digital health decision (e.g., launching a new tool, adopting AI, integrating data systems) involves weighing benefits vs. consequences. For example:
- Privacy vs. usability
- Speed of innovation vs. safety and regulation
- Cost-effectiveness vs. equity and access
Innovation: The drive to create or adopt cutting-edge digital tools that promise better care, efficiency, and personalization.
Impact: The outcomes—both positive and negative—on patients, providers, health systems, and society at large. Impact considers health equity, quality of care, cost savings, and patient experience.
Risk: Refers to clinical, operational, financial, ethical, or reputational risks that come with adopting new technologies—such as patient safety, data security, unintended bias in algorithms, and digital health product supply chain challenges.

Please see all Submission Guidelines and access the abstract form by clicking here -- Deadline is August 30.

We look forward to your contributions!

For further information about presentations, contact tmaccallum@novanetworks.com

Thank you,

HIMSS Eastern Canada Chapter Board