07/07/2025
Early-stage health-tech companies no longer need to navigate the innovation journey alone. The CHEO Research Institute is welcoming the 2025 Experts in Residence Program, as part of Core Innovation’s Invention Studio Session. This program connects early-stage health-tech companies with seasoned experts to help guide their next steps in the discovery phase and accelerate their path to real-world impact. Through real-time feedback from clinicians and industry leaders, it ensures startups are solving the right problems in the right way.
“This is how we bridge the gap from idea to impact,” said Dr. Matthew Bromwich, Director of Core Innovation at the CHEO Research Institute and ENT Surgeon at CHEO. “By embedding expert insight early in the innovation process, we’re helping companies build stronger, more relevant solutions for the health-care system.”
Meet the Core Innovation 2025 Experts in Residence:
Jon Chatburn is a sales leader with 20+ years of experience in biotech, med-tech, and health care. He has built high-performing teams, brought disruptive solutions to market, and leads with an empathy, mentorship, and growth mindset.
Bob Huggins is a digital media pioneer whose company, Cold North Wind, revolutionized access to historical newspapers. After its acquisition by Google, Bob became a key mentor and investor, supporting 200+ startups and raising over $200M. In med-tech, he has helped launch innovative companies and continues to guide commercialization efforts at the CHEO Research Institute’s Core Innovation.
Heidi Hauver is a people-first leader and strategic advisor with 20+ years in human resources and organizational growth. She builds inclusive, purpose-driven cultures and mentors leaders. Nationally recognized and certified in human resources, coaching, and inclusion, Heidi supports organizations like CHEO and Hire Immigrants Ottawa.
Thomas Moore is a medical device expert with 20+ years of experience in regulatory affairs, quality systems, and product commercialization. As the General Manager of PTL Solutions, he leads a team supporting med-tech and pharma companies with strategic, compliance-driven consulting across global markets.
Marc Gregoire is a seasoned executive with 25+ years of experience in product strategy and technology commercialization in pharma and med-tech. By leveraging his engineering and systems expertise, he aims to help Canadian health technologies achieve real-world impact.
Jay Marteniuk is a commercial leader with deep expertise in life sciences, preclinical drug discovery, and health care. He led teams at Thermo Fisher Scientific and now drives INFINITT Health-care’s growth in Canada. A former entrepreneur and current entrepreneurship instructor at Conestoga College, Jay is passionate about innovation and business strategy.
John Vail is a health care leader with 15+ years of experience across governance, clinical, and corporate roles. He led clinical teams through COVID, managed health-care space redevelopment, and launched new programs. Today, he supports Canadian startups and med-tech innovations within one of Canada’s largest health-care ecosystems.
Learn more about the Invention Studio Session and get involved at Core Innovation – CHEO Research Institute