06/02/2024

This spring, leaders in health care, research and health tech came together in Vancouver to create a space for conversations about the future of health innovation in Canada. Together, they explored one common theme: how do we turn great Canadian health-tech ideas into real solutions that make a difference for patients and families? 

“Innovation is a cornerstone of CHEO, and the CHEO Research Institute is proud to have hosted a second national conference that brought together leaders from health care, research and business to tackle challenges in health care innovation,. ” said Dr. Jason Berman, CEO and Scientific Director of the CHEO Research Institute, and the Vice President of Research at CHEO.   

An initiative of the CHEO Research Institute’s Core Innovation, the conference was co-chaired by Thrive Health, BCIT, Life Sciences BC, and LHS Labs. Participants collaborated in working sessions and full room discussions, to dig into challenges like procurement and funding, and co-developed a national innovation framework to help move ideas along the path from invention to adoption. 

“Canada is bursting with talent, ideas, and expertise and we need to make system level changes in how we facilitate innovation in health care and break down barriers,” said Dr. Matthew Bromwich, Director of Core Innovation at the CHEO Research Institute. “This is not your typical conference. This was national collaboration to drive meaningful and actionable change for our health care system.”

From full room debates to roundtable discussions, it gave people from across the country a chance to share common challenging experiences, and most importantly feasible solutions to work towards together. Participants left equipped with practical strategies and shared goals to move Canadian health technology innovation forward.

Some of the key insights that emerged included: 

• Procurement as a strategic tool – Shifting from a process-driven mindset to one that uses procurement as a lever to support innovation. 

• Bridging the delivery gap – Canada produces incredible research but struggles to scale and retain it. Clearer commercialization pathways are essential. 

• Changing the culture – Innovation requires space to take risks, new incentives, and education that prepares future leaders to think differently. 

• The need for national coordination – Fragmented systems and regional silos slow progress. A unified strategy across provinces is key. 

Core Innovation along with the co-chairs are establishing an action plan to move innovation in health care forward.  

“Canadian innovators from across the country, brought diverse perspectives to the table. We need these voices now more than ever. Innovation isn’t optional, it’s how we will evolve and sustain our health care system in Canada,” said conference co-chair Glynda Rees, Program Lead, Digital Health at BCIT.  

Core Innovation is a program at the CHEO Research Institute designed to advance Canadian health innovation through fostering a collaborative ecosystem at the intersection of business, research and health care. Meeting you wherever you are in your innovation journey, you are supported forward along the path from invention to adoption.  

To learn more about Core Innovation at the CHEO Research Institute, visit Core Innovation – CHEO Research Institute or email [email protected].