Pilot to Sustainable Health System Integration: Is health data the key?
Alberta's health system is at a turning point. Investments in research, AI, digital health, data infrastructure, and new models of care are converging with new partnerships and ways of working across the province. Within the Cumming School of Medicine and Alberta's wider innovation ecosystem, there's a real chance to better connect discovery, implementation, and evaluation—so more promising ideas move beyond successful Alberta's health system is at a turning point. Investments in research, AI, digital health, data infrastructure, and new models of care are converging with new partnerships and ways of working across the province. Within the Cumming School of Medicine and Alberta's wider innovation ecosystem, there's a real chance to better connect discovery, implementation, and evaluation—so more promising ideas move beyond successful pilots into lasting practice.
This panel brings together leaders from research, healthcare operations, innovation, implementation science, and system leadership around one question: "What does it take to say yes?" Rather than spotlight a single technology, the discussion will examine the evidence needs, perspectives, and decisions that determine whether innovations move forward. Through real-world examples, panelists will explore why promising ideas lose momentum—and what builds stronger pathways from discovery to durable improvements in care.
The session also showcases the collaborative leadership emerging through the various health data and informatics initiatives, CEDAR,(Centers for Health Evidence, Data, and Applied Research) and the broader University of Calgary ecosystem. The panel shows how these ecosystems work across the full innovation continuum—demonstrating the value of a connected ecosystem working to strengthen real-world impact for Albertans.
Moderator:
Christiane Job MacIntosh, Director, NELSON PULSE Center at the University of Calgary
Speaker Panel:
Alberta Innovates
University of Calgary
Acute Care Alberta
Alberta Health Services