
The Network Expands to Include First Nations Health Authority
October 31, 2024 (Toronto, ON) – The Coordinated Accessible National (CAN) Health Network celebrated major new achievements and announced new partnerships yesterday at its fifth Annual Fall Conference, held in person for the first time at Rogers Communications headquarters in Toronto. The Network proudly announced a new partnership with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), marking its first Indigenous health care provider, a significant milestone to advance the Network’s mission to drive economic prosperity and better health for all and advance health care innovation for First Nations people in British Columbia and across Canada.
Celebrating the courage to Believe in Different, the conference united 200 leaders from health care, government, business, venture capital, and technology from across Canada, including host Diana Swain, and guest speakers Hayley Wickenheiser and Michele Romanow.
“Our government’s $42 million investment in the CAN Health Network is helping empower homegrown innovators who are transforming our health care system,” said The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business. “By bringing together visionary entrepreneurs, health care leaders, and government partners, we are building a stronger, more resilient Canada alongside CAN Health. CAN Health is fueling economic growth, accelerating technology adoption, and ultimately ensuring that individuals from every community from coast to coast to coast benefits from the best health care solutions our country has to offer.”
“The addition of the First Nations Health Authority to the Network is an important step in our commitment to expand our vision and mission across the country and support Indigenous communities across Canada,” said Dr. Dante Morra, Founder and Chair, CAN Health Network. “Since its launch in 2019, the CAN Health Network has welcomed 42 leading health care providers or ‘Edges’, supported more than 74 companies, generated more than $550M to date and created more than 2,000 jobs across the nation. The CAN Health Network unifies regions and leverages the diversity of each individual and organization to lead the new health care economy.”
Advancing Healthcare Innovation in Indigenous Communities
“Joining the CAN Health Network enables the First Nations Health Authority to amplify First Nations voices in health care innovation,” said Richard Jock, Chief Executive Officer, FNHA. “Through this partnership, we’re increasing opportunities for First Nations-led approaches to enhancing access to health care. We are also helping to build the foundations for a system that is culturally safe, inclusive and respectful of First Nations peoples in British Columbia and Canada.”
Celebrating Excellence with the 2024 CAN Health Network Awards
The 2024 CAN Health Network Awards were presented to recognize the leading health care providers (Edges), companies, partners, and individuals within the Network who are transforming health care in Canada. CAN Health introduced a new award this year, the Wessinger Award, created on behalf of Mike and Dave Wessinger in recognition of their visionary leadership and investment in Canada through PointClickCare.
Awards were presented to the following recipients:
● Edge of the Year Award: Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services
● Trailblazer of the Year Award: James Hiebert, Medical, Surgical & Safety Supplies
● Shape Award: Lucie Hiltner, Integrated Marketplace, Innovate BC
● The Network Award: Nova Scotia Health and Virtual Hallway
● Company of the Year: NanoTess
● The Wessinger Award: Mike and Dave Wessinger, PointClickCare
Read more about the CAN Health Network awards here.
To learn more about the CAN Health Network, and why you should Believe in Different, watch the video here.
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About the CAN Health Network:
The CAN Health Network is a federally funded national organization working to introduce more Canadian innovation into Canada’s health care system. The Network works with Canadian health care operators, referred to as Edges, to identify their biggest challenges and match them with Canadian-made technology solutions. By partnering Canadian companies directly with health care operators, CAN Health enables these companies and their solutions to be rapidly validated, procured, and scaled across the Network.
About First Nations Health Authority
The First Nations Health Authority is the first province-wide health authority of its kind in Canada, responsible for planning, designing, managing, and delivering health programs and services for First Nations in British Columbia. The First Nations Health Authority aims to reform the way health care is delivered to BC First Nations by putting First Nations health priorities first. Learn more about the First Nations Health Authority at fnha.ca.
Media contact:
Natasha Zelinski, Senior Advisor, Communications & Marketing
CAN Health Network
C: 647-984-7089
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