EVENT DETAILS
Overview
Join us Friday, May 29, 2026, at the JW Marriott – Parq Vancouver for From Overload to Optimization, a conference exploring how digital tools can transform healthcare delivery.
Across British Columbia, healthcare teams and systems are facing rising demands, constrained resources and growing complexity. This moment presents an opportunity: The chance to reimagine how care is delivered by embracing the digital tools that lighten workloads and reclaim time for patient care.
We're bringing together leaders, innovators, patient partners, students, and frontline professionals from public and private sectors to share emerging innovations and the scalable strategies organizations are already using. Through practical insights and direct experience, we'll examine how digital transformation can build a more resilient, efficient, and human-centred system.
What to Expect
-
Inspiring keynotes from digital health leaders who are reshaping care delivery across British Columbia and beyond
-
Real-world case studies showcasing technology-enabled workflows that reduce administrative burden and expand clinical capacity
-
Engaging sessions and panelsfeaturing patient partners, clinicians, operational and digital health leaders working together to unpack shared challenges
-
Networking opportunities designed to spark collaboration across sectors, disciplines, and regions
Who Should Attend
-
Healthcare leaders and decision-makers
-
Clinicians, operational teams, and digital health professionals
-
Public-sector partners supporting system changes across the province
-
Private-sector innovators and solution providers
-
Patient partners who bring essential lived experience
-
Students eager to contribute to the future of care
-
Anyone else who shares the passion for improving BC’s health system
Agenda
Guest Facilitator: Mathew Stockton
7:30 AM – 8:15 AM:
Registration and hot breakfast
8:15 AM – 8:30 AM:
BCHIMSS President Opening and Indigenous Land Blessing
Danea Avey, President, BCHIMSS
Rocky James, Penelakut Tribe, Tl’uqtinus
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM:
From Mailed Results to Online Portals: A Rare Patient's Perspective on BC's Evolving Digital Landscape
Manda Ann Roddick, PhD, Patient Partner
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM:
Opening Keynote
Global Lessons, Local Change: Practical Takeaways from Health Systems Around the World
Beth Gerritsen, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Executive Informatics, Digital Strategist
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM:
Networking Break Sponsored by Diamond Sponsor Veeam
10:45 AM - 10:50 AM:
Sponsor Spotlight - Veeam Diamond Sponsor
10:50 AM – 12:10 PM:
Panel Discussion: AI in Healthcare: Breakthrough or Bottleneck?
Dr. Eric Grafstein, Chief Medical Information Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health & Providence Health Care
Emily Tang, Simulation Education Lead, School of Health Sciences, BCIT
Diane Gutiw, Vice President, AI Research and Strategic Advisory CGI, Co-chair Canadian Federal AI Council
Sybila Valdivieso, ED/Lead Counsel, Health/Privacy and Operations, Provincial Health Services Authority
Moderator: Damian Searjant, Vice President, GM of Canada, Veaam
12:10 PM – 1:10 PM:
Networking Lunch
1:10 PM – 2:00 PM:
Busting Silos: How BC's First Care Coordination Centre is Transforming Patient Flow and Team Collaboration
Meghan McMenamie, Program Director - Access Flow, Care Coordination Centre, Site Lead/Services, Providence Health Care
2:00 PM – 2:50 PM:
From Promise to Practice: Decision-ready Data and Emerging Technologies for Rural and Emergency Health
Nico Preston, Chief Technology Officer, Valhalla Studio, Data Scientist, PHSA, Chief Data Scientist, RCCBC
2:50 PM – 3:30 PM:
Networking Break and Sponsor Thank You
3:30 PM – 4:20 PM:
Closing Keynote
From Overload to Opportunity: Why People and Process Will Define Digital Health's Future
Zen Tharani, CEO & Founder, Xenex Consulting Inc.
4:20 PM – 4:30 PM:
Closing Remarks
Kaitlyn Shaw, Past President, BCHIMSS
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM:
Networking Social
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS, PANELISTS, & FACILITATORS
PATIENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Overview
BCHIMSS is committed to ensuring that patient voices are heard in the ongoing transformation of healthcare. To support this, we are offering two full Patient Scholarships to the BCHIMSS 2026 Spring Conference for patients or caregivers actively engaged in improving the patient experience.
Patient scholarships include:
-
Full complimentary registration to the BCHIMSS 2026 Spring Conference
-
Accommodation (if required)
-
Transportation costs between the recipient’s location and the conference venue (e.g., coach airfare, train, ferry, mileage)
Status
Thank you to everyone who applied. All applications have been reviewed, scholarship recipients have been selected, and all applicants have been contacted via email with an update.
