Health Forward Summit

Keynote: This Is Us

Overview:

As the population of Central and North Vancouver Island continues to evolve, so too must our health care systems. This keynote presentation offers a compelling look at the latest demographic trends shaping the region—highlighting aging populations, migration patterns, and community growth—and explores what these shifts mean for the future of health care infrastructure and service delivery.

Drawing on recent BC Stats projections, this presentation will examine:

• Population growth and change driven by aging of our existing residents, interprovincial, and international migration.
• Rising proportion of seniors and implications for long-term and acute care.
• The scale of growth expected for younger age groups and implications for the region's labour force.

This shifting demographic pattern will provide the context for:

• Increasing diversity and complexity of healthcare needs across urban, rural, and Indigenous communities.
• Future health workforce demands and infrastructure pressures through 2046.

Speaker: Andrew Ramlo

Andrew is Vice President of Advisory Services at rennie, where he leads a team delivering strategic and analytical support to real estate developers, investors, retailers, and public sector organizations. With a deep background in urban and economic geography, Andrew has extensively researched and presented on topics including demographic shifts, consumer behavior, and regional planning.

He also serves as Executive Director of the non-profit Urban Futures Institute, where for over 20 years he has conducted publicly accessible research on labour force dynamics, aging populations, and community change. Andrew holds a BA in urban and economic geography and an MA from UBC’s School of Community and Regional Planning. A past president of the Planning Institute of British Columbia, he is also a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and has taught at UBC, SFU, and BCIT.

Breakout Sessions

Session A (60 minutes)

Smart Health : Exploring How AI is Transforming Care Delivery on Vancouver Island

Session Overview:

Explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of healthcare across Vancouver Island. This session will spotlight real-world applications and pilot projects that are improving patient outcomes, streamlining clinical workflows, and addressing healthcare access challenges in rural and remote communities.

How recent developments in AI applications are enhancing medical imaging.

• How AI virtual care platforms aid patient triage, monitoring, and personalized care.
• How predictive analytics are used to optimize resource allocation and anticipate patient needs.
• How natural language processing tools can aid in clinical documentation and reduce administrative burden.
• How AI-driven patient matching and care coordination can result in better patient outcomes especially in home and community care settings.
• The use of AI in the context of understanding and respecting Indigenous cultural safety and data sovereignty.

Dr. Raymond Ng Chair, AI and Health Network University of British Columbia		Dr. Christine Hall, Deputy Registrar College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia		Dr. Mark Morris, Family Physician West Memorial Medical Clinic	Dr. Terri Aldred Executive Medical Director for Primary Care and Medical Affairs Wellness Office, First Nations Health Authority

To learn more about these panelists visit Health Forward Summit Program

Session B (60 minutes)

Strong Foundations: Preventative Healthcare Through Community, Connection and Care

Session Overview:

This session highlights health care programs that are addressing community health needs and provides an opportunity to share innovative ideas. With a focus on culturally grounded, community-led approaches, participants will explore innovative programs that reflect the values and priorities of communities.

• Key community-based programs such as home-based care, palliative care, and social prescribing.
• Culturally grounded, community-led approaches to mental health and addiction care.
• Innovative strategies promoting inclusive and culturally safe health services, particularly in rural and remote areas.
• Identify opportunities and gaps, and share lessons learned.

Derrick Bernardo President and Chief Executive Officer Broadmead Care		Sharon Parks Executive Director, Operations Providence Living		Dr. Adam Hoverman Family and Public Health/ Preventative Medicine Physician, Wellington Medical Clinic

To learn more about these panelists visit Health Forward Summit Program

Session C (60 minutes)

Investment in Healthcare Infrastructure and Systems Energizes Economic Growth

Session Overview:

Investing in health is not just about improved health outcomes - it is a catalyst for broader economic and employment benefits. This session will delve into the economic impacts of investing in healthcare infrastructure and systems, exploring how such investments act as a powerful engine for local and regional economic growth.

• Connection between healthcare infrastructure investments and economic development at community and regional levels.
• Key mechanisms through which such investments lead to ripple effects in direct and indirect job creation.
• Growth in health-related sectors including health education and support services
• Implications for attracting new business to the region.

Julie Sperber Chief Executive Officer Vancouver Island Economic Alliance		Donna Hais Chief Executive Officer R.W. (Bob) Wall Contracting Ltd and Chair. Nanaimo Port Authority		Leonard Krog Mayor City of Nanaimo		Nathania Fung Chief Executive Officer First Nations Health Foundation		Damian Lange, Executive Director, Clinical Service Delivery, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital; Strategic Lead, Regional Access & Flow, Emergency Services, Renal, and Cancer Care.

To learn more about these panelists visit Health Forward Summit Program

Session D (60 minutes)

Shared Path to Wellness: Integrating Indigenous Healing Practices into the Healthcare System

Session Overview:

This session invites participants to explore how Indigenous healing practices—rooted in land, language, ceremony, and community—must be meaningfully integrated with the current and future health systems and infrastructure.

• Foundational role of land, language, ceremony, and community in Indigenous approaches to health and wellness.
• Principles of cultural safety and how they can guide respectful and inclusive practices.
• Recent examples of Indigenous-led health initiatives and partnerships within health systems.
• Integrating Indigenous leadership as fundamental to transforming health systems.

Chief Michael Recalma Qualicum First Nation		Brennan MacDonald Vice President, Regional Operations, Vancouver Island First Nations Health Authority		Dr. Christine Hall, Deputy Registrar College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia		Westley Davidson Chief Project Officer, Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project Island Health

To learn more about these panelists visit Health Forward Summit Program

All Participants Session

Reimagining Strategies for Physician and Specialist Recruitment and Retention

Session Overview:

This facilitated interactive session will bring together summit participants to explore and tackle the complex challenges of physician and specialist recruitment and retention. It will focus on how to co-create innovative, community-driven strategies for long-term solutions.

• Understand the multifaceted challenges of physician and specialist recruitment and retention in Central and North Island.
• Identify the roles of different organization in co-creating actionable strategies rooted in collaboration and community.

The Challenge:

Central and North Island communities are facing persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining physicians and specialists. A coordinated regional strategy is needed to build a robust healthcare workforce that reflects the region’s evolving demographic trends, including an aging population, migration and community growth.

The Big Question:

What actions can we take together to reimagine recruitment and retention of physicians and specialists?

Thought Starters:

• Recognize and build on successful recruitment strategies already in place
• Consider ideas for innovative community-driven approaches
• Focus on the need for wrap-around supports for retaining medical professionals
• Address unique challenges faced by rural/remote communities
• Optimize marketing to attract talent in a competitive landscape
• Leverage geopolitical trends to attract physicians and specialists
• Consider the importance of modern healthcare infrastructure in attracting specialists

Moderation and Facilitation Services

The NRHD is grateful for the moderation and facilitation services provided by Wirk Consulting.