Millions of Canadians face challenges finding a family doctor, and paying for prescriptions and dental care. Across the country, there are lengthy surgical wait lists and closures of ERs due to staff shortages. Amid campaigns of misinformation, Canadians feel increasingly distrustful of public health campaigns and lifesaving interventions like vaccines.
Join the Globe and Mail and medical leaders for a discussion on the state of our health care system, possible solutions, and what to look for when casting your vote.
Registration for this event is now closed. If you have already registered and need assistance accessing the webcast at 12:30 P.M. today, please contact marketing@globeandmail.com.
TERMS & CONDITIONSÂ Â Â |Â Â PRIVACY POLICYÂ |Â ACCESSIBILITY POLICYÂ |Â GLOBEANDMAIL.COM
Dr. Kevin Smith, O.Ont., KSG, is the President & CEO of University Health Network (UHN), Canada’s largest academic health sciences centre and consistently recognized as one of the world's top hospitals. With a career spanning leadership roles in academic hospitals, university administration, and health systems, Dr. Smith is a pioneer in advancing integrated care models across the continuum of health and social services.
Dr. Smith is a Professor at the Institute for Medical Sciences, Department of Medicine, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), and the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. His expertise in governance and health care leadership has been shaped by education in Canada, the U.S., and the United Kingdom, as well as advanced certifications from the Institute of Corporate Directors, Harvard’s Program in Effective Governance, and the Wharton School CEO Program for Health Care Leadership.
Â
Under Dr. Smith’s leadership, UHN has expanded its network by adding Westpark Rehab to the UHN family. The organization has also launched a new clinical and academic site at 522 University Avenue, with a focus on cancer, education, and artificial intelligence.
Â
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Smith led critical national and provincial initiatives, including the world's largest vaccine clinic at Scotiabank Arena, targeted supports for marginalized communities, the establishment of COVID hotels for the unhoused, and the procurement of essential medical products for the province and nation.
A family doctor and renowned primary care researcher, Tara Kiran investigates how changes in the health care system impact patients, particularly the most vulnerable. In her research and practice, she develops and tests solutions to make health care more inclusive and more effective.Â
Â
Much of Tara’s research has evaluated how primary care reforms have impacted quality of care. She also leads research to directly improve quality of care including initiatives to measure and reduce care disparities, engage patients in health service improvement, and support physicians to learn from data. In 2022, Tara launched OurCare, a national initiative to engage the public in co-creating the blueprint for a stronger, more equitable primary care system in Canada.Â
Tara holds the Fidani Chair of Improvement and Innovation at the University of Toronto. She practices family medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto where she is also a Scientist at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions. She is the Vice Chair for Quality and Innovation in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, a Senior Adjunct Scientist at ICES and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. You can learn more about her research at https://maphealth.ca/kiran/Â
André Picard is a health reporter and columnist for The Globe and Mail, where he has been a staff writer since 1987. In that time, he has contributed to the coverage of 11 federal election campaigns.
He is also the author of six bestselling books.
André is a two-time winner of the Columns category at Canada's National Newspaper Awards, and past winner of prestigious Michener Award for meritorious public service journalism.
He was named Canada’s first Public Health Hero by the Canadian Public Health Association, and a Champion of Mental Health by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health. He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his dedication to improving healthcare.
André is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, and has received honorary doctorates from eight universities, including UBC and the University of Toronto
Kelly Grant's career in journalism began in high school, when she worked as a night and weekend tape editor at her local television station in London, Ont. She's been hooked on reporting ever since. After earning a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University in Ottawa, Kelly worked as a cop reporter and editorial writer at the Windsor Star and as a general assignment writer and Toronto city hall reporter at The National Post.
She joined The Globe and Mail in 2008. Kelly has held a variety of posts at The Globe, including Toronto editor and Toronto City Hall bureau chief.
She is now a national health reporter with a special interest in primary care, chronic diseases, including cancer, brain health, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, and pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical policy. In 2022, she undertook a special assignment reporting on health care in Nunavut. When not reporting, she can usually be found at the arena, cheering on her three sons.
