Conference Overview
The Future of Health Leadership, Informatics, and Policy (FHLIP) Conference is a mission-driven gathering dedicated to instigating a paradigm shift in healthcare. Our vision is to transform healthcare by leveraging innovative digital health policies and leadership as catalysts.
FHLIP is committed to more than just discourse; we actively foster collaboration among various stakeholders, endorse the adoption of pioneering technologies, and rigorously address issues surrounding privacy, security, and ethics. Our comprehensive approach aims to enhance patient outcomes, significantly reduce healthcare costs, and improve the overall efficiency and sustainability of our healthcare system, providing tangible benefits to all participants.
The FHLIP conference is designed to lay the groundwork for a more resilient, patient-centric healthcare ecosystem. It serves as a platform to explore best and next practices, identify challenges, question assumptions, and understand the roles of policymakers and vendors. We aim to influence a future where digital health is the norm, not the exception.
Our main objective is to catalyze the development of proactive, innovative digital health solutions capable of addressing the healthcare sector’s ever-evolving challenges. In an era of rapid technological advancement and increasing health crises, such solutions are key to sustainable, effective healthcare.
The conference provides a unique opportunity for participants to engage with top-tier experts, thought leaders, and innovators in digital health. It facilitates the exchange of ideas, research findings, and personal experiences, encouraging participants to contribute to the global effort towards transforming healthcare. This networking and learning opportunity is invaluable for professionals in the healthcare sector.
Join us on this extraordinary journey as we strive to shape a better, more proactive future for healthcare together.
FHLIP2025: From Insights to Action: Empowering Health
The Future of Health Leadership, Informatics, and Policy (FHLIP) Conference returns in 2025, building on the success and high standards set by FHLIP 2024. Join us for the FHLIP 2025 conference, where we will explore the theme of “From Insights to Action: Empowering Health.” This event will bring together patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, vendors, innovators, policymakers, academics, students and community leaders to transform insights into actionable strategies that revolutionize healthcare and empower individuals to take charge of their health.
Helen Angus (Opening Moderator)
Helen has a demonstrated ability to lead complex organizations and inspire others to drive systems-level change. She has hit the ground running at AMS, bringing diverse talents and renewed energy to the organization’s role as a catalyst for change and innovation in healthcare.
From 2018 to 2021, she served as Deputy Minister at Ontario’s Ministry of Health, leading Ontario’s initial COVID-19 response. Her provincial roles also include positions at the Treasury Board Secretariat and the ministries of International Trade, Citizenship, and Immigration.
Helen played a critical leadership role in the groundbreaking work of Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) and as co-chair of the Council of Deputy Ministers of Health. Her extensive experience has shaped health system direction from diverse perspectives, building a deep understanding of the system and a robust network across Ontario and Canada. She is currently a distinguished fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.
Damian Jankowicz (Closing Speaker)
Dr. Damian Jankowicz is the Executive Vice President, Chief Information and Artificial Intelligence Officer at Unity Health Toronto, overseeing IT, AI, Enterprise Risk, Privacy, Emergency Preparedness, and Diagnostic Imaging. He leads Unity’s digital transformation to enhance patient care across one of Canada’s largest healthcare networks.
Previously, at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Damian served as Vice President, Information Management, Chief Information Officer and Chief Privacy Officer. At CAMH, Damian established Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, which uses big data, AI and brain modelling to fundamentally change our understanding of mental illness and brain health.
Damian holds a PhD in AI and computational modeling from McMaster University and teaches health informatics as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto. In 2021, he received the HIMSS Changemaker in Health Award for advancing technology in healthcare.
William Falk (Opening Panelist)
Will Falk is a healthcare strategist with 25 years of experience advising top academic centers, governments, and companies in New York and Toronto. Since retiring from PwC in 2017, he has served as Executive in Residence at the Rotman School of Management, a Senior Fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute, a Fellow with the Canadian Standards Association Public Policy Group, and an Innovation Fellow at Women’s College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care.
Will actively supports healthcare startups and has held advisory roles in public service, contributing to ministerial reviews, expert panels, and national reports. He is an active philanthropist and his not-for-profit boards include West Neighbourhood House, AMS Foundation, Children’s Aid Foundation, William Osler Health System and the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences. His corporate Boards include Verto, Alayacare, FirstHx, Home Capital, Medseek, and StrataHealth.
He holds a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto and an M.P.P.M. from Yale’s School of Management, where he was also a Visiting Research Fellow.
Michael Millar (Opening Panelist)
Michael Millar is the CEO and Founder of Verto Inc. Michael brings 20 years of experience designing system-wide digital health innovations to improve patient and provider experiences. Michael combines his deep understanding of modern technology with a system-level understanding of the complexities of healthcare management to create innovative solutions for long standing problems with legacy digital health ecosystem optimization.
Michael’s experience in health administration as an eHealth Strategy Lead at the Ministry of Health in Ontario, AVP of Business Intelligence in finance for the Home Trust Company, and 15+ years of software development helps him navigate the complicated world of digital health with confidence and clarity as he works to transform healthcare. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Alberta and a Master’s in Health Informatics from the University of Toronto. He is currently an Adjunct Lecturer in Health Informatics at the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (IHPME), University of Toronto.
Paul Kurdyak (Opening Panelist)
Dr. Paul Kurdyak is a psychiatrist and Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee at CAMH. He is also a Core Senior Scientist and Lead of the Mental Health and Addiction Program at ICES. He holds the position of Vice President (Clinical), Mental Health and Addictions at Ontario Health. He is Professor and Chair, Addictions and Mental Health Policy Research in the Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto.
Payal Agarwal (Opening Panelist)
Dr. Agarwal is the Integrated Chief Medical Informatics and Innovation Officer at Grand River and St. Mary’s Hospitals and also co-leads the hospitals’ clinical digital strategy. Driven to build a digital health ecosystem that leverages best-in-class systems and tools to support care, Dr. Agarwal is leading a multi-year project to optimize clinical digital workflows for improved efficiency for clinicians and front-line staff. Dr. Agarwal holds additional leadership appointments as the Learning Health System Lead for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, the Medical Director, Digital Health at the Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) and a Fellow in Digital Health and AI with AMS Healthcare.
She holds a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Toronto, a Master of Health Services Research from the University of Toronto (IHPME), and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo.
- Patient-centred focus: Discover how prioritizing patient voices and experiences through digital health innovations is key to driving meaningful change in healthcare.
- Learn from inspiring patient stories: Gain valuable perspectives from patients who have navigated the healthcare system using digital tools and are actively advocating for improved care.
- Accelerating research to bedside: Explore innovative approaches to streamline the translation of cutting-edge digital health research into clinical practice, ensuring patients benefit from the latest advancements while prioritizing the well-being of healthcare providers.
- Collaborate and connect: Network with diverse stakeholders passionate about empowering patients and improving health outcomes by integrating digital health technologies and related leadership approaches and policies.
- Shape the future of health: Join a dynamic movement transforming healthcare by placing patients at the center of care and decision-making and leveraging the latest AI and digital health technologies.
- Leadership, Informatics, and Policy: Gain insights into the latest trends and best practices in health leadership, informatics, and policy, and learn how these disciplines can be leveraged to enhance digital health solutions and empower patients.
- Citizen empowerment and advocacy: Explore strategies to empower citizens through digital health tools, enabling them to actively participate in their health management and advocate for their needs more effectively.
- Shared decision-making: Learn how to facilitate meaningful conversations between patients and healthcare providers using digital platforms to ensure treatment decisions align with patient values and preferences.
- Patient-led research and innovation: Discover how patients can drive research agendas and contribute to the development of new digital health solutions.
- Addressing health inequities: Examine the unique challenges marginalized patient populations face and explore digital health strategies to ensure equitable access to care for all.
- Knowledge translation for patients and citizens: Explore effective digital communication strategies to communicate complex health information directly to consumers, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
- Integrating patient voices into health policy: Discuss how to ensure that patient perspectives are considered in the development of health policies and regulations, leveraging digital health tools for broader inclusion.
- Streamlining research implementation: Investigate strategies to bridge the gap between research and practice, including innovative models of care, knowledge mobilization initiatives, and technology-enabled solutions for effective change.
- Preventing burnout in healthcare: Discuss the importance of understanding the root causes of burnout and explore evidence-based digital interventions to prevent burnout and promote resilience among healthcare providers.
- Health leadership in the digital age: Explore the evolving role of health leaders in navigating the complexities of digital transformation and data-driven decision-making.
- Data-driven healthcare delivery: Learn about the latest advances in health informatics and how data can be used to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of care through digital health innovations.
Health policy and advocacy: Discuss current challenges and opportunities in health policy and how to advocate for policies that promote health equity and access to care for all, utilizing digital health as a key enabler.
- Citizens, patients, and patient advocates
- Healthcare professionals (Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, etc.)
- Researchers and scientists
- Public health officials
- Health policymakers and advocates
- Community leaders and organizers
- Health technology innovators and entrepreneurs
- Academics (faculty and students) and trainees in health-related fields
- Anyone passionate about improving patient-centred care and shaping the future of health leadership, informatics, and policy.
- Deadline for paper submission: Oct. 21, 2024
- Response to authors: Nov. 12, 2024
- Deadline for authors’ revised submissions: Nov. 14, 2024
- Conference: Feb. 21, 2025
Submission Site is Closed
We are excited to announce the call for papers for the Future of Health Leadership, Informatics, and Policy (FHLIP) Conference 2025, which will be held on February 21, 2025.
This year’s conference theme is “From Insights to Action: Empowering Health.” We invite researchers, policymakers, innovators, academics (students and faculty), digital health leaders and practitioners to contribute their insights on how digital health can empower citizens, enhance healthcare delivery, and shape the future of health leadership and policy.
Conference Topics:
This year’s conference will explore several critical topics:
- Citizen and Immigrant Empowerment and Advocacy
- Shared Decision-Making
- Patient-Led Research and Innovation
- Addressing Health Inequities
- Knowledge Translation for Patients, Citizens and Populations
- Integrating Patient Voices into Health Policy
- Streamlining Research Implementation
- Preventing Burnout in Healthcare
- Health Leadership in the Digital Age
- Data-Driven Healthcare Delivery
- Health Policy and Advocacy
Submission Guidelines:
We seek papers that emphasize the impact and potential of digital health innovations. Your submission should highlight the following:
- Impact of your findings on the Healthcare System: Quantify the potential savings, improvements in patient outcomes, and the reduction of disease burden if your innovation were to be implemented.
- Equity and Access: Address how your work benefits vulnerable populations and promotes health equity.
- Policy and Leadership: Identify barriers to implementation, necessary policies, and the leadership required to drive change.
- Policy Options: Identify the alternatives available to policymakers. The real world is messy and scientifically optimal solutions may not make the most sense to decision-makers and payors.
Submission Process:
- Papers should be no longer than 5 pages and follow the IOS Press template.
- Save your paper as a PDF using the format: LastName_FirstName_FHLIPConference_2025.
- Submit your proposal through our submission portal.
Review and Notification:
- The deadline for Paper Submission is October 21, 2024.
- All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process by an expert panel.
- Authors of selected papers will be notified by November 12, 2024, and must confirm their participation within one week. Final revised papers must be submitted by November 14, 2024.
- All selected papers will be published in Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, a well-regarded journal in the health informatics field.
Review the 2024 Conference Publication.
We eagerly await your contributions and look forward to discussing the future of healthcare leadership, informatics, and policy with you at the FHLIP Conference 2025.
For any questions, please contact us at mhi.conference@utoronto.ca.
Submission Site Now Closed for Laptop Talks at FHLIP 2025
We are thrilled to invite submissions for the Future of Health Leadership, Informatics, and Policy (FHLIP) Conference 2025, which will take place on February 21, 2025. This year, we are excited to bring back one of our most successful features from FHLIP 2024: Laptop Talks—Sharing Great Ideas on a Small Screen!
Laptop Talks are a dynamic alternative to traditional poster presentations, where presenters share their innovative ideas through engaging small-screen presentations. For FHLIP 2025, accepted Laptop Talks will be featured in our conference publication, with each submission published in a 2-page ISO format.
Submission Requirements:
- Abstract Format: Your abstract should be submitted as a 2-page document following the ISO format template. The abstract should clearly convey your project or research’s core idea, methodology, and impact.
- Instructions for authors can be found on the IOS Press website: https://
www.iospress.com/ . Please follow the Word template and submit your articles in PDF format.book-article-instructions - Presentation Format: Presenters can use any software or medium to design their presentation. Options include:
- PowerPoint slides
- Infographics
- Digital posters (1-page format)
Be creative! Your presentation should visually engage the audience while conveying key information succinctly.
Presentation Guidelines:
- Duration: Each Laptop Talk will be allocated 10-15 minutes for the presentation, followed by 10-15 minutes for Q&A. This allows for an interactive discussion with the audience.
- Personal Laptop Required: Presenters must bring their personal laptops for the presentation. A designated stand table will be available for setup.
- Schedule: A schedule of presentations will be provided, with each talk assigned a specific time slot.
Submission Process:
- Laptop Talks should be submitted as a 2-page document in ISO format.
- Save your file as: LastName_FirstName_FHLIPConference_2025.pdf.
- Submit your proposal through our submission portal.
Review and Notification:
- Submission Deadline: November 1st, 2024.
- All submissions will undergo expert peer review, and selected authors will be notified by November 19, 2024.
- Final revised Laptop Talk submissions must be submitted by November 30, 2024.
- Accepted submissions will be published in the FHLIP Conference Proceedings.
We look forward to your submissions and discussing the future of healthcare leadership, informatics, and policy with you at FHLIP 2025! If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at mhi.conference@utoronto.ca.
Join us at FHLIP 2025 and be part of the movement to create a patient-centred future for healthcare. This conference focuses on leveraging digital health leadership and policy to prioritize patient well-being and ensure provider sustainability. Engage with experts and innovators to explore how digital health can transform healthcare delivery and drive impactful, patient-centric solutions.
Accepted papers will be published in a MEDLINE- indexed journal. Papers not accepted as a full paper may be accepted as a poster with a short published abstract.
Thank you to our Reception Sponsors:



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Communications
Marielle Boutin
Email Address: ihpme.communications@utoronto.ca