A first-of-its kind event at Brock University next week will bring together health-focused researchers, practitioners, educators, health industry leaders and policy makers to discuss the future of health care.

Brock, Niagara Health and Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Medical Services are collaborating with support from the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) to host the Re-imagining Health Symposium at Brock Wednesday, Oct. 16 and Thursday, Oct. 17.

More than 35 experts will highlight current evidence-based health-care practices with the goal of providing tangible skills for those in attendance to take back to their workplaces, says Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Dean Peter Tiidus.

“This event also provides a space for individuals who often work in similar areas, but rarely get the chance to be in the same room as their colleagues, to connect and expand their networks,” he says.

One of the goals of the Re-Imagining Health Symposium is to inspire innovation, create an environment of collaborative learning and improve health and well-being in the community.

“We are very proud of our increased focus on research and academics, and how it is enhancing the patient experience and attracting and retaining the best and brightest to work at Niagara Health,” says Angela Zangari, Interim President of Niagara Health. “We know we are stronger when we work together and deeply value these partnerships to create a healthier Niagara.”

The symposium will include capacity-building workshops focusing on topics such as knowledge translation, healthy communities, data in health care and new medical technologies.

Providing opening remarks will be Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji, Acting Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner, Public Health Niagara Region.

“Since social factors are responsible for upwards of 50 per cent of health outcomes, we in Public Health strive to engage not just our health-care allies, but the entire Niagara community to the mission of improving health,” Hirji says. “By working with a multi-disciplinary institution like Brock University, we are able to explore innovations and opportunities to advance wellness across many different sectors.”

Other keynote presenters at the symposium include:

• Andrew Best, Senior Director, Healthcare, RBC
• Zayna Khayat, Future Strategist, SE Health
• Anthony Levitt, Chief, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program and Medical Director, Family Navigation Project, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Psychiatry Department

“In addition to showcasing the cutting-edge research taking place at Brock, we look forward to welcoming to campus many of our community partners and the alumni who work for these organizations,” says Tiidus. “Students have also been given the opportunity to attend at a special rate, as well as the option to present a poster and have their ideas reviewed by industry experts.”

For more information and a full list of speakers, visit the conference website.