We envision a vibrant eHealth and mHealth ecosystem, accelerating innovation, growth, and transforming healthcare through collaboration and partnerships. Enhancing Recovery After Surgery THEME 2: REMOTE MONITORING AND VIRTUAL CARE Date Alex Baron | January 2024 As we age it can take longer for our bodies to heal from trauma. As many as 40% of patients that undergo surgery will have major complications that lead to long-term health problems, such as heart disease or stroke. This is especially true for adults over the age of 65 following a major surgery, with many experiencing difficulties in returning to their pre-operation levels of function. Led by Dr. Duminda Wijeysundera, MD, at the University of Toronto, the Functional Improvement Trajectories After Surgery (FIT After Surgery) study aims to gain a better understanding of how often and why some patients experience significant disability after surgery. As one of 14 study sites across Canada, W21C is currently working with the Calgary site lead, Dr. Melinda Davis, MD, director of Master Teaching Program, clinical associate professor, Cumming School of Medicine, on recruitment efforts at the Foothills Medical Centre, actively engaging with patients prior to their surgery. Patient recruitment for the Calgary site began in July 2021 and is ongoing. Researchers are excited about the possibilities this work could reveal, especially as Canada’s population continues to age and the likelihood of more seniors needing major surgery every year is increasing. Having a better understanding of when and why patients experience disability after surgery will enable patients to make better-informed decisions about having surgery and allow physicians to identify patients that may need additional support following surgery. Overall recruitment and follow up for the study is expected to finish in 2023, with preliminary results anticipated in early 2024. By capitalizing on W21C's capabilities in eHealth and mHealth technologies, fostering collaboration, and actively engaging communities, the Health Everywhere Hub is poised to play a pivotal role in improving seniors' recovery experiences post-major surgeries. Project Contact: Dr. Mary Brindle Image Sources: Adobe Stock

If you are a faculty member or researcher developing an evidence-based digital health innovation, visit the SPARK Alberta webpage to learn more and to apply.  We envision a vibrant eHealth and mHealth ecosystem, accelerating innovation, growth, and transforming healthcare through collaboration and partnerships. UCalgary-based program expands province-wide in supporting digital health researchers NEWS Date Alex Baron, W21C Research and Innovation Centre | Sept 11, 2023 Project Contact: Image Source: iStock SPARK program receives grant from Alberta Innovates, supporting post-secondary innovators across Alberta in transforming ideas into clinical practice For the first time, researchers in digital health from Alberta post-secondary institutions will all share access to expert support in translating research innovation into improved care for citizens through an expansion of the newly renamed SPARK Alberta program. The boost is thanks to a new grant from Alberta Innovates . Launched in 2020 as SPARK Calgary, the program has been providing expert advice, education and ecosystem connections for evidence-based digital health innovations in Calgary for the last three years. Based out of the University of Calgary’s W21C Research and Innovation Centre , the program recruited its fourth cohort in spring 2023 and has worked with more than 70 faculty and researchers supporting 14 projects. The SPARK model originated from Stanford University in 2006 with the aim of advancing research discoveries from academia to the health-care system. Now a global network of more than 60 academic institutions across six continents, SPARK Alberta represents the only active SPARK site in Canada. Earlier this year, SPARK Alberta was awarded a grant by Alberta Innovates’ Ecosystem Development Partnerships Program . With this grant, SPARK will leverage its previous success in Calgary and expand the program provincially, further establishing Alberta’s reputation as a province with strong digital health innovation. “This grant will allow us to offer our resources and expertise to faculty and researchers developing innovations from post-secondary institutions from across the province,” says Dr. Scott Kraft, MD, director of SPARK Alberta and clinical associate professor in the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). “Our aim is to form a central network, linking and co-ordinating digital health innovation across Alberta’s post-secondary institutions.” BCI4Kids and Possibility Neurotechnologies team members, from left: Erica Floreani, Eli Kinney-Lang and Dion Kelly, present the Think2Switch. Dion Kelly is a clinical neuroscientist in the BCI4Kids Research Program. Credit: Dion Kelly SPARK graduates have impact The Calgary Pediatric Brain-Computer Interface Program (BCI4Kids) plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenges currently faced by thousands of Canadian children with neurological disabilities. These disabilities often hinder their ability to fully engage in daily life and exercise their fundamental rights to interact with the world. Operating out of the Alberta Children’s Hospital and affiliated with the CSM, the BCI4Kids program is led by Dr. Adam Kirton, MSc’96, MD, a CSM professor and technology solutions research lead for One Child Every Child , a UCalgary research initiative with a vision for all children to be healthy, empowered and thriving. BCI4Kids focuses on cutting-edge brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to provide children suffering from severe neurological disabilities with an avenue to achieve greater independence and an improved quality of life. From the BCI4Kids program came a commercial venture called Possibility Neurotechnologies . Incorporated in October 2022, Possibility Neurotechnologies is dedicated to integrating BCI technology into everyday life, enabling those with severe physical disabilities to interact and communicate in transformative ways. In March 2023, the research team successfully graduated from the SPARK program. Its flagship product, Think2Switch, allows individuals to control household electronic devices using only their thoughts. By creating user-friendly and accessible technology, the team aims to enhance independence and quality of life, making previously unimaginable interactions possible for those in need. “Participating in the SPARK program has been an invaluable experience for Possibility Neurotechnologies, ” says Dr. Dion Kelly, MBT’18, PhD’23, co-founder and CEO of Possibility Neurotechnologies and clinical neuroscientist at BCI4Kids. “The monthly check-ins served as crucial touchpoints, compelling us to regularly evaluate our progress and address setbacks head-on .” Since joining the SPARK program, Possibility Neurotechnologies has achieved significant growth, including being accepted into the Remarkable Accelerator Program, receiving an equity investment from the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, and showcasing its Think2Switch technology at international events. With a growing mailing list and a lineup of prospective customers, the team is preparing for a limited market release in Q1 2024. The SPARK Alberta program is managed by Nicola Quiggin and directed by Scott Kraft. Scott Kraft is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and director of SPARK Alberta. Credit: Nicola Quiggin Next steps for SPARK Alberta One of the goals of the SPARK Alberta program is to create a community focused on supporting Alberta-made digital health innovations. By joining SPARK, participating teams are making meaningful connections with others in this community. “The in-person presentations and events fostered a dynamic network with other startups in the digital health ecosystem ,” says Dion. “Engaging with peers at various stages of development has enriched our journey, providing insights and camaraderie as we navigate the multifaceted process of growth and innovation. ” Applications for the next cohort are open until Sept. 13. If you are a faculty member or researcher developing an evidence-based digital health innovation, visit the SPARK Alberta webpage to learn more about the program and to apply.

Dr. Matthew James is a distinguished specialist in Nephrology, holding the position of Associate Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary. His research program is dedicated to patient-oriented research, with a specific focus on the development and implementation of risk prediction and clinical decision support tools aimed at enhancing the quality of care. Driven by a commitment to advancing healthcare, he also engages in pragmatic clinical trials centered around kidney and cardiovascular disease, contributing significantly to the ongoing evolution of medical practices in these critical areas. Bridging Community and Acute Care Lead Matthew James  fe4@ualberta.ca NEXT THEME LEAD

We envision a vibrant eHealth and mHealth ecosystem, accelerating innovation, growth, and transforming healthcare through collaboration and partnerships. THEME 1: BRIDGING COMMUNITY AND ACUTE CARE Date Advancing eHealth Innovation to Enable Intelligent Patient Monitoring January 2024 Prevention of pressure injuries (PIs) is a priority for healthcare systems worldwide. Also referred to as pressure ulcers or bedsores, this condition is a skin and soft tissue injury that forms because of constant or prolonged pressure on the skin, typically occurring at bony areas on the body. Most prevalent in healthcare settings where the patient is unable to move frequently enough to relieve the pressure, PIs are painful for the patient and can lead to a deterioration in health, increased hospital stays, and even death. To address this issue, W21C partnered with XSENSOR Technology Corporation, a Calgary-based company that designs, manufactures, and sells advanced pressure-imaging systems for use in medical environments worldwide. With support from W21C’s research team, this led to the creation of a novel pressure sensing device - the ForeSite PT™ System. In late 2007, an opportunity arose for W21C to partner with XSENSOR in the development and testing of a health innovation. The main objectives of this initiative were to better understand the potential of innovative technology to support healthcare providers in caring for patients at risk of pressure injuries. W21C’s initial role was to collect and analyze focus group feedback from physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and pressure mapping experts. Over time this progressed to usability testing of a protype device in a simulated Intensive Care Unit. Each phase of W21C research was followed by a design cycle at XSENSOR that consisted of research on every aspect of the system, including overall architecture, transducer design, sensing electronics, software, mechanical design, and packaging. Through funding provided by Alberta Innovates ‘Accelerating Innovations into Care’ program, XSENSOR once again, approached W21C in 2023 to support the evaluation and impact on workflow of an updated system (referred to as ForeSite IS) in acute and long-term care, and to evaluate the device’s ability to predict skin breakdown of patients at elevated risk of PIs. This study is currently under way at Foothills Medical Centre and throughout several long-term care sites in the Calgary area. To learn more about this project and its commercial capabilities, please visit XSENSOR’s website . Image Sources: Adobe Stock (top), XSENSOR.com (middle)

THEME # The Title Goes Here Here is two lines for your subtitle if you have one on your file Lead Co-lead Name Surname Team Member INNOVATION STAGE Name of the stage Health Innovation Focus What is it What is it Population and Setting What is it Technology and Intervention What is it What is it BENEFITS For Users For parents, NeoApp offers personalized guidance and support, increasing confidence and reducing anxiety. The app empowers parents with knowledge specific to their baby’s needs, helping them monitor recovery, track milestones, and recognize signs of concern without relying on generic information or internet searches. By connecting with a community of parents facing similar challenges, they feel less isolated. The clear recovery pathway and milestones NeoApp offers make the transition from hospital to home smoother, providing peace of mind. For The System For parents, NeoApp offers personalized guidance and support, increasing confidence and reducing anxiety. The app empowers parents with knowledge specific to their baby’s needs, helping them monitor recovery, track milestones, and recognize signs of concern without relying on generic information or internet searches. By connecting with a community of parents facing similar challenges, they feel less isolated. The clear recovery pathway and milestones NeoApp offers make the transition from hospital to home smoother, providing peace of mind. Project Theme Information Current State OVERVIEW What Is The Innovation OVERVIEW NeoApp is an innovative digital health solution, grounded in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles, created to guide parents through the complex journey of post-surgical recovery for NICU infants. It is the first ERAS-focused platform designed for neonatal populations and their parents at home, providing personalized support and education tailored to each baby’s surgical background, development stage, and ongoing health needs. INTENDED USERS How It Works OVERVIEW Other Known Use Cases OVERVIEW Project Theme Information Current State Partnerships with Xsensor and Baxter are undergoing to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on patient outcomes. The specific focus will be on two products: 1) Xsensor’s ForeSite® Intelligent Surface, an artificial intelligence-powered continuous skin monitoring... What is the Innovation Partnerships with Xsensor and Baxter are undergoing to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on patient outcomes. The specific focus will be on two products: 1) Xsensor’s ForeSite® Intelligent Surface, an artificial intelligence-powered continuous skin monitoring... Other Known Use Cases Partnerships with Xsensor and Baxter are undergoing to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on patient outcomes. The specific focus will be on two products: 1) Xsensor’s ForeSite® Intelligent Surface, an artificial intelligence-powered continuous skin monitoring... How it Works Partnerships with Xsensor and Baxter are undergoing to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on patient outcomes. The specific focus will be on two products: 1) Xsensor’s ForeSite® Intelligent Surface, an artificial intelligence-powered continuous skin monitoring... Get Involved Add a Title Add a Title Connect via email: Email: Discover More: here Previous Item Next Item

Theme 4: Ecosystem Supports Identifying the mHealth and eHealth ecosystem building blocks — Lead: Chad Saunders Co-Leads: Philip Piercy, Taoting Li . INNOVATION STAGE Exploration Health Innovation Focus Health Technology Innovation & Commercialization Population and Setting Innovators and Support Providers Technology and Intervention — BENEFITS For Users A more efficient ecosystem for eHealth and mHealth innovation in Alberta will promote efficient use of resources (time, money, etc.) For The System A thriving innovation ecosystem will support the uptake and adoption of digital health care technologies into practice Project Theme Information Current State Effectively supporting innovators/entrepreneurs requires several challenging steps: identifying the resources available, determining what each innovator needs, matching local resources and innovators to meet those needs, and helping source any gaps Other Known Use Cases Partnerships with Xsensor and Baxter are undergoing to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on patient outcomes. The specific focus will be on two products: 1) Xsensor’s ForeSite® Intelligent Surface, an artificial intelligence-powered continuous skin monitoring... What is the Innovation This project aims to help innovators better identify support providers in the ecosystem, select support providers to work with and ultimately access the support they need quicker and more cost-effectively. How it Works The study team has completed over 300 interviews with entreprenaurs in Alberta to better understand factors such as the interplay between the entrepreneur and the support advisor in determining whether the entrepreneur receives the support they need. the dynamic capabilities of intermediaries in facilitating addressing challenges. and barrier especially present for Intersectional entrepreneurs (e.g., women, Indigenous, immigrants) who face multiple sources of discrimination which in the context of entrepreneurial ecosystems leads to differential support being offered or provided. Get Involved Contact to Collaborate Contact Chad Saunders to collaborate Get in touch wsaunder@ucalgary.ca . View other projects and explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are transforming care across the province. Explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are solving real-world challenges and shaping the future of care across the province. View The Portfolio ABOUT The Health Everywhere Hub portfolio map showcases academic-led projects tackling real healthcare challenges across Alberta. By highlighting shared goals and commonalities, we hope to spark collaboration and amplify impact across the system. It’s more than a list of projects - this evolving collection shows what’s possible when partnerships, bold ideas, and real-world testing come together. Previous Item Next Item

Bridging Community and Acute Care UPTAKE VC Virtual Care for Safer Recovery After Acute Kidney Injury Lead Matthew James Co-Lead Neesh Pannu Additional Contributors Nusrat Shonmu, Tyrone Harrison, Moaliosa Donald Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link Bridging Community and Acute Care UPTAKE VC Virtual Care for Safer Recovery After Acute Kidney Injury Lead Matthew James Co-Lead Neesh Pannu Additional Contributors Nusrat Shonmu, Tyrone Harrison, Moaliosa Donald Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link THE CHALLENGE Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a serious condition that can cause long-term complications, including cardiovascular issues and recurrent hospitalizations. AKI often develops rapidly, and without proper management, it can lead to lasting health problems. A major gap exists in the continuity of care as patients transition from hospital to home. Without consistent follow-up monitoring or clinical oversight, patients with AKI face a heightened risk of severe and potentially irreversible health complications after discharge. THE CHALLENGE Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a serious condition that can cause long-term complications, including cardiovascular issues and recurrent hospitalizations. AKI often develops rapidly, and without proper management, it can lead to lasting health problems. A major gap exists in the continuity of care as patients transition from hospital to home. Without consistent follow-up monitoring or clinical oversight, patients with AKI face a heightened risk of severe and potentially irreversible health complications after discharge. THE CHALLENGE Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a serious condition that can cause long-term complications, including cardiovascular issues and recurrent hospitalizations. AKI often develops rapidly, and without proper management, it can lead to lasting health problems. A major gap exists in the continuity of care as patients transition from hospital to home. Without consistent follow-up monitoring or clinical oversight, patients with AKI face a heightened risk of severe and potentially irreversible health complications after discharge. THE INNOVATION The Virtual Home Hospital (VHH) program delivers hospital-level care at home through virtual technology and scheduled in-person visits. Designed to strengthen continuity of care, the program supports patients, including those with AKI, by offering tailored follow-up and monitoring services after discharge. VHH enables a safer, more supported transition from hospital to home and keeps patients connected to their care team during a period of heightened health risk. THE INNOVATION The Virtual Home Hospital (VHH) program delivers hospital-level care at home through virtual technology and scheduled in-person visits. Designed to strengthen continuity of care, the program supports patients, including those with AKI, by offering tailored follow-up and monitoring services after discharge. VHH enables a safer, more supported transition from hospital to home and keeps patients connected to their care team during a period of heightened health risk. HOW IT WORKS Patients enrolled in the VHH program are discharged with home-monitoring devices that allow the healthcare team to track key health indicators in real time. Through virtual consultations and scheduled in-person visits, providers can closely monitor the patient’s AKI progression, respond promptly to any health changes, and adjust care plans as needed. This approach mirrors the care continuity of an AKI-specific after-visit summary through a technology-enabled home care model. HOW IT WORKS Patients enrolled in the VHH program are discharged with home-monitoring devices that allow the healthcare team to track key health indicators in real time. Through virtual consultations and scheduled in-person visits, providers can closely monitor the patient’s AKI progression, respond promptly to any health changes, and adjust care plans as needed. This approach mirrors the care continuity of an AKI-specific after-visit summary through a technology-enabled home care model. THE BENEFITS For Users Hospital-Level Care at Home: Patients receive structured follow-up and oversight without remaining in hospital. Timely Monitoring and Intervention: Regular monitoring and timely interventions reduce likelihood of long-term complications. Personalized Support: Patients receive guidance on managing AKI and other health conditions through virtual and in-person support. Improved Adherence: Ongoing engagement encourages completion of follow-up care and treatment plans. Greater Confidence and Independence: Support at home strengthens recovery while keeping patients connected to their care team. For The System Reduced Readmissions : Monitoring and timely support help lower AKI-related return visits and hospitalizations. Efficient Resource Use: Delivering hospital-level care at home frees inpatient capacity and supports better use of care facilities. Innovative, Patient-Centred Care: Demonstrates a commitment to decentralized care models that extend beyond the hospital. Supports Virtual Care Adoption: Strengthens system readiness for virtual healthcare technologies and value-based care. Scalable Home-Care Model: Structure can be adapted for other chronic conditions, contributing to long-term system evolution. THE BENEFITS For Users Hospital-Level Care at Home: Patients receive structured follow-up and oversight without remaining in hospital. Timely Monitoring and Intervention: Regular monitoring and timely interventions reduce likelihood of long-term complications. Personalized Support: Patients receive guidance on managing AKI and other health conditions through virtual and in-person support. Improved Adherence: Ongoing engagement encourages completion of follow-up care and treatment plans. Greater Confidence and Independence: Support at home strengthens recovery while keeping patients connected to their care team. For The System Reduced Readmissions : Monitoring and timely support help lower AKI-related return visits and hospitalizations. Efficient Resource Use: Delivering hospital-level care at home frees inpatient capacity and supports better use of care facilities. Innovative, Patient-Centred Care: Demonstrates a commitment to decentralized care models that extend beyond the hospital. Supports Virtual Care Adoption: Strengthens system readiness for virtual healthcare technologies and value-based care. Scalable Home-Care Model: Structure can be adapted for other chronic conditions, contributing to long-term system evolution. Explore Further If you’d like to learn more UPTAKE VC or connect with the project team, visit: UPTAKE UCalgary Page Get Involved Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent sit amet metus sed lorem tincidunt pretium. Learn More View other projects and explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are transforming care across the province. View Portfolio Explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are solving real-world challenges and shaping the future of care across the province. ABOUT The Health Everywhere Hub portfolio map showcases academic-led projects tackling real healthcare challenges across Alberta. By highlighting shared goals and commonalities, we hope to spark collaboration and amplify impact across the system. It’s more than a list of projects - this evolving collection shows what’s possible when partnerships, bold ideas, and real-world testing come together.

Theme 2: Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care Robin's Nest as a White Label Platform — Lead: Linda Duffett-Leger . INNOVATION STAGE Proof of Concept Health Innovation Focus Acute Illness; Chronic Disease;Mental Health & Addiction Population and Setting — Technology and Intervention Data Modelling, Platform and Dashboard Visualization; Wearable Technology, Imaging & Biosensors BENEFITS For Users Foster stronger therapeutic relationships through secure video-based interactions. Personalize care and interventions with real-time wearable data and AI-driven insights. Simplify remote monitoring and virtual consultations for improved workflow efficiency. Increase participant engagement and retention in clinical trials with a user-friendly platform. Streamline data collection and analysis in a single, integrated system for better decision-making. For The System Data Consistency: Centralized platform reduces errors and manual data reconciliation, improving trial fidelity and reporting accuracy. Seamless Integration: Interfaces with existing EHR systems (e.g., Epic) for real-time data sharing and better care coordination. Efficiency Gains: Automates routine tasks like scheduling, billing, and consent management, reducing administrative burden. Improved Patient Outcomes: Combines real-time monitoring with education and peer support, fostering long-term engagement and health behavior changes. Project Theme Information Current State Healthcare systems are under growing strain from limited resources and rising patient demand, especially in post-acute and chronic care settings. While remote patient monitoring has the potential to ease these pressures, current solutions often lack scalability, seamless integration of wearable device data, and user-friendly designs. This limits their adoption and effectiveness in real-time health monitoring. Clinical trial managers and clinicians face significant hurdles with fragmented tools for telehealth, wearables, and data analytics, leading to inconsistent data collection and low participant engagement. These challenges create inefficiencies, increasing administrative burdens, and contributing to higher dropout rates, missed interventions, and compromised trial outcomes. Other Known Use Cases Partnerships with Xsensor and Baxter are undergoing to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on patient outcomes. The specific focus will be on two products: 1) Xsensor’s ForeSite® Intelligent Surface, an artificial intelligence-powered continuous skin monitoring... What is the Innovation Robin’s Nest is a comprehensive, all-in-one telehealth platform that integrates secure video communication, wearable technology for real-time physiological monitoring, AI-driven predictive analytics, and a robust learning management system (LMS). Designed to support remote patient monitoring, clinical trial management, and chronic care, Robin’s Nest provides a unified solution that streamlines workflows, enhances participant engagement, and improves data consistency. By combining advanced features into a single platform, it enables healthcare providers to deliver evidence-based programs and maintain strong therapeutic relationships, while offering actionable insights for better decision-making. How it Works Robin’s Nest integrates multiple advanced features into a single platform to streamline remote patient monitoring and clinical trial management. Wearable technology collects real-time physiological data, such as heart rate and sleep patterns, which is securely transmitted to healthcare providers or trial managers. AI-driven analytics assess stress levels and provide predictive insights, enabling clinicians to take timely, data-informed actions. The platform supports individual and group video-based telehealth sessions, facilitating virtual consultations, follow-ups, and peer support. Its robust learning management system (LMS) offers patients access to educational content and self-guided learning modules, while real-time monitoring and alerts notify clinicians of critical changes. All data is aggregated into a centralized health dashboard, combining biometric data, self-reports, and engagement metrics to deliver actionable insights for improving care and trial outcomes. Other Known Cases: SENSE Program for delivery of frontline staff mental health Get Involved Explore Partnerships Email Linda Duffet-Leger to explore partnership opportunities Get in touch linda.duffetleger@ucalgary.ca . View other projects and explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are transforming care across the province. Explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are solving real-world challenges and shaping the future of care across the province. View The Portfolio ABOUT The Health Everywhere Hub portfolio map showcases academic-led projects tackling real healthcare challenges across Alberta. By highlighting shared goals and commonalities, we hope to spark collaboration and amplify impact across the system. It’s more than a list of projects - this evolving collection shows what’s possible when partnerships, bold ideas, and real-world testing come together. Previous Item Next Item

Alex Baron graduated from the University of Alberta Augustana Campus in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts – English, and then completed a Bachelor of Arts – Communications from the University of Calgary in 2016. In his career, Alex has had the opportunity to work in some truly unique places, allowing him to pursue his two key interests – creating memorable guest experiences and telling great stories. This includes working at the Walt Disney World Resort, Heritage Park Historical Village, and the University of Calgary. His interests outside of work include travel and photography. Communications Advisor Alex Baron  ambaron@ucalgary.ca NEXT OPERATIONS MEMBER PREVIOUS OPERATIONS MEMBER

Our Operations Team Alex Baron graduated from the University of Alberta Augustana Campus in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts – English, and then completed a Bachelor of Arts – Communications from the University of Calgary in 2016. In his career, Alex has had the opportunity to work in some truly unique places, allowing him to pursue his two key interests – creating memorable guest experiences and telling great stories . This includes working at the Walt Disney World Resort, Heritage Park Historical Village, and the University of Calgary. His interests outside of work include travel and photography. Communications Advisor Alex Baron  alex.baron@ucalgary.ca Jill de Grood jointly leads the W21C Research and Innovation Centre with Dr. Jaime Kaufman, PhD. Together, Jill and Jaime support the strategic direction of the initiative, promoting W21C’s value proposition as an organization dedicated to research, innovation, and education . They support day-to-day W21C operations and processes, and lead specific portfolios. Jill completed her Master’s degree in Sociology at the University of Calgary. Her thesis project examined factors impacting lawyer’s physical and mental health. She completed a Certificate in Professional Management in 2015 and received her Project Management Professional Certification in 2018. Jill has been in an evolving leadership role with W21C for more than nine years, and became Director of the Centre in 2013. Over the years, Jill has led and been involved in numerous industry partner projects in areas such as technology assessment, infection prevention and control, and examining the effectiveness and impact of health care innovations for patient care. Jill is a published author with fourteen journal publications along with a number of knowledge translation pieces. As Director of Development and Partnerships, Jill continues to bring a strategic perspective to the W21C, to solve challenges and identify opportunities for the Centre. Jill is responsible for establishing and enhancing new and existing community partnerships with government and external organizations. Jill oversees the clinical trials and human factors teams in conjunction with Michelle Wright. She is also accountable for externally focused innovation support programs like SPARK Calgary. W21C Leadership Representative Jill de Grood  gjde@ucalgary.ca Maryam has a Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation degree and a Master of Management degree, both from the University of Calgary. Specializing in strategy, project management, and stakeholder relations, Maryam has successfully led teams, managed projects, and executed plans within diverse business domains. Her expertise includes strategic analysis, client communication, and a detail-oriented approach to data management . Maryam brings a unique blend of academic excellence, professional acumen, and a passion for community service to every project, making her a dynamic and versatile contributor to the W21C team. Operations Coordinator Maryam Ali  maryam.ali1@ucalgary.ca Shane holds a master’s degree in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University and is a Project Management Institute certified Project Management Professional. He has extensive experience in leading interdisciplinary teams, strategic planning, and working with various stakeholder groups . Prior to joining the W21C, Shane developed and managed a variety of projects relating to pediatric health outcomes, health technology, and neuroscience with the Alberta Children’s Hospital Neuropsychology Service. He has also previously worked as a Research Coordinator with the University of Calgary Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre and as a Research Associate with the Simon Fraser University Injury Prevention and Mobility Lab. Prior to his role as Program Manager, Shane coordinated the W21C Digital Health Colloboratorium initiative. Outside of work, Shane enjoys participating in a variety of sports including hockey, basketball, and skiing. Hub Manager Shane Virani  shane.virani@ucalgary.ca