Meet our team, discover our partners, and learn about what we do. ABOUT US About Us Meet our team, discover our partners, and learn about what we do. OUR VISION Driving Health Innovation Across Alberta Our vision for Alberta is a vibrant eHealth and mHealth ecosystem that builds on a foundation of strength in innovation to drive economic and technological growth that positively transforms our health system. Reimagining Healthcare Through Digital Innovation Hear from Dr. Mary Brindle , Health Everywhere Hub Project Lead, as she introduces a bold vision for transforming Alberta's healthcare landscape. Dr. Brindle explains how the Hub is breaking down barriers that have slowed digital health innovation, creating a collaborative ecosystem where Alberta-made solutions can be designed, tested, and adopted both locally and globally. Our Vision Our vision for Alberta is a vibrant eHealth and mHealth ecosystem that builds on a foundation of strength in innovation to drive economic and technological growth and positive transform our health system. WHAT WE DO Collaborative Approach Supporting Innovation Promoting and Championing Ecosystem Sustainability Knowledge Sharing and Institutional Memory OUR TEAM Theme Leads Chad Saunders Integrated Innovation Ecosystem Support Lead View Theme View Bio Martin Ferguson-Pell Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care Lead View Theme View Bio Mary Brindle Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care Lead View Theme View Bio Matthew James Bridging Community and Acute Care Lead View Theme View Bio Neesh Pannu Bridging Community and Acute Care Lead View Theme View Bio Tyler Williamson Connectivity and Data Access Lead View Theme View Bio Tom Stelfox Oversight Committee Chair View Theme View Bio Oversight Committee Chair Tom Stelfox View Bio Integrated Innovation Ecosystem Support Lead Chad Saunders View Bio View Theme Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care Lead Dr. Mary Brindle View Bio View Theme Bridging Community and Acute Care Lead Dr. Matthew James View Bio View Theme Oversight Committee Chair Dr. Tom Stelfox View Bio Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care Lead Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell View Bio View Theme Bridging Community and Acute Care Lead Dr. Neesh Pannu View Bio View Theme Connectivity and Data Access Lead Tyler Williamson View Bio View Theme OUR TEAM Operations Communications Advisor Alex Baron View Bio W21C Leadership Representative Jill de Grood View Bio Administrative Coordinator Hailey Foss View Bio Hub Manager Shane Virani View Bio Hub Engagement and Evaluation Lead Kat Arnold View Bio Hub Engagement and Evaluation Designer Maggie Hui View Bio Operations Coordinator (University of Alberta) Emily Armstrong View Bio Communications Advisor Alex Baron View Bio Operations Coordinator Maryam Ali View Bio W21C Leadership Representative Jill de Grood View Bio Hub Manager Shane Virani View Bio OUR PARTNERS Health Everywhere Works With Leading Digital Innovators Uniting researchers, decision-makers, and digital health innovators to ensure seamless, inclusive, and scalable healthcare implementation in acute and community-based care settings. Academic Health System Organizations Indigenous Community Industry Non-Profit Organizations A hub for innovators, industry partners, innovation support partners, and healthcare providers and community LETS BRING ALBERTA TOGETHER Contact Us Land Acknowledgement The University of Calgary, located in the heart of Southern Alberta, both acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).

Dr. Tom Stelfox is the Oversight Committee Chair at Health Everywhere. Tom is the inaugural Deputy Dean for the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta. He received his MD from the University of Alberta, completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Toronto, earned a Ph.D. in health care policy at Harvard University and did a critical care fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Tom Stelfox is the inaugural Deputy Dean for the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta. He received his MD from the University of Alberta, completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Toronto, earned a Ph.D. in health care policy at Harvard University and did a critical care fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He served as joint clinical and academic chair of the Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services where he reorganized the delivery of physician patient care services. He is the past Scientific Director of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary where he established the Centre for Health Policy. His research focuses on the application of health-services research methods to improve the quality of health-care delivery to critically ill patients . Oversight Committee Chair Dr. Tom Stelfox  stelfoxt@ualberta.ca PREVIOUS THEME LEAD SEE OPERATIONS TEAM stelfoxt@ualberta.ca Dr. Tom Stelfox Oversight Committee Chair Dr. Tom Stelfox is the inaugural Deputy Dean for the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta. He received his MD from the University of Alberta, completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Toronto, earned a Ph.D. in health care policy at Harvard University and did a critical care fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He served as joint clinical and academic chair of the Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services where he reorganized the delivery of physician patient care services. He is the past Scientific Director of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary where he established the Centre for Health Policy. His research focuses on the application of health-services research methods to improve the quality of health-care delivery to critically ill patients.

Home / Research Themes / Integrated Innovation Ecosystem Support / Integrated Innovation Ecosystem Support By addressing gaps and opportunities in the current ecosystem, our aim is to create a dynamic eHealth and mHealth ecosystem, by identifying resources, matching them with innovators, and improving overall integration. Key Areas of Focus Our work seeks to strengthen the eHealth and mHealth ecosystem by enhancing resource integration and fostering continuous innovation. 01. Focus Area 02. Focus Area 03. Focus Area FEATURED PROJECTS Storyboards From the 2024 Innovation Gallery Explore featured storyboards that bring to life the real-world challenges, bold ideas, and digital health innovations shaping the future of care in Alberta. Navigating Trade-offs in Health Technology Implementation Implementing Health Information Technology (HIT) often results in unintended consequences, such as workflow disruptions, user resistance, and increased workloads, due to insufficient understanding of trade-offs. This makes it hard for healthcare organizations to adapt to new technologies and provide safe, efficient care. Traditional approaches to HIT evaluation have been reactive, addressing problems post-implementation rather than proactively identifying and mitigating potential challenges. The framework combines concepts from the Social Business Process Management (BPM) and qualitative content analysis to better understand and improve HIT implementation. Learn More The GAITS Platform This project evaluates GAITS within the SPARK Program to assess a tool’s potential for advancing health-tech solutions and facilitating adoption of new technologies by: Helping academic innovators manage and anticipate their projects milestones more effectively better aligning the technical development of innovations with product Market fit (e.g. clinical needs and organizational requirements) , regulatory requirements, and business goals Better aligning the technical development of innovations with product-market fit (e.g. clinical needs and organizational requirements) , regulatory requirements, and business goals Learn More THEME PROJECTS Our Projects A Model of Tradeoffs for Understanding Health Information Technology Implementation Learn More Identifying the mHealth and eHealth Ecosystem Building Blocks Learn More Evaluation of GAITS Platform in SPARK Program Learn More The Co-Pilot Collective Learn More A Model of Tradeoffs for Understanding Health Information Technology Implementation (Coming Soon) Evaluation of GAITS Platform in SPARK Program (Coming Soon) Identifying the mHealth and eHealth Ecosystem Building Blocks (Coming Soon) The Co-Pilot Collective (Coming Soon) Theme Leads Chad Saunders Integrated Innovation Ecosystem Support Lead View Bio 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. Our Research Themes Bridging Community and Acute Care Like Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care Like Connectivity and Data Access Like Integrative Innovation Ecosystem Support Like

During this event, we will formally introduce and showcase Health Everywhere, a new eHealth and mHealth hub created from a $6.3M Major Innovation Fund award from the Government of Alberta. This will include a panel discussion and Q&A with the six theme leads of the Health Everywhere initiative. Register for this event today! EVENT Health Everywhere Launch Event We envision a vibrant eHealth and mHealth ecosystem, accelerating innovation, growth, and transforming healthcare through collaboration and partnerships. March 2024 | Alex Baron Project Contact: Image Source: Adobe Stock On January 23, 2024, over 100 guests joined us as we held the Dr. Mamoru ‘Mo’ Watanabe Lectureship on Digital Health Today and Tomorrow. Hosted by the W21C Research and Innovation Centre , this event formally introduced and showcased "Health Everywhere", a new eHealth and mHealth hub created from a $6.3M Major Innovation Fund award from the Government of Alberta. This lectureship series honours the contributions of Dr. Mamoru ‘Mo’ Watanabe. Joining the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Medicine (now named Cumming School of Medicine) to serve as professor and head of internal medicine in 1974, Dr. Watanabe served as dean of the Faculty of Medicine from July 1982 until June 1992, and is believed to be the first Japanese Canadian dean of a Canadian medical school. He passed away July 5, 2023, at the age of 90. Opening remarks were provided by Dr. Mary Brindle, W21C Academic Director, and Dr. William Ghali, Vice-President (Research) at the University of Calgary. Dr. Ghali shared with the audience his memories of working with Dr. Watanabe and his legacy in digital health. The event was then led in a keynote address by Dr. James A. Makokis, speaking on the negative role colonialism continues to play in healthcare for Indigenous Canadians. This was followed by a lecture from Dr. Christy Cauley on the integration of mobile health to optimize recovery in patients. After a quick intermission the audience was introduced to Health Everywhere by five of its lead researchers. This included presentations from Dr. Chad Saunders, Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell, Dr. Mary Brindle, Dr. Matt James, and Dr. Tyler Williamson. These presentations were followed by a Q&A with all the leads participating at once. Overall, the three-hour event proved to be a wonderful opportunity for the Health Everywhere team to introduce this initiative to the public while also making great connections between industry and academic leaders. PREVIOUS ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE Image Sources: Brittany DeAngelis, O’Brien Institute for Public Health Project Contact- Alex Baron

Theme 3: Connectivity and Data Access Building the basic infrastructure to allow data to flow securely Date We envision a vibrant eHealth and mHealth ecosystem, accelerating innovation, growth, and transforming healthcare through collaboration and partnerships. | The event was then led in a keynote address by Dr. James A. Makokis, speaking on the negative role colonialism continues to play in healthcare for Indigenous Canadians. This was followed by a lecture from Dr. Christy Cauley on the integration of mobile health to optimize recovery in patients. Project Contact-

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

Back Community Mar 6, 2024 | 4 min read  Alex Baron Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link Health Everywhere launch event At a glance Health Everywhere, a new $6.3M digital health hub created through Alberta’s Major Innovation Fund, was officially launched at the 2024 Dr. Mamoru ‘Mo’ Watanabe Lectureship hosted by W21C. The event honoured Dr. Watanabe’s legacy in digital health and featured keynote talks on Indigenous health equity and mobile health innovation, followed by presentations from the Hub’s lead researchers. Bringing together over 100 guests, the event marked a key milestone in connecting digital health innovators across academia and industry to shape Alberta’s eHealth and mHealth future.  Alex Baron Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link paragraph On January 23, 2024, over 100 guests joined us as we held the Dr. Mamoru ‘Mo’ Watanabe Lectureship on Digital Health Today and Tomorrow. Hosted by the W21C Research and Innovation Centre, this event formally introduced and showcased "Health Everywhere", a new eHealth and mHealth hub created from a $6.3M Major Innovation Fund award from the Government of Alberta.
 This lectureship series honours the contributions of Dr. Mamoru ‘Mo’ Watanabe. Joining the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Medicine (now named Cumming School of Medicine) to serve as professor and head of internal medicine in 1974, Dr. Watanabe served as dean of the Faculty of Medicine from July 1982 until June 1992, and is believed to be the first Japanese Canadian dean of a Canadian medical school. He passed away July 5, 2023, at the age of 90.
 Opening remarks were provided by Dr. Mary Brindle, W21C Academic Director, and Dr. William Ghali, Vice-President (Research) at the University of Calgary. Dr. Ghali shared with the audience his memories of working with Dr. Watanabe and his legacy in digital health.
 The event was then led in a keynote address by Dr. James A. Makokis, speaking on the negative role colonialism continues to play in healthcare for Indigenous Canadians. This was followed by a lecture from Dr. Christy Cauley on the integration of mobile health to optimize recovery in patients.
 After a quick intermission the audience was introduced to Health Everywhere by five of its lead researchers. This included presentations from Dr. Chad Saunders, Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell, Dr. Mary Brindle, Dr. Matt James, and Dr. Tyler Williamson. These presentations were followed by a Q&A with all the leads participating at once. Overall, the three-hour event proved to be a wonderful opportunity for the Health Everywhere team to introduce this initiative to the public while also making great connections between industry and academic leaders. Featured Video See the full interview EXPLORE MORE ARTICLES Innovation Apr 30, 2026 | 2 min read Simulation, Systems, and the Future of Surgical Care Tara Klassen joins host Lisa George on the Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation Podcast to discuss why innovation in surgical care is about much more than introducing a new device or technology. Read More Innovation Apr 16, 2026 | 2 min read From Research to Real World: Dr. Mary Brindle on Surgical Innovation Health Everywhere Hub Project Lead, Mary Brindle, joins host Lisa George on the Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation podcast to discuss the concept of the Living Lab in healthcare. Read More Research May 1, 2025 | 8 min read Health Everywhere: Advancing digital health in Alberta Over the past year, W21C has focused on addressing how care is delivered by creating the Health Everywhere Hub, an initiative aimed at advancing innovation digital health in Alberta. Read More Community Mar 6, 2024 | 4 min read Health Everywhere launch event On Janurary 23, 2024, over 100 guests joined us as we held the Dr. Mamoru ‘Mo’ Watanabe Lectureship on Digital Health Today and Tomorrow. Read More Research Sep 11, 2023 | 4 min read UCalgary-based program expands province-wide in supporting digital health researchers SPARK program receives grant from Alberta Innovates, supporting post-secondary innovators across Alberta. Read More Innovation Sep 6, 2023 | 3 min read 3 UCalgary projects receive $20.3M in provincial innovation grants UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem just received a $20.3-million boost, thanks to Alberta’s Major Innovation Fund (MIF). Read More Back to News Featured Video See the full interview EXPLORE MORE ARTICLES Innovation Apr 30, 2026 | 2 min read Simulation, Systems, and the Future of Surgical Care Tara Klassen joins host Lisa George on the Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation Podcast to discuss why innovation in surgical care is about much more than introducing a new device or technology. Read More Innovation Apr 16, 2026 | 2 min read From Research to Real World: Dr. Mary Brindle on Surgical Innovation Health Everywhere Hub Project Lead, Mary Brindle, joins host Lisa George on the Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation podcast to discuss the concept of the Living Lab in healthcare. Read More Research May 1, 2025 | 8 min read Health Everywhere: Advancing digital health in Alberta Over the past year, W21C has focused on addressing how care is delivered by creating the Health Everywhere Hub, an initiative aimed at advancing innovation digital health in Alberta. Read More Community Mar 6, 2024 | 4 min read Health Everywhere launch event On Janurary 23, 2024, over 100 guests joined us as we held the Dr. Mamoru ‘Mo’ Watanabe Lectureship on Digital Health Today and Tomorrow. Read More Research Sep 11, 2023 | 4 min read UCalgary-based program expands province-wide in supporting digital health researchers SPARK program receives grant from Alberta Innovates, supporting post-secondary innovators across Alberta. Read More Innovation Sep 6, 2023 | 3 min read 3 UCalgary projects receive $20.3M in provincial innovation grants UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem just received a $20.3-million boost, thanks to Alberta’s Major Innovation Fund (MIF). Read More Back to News

Back Innovation Apr 16, 2026 | 2 min read  Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation podcast Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link From Research to Real World: Dr. Mary Brindle on Surgical Innovation At a glance Introduces the Living Lab approach, where healthcare innovations are tested in real-world clinical and community settings to better understand how they actually function in practice. Emphasizes that real-world testing reveals gaps such as workflow challenges, user adoption issues, and unintended consequences, that aren’t visible in lab-based or simulated environments. Highlights the role of simulation and collaboration in bridging research and implementation, helping innovations evolve so they can succeed at scale in healthcare systems.  Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation podcast Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link paragraph Over the next several months, A-MEDICO and Health Everywhere are sponsoring a special series of episodes on the Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation podcast created by NAIT's Centre fo Advanced Medical Simulation! On the first episode, Health Everywhere Hub Project Lead, Mary Brindle, joins host Lisa George to dive into the concept of the Living Lab in health care, and why testing innovation in real clinical and community settings matters so much. Rather than relying only on tightly controlled pilots, Living Labs allow teams to understand how technologies actually fit into workflows, how they are adopted by users, and where they need to change before they can succeed at scale. Catch the episode on all major podcast platforms . Featured Video See the full interview EXPLORE MORE ARTICLES Innovation Apr 30, 2026 | 2 min read Simulation, Systems, and the Future of Surgical Care Tara Klassen joins host Lisa George on the Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation Podcast to discuss why innovation in surgical care is about much more than introducing a new device or technology. Read More Innovation Apr 16, 2026 | 2 min read From Research to Real World: Dr. Mary Brindle on Surgical Innovation Health Everywhere Hub Project Lead, Mary Brindle, joins host Lisa George on the Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation podcast to discuss the concept of the Living Lab in healthcare. Read More Research May 1, 2025 | 8 min read Health Everywhere: Advancing digital health in Alberta Over the past year, W21C has focused on addressing how care is delivered by creating the Health Everywhere Hub, an initiative aimed at advancing innovation digital health in Alberta. Read More Community Mar 6, 2024 | 4 min read Health Everywhere launch event On Janurary 23, 2024, over 100 guests joined us as we held the Dr. Mamoru ‘Mo’ Watanabe Lectureship on Digital Health Today and Tomorrow. Read More Research Sep 11, 2023 | 4 min read UCalgary-based program expands province-wide in supporting digital health researchers SPARK program receives grant from Alberta Innovates, supporting post-secondary innovators across Alberta. Read More Innovation Sep 6, 2023 | 3 min read 3 UCalgary projects receive $20.3M in provincial innovation grants UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem just received a $20.3-million boost, thanks to Alberta’s Major Innovation Fund (MIF). Read More Back to News Featured Video See the full interview EXPLORE MORE ARTICLES Innovation Apr 30, 2026 | 2 min read Simulation, Systems, and the Future of Surgical Care Tara Klassen joins host Lisa George on the Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation Podcast to discuss why innovation in surgical care is about much more than introducing a new device or technology. Read More Innovation Apr 16, 2026 | 2 min read From Research to Real World: Dr. Mary Brindle on Surgical Innovation Health Everywhere Hub Project Lead, Mary Brindle, joins host Lisa George on the Advancing Healthcare Through Simulation podcast to discuss the concept of the Living Lab in healthcare. Read More Research May 1, 2025 | 8 min read Health Everywhere: Advancing digital health in Alberta Over the past year, W21C has focused on addressing how care is delivered by creating the Health Everywhere Hub, an initiative aimed at advancing innovation digital health in Alberta. Read More Community Mar 6, 2024 | 4 min read Health Everywhere launch event On Janurary 23, 2024, over 100 guests joined us as we held the Dr. Mamoru ‘Mo’ Watanabe Lectureship on Digital Health Today and Tomorrow. Read More Research Sep 11, 2023 | 4 min read UCalgary-based program expands province-wide in supporting digital health researchers SPARK program receives grant from Alberta Innovates, supporting post-secondary innovators across Alberta. Read More Innovation Sep 6, 2023 | 3 min read 3 UCalgary projects receive $20.3M in provincial innovation grants UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem just received a $20.3-million boost, thanks to Alberta’s Major Innovation Fund (MIF). Read More Back to News

Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link Theme 2: Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care Neo App A digital health solution that educates, empowers, and connects parents of neonatal babies Lead Mary Brindle Co-lead Additional Contributors Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link THE CHALLENGE Families transitioning their babies from the NICU to home face overwhelming challenges due to limited post-discharge support, often feeling ill-equipped to manage their baby’s needs without immediate access to healthcare professionals. There is currently a gap between the intensive care available to neonates after surgery in the hospital and the minimal support available to parent caregivers after discharge, which is very stressful for parents to navigate. While NICU discharge typically includes basic in-hospital education and printed resources, these materials can be difficult to retain, generalized rather than personalized, and are often inadequate in addressing the diverse needs and concerns of families in this high-stress period (McNeil, 2023). According to Dr. Deborah McNeil of AHS’ Maternal, Newborn, Child and Youth Strategic Clinical Network, caring for a preterm baby both in-hospital and at home “requires extensive support over time” (Alberta Health Services, 2023). In Alberta, NICUs are currently operating at 95-103% capacity, which makes it challenging for staff to allocate the necessary time to prepare each family fully for discharge (Lee, 2024). This gap in support often leads to increased parental anxiety, confusion, and even isolation, which in turn can contribute to a higher likelihood of emergency room visits after discharge. Studies indicate that comprehensive discharge support can reduce emergency visits by up to 26% (Alberta Health Services, 2023). Without effective guidance, parents may struggle with crucial health-related activities, such as feeding, tracking weight gain, or recognizing early warning signs, often resorting to non-credible sources like internet searches or informal advice that can compromise infant health (Frey et al., 2022). For rural families, who may be further isolated from specialized healthcare, this need for reliable, accessible information is even more pressing. Without support, parents may delay care due to uncertainty or seek emergency services for questions better suited to primary care (Hannan et al., 2020). In a healthcare system already stretched thin, these unnecessary visits increase costs, wait times, and healthcare provider burnout, with nearly half of all pediatric readmissions involving infants less than one year old, and costs per readmission reaching $5,087 to $11,341 USD (Hannan et al., 2020). THE CHALLENGE Families transitioning their babies from the NICU to home face overwhelming challenges due to limited post-discharge support, often feeling ill-equipped to manage their baby’s needs without immediate access to healthcare professionals. There is currently a gap between the intensive care available to neonates after surgery in the hospital and the minimal support available to parent caregivers after discharge, which is very stressful for parents to navigate. While NICU discharge typically includes basic in-hospital education and printed resources, these materials can be difficult to retain, generalized rather than personalized, and are often inadequate in addressing the diverse needs and concerns of families in this high-stress period (McNeil, 2023). According to Dr. Deborah McNeil of AHS’ Maternal, Newborn, Child and Youth Strategic Clinical Network, caring for a preterm baby both in-hospital and at home “requires extensive support over time” (Alberta Health Services, 2023). In Alberta, NICUs are currently operating at 95-103% capacity, which makes it challenging for staff to allocate the necessary time to prepare each family fully for discharge (Lee, 2024). This gap in support often leads to increased parental anxiety, confusion, and even isolation, which in turn can contribute to a higher likelihood of emergency room visits after discharge. Studies indicate that comprehensive discharge support can reduce emergency visits by up to 26% (Alberta Health Services, 2023). Without effective guidance, parents may struggle with crucial health-related activities, such as feeding, tracking weight gain, or recognizing early warning signs, often resorting to non-credible sources like internet searches or informal advice that can compromise infant health (Frey et al., 2022). For rural families, who may be further isolated from specialized healthcare, this need for reliable, accessible information is even more pressing. Without support, parents may delay care due to uncertainty or seek emergency services for questions better suited to primary care (Hannan et al., 2020). In a healthcare system already stretched thin, these unnecessary visits increase costs, wait times, and healthcare provider burnout, with nearly half of all pediatric readmissions involving infants less than one year old, and costs per readmission reaching $5,087 to $11,341 USD (Hannan et al., 2020). THE INNOVATION Innovation Overview Heading HOW IT WORKS HOW IT WORKS [How It Works Summary] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent sit amet metus sed lorem tincidunt pretium. Praesent ac gravida tellus. Nulla ut ex eget odio vehicula rutrum. Curabitur eleifend tortor nec orci placerat, vel tempus lacus euismod. Aliquam rhoncus vel libero vel semper. Suspendisse potenti. Cras hendrerit aliquet dui, vitae dapibus nisi congue vel. [Innovation Overview] This project focuses on understanding and addressing the technological acceptance barriers among older adults in Central Alberta. By comparing the usage and attitudes of those living independently, with partners, or in care facilities, the initiative identifies gaps and opportunities to design more inclusive, user-friendly digital health solutions. Surveys and in-depth interviews gather insights into older adults’ experiences with existing eHealth and mHealth platforms, with a focus on their potential for improving healthcare access and supporting healthy aging. [How It Works Summary] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent sit amet metus sed lorem tincidunt pretium. Praesent ac gravida tellus. Nulla ut ex eget odio vehicula rutrum. Curabitur eleifend tortor nec orci placerat, vel tempus lacus euismod. Aliquam rhoncus vel libero vel semper. Suspendisse potenti. Cras hendrerit aliquet dui, vitae dapibus nisi congue vel. HOW IT WORKS [How It Works Summary] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent sit amet metus sed lorem tincidunt pretium. Praesent ac gravida tellus. Nulla ut ex eget odio vehicula rutrum. Curabitur eleifend tortor nec orci placerat, vel tempus lacus euismod. Aliquam rhoncus vel libero vel semper. Suspendisse potenti. Cras hendrerit aliquet dui, vitae dapibus nisi congue vel. THE INNOVATION 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. HOW IT WORKS NeoApp offers a comprehensive suite of features, including: Personalized Educational Content: Parents receive tailored guidance based on their baby's surgery, developmental milestones, and health data. Data Collection & Predictive Analysis: Parents input health and behavioral data, which the app analyzes to help predict care needs and identify potential issues. Peer Support & Community Resources: NeoApp connects parents to a supportive network and local resources, helping reduce feelings of isolation. Daily Check-ins and Milestones: The app provides checklists and milestones to support parents’ daily routines, helping them feel reassured and informed at each stage of recovery. Other Known Cases: For adult colorectal surgery (and a few other specialities), SeamlessMD uses an ERAS-based app https://www.seamless.md . Further, there is another app called NICU2Home that focuses more wihtin NICU and discharge process for neonates that are premature, but not surgical neonates https://nicu2home.fsm.northwestern.edu THE 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 NeoApp has the potential to decrease avoidable emergency visits and readmissions by providing parents with timely, reliable support at home, which could lessen the load on already overburdened NICUs and emergency departments. Additionally, by reinforcing discharge education remotely, the app can streamline in-hospital discharge processes and save time for healthcare providers. NeoApp could also improve long-term patient satisfaction and outcomes, especially in areas with limited access to specialized care, supporting a more efficient and sustainable healthcare ecosystem. THE 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 NeoApp has the potential to decrease avoidable emergency visits and readmissions by providing parents with timely, reliable support at home, which could lessen the load on already overburdened NICUs and emergency departments. Additionally, by reinforcing discharge education remotely, the app can streamline in-hospital discharge processes and save time for healthcare providers. NeoApp could also improve long-term patient satisfaction and outcomes, especially in areas with limited access to specialized care, supporting a more efficient and sustainable healthcare ecosystem. Ready to Keep Exploring? If you’d like to learn more or connect about NeoApp , reach out to Mary Brindle, Project Lead , at: mailto:mbrindle@ariadnelabs.org 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.

Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link / Lead Co-lead Project Contributors Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link THE CHALLENGE THE INNOVATION Innovation Overview Heading HOW IT WORKS HOW IT WORKS [How It Works Summary] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent sit amet metus sed lorem tincidunt pretium. Praesent ac gravida tellus. Nulla ut ex eget odio vehicula rutrum. Curabitur eleifend tortor nec orci placerat, vel tempus lacus euismod. Aliquam rhoncus vel libero vel semper. Suspendisse potenti. Cras hendrerit aliquet dui, vitae dapibus nisi congue vel. [Innovation Overview] This project focuses on understanding and addressing the technological acceptance barriers among older adults in Central Alberta. By comparing the usage and attitudes of those living independently, with partners, or in care facilities, the initiative identifies gaps and opportunities to design more inclusive, user-friendly digital health solutions. Surveys and in-depth interviews gather insights into older adults’ experiences with existing eHealth and mHealth platforms, with a focus on their potential for improving healthcare access and supporting healthy aging. [How It Works Summary] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent sit amet metus sed lorem tincidunt pretium. Praesent ac gravida tellus. Nulla ut ex eget odio vehicula rutrum. Curabitur eleifend tortor nec orci placerat, vel tempus lacus euismod. Aliquam rhoncus vel libero vel semper. Suspendisse potenti. Cras hendrerit aliquet dui, vitae dapibus nisi congue vel. HOW IT WORKS [How It Works Summary] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent sit amet metus sed lorem tincidunt pretium. Praesent ac gravida tellus. Nulla ut ex eget odio vehicula rutrum. Curabitur eleifend tortor nec orci placerat, vel tempus lacus euismod. Aliquam rhoncus vel libero vel semper. Suspendisse potenti. Cras hendrerit aliquet dui, vitae dapibus nisi congue vel. THE INNOVATION HOW IT WORKS THE BENEFITS For Users For The System Ready to Keep Exploring? 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.