Dr. Matthew James is the Bridging Community and Acute Care Lead at Health Everywhere. He 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. 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 Dr. Matthew James mjames@ucalgary.ca PREVIOUS THEME LEAD NEXT THEME LEAD

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Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell is the Remote Monitoring and Virutal Care Lead at Health Everywhere. He is a distinguished biomedical engineer and former Dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta. Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell, a distinguished biomedical engineer and former Dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta, is a leader in the field of rehabilitation and biomedical research. As the co-director of the University of Alberta's Rehabilitation Robotics Laboratory and a Principal Investigator in the Smart Network, he spearheads the development of virtual reality systems for healthcare learning objects and biomechanics research . Beyond academia, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Peter Lougheed Leadership College and actively supports leadership skills and mentorship for students. Serving as the CEO of the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute, Dr. Ferguson-Pell utilizes clinical data to drive innovations in bone and joint health, collaborating with the Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network. His extensive credentials include being a Fellow of Rehabilitation Engineering Society of America, a Chartered Physicist, a Certified Clinical Scientist, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Notably, he co-founded Click&Push Accessibility Inc., a startup addressing barriers for individuals with mobility limitations, exemplifying his commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusivity. Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care Lead Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell  fe4@ualberta.ca PREVIOUS THEME LEAD NEXT THEME LEAD

Matthew James Bridging Community and Acute Care Lead View Bio Neesh Pannu Bridging Community and Acute Care Lead View Bio Home / Research Themes / Bridging Community and Acute Care / Bridging Community and Acute Care This research theme brings together researchers, decision-makers, and digital health innovators to ensure seamless, inclusive, and scalable healthcare implementation in acute and community-based care settings. Key Areas of Focus Our work targets critical areas where digital innovation can improve how care is delivered, coordinated, and experienced across the system 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. Improve CV Care Patients and physicians currently face challenges in effectively discussing non-physiological factors that impact cardiovascular health—such as mental health, support systems, and medication affordability—within the limited time available in appointments. This lack of structure can lead to tunnel vision, where only immediate physiological symptoms are prioritized, leaving other crucial aspects unaddressed. Learn More The Integrated Care Pathway In Canada, adults with multiple chronic conditions represent 30% of healthcare spending, with frequent and costly readmissions emphasizing the need for models that reduce hospital dependency and enhance care continuity. The Integrated Care Pathway (ICP) aims to improve care management and continuity of care for complex inpatients in the Calgary Zone by redesigning existing roles. This project is endorsed by AHS as part of the Acute Care Bundle Improvement initiative and is modelled after UHN's Connect Care model, with the evaluation led by Dr. Karen Okrainec. Learn More PAUSE: Preventing medication complications during AcUte illness through Symptom Evaluation and sick day guidance The PAUSE app is a digital tool designed to help patients manage their medications safely during times of illness. By providing personalized, symptom-based guidance, the app instructs users on when to temporarily stop or restart medications, helping to prevent complications. Many corporate pharmacies now offer digital apps for accessing prescriptions, which creates new opportunities for providers across Alberta. The PAUSE team is developing an app that integrates with the industry, aiming to bring innovative self-management tools to the community. Learn More Pressure Wound Staging App An audit of Alberta’s acute care sites revealed that about one in six patients had a hospital-acquired pressure injury. These injuries cause painful, rapidly progressing sores that can lead to severe complications and even death. Pressure injuries are seen as an important indicator of healthcare quality. A high number of these injuries may indicate systemic problems with how care is being provided. Accurate staging and assessments are crucial in wound care as they ensure the right treatment plan is applied, which is vital for effective healing and avoiding further complications. Learn More Presuna: Empowering Remote Point-of-Care Ultrasound Imaging Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a portable, non-invasive tool that offers real-time imaging. This, along with its ease of use, is expected to play a vital role in home-based care and remote locations. Advancements in handheld technology have enabled POCUS to integrate into programs like Hospital at Home, enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses in patient homes. Presuna, a cloud-based software, enhances POCUS by enabling clinicians to send and interpret ultrasound images remotely. It facilitates remote assessments and improves decision-making for conditions like CHF and COPD in home-based care settings. Beyond clinical use, it acts as an educational tool, tracking training progress to help physicians monitor provider skill development. Learn More UPTAKE Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) causes long-term complications like cardiovascular issues and hospital readmissions. Rapidly developing and often under-managed, AKI poses risks when follow-up care is lacking. Many patients leave the hospital unaware of their condition or next steps. The UPTAKE platform (Using Personalized risk and digital tools for Transitions in care after Acute Kidney Events) delivers tailored after-visit summaries with AKI-specific information, follow-up instructions, and guidance, improving care continuity and empowering patients. Learn More THEME ONE Our Projects Learn More APPROACH Learn More Pressure Wound Staging App Learn More IMPROVE CV Care Learn More UPTAKE Learn More Integrated Care Pathway (ICP) Evaluation Learn More UPTAKE VC Learn More PAUSE MyHeartandCKD IMPROVE CV Care Integrated Care Pathway (ICP) Evaluation PAUSE Pressure Wound Staging App (Coming Soon) UPTAKE UPTAKE VC Theme Leads 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.

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Stay informed with the latest in healthcare innovation at Health Everywhere Hub. Explore our news and events page for updates on groundbreaking developments, industry insights, and upcoming events. ABOUT US News and Events Connecting you to the health innovation ecosystem. Explore project stories and upcoming opportunities to get involved in the Health Everywhere Hub. NEWS 3 UCalgary projects receive $20.3M in provincial innovation grants NEWS SPARK program receives grant from Alberta Innovates, supporting post-secondary innovators across Alberta in transforming ideas into clinical practice. UCalgary-based program expands province-wide in supporting digital health researchers NEWS SPARK program receives grant from Alberta Innovates, supporting post-secondary innovators across Alberta in transforming ideas into clinical practice. Health Everywhere Launch Event NEWS SPARK program receives grant from Alberta Innovates, supporting post-secondary innovators across Alberta in transforming ideas into clinical practice. NEWS 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 See All News FEATURED NEWS Read More On Sept. 5, Nate Glubish, minister of technology and innovation, announced that three UCalgary projects have received four years of funding to lead province-wide strategic initiatives to accelerate research and commercialization in the areas of medical devices, electronic and mobile health, and space and defence... 3 UCalgary projects receive $20.3M in provincial innovation grants EVENTS Health Everywhere Hub will host and support various community events every year. More events coming soon. See Other Events Where innovation meets healthcare HEALTH EVERYWHERE 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).

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

News UCalgary-based program expands province-wide in supporting digital health researchers Date We envision a vibrant eHealth and mHealth ecosystem, accelerating innovation, growth, and transforming healthcare through collaboration and partnerships. September 11, 2023 | Alex Baron, W21C Research and Innovation Centre 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.” Image Source: SPARK Team Project Contact- Alex Baron, W21C Research and Innovation Centre

Jill de Grood is the W21C Leadership Representative at Health Everywhere. 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 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 PREVIOUS OPERATIONS MEMBER NEXT OPERATIONS MEMBER

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 FOUR 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.