Upcoming dates

About this event

Event summary

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare systemic vulnerabilities across various sectors globally, revealing weaknesses in infrastructures, government preparedness, human resources, supply chains and public health systems. This revelation has prompted an urgent need for comprehensive improvements. The pandemic exposed the unpreparedness of health systems to combat a rapidly spreading novel viral pathogen, as containment measures proved porous during the critical early stages.

In the wake of the global crisis, health-care systems continue to play a pivotal role in addressing its consequences. These challenges resonate profoundly within our province, particularly affecting frontline staff and students poised to enter the health-care field. Recovering from this crisis requires a fundamental restructuring of health-care systems to fortify their ability to manage overwhelming disease outbreaks, which strained private and public health-care facilities, long-term care settings and the wider communities.

The event aims to invite respected leaders in the nursing profession who had a remarkable contribution in clinical, education and research to reflect on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and strategize innovative approaches to revolutionize Ontario’s health-care system. With a primary focus on resilience, this event will serve as a catalyst for positive change in the province's healthcare system. 

The primary objectives of this event are as follows:

  • To critically evaluate the health system responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, focusing on three important dimensions: nursing workforce shortages, reduced access to care, and the digital revolution.
  1. In-depth understanding of nursing workforce shortages: Nursing workforce shortages is a critical issue in healthcare. This discussion offers nursing student’s valuable insights into the challenges they may face in their future careers and strategies to address them.
  2. Access to care and backlog resolution: Reduced access to care causing massive backlogs are significant concerns for healthcare delivery. Nursing students gain an understanding of the complexities involved in providing timely and effective healthcare services.
  3. Ethical considerations and policy implications: The discussion on potential privatization to address backlogs provides nursing students with insights into the ethical and policy considerations that shape healthcare decision-making. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the broader healthcare systems
  4. Digital revolution in health care: With the rapid adoption of virtual care and telemedicine, this topic is particularly relevant as technology continues to play a pivotal role in healthcare delivery. Nursing students learn about the advantages, challenges, and potential future trends in digital healthcare.
  • To highlight deficiencies and challenges that have emerged. The event directly addresses the pressing challenges faced by health-care systems, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This real-world relevance helps nursing students understand and contextualize their theoretical learning. It equips nursing students with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in healthcare. This prepares them to be proactive, adaptable, and innovative healthcare professionals who are capable of addressing complex issues.
  • To discuss ongoing efforts in assessing and enhancing resilience in these dimensions of health care. The panel of experts brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in various aspects of health care, including public health, policy analysis and health-care technology. This provides nursing students with the opportunity to learn from professionals at the forefront of their fields.

Keynote speaker

Karima Velji, PhD, BScN, RN, CHE, FCAN 

Chief of Nursing & Professional Practice; Assistant Deputy Minister of Health of Ontario

Panel speaker

Sue Lebeau, RN, BScN, MScN, MBA, FCCHL

President and Chief Executive Officer, West Nipissing General Hospital

And others!

How will this event benefit nursing students in Ontario?

This webinar offers nursing students in Ontario a unique and invaluable opportunity to gain insights, knowledge and inspiration from experts in the field. It equips them with critical thinking skills, real-world understanding, and a sense of responsibility needed to contribute to the resilience and sustainability of Canadian health care in their future roles as nursing professionals. It is a crucial step towards preparing the next generation of health-care leaders in Ontario.

  1. Relevance to current challenges: The webinar directly addresses the pressing challenges faced by healthcare systems, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This real-world relevance helps nursing students understand and contextualize their theoretical learning.
  2. Expert insights and knowledge: The panel of experts brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in various aspects of health care, including public health, policy analysis, and health-care technology. This provides nursing students with the opportunity to learn from professionals at the forefront of their fields.
  3. Preparation for future roles: The webinar equips nursing students with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in health care. This prepares them to be proactive, adaptable and innovative health-care professionals who are capable of addressing complex issues.
  4. Networking and exposure to diverse perspectives: The webinar provides an opportunity for nursing students to virtually connect with experts and fellow attendees. This exposure to diverse perspectives and professional connections can be invaluable for their future careers.
  5. Professional development and lifelong learning: Attending events like this webinar fosters a culture of continuous learning and professional development among nursing students. It encourages them to stay informed about current health-care issues and to seek opportunities for ongoing education.
  6. Inspiration and motivation: Hearing from experts who have actively contributed to health-care transformation can inspire and motivate nursing students. It can instill a sense of purpose and commitment to making a positive impact on health care in their future roles.