News

Updated #PHSI23 draft program, and more featured speakers! 🎉

 

Public Health Summer Institute 2023: Draft Program Released

PHABC’s Public Health Summer Institute is fast approaching! Register now to attend the intensive two-day series on June 22 and 23.

Day one of the Summer Institute will discuss the challenges and ethical considerations associated with AI, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and equity in addressing them.

Day two will emphasize how healthy aging is a central public health concern for society as a whole and specific populations that suffer from health inequities. The imperative derives, in part, from the usual worries about aging demographics and pressure on health and social care systems that will inevitably threaten their sustainability.

Download the updated draft program now to review the schedule, speakers, presentations, and discussion topics.

#PHSI23 Draft Program

 


#PHSI23 Featured Speakers

We are pleased to share our Summer Institute’s growing line of speakers who have a range of expertise in public health, artificial intelligence and healthy aging. Some of our notable speakers include:

Tina Purnat worked in developing and formulating WHO infodemic response and infodemic management strategies, for which she received the WHO Pathfinder and Innovation Award 2021.

Dr. Noah Crampton is now CEO of Mutuo Health Solutions, whose mission is to empower clinicians in how and which data powers the assistive AI algorithms of the future in healthcare.

Rosaline Glynn is passionate about senior advocacy! She is currently the Chair of the Hardy Bay Seniors, which has a membership of over 250 seniors. She has been a dedicated and active volunteer for over 50 years.

#PHSI23 Speakers

 


About PHABC’s Summer Institute

Over the last thirteen years, the summer institute has provided excellent opportunities for continuing education and professional development for the public health workforce.

The event provides a unique evidence-based program where participants can actively learn, evaluate and test the principles of the curriculum through keynote presentations, best practice examples and case studies, team building exercises, and hands-on activities.

The Institute will bring together professionals who work directly or indirectly with public health issues across numerous social service sectors and help to foster innovative solutions to the identified issues. Join us online for the two day event for only $50+GST!

Register Now

#PHSI23 Draft program released 📢📅

Public Health Summer Institute 2023: Draft Program Released

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly advancing field with the power to revolutionize various sectors, including healthcare and public health. Day one of the Summer Institute will discuss the challenges and ethical considerations associated with AI, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and equity in addressing them.

Day two will emphasize how healthy aging is a central public health concern for society as a whole and specific populations that suffer from health inequities. The imperative derives, in part, from the usual worries about aging demographics and pressure on health and social care systems that will inevitably threaten their sustainability.

Download the draft program now to review the schedule, speakers, presentations, and discussion topics.

#PHSI23 Draft Program

 


#PHSI23 Featured Speakers

We are pleased to share our Summer Institute’s growing line of speakers who have a range of expertise in public health, artificial intelligence and healthy aging. Some of our notable speakers include:

Dr. Gloria Gutman, whose research interests include seniors’ housing, long-term care, health promotion, gerontechnology, prevention of elder abuse, advance care planning, and seniors and disasters.

Ihoghosa (Muyi) Iyamu has multiple peer-reviewed publications exploring the role of digital technologies in public health and evaluating their impact on various health services and populations.

Dr. Stephen Katz is the author of books Disciplining Old Age (1996), Cultural Aging (2005) and Ageing in Everyday Life (ed., 2018), as well as numerous publications on critical gerontology, aging bodies, health technologies, memory culture, cognitive impairment and quantified aging.

#PHSI23 Speakers

 


About PHABC’s Summer Institute

Over the last thirteen years, the summer institute has provided excellent opportunities for continuing education and professional development for the public health workforce.

The event provides a unique evidence-based program where participants can actively learn, evaluate and test the principles of the curriculum through keynote presentations, best practice examples and case studies, team building exercises, and hands-on activities.

The Institute will bring together professionals who work directly or indirectly with public health issues across numerous social service sectors and help to foster innovative solutions to the identified issues. Join us online for the two day event for only $50+GST!

Register Now

#PHSI23 Scientific Program Committee

Scientific Program Committee

We are pleased to share our Summer Institute’s impeccable Scientific Program Committee. Our day one chair is Dr. Alex Choi, who currently serves as a Medical Health Officer for Vancouver Coastal Health. Dr. Choi has a strategic interest in the role of artificial intelligence in shaping population health and public health practice.

Our day two Co-chairs are Dr. Simon Carroll and Dr. Shannon Freeman. Dr. Carroll is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Victoria. Over the past decade, he’s engaged in the field of aging and technology, focused on assistive technologies to improve the health and well-being of older adults.

Dr. Freeman is an Associate Professor at the University of Northern BC. She has spearheaded and contributed to a number of cutting-edge projects in the area of aged care.

Learn more

 


About PHABC’s Summer Institute

Over the last thirteen years, the summer institute has provided excellent opportunities for continuing education and professional development.

The event provides a unique evidence-based program where participants can actively learn, evaluate and test the principles of the curriculum through keynote presentations, best practice examples and case studies, team building exercises, and hands-on activities.

We strive to bring together public health professionals who work directly or indirectly with public health issues across numerous social service sectors and help to foster innovative solutions to the identified issues.

Register Now

#PHSI23 Think Pieces Released

 

#PHSI23 Think Pieces

PHABC’s 13th annual Public Health Summer Institute is focused on two separate topics split into two days. Learn more about them through our think pieces.

 

Day 1: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Population Health:
A Beginner’s Guide

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly advancing field with the power to revolutionize various sectors, including healthcare and public health. This introductory session aims to provide beginners with an overview of AI technologies and their potential impact on population health. We will also discuss the challenges and ethical considerations associated with AI, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and equity in addressing them.

Learn More

 

Day 2: Healthy Aging and Digital Equity

Healthy aging is a central public health concern for society as a whole and specific populations that suffer from health inequities. The imperative derives, in part, from the usual worries about aging demographics and pressure on health and social care systems that will inevitably threaten their sustainability.

Advocates for promoting the health of older adults often state that the proportion of aging adults is not cause for concern. Rather, the issue is the poor profile of older adults and the sever inequities faced by certain sub-populations of older adults.

Beyond these systemic reasons for prioritizing healthy aging, we know that older adults can enjoy life and flourish in their later years, if they are supported to live healthily and independently.

Learn More

 


About PHABC’s Summer Institute

Over the last thirteen years, the summer institute has provided excellent opportunities for continuing education and professional development.

The event provides a unique evidence-based program where participants can actively learn, evaluate and test the principles of the curriculum through keynote presentations, best practice examples and case studies, team building exercises, and hands-on activities.

We strive to bring together public health professionals who work directly or indirectly with public health issues across numerous social service sectors and help to foster innovative solutions to the identified issues.

Register Now

Registration now open for #PHSI23!

 

The Public Health Association of BC is proud to announce our 13th annual Public Health Summer Institute 2023 (#PHSI23) happening on Thursday, June 22nd and Friday, June 23rd, 2023.

We will be hosting the summer institute virtually, so you can attend from anywhere in the world.

We hope you will join us for two days of engaging presentation, workshops and discussions designed to provide public health professionals with the tools and competencies to deal with the latest issues in public health.

This year’s event will include two separate topics:

  1. June 22nd: Unpacking the complexities of artificial intelligence and its effect on population health
  2. June 23rd: Healthy aging and digital equity

Registration for the event is $50 plus GST. As an added bonus, registrants who are located within BC will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the Public Health Association of BC!

We will be circulating more news in the coming weeks, including information on the Scientific Program Committee, speakers, and presentations.

 

Register Now

 

About PHABC’s Summer Institute

Over the last thirteen years, the summer institute has provided excellent opportunities for continuing education and professional development.

The event provides a unique evidence-based program where participants can actively learn, evaluate and test the principles of the curriculum through keynote presentations, best practice examples and case studies, team building exercises, and hands-on activities.

We strive to bring together public health professionals who work directly or indirectly with public health issues across numerous social service sectors and help to foster innovative solutions to the identified issues.

Congratulations Dr. Irv Rootman: Honorary Doctorate Recipient from St. Francis Xavier University

Dr. Irv Rootman is with PHABC’s Executive Director, Shannon Turner, enjoying a beautiful day in Victoria, BC.

The Public Health Association of BC congratulates Dr. Irving Rootman for receiving an Honorary Doctorate from St. Francis Xavier University for his outstanding leadership in health promotion.

Dr. Rootman is recognized internationally for his outstanding leadership in health promotion. Over his four decade career in public service and academia, he has been dedicated to effecting positive change in health policy and practice with a commitment to addressing health equity and social justice. PHABC is honoured to work alongside him towards building a fair and healthy British Columbia for all.

Dr. Rootman started his career at the University of Calgary, where he researched alcohol and drug use. Dr. Rootman holds a BA (honours) in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Alberta and a Masters of Philosophy and a PhD in Sociology from Yale University. He is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and holds an Honorary Degree from the University of Victoria.

Dr. Rootman served on many task forces and panels, and is recognized for his scholarly accomplishments. He has worked as a Researcher, Research Manager, and Educator in the federal government, the World Health Organization, the University of Toronto, and the University of Victoria.

He accepted a post-doctoral award in England, which resulted in 18 research papers on drug use, mental health and suicide. Returning to Canada, he was hired as Chief of Epidemiology and Social Research by the Directorate on the Non-Medical Use of Drugs, then part of Health and Welfare Canada.

He went on to serve as Chief of Health Promotion Studies in the Health Promotion Directorate of Health and Welfare Canada; led the landmark Canadian Health Promotion Survey; and served as a Professor at the University of Toronto, where he helped establish the Centre for Health Promotion as its first Director.

He was later honoured by the Michael Smith Foundation as the Health Research Distinguished Scholar. At the University of Victoria he served as Executive Director, Health and Learning Knowledge Centre.

His leadership prompted webinars in collaboration with the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health at St. Francis University. Although retired, he remains active: he is a member of the Executive Committee of Health Promotion Canada, and Chair of their Academic Committee; a member of the Professional Development Working Group; and a member of the Capacity-Building Committee for the Public Health Association of BC.