Thousands attend healthcare event in province’s capital
OHA ‘HealthAchieve’ about ‘inspiring lives’
Wednesday November 7, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
TORONTO— About 8,000 people gather in Toronto this week for one of the largest healthcare conferences in North America.

The Ontario Hospital Association’s HealthAchieve, Nov. 5 to 7, features more than 70 educational sessions, several high-profile speakers and 330 healthcare providers exhibiting the latest services and supplies available from electronic medical record systems to infection control products.

The annual event is an opportunity for healthcare providers to “take time out to pause and reflect,” said Teddene Long, chair of the OHA HealthAchieve planning committee, during the opening session of the event Nov. 5.

The conference, in part sponsored by the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC), is at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and features speakers including retired Gen. Colin Powell, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan and Canadian journalist Pamela Wallin.

Hilary Short, OHA president and CEO, delivered a moving speech and video presentation before a packed room during the opening session.

“HealthAchieve is about ideas,” she said. “It is about innovation. And it is about inspiring lives.

“Ideas challenge old ways of doing things. Innovations bring our new ideas to life. And through our innovations, lives are improved — inspiring more new ideas, and bold initiatives to improve our health system, and to provide better care. I am very proud of what HealthAchieve has become.”

HealthAchieve focused on five themes — compassion, excellence, leadership, innovation and kindness. Throughout her speech, Short referred to these themes and provided real-life examples of Ontario healthcare workers who personify these words.

“As I consider the future of healthcare, I remain optimistic that we can sustain — and improve — the quality and volume of care we provide. 

“That’s because of the unsung heroes throughout our health system. People who don’t seek the spotlight, but whose tremendous attitude and spirit and whose pursuit of greatness every single day are shaping our health system for the better.

“These unsung heroes inspire innovation. They show kindness. They provide compassion.

"They demonstrate leadership. And they pursue excellence. Exhibiting these qualities . . . people are improving our health system every day,” Short said.

“These qualities are timeless. And they will always be fundamental to the ongoing improvement of our health system.”

Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long-Term Care is scheduled to speak at the closing session this morning (Nov. 7).

— More to come