Thank you, Steve: Digital Health Canada celebrates its 50th anniversary

“We are all part of one of the most complex of industries – the delivery of healthcare. To facilitate the objectives of COACH it is not only necessary to recognize the complexity of our industry, but indeed, to utilize that complexity by ensuring that the components – hospitals, governments, insurers, and professional associations – play a vital role in COACH. It is also essential to have a viable contribution from all the facets which make up our industry’s components. If the process of learning is to be meaningful, it is essential to have a contribution not only from the data processors, but also from the administrators and the medical and paramedical professionals.

These words were written in 1975 by Steve Huesing, founding president of Digital Health Canada (then known as COACH–The Canadian Organization for the Advancement of Computers in Health). Although some words may be dated (when was the last time you heard the term ‘data processor’?), the sentiment holds true 50 years later.

If the process of learning is to be meaningful, all parties who have a stake in the game need to be at the table.
This has been, and will forever be, Digital Health Canada’s superpower. We are a strong, vibrant community of over 7,500 professionals from across the country. We are clinicians, administrators, industry representatives, start-ups, governments, researchers, academics, students, patients, and associations.

Each one of us has a unique perspective and important insights to share and, together, we are advancing the digital health agenda in Canada. Digital Health Canada members are committed to learn, share and evolve.

I can’t help but wonder what Steve would think about his legacy. I expect he may feel the way many of us do – excited and energized by the innovations that are happening in the field today… and frustrated by the lack of progress and the inability to scale.
Reflect on the recent e-Health Conference to understand what I mean.

e-Health, co-hosted by Canada Health Infoway, Canadian Institute for Health Information, and Digital Health Canada, is the biggest digital health gathering in the country.

At e-Health25 there was a sold-out exhibit floor, more sponsors than ever before, and so many delegates that a wait list was initiated. From the opening plenary to the closing keynote, presenters shared how they are changing the face of healthcare in Canada.

We learned how AI is being used in very innovative ways to enhance diagnostic ability, provide more personalized care, assist with patient navigation, and address equity issues. We heard about cybersecurity, digital twins, and bots. Innovations that Steve likely couldn’t have imagined – or at least imagined being available in 2025.

Now for the ‘frustrated’ part: impact and adoption have not kept up with the pace of change. The opening plenary at the conference was titled Is Data Failing Tech in Canada? and featured a discussion about the state of access to data, quality, governance, and literacy. All areas where there is still work to do.

Digital Health Canada’s 50th anniversary theme is: Celebrate today. Create tomorrow. We can create a tomorrow where care is more seamless, more efficient, and more personalized. A tomorrow where care is accessible to everyone regardless of location, ethnicity, or gender affiliation. That’s the power of digital health. I’ll close by sharing Steve’s final words from his inaugural membership newsletter. “We hope that COACH can serve as a focal point for the process of sharing our thoughts and learning from one another.”
Mission accomplished, Steve. Digital Health Canada, powered by the amazing people who have been part of this journey, is ready to help shape the next 50 years, and beyond. Together, let’s create tomorrow!

Shelagh Maloney is the CEO of Digital Health Canada, a member-supported not-for-profit professional association.