Hitting Pause, Finding Purpose ⏸️
Your Weekly Dose of Health Insights – Because Your Health Isn’t Just a Headline
Good morning, Other Siders!
Back in 2023, when I first started writing The Other Side of the Care, I didn't fully grasp how impactful and fulfilling this journey would become. Over these past couple of years, we’ve shared stories, learned from each other’s experiences, and created a powerful community united by one goal—better healthcare in Canada. And it's thanks to each of you, our engaged readers, that we've been able to advocate for solutions and spark meaningful conversations week after week.
But now, we’re about to do something a little different. Don’t worry—we’re not stepping away from our mission. Quite the opposite: we’re taking a pause from our regular schedule to go deeper. We want to evolve The Other Side Community beyond the inbox, transforming our collective insights into open-source, scalable solutions that make real, tangible differences in Canadian healthcare.
So consider this our official "see you soon," as we wrap up the Summer 2025 edition. It’s not goodbye, it’s a strategic hiatus—a moment to strengthen our community and prepare for an exciting next chapter. We’ll be back this Winter with a renewed vision, even greater energy, and actionable innovations to help you drive change in your practices and organizations.
Stay curious, stay connected, and above all, stay tuned—because the best is yet to come.
Here's what we're covering in this edition…
In today’s edition:
Indigenous Care Expansion!
Automation to the Rescue
New Telehealth Boss
News that Impacts You!
🏥 Indigenous Care Expansion! 🪶
The Government of Canada is expanding healthcare access to more Indigenous communities, focusing on innovative solutions and community-centered approaches. This initiative addresses long-standing healthcare gaps in remote and Indigenous communities through targeted funding and collaborative partnerships. Imagine Sarah, a nurse practitioner in northern Ontario, who can now access telemedicine resources and cultural competency training to better serve her Cree patients. This expansion means faster emergency responses and culturally appropriate care delivery. How do you think cultural competency training should be integrated into mainstream healthcare education?
Automation to the Rescue 🤖💡
Digital health expert Vandana Tanu is modernizing insurers’ systems using platforms like Pega, Camunda and ServiceNow. Her team’s intelligent automation and AI reduced manual claims work by 80 %, cut errors by 98 % and slashed costs by 65 % at a national health insurer. Tanu notes that AI tools such as natural‑language processing and predictive analytics allow staff to focus on patient experience while the system adapts to new regulations. Picture an Alberta insurer that used to process claims with paper forms and phone calls. After adopting Tanu’s digital tools, wait times plummet and patients get approvals in hours. How would such automation transform your workflow?
New Telehealth Boss 🎧🏥
Telehealth firm eMed—best known for prescribing GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs—has recruited former Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino to lead the company. Yaccarino steered the social‑media platform through turbulent growth and now wants to improve access to obesity drugs via partnerships with employers and government payers. She says eMed will work with payers to manage usage and costs, signalling a new era of digital‑first medication management. Imagine an employer‑sponsored telehealth plan in Vancouver covering GLP‑1 drugs. With Yaccarino on board, the platform could negotiate bulk pricing and monitor outcomes. Would you trust a social‑media executive to reshape telemedicine?
💭Let us know what you think in the comment section.
🌅 Until We Meet Again
As we close this chapter, I want to thank you—every single one of you—for being an essential part of The Other Side Community. Enjoy the rest of your summer, keep pushing for better healthcare, and I'll see you in the winter with fresh perspectives and powerful solutions.
Stay well and stay inspired,
The Other Side Team 🌟