Over 250 people attended the Spotlight on Innovation Conference held on Wednesday, November 7th at the Westin Hotel. Attendees were from AHS, Patients and Caregivers, Industry, Academia and Government Agencies. The goal this year was to stimulate Innovation in the Health Care Industry for patients going from their rehabilitation setting to home or back to the community. Dr. Geoff Fernie, Creaghan Family Chair in Prevention and Healthcare Technologies, Senior Scientist, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute was the keynote speaker. Dr. Fernie presented on how innovation has helped people in healthcare (broader than patients, families and caregivers).

20 exhibitors represented by innovators like Christian Bagg from Bowhead Corp who has been developing specialized wheelchairs for life lived outside for those with spinal cord injuries and Jacqueline Cameron from Super-Fly providing quality clothing options that offer dignity, time-savings, convenience and safety for clients and caregivers.

20 pitches from companies wishing to showcase their products, get feedback on where to go next. Some were also clinicians pitching to industry to collaborate on challenges that face clinicians, patients and caregivers.

Francine Masson, Innovation Management Expert lead a workshop on innovation strategies for small and medium-size business in a global market.

Panel discussion lead by Mel Wong that included Government Funders, Innovators and a patient. The discussion engaged more than 75 attendees in moving innovation forward.

Discussion with the Keynote was held at the same time as the Panel with a smaller group where more Q&A could take place with Dr. Fernie. Attendees left with a renewed purpose and understanding of the challenges that lay ahead with practical ways that innovation can positively impact patients and caregivers.