Canada is making important strides in modernizing its health data infrastructure, but progress remains uneven and insufficient. While digital health investments continue at both the federal and provincial levels, health data across the system remains fragmented. Many provinces still lack transparent, public-facing health data strategies, and existing ones often exclude key health system partners. As a result, health data is underutilized, which has dire implications for patient care and health system functioning.

In this episode of From the Burgundy Chairs, created in partnership with Roche Canada, we explore the opportunity for inclusive collaboration in building a connected health data system. Hosted by Avis Favaro,  guests Carlene Todd, Vice President, Access, Roche Pharma Canada and Sudha Kutty, Executive Vice-President, Evidence, Products and Services, Canada’s Drug Agency, examine how together public and private sectors can accelerate innovation, enable better, faster patient and disease insights, and improve health outcomes through the responsible, accountable use of health data. 

Together, they explore how connected health data can support evidence-informed decisions across the health system, driving sustainable, high-quality care for all Canadians. We also discuss the importance of strong governance frameworks that both protect privacy and build trust. 

Avis Favaro, Senior Advisor, Santis Health 

Avis Favaro is an acclaimed medical journalist with decades of experience. She was Canada’s longest-serving television Medical Correspondent and currently contributes to CTV News as a freelance contributor. At Santis, she supports media training, backed by her extensive background in health storytelling. 

Carlene Todd, Vice-President, Market Access, Roche Canada 

Carlene Todd is Vice President, Access at Roche Pharma Canada. She leads Market Access & Pricing, Policy and Health Ecosystems and Patient Services teams at Roche Pharma Canada. With nearly 25 years at Roche, she brings deep expertise in global reimbursement systems and health policy. She is also a member of the Resilient Healthcare Coalition, committed to driving health system transformation and ensuring timely access to innovation for patients.

Sudha Kutty, Executive Vice-President, Evidence, Products, and Services, Canada’s Drug Agency 

Sudha Kutty is responsible for overseeing and administering pharmaceutical reviews, medical devices, and clinical interventions at Canada’s Drug Agency. She brings more than 25 years of strategic health care leadership experience, with a strong focus on promoting system improvement through evidence-informed practices, health campaigns, and equity-focused initiatives.

The Health Data Imperative: Why Canada’s Health Future Depends on Collaboration

Trust in traditional public health systems is eroding. At the same time, health misinformation - and disinformation - is spreading faster than ever, reshaping how Canadians view and interpret  science and health care.

The 2025 Health and Media Annual Tracking Survey, commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), found that 43% of Canadians are highly susceptible to health misinformation. The impact of this is significant with 37% having acted on online medical advice because they couldn’t access a family doctor, and nearly one in four experiencing negative health outcomes as a result.

The damage isn’t limited to physical health. Misinformation is also driving stress and fear — with 43% of Canadians reporting anxiety or mental distress linked to the spread of false or misleading health information.

The first of a series on the topic, in this episode of Santis Health’s podcast, Santis senior advisor Avis Favaro sits down with Dr. Brendan Carr, Senior Vice President, Management Consulting, and Dr. Joss Reimer, physician and former president of the CMA. Together, they unpack what’s driving the decline in trust in institutions and traditional sources of health information, the role of misinformation, disinformation and what can be done to rebuild confidence in science and care delivery.

This episode is for decision-makers who see trust not as lost, but as something we can rebuild — paving the way for stronger relationships and healthier communities.

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Avis Favaro, Senior Advisor, Santis Health
Avis Favaro is an acclaimed medical journalist with decades of experience. As a Senior Advisor at Santis Health, Avis leverages her extensive background in uncovering and reporting on stories that matter to Canadians. Avis leads Santis' media and presentation training programming. 

Dr. Brendan Carr, Senior Vice President, National Practice Lead, Management Consulting, Santis Health
Dr. Brendan Carr is a distinguished health system leader who served as the President & CEO of the Nova Scotia Health Authority, William Osler Health System, and Island Health in British Columbia. He brings an array of expertise in strategic health system leadership and governance with a focus on improving outcomes and rethinking the delivery of care. Dr. Carr’s vast experience in enacting positive improvements and large scale initiatives make him uniquely-suited to providing guidance to Santis clients in the areas of stakeholder engagement, transformation, and strategic implementation.

Dr. Joss Reimer, Past President, Canadian Medical Association & Chief Medical Officer, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Dr. Joss Reimer is past president of the Canadian Medical Association and chief medical officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. She is an expert in public health, health communications, health equity and immunizations. She was also the medical lead and spokesperson for Manitoba’s COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce and spent nine years as director of population health at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Reimer practices maternity care and has received awards such as Humanitarian of the Year by Doctors Manitoba and holds the King Charles III Coronation and Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals.   She completed her medical training at the University of Manitoba and McMaster University and holds a master’s in public health focused on health communication.


Trust in Science:  Confronting Misinformation, Rebuilding Confidence

From the Burgundy Chairs is a podcast for health system leaders created by Santis Health. Bringing you insight, understanding, and thoughtful discussion on the issues affecting Canada’s health system, From the Burgundy Chairs will take you beyond the immediacy of the daily news cycle to untangle some of the health sector’s most intractable problems.

Trust in Science: Confronting Misinformation, Rebuilding Confidence

Santis Health

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