Can you tell me a bit about your background and your role at Calian? 

I have worn many hats in my career. About a decade ago, I began working for LifeLabs as a phlebotomist. I’ve always been quite tech-savvy—so during my time on the clinical floor, I picked up their LIS (laboratory information system) quite quickly. This led to me working as a QA tester for a new interface, and my role later progressed into a Level 2 support analyst.  

As time went on, I became a junior developer, configuring analyzers and creating net-new lab tests (like the COVID test).  

Working in the laboratory spiked my curiosity regarding how technology can make healthcare simpler. Clinical workers often find themselves stretched thin by repetitive processes, and it’s important to streamline these tasks to free up more time for them to focus on patient care. 

 I joined Calian two years ago as an implementation specialist. That role involved reviewing digital workflows with clients, and seeing where we could minimize duplicated processes while streamlining workflows for clinical users. Healthcare is not turnkey given that new situations are ever-emerging and evolving—so I was responsible for developing processes unique to each individual client group. 

In the last few months, I’ve expanded my role into Product Manager—hearing from clients regarding what they would like to see in digital health solutions, and investing time into creating a product that is not your out-of-the-box virtual health tool but rather a collaborative platform. 

How is your role in digital health linked with Canadian national defence? 

Calian provides a range of health services to the Department of National Defence (DND).  While I am not part of that direct-delivery team, my role in Calian’s digital health solution offerings helps significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of healthcare services while addressing challenges like general healthcare staff shortages, patient travel constraints and budget constraints. Digital health offers ways to safely and effectively deliver care to those who are in need—helping to bridge gaps in disjointed healthcare systems by integrating with multiple sources, which keeps information up-to-date and accessible to care providers.  

How does your role support the security of Canada and the rest of the world? 

Access to reliable healthcare is not only crucial for the well-being of military personnel and others in the defence sector, but also for maintaining their readiness, effectiveness and operational capability.  

The types of digital health technologies I work on ensure that service members receive timely and efficient medical care when needed. As such, I’m part of the larger Calian team that is committed to applying healthcare innovation toward safeguarding the health and well-being of military personnel—both in Canada and around the world.  

What is your favourite part of your job? 

I enjoy working with various groups on new ideas, spit-balling ideas with teammates, and seeing how we evolve systems using new approaches to solve actual problems that clients and organizations face.  

How does your work at Calian fit with your view of your place in the world? 

Most recently, Calian pledged a $75,000 grant to the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) to advance research in digital and virtual healthcare solutions tailored to this community. In addition to all the work we do, this grant is just another piece of Calian’s ongoing commitment to addressing the unique healthcare needs of military personnel and veterans. Meanwhile, by focusing on the user experience, my role dovetails with Calian’s mission—with an emphasis on understanding how each step, each button, and each search affects the patient, and also advocating for streamlined systems over multiple platforms. While recognizing that one solution won’t solve all healthcare challenges, our dedication to continuous improvement remains paramount. 

What future healthcare solutions are you excited about? 

Seeing the advanced types of technology used in complex situations is impressive! I’m excited to continue exploring the connections between different scenarios and how solutions in one area can benefit another. Healthcare impacts everyone—and learning about various workflows and use cases for handling specific situations provides me with valuable insights on how to evolve systems beyond your typical day-to-day healthcare needs. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

I am a mom of two young kids and spend most of my time with them, engaged in their activities and interests. I love to bake, garden, hike, camp, bike and sew—and I’m also a serial DIY’er.