Health Innovators Breakfast: Prioritizing Early Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer to Impact Patient Health

BioAlberta and the University Hospital Foundation invite you to our next Health Innovators Breakfast, a morning event bringing together leaders from across Alberta’s health and life sciences ecosystem.

Designed as an engaging start to your day, this breakfast will feature a panel discussion on health innovation, along with opportunities for conversation and connection.

Held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this Health Innovators Breakfast, powered by Novartis, will explore how early detection and treatment can improve the experience and outcomes for people affected by breast cancer. The discussion will include a patient perspective and insights from across the health sector, examining the opportunities and challenges in helping people access the care they need when they need it.

Agenda:

7:15am - Registration opens
7:30 - 8:00am - Networking Breakfast
8:00 - 9:00am - Panel Discussion

For our November 3 event, click here

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Speakers

Dr. Jeffrey Cao
Dr. Jeffrey Q. Cao, BSc (Hons), MD, MBA, FRCPC is a Radiation Oncologist at the Arthur Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Calgary. He is currently the Provincial Breast Tumour Team Lead for Alberta Health Services Cancer Care Alberta. Dr. Cao is recognized for his expertise in breast cancer research particularly locoregional treatment, with international collaborative research roles, and national leadership as Chair of the Canadian Radiation Oncology Foundation, and nucleus member of the REAL (Research Excellence, Active Leadership) Alliance supported by Breast Cancer Canada.

Pam Cholak
Pam Cholak is a Strategic Business consultant, engaged community volunteer and a breast cancer patient who brings a unique perspective to the conversation about living well with cancer. As President and Founder of What Matters Consulting, Pam helps organizations, businesses and leaders navigate complex challenges, develop strategic solutions and turn ideas into meaningful action.
With extensive experience in strategy, stakeholder relations, government relations, communications and issues management, Pam understands how to navigate complex systems and bring people together around what matters most.
Her perspective became deeply personal when she became a breast cancer patient. Navigating her own cancer journey has given Pam firsthand insight into the realities patients face — from diagnosis and treatment decisions to navigating the health-care system, communicating with providers and advocating for the care and information they need.
Pam brings a distinctive threefold perspective: as a strategic business consultant who understands systems, as a patient navigating the health-care system, and as an advocate committed to making a thriving life possible for people living with cancer.
Pam is married to Robb for nearly 30 years and is the proud mom to her children Alyssa, and Zach and puppy Lucy. You can find Pam in the mountains, cheering on her favorite sports teams and living each day with the motto Not Today Cancer!

Brenda Hubley
Brenda Hubley is Chair and Managing Director of Cancer Care Alberta, leading Alberta’s provincial cancer system. With more than three decades of experience in health care and a clinical background in radiation therapy, she has held influential leadership positions across a range of cancer care environments, from large academic centres to rural and community-based programs.
Ms. Hubley is committed to strengthening cancer care through evidence-informed decision-making, innovation, and meaningful partnerships with patients and families, while ensuring services are equitable, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse communities of Alberta.

Beth Kidd
Beth is the Executive Director of the Health Coalition of Alberta, representing more than 130 health charities, patient groups, and individuals. Under her leadership, the Coalition prioritizes utilizing a collaborative approach to address health equity, access to care, medication access, and patient engagement.
A long-standing patient advocate, Beth brings first-hand experience as both a person living with a chronic disease and a caregiver to a loved one with dementia. These perspectives shape her focus on improving access to services and care through public policy and government relations.
She is also Chair of Canada’s Drug Agency’s Patient and Community Advisory Committee, a volunteer member of Research Canada’s Board of Directors, a member of Dementia Network Calgary’s Strategic Council, a network development advisor with Alberta’s International Medical Graduates Association, and a moderator and co-founder of Alberta’s Migraine Warriors.
Outside of her work, Beth enjoys spending time with her two daughters and exploring Alberta’s mountain and prairie landscapes with her horse, Beau.

Shona Kinley
Shona Kinley is Head of Public Affairs for Novartis Canada and a member of the Novartis Canada Leadership Team. She brings more than 25 years of experience across the public and private sectors, with expertise in government and stakeholder relations, public policy, market access, and communications. Following her time in Ottawa as a Special Assistant to Canada's Federal Minister of Health, Shona built her career in the pharmaceutical industry, holding progressively senior roles with leading multinational healthcare companies, focused on federal and provincial government affairs and health policy.
A passionate advocate for a strong and globally competitive Canadian life sciences sector, Shona works closely with governments, industry leaders, patient organizations, and healthcare stakeholders to advance policies that improve health outcomes and support innovation. She currently serves as a member of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's Life Sciences Strategy Council.
Shona has served on numerous regional and national boards and committees throughout her career. She is currently a member of the Board of Governors at her alma mater, Dalhousie University. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration from Dalhousie University.

Moderator: Jeremy Chorney
Jeremy Chorney joined Novartis in 2023 as Director of Public Affairs for Western Provinces and spent the previous fifteen years practicing government relations for some of Canada’s largest companies and most prominent brands, including TELUS Health, a leader in delivering digital innovation and clinical services to improve primary and preventative care. Before joining Novartis, Jeremy served as Vice President of Beer Canada, the national trade association representing Canadian brewers to government and regulators. Beginning his professional career with ten years of service in the Alberta Legislature as a member of the government’s senior political staff, Jeremy is an expert in public policy development and stakeholder engagement across party lines and western provinces. Recognized as a relationship builder, Jeremy is trusted to bring people together in partnerships to affect positive change. Deeply motivated by family health history and a fierce determination to execute the Novartis mission to improve and extend patients’ lives, Jeremy believes that rapid advancement and adoption of health innovations will be vital to improving our health system and most importantly, health outcomes for patients.

For our November 3 event, click here

Health Innovators Breakfast - Oct.

Health Innovators Breakfast - Oct.

Event Info

Hosted By:

BioAlberta

BioAlberta