The HID – a district to promote innovation in Health

Posted March 20 2019

In Montréal and around the world

On August 23, 2022, the partners and collaborators of the Health Innovation District (HID) got together to take stock and to identify priorities. From the outset, they identified the population as the real winner of this unifying project that breaks down silos to create bridges between all healthcare stakeholders in Quebec and elsewhere in the world.

The HID was created in 2019. The pandemic has slowed its development somewhat, but without extinguishing the motivation of its initiating members. The organization now has over 40 partners and collaborators.

Its mission? To ensure that health institutions and businesses collaborate to deploy innovations that improve population health while creating social and economic wealth.

Issues to resolve and opportunities to seize

Health crises, climate change, wars and conflicts… these are all difficult realities that require concrete action to keep the population healthy. Added to these issues are the shortage of manpower, the aging of the population, the chronicization of diseases as well as social issues, the consequences of which have a significant impact. On the other hand, technological advances, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), and positive research advances in the life and medical sciences have never been so numerous. Despite this progress, health care systems here and elsewhere are having difficulty meeting all of the population’s needs.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

The HID is a living laboratory whose purpose is to develop and enhance health innovation based on ecosystems capable of linking the initiatives of its various partners. It is composed of an open innovation community including public, private, and community partners, both local and international. The HID contributes to accelerating and amplifying the value of innovations in health and beyond, including the treatment of diseases.

A district and virtual platform in the heart of downtown Montréal

Located near the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), the HID, based at 700 Saint-Hubert Street, will host the head office, established companies and start-ups. This proximity between partners and collaborators will ensure greater synergy between all members of the ecosystem. A virtual platform will increase outreach and economic development opportunities for national and international partners.

The HID is committed to its continued growth not only here, but also globally, with the population’s health being central to its mission. The speakers and the more than 70 people in attendance at the August 23 founding meeting confirm this commitment.

Consult the program Discover the photo album

Program

Part 1 — AN OPEN INNOVATION COMMUNITY BASED ON TRUST

Kathy Malas — Associate to the President & Chief Executive Officer, Pole of Innovation & Artificial Intelligence in Health, Executive Office, CHUM
Dr. Pierre Gfeller — CEO, MUHC
Neil Faser — CEO, Medtronic
Christian Ouellette — Head of Government & Corporate Affairs – Novartis

EXCHANGE BETWEEN PARTNERS

Part 2 — PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL HUBS

Hugo Daignault — Senior Rental Manager, Allied
Marie-Geneviève Pelland — Marketing and Development Director – Groupe Jesta
Anthony O’Brien — Senior Executive Director – Groupe Jesta
Dr. Fabrice Brunet — CEO – CHUM

EXCHANGE BETWEEN PARTNERS

Part 3 — GLOBAL NETWORK

Michael Levy — Chairman, DHIT Global
Dr. Eyal Zimlichmans – Medical et Innovation Director, Sheba Hospital
Dr. Patrick Nataf — Cardiac and Vascular Surgeon, APHP

EXCHANGE BETWEEN PARTNERS

Conclusion — PERSPECTIVES AND SOLUTIONS TO DESIGN A SYSTEM AND CLOSING REMARKS

Dr. Fabrice Brunet — CEO, CHUM