Possibly Related Articles:WIHIR Smarter Health Seminar
TITLE: “Geographic Informatics Systems for Community Health”
SPEAKERS: Tom Vair, Executive Director, Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre & Michelle Courneene, Health Informatics Development Manager, Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
DATE: Wednesday, May 28, 2008
TIME: 3:00PM – 4:30PM
LOCATION: Davis Centre Room 1302, University of WaterlooRegister to attend in person, via webcast, or through OTN at: http://hi.uwaterloo.ca
Abstract
The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) and its Community Geomatics Centre (CGC) have developed an award-winning Geographic Informatics System (GIS) application for the health and human services sector. The CGC collaborates with local agencies to improve community health by adding relevant health and social data to the community s extremely comprehensive municipal GIS dataset. This has enabled the visualization of health-related and demographic information projected onto the geography of the region and the use of this information to guide community interventions. With this tool, the CGC has tracked problems related to early childhood development, handicap accessibility, elder abuse, public safety, infection control and environmental health. Partners include the Algoma Health Unit, Child Care Algoma, the Children s Aid Society, Sault Area Hospital, Communities Quality Improvement and Sault Ste. Marie District Social Services Administration Board. Results indicate improvements in public safety, reductions in municipal liabilities and more effective use of budgetary resources. Last year, SSMIC received ESRI s Special Achievement in GIS Award for their work in Health and Human Services. SSMIC is now working with organizations across the province on exciting GIS in Health projects.
About the SpeakerTom Vair As SSMIC s Executive Director, Tom leads a not-for-profit organization that promotes economic diversification through information technology and knowledge-based industries. Tom is an experienced high-tech professional who worked for 10 years in Ottawa, most recently in management positions at biotechnology and Internet start-ups. He launched his career with Corel and eventually became division manager of a newly formed business unit. He holds an MBA (McMaster University) and a BA (University of Western Ontario). He is a past member of the Ontario Research and Innovation Council. Michelle Courneene As SSMIC s Health Informatics Development Manager, Michelle develops and manages strategic projects, fosters partnerships, undertakes feasibility studies within the health informatics sector and works with community and provincial partners to drive sector growth. She has worked internationally in health informatics and information technology as the Assistant Health Information Systems Project Manager and Informatics Specialist for the Ministry of Health and Social Security in Dominica and as a consultant for the Pan American Health Organization and for the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States. Michelle holds an Honours BA in Psychology (University of Windsor) and a BA in Information Technology (Algoma University College).
Geographic Informatics Systems for Community Health
