The 6th Annual Healthcare Communications Conference, held on October 24–25, 2024, in Toronto and virtually, brought together just over 100 communications professionals from across Canada’s healthcare sector, including hospitals, home and community care, long-term care and various associations.
This unique event provided a learning opportunity for participants focused on all aspects of healthcare communications, including digital media, social media, corporate communications, community engagement, and public relations.
If you missed it, here’s a quick recap of two sessions that inspired and informed us all.
Accessibility for Indigenous Communities
Jennifer Taback and Meggan Van Harten, Co-CEOs of Design de Plume, delivered a compelling session on accessibility for Indigenous communities. Their focus on culturally authentic design emphasized community-driven approaches. Jennifer highlighted a project where a high school student was engaged to create culturally relevant icons, showcasing how genuine involvement fosters pride and meaningful representation. Meggan expanded on the importance of using “ideas lenses” – an approach Design de Plume uses to guide their design and community engagement initiatives, to ensure solutions reflect lived experiences.
The quote of the session: “Authentic design comes from engaging community voices. By involving Indigenous creators directly, we ensure cultural accuracy, pride, and meaningful representation.”
Patricia Tamasi’s Inspiring Journey to Enhance Perinatal Care in Canada
Patricia Tamasi, co-founder of the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative, shared her impactful journey to improve perinatal mental health care in Canada. As a co-author of “You Are Not Alone” and advocate for systemic change, Tamasi emphasized the transformative power of personal storytelling in driving engagement and advocacy.
Tamasi also stressed the significance of closing gaps in healthcare education, forming strong partnerships, and blending emotional narratives with data for impactful advocacy. Her message underscored the necessity of sustained commitment and collaborative efforts for lasting change.
“Personal stories are what make connections—with the media, the public, and government legislators. Data supports the stories, but it’s the lived experiences that open doors.” – Patricia Tamasi
Ready to gain fresh insights and connect with leaders in the field next year? Make sure you don’t miss the experience at the 7th Healthcare Communications Conference.
Save the dates: October 23-24, 2025, in Toronto. Can’t make it in person? Register to attend virtually at:
https://sparkconferences.com/communications/