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KO Telemedicine attended a two-day workshop in Toronto hosted by Chief’s of Ontario to discuss the formation of a First Nations Public Health Advisory Committee (FNPHAC).

The goals of this committee are to address the lack of adequate public health services in First Nations communities and to leverage Provincial and Federal resources to coordinate public health services on-reserve.  FNPHAC will also complete a Public Health Framework for First Nation in Ontario. 

Donna Williams, the KO Telemedicine Program Manager, also attended a subcommittee meeting that looks at how technologies such as Web based resources and Telemedicine can support Public Health applications such as Public Health Surveillance tools and promote educational and awareness resources.  Robert Thomas, the KO Health Director and Donna Williams (alternate) will continue to work with this informatics subcommittee (Knowledge Management Advisory Group KMAG) to promote health applications and community based networks. 

While at the workshop, Donna attended a farewell celebration for Valerie Gideon, the director of Health and Social Services for the Assembly of First Nations.  Valerie will be starting her new position as Ontario Regional Director for First Nations and Inuit Health.  In her new position, Dr Gideon will be working directly with KO Telemedicine to address sustainability issues and develop a Telemedicine program for First Nations in Ontario.

While in Toronto, Donna Williams, the KOTM Program Manager met with Christine Sham, Telemedicine Lead and Jim Loft, Aboriginal Unit from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to discuss how technologies and Telemedicine applications are impacting MOHLTC programs.  Applications such as public health surveillance (PANORAMA), Telemedicine, Electronic Health Records and support of ministry programs were discussed.  Donna will be working with Mr Loft and Ms Sham to develop a business case for the Ministry of Health for supporting IT applications in First Nations.