Learning together: Building learning health systems through collaboration

Learning together: Building learning health systems through collaboration

How do we move from research and data to meaningful change in health systems and communities?

 

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 | 8: 30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Red & White Club, 1833 Crowchild Trail NW

The 2026 O'Brien Institute for Public Health fall forum will bring together researchers, health-system leaders, patients, community organizations and policy partners to explore how learning health systems can support more responsive, equitable and collaborative approaches to health improvement.

Participants will explore the diverse forms learning health systems work can take, what is needed to support it and how collaboration across sectors can help accelerate impact.

The forum will also mark the launch of the O’Brien Institute Learning Health Systems Accelerator.

We invite Institute members, students, trainees and research staff to submit abstracts for a poster session showcasing innovative Learning Health System initiatives that highlight work that translates data, evidence and lived experience into meaningful improvements in health systems and communities. 

We welcome submissions from a broad range of disciplines, sectors and perspectives, including clinical innovations, health-system delivery, community engagement, policy, quality improvement, implementation science, patient partnership and data-driven decision-making. 

Abstract submission deadline: August 27, 2026.

Eligibility: O’Brien Institute for Public Health members, students, trainees, research staff and collaborators affiliated with an Institute member.

We welcome both new and previously presented work. Presenters may reuse or adapt posters that have been submitted to or presented at other venues.

Submission: Submit your abstract as a Microsoft Word or PDF document to iph@ucalgary.ca with the subject line: “Fall Members Forum Abstract Submission”.

Registration | 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Light breakfast provided


Welcome | 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.

Featuring Dr. Kirsten Fiest and Dr. Khara Sauro


Keynote presentation | 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 

Keynote presentation by Dr. Robert Reid, moderated by Dr. Khara Sauro


Break  | 10:15 - 10:30 a.m. 

Light snacks and refreshments


Panel Discussion | 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Co-design with the health system, patients/families, community organizations and policy makers 


Launch of O’Brien Institute LHS Accelerator | 11:30 - 11:45 a.m. 

Featuring Dr. Khara Sauro


Lunch and poster presentations | 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Poster showcase


Keynote presentation | 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. 

Keynote presentation by Dr. Ibukun Abejirinde, moderated by Dr. Kathryn Birnie


Research presentations | 1:45 - 2:45 p.m.

Moderated by Dr. Pamela Roach 


Closing remarks | 2:45 - 3:00 p.m.

By Dr. Khara Sauro