IEHPs in Canada’s Healthcare Workforce Summit

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Location: School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo

10 Victoria St S A, Kitchener, ON N2G 1C5

Watch the Main Room Recording

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Date: April 30th, 2026

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Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM EDT

View Agenda and Session Recordings

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Programme francophone

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Event Overview

The IEHPs in Canada’s Healthcare Workforce Summit convened national professional associations, regulators, educators, and community-based organizations to advance the integration of internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) into Canada’s workforce. Hosted alongside the Interconnected Futures Conference, the Summit featured sector-specific conversations led by leaders in healthcare and allied health.

The event emphasized dialogue, collaboration, and practical solutions to licensure, workforce participation, and system integration. Participants engaged in networking, knowledge exchange, and cross-sector discussions that connected newcomer talent with professional pathways, strengthening Canada’s healthcare workforce capacity.

Watch the Main Room Recording

Event Agenda

8:30 – 9:00 AM

Continental Breakfast

9:00 – 9:15 AM

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Land Acknowledgement

9:15 – 9:40 AM

Partner Spotlight Sessions

(Featuring organizations supporting IEHP integration)

9:45 – 10:30 AM

Public Health and Allied Health Session

Exploring Diverse Career opportunities in Public Health and Health Promotion by Pegeen Walsh
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Pegeen Walsh's bio

10:30 – 10:45 AM

Healthcare Data Analytics - Group3

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10:45 AM – 12:00 PM

Licensed Profession-Specific Sessions

Focused sessions highlighting pathways and experiences across healthcare professions, featuring facilitators working in these fields and representatives from professional and regulatory bodies, including:
– Medicine : Happiness Rosemary Ezeh, Kalpeshkumar Vansia Watch the recording of the Medicine Breakout Session

– Nursing: Eberechukwu Peace Akadinma
Watch the recording of the Nursing Breakout Session

– Pharmacy: Wasem Alsabbagh, Kelsey Skromeda. Watch the recording of the Pharmacy Breakout Session

– Dental: Ruchi Gera
Watch the recording of the Dental Breakout Session

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Lunch Break

1:00 – 1:45 PM

Learning Stream Presentations

Participant-led presentations from IEHPs-Can learning streams

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1:45 – 2:45 PM

Panel Discussion

Interprofessional perspectives from healthcare sectors:

Wasem Alsabbagh, Kelsey Skromeda, Happiness Rosemary Ezeh, Se-Inyenede Onobrakpor, Eberechukwu Peace Akadinma, Nasrin Alostaz

Click here to view the recording

2:45 – 3:30 PM

Networking Session

Opportunity to connect with peers, professionals, and organizations

3:30 - 4:00 PM

Closing Session

Certificate Distribution and Closing Remarks

Pre-Summit Learning Streams

In addition to the Summit day activities, we offered pre-summit learning programs designed to help internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) strengthen skills relevant to working in the Canadian healthcare system. These programs were developed based on feedback from IEHPs and focused on three key areas that supported career integration in Canada.

What Participants Gained?

Practical healthcare skill development was gained
A completed professional output was developed, such as an evidence brief, analytics deliverable, or pathway plan
Participants had the opportunity to present at the Summit
A certificate of completion was awarded
A portfolio-ready product was created for inclusion in a CV or professional profile

Who Was This For?

These programs were designed for IEHPs who were pursuing clinical licensure pathways, exploring public health, research, teaching, or considering alternative healthcare careers, either as an interim step or long-term direction.

How It Worked?

Registered: Participants chose their specific learning stream.
Learned: Participants completed weekly self-directed modules or tasks.
Applied: Participants joined facilitated group sessions to apply their learning.
Presented: Participants finalized their project and presented it at the Summit.

FAQ

Did I need research experience? No, this was professional skills training designed for beginners.
Did I need to attend every week? It was strongly recommended, as the project built weekly.
Could I participate online? Yes, learning sessions were virtual. The Summit was hybrid.
What did I receive at the end? A certificate of completion and a project that could be presented and included in a portfolio.

Choose Your Learning Stream

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Stream 1: Evidence-Informed Decision Making

Learned to frame questions, search/appraise evidence, and translate findings into recommendations.

Output: Evidence brief, case summary, or poster

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Stream 2: Healthcare Data Analytics

Built confidence with datasets using Excel, Power BI, and introductory SPSS/R concepts.

Output: Data poster or short analytics pitch created during the program.

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Stream 3: Licensure, Employment & Networking

Mapped realistic entry points, translated experience to Canadian roles, and prepared portfolios.

Output: Licensure plan and employer-ready portfolio.

Registration

In Person

$40

Location: University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy (10 Victoria St S A, Kitchener, ON N2G 1C5).

Virtual

$20

Location: Via Zoom. Registration link was provided after payment was completed.

Speakers

Pegeen Walsh

Pegeen Walsh is an instructor with and developed the curriculum for the health promotion component of the bridging program, Alternative Careers in Health Promotion and Education for Internationally Trained Physicians hosted by the Learning Enrichment Foundation.

As a former executive with the federal and provincial government and not-profit sector, she oversaw the design and delivery of a wide range of programs, policies, partnerships, advocacy and research that supported individual and community health and well-being. In her past leadership roles as Executive Director at the Ontario Public Health Association, Director of Chronic Disease Prevention at the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, Ontario Regional Director at the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada, she led such initiatives as climate change and health, prenatal health, early child development, seniors, injury prevention, HIV/AIDS, SARS airport screening, Aboriginal Headstart, Smoke-Free Ontario, the built environment, alcohol misuse, chronic disease prevention, healthy eating and health equity.

Pegeen values volunteering as a Board Member at Bellwoods Centres for Community Living and Co-Chairing its Community Advisory Council.

Nasrin Alostaz

An Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree in nursing education, a master’s degree in science, and a Ph.D. in nursing from McMaster University. Currently, Nasreen works as a Ph.D. researcher and Faculty, Professor at Mohawk College, a sessional instructor in the graduate program, Faculty of Health Disciplines at Athabasca University, a Co-Investigator on an SSHRC/PHAC-Funded IEN project at McMaster University in partnership with the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses, and a Nursing Content Specialist and Consultant at Pegasus Institute in partnership with the Canadian Medical Foundation (CMF). Her postdoctoral training was focused on evidence-informed policies that support the integration of IENs into the Canadian workforce and advance health system equity. Her work is grounded in a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare, with a focus on professional achievement and building research capacity to strengthen nursing expertise.