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The theme of Primary Care Research Day 2026 is ‘From Clicks to Care: Strengthening the Digital Foundations of Primary Care‘, which will explore innovative approaches, challenges, and future directions for e-health systems in primary care. This interactive event will feature a keynote address and two panel discussions related to the theme, along with poster and oral presentations and invaluable networking opportunities.

* Please note this agenda is tentative and subject to change*

SPEAKERS

Keynote Address: Opportunities for Practice-Based Research and Learning and Clinician Involvement in Research Using EMRs

With 35 years of experience as a family physician, Dr. Manca has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between frontline clinical practice and health research. She serves as a Medical Director for the Lifelong Learning and Physician Learning Program (PLP) within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, where she supports clinicians in navigating practice improvement and evidence-based care. 

As a pioneer in Practice-Based Research and Learning Networks (PBRLNs), Dr. Manca is the Director of the Northern Alberta Primary Care Research Network (NAPCReN), a regional node of the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN). Her work leverages Electronic Medical Record (EMR) data to improve patient outcomes while advocating for the highest standards of privacy and ethics in health informatics. Through her leadership, she remains committed to transforming primary care by empowering community clinicians to engage in meaningful research and continuous, practice-based learning. 

Panel #1: Health System Optimization of EMRs and Opportunities to Address Administrative Burden and Support Clinicians  

Panelists:  

• Dr. Donna Manca, Professor & Director of Quality Improvement, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta 
• Ryan MacNeil, Project Executive & Director of Digital Strategy and Governance, Department of Health and Wellness, Government of Nova Scotia 
• Dr. Ashley Miller, Chief Medical Information Officer, Nova Scotia Health & IWK Health  
• Dr. Jonathan Fitzsimon, Family Physician & Medical Lead, Renfrew County Integrated Virtual Care, Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa 

Moderator:  

• Dr. Mathew Grandy, Family Physician, Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University 

Panel #2: Patient and Community Access to Data and Indigenous Data Sovereignty 

Panelists: 

• Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch, Assistant Vice Provost Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Dalhousie University & Research Lead of On These Shoulders Research Collaborative   
• Zabrina Downton, Research Analyst, Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq  
• Dr. Amy Grant, Director of Research, Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU)

Moderator:  

• Dr. Ruth Lavergne, Tier II Canada Research Chair in Primary Care, Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University

Opening Ceremony, Welcome & Introduction to the Theme, & Opening Remarks 

Speakers:

• Catherine Martin, Director of Indigenous Community Engagement, Dalhousie University
• Dr. Emily Gard Marshall, Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University  
• Dr. David Anderson, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University