Patients as Partners

e-Health is committed to incorporating the experiences of patients. Patients are key members of the health community and important contributors to the e-Health conference program. Patient committee volunteers contribute to conference planning and in the selection of patient partners, and patient attendees organize patient-partner meetups and contribute valuable insight to the discussions that take place at e-Health. The e-Health26 patient funding application period closed February 8, 2026. Thank you to everyone who applied. 

Where to find a Patient Partner at e-Health26

Attendees will be able to identify Patient Partners by their name badges and willingness to share their insights with eloquence and the truth of lived experience. Connect with e-Health26 Patient Partners at sessions they are moderating or during breaks. Look for the ‘Ask a Patient Partner’ sign in the lounge area on the Ballroom Level of the Halifax Convention Centre.

  • Monday, June 15 | 9:45 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
  • Monday, June 15 | 11:10 a.m.–11:25 a.m.
  • Monday, June 15 | 11:55 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
  • Monday, June 15 | 2:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
  • Monday, June 15 | 3:45 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 16 | 9:30 a.m.–9:45 a.m.
  • Tuesday, June 16 | 10:55 a.m.–11:10 a.m.
  • Tuesday, June 16 | 11:40 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 16 | 1:45 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

What to ask a Patient Partner

  • How can I get patients involved in product development?
  • How can we be more welcoming to patients when conducting research?
  • How can I collaborate with patients on projects
  • What value do patients and caregivers bring to projects?
  • What’s in it for the patient partners?
  • What are some best practices for patient inclusivity?
  • How can we create safe and inviting spaces for patients?
  • How can we engage with young patients?

Patient Partner Resources

Organizations

Guidelines

Research and Publications

Thank you to these Patient Funding Sponsors

Meet the e-Health26 Patient Partners

  • Evan Litwin is a serial entrepreneur in telecommunications and electricity generation. Evan has been a Patient Partner at the Jewish General Hospital and Network focused on cancer advocacy since 2016. He is a Member of the Quebec CNC-PTC advocate for cancer patients province-wide, during and after treatment.

  • Judy Porter is a lifelong patient and caregiver. She recognizes that often the patient voice is lost in the larger system of healthcare, and is passionate about assuring that the needs of patients are always considered in the design and delivery of community and facility centred patient care.

  • Lauryn Seguin is a patient partner with over 10 years of CRPS experience, advocating for patient inclusion and people‑Ccntered care. She has collaborated with leading pediatric pain organizations, co‑chairs the SickKids PCAC, has a Masters in Health Education, and supports lived‑experience engagement at HSO/Accreditation Canada.

  • Melissa Coombs is a nine–year Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia survivor, whose goal is to make the journey easier for patients after her.

  • Muhammed Asrath is a patient partner, disability support professional, and social entrepreneur based in Halifax.  Drawing on lived and professional experience, he advocates for accessible and inclusive systems and supports newcomer families in navigating healthcare, education, and community resources in Canada and his home community abroad.

  • Risa Mallory is a retired psychotherapist who survived a life threatening cardiovascular event in 2018. Over the past 7+ years, she has engaged with some very driven and passionate stakeholders locally, nationally and internationally, resulting in meaningful collaborations ensuring that patients receive the best possible care, have access to the right treatments, and are empowered with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their health.

  • Robyn Bell is an Endometriosis Patient Partner with the Patient Advisory Research Board (PRAB) at UBC, contributing lived experience to support research and improve care. Living with endometriosis has shaped her understanding of diagnosis and treatment. After a life-changing clinical trial experience, she transitioned into clinical research and worked as a Sr. Project Associate at a CRO for the past five years. 

  • Stewart Gray is a retired, Halifax-based, IT professional who has been re-energized by the rapid evolution of AI in healthcare. The majority of his 40-plus year career was invested in the digital health space – over his career he co-founded 3 IT professional services firms.  

    Since November, 2022, he has utilized AI to better understand and manage various cardiology and physiological issues as he enters his 70’s. He believes that the prudent use of AI is critical for an effective Canadian healthcare system.

  • Sundas Shamshad is a cancer survivor, advocate, and person of colour living in rural Alberta. She is dedicated to advancing adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer care through her lived experience. As founder of Sisters in Cancer YMM, she provides peer support and collaborates with healthcare and research initiatives to reduce barriers and improve equitable, patient-centred care and mental health outcomes.

  • Veronika Kiryanova, PhD, is a Patient Research Partner shaped by lived experience after a 2017 neurological event. She brings a sharp focus on accessibility, usability, and real-world patient needs to improve care—especially for people with communication and cognitive challenges.

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