A unique collaboration driving change in healthcare
From January 22 to February 26, 2025, Saint Mary’s University’s Experience Ventures program embarked on an exciting collaboration with the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, engaging 15 students across Atlantic Canada. This initiative provided students with hands-on experience tackling some of the province’s most pressing healthcare challenges.
The Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub was established to do the right things for the right reasons. As the front door for innovation and partnerships within Nova Scotia’s healthcare system, it is shaping a methodical approach to innovation and bringing together partners (patients, clinicians, industry leaders, healthcare foundations, governments and academic institutions) to take the best local and global ideas and make them a reality in the pursuit of better health for all Nova Scotians.
The Experience Ventures Challenge presented three challenges to students to build solutions:
Challenge A: Exploring innovative approaches to address mental health challenges in senior populations.
Challenge B: Leveraging technology to enhance health outcomes for seniors and improve long-term care delivery.
Challenge C: Identifying best-in-class frameworks, strategies, and practices from other Canadian and global jurisdictions to advance public healthcare systems.
Throughout the program, students conducted detailed due diligence reports, market scans and final recommendations, presenting solutions to help Nova Scotia Health improve its care system. This initiative provided students with an unparalleled opportunity to gain industry exposure, develop research and analytical skills and contribute to meaningful healthcare advancements. The collaboration highlighted the power of innovation and the importance of interdisciplinary partnerships in healthcare transformation.
“It was my pleasure to be part of the Experience Ventures program, where I learned how to apply my skills to solving real-world problems. I also got to make friends in such a short time and collaborate with them on the project,” said Gulizar Sheikh Muslim, phycology student at Saint Mary’s.
Celia Peters and Michael Warner, Business Development Coordinators with the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, were excited by the work presented. “It was a pleasure collaborating with the future changemakers and exploring real healthcare scenarios together,” said Peters. “We were inspired by the students' innovative ideas and the potential impact they could have on both the healthcare system and patient outcomes."
"It was inspiring to watch the final student presentations, where their passion and thoughtful approach to senior care shone through. Their innovative ideas highlighted the importance of prioritizing this area, showcasing the significant impact innovation can have on improving the status quo in senior care," said Warner.
Stay tuned for more exciting collaborations as the Experience Ventures program continues to foster innovation and create opportunities for students to lead the way in healthcare transformation.
Experience Ventures, powered by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary, enables post-secondary students to make an impact alongside real-world innovators through entrepreneurial thinking placements. EV is funded by the Government of Canda and delivered in partnership with post-secondary institutions nationwide.