T4 Focus story

Focus: WatSPEED partnership to upskill healthcare employees in data science

For more than 20 years, Waterloo worked with the Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI) – an organization that provides reliable data to accelerate improvements in health care, health system performance, and population health across Canada. Today, WatSPEED and CIHI’s relationship has expanded and deepened as they work towards a mutual goal of upskilling professionals.

Working with Waterloo faculty, WatSPEED created a series of customized online programs to advance the skills of more than 200 data analysts and managers. These offerings are designed to teach CIHI employees data science techniques using modern programming languages, along with the fundamentals and responsible use of data science. CIHI also recognizes the need for upskilling among their stakeholders who work across Canada’s health systems. As such, CIHI has supported WatSPEED’s application for $1 million in funding Sector Workforce Solutions Program to develop an open artificial intelligence program that leverages CIHI’s insights and data.

Discussion for additional collaboration between WatSPEED and CIHI is underway, including experiential learning support for CIHI program participants that leverages Waterloo co-op students.

To learn more about this multi-disciplinary partnership, visit WatSPEED’s website

Jump to: DT Goal 3 | Developing Talent Goals