Outreach and Events

Virtual Reality for Healthy Aging: A Lunch & Learn
with Natasha Tat, MSc, IALH Student Affiliate

Natasha Tat, who successfully defended her master’s thesis, “Virtual Reality for Healthy Aging: Assessing the Feasibility of a Community-Delivered Virtual Reality Intervention for Older Adults Experiencing Subjective Cognitive Decline,” will present her research findings to the community.

Under the supervision of Dr. Sam Liu in the Digital Health Lab, Natasha conducted her study at the UVic Institute of Aging and Lifelong Health and at the Monterey Recreation Centre in Oak Bay. She received a SSHRC Partnerships Engage grant which helped fund the virtual reality equipment, supplies, and two undergraduate research assistants to support the data collection and analysis process. Natasha is also the recipient of the prestigious Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) Master’s Award.

In-person location: Cornett Building (COR), UVic campus (room number provided upon registration)
Hybrid: Via Zoom

Free and open to everyone, with required registration. 

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/virtual-reality-for-healthy-aging-a-lunch-learn-with-natasha-tat-msc-tickets-1980218658313?aff=oddtdtcreator

From Hype to Hospital: How AI Is Being Used in Healthcare and Research

Join experts from UVic and Island Health for an engaging discussion on the safety, evidence, and patient impact of AI in healthcare and research settings. The panel includes Drs. Elizabeth Borycki and Andre Kushniruk (UVic), and Graham Payette and Christopher Picard (Island Health). Moderated by Dr. Jodie Gawryluk (UVic) and Cindy Trytton (Island Health).

Bringing expertise from research, clinical care, and health systems, and with your questions, the panel will go beyond buzzwords to explore how AI can be used safely, ethically, and effectively in real-world healthcare.

Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Doors open at 6:00PM, with light refreshments provided.

In-person location: Harry Hickman Building (HHB) Lecture Theatre, Room 105, UVic campus

Hybrid: Via Zoom

Free and open to everyone, with required registration.

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-hype-to-hospital-how-ai-is-being-used-in-healthcare-and-research-tickets-1978639397702?aff=oddtdtcreator

Panelists:
Elizabeth Borycki, PhD, University of Victoria

Health Informatics & Patient Safety

Dr. Elizabeth Borycki is a professor at the University of Victoria and an internationally recognized expert in health informatics and patient safety. Her work focuses on ensuring digital health tools and AI are designed and implemented safely in real healthcare settings.

Andre Kushniruk, PhD, University of Victoria

Human-Centred Digital Health & AI

Dr. Andre Kushniruk is a professor at the University of Victoria specializing in human-centred digital health and artificial intelligence. He studies how clinicians and patients interact with health technologies to improve usability, safety, and trust.

Graham Payette, Island Health

Clinical Innovation & Health System Implementation

Graham Payette is the Executive Director of Intelligent Automation and Artificial Intelligence at Island Health. With 25 years’ experience helping some of Canada's largest health delivery organizations realize and sustain value from digital innovation, his work is focused on the development and use of AI and digital automation solutions to increase value to the public from their investment in the health system.

 Christopher Picard, Island Health

Applied AI and Digital Health in Care Settings

Christopher Picard works at Island Health as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Trauma and Forensic Services. He’s currently the Editor-in-chief with the Canadian Journal of Emergency Nursing and Past President of the National Emergency Nurses Association. He focuses on translating emerging technologies into tools that support clinicians and improve patient care.

Hosted by the UVic Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health and Island Health

Open to the public (patients, families, caregivers, students, researchers, healthcare providers, and community members). No technical background required. The venue is wheelchair accessible. Paid parking is available in all General parking lots; parking and bus transportation details will be provided to registrants attending on-campus.

The Better Choices, Better Health® Online Self-Management Program, is the online version of the internationally recognised Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, developed and tested at the Stanford University Patient Education Centre. 

This is a free, six-session, asynchronous web-based program offered on a dedicated website that meets government privacy requirements. It is open to BC adults of all ages living with one or more ongoing health conditions.   A computer and internet connection are required; no web-cams needed; and participants do not need to be online at the same time.

In this group (max. 25 participants), moderated by two trained peer facilitators, you will learn about:

• Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation
• Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance
• Appropriate use of medications
• Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals
• Healthy eating
• Making informed treatment decisions
• Disease-related problem solving
• Advanced directives

The Better Choices, Better Health Program enhances regular treatment and disease-specific education.

Sessions are highly participative through internal messaging and online discussion boards. Log in at your convenience for about 1.5 to 2 hours per week.

Weekly activities include:

• Reading
• Making and posting a weekly action plan
• Participating in problem-solving and guided exercises on bulletin boards
• Participating in self-tests and activities

To register, see https://www.selfmanagementbc.ca/betterchoices 

For more information please visit www.selfmanagementbc.ca or call TOLL FREE: 1-866-902-3767