Physician burnout and workforce attrition threaten the sustainability of rural healthcare. Hybrid care models, where virtual physicians support on-site teams in real time, reduce workload and improve professional well-being. Drawing on preliminary evidence from partnered hospitals and 2024 national provider survey results, findings show improved morale, work-life balance, and coverage stability. These results establish a foundation for ongoing evaluation with updated data to be included at next year’s conference.
Presented by:
Katherine Atkinson, Director, Health System Partnerships
Katherine Atkinson brings over 12 years of experience in health technology commercialization and a background in public health and epidemiology. Katherine has led multimillion-dollar partnerships with organizations, including the Gates Foundation, Pfizer, Sanofi, and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Known for her strategic leadership, she has played a key role in developing business strategies, launching first-to-market products, and shaping conversations at global healthcare conferences. As Director of Health System Partnerships at Teladoc Health Canada, she collaborates with healthcare leaders across Canada to advance virtual care and improve access through innovative partnerships.
Jennifer Keough, RN, Clinical Operations Supervisor, Teladoc Health Canada
Jennifer Keough is a Registered Nurse and graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland, Class of 2013. She brings a strong clinical foundation in rural emergency medicine and critical patient transport by both ground and air. Currently serving as Clinical Operations Supervisor at Teladoc Health Canada, Jennifer plays a key role in advancing virtual care delivery nationwide.
She began her journey with Teladoc in November 2023 as part of the pioneering virtual ER (vER) program, contributing to its development before the launch of the first site. Since then, she has been instrumental in expanding the program to over 20 locations across Canada, supporting clinical teams and driving innovation in digital health services. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to accessible, high-quality care for patients in diverse communities.
Dr. Tracey Parnell, MD, Chair for Primary Care and Rural Medicine
Dr. Tracey Parnell is a rural Canadian physician and researcher with a passion for medicine that empowers patients and providers. She is currently the Teladoc Health Canada Chair for Primary Care and Rural Medicine, while still maintaining an active and diverse clinical practice. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia and was previously the Research Evaluation and Quality Improvement Sector Lead for the Rural Coordination Centre of BC, which works on behalf of the Joint Standing Committee, an entity that advises the BC government and the Doctors of BC.
She has a heart for providing care for underserved communities, especially those in war torn environments; she has been honoured to care for the most injured and vulnerable on the front lines of Ukraine multiple times since 2022. Believing strongly that patients deserve answers to their question of what is wrong and how can it be fixed, her clinical and research work includes restorative reproductive health, particularly PCOS and endometriosis, focusing on addressing underlying issues contributing to fertility.
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