Fred Horne, former Alberta Minister of Health (2011-2014)

Fred Horne is a national and international thought leader with extensive experience in health system design and transformation, policy development and coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

A frequent speaker and panelist on health system issues in Canada, Fred served as Alberta’s Minister of Health from 2011-2014 where he oversaw an $18 billion health budget and Alberta Health Services, the province’s health delivery organization and the fifth largest employer in Canada.  His current roles include as Principal of Horne and Associates, Public Policy Consultants, and Adjunct Professor at the School of Public Health, University of Alberta.

He has worked extensively with provincial governments, and research and stakeholder organizations in Canada and abroad.  The Ontario Ministry of Health (District Health Council Program), Alberta Health (Director of Sustainability), the Conference Board of Canada and Mayo Clinic are among the organizations with which Fred has been associated. 

His work currently focuses on pan-Canadian strategies to support strategic health technology management; health system accreditation; improved access to and integration of palliative care services; and pharmaceutical policy.

Fred holds an MBA from Royal Roads University and the Certificate in Dispute Resolution from York University.  He currently serves as Chair of Medbuy Corporation, and on the boards of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and the Canadian Frailty Network.

Karen Macmillan, Senior Operating Officer and Executive Lead for Palliative Care, Covenant Health 

Karen brings a passion for mentorship, research and ongoing quality improvement to her leadership role at Covenant Health. A registered nurse, Karen is the Senior Operating Officer for the Grey Nuns Community Hospital and senior lead for the Palliative/End-of-Life Strategy. She has been engaged in palliative care research and education for over 20 years, has served on a variety of committees and task forces, and has published extensively in this field.

Karen was a recipient of the Caritas Mission Award in 2008 and the University of Alberta McClure Award for Nursing in 2007. Karen holds a certificate in adult and continuing education, a bachelors of science in nursing and a masters of science in nursing.