Published June 18,2026

We wanted to share this message from our CEO Dr. Ivar Mendez to our VHH team on the graduation of the newest cohort of Virtual Health Hub Assistants (VHHAs) earlier this week:

“Last evening, I had the privilege of attending the graduation ceremony for the third cohort of Virtual Health Hub Assistants, a program unlike any other in Canada, developed in partnership with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) to train a new generation of health care workers for Indigenous communities.

While many graduates were unable to make the long journey from their northern communities to Saskatoon, I had the opportunity to spend time with the five who attended. Their stories were inspiring. I was struck not only by their determination to complete the program, but by their unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of their people.

Over the course of 18 weeks, under the exceptional guidance of Brittany Olson , these students developed new skills, embraced new technologies, and prepared themselves to serve as a vital link between patients, communities, and health care providers. Many did so while navigating significant personal and family challenges. Their perseverance speaks volumes about their character and the strength of the communities they represent.

As the rhythmic beat of the drums echoed through the ceremony, I found myself reflecting on the significance of what we were witnessing. These graduates are more than students completing a course, they are pioneers. They represent a new model of community-based health care that combines local knowledge, cultural understanding, and state-of-the-art technology to address longstanding health inequities.

In that moment, I realized that the future of health care in Indigenous communities is about people with the courage to step forward, learn new skills, and become catalysts for change. These graduates are building capacity where it is needed most, strengthening their communities from within, and creating new pathways to better health outcomes for future generations.

I left the ceremony inspired, humbled, and filled with optimism. If the future is being shaped by leaders like these graduates, it is a future worth believing in.”

Congratulations VHHAs!

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The Virtual Health Hub Assistant program is a foundational 18-week applied certificate created in partnership with Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies. For more information, please visit: https://siit.ca/programs/virtual-health-hub-assistant/