Monday, March 31, 2025
 

Dr. Joseph Cafazzo 

Executive Director, Healthcare Human Factors
University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Dr. Joseph Cafazzo is the founder of Healthcare Human Factors in Toronto, which is celebrating 20 years since its inception in 2004. He is also the inaugural holder of the Wolfond Chair in Digital Health and a senior scientist at the Centre for Digital Therapeutics at the University Health Network (UHN) – Canada’s largest teaching hospital system. His work has been instrumental in transforming the delivery of care, ensuring that technology is designed not only for efficiency but also for the well-being and safety of both patients and healthcare providers.

Throughout his career, Dr. Cafazzo has been deeply involved within the healthcare system, using his unique position to drive meaningful change. His research and innovations span the full spectrum of care, from the frontline delivery of healthcare services to the development of technologies aimed at empowering patients to manage their health at home. His focus on patient self-care, particularly for those with chronic conditions, has led to the development of solutions that enable individuals to maintain their health independently, reducing the need for hospital visits and improving overall quality of life. Over the last 20 years, Healthcare Human Factors has grown into a renowned hub for the advancement of safe, human-centered healthcare technologies, making a significant impact both locally and globally in promoting the integration of human-centered design in healthcare.

He is Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee for Health Canada on Digital Health and is a full professor at the University of Toronto, affiliated with the Rotman School of Business, the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Computer Science.