On October 21, the University of Winnipeg hosted its annual Laird Lecture, bringing together government, academics, and key members of the healthcare community to learn about and discuss systems of unscheduled healthcare.
From left to right: Dr. Lam An, Dr. Enayon Taiwo, Dr. Eddy Lang, Minister David Pankratz, and Dr. Jino Distasio at the 2026 Laird Lecture.
This year's guest lecturer was Dr. Eddy Lang, a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, and a senior researcher and practicing emergency physician with Alberta Health Services.
Drawing on three decades of experience in emergency medicine, health-system leadership, evidence-based medicine, and guideline development, Dr. Eddy Lang spoke on the increasing use of emergency rooms and other systems of unscheduled healthcare as primary ways of getting care.
"The future of unscheduled healthcare isn't about building bigger waiting rooms it's about making them less necessary. Delivering the right care, at the right time, in the right place is within our reach," Dr. Lang said.
In an increasingly AI-driven world, this is how universities should stay relevant.
Dr. Lam An
"What made the Laird Lecture at the University of Winnipeg especially rewarding," he added, "was the extraordinary audience engagement thoughtful questions, lively discussion, and a shared enthusiasm for reimagining healthcare beyond the waiting room. The future is exciting, and the conversation has only just begun!"
UWinnipeg's Laird Lecture plays an important role in addressing the intersection of science and social studies in Canada and was hosted this year by the Faculty of Business and Economics.
"Beyond the timely topic of the talk, the event's biggest achievement was to bring together educational institutions, healthcare professionals, government officials, and interdisciplinary research groups to tackle a pressing issue in our community," said Associate Professor of Marketing and co-organizer of the 2026 Laird Lecture Series, Dr. Lam An. "In an increasingly AI-driven world, this is how universities should stay relevant and continue to generate positive societal impacts as hubs of knowledge creation and knowledge sharing."
The Laird Lecture Series was established in 1971 by a bequest from Elizabeth Rebecca Laird, this lecture series ensures that students, faculty, and community members at the University of Winnipeg and six other Canadian institutions can engage in a lively scientific debate for years to come. Dr. Laird completed her PhD in 1901, and was a pioneer in the field of science.
