Across Canada, healthcare leaders are turning awareness into action when it comes to environmental sustainability—and the momentum is growing. In this episode of The HQ Podcast, we highlight a powerful example of what’s possible when a health system embraces sustainability not just as a goal, but as a guiding principle for innovation, equity, and long-term impact.

Joining us is Bryan Witt, Vice President of Provincial Clinical and Support Services for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). A seasoned healthcare professional, Bryan brings over 25 years of experience to the conversation, with a background spanning clinical roles, executive leadership, and system improvement. Under his stewardship, SHA is moving from conversation to action—aligning environmental responsibility with system goals and community values.

From rooftop gardens and energy-saving initiatives to Indigenous engagement, Bryan shares a compelling vision of how energy and environmental sustainability can be woven into the fabric of a healthcare delivery organization. The conversation offers both strategic insights and practical takeaways for healthcare leaders, providers, and changemakers across Canada.

What does it take to get buy-in at all levels of an organisation? How can sustainability move from a “side-of-the-desk” effort to a central pillar? And what lessons can health professionals draw from SHA’s journey?

Tune in for a thoughtful discussion about leading systemic change through environmental stewardship in healthcare.

Key Discussions:

A Personal Journey into Planetary Health

How did Bryan’s career evolve to include sustainability leadership in healthcare?

Defining Sustainability in the Health System Context

What does “sustainability” mean at SHA?

Why is planetary health relevant to healthcare, and what makes it a priority?

Getting Leadership on Board

How did Bryan gain the support of SHA’s executive team and board?

What role did environmental scans, internal data, and alignment with SHA’s vision play?

From Vision to Action

How does SHA engage staff in green initiatives like energy reduction?

How is sustainability embedded—not sidelined—as part of SHA’s operations?

The Role of LEAN in Green

How has LEAN helped support environmental efforts?

What kinds of efficiencies and improvements are emerging from this integration?

Community and Cultural Collaboration

How is SHA engaging First Nations and Métis communities in its sustainability work?

Why is inclusion essential for true planetary health?

Highlights and Innovations

What’s the story behind the rooftop garden in Saskatoon?

What other initiatives are making a visible impact?

Resourcing the Work and Sustaining Momentum

How is SHA resourcing its sustainability strategy?

How do they ensure this work continues to grow and evolve?

Looking Forward

What lies ahead for SHA’s environmental efforts?

What advice does Bryan have for leaders looking to begin or accelerate their own sustainability journey?

About Our Guest

Bryan Witt

Vice President, Provincial Clinical and Support Services, Saskatchewan Health Authority

Bryan Witt is a respected healthcare leader with a 25+ year career spanning nuclear medicine, healthcare operations, system improvement, and executive leadership. His roles have included Director of Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Kaizen Fellow, and Co-Commander of Saskatoon’s Integrated Health Incident Command Centre during the pandemic. He holds an MBA from the University of Regina, a Fellowship in Health System Improvement from the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health, and is a Certified Health Executive.

Through a philosophy of continuous improvement and collaboration, Bryan is advancing a sustainability vision that aligns with SHA’s core mission—improving care, enhancing systems, and protecting the health of future generations.

Helpful Resources

Guest: Bryan Witt | LinkedIn

Saskatchewan Health Authority | Website | LinkedIn

SAH Rooftop Garden | Story

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