NPAO 2026 Annual Conference

Aprill Susin, NP, is the Medical Director of Clinical Affairs at Shannex and has been practicing as a Nurse Practitioner for 14 years. Her clinical experience spans geriatrics, primary care, and gynecology, with a particular focus on comprehensive, person-centered care and the unique needs of older adults. In her role as Medical Director of Clinical Affairs, she provides clinical leadership across West Bedford Transitional Care, an NP led Inpatient Facility with 178 beds. Here she is supporting initiatives related to quality of care, clinical practice, and resident outcomes. She is passionate about fostering collaborative approaches to healthcare and advancing innovative models of care for adults. A strong advocate for the Nurse Practitioner profession, Aprill Susin is a past President of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Nova Scotia (NPANS). Aprill has also been a fellow with Transdisciplinary Understanding and Training on Research – Primary Health Care and Canadian Primary Care Research Network. Her professional interests include clinical leadership, and the evolving role of Nurse Practitioners in improving access to and quality of care.

Dr. Christine Ibrahim is an Endocrinologist out of the Scarborough Health Network (SHN) at Centenary Hospital. She also has an outpatient clinic in Scarborough and is an Affiliate Lecturer at the University of Toronto.

Her interests are in General Endocrinology, in particular diabetes, obesity medicine, and thyroid disease. She has a particular interest in patient education and helping to improve knowledge translation at all levels of care. In her spare time she enjoys tennis, hiking and traveling.

Andrew Peltier is a Nurse Practitioner with clinical expertise in HIV prevention, HIV primary care, and emergency medicine. He practices in the Emergency Department at University Health Network in Toronto and has a clinical practice at The PrEP Clinic, where he provides HIV primary care and PrEP.

Andrew pioneered the development of an NP-led HIV primary care program at The PrEP Clinic, helping expand access to HIV care, including for newcomers to Canada and individuals who face barriers accessing traditional healthcare services.

In addition to his clinical practice, Andrew is actively involved in education, mentorship, and knowledge translation in HIV prevention and treatment. He regularly precepts Nurse Practitioner learners and participates in national and international HIV education and advisory initiatives, with a particular interest in advancing the role of Nurse Practitioners in HIV prevention and care.

Kristen Heise, She/Her Nurse Practitioner – Primary Health Care, Toronto, Ontario A trailblazing Nurse Practitioner specializing in sexual and reproductive health, Kristen Heise is the first NP in Canada certified as an SOGC IUD Insertion Preceptor. With 20+ years of experience, she trains clinicians in IUD insertion techniques and delivers trauma-informed, client-centered care at Planned Parenthood Toronto. A published author, medical consultant, and national media contributor (featured on CBC’s The National), Kristen is passionate about evidence-based practice and health equity. She is the creator of a web-based app—a one-stop resource for Canadian audiences—featuring IUD information, preparation guides, FAQs, a bleeding tracker, and a clinic finder. Her expertise spans contraceptive counseling, LGBTQ2S+ health, pregnancy care options, medical abortion, and mental health, making her a sought-after clinical speaker. Kristen is dedicated to empowering NPs with the knowledge and skills to provide exceptional, evidence-based care, ensuring they can make a lasting impact on their clients’ lives.

Family physician at the Family Medicine Teaching Unit (FMTU) within the

Summerville Family Health Team and Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, Ontario.

She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto and an active faculty member of Project ECHO Ontario Skin and Wound. With over three decades of experience, Dr. Zhao combines comprehensive community-based patient care with clinical education, training the next

generation of primary care providers. A Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, she provides holistic, evidence-based care and proudly serves her community in both English and Mandarin.

Jolene Heil is part of the Queen’s University Hub of Project ECHO Ontario Skin and Wound Care. She currently works as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (Wound Care) at Providence Care Hospital in Kingston, Ontario. She leads an interprofessional wound

care program for the nine inpatient units as well as provides wound care consultation for community members living with spinal cord injury and neurological conditions.

Dr Karen M. Smith, Professor at Queen’s University in the Faculty of Health Sciences from l994 to the present. She served as Department Head 1998-2008 and as Associate Dean of Continuing Professional and Faculty Development 2011-2018,

Queen’s University. She is affiliated with Providence Care Hospital and Kingston Health Sciences Centre. She is attending physiatrist for the Acquired Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Services from 1994 to 2013 and now shares these responsibilities with other department members. She was Associate Professor at

McMaster University until 1994.

Dr Smith completed her Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency training at McMaster University. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Diplomat of the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with subspecialty certification.

Alexandra Milne is an academically appointed Nurse Practitioner and the Chief Medical Officer of Care& Family Health. She serves as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Toronto and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Her peer reviewed publications on clinical education and mental health have appeared in Academic Medicine, Academic Psychiatry, and other top medical education journals. A nominee for the Patients’ Choice Award, Alexandra brings a strong background in pediatrics and mental health to her work. Her clinical focus includes women’s health, mental health, and procedural family medicine.

Jeanine Harrison has been a registered nursing professional for 29 years and has been a Nurse Practitioner for over 18 years.  She holds membership with the College of Nurses of Ontario, RNAO, NPAO, CNA, ASLMS and the Canadian Society of Aesthetic Specialty Nurses.

After attending McMaster University for a BScN she spent 13 years in the ICU before attending University of Toronto to complete a Masters in Nursing and Nurse Practitioner.  

Jeanine is the onsite medical director at a large medical aesthetics business in Toronto Ontario and is a dedicated educator in the area of medical aesthetics with numerous journal publications and has become an invited international speaker on the critical elements of practice for NPs. 

She has over 20 years of experience in education, research and publication as well as a providing preceptorship, mentoring and lectures at both U of T and York University.

Chantal Léonard is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS) – a national not-for-profit Society that offers legal advice, risk-management services, legal assistance and professional liability protection to more than 135,000 nurses across Canada. Prior to her work with the CNPS, Chantal worked as a lawyer in private practice where she represented and defended health-care professionals, and acted as counsel in health-care litigation across Canada.

She holds a Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B.) from the University of Ottawa, a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Sociology) and a Bachelor of Sciences (Biochemistry). Ms. Léonard has lectured on Health Law in both the Master of Health Administration program and the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa. She frequently shares her extensive knowledge of the legal risks and considerations related to the provision of health care at various speaking engagements across Canada.

Charlene has been nursing for over 40 years, 26 years as an NP and been with WDFHT for 18 years this fall. She graduated from Ryerson Polytechnic University in 2000. 

She has been a guideline reviewer with mums including anti infective , hypertension, respiratory and anemia guidelines. Charlene is Chair of the Ontario NP Network, connecting NPs across Ontario and Canada with resources, educational opportunities, conferences and support for students.

She provides a Preceptor role for NP students supporting local universities with placement and training opportunities and has a vested interested in women’s health.

In her spare time loves spending time with Grandkids and family, enjoys golfing pickleball, snowshoeing and hiking. 

Arif Ahamed Abdul Samad graduated in 2009 with a nursing baccalaureate from Ryerson University Toronto. He worked at community health centres in Toronto as a Diabetes Nurse Educator in 2010. He completed Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner program at Queen’s University in 2014.

As a Nurse Practitioner, he worked in Belleville nurse practitioner led clinic from 2014 to 2023. At present, he is working in community health centers in Toronto and Niagara region as a primary health care provider for all ages.

His interest for dermatology developed during his career as NP, since then he had completed professional diploma in general dermatology and skin cancer medicine besides several certificate courses in dermato-pathology, dermoscopy. He undertook training with several dermatologists and general surgeon in Ontario for skin diseases management and surgery. He is further pursuing his higher education in dermatology.

At present, he provides consultation on request for diagnosis and management of skin diseases. He does skin biopsies, surgery, and skin cancer services for his patients.  He helps to triage patients as needed to dermatologists and manages tele- dermatology from his clinic. He provides training to his colleagues who wants to learn skin care and skin cancer medicine to help them to gain knowledge skill and expertise in primary care dermatology services.

His email contact is 12saaa@queensu.ca

Leah Cantlon, MN-NP, BScN, BSc (She/Her)

Leah Cantlon is a Nurse Practitioner with expertise in diabetes management, wound care, and the care of medically complex patients across acute, primary, and long-term care settings. She holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from McMaster University, and a Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner from the University of Toronto.

Leah began her nursing career in intensive and critical care, where she practiced as a Registered Nurse for eight years before transitioning to advanced practice. As a Nurse Practitioner, she has worked in emergency medicine, acute care, outpatient diabetes management, and for the past two years has served as  MRP in long-term care, delivering comprehensive medical care for older adults with complex health needs.

A recognized leader in wound care, Leah spent three years leading a multidisciplinary Diabetic Foot Ulcer and Limb Preservation Clinic, advancing evidence-based strategies to prevent lower limb amputations. She currently serves as Clinical Lead for the Regional SWIFT Skin and Wound Research Project, a federally funded initiative supported by DIGITAL Canada that is advancing innovative, technology-enabled approaches to wound care.

Leah is passionate about translating research into practice, advancing interdisciplinary care, and advocating for Nurse Practitioners to practice to their full scope. She is a strong proponent of the NPs as MRPs, recognizing its potential to improve access, continuity, and quality of care across healthcare settings.

Keara E. Allen, M.A. (she/her) resides within Treaty 13 territory, situated on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat peoples. She identifies as an 8th generation Black Canadian woman with African Nova Scotian ancestry. She focused her graduate research on investigating the intersections between environmental racism, climate change inequities, and health in Indigenous and historical Black (African Nova Scotian) communities in Canada, grounding her work in anti-racist and anti-colonial principles. She attained a foundational understanding of how ongoing colonialism, systemic racism, and intersecting structural forces continue to perpetuate and compound environmental and climate change injustices. This knowledge continues to inform her work and advocacy in the non-profit sector through various project-based and educator roles. Undoubtedly, her formal education, ancestry, lived experience, and empathy motivate her to advocate for the meaningful inclusion of historically marginalized groups in environmental and climate spaces, discourse, and policy. She aims to engage in collective action dedicated towards uplifting equity-denied communities and safeguarding planetary health equity. Keara stands resolute in her actions to help bring about an alternative, just world, where the holistic well-being of humans, all living beings, and earth’s vast ecosystems are prioritized.

Jacqueline (Jack) Avanthay Strus (they/them/iel), RN, MScN, PhD is a nurse educator, researcher, and leader in planetary health and health equity. They are a Professor at the Université de Saint-Boniface in Winnipeg, Canada, where they teach in community health, mental health, and perinatal nursing, and contribute to the development of socially responsive nursing curricula.

With over 15 years of experience in public and community health nursing, Dr. Avanthay Strus has worked across diverse clinical settings, including perinatal care, primary care, and rural public health. Their research program is grounded in critical social theory and focuses on planetary health, ecological determinants of health, reproductive and social justice, and health equity, particularly among marginalized and structurally underserved populations, including 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and linguistic minorities.

Dr. Avanthay Strus is a recognized leader in advancing planetary health in nursing practice and education. They are a past President of the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment and currently serve on multiple national committees related to climate change, environmental justice, and nursing education. They have led and collaborated on numerous funded research projects, including the development of innovative tools such as the Perinatal Planetary Health Assessment Tool (PeriPHAT), aimed at supporting nurses in addressing environmental and climate-related health risks in clinical practice.

Their work emphasizes place-based approaches to planetary health, highlighting the importance of local context, community knowledge, and equity-oriented care in responding to the climate crisis. Through research, teaching, and advocacy, Dr. Avanthay Strus is committed to supporting nurses as key agents of change in advancing sustainable, just, and health-promoting systems for both people and the planet.

As Director of Health Workforce Information at the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), Natalie Damiano is accountable for the strategic leadership and stakeholder relationships needed to execute all initiatives and activities related to the planning, development, and maintenance of CIHI’s Health Workforce data standards, data holdings, information products and forecasting systems. 

Over her 23-year career at CIHI, Ms. Damiano has held several senior positions, most recently as the Director of Specialized Care, leading all initiatives and activities related to CIHI’s long-term care, home care, hospital mental health and rehabilitation data standards and systems. Prior to joining CIHI, she worked in the hospital rehabilitation and continuing care sectors as a clinical leader, educator, researcher, and front-line clinician. A registered Physiotherapist, Ms. Damiano holds a Master of Science from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Science, Physical Therapy from Western University, and a Bachelor of Science from McGill University.

Dr. Michael Green is the President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University (NOSM University) where he is also Professor of Family Medicine in the Division of Clinical Sciences. He is Professor Emeritus in the Departments of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences at Queen’s University, and Adjunct Professor at the University of New South Wales Centre for Future Health Systems.  He served as 70th President of the College of Family Physicians of Canada from Nov 2023 to Oct 2024. An expert in primary care, health equity, and Indigenous health, Dr. Green has secured over $40 million in research funding and published more than 100 peer review papers. A Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, he has held key advisory roles on health policy and served as Chief of Staff during his clinical practice in Moose Factory, Ontario. Dr. Green completed his medical training at UBC, a residency at Memorial

University, and an MPH at Johns Hopkins.  With an extensive history of

leadership, research, and clinical service, Dr. Green continues to shape

healthcare policy and education at NOSM University and beyond.

Dr. Simraaj Powar is a family physician with a GP-Focused Practice

Designation in Dermatology at works at the York Dermatology Centre in

Richmond Hill.

She graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland with a Medical degree and Bachelor of Obstetrics. Dr. Powar subsequently completed her Family Medicine training at the University of Western Ontario and postgraduate degree in Practical Dermatology from the University of Cardiff.

Dr. Powar is actively involved in medical education, guideline development, and health system leadership. She serves as a Topic Expert with the Centre for Effective Practice Psoriasis Topic Expert Group, contributing to the development of evidence-based primary care tools and Ontario-specific psoriasis management guidance.

She is a member of the Primary Care Dermatology Society of Canada

Education Advisory Committee, supporting national dermatology education initiatives for primary care clinicians, and also serves on the Mole Mobile Medical Advisory Committee, providing strategic guidance to improve early detection, access, and equitable delivery of skin health services through collaboration between Family Medicine and Dermatologists.

Dr. Powar’s passion for dermatology is rooted in the belief that the skin serves as a window to the body—often reflecting underlying systemic pathology and playing a central role in an individual’s sense of self. She has a particular affinity for visual clinical diagnosis and pattern recognition, reflected in her numerous publications in the Canadian Journal of Diagnosis. She practices within a patient-centered, collaborative model of care, recognizing the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in helping patients achieve meaningful health outcomes.

Shannon Wright has been a mental health nurse for nearly 20 years, working in both hospital and community-based mental health. Shannon currently works as a Nurse Practitioner in the Mental Health in Medicine Clinic (MHiM) at the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, Canada. In this role she provides mental health care to patients who live with complex medical conditions. Shannon embraces opportunities to collaborate with patients, families, and multiple medical teams to improve patient outcomes, experiences, and quality of life.

Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Shannon is an adjunct lecturer at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto. Her research interests encompass the development of psychotherapeutic interventions for medically complex populations, transforming care and nursing practice in medical psychiatry, and the advancement of integrated

care pathways utilizing stepped-care models to improve patient outcomes

Building on her rich background in mental health nursing and education, Shannon consistently seeks innovative ways to contribute to the field. She remains committed to advancing mental health care through collaborative initiatives involving interdisciplinary teams and patient-

centered approaches. Her ongoing dedication to research and evidence-based practice enables her to develop and implement strategies that address the complex mental health needs of medical populations. Shannon’s work not only strengthens the link between clinical practice and academic inquiry but also fosters meaningful improvements in quality of care and patient well-being.

I am a Master's prepared CNS with over 18 years of experience in clinical practice, education, and leadership. I have dedicated my career to advancing integrated models of care, with a particular focus

on medical-psychiatry, complex care, and interdisciplinary collaboration. I have extensive experience as a speaker, having presented at local, regional, and national conferences on topics including advanced

practice nursing leadership, quality improvement, and innovative approaches to care delivery. I'm actively engaged in teaching and mentorship, supporting learners and frontline clinicians through

education and knowledge translation initiatives.

Tara Bolden, MN, NP, CHE is a Certified Health Executive with distinguished roles at regional, provincial and national Canadian Nursing organizations. She has undergraduate degrees from Queen’s University

and the University of New Brunswick. Tara obtained a Master’s of Nursing and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Diploma with the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, at the University of Toronto.

She has had progressive leadership experience at University Health Network, Canada’s largest academic health science centre, with a focus on strategic planning, innovation, and advanced practice nursing

(APN). As the Nurse Practitioner Enterprise Lead, Tara is committed to APN scholarship and education.

She has academic appointments and experience as a professor in graduate, baccalaureate and continuing education programs. Tara is recognized provincially and nationally as an APN thought leader with demonstrated expertise in APN leadership, as well as in the development of APN-led innovative care and education solutions.

Dr. Veronica Silva graduated from medical school from Universidad Evangelica of El Salvador. She completed internal medicine training at Queens University. She obtained her nephrology fellowship from the University of Western Ontario. She has been a staff nephrologist at Trillium Health Partners since 2012.  She is the recipient for the Ontario Impact Award, by the Kidney Foundation in 2024.  She chairs the Peritoneal dialysis council and Glomerulonephritis Council at THP.  She obtained her Hypertension Specialist designation from the American Heart Association. She spends time in clinical research and is an Investigator at the Institute for Better Health. She is a lecturer at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Gary Naglie is a Professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, and the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. He is the Vice President of Medical Affairs & Chief of Staff, and Chief of the Department of

Medicine at Baycrest Health Sciences. He is a Clinician Scientist at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute. His research focuses on driving issues in older adults with cognitive impairment and dementia. Dr. Naglie is the Co-Lead with Drs. Mark Rapoport and Sayeh Bayat of the Driving

and Dementia Research Team for the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging.

Trish Rawn is the CEP’s Clinical Service Director for the Academic Detailing Service and provides clinical guidance and leadership to the Academic Detailing team. She is also an academic detailer for select regions of Ontario, providing tailored educational outreach visits to family physicians and nurse practitioners. Since joining the CEP in 2015, Trish has developed expertise in critical literature appraisal, academic detailer training and tool development, interprofessional relationship building, and promotion of the service. The academic detailing team that she leads has provided over 3,000 educational outreach visits to primary care clinicians across Ontario on 15 clinical topics. Trish holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Toronto and is a certified health coach specializing in behaviour change. 

Dr. Laura Housden, PhD, MN‑NP(F), is a Nurse Practitioner leader, health system strategist, and clinician dedicated to advancing equitable, high‑quality care across British Columbia.

 As the Executive Director of Nurse Practitioners, the Department of Evaluation and Research Services and the SFU School of Medicine project at Fraser Health, Laura leads strategic planning, workforce development, and clinical integration for one of the largest NP programs in the province. Her work spans clinical leadership, academic partnerships, health human resources strategy, and system‑level innovation.

 Laura also serves as the past president of the NP Association of Canada, where she helps to lead national level NP advancement, strategy and integration, and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia School of Nursing, where she was the first NP to obtain a PhD.

 Throughout her career, Laura has been a driving force in strengthening Nurse Practitioner practice, expanding NP roles across acute, primary, and specialty care and supporting emerging NP leaders across Canada.

 Laura is a strong advocate for supportive work environments, consistent NP policies, sustainable recruitment pathways, and the creation of meaningful opportunities for advanced practice nurses across Canada. She is recognized for her collaborative leadership, systems thinking, and commitment to building pathways for future generations of NPs, researchers, and medical learners.

 In her personal life she enjoys spending time with her family and puppy, skiing, and you will often find her in her pottery studio.

Fran Wolfe graduated from the University of Toronto NP program in 2009. During the COVID-19 Pandemic she worked with Infectious Disease physicians and followed up on clients that did not improve. This led her to begin an online weekly support group for those living with lasting symptoms. Five years later, she has written a manual for Clinicians in the healthcare community to use as a guide in how to diagnose, acknowledge and support patients suffering with Long COVID.

Fran is currently employed at Baycrest Hospital in Toronto and is the NP on the Interprofessional Care Team

Michelle Lanteigne is a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner currently employed at the Owen Sound Family Health Team. She is a graduate of Lakehead University’s Master of Public Health and PHC-NP Program and McMaster University’s BScN Program, with a clinical background including primary care and emergency care in rural and remote communities, and clinical education. She developed a clinical interest in Covid-19 and Long Covid during the pandemic, developing and leading clinical Covid programs. She has contributed to Post Covid Condition clinical care, research, guideline development and continuing education.

Dr. Andrew McLellan is a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Assistant Professor in the Nurse Practitioner program at Athabasca University. He holds a Doctor of Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing, and an International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance.

His clinical and academic work spans Canada and sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on underserved populations, nursing education, and health systems strengthening. Most recently, he served as a consultant with the World Health Organization, where he led the development of a global PHC leadership course engaging participants from over 70 countries.

Andrew’s scholarly interests include participatory research, competency-based education, and the translation of evidence into practice. He is particularly interested in how primary care teams—especially nurse practitioners—contribute to equitable, integrated, and people-centred health systems.

Dr. Joanna Binch is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Disciplines at Athabasca University and a primary care nurse practitioner. Her research focuses on health systems, with particular attention to the Ottawa Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, housing and health among individuals experiencing homelessness, and substance use health. 

Grounded in her clinical practice with marginalized communities, Dr. Binch draws on social inclusion theory and ecological models to ensure relevance of her community-based research. She has contributed to national guidelines for respiratory therapists in primary care and on infant-feeding practices in the context of HIV, working on strengthening the role of the nurse practitioner in interprofessional practice. Joanna continues to be active in the Ottawa Nurse Practitioner Community of Practice, hoping to bring NP together to share their expertise, and remain politically engaged.

Dr. Jenny Ingram is a Geriatric Medicine Specialist who has been a trailblazer in Senior care throughout her career.  She founded the Kawartha Centre, a research site to bring international Alzheimer research trials to the region, a rarity for a smaller city. Her research work over the last decade through Trent and McGill has focused on how to assist Primary Care Physicians to adapt to the boom of Seniors . She has studied and

published on the key ingredients to ensure that Family Physicians are able to diagnose dementia. 

However, the impact of her advocacy work to establish GAIN Geriatric teams has proven her greatest achievement. These twelve fully funded teams of professionals headed by Nurse Practitioners and supported by Geriatric Medicine Specialists such as herself  has proven to be a compelling invitation for younger dementia care specialists to come to the Central East region, growing from 1 to 12 specialists in the last 15 years,

a number that exceeds the count in many provinces.

For building of community programs and for her expansive advocacy efforts, Dr Ingram has received many awards including from Trent University, Seniors Care Network, and the Ontario Medical Association. In 2023, Dr Ingram received an Honorary Doctor of Science from Trent University.  She is the current chair of the Ontario Dementia Care Alliance.    

Her most recent endeavour-No More Silent Battles is Dr Ingram’s first filmmaking experience. It gives a voice to those who are currently silenced. It urges all of us to be Silent No More.

Lucie Lapierre, MN-NP, FAA, is a family all-ages Nurse Practitioner currently serving as President of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Alberta (NPAA). She completed her Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner education across Alberta and Ontario, and her undergraduate nursing degrees in Quebec and British Columbia. Since graduating as a Registered Nurse in 2007, Lucie has built a diverse career, and has been practicing as a Nurse Practitioner in primary care since 2020 across remote, rural, and urban settings in Alberta.

Lucie currently practices within the Alberta Health Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program, where she has realized her goal of working in an autonomous primary care role. She is a strong advocate for expanding the role of Nurse Practitioners as primary care providers and is passionate about increasing their presence across the healthcare system. Her commitment to advocacy led her to join the NPAA Board in 2024. In her leadership role, she works to advance recognition of the critical contributions Nurse Practitioners make to Alberta’s and Canada’s healthcare landscape.

Michelle O’Keefe is a nurse practitioner (NP) living and working in rural Saskatchewan. With 20 years of nursing experience in rural acute care and emergency, she has focused the last 13 years in rural primary care as a NP clinician and leader. Michelle earned the accolade of Saskatchewan Association of Nurse Practitioners (SANP) Leadership award for outstanding leadership in NP practice in 2022, and holds a certificate in Hospital and Acute Care for NPs. She has served SANP as education and mentorship chairs, while partnering with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health as a key stakeholder in the advocacy for full scope NP practice and alternate funding models to support NP practice in Saskatchewan during her tenure as SANP president. 

Dr. Kristian Goulet graduated from the University College Dublin in 2007. He completed his Pediatric Residency training at the University of New Mexico in 2010. He then went on to do a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Harvard University. During this time, he was very active in the field of concussions, giving multiple presentations at the local, regional, and national level. He has trained under some of the great leaders in the concussion field at the Concussion Clinic at the Children’s Hospital Boston, a center nationally recognized for innovative concussion treatments. Dr. Goulet has also worked with the Sports Legacy Institute both in the United States and Canada and continues to consult with numerous regional, provincial, and national agencies. Dr. Goulet is involved in several continuing concussion research studies and speaks at the Local, National and International level about concussions and the mental health implications of Post Concussion Syndrome.

Angela Wignall, RN, BA, BSN, MA, PhD(c)

Chief Executive Officer

Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia (NNPBC)
Angela Wignall is a proud Registered Nurse who serves as the CEO of the Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia (NNPBC), the unified professional nursing association for all nurses in BC. With a clinical practice background in perinatal and public health, Angela is a policy nurse and leader practicing at the intersection of nursing, policy, and governance. Angela holds a BA, a BSN, a Masters in Policy & Practice, and is a PhD candidate at the University of Victoria with a research focus on nursing knowledge and leadership in political policy environments. She serves as a Director on the Board of the Canadian Nurses Association and is the founding Chair of the International Council of Nurses’ PAHO region and worldwide GNLI Policy Networks. She is a member of Canada’s CNO Advisory Committee on Nursing Retention and revels in nurse-led innovation as the co-founder of the Island Health Innovation Lab and Code Hack design sprint events. Angela advises and speaks around the world on health system leadership, nurse-led innovation, clinical governance, policy science, and health systems transformation. She lives and raises her family on the beautiful traditional homelands of the Lekwungen speaking peoples in Victoria, BC.

ZAYNA KHAYAT, pH.D.  APPLIED HEALTH FUTURIST

Dr. Zayna Khayat is Chief Program Officer and Managing Director for the History and Future of Healthcare with Canadian healthcare foundation, AMS Healthcare. 
She is adjunct faculty and Executive in Residence with the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. She instructs in various programs including the health sector strategy MBA stream, the global executive MBA in healthcare and life sciences, and executive education programs on AI, partnerships, strategy and foresight. She is also a member of the School’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Advisory Board.
Zayna is health futurist in residence with the healthcare and life sciences practice of Deloitte in Canada where she guides individuals, companies, organizations, and governments in the sector on key trends and shifts that are reshaping healthcare, and how they can make smarter bets today to be resilient to whatever futures unfold in healthcare and life sciences.
Dr. Khayat advises a range of tech companies and organizations including Teladoc Health Canada.  
Zayna is the chair of the board of Nourish, a food + medicine national Canadian non profit, and chairs a local queer positive dance collective, Sara Porter Productions. As board member with community non profit services provider West Neighbourhood House, Dr. Khayat chairs the property committee that is providing oversight to the redevelopment of vital land in downtown Toronto to expand access to affordable housing in the community.
Zayna was previously the Future Strategist with SE Health [Saint Elizabeth Healthcare], a national social enterprise in home care and aging, where she lead the Futures team.  With her colleagues at SE Health Zayna co-authored the book Future of Aging.

In 2017 Zayna was seconded to the Health Innovation Lab at Radboud university medical centre in the Netherlands as their “Innovation Sherpa in Chief”, working on various initiatives to strengthen the Dutch health innovation ecosystem. She co-founded the Dutch Ministry of Health’s Health Innovation School and continues to serves as faculty across 6 regional cohorts each year.

Zayna lead the Health System Innovation platform at MaRS Discovery District, a major innovation hub in Toronto, from 2014 to 2017. At MaRS, Zayna and her team worked with many ecosystem partners to help smooth and accelerate the path to adoption of innovation by health and care systems. 

Elizabeth Smith has been a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner in a large Family Health Team for more than 14 years. She has been a clinical leader for a collaborative group of 20+ NPs for more than a decade.

She has a few passions in her position: Leadership, access to primary care, and maximizing clinical potential.

Elizabeth utilizes a transformational leadership approach to promote excellence, deliver results, and manage risks in a challenging environment. The pandemic has stretched all leaders, especially those in health care. She has been a driver of change and has taken a strong leadership position within the Family Health Team leadership team. The experience of inspiring in times of uncertainty has not overwhelmed her but rather enlightened her to her leadership potential and the power of creating a unified team.

She wants to be part of strengthening and reforming primary care, promoting the role of the NP, improving interprofessional collaboration, and helping optimize the scope of practice for each interdisciplinary team member. She believes this will create efficiency and excellence in patient care.

From a shared governance perspective, Elizabeth is currently implementing a quality improvement project which involves the change management of a collaborative NP model of care toward a consultive, NP as MRP within a FHT model of care. She believes that NPs and interdisciplinary teams can provide a solution to the thousands of Ontarians who have no regular primary care provider.

Dr. Julia Hess is a nurse practitioner, currently NP-MRP on the inpatient transition care team at Quinte Health. She holds a DNP from Quinnipiac University, where her clinical intervention focused on improving anticoagulation adherence through nurse-created short-form videos. Additionally, she holds MS and BS degrees in nursing with Sigma Theta Tau recognition from Downstate Health Sciences University; an MA in higher education administration from Columbia University; and a BA in English from Penn State University. Prior to her role at Quinte Health, she worked as a nurse and nurse practitioner in the oncology setting, including an NP fellowship in pain management and critical care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Julia transitioned to nursing following a 25+-year career in information technology, communications, and academic publishing. She has previously presented for NPAO on the topic of imposter phenomenon. Julia is strongly invested in the potential of NP-led care to reduce length of stay, lower healthcare costs, and improve continuity of care in the inpatient setting.

Jodi has been an NP MRP in a family health team practice for over 16 years and supports her team as an active member of their Quality Improvement committee. She has been a strong advocate for rural primary care and has supported many NP students as a preceptor for well over a decade at McMaster, Western, Laurentian and Athabasca. Jodi is now supporting her community at the OHT leadership level as the primary care network lead. She also pends time engaging with youth and supporting their primary care at a Ontario Youth Wellness Hub also known as the Grove in her rural community. Jodi previously supported her NP colleagues as a member of the NPAO board of directors prior to transitioning to supporting them in the role as Community and Practice Liaison within the organization. When she is not working she is often found at one of her 3 children's sporting events where she can often be found on the sidelines volunteering as a trainer. 

Mary Ghazarian, MN, NP-PHC, is a dynamic nurse leader and clinician with a passion for inspiring positive change, advancing the nursing profession, and improving patient outcomes through the sharing of knowledge and innovation. Her latest book, Nursing WISELY, is a testament to her mission to empower nurses to put themselves first so they can better care for their patients and communities. Mary's commitment to guiding nurses to excel and thrive has established her as a trusted mentor and advocate for professional success.
Mary holds a Baccalaureate degree from Queen's University in Kingston,Ontario and a Master's degree in Nursing with a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner
Website: www.MaryGhazarian.com
Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/9t3ElYv

Julia began her career in emergency medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital and later broadened her experience as a nurse in Australia. Since becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she has served in diverse primary care settings, including the Guelph and Upper Grand Family Health Teams, where she developed deep expertise in interdisciplinary collaboration and patient-centred care. 

Alongside her clinical work, Julia has a strong interest in digital health innovation. She brings her frontline experience to her role at Amplify Care, supporting the implementation of virtual visits, telehealth solutions, and quality improvement initiatives. Her passion for integrating technology into healthcare is driven by a belief in improving access, efficiency, and outcomes in primary care. 

A committed educator and lifelong learner, Julia also mentors students and medical residents and contributes to clinical excellence and advocacy for accessible, high-quality primary care. 

Jennifer is the Director of Research and Policy at the Alliance for Healthier Communities in Ontario. An applied health services researcher, her work focuses on team-based primary care, health equity, and learning health systems. She is a Research Professor at Western University’s Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, an Associate Professor at University of Toronto’s Department of Community and Family Medicine, and an ICES Scientist. Jennifer collaborates with researchers, evaluators, and policymakers to improve care for equity-deserving groups. Her experience spans leadership in research, policy, planning and quality improvement. She received her PhD and post-doctoral training in epidemiology and biostatistics. Julia Hutton, MScN, PHCNP, is a Clinical Advisor at Amplify Care and a dedicated Primary Healthcare Nurse Practitioner with the Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team. With a Master of Science in Nursing and over 15 years of clinical experience, Julia delivers comprehensive care with a focus on women's health, chronic disease management, and preventive medicine. 

Cory Russell is the Director, Population Health Data Strategy and Implementation, Primary and Community-Based Care at OntarioHealth. 

Leigh is committed to advancing the nursing profession in Canada to ensure equitable access to quality care. As CNO for Canada, she provides strategic advice to Health Canada, plays a convening role on key nursing issues, and represents the Federal Government at public forums. Leigh is a registered nurse (RN) who received her PhD from the University of Toronto's Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. Over the past 20 years, she has gained a deep understanding of nursing by working in both frontline and clinical leadership capacities. In addition to her role as CNO for Canada, Leigh continues to work at a community-based consumption and treatment site in Toronto, where she provides harm reduction services and frontline care.

Dr. Velji is a health care leader with a proven track record in fostering the engagement of the patient (service user) and system partners to drive innovative models of care, integrating research and care to drive next practice, and creating cultures to unleash the potential of high performing teams to achieve stellar results. She has implemented innovative health human resource solutions within these models of care to ensure optimal scope of practice of all clinicians.

Dr. Velji is currently the Chief of Nursing & Professional Practice and Assistant Deputy Minister for the Province of Ontario. She has held senior leadership positions in several Academic Health Science Centres and has operated a successful consulting company. Dr. Velji is a sought-after consultant for system level projects and has led external reviews of several organizations. She is a surveyor with Health Standards Organization/Accreditation Canada.

Dr. Velji’s responsibilities extend to provincial and national leadership. She has held the roles of Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Accreditation Canada and member of Board of Directors or Health Standards Organization (2012-2018), United Way Campaign Chair for London Middlesex (2016) and as President and Chair of the Board of Directors of Canadian Nurses Association (2014-16).

Dr. Velji has cross-appointments to the University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario, University of Ontario Tech University and Nippissing University. She has won several outstanding achievement awards including the Sigma Theta Tau Excellence in Administration award, University of Toronto Distinguished Alumni award, Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) Margaret Comack Award of Excellence in Nursing Leadership, and the Award of Excellence in Teaching (student nominated) from the Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at University of Toronto. She has been profiled in the boundless banner campaign as an outstanding alumnus of University of Toronto.

At the system/global level, Dr. Velji is a consultant to global sites, including East Africa, the Middle East and Asia, for development of policy, credentialing, training, and academic plans.

Bill Hill – Ro’nikonkatste (Standing Strong Spirit) is a Mohawk from Six Nations with more than four decades of experience in Indigenous mental wellness, healthcare leadership, and education. He spent nearly 43 years at St. Joseph’s Health Care London working in mental health as a Nurse, Social Worker, and Educator, grounding his practice in an Indigenous worldview.
Bill was the visionary founder of Biigajiiskaan: Indigenous Pathways to Mental Wellness and later co-created Noojimo Health, Canada’s first Indigenous-owned virtual mental health clinic. He is the founder of Culture at Work, delivering Indigenous-informed education, cultural safety, and trauma-aware initiatives such as Walking Together in Wellness. Bill is an invited Indigenous Knowledge Keeper and is completing his Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation.

Dr. Varun Kapila is the Provincial Lead for Vascular where he provides strategic leadership and clinical expertise to advance vascular care across the province. He also serves as the Associate Medical Director at CritiCall Ontario, supporting the coordination of urgent and emergent care services. 

Nationally, Dr. Kapila is the Past-President of the Canadian Society of Vascular Surgery, where he contributed to strengthening clinical standards, education, and advocacy efforts for the specialty. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, committed to training the next generation of vascular surgeons. 

Previously, Dr. Kapila served as Chief of Vascular Surgery and Site Chief of Surgery at Brampton Civic Hospital within the William Osler Health System. In these roles, he led surgical service delivery, quality improvement initiatives, and hospital-level planning to enhance patient outcomes. 

Dr. Kapila is widely recognized for his leadership, clinical excellence, and dedication to advancing vascular care in Ontario and beyond. 

Dr. Kelly Robb is the Director of Product and Innovation at The Kintec Group and an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education at Wilfrid Laurier University. She completed her PhD at Wilfrid Laurier University, specializing in the relationship between mechanoreceptor facilitation, lower limb muscle activity, and foot orthotic interventions.

For the past decade, Kelly has worked extensively within the academic sector, contributing to the advancement of research in the foot orthotic industry. Her recent publications in leading peer‑reviewed journals have established her as an international authority on the neurophysiological effects of textured foot orthoses during human locomotion. Her research continues to centre on uncovering the mechanisms underlying orthotic effectiveness, with the long‑term goal of enhancing clinical practice and strengthening evidence‑based treatment for foot care professionals.

Since assuming her leadership role at Kintec, Kelly has leveraged her passion for academic excellence and clinical education to support the company’s internal clinical development, ensuring that research‑driven knowledge directly informs improved patient care.

Dr. Robb is a past president of the Pedorthic Association of Canada, a successful recipient of Canadian Tri‑Council research funding, and a two‑term member of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Research Ethics Board. She currently teaches in Western University’s Pedorthic Diploma Program and serves as a sessional instructor in Biomechanics at several Ontario universities.

Amy Esposito is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner with a special interest in skin and wound care. She has completed Skin and Wound Micro credentials, IIWCC, and Project Echo Skin and Wound training. With a deep commitment to patient-centered care, Amy brings a holistic and evidence-based approach to managing complex wounds, skin conditions, and chronic care needs.

Before becoming a Nurse Practitioner, Amy built a strong foundation as a Registered Nurse, gaining broad clinical experience in public health, acute care, long-term care, and surgical nursing. Her diverse background allows her to approach patient care with both clinical precision and compassionate insight. Amy has worked extensively in First Nations communities in Northern Ontario, where she provided culturally sensitive care and helped address healthcare disparities in remote and underserved areas. Her time in the North deepened her passion for community health and strengthened her skills in resourceful, collaborative care delivery.

Whether in rural communities or clinical settings, Amy is known for her empathetic manner, strong clinical judgment, and unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes.

Patricia Coutts is a registered nurse with over 30 years of experience in wound care. She has served on Wounds Canada’s Board of Directors and is a past President of the organization. She also extends her vast interest in wound care by serving on the Board of Directors for DEBRA

Canada (Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association) and the Canadian Foundation Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation.

Dr. Kalina-Samji is an Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine physician at Brant Community Healthcare System where he is also Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO). He was previously at Joseph Brant Hospital, where he held the positions of Deputy CMIO, Pandemic Lead, Medical Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, and most recently, Medical Director of the Infectious Diseases Clinic. Dr Kalina-Samji’s professional interests include outpatient medicine, virtual care, wound care, and innovation in medicine. He is a faculty member at Project ECHO Skin and Wound Care

Ontario, lectures at McMaster University in healthcare innovation and is a regular contributor to various national news programs.

Dr. Kalina-Samji holds an MBA specializing in Digital Transformation from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. He completed residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, where he served as Chief Medical Resident, and fellowship in Infectious Diseases at McMaster University. He is an Associate Clinical Professor (Adjunct) of Infectious Diseases at McMaster University and will also be joining the BCHS Infectious Diseases service for his clinical work.

Laura Lee Kozody is a chiropodist working in private practice in Mississauga ON. She has over 25 years of experience working across all health care sectors: community, hospital, and long-term care. She is part of two different teams with Trillium Health Partners Interprofessional Wound Clinics, serves on The Michener Institute Chiropody Program Advisory Council, and is a past president of the College of Chiropodists of Ontario. Laura Lee has been involved in innovative work with Dr. Sibbald in the Demonstration Project for Community Patients with Lower Leg and

Foot Ulcers, and as the chiropody/podiatry lead for the Guyana Diabetes and Footcare Project, as well as the International Collaboration to Develop an Interprofessional Diabetic Foot Center at Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Her career has focused primarily on the

management of diabetic foot ulcers, and she has presented at conferences locally and internationally. She is a member of the Faculty of the International Interprofessional Wound Care Course at the University of Toronto, and continues to participate in projects with the Toronto Regional Wound Healing Clinic to improve management and pressure redistribution for foot ulcers. Laura Lee is also a frequent guest speaker on ECHO Ontario Skin and Wound Care.

Professor Gary Sibbald has been a wound care leader for over 35 years in Canada and internationally. As a dermatologist and internist early in his career, he recognized the chronic wound patient care gap.

His clinical patient-centric care has successfully treated complex wounds reducing excessive pain, improving management of infection, the increased healing of chronic wounds or improved everyday living for patients with maintenance or non-healable wounds. As an educator, Dr. Sibbald was co-founder of a key opinion leader course (International

Interprofessional Wound Care Course-IIWCC). Since 1999, there have been over 50 courses both in Canada and internationally. Professor Sibbald has mentored and educated not only IIWCC graduates but also fostered interprofessional leadership of nurses and allied health

professionals.

Professor Sibbald has been involved in many projects on an international level to improve the health qualities in various countries. One example is the Guyana Diabetes Foot Project, where Dr. Sibbald, along with an interprofessional team of nurses and chiropodists, travelled to Guyana, South America to assess and treat the high rate of diabetes in the country, along with reducing diabetes-related lower limb amputations.

He is the founder of WoundPedia, a not-for-profit educational initiative. He is also Project Lead for both ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Ontario Skin & Wound and Indigenous ECHO Canada Skin & Wound that virtually reached 600+ healthcare professionals,

including Northern and Indigenous centres, to create interprofessional skin and wound teams provincially and nationally. He is an accomplished author and co-editor-in-chief with over 270 peer-reviewed publications.

He was also an investigator on numerous clinical trials leading to the launch of new products and innovations.

His continuing healthcare innovations in patient care, education and research have contributed to Canada’s leadership in wound management.

Roberta Heale is an NP with a career spanning over twenty-five years and an accomplished journey in healthcare, education, and advocacy. She earned both a DNP and a PhD, focusing these and her other research endeavours on NP practice, education, and policy. She has taught NPs in various programs since 2001 and has been an active participant in NP organizations at the local, provincial, national, and international levels. Notably, Roberta has been an NPAO member since 1999 and was the first President of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Canada. In addition, Roberta was a co-founder of Canada's first Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (NPLC) in Sudbury, Ontario, a landmark change to healthcare delivery in Canada.
Roberta practiced in comprehensive primary healthcare settings for over two decades until she decided to focus on the care of women in mid-life and beyond. She became a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner reflecting her commitment to holistic and patient-centered care. In 2022, she launched the Virtual Menopause Clinic, offering not only patient care but also valuable resources through courses, blogs, webinars, and YouTube videos, further empowering patients, and healthcare professionals alike.

Dr. Robert Chen completed degrees in science and medicine at McMaster University. He then completed a rotating internship followed by an anaesthesia residency at the University of Toronto. Dr. Chen pursued a trauma anaesthesia fellowship at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and at the Ryder Trauma Center in Miami.
His clinical work has included emergency medicine, trauma team leadership, general and cardiovascular anaesthesia, neurosurgery and trauma critical care, cardiovascular critical care, critical care rapid response, and medical assistance in dying. In January 2015, he was recruited to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute as a clinician-teacher and clinician-educator.
Dr. Chen’s professional interests include curriculum development and building inter-specialty links for perioperative education, with a particular focus on perioperative ultrasound.

Shannon Kenrick-Rochon is a Nurse Practitioner and Assistant Professor at NOSM University with clinical expertise in primary care, sports and exercise medicine, concussion management, and women’s midlife health. She holds a Master of Nursing in Advanced Nursing Practice and practises as an NP in Ontario and Alberta.

Shannon is Chief Operating Officer and Medical Director of Move Medicine, where she supports patients across the lifespan with evidence-based assessment and treatment focused on function, recovery, and safe return to sport and activity. She is also Co-Founder and Medical Director of Prosper Menopause Care, a virtual clinic providing evidence-based perimenopause and menopause care.

Her scholarly and quality improvement work centres on process improvement, interprofessional models of care, and concussion outcomes.

Valerie Winberg is a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Wound Specialist. Since graduating from the NP program at the University of Windsor in 2002, she has worked in Primary Care, Long-term Care and Emergency medicine. Currently, Valerie is the Executive Director/Clinical Lead NP at Twin Bridges Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic in Sarnia ON, seeing clients for Primary Health Care throughout the lifespan. Twin Bridges NPLC provides interdisciplinary team based care to the Sarnia –Lambton community as well as to as well as to additional satellite clinics with our First Nation partners at Aamjiwnaang and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Health Centres.