Barbara L. Mildon, RN, PhD, CHE, CCHNC(C)

Barb’s nursing experience spans the healthcare continuum from hospital to home care, regulation to research and bedside to boardroom. She is presently the Vice President of Professional Practice and Research and Chief Nurse Executive at the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby, Ontario. A life-long learner, she holds a PhD in nursing from the University of Toronto and has cross appointments to the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto, the School of Nursing at the University of British Colombia and the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Victoria. She has a long record of service to provincial and national nursing organizations and currently serves as the President-elect of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). The recipient of several awards, including the CNA Centennial Award and the RNAO Award of Merit, Barb has published and presented widely. Her abiding joy is speaking and being with nurses and supporting and celebrating patient focused care and excellence in nursing and interprofessional practice.

Cindy Woods

Cindy Woods has worked as a journalist/communications professional for more than 30 years. Right now, she is Communications Officer with The Scarborough Hospital, a position she has held for more than three years. From 1995 to 1999, she served as editor of Hospital News, and was a founding member of the Telehealth Association of Ontario. She also served as a member of a northern Ontario hospital board of trustees. Throughout her years as editor of several community newspapers, Cindy recognized the importance of providing timely, accurate coverage of local, provincial and national healthcare issues, often producing special editorial products for various healthcare organizations.

Cory Ross, B.A., MSc, DC, DPH (cc), CSM(Oxon), COHS, MBA, CHE

Cory Ross is the Acting Dean for the Division of Community Services and Health Sciences (2007-current). In addition to this role, he serves as the Head of the Interprofessional Education Office. Before joining George Brown College, he was the Vice-President Academic, Executive Director Institutional Development at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, President and CEO of a Biotech firm and Manager of Organizational Health at Mount Sinai Hospital. He is a Diplomate of Public Health as well as a certified health executive (CHE).

Jane Petricic

Jane Petricic is the Principal of Brainstorm Communications + Creations, providing specialized communications services and counsel to health care facilities and organizations. She also serves as National Coordinator of the Health Care Public Relations Association, connecting with more than 350 health care communicators across Canada.

Prior to starting her own company 11 years ago, Jane was Director of Public Relations and Fundraising at The Salvation Army Grace Hospital in Ottawa for seven years, and at The Grace in Winnipeg for four years before that. She has also held communications positions in Regina and at two Toronto hospitals.

Jane received her accredited status (APR) with the Canadian Public Relations Society in 1998. She has a degree in Journalism from Carleton University and a Public Relations certificate from the University of Toronto.

Dr. Jonathan E. Prousky

Dr. Jonathan E. Prousky graduated from Bastyr University (Kenmore, WA) in 1998 with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine. He furthered his clinical training by completing a Family Practice Residency sponsored by the National College of Naturopathic Medicine. In 2008 he obtained a Master of Science degree in International Primary Health Care from the University of London, which focused on clinical epidemiology and evidence-based research. At the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Dr. Prousky’s primary responsibility is the delivery of safe and effective naturopathic medical care in his role as the Chief Naturopathic Medical Officer, a position he has held since 2003. He was the first naturopathic doctor to receive the “Orthomolecular Doctor of the Year” award in 2010. Dr. Prousky is the author of Hoffer & Prousky on Anxiety, Anxiety: Orthomolecular Diagnosis and Treatment, Naturopathic Nutrition, Principles & Practices of Naturopathic Clinical Nutrition, and The Vitamin Cure for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Olaf Koester, M.B.A., R.Ph., Director Drug Management Policy Unit, Provincial Programs and Services, Manitoba Health

Olaf Koester’s background includes extensive leadership experience in strategic and operations management, administrative management, public policy and program development, supply chain and drug use management and management consulting in both the public and private health care sectors.

Accountable to the Assistant Deputy Minister of Health, Provincial Programs & Services, Olaf provides leadership to the Drug Management Policy Unit. As Director of the Drug Management Policy Unit, Olaf provides expertise, advice, and briefings, on all aspects of drug and ancillary benefit program design and management, provincial policies, directives and legislation including utilization management strategies, licensing provisions and practice standards for professionals, product selection, pricing, and reimbursement strategies.

Olaf contributes to the advancement on a number of national and provincial pharmaceutical issues, most recently as Co-Chair of the pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review (pCODR) and Chair of the National Prescription Drug Utilization Information System (NPDUIS) Steering Committee.

Olaf maintains an active pharmacy practice in the community, acute and long-term care sectors. Olaf also serves as Advisor to the Queen’s and Queen’s/Cornell MBA students enrolled in the Management Consulting, New Ventures Project, and Global Business Meeting Courses.

Olaf Koester holds bachelor’s degrees in Microbiology and Pharmacy from the University of Manitoba, an MBA from the Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and post-graduate health research education certificates from the Harvard Public School of Health.