Our Staff

Prior to her appointment as the Executive Director for CHQI, Paula was Director for the Hospital Report Research Collaborative (HRRC) based at the University of Toronto, bringing together six universities and five research institutes to oversee the development of methods and reports on hospital performance in Ontario. In this role she also directed and managed a variety of knowledge transfer and quality improvement initiatives. Paula has held a variety of other positions including three years in hospital management, five years in hospital consulting, and eight years in applied research and quality improvement with the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. Paula is committed to blending this rich background in performance measurement and quality improvement to accelerate improvements in healthcare. Paula is a member of the Board of Trustees of Bridgepoint Health and participates on numerous other provincial committees and panels with mandates related to quality, safety and performance management. She received an undergraduate degree in rehabilitation sciences at the University of Toronto. Following several years in clinical practice, she earned a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in health research methodology from McMaster University.

E-mail: pblackstien-hirsch@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-205-1469

Genevieve has more than 29 years experience in the healthcare field. Prior to joining the Centre for Healthcare Quality Improvement, she held a variety of management positions with the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (VHA) in Richmond, Virginia. Working within this highly acclaimed healthcare system, she gained excellent experience in quality improvement, external accreditation, medical records management, strategic planning, patient advocacy and corporate scorecard management. Genevieve obtained a bachelor of science degree in medical technology from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and specialist certification in blood banking from the University of Texas in 1991. She subsequently worked as a medical technologist and laboratory supervisor in a variety of academic medical centers, specializing in immunohaematology and transfusion Services from 1978 to 1997. In 1996 she completed a Master of Science degree in healthcare administration at Central Michigan University.

E-mail: gobarski@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-205-1564

Andrea brings over 12 years of administrative experience to the team. She earned her BA diploma in management in Calgary and, after moving to Toronto, obtained her certificate in volunteer management from Humber College while working full-time in a hospital. Andrea is currently working on a certificate in event and meeting management from George Brown College.

E-mail: aabraham@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-205-1524

Asmaa joined CHQI in September 2009. She brings to her role many years of experience in quality and continuous improvement using Lean methodology and Six Sigma tools. She has served in progressive positions in quality improvement within a variety of industries in manufacturing and services. She holds an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering and a master of business administration from Ottawa University. Asmaa has a passion for quality improvement and is keen to improve patient experience in Ontario’s healthcare system.

E-mail: achraibi@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 647-938-5703

Frank has designed and delivered quality improvement programs across North America in several industries, in the private and public sectors. He has a track record of converting strategy to tangible, sustainable results, and a passion to build highly effective teams aimed at making our healthcare system better. For example, as a vice president with MDS Diagnostic Services, Frank led the development of several regional hospital partnerships to integrate and streamline clinical laboratory operations. The result was system-level improvement in patient service, increased patient-care capacity without an increase in staffing, and new hospital funding streams aimed at enhancing quality of care. Frank completed a bachelor of technology degree in industrial engineering from Ryerson University in Toronto, and an MBA from the University of Toronto.

E-mail: fdecicco@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-500-3527

Lynn’s keen interest in quality and patient safety has been complemented by her work in a variety of teaching hospitals as a clinical leader, educator and patient simulation centre coordinator. Lynn has been a registered respiratory therapist since 1990, working primarily in neonatology and perinatology. Prior to joining CHQI, Lynn completed a residency in quality improvement and patient safety with the Calgary Health Region. At CHQI, she has been co-project lead for the Quality by Design initiative, consultant for five teams participating in the Flo Collaborative, and an improvement coach with ED PIP. She is committed to advancing quality improvement and patient safety to ensure they are foremost in the planning and provision of patient care services. Lynn has a BSc in biology from Laurentian University, an MHSc in Health Administration from the University of Toronto, and is a Certified Health Executive.

E-mail: ldionne@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-205-1562

Jennifer’s diverse background brings three years of solid administrative experience to the CHQI team in both research and business settings. Prior to joining CHQI, Jennifer worked as a research assistant with the University of Western Ontario and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, collaborating with senior leaders in the area of child maltreatment. She also served numerous clients as an office assistant at a small accounting firm in Toronto. Jennifer became interested in quality improvement through various volunteer and academic experiences. Jennifer has an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in English and Psychology from the University of Toronto.

E-mail: jfong@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-205-1568

Lori is an accomplished healthcare leader with 16 years of healthcare experience across Canada and the US in a variety of leadership roles. Most recently, Lori was director of ER & ICU and senior director of medicine at Royal Victoria Hospital (Barrie, ON). Lori has extensive experience designing and implementing process improvement initiatives with expertise in utilizing Lean methodologies to improve quality and performance in healthcare. Lori excels at leading large-scale quality improvement programs and has been actively involved in many provincial initiatives in emergency and critical care including serving as an expert coach in patient flow for Ontario’s Critical Care Strategy. Lori is passionate about patient safety, quality improvement and applying Lean principles in healthcare.

E-mail: lframpton@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-716-2237

Margaret (Marg) brings 28 years of experience to CHQI. Prior to joining the team, Marg worked at various progressive positions within public health and community care access centres across both urban and rural sites. She has diverse experience working with a wide range of stakeholders from prenatal education to the management of a palliative care team. At the CCAC, her interest in business process management grew with her involvement in the implementation of the Common Intake Assessment Tool, eReferral and the Client Health Related Information System. Marg holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Western Ontario, a Master of Nursing (Administration) from the University of Toronto as well as the Improvement Advisor designation from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

E-mail: mmillward@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-205-1561

Jennifer had completed the physical therapy program at the University of Toronto in 2002. After several years of clinical practice in both ambulatory care and acute inpatient settings, she returned to the University of Toronto and earned a Master’s degree in health administration in 2007. Jennifer has gained a strong interest in quality improvement and patient safety through her clinical and academic pursuits. Prior to joining the Centre for Healthcare Quality Improvement, she demonstrated her commitment to improving the patient care experience through a variety of leadership roles assumed during her clinical tenure.

E-mail: jmoloney@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-205-1565

Prior to joining the Centre for Healthcare Quality Improvement, Sonya was at the Hospital Report Research Collaborative (HRRC) based at the Department of Health Policy Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. At HRRC, Sonya coordinated the first multi-hospital quality improvement collaborative focused on the complex continuing care sector in Ontario. Sonya's career path includes multiple years in the hospital setting where she started her nursing career before progressing through various management positions. Her background includes experience in policy development, strategic planning, and corporate scorecard management. She also served as a board member of the June Callwood Centre for Women and Families from 2006 - 2008. Sonya holds a BScN from Ryerson University and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University.

E-mail: spak@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-205-1566

Sandie brings over 35 years of experience in nursing and progressive healthcare leadership positions. Prior to joining CHQI, she led quality improvement initiatives in tertiary care, community hospitals and complex continuing care. She developed and embedded the use of clinical indicators and balanced scorecards on the interprofessional teams she led in both acute and complex care. Other professional highlights include presentations of quality improvement initiatives at provincial, national and international forums. Sandie served on the executive of the Nursing Leadership Network of Ontario (an interest group associated with the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario) as well as the Frontenac Lennox & Addington Lung Association. Sandie graduated from Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing and has a BNSc (honours) from Queen’s University.

E-mail: sseaman@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-205-1563

Kim joined the Centre for Healthcare Quality Improvement in 2007, following the completion of an MHSc in Health Administration at the University of Toronto. Previously Kim held a variety of Occupational Therapy positions in acute care and in the community and served as Clinical Coordinator, Erinoak Preschool Services. Kim has served as a quality improvement consultant for numerous CHQI initiatives, and manages CHQI’s bimonthly Quality Improvement news bulletin, “The Link”. Kim brings to the team a high degree of enthusiasm for system level improvement informed by her clinical experience.

E-mail: kstelmacovich@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-205-1560

Steven has spent the last five years working within hospitals in Nova Scotia and Ontario. Prior to joining CHQI Steven was employed with University Health Network. His roles have focused on quality improvement projects across the healthcare continuum. Steven graduated in 2004 from Dalhousie University with a Bachelors Degree in Industrial Engineering. Since graduating Steven has acquired his Professional Engineering designation and is currently completing an MBA in Community Economic Development.

E-mail: sskinner@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-569-8618

Susan joined the Centre for Healthcare Quality Improvement in February 2009 and brings a wide breadth of experience and knowledge to her new role. Prior to joining CHQI, Susan held a variety of progressive positions in both the community and acute-care settings. Most recently, Susan served as the Senior Consultant for Quality, Patient Safety, and Clinical Resource Management at Hamilton Health Sciences. Susan holds an undergraduate degree in Nursing and a Master’s in Business Administration from McMaster University. As well, she has numerous certifications including the Improvement Advisor designation from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

E-mail: staylor@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-205-1567

Wendy has more than 18 years of diverse experience in healthcare, including: neonatal intensive care nursing, and management positions in the telehealth and pharmaceutical industries. She is experienced in leading and managing large-scale transformation projects such as organizational restructuring in the pharmaceutical industry and implementation of healthcare technology in hospitals. She has collaborated on numerous process improvement initiatives using a variety of quality improvement tools. Wendy is passionate about mentoring and coaching individuals and teams and has successfully used these skills to build capability within organizations. Wendy is a Registered Nurse with certification in neonatal and pediatric critical care nursing. Her healthcare background is complemented by quality improvement training, including: PMBOK-based Project Management Methodology, Six Sigma and Lean Principles, and Joseph Grenny’s “Influencer” concepts.

E-mail: wzeh@changefoundation.com
Phone number: 416-722-0735