Who we are
CASCADES’ staff and executive leads are located across the country, from Vancouver to Halifax.
Partner Organizations
Executive Leads
Our executive leads each represent one of the founding partner organizations.
Collaborative Centre for Climate, Health & Sustainable Care
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, and Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto
The Collaborative Centre for Climate, Health & Sustainable Care, the leading organization for this project, housed at the University of Toronto, is committed to working with health sector partners to support environmentally sustainable healthcare and health systems. As a research and innovation lab, a training shop, and a network of allies and partners, the Centre serves as a proving ground for a transition to truly sustainable health and social care.
Fiona Miller
Director, CASCADES; Director, Collaborative Centre for Climate, Health & Sustainable Care; Professor
Fiona Miller
Director, CASCADES; Director, Collaborative Centre for Climate, Health & Sustainable Care; Professor
Fiona A. Miller (PhD) is a Professor of Health Policy in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. She holds the Chair in Health Management Strategies and is a Connaught Scholar.
As Director of the Collaborative Centre for Climate, Health & Sustainable Care at the University of Toronto and CASCADES, Miller leads and supports efforts to improve the sustainability of health systems, through research, education, practice change and policy advocacy.
As a policy scholar, Miller brings a critical political economy perspective to the analysis of technological innovation and sustainability transitions. Her work aims at sustainable ‘demand driven’ innovation.
As Director of the Collaborative Centre for Climate, Health & Sustainable Care at the University of Toronto and CASCADES, Miller leads and supports efforts to improve the sustainability of health systems, through research, education, practice change and policy advocacy.
As a policy scholar, Miller brings a critical political economy perspective to the analysis of technological innovation and sustainability transitions. Her work aims at sustainable ‘demand driven’ innovation.
Nicole Simms
Executive Lead & Training and Education Lead, CASCADES
Nicole Simms
Executive Lead & Training and Education Lead, CASCADES
As Training and Education Lead, Nicole Simms (PhD) guides the design, implementation, and evaluation of CASCADES’ continuing professional development portfolio. Via courses, webinars, workshops, coaching sessions, and a variety of educational offerings developed in collaboration with health partners, Nicole seeks to deliver interdisciplinary learning opportunities that build pan-Canadian capacity to provide low carbon, high quality care. Prior to becoming a member of the CASCADES Executive, Nicole played a foundational role in the emergence of CASCADES’ lead organization, the Centre for Sustainable Health Systems at the University of Toronto, where she served as Managing Director.
Nicole holds a PhD from the Department of Geography, Environment & Society at the University of Minnesota, and an MA in Geography/Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto. She has taught various courses related to environmental sustainability at the University of Toronto, the University of Minnesota, and Macalester College.
Nicole holds a PhD from the Department of Geography, Environment & Society at the University of Minnesota, and an MA in Geography/Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto. She has taught various courses related to environmental sustainability at the University of Toronto, the University of Minnesota, and Macalester College.
Healthy Populations Institute
Dalhousie University
The Healthy Populations Institute (HPI) is a multi-faculty research institute at Dalhousie University that aims to improve population health in Atlantic Canada and beyond by understanding and influencing the complex conditions that affect the health of communities.
Gillian Ritcey
Managing Director, Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University
Gillian Ritcey
Managing Director, Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University
Gillian Ritcey, MPA, CHE is the Managing Director of the Healthy Populations Institute at Dalhousie University (a multi-faculty research and knowledge mobilization institute dedicated to improving population health and health equity) and a CASCADES Executive Lead. After completing her Master of Public Administration, Gillian moved to Toronto where she worked in the Ontario health system in various capacities for almost ten years; at the Health Council of Canada, the Ontario Medical Association and the majority of her career at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) at the University of Toronto. At IHPME, Gillian was the Director of the Ontario provincial healthcare quality improvement-training program (IDEAS) and then as the Director of Continuing Professional Education. During this time, she completed formal training in leading quality improvement (Institute for Healthcare Improvement), knowledge translation (SickKids), Lean Six Sigma (University of Toronto) and sustainable health care (Centre for Sustainable Healthcare). In 2019, Gillian moved back to her home province of Nova Scotia and began her professional life at Dalhousie. Gillian recently graduated as a Certified Health Executive (CHE) from the Canadian College of Health Leaders. She is passionate about being a catalyst to create high quality, low carbon, climate resilient, sustainable health systems in Canada.
Sean Christie
Professor; Neurosurgeon
Sean Christie
Professor; Neurosurgeon
Dr. Sean Christie is keenly interested in advancing minimally invasive surgical techniques for repairing spinal cord injuries. He is also interested in complex spinal surgeries, the dynamics of spinal cord injury, and sports-related traumatic injuries to the spine. Among various research projects, he holds funding from the Rick Hansen Foundation to help develop a national prospective registry of traumatic spinal cord injuries.
The Planetary Healthcare Lab
University of British Columbia
The Planetary Healthcare Lab—representing the first of its kind in Canada—not only examines the environmental effects of healthcare delivery and services in British Columbia, but generates solutions to chart a path forward to net zero emissions.
Andrea MacNeill
Clinical Associate Professor; Surgical Oncologist
Andrea MacNeill
Clinical Associate Professor; Surgical Oncologist
Dr Andrea MacNeill is a Surgical Oncologist at Vancouver General Hospital and BC Cancer, and a clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia where she specializes in sarcoma and peritoneal malignancies. She is the founder and principal investigator of the UBC Planetary Healthcare Lab, an interdisciplinary research collaborative dedicated to creating health systems that promote both human and planetary health. She is the Medical Director of Planetary Health for Vancouver Coastal Health and an executive member of CASCADES. She is currently co-chairing a UBC/Yale-led Lancet Commission in sustainable healthcare.
Colin Chan
Regional Leader, Sustainable Clinical Services, Vancouver Coastal Health
Colin Chan
Regional Leader, Sustainable Clinical Services, Vancouver Coastal Health
Colin Chan is the Regional Leader, Sustainable Clinical Services at VCH. He is an Environmental Engineer with 20 years of experience helping organizations achieve their sustainability visions. He holds a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Melbourne, and a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of British Columbia. At VCH, he is developing the Sustainable Clinical Services portfolio through piloting and scaling of best practices, including implementing CASCADES playbooks.
Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care
The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care strives to build capabilities and capacity in individuals and organizations to enable the development of green health policies and practices.
Linda Varangu
Senior Advisor, Climate Change
Linda Varangu
Senior Advisor, Climate Change
Linda joined the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care in 2008 first as Partnership Director, and then as the founding Executive Director for another six years. As Executive Director, Linda led the Coalition from a voluntary network to a National incorporated not-for-profit membership-based organization which is now recognized as Canada’s primary thought leader on green health care and climate change resiliency. Under Linda’s leadership, important resources, toolkits, programs and pilots were created for health care facilities, earning the Coalition a strong and respected national voice. The Coalition has worked with numerous federal and provincial departments as well as various foundations, utilities, and private sector sponsors. In addition, under Linda’s leadership the Coalition explored the opportunities to develop social enterprises by piloting a Green Revolving Fund and an energy services consultancy through Health Care Energy Leaders Ontario (HELO). The HELO program continues to be offered, and is now available Canada-wide as HEL-C. The projects Linda has led for the Coalition have been recognized by national and international awards promoting energy efficiency in health care and action on climate change. Linda recently transitioned to her current position of Senior Advisor, Climate Change. Linda holds a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry and Biology) and Masters in Environmental Engineering.
Myles Sergeant
Executive Director
Myles Sergeant
Executive Director
Dr. Myles Sergeant is a family physician who has worked with vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness and/or addictions, and the elderly, over the past 25 years.
Recognizing the intersection between environmental issues and health, he is dedicated to addressing climate change issues and has co-founded Partnerships for Environmental Action by Clinicians and Communities for Health care facilities, the charity Trees for Hamilton in 2012, and the not-for-profit Shelter Health Network in 2005.
Myles is the Postgrad Medical education lead for Sustainable Healthcare at McMaster University and the Executive Director of the Canadian Coalition for Green Healthcare
Patient partners
Terry Hawrysh
Patient Partner
Terry Hawrysh
Patient Partner
Terry Hawrysh (MSc.Eng, P.Eng) is a cancer survivor, patient advocate and engineer. He has a special interest in patient-oriented cancer research, where he contributes his lived experience as a patient partner and patient advisor. Terry has leveraged his passion for developing more effective, accessible, and equitable patient-centric health care systems into numerous patient partnerships and key advisory roles with several research, government and non-government organizations such as the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ontario Institute of Cancer Research, Clinical Trials Ontario, Southlake Regional Health Centre, and Canadian Institute of Health Research. As an engineer, he co-founded IPC Energy, a green energy power generation company and also currently sits on the board of the Beach Community Energy Co-operative.
Amy Ma
Patient Partner
Amy Ma
Patient Partner
Amy Ma believes that patient and family voices are a force for positive change in the healthcare system. During her tenure as Co-Chair of the McGill University Health Centre’s Central Patients Committee, she was instrumental in getting people with physical disabilities included in a city-wide Code Orange drill for mass casualty events.
Amy has developed and maintained connections to families and patient advisors across Canada, with her involvement in the Patient Advisory Network, Choosing Wisely Canada, and Nourish (environmental nutrition). She has an interest in maternal health, diversity and inclusion, and health equity. Amy lives in Montreal with her husband and three teenagers.
Staff
Connor Brenna
Research Assistant, Sustainable Perioperative Care
Connor Brenna
Research Assistant, Sustainable Perioperative Care
Connor Brenna is a resident physician in the University of Toronto's Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, and a doctoral student in the University’s Department of Physiology. Through recreational diving, he has developed an interest in research-based modifications to healthcare infrastructure and delivery that can limit our impact on the world’s oceans without compromising on quality of care.
Arianna Cruz
Strategy and Innovation Lead (British Columbia)
Arianna Cruz
Strategy and Innovation Lead (British Columbia)
Arianna Cruz works as a Regional Strategy and Quality Manager, for the Quality and Patient Safety Department at Vancouver Coastal Health. Her work has taken a patient-centric, value-based approach to engaging multidisciplinary health care teams to measure their outcomes and to identify meaningful performance metrics to drive system efficiencies, use resources in an optimal and sustainable way and provide high-quality care for patients.
During her one-year secondment with CASCADES, Arianna will provide support to create and strengthen synergies that can help inform and empower clinical communities, locally and nationally, to deliver high-quality care sustainably, and contribute to the broader cause of climate-resilient care.
Arianna is an industrial engineer and holds an MA in Environment, Development, and Peace from the United Nations University for Peace, and an MBA from the University of British Columbia. She is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, an Executive Coach, and has received training in Strategic Healthcare Leadership from Cornell University and Strategy for Healthcare Delivery from Harvard Business School.
Katy Devitt
Project Manager
Katy Devitt
Project Manager
Katy Devitt holds an MSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia. With a career spanning over two decades, she began her work in the healthcare sector in 2004, where she held various roles focused on implementing research and quality improvement projects in oncology and surgery. In 2017, Katy transitioned to the charitable sector, taking on the role of Manager of Research Programs at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. In 2021, she joined the CASCADES project at the University of Toronto as Project Manager.
Naba Khan
Knowledge Mobilization and Administrative Coordinator
Naba Khan
Knowledge Mobilization and Administrative Coordinator
Naba Khan holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and is passionate about building both knowledge and community in health. Having majored in Global Health and Political Science, Naba has gained an understanding of the importance of health policy and advocacy and prioritizes decolonial and feminist approaches to research. Naba has worked as a Research Assistant with the Centre for Sustainable Health Systems at the University of Toronto for two years and aims to continue to support efforts to address the climate crisis with CASCADES. Naba's current volunteer activities include being a Pathways to Education tutor at the Rexdale Community Health Centre and an educator at the University of Toronto Sexual Education Centre.
Ivy Lam
Pharmacy Innovation Lead
Ivy Lam
Pharmacy Innovation Lead
Assistant Professor, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto
Pharmacist, Unity Health Toronto (Secondment)
Ivy earned her Bachelors of pharmacy degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelors of science from the University of Ottawa. She gathered over a decade of experience in perioperative care at Unity Health Toronto before developing the pharmacist role in the Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Centre at St. Michael's Hospital.
As a co-lead in sustainable procurement at the Canadian Association of Pharmacy for the Environment and as part of the Environmental sustainability Advisory Committee at Unity Health Toronto, she is a part of initiatives that bridge the gap between healthcare and ecological preservation.
Ivy earned her Bachelors of pharmacy degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelors of science from the University of Ottawa. She gathered over a decade of experience in perioperative care at Unity Health Toronto before developing the pharmacist role in the Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Centre at St. Michael's Hospital.
As a co-lead in sustainable procurement at the Canadian Association of Pharmacy for the Environment and as part of the Environmental sustainability Advisory Committee at Unity Health Toronto, she is a part of initiatives that bridge the gap between healthcare and ecological preservation.
Aileen Liu
Research Assistant
Aileen Liu
Research Assistant
Aileen is a Research Assistant and member of the Primary Care Sustainability Working Group exploring the role of primary care in addressing extreme heat. She is a Pharmacist who practices in hospital and community settings. She graduated from the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Toronto and is completing a Pharmacy Residency at University Health Network.
Sarah Machane
Innovation Lead (Quebec)
Sarah Machane
Innovation Lead (Quebec)
Passionate about sustainable development and the climate crisis, Sarah holds a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Faculty of Medicine and a Master's degree in Environmental and Occupational Health from School of Public Health of the University of Montreal. She has participated in numerous projects in environmental health and sustainable development as a project manager and planning, programming and research officer for the CIUSSS du Nord (CNIM), Centre-Sud (CCSMTL) and the Regional Public Health Office of Montreal, where she also helped manage the COVID-19 pandemic. A natural extrovert, Sarah finds her energy in social and community involvement projects.
Cate MacLeod
Communications and Events Lead
Cate MacLeod
Communications and Events Lead
Cate MacLeod is passionate about finding effective ways of getting good information into the hands of people who can use it. With a Master of Information degree from UofT, Cate most recently worked as communication coordinator for the Centre for Criminology & Sociological Studies and the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources, and prior to that was a library assistant in the IRHR Library. Cate has published peer reviewed research on the social implications of app interfaces and, as a graduate student, worked with a team at Women’s College Hospital to develop a mobilization strategy for an information resource tool supporting people who need emergency contraception.
Jaclyn MacNeil
Administrative Coordinator
Jaclyn MacNeil
Administrative Coordinator
Jaclyn MacNeil (she/her) holds a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Applied Human Nutrition from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has been involved in various research projects, both in Halifax and Toronto, exploring food insecurity, community education, and health policy. Her interest in planetary health, population health, and health system sustainability comes from previous work and volunteer experiences supporting initiatives focused on food systems, environmental sustainability, and Indigenous (food) sovereignty. Currently, Jaclyn is completing a continuing education certificate at Toronto Metropolitan University in publishing, focusing on copy editing. Jaclyn is passionate about supporting work that aims to affect system-wide change through research, policy, and education.
Shugri Nour
Clinical Specialties Associate (Kidney Care)
Shugri Nour
Clinical Specialties Associate (Kidney Care)
Shugri Nour is a Registered Nurse who previously worked in complex continuing care and hemodialysis. Shugri completed her Master of Nursing at the University of Toronto in 2021. She is interested in promoting environmentally sustainable practices within healthcare systems through education program development. At CASCADES, Shugri is involved in developing content and educational tools on sustainable kidney care.
Sage Mosgrove
Healthcare LCA Associate
Sage Mosgrove
Healthcare LCA Associate
Sage Mosgrove is working to populate HealthcareLCA, and holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Studies from Queen’s University. Before her time at Queen’s, Sage studied food system contributions to environmental concerns while obtaining her Bachelor of Science (Hons) at Dalhousie University. Sage then discovered her interest in sustainable health systems through her first work term with Dalhousie University’s Healthy Populations Institute, where she studied hospital-level emission accounting approaches. At Queen’s University, Sage shifted her focus toward community-based sustainable livelihood development research, equipping her with the knowledge and expertise to promote sustainability as a holistic concept in her career.
Jessica Nowlan
Innovation Lead (Atlantic Canada)
Jessica Nowlan
Innovation Lead (Atlantic Canada)
Jessica Nowlan brings over 10 years of experience in managing health care research to her role with CASCADES, with particular knowledge of primary health care. Throughout her career she has worked with funders, researchers, patients and health care providers to build and support innovations in the health system. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Allison University and Master of Information from the University of Toronto. She lives in Halifax with her family.
Jamie Park
Pharmacy Associate
Jamie Park
Pharmacy Associate
Jamie Park is a Research Pharmacist at CASCADES Canada and serves as the Education Co-Lead at the Canadian Association of Pharmacy for the Environment (CAPhE). She leverages her experiences in research, regulatory drug development, and knowledge translation to guide more climate resilient and environmentally sustainable pharmacy practices. Jamie has completed her PharmD training at the University of British Columbia followed by an industrial pharmacy residency in Global Labeling at the University of Toronto/Hoffmann-La Roche.
Nicole Simms
Executive Lead & Training and Education Lead
Nicole Simms
Executive Lead & Training and Education Lead
As Training and Education Lead, Nicole Simms (PhD) guides the design, implementation, and evaluation of CASCADES’ continuing professional development portfolio. Via courses, webinars, workshops, coaching sessions, and a variety of educational offerings developed in collaboration with health partners, Nicole seeks to deliver interdisciplinary learning opportunities that build pan-Canadian capacity to provide low carbon, high quality care. Prior to becoming a member of the CASCADES Executive, Nicole played a foundational role in the emergence of CASCADES’ lead organization, the Centre for Sustainable Health Systems at the University of Toronto, where she served as Managing Director.
,br>Nicole holds a PhD from the Department of Geography, Environment & Society at the University of Minnesota, and an MA in Geography/Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto. She has taught various courses related to environmental sustainability at the University of Toronto, the University of Minnesota, and Macalester College.
,br>Nicole holds a PhD from the Department of Geography, Environment & Society at the University of Minnesota, and an MA in Geography/Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto. She has taught various courses related to environmental sustainability at the University of Toronto, the University of Minnesota, and Macalester College.
Innovation champions
Allen Bridge
Chair, Health Care Waste Management Community of Practice
Allen Bridge
Chair, Health Care Waste Management Community of Practice
Allen possesses over three decades of experience in the development and implementation of waste management and waste minimization policies and programs across diverse sectors, including healthcare, higher education, and private industry.
Notably, Allen serves as the Chair of the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) Health Care Waste Management Technical Committee and holds the position of Vice Chair for the Long-Term Care Technical Committee. Additionally, he is an active member of the CSA Social Responsibility Technical Committee.
In a collaborative effort with CASCADES and the Coalition for Greener Health Care, Allen will chair the Health Care Waste Management Community of Practice.
Allen's educational background is anchored in environmental stewardship, having earned a Master of Environment and Management degree from Royal Roads University.
Janet Craik
Rehabilitation Lead
Janet Craik
Rehabilitation Lead
Janet Craik holds a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy from Queen's University and a Master's degree in rehabilitation science from the University of Toronto. Her involvement as an occupational therapist includes many years as a front-line practitioner, manager, author, educator, and former Executive Director for the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. She is deeply interested in exploring how to improve health systems in Canada to be more sustainable. As an instructor at the University of Toronto, she is involved with an interprofessional education elective on climate change and teaches an elective on sustainable health for occupational therapy to ensure students have knowledge and resources needed to identify climate change-related risks and take equitable, evidence-based action to promote health and well-being.
Anita Rao
Innovation Champion, Sustainable Perioperative Care
Anita Rao
Innovation Champion, Sustainable Perioperative Care
Dr. Anita Rao is an anesthesiologist at Trillium Health Partners. She is the Physician Lead of Environmental Sustainability at THP and the Lead for Ontario’s Anesthesiologists Environmental Sustainability Working Group. Her interest is in improving the environmental impact of surgical services.
Dave Smith
Innovation Champion, Sustainable Perioperative Care
Dave Smith
Innovation Champion, Sustainable Perioperative Care
Dr. David Smith is the NSQIP surgeon champion at North York General Hospital. He has an interest in exploring how frontline teams can join and lead efforts to improve surgical quality. Currently he is exploring how frontline teams can use clinical trial platforms to synthesize new surgical knowledge and also how these same frontline teams can advance the planetary health agenda.
Valeria Stoynova
Climate Conscious Inhalers National Spread
Valeria Stoynova
Climate Conscious Inhalers National Spread
Dr. Val Stoynova is a practicing general internist in community and tertiary care in Victoria at Island Health and a Clinical Assistant Professor at UBC. She has added training in medical education with a two-year clinical educator fellowship and a master’s degree in Health Professions Education from Maastricht University. A passionate cyclist and climate advocate, Dr. Stoynova believes we can provide better care at a lower carbon cost. Along with Dr. Celia Culley, she launched The Critical Air Project, the largest inpatient climate conscious prescribing initiative in Canada, to further develop, implement and study sustainable inpatient care. She sits on the National Advisory Committee for inhaler sustainability and is a frequent guest lecturer on sustainable healthcare at local and national conferences.
Stephan Williams
Innovation Champion, Sustainable Perioperative Care
Stephan Williams
Innovation Champion, Sustainable Perioperative Care
Stephan Williams is the medical co-administrator for carbon-neutrality/sustainability at the CHUM, and part of a team mandated by the hospital to aim for a net zero institution before 2040. The climate crisis represents the greatest threat to human health of the 21st century, and will be resolved by reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Healthcare being responsible for 5% of human greenhouse gas emissions, Dr Williams presents about net-zero healthcare to clinicians and non-clinicians.
After a B.Sc. in Biology at the University of Ottawa, Stephan Williams completed his MD, his Ph.D. in Neuroscience, and his specialty training in anesthesiology at the Université de Montréal. Dr Williams is also chercheur-investigateur at the Centre de recherche du CHUM, professeur adjoint de clinique at the Université de Montréal, and presides the Carbon-neutrality committee of the Quebec Association of Anesthesiologists. He lives in Montreal and is the father of 3 almost-carbon-neutral children.
Our committees
Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee:
- Reviews activities and plans to achieve objectives and meet Key Performance Indicators
- Identifies opportunities and guide the development of clear plans of action to address opportunities
- Advises on strategic directions given objectives, activities and opportunities
- Contributes to success by promoting CASCADES activities, facilitating outreach and advising on key challenges identified by the CASCADES leadership
Penny Ballem, Chair
Vancouver Coastal Health
Penny Ballem, Chair
Vancouver Coastal Health
Dr. Penny Ballem was appointed Chair of the Board of VCH in January 2019.
Dr. Ballem is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. She has had a 35-year career as a health leader and academic clinician in British Columbia. She served as the B.C. deputy minister of health from 2001-06. She also served as the city manager for the City of Vancouver from 2008-15.
She has extensive board experience, having served on public sector, non-profit and private sector boards. She has received significant public recognition for her work in medicine and public service, including the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for Public Service, the 2012 Wallace Wilson Award for leadership, the Marion Powell Award from Women’s College Hospital for leadership in Women’s Health, the Cannell Award from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada for her contributions to leadership in reproductive health and others. She advises governments across Canada on health policy, health systems and health human resources.
Dr. Ballem is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. She has had a 35-year career as a health leader and academic clinician in British Columbia. She served as the B.C. deputy minister of health from 2001-06. She also served as the city manager for the City of Vancouver from 2008-15.
She has extensive board experience, having served on public sector, non-profit and private sector boards. She has received significant public recognition for her work in medicine and public service, including the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for Public Service, the 2012 Wallace Wilson Award for leadership, the Marion Powell Award from Women’s College Hospital for leadership in Women’s Health, the Cannell Award from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada for her contributions to leadership in reproductive health and others. She advises governments across Canada on health policy, health systems and health human resources.
Terry Hawrysh
Patient Partner
Terry Hawrysh
Patient Partner
Terry Hawrysh (MSc.Eng, P.Eng) is a cancer survivor, patient advocate and engineer. He has a special interest in patient-oriented cancer research, where he contributes his lived experience as a patient partner and patient advisor. Terry has leveraged his passion for developing more effective, accessible, and equitable patient-centric health care systems into numerous patient partnerships and key advisory roles with several research, government and non-government organizations such as the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ontario Institute of Cancer Research, Clinical Trials Ontario, Southlake Regional Health Centre, and Canadian Institute of Health Research. As an engineer, he co-founded IPC Energy, a green energy power generation company and also currently sits on the board of the Beach Community Energy Co-operative.
Vishal Jain
Health Standards Organization
Vishal Jain
Health Standards Organization
Vishal Jain is the Director, Cultural Safety and Humility at Health Standards Organization. His interdisciplinary academic training includes degrees in Human Rights and Public Health, with a concentration in social inequities and health. Vishal brings leadership experience in the areas of health strategy and administration, health standards design, and public health planning. He is an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University where he teaches courses related to the social determinants of health, human rights, anti-oppression, and health systems transformation.
Prior to joining Health Standards Organization, Vishal was the Director, Strategic Initiatives at Fraser Health Authority where he led the implementation of the organization’s multi-pronged anti-racism strategy and action plan and cultural safety framework alongside the First Nations Health Authority and Métis Nation British Columbia.
Maria Judd
Healthcare Excellence Canada
Maria Judd
Healthcare Excellence Canada
Maria Judd (MSc, PT) is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement at Healthcare Excellence Canada. A physiotherapist and epidemiologist by background, and NHS Quality and Safety Fellow, Maria brings a passion for healthcare improvement, and a patient-first perspective, that has evolved from her diverse roles within the health system as a community health centre board member, clinician, program manager and researcher. Maria has dedicated her career to transforming research into clinical action and systems improvement while promoting a patient-first perspective and approach in rehabilitation and healthcare. Her portfolio includes cross cutting priority areas such as patient partnerships, health policy, innovation and rapid response programming and Indigenous and northern health.
Tyler Levitan
Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions
Tyler Levitan
Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions
Tyler Levitan works as a Policy and Research Specialist with the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU). The CFNU is Canada’s largest nurses’ organization, representing Canada’s frontline nurses in every sector of health care—from home care, long-term care, community care and acute care, and including nursing students—and advocating on key health priorities and federal engagement in the future of public health care. Tyler has extensive advocacy experience on a wide range of issues and has been helping lead on several files with the CFNU since 2019, including on climate change and health. Canada’s nurses are eager to play an integral role in building sustainable health systems in the midst of a deepening climate crisis.
Sarah Lowden
Canadian Medical Association
Sarah Lowden
Canadian Medical Association
Sarah Lowden is a Strategic Advisor in Global Health at the Canadian Medical Association and in this role leads the Global Health and Climate Change portfolio. Sarah holds a Master’s Degree in International Health Leadership and a certificate in Interprofessional Global Health from McGill University.
With a deep understanding of strategy, engagement, and advocacy, Sarah is a thought leader recognized for her ability to lead through adversity with poise and empathy. With a background in finance, she started her career working with physicians focusing on the financial aspects of practicing medicine. An opportunity to volunteer in Burkina Faso shifted her interest to Global Health. Recently Sarah has given her time to support the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Montreal. Her current role in Global Health focuses on the health impacts of climate change, net zero health systems, and vaccine equity. Sarah is a passionate advocate for health equity and access to care and in shaping future health leaders.
Amy Ma
Patient Partner
Amy Ma
Patient Partner
Amy Ma believes that patient and family voices are a force for positive change in the healthcare system. During her tenure as Co-Chair of the McGill University Health Centre’s Central Patients Committee, she was instrumental in getting people with physical disabilities included in a city-wide Code Orange drill for mass casualty events.
Amy has developed and maintained connections to families and patient advisors across Canada, with her involvement in the Patient Advisory Network, Choosing Wisely Canada, and Nourish (environmental nutrition). She has an interest in maternal health, diversity and inclusion, and health equity. Amy lives in Montreal with her husband and three teenagers.
Fiona Miller
CASCADES
Fiona Miller
CASCADES
Fiona A. Miller (PhD) is a Professor of Health Policy in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. She holds the Chair in Health Management Strategies and is a Connaught Scholar.
As Director of the Centre for Sustainable Health Systems at the University of Toronto and CASCADES, Miller leads and supports efforts to improve the sustainability of health systems, through research, education, practice change and policy advocacy.
As a policy scholar, Miller brings a critical political economy perspective to the analysis of technological innovation and sustainability transitions. Her work aims at sustainable ‘demand driven’ innovation.
As Director of the Centre for Sustainable Health Systems at the University of Toronto and CASCADES, Miller leads and supports efforts to improve the sustainability of health systems, through research, education, practice change and policy advocacy.
As a policy scholar, Miller brings a critical political economy perspective to the analysis of technological innovation and sustainability transitions. Her work aims at sustainable ‘demand driven’ innovation.
Jonathan Mitchell
HealthCareCAN
Jonathan Mitchell
HealthCareCAN
Jonathan Mitchell, B.Sc., M.Sc., CHE, FISQua is Vice-President, Research and Policy, at HealthCareCAN in Ottawa. In this role since 2018, Jonathan leads research, advocacy and policy development for member academic health sciences centres, hospitals, and healthcare organizations across Canada. With 20 years experience in healthcare, Jonathan previously worked for the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, Accreditation Canada, and the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
Kathleen Morris
Canadian Institute for Health Information
Kathleen Morris
Canadian Institute for Health Information
Kathleen Morris is the Vice President Research and Analysis at the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). She provides leadership for an integrated program of health services and population health initiatives, including advanced analytics, indicator development, web-based performance reporting, analytical reports, and the classification and terminology standards that underpin CIHI’s work.
Prior to joining CIHI, Kathleen was a management consultant working with hospitals, health regions and governments across Canada. She has considerable experience as a volunteer board member. Kathleen has an MBA from Queen’s University.
Amy O'Brien
Canadian College of Health Leaders
Amy O'Brien
Canadian College of Health Leaders
Amy O'Brien is the Director of Governance and Member Engagement at the Canadian College of Health Leaders, where she has served for 13 years. She provides leadership for the College's Chapters, Mentorship Program, eLearning initiatives, and support for the Board of Directors. She is dedicated to advancing the College's Foundational Commitments: sustainable health care, inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, and leadership for Indigenous health in Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Women’s Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Diploma in Public Relations from Algonquin College.
Jodi Sherman
Yale New Haven Health
Jodi Sherman
Yale New Haven Health
Jodi Sherman, MD, is Associate Professor of Anesthesiology of the Yale School of Medicine, Associate Professor of Epidemiology in Environmental Health Sciences, and founding director of the Yale Program on Healthcare Environmental Sustainability in the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health. Dr. Sherman also serves as the Medical Director of Sustainability for Yale-New Haven Health System.
Dr. Sherman is an internationally recognized researcher in the emerging field of sustainability in clinical care. Her research interest is in life cycle assessment (LCA) of environmental emissions, human health impacts, and economic impacts of drugs, devices, clinical care pathways, and health systems. Her work seeks to establish sustainability metrics, paired with health outcomes and costs, to help guide clinical decision-making, professional behaviors, and organizational management toward more ecologically sustainable practices to improve the quality, safety and value of clinical care and to protect public health. Dr. Sherman routinely collaborates with environmental engineers, epidemiologists, toxicologists, health economists, health administrators, health professionals, and sustainability professionals. Dr. Sherman is a member of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change and was contributing analyst for the UK National Health Service Net Zero Initiative, and serves on the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative for Decarbonization of the U.S. Health Sector.
Dr. Sherman is an internationally recognized researcher in the emerging field of sustainability in clinical care. Her research interest is in life cycle assessment (LCA) of environmental emissions, human health impacts, and economic impacts of drugs, devices, clinical care pathways, and health systems. Her work seeks to establish sustainability metrics, paired with health outcomes and costs, to help guide clinical decision-making, professional behaviors, and organizational management toward more ecologically sustainable practices to improve the quality, safety and value of clinical care and to protect public health. Dr. Sherman routinely collaborates with environmental engineers, epidemiologists, toxicologists, health economists, health administrators, health professionals, and sustainability professionals. Dr. Sherman is a member of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change and was contributing analyst for the UK National Health Service Net Zero Initiative, and serves on the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative for Decarbonization of the U.S. Health Sector.
Scientific Evaluation Committee
The Scientific Evaluation Committee:
- Reviews submitted applications for support for test innovations
- Recommends test innovations that should be supported by CASCADES
- Makes recommendations regarding the level of support a test innovation requires from CASCADES
- Recommends experts for additional evaluation and feedback during the selection process
Jodi Sherman, Chair
Yale New Haven Health
Jodi Sherman, Chair
Yale New Haven Health
Jodi Sherman, MD, is Associate Professor of Anesthesiology of the Yale School of Medicine, Associate Professor of Epidemiology in Environmental Health Sciences, and founding director of the Yale Program on Healthcare Environmental Sustainability in the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health. Dr. Sherman also serves as the Medical Director of Sustainability for Yale-New Haven Health System.
Dr. Sherman is an internationally recognized researcher in the emerging field of sustainability in clinical care. Her research interest is in life cycle assessment (LCA) of environmental emissions, human health impacts, and economic impacts of drugs, devices, clinical care pathways, and health systems. Her work seeks to establish sustainability metrics, paired with health outcomes and costs, to help guide clinical decision-making, professional behaviors, and organizational management toward more ecologically sustainable practices to improve the quality, safety and value of clinical care and to protect public health. Dr. Sherman routinely collaborates with environmental engineers, epidemiologists, toxicologists, health economists, health administrators, health professionals, and sustainability professionals. Dr. Sherman is a member of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change and was contributing analyst for the UK National Health Service Net Zero Initiative, and serves on the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative for Decarbonization of the U.S. Health Sector.
Dr. Sherman is an internationally recognized researcher in the emerging field of sustainability in clinical care. Her research interest is in life cycle assessment (LCA) of environmental emissions, human health impacts, and economic impacts of drugs, devices, clinical care pathways, and health systems. Her work seeks to establish sustainability metrics, paired with health outcomes and costs, to help guide clinical decision-making, professional behaviors, and organizational management toward more ecologically sustainable practices to improve the quality, safety and value of clinical care and to protect public health. Dr. Sherman routinely collaborates with environmental engineers, epidemiologists, toxicologists, health economists, health administrators, health professionals, and sustainability professionals. Dr. Sherman is a member of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change and was contributing analyst for the UK National Health Service Net Zero Initiative, and serves on the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative for Decarbonization of the U.S. Health Sector.
David Bligh
Efficiency Nova Scotia
David Bligh
Efficiency Nova Scotia
David Bligh has been working in the area of healthcare energy efficiency for more than 10 years with Efficiency Nova Scotia. His focus is on designing and measuring solutions to reduce energy consumption and emissions for healthcare organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) and a Master of Applied Science from Dalhousie University. He lives in Dartmouth NS with his family.
Vincent Boisvert
CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal
Vincent Boisvert
CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal
Vincent Boisvert has been working in environment and sustainability management for more than 20 years. Recognizing that climate change is the biggest threat facing planetary health and understanding the important role the health care system has to play, he joined the Quebec Health Care System a few years ago to meet the challenge. Mr. Boisvert specialize in recycling system optimization, sustainable mobility and GHG emission quantification and reduction and aims to improve the sustainability of health systems by lowering their carbon footprint. He holds a Master in Environmental sciences from the National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS) and he is currently completing a MBA is corporate social responsibility.
Kori Jones
Vancouver Coastal Health
Kori Jones
Vancouver Coastal Health
Kori Jones leads the Energy and Emission Management program at Vancouver Coastal Health and supports the Energy and Environmental Sustainability team across the lower mainland health authorities. He has worked in the energy industry for over 20 years, across a range of sectors in Canada and internationally, with a focus on applying energy efficiency strategies in healthcare and advanced education institutions. He has a growing interest in applying change management practices to move large organizations towards low carbon resilience. Kori has a degree in Renewable Energy Engineering and a diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology.
Fiona Miller
CASCADES
Fiona Miller
CASCADES
Fiona A. Miller (PhD) is a Professor of Health Policy in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. She holds the Chair in Health Management Strategies and is a Connaught Scholar.
As Director of the Centre for Sustainable Health Systems at the University of Toronto and CASCADES, Miller leads and supports efforts to improve the sustainability of health systems, through research, education, practice change and policy advocacy.
As a policy scholar, Miller brings a critical political economy perspective to the analysis of technological innovation and sustainability transitions. Her work aims at sustainable ‘demand driven’ innovation.
As Director of the Centre for Sustainable Health Systems at the University of Toronto and CASCADES, Miller leads and supports efforts to improve the sustainability of health systems, through research, education, practice change and policy advocacy.
As a policy scholar, Miller brings a critical political economy perspective to the analysis of technological innovation and sustainability transitions. Her work aims at sustainable ‘demand driven’ innovation.
Steven Young
University of Waterloo
Steven Young
University of Waterloo
Professor Steven B. Young supports the transition to a low-carbon, responsible and “circular” economy. His research considers the management and sustainability of resources, materials, goods and services using evidence-based methods like product life-cycle assessment (LCA) and sustainability standards. Following 15-years business sustainability consulting, Professor Young has been in the School of Environment, Enterprise & Development (SEED) at University of Waterloo since 2010, where he teaches industrial ecology and sustainability management. Professor Young has engineering degrees from University of Alberta and University of Toronto, and is published in management, resource policy and sustainability science journals.
Alumni
We thank the following for their contributions, which have helped make CASCADES what it is today:
- Kelechi Agu
- Arina Bogdan
- Lihani DuPlessis
- Negar Ghasemi
- Victoria Haldane
- Enoch Lam
- Stefan Navarrete Lansall
- Ryu Lien
- Jonathan Lin
- Drew Nart
- Luz Paczka Giorgi
- Ellen Petrie
- Grahanya Sachidanandan
- Maliha Tariq
- Navisha Weerasinghe
- Arbella Yonadam