As a founding member of Patients for Patient Safety Canada this dedicated leader brings a unique blend of clinical experience, entrepreneurial insight and deeply personal advocacy to the Board Of Directors.
A retired nurse and business owner, she served as the organization’s Co-chair for 8 years during the formative era, shaping PFPSC’s foundation and cementing its role as a pivotal national advocate for patient-centered safety.
Her profound commitment to safety is driven by the tragic loss of her 19 year old son to preventable harm. This lived experience gives her the invaluable, firsthand insight into the essential needs of patients and families navigating the aftermath of healthcare harm, as well as an understanding of where systemic improvements must be made to achieve PFPSC’s vision of “Every Patient Safe”.
As a speaker, she has delivered numerous presentations at local, provincial, national and international levels on behalf of PFPSC. Through these platforms, she has tirelessly championed the patient and family perspective, successfully bringing the authentic patient voice to the forefront of healthcare leadership and policy-making.
Throughout a career, spanning decades, she has bridged the gap between policy design and bedside reality, lending expertise to some of Canada’s most influential healthcare improvement initiatives. She actively contributed to The Canadian Disclosure Guidelines (2011), The Canadian Incident Analysis Framework, The Safe Surgery Checklist, the Communication Synthesis Document and many, many more.
At the provincial level her leadership has driven fundamental systemic shifts. She was a key part of the Saskatchewan Patient First Initiative, where it was her honor to receive the very first copy of the final report from, then Health Minister, Don Mc Morris. Additionally, she has lent her expertise to the Sask. Surgical Initiative and helped to set up the initial Patient and Family Advisory Council for the Sask. Ministry of Health and in her own health region.
She was so honored to have her contributions to the healthcare field honored when she received the Distinguished Nursing award in 2011 followed by the Quality of Life Award from the Canadian College of Health Leaders in 2014.
Combining the sharp operational acumen of a business owner with the clinical perspective of a nurse and the unwavering heart of an advocate she continues to use her voice and leadership to ensure that patient and family perspectives remain the driving force for a safer Canadian healthcare system.
