Wendy joined Patients for Patient Safety Canada in 2021 and is currently the Board Chair.
Wendy, a nurse and obtaining her degrees from McGill University, is a healthcare leader, with more than 45 years of experience advancing quality, safety, accreditation, governance, and person-centred care. She served as President and CEO of Accreditation Canada from 2004 to 2016, leading national and international initiatives to strengthen healthcare quality and system performance. Prior to this, she held a series of executive leadership roles at The Ottawa Hospital and The Ottawa Civic Hospital, including Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Wendy has provided leadership across numerous healthcare, academic, regulatory, and governance organizations. Her extensive governance experience includes that she is a Past President and Board Chair of the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), Chair of Patients for Patient Safety Canada, a Board Vice Chair at the Queensway Carleton Hospital and a board member and advisor to several healthcare organizations focused on quality improvement, patient safety, and innovation.
A prolific author, speaker, mentor, and educator, Wendy has contributed to the global evidence base on healthcare accreditation, quality improvement, leadership, and patient safety through extensive publications, research collaborations, and international presentations. Her contributions have been recognized through numerous honours, including ISQua’s Presidential Citation Award, HealthCareCAN’s Legacy of Leadership Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award for her enduring impact on healthcare excellence and safer care. September 2026, appointed Honorary Professor, Macquarie University, Australia.
