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CHLNet
Emeritus


Bill Tholl
Graham Dickson
Graham is Professor Emeritus at Royal Roads University and is CEO of LEADS Change and LEADS Global, two not for profit enterprises dedicated to improving health leadership world-wide. His latest endeavour is using LEADS Global to provide the logistical support for the creation of a World Health Leadership Network (13 countries to date), dedicated to defining and understanding leadership necessary for moving health care forward into the 21st Century. He is a member of the LEADS Framework Steering Group (CHLNet and CCHL), an enterprise established to ensure the ongoing relevance of the LEADS framework for the health sector in Canada. He was principal investigator in developing the LEADS framework and published two books regarding its use and relevancy (2014 and 2020).


Chris Power
Her journey in healthcare began at the bedside as a front-line nurse. Her experiences and her values led her to the position of CEO of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute until 2021, as well as serving as president and CEO of Capital Health, Nova Scotia. Chris holds significant governance roles including past Chair of the Canadian Association for Health Services & Policy Research, past Co-Chair of CHLNet, and Board member of Colleges & Institutes of Canada. She is past Chair of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and past Co-Chair of HealthCareCAN. Currently she is a Board member of HDRN Canada, Pallium Canada and Simulation Canada. Chris participated as a member of the federal advisory panel on healthcare innovation.
Gillian Kernaghan
Served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s) from 2010 to 2021. Prior to assuming this role, Dr. Kernaghan served for 17 years as the Vice President, Medical for various hospitals in London. Currently she is a member of the inaugural Board of Supply Ontario, a member of the Board of Ontario Health, Fanshawe College Foundation Board, and the Advisory Committee for the Centre of Studies in Family Medicine. Prior appointments include the OHA Board, past Chair of the CHAO, member of the Premier’s Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine, past Co-Chair of the Southwestern Academic Health Network, Co-Chair of the CHLNet (2014-2018) and President of the CSPL. (2011-13).


Brian O'Rourke
Served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of CADTH from 2009-2020 following a distinguished career as a pharmacist and healthcare executive with the Canadian military. He is a leading expert in the science and practice of health technology assessment (HTA) and continues to play an active role in the global HTA community. He is Chair of the HTA Steering Committee at the Centre for Innovation in Regulatory Science, Chair of the HTA Council at the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), and he was recently selected as President-elect of ISPOR. In November 2020, Dr. O’Rourke was appointed Colonel Commandant (Honorary) of the Royal Canadian Medical Service.
Rachel Maillet (Bard)
Joined CHLNet as the founding East Champion in 2014 and transitioned into the Emeritus role in 2016. Before retiring in 2013, she served as CEO of CNA (2009 to 2013) and held numerous leadership positions with the government of New Brunswick including Deputy Minister of Environment and DM of Post-Secondary Education, Training & Labour. She was a coach for the CFHI Extra-Force and the Long-Term Care Programs and served on the Board of the Canadian Bar Law for the Future Fund (2014-2021), and on the Board (2015 to 2021) for the Collège Communautaire du NB including 3 years as chair. Rachel helped to found the ‘’Groupe des infirmières et infirmiers du NB’’ and currently is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Atlantic Ballet Canada.


Chris Eagle
Joined CHLNet as founding West Champion in 2014 and transitioned into the Emeritus role in 2016. He trained as a cardiac anesthesiologist and had a successful academic career culminating as Professor Emeritus at the University of Calgary. He has held a number of leadership positions including President and COO of the Calgary Health Region, President and CEO of AHS, President and CEO of the Calgary Health Trust. He has served as a Board member on several health organizations including the Health Quality Council of Alberta and the CIHI. Currently, he is chair of the board of trustees of Alberta Cancer Foundation and is an advisor on healthcare matters to the Enoch Cree Nation.
Wendy Nicklin
With degrees from McGill University, Wendy Nicklin has a background in critical care, and has held senior administrative hospital positions, until becoming President and CEO of Accreditation Canada (2004-2016). Her strong commitment to improving the quality and safety of healthcare has permeated every experience of her career, leading her to work with Patients for Patient Safety Canada, the WHO PFPS Network, and the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua). Wendy has extensive governance experience and numerous publications to her name. She is the recipient of the 2018 Legacy of Leadership Award, a lifetime achievement award from HealthCareCAN.


Hugh MacLeod
Retired from the Canadian Patient Safety Institute as CEO in January of 2015. Prior to joining CPSI, Hugh held senior positions with the Government of Ontario including Associate Deputy Minister for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Currently an Adjunct Professor, School of Population & Public Health at the University of British Columbia. Hugh has authored over 120 leadership and transformation essays/articles/papers and in July 2019 released a book titled “Humanizing Leadership.” Sub-Title: “Reflection Fuels, People Matter and Relationships Make the Difference.”
Don Philippon
Don (PhD, FCCHL) is a Founding Co-Chair of CHLNet, a Professor Emeritus and Founding Director, Fellowship in Health System Improvement at the University of Alberta. During his long career in health, he held senior leadership positions in Government (ADM Saskatchewan, DM Alberta), health system operations (VP Referral hospitals) and academic health sciences. He maintains a strong interest in health through his academic and consulting work in health policy, comparative health systems, health leadership and interprofessional health education. He was involved in the development of the LEADS framework and is a lifetime member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders where he serves as preceptor for its Fellowship program.


Elma Heidemann
Elma (MHA, FCCHL, LFACHE) is a Founding Co-Chair of the CHLNet. She is a former CEO of Accreditation Canada (1993-2004). She is a former President and Board member of the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) and a current surveyor in their international accreditation and evaluation program (IEEA). She has served on numerous national and international boards and committee, including local, provincial, and national health care organisation and international governments and health evaluation organisations. She has also provided consulting services to both the WHO and the World Bank. She currently serves as an international consultant for accreditation and evaluation programs.