Board of Directors 2024-2025
Erin Crowe, Chair
Geoff Publow, Vice-chair and Treasurer
Guy Chartrand, Secretary
Dr. Alykhan Abdulla
Dr. Christopher Barnes
Christina Bova
David Brook
Dr. Alan Chaput
Janet Cosier
Paula Doering
Catherine Frederick
Dr. Shaun McGuire
Jenn Thornhill Verma
Carmen Vierula
Lee Wagner
Brad Ezard
Valerie Holmes
Joanne Kudakiewicz (Foundation representative)
Elder Marques
Dr. Rob Swenson
Community Representative
Randy Allan
In Memoriam
John Riddle
Board of Directors 2024-2025
Dr. Alykhan Abdulla
Dr. Abdulla joined the Bruyère Board of Directors in 2023 and is a member of the Audit and Resource Management Committee.
He is the Director for Leadership Curriculum at University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine Undergraduate Medical Education. He is involved in organizing educational events for doctors, providing interviews to radio, newspaper and TV. He is a published poet. He had a long running TV show on Roger’s community TV called Med Talks. He was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
Personally, he enjoys travel, pickleball, badminton, ballroom dancing, and public speaking. Dr. Abdulla’s expertise lies in complexity science, resilience training, disruptive innovations, quintuple aim in all disciplines, and empowering those around him.
Dr. Abdulla is a comprehensive family doctor, palliative, sports, cosmetic and travel medicine consultant. He is assistant professor Department of Family Medicine and Academic Consultant Level 1 Faculty of Nursing at University of Ottawa. He was awarded the OCFFP Family Physician of the Year for Eastern Ontario in 2008, Award of Excellence in 2022, Faculty Professionalism Award from the University of Ottawa in 2020. He mentors health sciences, medical students and family medicine residents. He was awarded the OMA Advocate for Students and Residents in 2020, Department of Family Medicine Mentorship Award in 2023.
He is past Chair of the Section of General and Family Physicians, past President of the Academy of Medicine Ottawa and District 8 Chair. He has earned a Masters Certificate in Leadership from the Schulich Business School, the Canadian Certified Physician Executive in Health Care designation from the CMA, and the ICD.D Directors Education Program designation from the Rotman Business School. He is serving on the boards of the Ontario Medical Association Section of General and Family Physicians Executive Committee, Beechwood Cemetery Foundation, College of Family Physicians of Canada, and the Bruyère Health. He has served on the Boards of the Eastern Ontario Regional Lab Association, Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, Physician Services Incorporated, eHealth Connecting Ontario for Eastern Ontario, the Shepherds of Good Hope, Carleton University Migration and Immigration Studies, Ontario Medical Foundation, and the Bruere Foundation. He was awarded the United Way Community Builder Award in 2009.
Dr. Christopher Barnes
Dr. Christopher Barnes joined the Bruyère Board of Directors in 2023. He is currently the President of the Medical Staff Association at Bruyère and a member of the Audit and Resource Management Committee.
Dr. Christopher Barnes is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, at the University of Ottawa.
Dr. Barnes received his undergraduate degree in Health Sciences from McMaster University and completed medical training at Queen’s University. His residencies in Family Medicine and Palliative Care were completed at the University of Ottawa in 2011.
Dr. Barnes was the Director of the Palliative Medicine Residency and Fellowship training programs at the University of Ottawa from 2012 to 2023. He maintains a strong interest in medical education and has recently added a career focus in planetary health. Since 2012, his clinical practice has been on the Bruyere Palliative Care Unit.
Christina Bova
Christina joined the Bruyère Board of Directors in June 2023 and is a member of the Board Quality Committee.
She is the Director of Member Engagement and Advocacy at the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP). As the national voice of emergency medicine (EM), CAEP provides continuing medical education, advocates on behalf of emergency physicians and their patients, supports research and strengthens the EM community. Christina has over 25 years’ experience in member, patient and donor relations in the health care industry having working at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and North York General Hospital in Toronto. Her passion for healthcare has lead her to her biggest project thus far as the Head Office lead for the EM:POWER Taskforce on the Future of Emergency Care in Canada.
She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Forensic Biology from Laurentian University along with a Certificate in Organizational Leadership from Algonquin College and a Management Certificate from Carleton University Sprott School of Business.
Christina strongly believes in community service and has served on the Board of Directors at Volunteer Ottawa and the Women’s Business Network of Ottawa.
Personally, she is the mother of two active Irish dancing and hockey playing daughters Sophie and Valerie along with a rather small 95-pound German Sheppard named Fergus. In her spare time she enjoys daily yoga classes and occasional spin classes.
David Brook
David Brook joined the Bruyère Board of Directors in 2022 and is the Chair of the Bruyère Health Research Institute Board of Directors.
David is the founder and principal at DBk Consulting Inc., a policy and innovation consulting firm focused on Innovation, Climate Change and Global Health policy. David also has deep expertise in developing, shaping, analyzing and implementing domestic and international public policy more broadly.
David is a creative problem solver and critical thinker with over twenty years of experience in supporting corporate, not-for-profit and government entities to:
- Develop and execute on compelling strategy,
- Identify and mitigate risk, and
- Measure and optimize impact.
David has developed and implemented strategies that have secured more than $850M in public funding for Canadian organizations and companies.
Until June 2023, David was the Chief Strategy Officer for Grand Challenges Canada (GCC), a not-for-profit organization primarily funded by the Government of Canada and a range of other partners that is dedicated to saving and improving the lives of the most vulnerable. Beginning in 2008, David played a significant role in building and launching this leading global innovation organization as an external consultant and, starting in 2012, as part of Grand Challenges Canada’s senior management team.
David has a Master’s Degree in Political Economy from Carleton University, an Honours Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (International Development) and a Graduate Certificate in Dialogue, Deliberation and Public Engagement from Fielding Graduate University.
David serves as Chair for the Board of Directors of the Bruyere Research Institute and is a member of the Board of Directors for Bruyere Continuing Care. He enjoys mentoring young leaders in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors and working with visionary leaders to fully realize the impact of their work.
Dr. Alan Chaput
Dr. Chaput joined the Bruyère Board of Directors in June 2023 as a representative from the University of Ottawa and is a member of the Board Quality Committee.
Dr. Chaput boasts an illustrious career grounded in both clinical and academic medicine. After completing undergraduate and graduate degrees in pharmacy, Dr. Chaput then completed his MD degree followed by residency training in anesthesiology, both at the University of Toronto. His dedication to advancing medical education and improving patient outcomes through research saw him undertake a Master's degree in Health Research Methodology from McMaster University which he completed during his residency training.
Since completion of his specialty training in 2006, Dr. Chaput has since been a dedicated anesthesiologist at The Ottawa Hospital. His clinical acumen is complemented by administrative leadership and scholarship; he previously served as the Medical Director of the Pre-Admission Unit, was a member of the acute pain service for many years and made significant contributions to research concerning perioperative delirium. For several years, he was the Vice-Chair of Education in the Department of Anesthesiology where he oversaw medical student, resident, fellow and faculty education.
Dr. Chaput's commitment to postgraduate education was evident during his tenure from 2012 to 2022 as the Assistant Dean of Postgraduate Medical Education in Ottawa. Under his stewardship, the institution oversaw the training of 850 residents across a remarkable 65 specialties, as well as 200 local and international fellows. He spearheaded the implementation of competency-based education in over 45 residency training program and oversaw the approval and implementation of five area of focused competence diploma programs. His educational influence further expanded in 2023 when he was appointed as the Vice-Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education, overseeing Canada's largest bilingual MD training program. Dr. Chaput is also a client advisor for Royal College International. In that role, he has played a crucial role in facilitating the institutional level accreditation as well as accreditation for several residency programs for a major medical training institution in the Middle East.
With a blend of clinical expertise, research prowess, and a distinguished track record in educational leadership, Dr. Chaput's appointment to the Board of Directors is poised to further the hospital's commitment to excellence in patient care and education.
Erin Crowe, Chair
Erin Crowe returned to her role as Ottawa Senators’ executive vice-president and chief financial officer in February 2022. Upon her return, she played a key role in the team’s sale process and has been a lead in the club’s arena development initiatives. She added the title of chief operating officer to her role after the change in ownership in September 2023.
Erin has more than 25 years’ experience in senior finance and executive roles. Prior to rejoining the Senators, she spent three years as CFO of Martello Technologies Group, a TSXV-listed software company in the digital experience monitoring space. While at Martello, Crowe played a critical role in the company's public listing and acquisition strategy and led all aspects of financial reporting and planning.
She also held various CFO and chief operating officer roles, including CFO of a global leader in water ride innovation and design and COO and CFO of a real estate developer and manager. Prior to these roles, she previously spent 18 years with Senators Sports & Entertainment.
Erin is the recipient of numerous accolades, including being recognized as one of Sports Business Journal’s “Game Changers: Women in Sports Business” in 2024, the Ottawa Board of Trade and Ottawa Business Journal’s 2022 CFO of the Year, the Ottawa Women’s Business Network 2009 Corporate Businesswoman of the Year, and one of the Ottawa Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2010.
She holds a degree in Commerce from Queen’s University, as well as FCPA and FCA designations. She is committed to the Ottawa community through her roles as Chair of the board of trustees of Bruyère Continuing Care, and as director for the Senators Community Foundation and West Ottawa Soccer Club boards.
Erin resides in Kanata with her husband, Joe Abel, and children Owen and Reganne.
Guy Chartrand, Secretary
Guy Chartrand is the President and CEO of Bruyère, serving as Secretary to the Board of Directors and holding ex-officio roles on all board committees, as well as on the Bruyère Health Foundation and Research Institute Boards.
With over 29 years of executive experience, Mr. Chartrand’s value proposition is simple: breathe life into organizational design. His career includes senior management roles in three acute care hospitals, one sub-acute care hospital, and within the Ministry of Community Support Services, Long-Term Care, and Community Services.
A strong advocate for health system integration, he has led significant projects, including the redevelopment of Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH) and the amalgamation of Mattawa Hospital with Algonquin Nursing Home. He also spearheaded a sub-regional transformation at CGMH, implementing a shared accountability model among service partners.
Mr. Chartrand holds an MBA and an Honors Bachelor of Commerce degree from Laurentian University, where he taught in the MBA program for 18 years. Currently pursuing a PhD at Pécs University in Hungary, his thesis focuses on "Leading Teams." Proficient in French and English, he has built a strong professional network across the province and country, believing in the value of every stakeholder's voice.
A dedicated family man, Mr. Chartrand lives in Ottawa with his wife, Caroline, and their children. He is passionate about sports, having coached and refereed in the Ontario Hockey League, and enjoys outdoor activities like skiing, boating, hiking, and biking.
Janet Cosier
Janet joined the Bruyère Board in 2021 and was appointed Vice-Chair of the Board Quality Committee in in 2023.
Janet is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA/FCMA). After a successful 30 year career, Janet retired from the Bank of Canada where she held executive-level positions leading the strategic planning and enterprise risk management portfolios. She also held the positions of the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Internal Auditor. Since retiring, Janet has been actively involved in leading two international central banking training courses in strategic planning and risk management.
Janet has considerable Board governance experience, having served on several not-for-profit Boards of Directors including the Canadian Payments Association, the Queensway Carleton Hospital, and the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Center. Presently, Janet is a board member of the Ontario Hospital Association, and the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Rideau Community Health Services. Janet has a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and computer science from York University, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Windsor. Janet and her husband Tony are avid naturalists and enjoy hiking and canoeing in the Rideau River system.
Paula Doering
Ms. Paula Doering is Senior Vice-President of Clinical Programs, Chief Nursing Executive and Chief of other Health Professionals. She is a member of the Bruyère Board of Directors and a member of the Board Quality Committee and the Audit and Resource Management Committee.
Ms. Doering received her Diploma in Nursing from Algonquin College in 1982, completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Post RN Program) in 1988 and an Executive MBA from the University of Ottawa in 1995. Ms. Doering has over 35 years of experience as a health care leader. She has worked at The Ottawa Hospital as Vice-President of Clinical Programs and Diagnostics. She was also the Regional Vice-President at Cancer Care Ontario for the Champlain Regional Cancer Program responsible for the quality, standards and advancement of cancer care for the region.
In her current position, she is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and evaluating patient care delivery. Ms. Doering has been involved at the local, regional, provincial, national and international levels in supporting excellence in nursing practice and patient care. She is passionate about ensuring patients receive the highest, safest quality care.
Catherine Frederick
Catherine Frederick joined the Board in 2018 and was appointed the Chair of the Governance, Nominating and Mission Effectiveness Committee in 2020.
Cathy is a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) with extensive experience providing senior corporate leadership in complex multi-union organizations undergoing business transformation with a focus on the employee and client experience. She has expertise in the design and implementation of integrated talent management and employee engagement strategies and programs, organizational development, business transformation, strategic workforce planning, risk management, governance, and performance measurement.
She has worked in both the public and private sector in multiple areas including nuclear engineering, policing, management consulting, municipalities, health care and postsecondary education. She was Vice-President Human Resources at Algonquin College and held senior management positions at City of Ottawa, Deloitte Consulting, Ottawa Police and Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
Most recently, Cathy was Vice-Chair and Member of the Board of Directors at the Queensway Carleton Hospital. She is a graduate of Carleton University.
Dr. Shaun McGuire
Dr. McGuire is Chief of Staff at Bruyère and Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee. In addition, he is a member of the Executive Committee, and the Board Quality Committee.
Dr. McGuire is the former medical director of medical affairs at The Ottawa Hospital, a staff physician with the Riverside Family Health Team and an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Prior to becoming medical director, Dr. McGuire was head of the Department of Family Medicine at The Ottawa Hospital for 10 years. Over the past three years, Dr. McGuire has played a pivotal role in the development of The Ottawa Hospital physician engagement strategy.
Dr. McGuire holds a master of business administration degree and a bachelor of science degree. He completed his medical degree at the University of Ottawa, and a post-graduate residency at the Bruyère Clinic. Dr. McGuire has practiced in the University of Ottawa’s Department of Family Medicine for over 20 years and has held a number of administrative positions at the Ottawa Hospital including acting vice-president, medical affairs; vice-chair, medical advisory committee; and chair of continuing medical education to name a few.
Dr. McGuire brings a strong background and personal commitment to patient quality and safety initiatives, which is so critical in the care of Bruyère’s population.
Geoff Publow
Geoff Publow joined the Bruyère Board of Directors in 2020. He is Treasurer and Chair of the organization’s Audit and Resource Management Committee.
He is the CFO and VP of Real Estate Development of the Myers Automotive Group, overseeing the strategic finance and real estate portfolio with a specific focus on new development and investment initiatives. Myers is Eastern Ontario’s largest vehicle dealer group with 14 Dealerships and 3 CARSTAR Collision Centres representing 7 OEM’s and 14 brands. Prior to joining Myers, Geoff held various senior executive positions with Senators Sports & Entertainment over 19 years, including six years as Vice President of Strategic Development. While with the Senators, Geoff led the organization’s real estate development initiatives including the downtown arena project, development of the Sensplex community arenas through private-public partnerships with the City of Ottawa, the management, operation and major renovations to the Canadian Tire Centre. Geoff has extensive experience in development, capital financing, reporting, treasury and risk management.
Community involvement is a passion for Geoff, including 15 years of coaching minor hockey. Geoff is the past chair of a number of community boards, including Ottawa Tourism, the Tourism Development Council and Ottawa Community Ice Partners.
Jenn Thornhill Verma
Jenn Thornhill Verma joined the Board as a Community Representative in 2019 and was appointed as a voting director in June 2021. She is the CHSO designate and a member of the Governance, Nominating and Mission Effectiveness Committee.
Jenn has worked in the non-profit sector for over fifteen years. She’s the executive lead of the Global Commission on Evidence to Address Societal Challenges at the McMaster Health Forum at McMaster University and has previously worked as a Senior Director with (what is now) Healthcare Excellence Canada. Jenn also serves on the boards of the University of King’s College (also serving as the Alumni Association’s vice-president), Bruyère Health, Nourish Leadership and the Justice Emmett Hall Memorial Foundation.
Jenn has master’s degrees of Fine Arts (Creative Nonfiction, University of King’s College) and Science (Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland), is a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and an alumna of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network.
Jenn is an accomplished freelance journalist and visual artist too with her work recognized at the 2023 Canadian Association of Journalists awards (best data journalism nominee), 2023 Digital Publishing Awards (best science and technology storytelling nominee), 2021 Atlantic Book Awards (historical writing nominee), 2019 National Magazine Awards (best new magazine writer nominee), and the Atlantic Journalism Awards (winning gold for best magazine cover for her landscape art; and a thrice silver winner for best profile article).
Carmen Vierula
Carmen joined the Bruyère Board of Directors in 2021 and was appointed Vice-Chair of the Audit and Resource Management Committee in 2023.
Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Carmen received a Bachelor of Commerce honours degree from Laurentian University in 1981. She is a Fellow of Chartered Professional Accountants Ontario and certified internal auditor.
Carmen has considerable leadership experience in financial management and reporting, strategic planning and financial, operational and information technology assurance and advisory services in the public and private sectors in Canada and internationally.
In 2020, Carmen retired from the Bank of Canada where she held the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accountant and Managing Director of the Financial Services department from 2014 to 2020 and prior to that, Chief Internal Auditor. She had internal audit senior strategic leadership roles at the United Nations and the University of Ottawa. She worked as a public accountant in Ottawa, Guelph and Calgary, and taught French in Helsinki. She is currently engaged by International Monetary Fund to provide expert technical assistance to selected central banks.
Carmen is actively involved in her community and has served on several boards, mostly recently, Financial Executives International (National Capital Region Chapter 2015-2021) and United Way Centraide Canada (2017-2020). Other board contributions include University of Ottawa (2004-2012) and the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group (2002-2007).
Lee Wagner
Lee Wagner joined the Bruyère Board of Directors in 2017 and is a member of the Audit and Resource Management Committee.
Lee has been a CPA, CMA for over 20 years in a broad range of industries and has vast experience in operations, finance, accounting, marketing, human resources, labour relations and risk management.
Lee is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Real Strategy Commercial Real Estate Solutions where he oversees the financial strategies of the commercial brokerage, the property management portfolio, and all real estate acquisition and development opportunities.
Lee started his career in hospitality. After graduating from Georgian College, he spent 5 years at the Banff Springs Hotel where he became a Sommelier and worked in a number of restaurants, including the CAA 5 Diamond-awarded Rob Roy. Lee moved back to Ottawa to work as Outlets Manager at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, then helping to open Restaurant Eighteen, winning awards for service and wine lists at both places.
In 2001, Lee decided to go back to school to complete a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Ottawa. After receiving his Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation, Lee became the Controller at Newcap Radio, responsible for accounting teams in Ottawa, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Winnipeg. With Newcap, he was also fortunate to lead a successful $7 million Ottawa band initiative called the LiVE 88.5 Big Money Shot.
After Newcap Radio, Lee went back into hospitality as the owner of Steak & Sushi in the ByWard Market, then moving over to the Sheraton Hotel as the Food & Beverage Director where he oversaw the rejuvenation of the hotel’s food and beverage offering through major renovations to Banquets as well as a new Restaurant/Bar project.
In addition to his fulfilling work with Bruyère, Lee has also volunteered his time as the Marketing Chair for the ByWard Market BIA, the Entertainment Chair for HOPE Volleyball Summerfest and the Pension Committee Chair for Newcap Radio.
Brad Ezard
Professionally, Brad serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Keynote Group, where he oversees all of Keynote Group’s business operations, including its legal, finance, marketing and technology divisions. Brad plays a key role in executing the corporate strategy for Keynote Group and is actively involved in the company’s business development and growth initiatives.
Prior to joining Keynote Group, Brad oversaw the operations and growth of a national healthcare start-up focused on creating a strategic network of medical professionals to better serve patients. During his tenure there, Brad led initiatives that resulted in the company experiencing rapid growth and significant increases in revenue and profitability.
In addition to his operational experience, Brad worked as a corporate lawyer at Latham & Watkins LLP in Washington, D.C., where his practice focused on mergers and acquisitions and private equity investment.
An active member of Ottawa’s charitable community, Brad previously sat on the Board of Directors of the Bruyère Hospital Foundation where he served on the Executive and Finance and Audit Committees. Brad also chaired the “Celebrating Life at Every Stage Campaign” as Campaign Chair. In addition to his work for the hospital, Brad is the Vice-Chair of 100 Men Who Care Ottawa, a local philanthropic social group that works to raise funds for grass-roots charities in the region. In recognition for his contributions to the city’s business community, Brad received a 2020 Forty Under 40 award from the Ottawa Business Journal and Ottawa Board of Trade.
Valerie Holmes
Valerie Holmes has many years of experience in healthcare leadership and is currently the director of home and community care at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). In this current role, Valerie has lead system transformation initiatives while working closely with community and family partners.
She has also worked in acute care, system funding, and research sectors of health, focusing on system improvement and quality of care for patients.
Though Valerie was born and raised in Timmins, she has lived in Ottawa for over 15 years. She holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Ottawa, a Master of Health Administration from the University of Regina and has also completed a diploma in paralegal studies. She is a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders and holds a certified health executive designation.
Joanne Kudakiewicz (Foundation representative)
Joanne has trailblazed a career path as a successful entrepreneur, award-winning financial advisor, business development strategist and recipient of the Forty Under 40 award in 2019.
As a community relations manager with Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network, Joanne provides client tailored insurance and estate planning strategies for high-net-worth families and business owners. She works closely with her clients to understand their specific needs and financial goals, and analyzes the net, after tax impact of various investments. As a former business owner herself, she has a real passion for ensuring that income remains in the hands of her clients all while helping them maximize the impact of their charitable donations.
Joanne is deeply passionate about her involvement in the community. She is a co-founder of Recovery Matters, an Ottawa based initiative, raising money to help local families and business owners struggling financially due to cancer diagnosis. Additionally, she is a board vice-chair for the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport (CCMHS). The CCMHS is the first in Canada to offer collaborative sport/performance focused mental health care services to athletes, coaches and performing artists to achieve their goals while preserving their mental health and well-being.
Joanne is a busy mother of two young kids who enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking and ultimate frisbee.
Elder Marques
Elder Marques is a lawyer and partner with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP in Ottawa and Toronto. He was called to the bar in 2006 and was previously a partner at another national law firm, based in Toronto. His practice includes litigation, crisis management, internal investigations, foreign investment and government and regulatory strategy. From 2015-20 he held various senior roles in the Government of Canada, including serving for more than two years as Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister.
He also served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Finance and Chief of Staff to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. He holds degrees from the University of Ottawa, the London School of Economics, and the University of Toronto. At the beginning of his legal career, he served as Judicial Law Clerk to the Chief Justice of Canada.
Elder has served on numerous charitable boards in both Ottawa and Toronto, with a focus on social services, health, and education. He was previously an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law. In 2024, he was made a Commander of the Order of Camões, an honour bestowed by the President of Portugal.
He lives in Ottawa with his wife and their three children.
Dr. Rob Swenson
Rob graduated from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine in 1980 and then spent four years as a military medical officer, working as a resident in cardiology and internal medicine at the National Defence Medical Centre. Subsequently he completed a psychiatric residency in Ottawa and a fellowship year in San Diego.
In his clinical work Rob focused on treatment of patients with both medical and psychiatric illnesses and participated in research in the area of depression and heart disease. He founded a collaborative shared mental health program with family physicians, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals which provides care to patients of the Ottawa Hospital and Bruyère. This program also provides training for residents in psychiatry and family medicine.
Rob spent eight years on the board of directors of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) representing Ontario academic physicians. At the OMA, he participated in governance change, the Physician Health Program and was the founding chair of the Academic Medicine Forum. He has been the Head of Psychiatry at The Ottawa Hospital and Associate Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa.
Rob retired from clinical practice in 2023 and also retired as a Full Professor at the University of Ottawa. He was awarded Distinguished Fellow of the Canadian Psychiatric Association and the designation of Canadian Certified Physician Executive of the Canadian Medical Association.
In Memoriam
John Riddle
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Riddle, a cherished member of the Bruyère family, who left us last month. John was a dedicated and passionate leader, serving as Chair of the Quality Committee, Treasurer, and ultimately, as Board Chair. His commitment to our mission was unwavering, and his contributions have left a lasting impact on our organization.
John's legacy is one of excellence, compassion, and dedication to improving the lives of those we serve. His leadership was instrumental during his time as Chair of the Audit and Resource Management Committee, a role in which he was greatly respected by his peers, who had the privilege of working closely with him.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to John's family and friends.