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PC1 Pre-Conference Presenters
Lynda Banning
FASD Regional Program Worker (Northern Superior), Union of Ontario Indians
In her role as FASD Educator, Lynda participated in development of an environmental health manual which examined environmental issues affecting First Nation children on and off Reserve. This led to a partnership with Thunder Bay District Health Unit which is featured in “People Making a Difference” on the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health & Environment (CPCHE) website.
Lyne Soramaki
Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit
Lyne is a Public Health Nurse working as Children’s Environmental Health Lead at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. She has collaborated at the national, provincial and local level with organizations like the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment and the Union of Ontario Indians to address fetal/child exposure to toxins.
PC2 Pre-Conference Presenter
Dr. Steve Hotz
Adjunct Professor, Community Medicine at the University of Ottawa
Dr. Steve Hotz practices clinical and health psychology and is Adjunct Professor in Community Medicine at the University of Ottawa. He consults nation-wide on continuing education in health care treatment adherence, and health behaviour change. His Ph.D. is in Clinical Psychology (University of Ottawa), and he trained at the Ottawa Hospital, the Rehabilitation Centre, the Ottawa Heart Institute, and the University of Manitoba HSC.
PC3 Pre-Conference Presenters
Roxanne Bélanger
Orthophoniste
Dans sa vie d’orthophoniste, Roxane Bélanger semble toujours avoir plus de projets que d’heures disponibles pour les accomplir. Orthophoniste depuis 1990, elle a d’abord œuvré dans le Nord de l'Ontario auprès des enfants avant de revenir dans la région d'Ottawa. Depuis 1998, elle travaille à Premiers Mots, le programme préscolaire de parole et de langage d’Ottawa ainsi qu'en pratique privée avec les enfants d'âge préscolaire et scolaire. Roxane s'est intéressée à l'importance de la langue maternelle et du bilinguisme depuis le début de sa carrière en travaillant avec les familles exogames et multiculturelles. Roxane a développé plusieurs programmes et outils dont le programme "Parlez à votre enfant dans votre langue maternelle". Des projets humanitaires lui ont permis d’observer l’acquisition de la langue maternelle et de deux langues dans diverses cultures. Dans sa vie de super-héros, Roxane court …. Oui, elle fait de la course ou du « jogging » mais elle rapporte surtout courir …..après ses trois éblouissantes filles ADOLESCENTES: Laurence, Camille et Marie-Anne et son merveilleux époux, Stéphane. Elle court pour attraper sa chienne de 4 mois Luna et elle croit que bientôt, elle devra courir après 3 poulettes pondeuses qu’elle élèvera chez elle.
Claire Thibideau
Consultante en éducation de langue française et en construction identitaire
Claire Thibideau a exercé une grande variété de fonctions en éducation en milieu minoritaire depuis 35 ans : enseignante, conseillère pédagogique, direction d’école primaire et direction du service de construction identitaire au Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud. Elle a donné de la formation en aménagement linguistique et a siégé à plusieurs comités de consultation et d'élaboration de programmes pédagogiques au niveau provincial. Elle a travaillé à l’élaboration de la Trousse du passeur culturel et a offert l’atelier intitulé Accueil et accompagnement des couples exogames lors des stages d’été de l’ACELF. Elle s’est retirée de son conseil scolaire en juin 2010 et coordonne maintenant quelques projets en construction identitaire et en leadership à titre de consultante.
Christine VanderByl
Coordonnatrice des services en français, Centre de la petite enfance de l'Ontario - Simcoe
Christine VanderByl est éducatrice de la petite enfance inscrite et travaille présentement comme coordonnatrice des services en français pour les Centres de la petite enfance de l’Ontario dans le comté de Simcoe. Christine travaille à procurer des services et des programmes de qualité aux familles francophones ayant des enfants entre 0 - 6 ans. Elle est aussi responsable de coordonner les soutiens et les ressources francophones destinés aux parents et aux enfants dans le but d’accroitre l’apprentissage chez l’enfant. Christine est maman de jumeaux et elle, comme plusieurs, se retrouve à élever ses enfants dans un milieu familial bilingue.
Keynote Speakers
Margo Greenwood
Associate Professor, Department of First Nations Studies and Department of Education, University of Northern British Columbia
Dr. Margo Greenwood, Academic Leader of the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health, is an Indigenous scholar of Cree ancestry with years of experience focused on the health and well-being of Indigenous children, families and communities. In June 2013, Dr. Greenwood was appointed Vice-President of Aboriginal Health for the Northern Health Authority in British Columbia. She also holds an Associate Professor appointment in both the First Nations Studies and Education programs at the University of Northern British Columbia. While her academic work crosses disciplines and sectors, she is particularly recognized regionally, provincially, nationally and internationally for her work in early childhood care and education of Indigenous children and public health. Margo has served on numerous national and provincial federations, committees and assemblies, and has undertaken work with UNICEF, the United Nations, and the Canadian Reference Group to the World Health Organization Commission on Social Determinants. Margo received the Queen's Jubilee medal in 2002 in recognition of her years of work to promote awareness and policy action on the rights and well-being of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children, youth and families. In 2009, Margo received the Perry Shawana Child Care Award from the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society in recognition for her leadership and commitment to creating “quality” child care and early learning services for First Nations / Aboriginal children in British Columbia. Margo was also recognized in 2010 as the ‘Academic of the Year’ by the Confederation of University Faculty Associations’ of B.C. for her research contributions to the wider community. Most recently she was honoured with the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Education in 2011.
Chaya Kulkarni, BAA, M.Ed. Ed.D
Director, Infant Mental Health Promotion (IMHP), The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
Dr. Chaya Kulkarni is Director of Infant Mental Health Promotion (IMHP), a professional coalition dedicated to promoting optimal mental health outcomes for infants, based out of The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Prior to joining IMHP Chaya was VP, Parent and Professional Education at Invest in Kids, and has also served as Senior Policy Analyst and Researcher for the Office of the Official Opposition, Queen’s Park. Chaya is also a Professor at Seneca in the Bachelor of Child Development degree program.
Patricia O’Gorman, PhD
Author
Dr. Patricia O’Gorman, is a speaker known for her warm and funny presentations. A former executive, psychologist, and coach, currently developing a curriculum on tackling girly thoughts, she can be reached through www.patriciaogorman.com.
Concurrent Session Speakers
Susan Anderson
Director of Patient Care Services, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
Susan has worked as a Registered Nurse in various roles over the last 20 years at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre. Located in Northwestern Ontario, this state of the art facility provides service to 28 First Nations communities, with a total catchment of 30,000 people living across 385,000 square kilometers. In 2010 Susan moved from front line nursing to take on a management role as the Clinical Nursing Coordinator. Susan is committed to ensuring that clients receive culturally safe and high quality care at every encounter. In 2012, Susan was appointed to the Director of Patient Care role. Within this role Susan will lead Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre on the journey towards the Baby Friendly Initiative.
Simon Bain
Community Wellness Coordinator, Métis Nation of Ontario
For the last 3 years Simon has been working with the Métis Nation of Ontario as a Community Wellness Coordinator out of the Credit River location. Through this position he has promoted health and wellness and helped to prevent family and domestic violence. Previous to his time at the Metis Nation of Ontario, he worked in positions with Community Living, Food Banks, Community and Family Services, and Corrections and Justice. Simon has lived and worked in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. In 2006, he received a B.A. in Social and Behavioural Sciences from Booth University College in Winnipeg Manitoba.
Vicki Bassett RN PNC ( C ) BNSc MEd IBCLC
Nurse Educator, Family Health Team, The Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus
Vicki Bassett is a Nurse Educator in the Academic Family Health Team at The Ottawa Hospital. Vicki holds a joint appointment with the Faculty of Nursing at University of Ottawa. Vicki is a member of the RNAO “Working with Families to Promote Safe Sleep for Infants” Best Practice Guideline development team. Her clinical and research interests involve breastfeeding, family centered care, clinical pathways, and evaluation of learning.
Andrea Bodkin, MPH
HC Link Coordinator, Health Nexus
Andrea has an extensive background in physical activity and health promotion and has worked in local recreation centres and public health units as well as provincial NGOs and agencies for more than ten years. Andrea is passionate about issues of health equity and is excited about the simple and practical tool that is HEIA. She has been involved in conducting HEIAs and training others to conduct them for a year and a half. Andrea is known for her active icebreakers, her love of planning and her humorous facilitation style.
Christina Bradley, RN BScN
Public Health Nurse, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Division, Niagara Region Public Health
Christina Bradley is a Public Health Nurse at Niagara Region Public Health with a specific emphasis on the prevention of childhood injuries and community based surveillance. Christina is a member of the RNAO “Working with Families to Promote Safe Sleep for Infants” Best Practice Guideline panel. Her current research is focused on best practices for early childhood injury prevention specific to falls, scalds/burns, and poisoning.
Joanne Brathwaite
Consumer Product Safety Officer, Consumer Product Safety, Health Canada
Joanne has been a Product Safety Officer with Health Canada for one year. Her previous position was as an Inspector with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Joanne holds an MSc degree in Nutritional Sciences and an Honours BSc degree in Molecular Biology, both from the University of Toronto.
Joan Bueckert
Registered Nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Centretown Community Health Centre
Joan Bueckert has worked with new families in Ottawa for 25 years, as a public health nurse and at a community health centre. In 2001 she became an IBCLC and partnered with public health to provide a weekly breastfeeding support drop-in. She helped establish the BFI committee at Centretown CHC which led the centre to Baby Friendly designation in 2012.
Dr. Catherine Chiarelli
Ontario Association of Optometrists
Dr. Chiarelli is a pediatric optometrist with extensive experience in the examination and management of vision problems in children, including those with strabismus, amblyopia, learning difficulties, low vision, deafness/hearing loss, developmental disabilities and other special needs.
Dr. Cindy-Lee Dennis
Professor in Nursing and Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry
Canada Research Chair in Perinatal Community Health
Shirley Brown Chair in Women’s Mental Health Research, Women’s College Research Institute
University of Toronto
Dr. Cindy-Lee Dennis is a professor in nursing and psychiatry at the University of Toronto and holds a Canada Research Chair in Perinatal Community Health. She was also appointed the Shirley Brown Chair in Women’s Mental Health Research at Women’s College Research Institute. She is the principal investigator of four large, multi-site studies and is a co-investigator on twelve other research projects concerning the care of pregnant and postpartum women. She has over $5 million in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) as a principal investigator and has over 100 peer-reviewed publications. She has completed five Cochrane systematic reviews related to perinatal (antenatal and postpartum) depression and anxiety.
Sonia Douglas
Consumer Product Safety Officer, Consumer Product Safety, Health Canada
Sonia has been a Product Safety Officer at Health Canada since 2010. She holds an Honours BSc. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Guelph. She also holds a graduate certificate from Seneca College in Regulatory Affairs and Quality Operations.
Dr. Zachary M. Ferraro MSc, PhD, CSEP-CEP
Research Associate, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Part-Time Professor, Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Science, University of Ottawa
Dr. Ferraro received his PhD from the University of Ottawa where he studied maternal predictors and potential modifiers of fetal growth during pregnancy. His work continues to capture elements of clinical epidemiology and molecular medicine. He is a certified exercise physiologist (CSEP-CEP), has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles and was the inaugural recipient of the Canadian Obesity Network’s Rising Star award. More details available at www.DrFerraro.ca and @DrFerraro
Lee Ford-Jones, MD
Professor of Pediatrics, Social Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, University of Toronto
Dr. Ford-Jones is heading up a new educational initiative in Social Paediatrics at The Hospital for Sick Children addressing disadvantaged children and youth, with expert colleagues, and advocating for a national poverty reduction strategy, better support and funding for early childhood education and care and more opportunities in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. She is a Professor of Paediatrics following a career in Paediatric Infectious Diseases with special interests in vaccine preventable diseases, childhood encephalitis, congenital infections and infections in day care centre attendees.
October Fostey
Métis Healthy Babies Healthy Children – Coordinator, Healing and Wellness Branch, Métis Nation of Ontario, Windsor
October is a co-author of the Métis Baby Bundle book and holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Windsor. October has been with the Métis Nation of Ontario's Healing and Wellness Branch for several years in the capacity of the Métis Healthy Babies Healthy Children Co-ordinator and is very pro-active in her community of Windsor. October is of Ojibwe-Scottish decent and a Band member of the Batchewana First Nation in Sault Ste. Marie. She is the proud mother of two grown children and has been married to Steve for 31 years. She resides in Belle River, Ontario.
Jennifer Gordon M.S.W. (cand), R.S.W.
Coordinator, Northeastern Postpartum Mood Disorders Strategy, Community Counselling Centre of Nipissing
Jen is a social worker in North Bay. With roots stretching between Thunder Bay and Ottawa Jen calls Northern Ontario home. An MSW candidate at Laurentian University Jen’s research focuses on women’s experiences combining lactation and employment. Her direct practice has included adventure therapy with youth and women and clinical services for trauma survivors. Jen is committed to social advocacy for women and families. She has recently come into the position of Community Development Coordinator for the North Eastern Postpartum Mood Disorders Strategy.
Robyn Kalda
Health Promotion Specialist - Technology Specialization, Health Nexus
In her current role, Robyn explores ways to develop, store, retrieve, use and share health promotion information to maximize its usefulness and impact. She has been online since 1992, and has worked online with a number of groups at the local, provincial, and national levels.
Elaine Kicknosway
Children and Youth Manager, Aboriginal Women's Support Centre, Minwaashin Lodge
Elaine Kicknosway is Swampy Cree Originally from Northern Saskatchewan, Wolf clan. She is a member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. She is a singer/women's traditional dancer/participant in ceremonies/ ongoing learner. She works at Minwaashin Lodge-Aboriginal Women's Support Centre as the Children and Youth Manager. The Centre raises awareness that violence is not a part of our culture (related to the intergenerational impacts from Residential Schools and Child Welfare).
Monique Lloyd, RN, PhD
Associate Director of Guideline Development, Research and Evaluation, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario
Dr. Monique Lloyd is the Associate Director of Guideline Development, Research and Evaluation at the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO). Monique oversees the research and systematic review processes for RNAO’s Best Practice Guideline program. She is also the lead of NQuIRE - Nursing Quality Indicators for Reporting and Evaluation – an RNAO-led international quality measurement program focusing on evaluating the outcomes of RNAO’s Nursing Best Practice Guideline implementation. Monique is an Adjunct Professor and founding member of the Nursing Best Practice Research Centre at the University of Ottawa, an Adjunct Lecturer at the Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, as well as a co-investigator on several studies examining nursing effectiveness and patient health and safety outcome measurement.
Catharine Lowes
BFI Coordinator, Child Health, Family Health Division, Niagara Region
Catharine Lowes is a public health nurse from Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH). Catharine has been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant since 1997 and has experience working with families in hospital and community settings. Catharine currently holds the position of Baby Friendly Initiative Coordinator for the Niagara Region.
Janice MacAulay
Executive Director, The Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs
Janice MacAulay is the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada). Janice has worked with families at a family resource centre where she was Coordinator of Parenting Education. Janice is the author of Tensions & Possibilities: Forging Better Links Between Family Resource Programs and Child Welfare (2002) and numerous articles.
Alice Ordean MD, CCFP, MHSc, FCFP
Medical Director, Toronto Centre for Substance Use in Pregnancy (T-CUP), St. Joseph’s Health Centre; Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto; Executive Director, PRIMA
Dr. Alice Ordean is the Medical Director of the Toronto Centre for Substance Use in Pregnancy (T-CUP) at St. Joseph’s Health Centre and Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Ordean has also been appointed as the Executive Director of the PRIMA (pregnancy-related issues in the management of addictions) network which consists of national health care providers with expertise in the area of problematic substance use in pregnancy. She has been a principal investigator in numerous research projects including the development of a comprehensive reference guide for health care providers and national data collection relating to methadone maintenance during pregnancy. She has also contributed to guidelines on the management of problematic substance use in pregnancy, perinatal opioid dependence and smoking cessation during pregnancy.
Erica Phipps, MPH
Partnership Director, Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment (CPCHE)
Erica Phipps serves as Partnership Director for the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment (CPCHE), a national collaboration of organizations that work together to advance children’s environmental health protection (www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca). Erica has a master's degree in public health, and has worked on environmental health and toxics issues for more than 20 years, both domestically and internationally.
Melissa Potvin
Communications Coordinator, Health Nexus
Melissa is Health Nexus’ bilingual communications coordinator. She coordinates much of the content distributed throughout the organization’s various electronic networks and publications. Prior to joining the Health Nexus team she worked in workplace health and safety and human resources. Melissa holds a BA from Concordia University in Montreal and a specialtyCertificate in Corporate Communications from Seneca College in Toronto.
Linda Rankin, Ed D. (Cand.), M.A., B.S.W., R.S.W., E.C.E.
Coordinator of Regional Children’s Mental Health Program, North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC)
In her 40 years of experience, Linda has held a variety of senior management roles, community development, post-secondary education and clinical leadership responsibilities. Currently Linda has accepted the challenging position as Coordinator of Regional Children’s Mental Health Program for NBRHC. Linda also has a very active private practice for the past 15 years. She was recently (November 2011) nominated for the National Health Nexus 3 M Leadership Award. Linda was awarded the “Emerging into the Light” award in recognition of the outstanding contribution of Linda Rankin for her efforts to improve the quality of life for all those affected by mental illness. Linda has taught for a number of Universities and Colleges and recently Linda has been involved in a “Train the Trainer” project with the Ontario College of Family Physician on the topic of Mental Illness. Linda was also selected by the Government of Canada and given the rare opportunity of teaching “Teaching Methodology” to the faculty in three different community colleges in the interior of China.
Brian Russell
Provincial Coordinator, Dad Central Ontario; Parent Education Worker, LAMP Community Health Centre
Brian devotes his time and energy to supporting men in their couple relationships, particularly in the context of parenting. He is the Provincial Coordinator of Dad Central Ontario and a Parent Education Worker at the LAMP Community Health Centre. He is married with three teenage daughters.
Linda Young
Director of Maternal Newborn Child, Mental Health, Interprofessional Practice and Organizational Learning, Toronto East General Hospital
Linda Young is currently the Director of Maternal Newborn Child, Mental Health, Interprofessional Practice and Organizational Learning at Toronto East General Hospital. She is leading the BFI Implementation strategy for the province on behalf of TEGH and the MOHLTC. Linda’s work experience includes teaching, working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and Director roles in other GTA hospitals.
