WEBINAR
Q&A with Candidates for Board of Directors

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2020
Time: 0900 PT, 1000 MT/SK, 1100 CT, 1200 ET, 1300 AT, 1330 NL
Duration: 1.0 hours

THIS WEBINAR IS FOR IPAC CANADA MEMBERS

Description 

The Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors of Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC Canada) and members of IPAC Canada have put forth the following candidates for positions open as of May 6, 2020.

CANDIDATE PROFILES

Jennifer Happe BSc MSc is a candidate for her second term as IPAC Canada Secretary/Membership Director. Jennifer has worked in infection control for 11 years. After completing a Master’s Degree in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary, she began her career as a clinical researcher investigating alternative therapies for Clostridium difficile infections, including novel antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplants, before transitioning into the role of an Infection Control Professional. Jennifer has a varied portfolio and oversees acute care and mental health units at the Red Deer Hospital and cancer care at the Central Alberta Cancer Center. She also has experience serving long-term care and both small and large healthcare centers. Since 2015 Jennifer has represented IPAC Canada in advocating for an expanded and comprehensive national surveillance system for Canadian acute and long-term care facilities. It has been a privilege for Jennifer to represent IPAC Canada on several Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program committees including data quality, case definitions and point prevalence studies. Jennifer has served as Secretary on the IPAC Canada Board since 2017 and as Director of Membership since 2018.  When she’s not busy working, Jennifer enjoys traveling and volunteering with the RCMP in the Victim Services Unit. 
PHILOSOPHY: For the past three years, I have worked diligently to serve the IPAC Canada Board of Directors and our Members as Secretary, and more recently as Director of Membership. I am excited for the opportunity to continue to shape and grow a robust and relevant organization by nurturing Member engagement and fostering Member value.  I will liaise between the Board, our Members and the Membership and Membership Core Committees to action the new strategic plan that was informed by our Members. On behalf of our Members, I will continue to help realize IPAC Canada as a leading organization for professional development, networking, practical resources and tools, and advocacy with policy makers and healthcare leaders in the field. Members are this organization’s greatest asset and I am inspired by their enthusiasm and commitment to protect the lives and well-being of individuals, families and communities. In turn, I will bring enthusiasm and a commitment to meet the needs that Members have of our organization. 

Anne Bialachowski RN BN MS CIC is the Manager of the Infection Prevention and Control Program and the Outpatient Department at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton.  She obtained a Bachelor of Nursing from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and a Masters of Nursing from D’Youville College in New York.  Anne has been certified in Infection Control since 1999 and active In Infection Prevention at the local, provincial, and national level.  In varied roles throughout her career, Anne has been involved in the review of IPAC related best practices, innovations and the implementation of numerous quality improvement projects.  She is passionate about infection prevention and mentors learners at all levels as well as new team members.  She has been able to ignite an interest and passion for the field in these individuals.  She has a well-respected team who are seen to be supportive and collaborative with the clinical teams.  
PHILOSOPHY:  I would bring many years of experience in a wide variety of settings to the role. I have demonstrated the ability to work with both novice and expert infection control professionals as well as other professionals.  I thrive working in teams and love projects involving collaboration and development of novel approaches or innovations.  I have worked on numerous projects and have learned how to engage people even when approaches have been very divergent and occasionally contentious.  I seek our divergent opinions and use the different ideas and approaches to make quality improvements.  

Stefania Cloutier BES BASc CIPHI(C) CIC holds a bachelor of environmental studies with a minor in biology from the University of Waterloo and a bachelor of applied science in public health & safety from Ryerson University.  She is certified in infection control (CIC®), is a certified Public Health Inspector (CIPH(C)), and also holds a certification in Occupational Health & Safety.  Stefania has eight years’ experience as an Infection Control Practitioner in the hospital setting and is currently working at Halton Healthcare.  Previous to Halton Healthcare, Stefania was an ICP at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Centre Toronto and Runnymede Healthcare. Previous to her infection control days, Stefania was a Public Health Inspector for Halton Region Public Health Department.  She also served as Professor, Occupational Health and Safety for the Centre for Business at George Brown College.  
PHILOSOPHY:  Above all my strengths are strong work ethic, relationship building and communication skills. I will ensure effective communication between Interest Groups/Chapters and the Board. I will help to facilitate valuable discussion at annual meetings and support each Chapter/Interest group with strategies and initiatives proposed. My contribution will help to promote strong networks across IPAC Canada with the ultimate goal of strengthening our organization as a whole.

Kim Allain RN BScN MHS CIC has more than 17 years’ experience in infection prevention and control.  Kim is currently the Quality Improvement and Safety Leader (IPAC) for the Nova Scotia Health Authority.  She has also worked as a provincial infection control consultant and infection control practitioner in an acute care setting previous to her current role.  She completed her nursing degree at Dalhousie University School and has a Masters in Health Studies.  Kim has been board-certified in IPAC (CIC® designation) since 2005.  Kim is an active member of IPAC Canada.  She is a past chapter president and has been a member, co-chair and chair for the 2014, 2016 and 2017 IPAC Canada National Education Conferences.  She is currently the Director (Education) on the IPAC Canada Board.   
PHILOSOPHY: I have had the privilege of serving as the Director (Education) for over two years.  In re-offering for this role, I hope to continue with the momentum in the work I have led and have become involved in.  The Education portfolio is exciting, rewarding and full of opportunities.  I will continue to be active in the Education committees, ensuring effective communication between the committees and the Board.  I will be an advocate for the education strategy for IPAC Canada.  I will be prepared, innovative and create in my thinking in how best to serve the membership as Director (Education). 

Lola Gushue RN BN CIC is the Regional Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator for Central Health.  She has been in that role for seven years, previously in the role of an ICP for six years.  She has worked in several settings, including Pediatrics, Nursery, Neonatal Intensive Care, Medical, Endoscopy/Minor Procedures, Pre-Admission Clinic and Dialysis.  Lola graduated from Western Memorial Regional Hospital School of Nursing in 1986 and completed her Degree in Nursing from Memorial University in 2012.  Lola has two grown sons who learned a lot about hand hygiene from their mom!
PHILOSOPHY:  In 2018, the WHO released a document indicating the eight core components of an IPAC program – two of the top three components were Guidelines and Education – they complement each other.  In order for an IPAC program to be successful, meaning the overall goal is to reduce HAI’s and promote best practice, education has to be the backbone of our work.  As IPAC professionals, we educate every day on various levels.  Healthcare workers, physicians, clients/patients and families all benefit from the knowledge we acquire and share.  As Director of Education, my goal would be to promote and foster this relationship to achieve the safest care possible!  Teamwork!