Our Team
Kelly Burak, MD, FRCPC, MSc (Epid)
ASSOCIATE DEAN, CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & PHYSICIAN LEARNING PROGRAM
Dr. Burak is Associate Dean of Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development at the University of Calgary. Dr. Burak received his medicine training at the University of Saskatchewan before completing his Gastroenterology & Hepatology residency in Calgary and training in liver transplantation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Burak was awarded his Master of Science (Epidemiology) from the University of Calgary and subsequently obtained a graduate certificate in Clinical Education from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. He is Professor of Medicine in the Departments of Medicine and Oncology and serves as the Director of the Southern Alberta Liver Transplant Clinic. Dr. Burak is very excited to be the Co-Lead of the Physician Learning Program as he believes the PLP is uniquely qualified to improve health care quality in our province by assisting practicing physicians to learn through reflection on their own performance data (audit and feedback) and by using effective knowledge translation strategies to affect positive changes in behavior.
Dr. Burak is Associate Dean of Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development at the University of Calgary. Dr. Burak received his medicine training at the University of Saskatchewan before completing his Gastroenterology & Hepatology residency in Calgary and training in liver transplantation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Burak was awarded his Master of Science (Epidemiology) from the University of Calgary and subsequently obtained a graduate certificate in Clinical Education from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. He is Professor of Medicine in the Departments of Medicine and Oncology and serves as the Director of the Southern Alberta Liver Transplant Clinic. Dr. Burak is very excited to be the Co-Lead of the Physician Learning Program as he believes the PLP is uniquely qualified to improve health care quality in our province by assisting practicing physicians to learn through reflection on their own performance data (audit and feedback) and by using effective knowledge translation strategies to affect positive changes in behavior.
Denise Campbell-Scherer, MD PhD CCFP FCFP
ASSOCIATE DEAN, LIFELONG LEARNING AND PHYSICIAN LEARNING PROGRAM
Dr. Denise Campbell-Scherer is a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, and the Associate Dean of the Office of Lifelong Learning and Physician Learning Program at the University of Alberta. She is Co-Lead of the Physician Learning Program, and Co-Chair of the CPD Provincial Network. She completed Medical School at the University of Toronto in 2000 and her residency in family medicine at McMaster University. She has worked in rural Northern Canada, the University of Michigan, and the University of Alberta as a family physician, with extensive experience in residency education. With a background in evidence-based clinical practice, she has been active internationally in education of multidisciplinary learners and is a past Associate Editor of BMJ, Evidence-Based Medicine (http://ebm.bmj.com). Dr. Campbell-Scherer’s research focuses on innovations to transform clinical practice which result in change of benefit to patients, providers and the healthcare system. She heads an interdisciplinary research group, the Illuminate Lab, as well as the 5As Team Program, which aims to improve the primary care of patients living with obesity. In addition, she has been an active co-lead and co-investigator on several large national and provincial research grants including BETTER, BETTER2, and BETTERWISE projects (www.better-program.ca) that are seeking to transform primary prevention and screening of multiple conditions in diverse regions of Canada.
Dr. Denise Campbell-Scherer is a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, and the Associate Dean of the Office of Lifelong Learning and Physician Learning Program at the University of Alberta. She is Co-Lead of the Physician Learning Program, and Co-Chair of the CPD Provincial Network. She completed Medical School at the University of Toronto in 2000 and her residency in family medicine at McMaster University. She has worked in rural Northern Canada, the University of Michigan, and the University of Alberta as a family physician, with extensive experience in residency education. With a background in evidence-based clinical practice, she has been active internationally in education of multidisciplinary learners and is a past Associate Editor of BMJ, Evidence-Based Medicine (http://ebm.bmj.com). Dr. Campbell-Scherer’s research focuses on innovations to transform clinical practice which result in change of benefit to patients, providers and the healthcare system. She heads an interdisciplinary research group, the Illuminate Lab, as well as the 5As Team Program, which aims to improve the primary care of patients living with obesity. In addition, she has been an active co-lead and co-investigator on several large national and provincial research grants including BETTER, BETTER2, and BETTERWISE projects (www.better-program.ca) that are seeking to transform primary prevention and screening of multiple conditions in diverse regions of Canada.
Michelle Bailey, MSc, MD, FRCP(C)
ASSISTANT DEAN, PLP, MEDICAL DIRECTOR - QUALITY AND PRACTICE IMPROVEMENT - PLP & CME&PD
Dr. JA Michelle Bailey practices Pediatric Hospital Medicine as well as providing ambulatory care for children with asthma and as clinic lead for the Tracheoesophageal Fistula/Esophageal Atresia and Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia clinics at Alberta Children’s Hospital. Michelle completed an undergraduate degree at Mount Allison University, an MSc. at McGill and an MD and pediatric residency at U of Calgary. As Quality and Safety Lead in the Section of Hospital Pediatrics her areas of focus are quality improvement and optimizing health care systems with an aim to improve the quality, safety and family centered care of acute and complex children and their families. As part of the MNCY SCN she leads the TRaC-K (Telehealth Rounding and Consultation for Kids) clinical model and research project. In 2020, she joined the Cummings School of Medicine Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Professional Development (PD) and Physician Learning Program (PLP) offices as Assistant Dean, PLP and as Medical Director, Quality and Practice Improvement. In these new roles, Michelle brings her passion for Quality Improvement and optimizing health systems to various PLP and CME/PD projects including the creation of an Alberta Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Network.
Dr. JA Michelle Bailey practices Pediatric Hospital Medicine as well as providing ambulatory care for children with asthma and as clinic lead for the Tracheoesophageal Fistula/Esophageal Atresia and Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia clinics at Alberta Children’s Hospital. Michelle completed an undergraduate degree at Mount Allison University, an MSc. at McGill and an MD and pediatric residency at U of Calgary. As Quality and Safety Lead in the Section of Hospital Pediatrics her areas of focus are quality improvement and optimizing health care systems with an aim to improve the quality, safety and family centered care of acute and complex children and their families. As part of the MNCY SCN she leads the TRaC-K (Telehealth Rounding and Consultation for Kids) clinical model and research project. In 2020, she joined the Cummings School of Medicine Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Professional Development (PD) and Physician Learning Program (PLP) offices as Assistant Dean, PLP and as Medical Director, Quality and Practice Improvement. In these new roles, Michelle brings her passion for Quality Improvement and optimizing health systems to various PLP and CME/PD projects including the creation of an Alberta Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Network.
Karen Hunter, MBA PhD
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Dr. Karen Hunter joined the PLP as the Managing Director of the Edmonton office in July 2018. She first worked as a financial analyst and senior business analyst in industry, was a management professor, and moved over to academic administration in 2015. Since then, she has served as an Assistant Chair (Administration) and as an Operations Director at a UofA medical research institute. She holds undergraduate degrees in behavioural neuroscience and finance. She completed her graduate work at the University of Alberta, including an MBA (2003), and a PhD (2011) in Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management.
780-492-8958 | karen.hunter@ualberta.ca
Dr. Karen Hunter joined the PLP as the Managing Director of the Edmonton office in July 2018. She first worked as a financial analyst and senior business analyst in industry, was a management professor, and moved over to academic administration in 2015. Since then, she has served as an Assistant Chair (Administration) and as an Operations Director at a UofA medical research institute. She holds undergraduate degrees in behavioural neuroscience and finance. She completed her graduate work at the University of Alberta, including an MBA (2003), and a PhD (2011) in Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management.
780-492-8958 | karen.hunter@ualberta.ca
Joe MacGillivray, BA MSc
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Joe oversees daily operations in the Calgary PLP office while providing expertise and guidance towards PLP’s strategic and business plan objectives. Prior to joining the PLP in July 2018, Joe held various executive positions in primary care, acute care and cancer care. Joe holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics from St. Francis Xavier University and a Master of Science in Health Administration from Central Michigan University.
Joe oversees daily operations in the Calgary PLP office while providing expertise and guidance towards PLP’s strategic and business plan objectives. Prior to joining the PLP in July 2018, Joe held various executive positions in primary care, acute care and cancer care. Joe holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics from St. Francis Xavier University and a Master of Science in Health Administration from Central Michigan University.
Selena Au
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Donna Manca, MD CCFP FCFP MCISc
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Donna Patricia Manca is Associate Professor and Director of Research in the Department of Family Medicine. Her research interests include primary care, privacy, ethics, research networks, cancer and chronic disease prevention, screening, and management. Dr. Manca was the Co-Principal Investigator of the BETTER trial (Building on Existing Tools to Improve Chronic Disease Prevention and Screening in Primary Care) and Principal Investigator of the BETTER Program and the BETTER WISE project. This role included: overseeing and coordinating the entire project; clinical engagement; conduct of research and evaluation; blending of clinical practice guidelines to develop care pathways, translation and dissemination of findings to various groups; and finally implementation of meaningful findings into practice. Dr. Manca became acutely aware that family physicians need to seek answers to their questions to improve their practice; however they are isolated in their practices. Family physicians lack good sources of information and lack the infrastructure to engage in practice improvement and research. She saw research networks as a method to improve knowledge exchange between policy, research and practice. She is the Director of the Northern Alberta Primary Care Research Network (NAPCReN), a network contributing data to the Canadian Primary Care Research Network (CPCSSN). NAPCReN extracts information from Electronic Medical Records, cleans and structures the information for the purpose of quality improvement, surveillance and research. Participating physicians receive individualized chronic disease feedback reports on the quality of their care as compared to their peers. Dr. Manca received the 2011 Alberta College of Family Physicians Recognition of Excellence Award for commitment to furthering primary care, community practice-based research, and she contributed to the implementation of privacy and information security system for the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network which obtained the international association of privacy professionals 2013 privacy innovation award.
Dr. Donna Patricia Manca is Associate Professor and Director of Research in the Department of Family Medicine. Her research interests include primary care, privacy, ethics, research networks, cancer and chronic disease prevention, screening, and management. Dr. Manca was the Co-Principal Investigator of the BETTER trial (Building on Existing Tools to Improve Chronic Disease Prevention and Screening in Primary Care) and Principal Investigator of the BETTER Program and the BETTER WISE project. This role included: overseeing and coordinating the entire project; clinical engagement; conduct of research and evaluation; blending of clinical practice guidelines to develop care pathways, translation and dissemination of findings to various groups; and finally implementation of meaningful findings into practice. Dr. Manca became acutely aware that family physicians need to seek answers to their questions to improve their practice; however they are isolated in their practices. Family physicians lack good sources of information and lack the infrastructure to engage in practice improvement and research. She saw research networks as a method to improve knowledge exchange between policy, research and practice. She is the Director of the Northern Alberta Primary Care Research Network (NAPCReN), a network contributing data to the Canadian Primary Care Research Network (CPCSSN). NAPCReN extracts information from Electronic Medical Records, cleans and structures the information for the purpose of quality improvement, surveillance and research. Participating physicians receive individualized chronic disease feedback reports on the quality of their care as compared to their peers. Dr. Manca received the 2011 Alberta College of Family Physicians Recognition of Excellence Award for commitment to furthering primary care, community practice-based research, and she contributed to the implementation of privacy and information security system for the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network which obtained the international association of privacy professionals 2013 privacy innovation award.
Katrina Nicholson, MD ChB CCFP
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Douglas Woodhouse, MD BScEng CCFP
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Douglas Woodhouse is a Medical Director of the Physician Learning Program. Dr. Woodhouse is physician-engineer with an interest in clinical process improvement. He has expertise in Lean, Theory of Constraints, Statistical Process Control and Change Management and has worked with over 100 healthcare teams throughout Europe and North America to improve care delivery. Dr. Woodhouse has degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Medicine from Queen's University, trained as a Family Physician at the University of Alberta, and holds academic appointments at the University of Calgary and at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. He currently works as a hospitalist physician in Calgary.
Dr. Douglas Woodhouse is a Medical Director of the Physician Learning Program. Dr. Woodhouse is physician-engineer with an interest in clinical process improvement. He has expertise in Lean, Theory of Constraints, Statistical Process Control and Change Management and has worked with over 100 healthcare teams throughout Europe and North America to improve care delivery. Dr. Woodhouse has degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Medicine from Queen's University, trained as a Family Physician at the University of Alberta, and holds academic appointments at the University of Calgary and at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. He currently works as a hospitalist physician in Calgary.
Rose Yeung, MD FRCPC MPH
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Rose Yeung is a clinical endocrinologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta, Canada. Her research interests include diabetes, quality improvement in healthcare, and implementation science.
Dr. Yeung is a member of the Alliance for Canadian Health Outcomes Research in Diabetes, and is collaborating with Dr. Padma Kaul to examine the effects of ethnicity on gestational diabetes, which was recognized by the American Diabetes Association with the Vivian Fonseca Scholar Award in 2015. She has led the co-creation of an educational website diabetes-pregnancy.ca , involving women affected by diabetes in pregnancy as well as front line health care providers. She is working on co-creating improved care in endocrine and diabetes care with patients and other healthcare providers, and supporting other quality improvement and implementation science projects as the Medical Director for the Office of Lifelong Learning at the University of Alberta.
Dr. Yeung is passionate about patient education and empowerment, co-founding the Edmonton Zone Diabetes Resources Review Committee. She values broad community engagement, and is the 2018-2019 Chair for the Edmonton Area Professional Section of Diabetes Canada, and is a Core Committee Member of the Alberta Diabetes, Obesity, and Nutrition Strategic Clinical Network. She is also a board member of the Type 1 Diabetes Think Tank Network, a consortium that brings together patients and health care providers to break down communication barriers and inform more humanistic practice.
Dr. Rose Yeung is a clinical endocrinologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta, Canada. Her research interests include diabetes, quality improvement in healthcare, and implementation science.
Dr. Yeung is a member of the Alliance for Canadian Health Outcomes Research in Diabetes, and is collaborating with Dr. Padma Kaul to examine the effects of ethnicity on gestational diabetes, which was recognized by the American Diabetes Association with the Vivian Fonseca Scholar Award in 2015. She has led the co-creation of an educational website diabetes-pregnancy.ca , involving women affected by diabetes in pregnancy as well as front line health care providers. She is working on co-creating improved care in endocrine and diabetes care with patients and other healthcare providers, and supporting other quality improvement and implementation science projects as the Medical Director for the Office of Lifelong Learning at the University of Alberta.
Dr. Yeung is passionate about patient education and empowerment, co-founding the Edmonton Zone Diabetes Resources Review Committee. She values broad community engagement, and is the 2018-2019 Chair for the Edmonton Area Professional Section of Diabetes Canada, and is a Core Committee Member of the Alberta Diabetes, Obesity, and Nutrition Strategic Clinical Network. She is also a board member of the Type 1 Diabetes Think Tank Network, a consortium that brings together patients and health care providers to break down communication barriers and inform more humanistic practice.
Nonsikelelo Mathe, Ph.D
SENIOR PROJECT OFFICER
Emily-Ann Butler, MSc
PROJECT MANAGER
Katelynn Crick, BSc
PROJECT MANAGER
Katelynn joined the PLP Edmonton office in February 2019 as a Project Coordinator. She has a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Alberta, graduate-level training in epidemiological methods, and a certification in project management. Before coming to the PLP, Katelynn worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Department of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Alberta. She enjoys working with clinical teams and learning about the spaces in which they work. In her free time, Katelynn enjoys being in nature and can often be found roaming the backcountry of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Katelynn joined the PLP Edmonton office in February 2019 as a Project Coordinator. She has a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Alberta, graduate-level training in epidemiological methods, and a certification in project management. Before coming to the PLP, Katelynn worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Department of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Alberta. She enjoys working with clinical teams and learning about the spaces in which they work. In her free time, Katelynn enjoys being in nature and can often be found roaming the backcountry of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Diane Duncan, BSc Pharm, PMP, MEd (c)
PROJECT MANAGER
Leah Ferrie, MSc
PROJECT MANAGER
Leah joined the PLP in November 2020 as a Project Manager. She has a MSc in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Calgary and a BASc in Chemical Engineering from Queen’s University. With experience in both engineering design and biomedical research, she is excited to bring a unique perspective to the PLP to solve complex problems in healthcare. In her free time, Leah can almost always be found hiking, rock climbing, or skiing in the Rocky Mountains.
Leah joined the PLP in November 2020 as a Project Manager. She has a MSc in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Calgary and a BASc in Chemical Engineering from Queen’s University. With experience in both engineering design and biomedical research, she is excited to bring a unique perspective to the PLP to solve complex problems in healthcare. In her free time, Leah can almost always be found hiking, rock climbing, or skiing in the Rocky Mountains.
Sampson Law, MSc
PROJECT MANAGER
Sampson first joined the PLP in 2016 and is currently a Health Care Professional Project Manager. He oversees provincial projects in the areas of critical care medicine, hepatology, and gastroenterology. He has knowledge and expertise in the field of knowledge translation, healthcare quality improvement, and in using physician practice data to inform opportunities for improvement and education. Prior to joining the PLP, Sampson obtained an MSc from the University of Alberta. He's held roles producing research technologies for biomedical research and medical therapeutics and has established and managed a high-level biosafety containment research facility.
Sampson first joined the PLP in 2016 and is currently a Health Care Professional Project Manager. He oversees provincial projects in the areas of critical care medicine, hepatology, and gastroenterology. He has knowledge and expertise in the field of knowledge translation, healthcare quality improvement, and in using physician practice data to inform opportunities for improvement and education. Prior to joining the PLP, Sampson obtained an MSc from the University of Alberta. He's held roles producing research technologies for biomedical research and medical therapeutics and has established and managed a high-level biosafety containment research facility.
Taylor McGuckin, BA MSc
PROJECT MANAGER
Taylor McGuckin joined PLP in March of 2019 as a Project Coordinator in the Edmonton office. She holds a Master of Science from the School of Public Health and Health Systems at the University of Waterloo. Here she conducted research on cannabis use among individual in inpatient psychiatric care. She also holds a BAH in Health Studies from Queen's University. Taylor is passionate about population health and improving health care quality and healthcare outcomes across Canada.
Taylor McGuckin joined PLP in March of 2019 as a Project Coordinator in the Edmonton office. She holds a Master of Science from the School of Public Health and Health Systems at the University of Waterloo. Here she conducted research on cannabis use among individual in inpatient psychiatric care. She also holds a BAH in Health Studies from Queen's University. Taylor is passionate about population health and improving health care quality and healthcare outcomes across Canada.
Brenna Murray, BA MPH, PMP
PROJECT MANAGER
Brenna Murray joined PLP in July of 2017 as a Project Manager. Prior to joining PLP, she worked for five years with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health leading projects to enhance patient safety and quality improvement in the health system and in the public service. She holds a Master of Public Health from Simon Fraser University and certification in process improvement. Brenna is passionate about working with clinicians to deliver high-quality, effective care to patients in our health system.
Brenna Murray joined PLP in July of 2017 as a Project Manager. Prior to joining PLP, she worked for five years with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health leading projects to enhance patient safety and quality improvement in the health system and in the public service. She holds a Master of Public Health from Simon Fraser University and certification in process improvement. Brenna is passionate about working with clinicians to deliver high-quality, effective care to patients in our health system.
Aaron Peterson, BSc
PROJECT MANAGER
Aaron joined the PLP in October of 2017 as a Project Manager. He comes from a background in mental health research. He previously worked at the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education as a Clinical Research Coordinator on studies focused on schizophrenia and depression. Aaron holds a BSc. in Zoology from the University of Calgary and certification in conducting patient oriented clinical trials.
Aaron joined the PLP in October of 2017 as a Project Manager. He comes from a background in mental health research. He previously worked at the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education as a Clinical Research Coordinator on studies focused on schizophrenia and depression. Aaron holds a BSc. in Zoology from the University of Calgary and certification in conducting patient oriented clinical trials.
Nathan Solbak, MSc
PROJECT MANAGER
Raymond Wen, MD, PMP
PROJECT MANAGER
Maria-Alexandra Restrepo, MSc
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Maria has over 10 years of experience in project management and strategic planning in the Oil and Gas industry in Colombia. She studied Economics and holds a Postgraduate diploma in Environmental Engineering and a Masters in Environmental Management from Colombia. She is passionate for project management, planning, quality improvement processes and defining strategies to support high-risk decisions. Maria supports the team in reaching effectiveness in the entire life-cycle of PLP projects.
Maria has over 10 years of experience in project management and strategic planning in the Oil and Gas industry in Colombia. She studied Economics and holds a Postgraduate diploma in Environmental Engineering and a Masters in Environmental Management from Colombia. She is passionate for project management, planning, quality improvement processes and defining strategies to support high-risk decisions. Maria supports the team in reaching effectiveness in the entire life-cycle of PLP projects.
Charlene Feuffel, CHIM
ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES – ANALYTICS HEALTH INFORMATION
Charlene supports the collection, verification, analysis and reporting of data from different internal and external data sources to support projects within the PLP Edmonton Office. Additionally, she assists in identifying and interpreting the appropriate ICD-10-CA/CCI classification codes from abstracted health records in accordance with national and provincial coding standards. Charlene has over 10 years of data analysis and data reporting experience in Quality and Healthcare Improvement with Alberta Health Services, University of Alberta Hospital, and the former Capital Health Region. Charlene is a certified Health Information Management Professional with the Canadian Healthcare Association (HealthCareCAN) and an active member of the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA). Additionally, Charlene received the 2008 REACH Award for Quality and Safety as a team member recognition of Excellent and Achievement in Capital Health.
Charlene supports the collection, verification, analysis and reporting of data from different internal and external data sources to support projects within the PLP Edmonton Office. Additionally, she assists in identifying and interpreting the appropriate ICD-10-CA/CCI classification codes from abstracted health records in accordance with national and provincial coding standards. Charlene has over 10 years of data analysis and data reporting experience in Quality and Healthcare Improvement with Alberta Health Services, University of Alberta Hospital, and the former Capital Health Region. Charlene is a certified Health Information Management Professional with the Canadian Healthcare Association (HealthCareCAN) and an active member of the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA). Additionally, Charlene received the 2008 REACH Award for Quality and Safety as a team member recognition of Excellent and Achievement in Capital Health.
Brock Setchell
ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES – ANALYTICS DATA ANALYST
Brock supports the compilation, verification, analysis and dissemination of data to support projects from the PLP Edmonton Office. Additionally, he works with internal and external stakeholders to define data requirements and helps identify administrative databases to be used. Brock has over 10 years of experience in Data Analysis and Reporting in the private sector and the healthcare system. He has contributed to strategic planning and brand growth for industry leaders in agriculture and oil and gas in Alberta. He has contributed to Strategic Clinical Networks and Clinical Care Path development within Alberta Health Services. He is passionate for data analysis and is motivated by a personal drive to improve our healthcare system through careful analysis and actionable results.
Brock supports the compilation, verification, analysis and dissemination of data to support projects from the PLP Edmonton Office. Additionally, he works with internal and external stakeholders to define data requirements and helps identify administrative databases to be used. Brock has over 10 years of experience in Data Analysis and Reporting in the private sector and the healthcare system. He has contributed to strategic planning and brand growth for industry leaders in agriculture and oil and gas in Alberta. He has contributed to Strategic Clinical Networks and Clinical Care Path development within Alberta Health Services. He is passionate for data analysis and is motivated by a personal drive to improve our healthcare system through careful analysis and actionable results.
Nandini Desai, BSc (Hons) BScPharm CDE
CLINICAL LIAISON
Nandini Desai joined PLP in Jan 2019 as a Clinical Liaison. In the past, she worked as a Clinical Pharmacist with the Primary Care Network and in retail. She graduated in Biochemistry from University of Manchester in 1979 and as a Pharmacist from the University of London in 1984. She was certified as a Diabetes Educator in 2005. Nandini’s current job involves engaging with physicians and teams to promote the mission and vision of PLP by organizing data driven, actionable educational programs.
Nandini Desai joined PLP in Jan 2019 as a Clinical Liaison. In the past, she worked as a Clinical Pharmacist with the Primary Care Network and in retail. She graduated in Biochemistry from University of Manchester in 1979 and as a Pharmacist from the University of London in 1984. She was certified as a Diabetes Educator in 2005. Nandini’s current job involves engaging with physicians and teams to promote the mission and vision of PLP by organizing data driven, actionable educational programs.
Thea Luig, PhD
SOCIAL SCIENCE LEAD
Thea Luig joined the Physician Learning Program in 2019 as Social Science Lead. As a medical anthropologist, she uses social science, humanities, and implementation science theories and qualitative methods including narrative, sensemaking approaches, and Cognitive Task Analysis, to support projects that require a deeper understanding of the problem or gap and evaluation of processes and impacts. Prior to joining the Physician Learning Program, she was a postdoctoral researcher with Dr. Campbell-Scherer's 5As Team Program to improve obesity prevention and management in primary care. She holds a MA in Ethnology, Health Psychology, and Eastern European Studies from the Freie Universitaet Berlin, Germany, and a PhD in Social Cultural Anthropology from the University of Alberta. Her research interests are in participatory action research using narrative, phenomenological, existential and visual anthropology approaches with diverse populations.
Thea Luig joined the Physician Learning Program in 2019 as Social Science Lead. As a medical anthropologist, she uses social science, humanities, and implementation science theories and qualitative methods including narrative, sensemaking approaches, and Cognitive Task Analysis, to support projects that require a deeper understanding of the problem or gap and evaluation of processes and impacts. Prior to joining the Physician Learning Program, she was a postdoctoral researcher with Dr. Campbell-Scherer's 5As Team Program to improve obesity prevention and management in primary care. She holds a MA in Ethnology, Health Psychology, and Eastern European Studies from the Freie Universitaet Berlin, Germany, and a PhD in Social Cultural Anthropology from the University of Alberta. Her research interests are in participatory action research using narrative, phenomenological, existential and visual anthropology approaches with diverse populations.
Dawn Schroeder, RN, MPH, Ph.D
IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE SCIENTIST
Dr. Dawn Schroeder joined the Physician Learning Program (PLP) in the Department of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta as an Implementation Science Scientist in 2019. The aim of Dawn’s research is to understand what, how, and why implementation processes and contextual factors influence the embedding of innovations in healthcare systems. To date, Dawn worked on a provincial project in collaboration with Alberta Health Services’ Surgery Strategic Clinical Network to explore how National Surgical Quality Improvement Program implementation teams made sense of and did the work to embed NSQIP into routine clinical practice. Currently, she is working on an evaluation for a Cirrhosis project. As a qualitative researcher, Dr. Schroeder developed expertise in hermeneutic phenomenology, interpretive description, and implementation science research approaches.
Dr. Dawn Schroeder joined the Physician Learning Program (PLP) in the Department of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta as an Implementation Science Scientist in 2019. The aim of Dawn’s research is to understand what, how, and why implementation processes and contextual factors influence the embedding of innovations in healthcare systems. To date, Dawn worked on a provincial project in collaboration with Alberta Health Services’ Surgery Strategic Clinical Network to explore how National Surgical Quality Improvement Program implementation teams made sense of and did the work to embed NSQIP into routine clinical practice. Currently, she is working on an evaluation for a Cirrhosis project. As a qualitative researcher, Dr. Schroeder developed expertise in hermeneutic phenomenology, interpretive description, and implementation science research approaches.
Jessica Cohen
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Jessica Cohen joined the Edmonton PLP office in 2013 as a Project Manager, where she oversaw all aspects of PLP projects. She now handles all communications and outreach for the Edmonton office. Prior to venturing into post secondary medical education in 2011, she worked for nearly a decade in the not for profit industry, spending most of that time involved in event management and communications. Jessica enjoys incorporating the unique skills she’s gained in the not for profit and CME into her daily work at PLP.
Jessica Cohen joined the Edmonton PLP office in 2013 as a Project Manager, where she oversaw all aspects of PLP projects. She now handles all communications and outreach for the Edmonton office. Prior to venturing into post secondary medical education in 2011, she worked for nearly a decade in the not for profit industry, spending most of that time involved in event management and communications. Jessica enjoys incorporating the unique skills she’s gained in the not for profit and CME into her daily work at PLP.
Melanie Heatherington, MEd
EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST
Melanie Heatherington joined PLP in September of 2017 as an Education Specialist. Prior to joining PLP, she worked as a Research Coordinator with Dr. Campbell-Scherer's 5As Team Program to improve obesity prevention and management in primary care. She holds a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Alberta.
Melanie Heatherington joined PLP in September of 2017 as an Education Specialist. Prior to joining PLP, she worked as a Research Coordinator with Dr. Campbell-Scherer's 5As Team Program to improve obesity prevention and management in primary care. She holds a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Alberta.
Emma Naguib
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Emma Naguib joined the Edmonton PLP office in July of 2018 as a General Office Clerk. She helped with administrative tasks and operational activities. In late 2018, she was hired on as the Administrative Assistant. She handles the logistics of administrative tasks for PLP. She holds a certificate from Norquest College in the Hospital Unit Clerk Program.
Emma Naguib joined the Edmonton PLP office in July of 2018 as a General Office Clerk. She helped with administrative tasks and operational activities. In late 2018, she was hired on as the Administrative Assistant. She handles the logistics of administrative tasks for PLP. She holds a certificate from Norquest College in the Hospital Unit Clerk Program.
Santiago Leon, MEngD, BSME
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Johanna Blaak, MSc
HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGN LEAD
Indra Budiyanto, BA, MDes
HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGNER
Indra is the Human-Centred Designer of the Physician Learning Program with an industrial design background. Prior to joining the Physician Learning Program, he was a multidisciplinary designer at University Health Network (UHN) at Toronto General Hospital. Since 2015, Indra has worked in several different countries doing various design projects such as graphic design, industrial design, interior design, UI/UX design, and service design. He received his Master's degree in Design for Health from OCAD University.
Indra is the Human-Centred Designer of the Physician Learning Program with an industrial design background. Prior to joining the Physician Learning Program, he was a multidisciplinary designer at University Health Network (UHN) at Toronto General Hospital. Since 2015, Indra has worked in several different countries doing various design projects such as graphic design, industrial design, interior design, UI/UX design, and service design. He received his Master's degree in Design for Health from OCAD University.
Ashleigh Metcs, BComm
HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGNER
Jordan Tate, BDes
HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGNER
Jordan holds a Bachelors in Communication and Visual Design. Possessing a strong background in visual art and significant knowledge of computer science and technology, design became a natural way of breathing and expression.
A human-centred designer Infatuated with understanding,
design research provides engaging, explorative participatory and collaborative methods to understanding complex issues and user problems within context then challenging and testing resultant understanding/concepts with critical inquires and user testing to improve implementation.
Jordan remedies his hamlet syndrome with drawing, photography and copious amounts of vanilla milkshakes.
Jordan holds a Bachelors in Communication and Visual Design. Possessing a strong background in visual art and significant knowledge of computer science and technology, design became a natural way of breathing and expression.
A human-centred designer Infatuated with understanding,
design research provides engaging, explorative participatory and collaborative methods to understanding complex issues and user problems within context then challenging and testing resultant understanding/concepts with critical inquires and user testing to improve implementation.
Jordan remedies his hamlet syndrome with drawing, photography and copious amounts of vanilla milkshakes.