Health Care and Community Well-being

Michelle Acorn is a transformational health leader, clinician and global advocate for nurse practitioners. With more than 35 years of experience, she has led groundbreaking models of care in hospitals, primary care and correctional settings. As CEO of a national nurse practitioner organization and former chief nurse at the International Council of Nurses, she has influenced health policy on a global scale. She holds multiple fellowships and has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence. Her ongoing work champions health equity, workforce innovation and the advancement of the nursing profession worldwide.

Rebecca Bartley’s commitment to improving pet health care has taken her from an entry-level role to a leadership position helping to reshape the field. She launched her own business during the pandemic—advocating successfully with her professional regulatory bodies for the right to do so—and was later recognized by the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. Bartley is working to build a more resilient health system for companion animals while expanding opportunities for other registered veterinary technicians. Her efforts are grounded in the belief that pets, who cannot speak for themselves, deserve strong and dedicated advocacy.

Kathy Ganz is an exceptional health care leader whose 43-year career reflects her lifelong commitment to advancing her sector, and the health of patients and communities. Ganz was hired out of college by Canadian Blood Services (CBS) as a medical laboratory technologist — and never left. She is now director of CBS’s renowned stem cells program. She’s a passionate promoter of the stem cell registry, which matches patients and donors, and of health equity for under-represented communities. A powerful catalyst for change, Ganz has significantly improved access, services and infrastructure for patients who require lifesaving stem cell therapy, both in Canada and internationally.

Bahar Karimi is an accomplished and respected nurse, health care administrator and leader in health care innovation who has earned many awards and accolades in her 20-year career. She is a graduate of both the practical nursing and personal support worker (PSW) program. After working for a number of years as a registered practical nurse, she decided to pursue opportunities in health leadership. She now serves as executive director of clinical practice and the Centre of Excellence in Healthcare Innovation at Thrive Group. Karimi contributes to research and knowledge in her profession and sees her calling as elevating the nursing and PSW professions.

Jane Mathews is a health care leader serving as vice-president of clinical support services and chief nursing executive at Bluewater Health. She has led improvements in care quality, workforce development and patient-centred care through strategic leadership and data-driven innovation. Her accomplishments include reducing pressure injury rates below provincial averages, redesigning professional practice models to support early-career clinicians, and implementing scalable care frameworks. Mathews has also enhanced patient outcomes through role innovation, improved care transitions and expanded partnerships in health education. Recognized for her emotional intelligence, cultural humility and systems thinking, she fosters inclusive, high-performing teams that deliver measurable improvements in care and patient experience.

Patrick McGarry is an owner, funeral director and chief operating officer of funeral, cremation and celebration-of-life services provider Hulse, Playfair & McGarry. The century-old company services more than 1,000 families annually. McGarry was the youngest person ever appointed to the Ontario Board of Funeral Services, serving as chair from 2005 to 2006. As chair of the Guaranteed Funeral Deposits (GFD) of Canada, he implemented change that increased the GFD portfolio from millions of dollars to more than a billion. McGarry also served on the board of the organization responsible for Kindness Week in Canada and the enactment of the Kindness Act in 2021.

Janet Montague has exemplified excellence in the nursing field. She has made significant contributions as a nurse and nursing professor, shaping the lives of countless individuals. She embarked on a remarkable journey in the field of nursing, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence, compassion and innovation. As a nursing professor, Montague has dedicated her career to nurturing the next generation of nurses, instilling in them the values of empathy, critical thinking and excellence in patient care.

Jose Moreno is a leader in improving access to oral health care and providing frontline dental hygiene services for underserved communities in Toronto. He worked in dental offices for more than 20 years before launching Universal Dental Care, an independent, mission-driven business created in response to growing gaps in care. Moreno’s mobile dental hygiene clinic serves clients who face barriers to traditional care due to mobility limitations, financial constraints or mental health challenges. In addition to delivering care, he is a vocal advocate for dental hygienists in Ontario.

Paula Reaume-Zimmer is a leader in mental health and health system transformation. She played a key role in launching ACCESS Open Minds and Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario, both aimed at improving access to mental health services for youth across the province. As a hospital administrator, she helped secure funding for 22 hubs and led initiatives such as Ryan’s House, a facility supporting addiction recovery. A college nursing graduate, her early frontline experience shaped her long-standing commitment to hospital-based care. Reaume-Zimmer rose through the ranks at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and is now president and CEO of Bluewater Health, where she has led through major challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a cyberattack, while continuing to champion patient-centred care.

Alka Singh has built a mission-driven career rooted in her experience as an international college student. A registered nurse and midwife from India, she moved to Canada in 2015 and later earned certificates in critical care nursing and gerontology. In 2022, she founded Paradigm Healthcare Services to provide compassionate, culturally responsive elder care across Ontario. Drawing on her personal caregiving experience and cultural background, Singh works to address critical gaps in elder care delivery. She also mentors international nursing students and is currently developing HR software to support health care staffing.

Megan Walker is the founder and CEO of WeeCare Pediatric Home Health Care and a nationally recognized advocate for pediatric care, accessibility and inclusive community development. She was the first registered practical nurse to receive the Nurse Innovator Award and is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her contributions to health care. Walker also founded WillowCare, which serves adults, and co-founded Ubuntu WeeCare, the first special needs centre in Burundi. A board member with the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario, she is also a published author and speaker who promotes pediatric-specific care models globally. Her work continues to break down barriers, advance equity and build inclusive, compassionate communities for children with complex medical needs.