Team

Audrey Kruisselbrink

Degrees:

• University of Alberta, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• University of Victoria, Master of Arts, Child and Youth Care

Bio: Audrey Kruisselbrink provides administrative and research support to various projects under the Chair.

Projects & Publications:

• Healthy Professional Worker Partnership
• Health Worker Burnout
• Health Workforce Minimum Data Standard
• Mental Health and Substance Use Health Workforce
• Psychological Health & Safety

Raha Mirshahi

Degrees:

Bio:

Projects & Publications:

Henrietta Akuamoah-Boateng

Degrees:

• Umeå University, Master of Science (MSc), Public Health

Bio: Henrietta provides statistical analysis and interpretation support for various research projects under the Chair.

Projects & Publications:

• Canadian Health Workforce Network
• Healthy Professional Worker Partnership
• Health Worker Burnout
• Integrated Primary Care Workforce Planning
• Pandemic Impact on Mental Health of Dental Hygienists. CDHA
• The pathway from mental health leaves of absence, and return to work of health professionals. SAGE Journals
• Mental Health, Leaves of Absence and Return to Work among Professional Workers. PMC
• Engagement with partners is a leading practice in health workforce planning: What health leaders need to know. PubMed
• Midwives’ Pathways from Health to Leaves of Absence and Return to Work. CJMRP

Jelena Atanackovic

Degrees:

• McMaster University, Bachelor of Arts (Combined Honours) in Sociology and Italian 
• McMaster University, Master of Arts in Sociology
• McMaster University, PhD in Sociology

Bio: Jelena Atanackovic (PhD) is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Ottawa and a member of the Canadian Health Workforce Network. Her research focuses on health workforce policy, psychological health and safety, and the regulation of healthcare providers. She has served as a consultant for government and non-profit organizations.

Projects & Publications:

• Building Psychological Safety in Long-Term Care
• Evaluating New Licensure Pathways for Internationally Educated Nurses
• Policy Options for a Pan-Canadian Mental Health and Substance Use
• Health Workforce Strategy
• Re-imagining Regulatory Frameworks for the Mental Health and Substance Use Health Workforce
• Atanackovic, J., Bartram, M, Slipp, M, Myles, S, Bourgeault, I, Fraser, C, Leslie, K. (2025). Policy Options for a Pan-Canadian Mental Health and Substance Use Health Workforce Strategy. Healthcare Management Forum [forthcoming].
• Atanackovic, J., Akuamoah-Boateng, H., Park, J., Corrente, M., & Bourgeault, I. L. (2025). Influence of the pandemic on the mental health of professional workers. BMC Psychology, 13(1), 245.
• Slipp, M., Myles, S., Atanackovic, J., Garner, G., Bartram, M., Bourgeault, I. L., et al. (2025). Re-imagining approaches for mental health and substance use health workforce regulation in Canada: Making room for dynamic tensions. PLOS Mental Health, 2(3): e0000168.
• Atanackovic, J., Corrente, M., Myles, S., Eddine Ben-Ahmed, H., Urdaneta, K., Tello, K., Baczkowska, M., & Bourgeault, I. L. (2024). Cultivating a psychological health and safety culture for interprofessional primary care teams through a co-created evidence-informed toolkit. Healthcare Management Forum, 37(5), 334–339.

Melissa Corrente

Degrees:

• Nipissing University, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Educational Sustainability
• Nipissing University, Master of Education (MEd)
• Wilfrid Laurier University, Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Nipissing University, Bachelor of Education (BEd)

Bio: Dr. Melissa Corrente provides research support to multiple projects under the Chair, applying her educational background with a critical lens focused on gender, work, and health.

Projects & Publications:

• Corrente, M. (2022). Innovation in transcribing data: Meet Otter.ai. Retrieved from ResearchGate.
• Corrente, M. (2024). Understanding health worker burnout using a mixed-methods approach. Retrieved from SAGE Methods.
• Corrente, M. (2024). Work & life stress experienced by professional workers during the pandemic: A gender-based analysis. Retrieved from ResearchGate.
• Corrente, M., Myles, S., Atanackovic, J., Ben-Ahmed, H.E., Benoit, C., McMillan, K., Price, S.L., Slofstra, K., & Bourgeault, I.L. (2024). Even if you build it, they may not come: Challenges in the uptake of workplace mental health toolkits. Retrieved from ProQuest.

Houssem Eddine Ben Ahmed

Degrees: 

• University of Ottawa, Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022)
• Université de Montréal, PhD in Nursing (2021)
• Université de Sousse, Master of Research in Health Sciences (2016)
• Université de Sousse, Baccalaureate in Nursing (2013)

Bio: Dr. Hassen Ben-Ahmed is a Senior Research Associate and Co-lead of the Mobility, Migration, and Integration Theme at the Canadian Health Workforce Network, as well as a Part-Time Professor at the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on nursing retention, integration, and innovative pedagogical approaches. In 2024, he founded the Collaborative Alliance of Research and Education for Nursing Empowerment, an international research hub fostering collaboration between nursing and health sciences researchers in Canada and the MENA region.

Projects & Publications: 

• Empowering the Global Nursing Workforce Through the Development of a Collaborative Nursing Research Network
• Repairing the Nursing Workforce: Creating Compassionate Communities and Enabling Environments to Enhance Retention and Return to Work
• Advancing Equitable and Ethical Regulatory Policy for Internationally Educated Nurses
• Co-creating a Pan-Canadian Nursing Regulation Research Agenda
• Corrente, M., Myles, S., Atanackovic, J., Ben-Ahmed, H. E., Benoit, C., McMillan, K., et al. (2024). Even if you build it, they may not come: Challenges in the uptake of workplace mental health toolkits. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 2770.
• Atanackovic, J., Corrente, M., Myles, S., Ben-Ahmed, H.E., Urdaneta, K., Tello, K., et al. (2024). Cultivating a psychological health and safety culture for interprofessional primary care teams through a co-created evidence-informed toolkit. Healthcare Management Forum, 0(0), 1–6.

Sophia Myles

Degrees:

• Laurentian University, Interdisciplinary PhD in Rural and Northern Health (Health Policy Specialization)

Bio: Sophia Myles provides research support to various projects under the Chair, applying her expertise in health policy, systems, services, and workforce research.

Projects & Publications:

• Corrente, M., Myles, S., Atanackovic, J., Ben-Ahmed, H.E., Benoit, C., McMillan, K., Price, S.L., Slofstra, K., & Bourgeault, I.L. (2024). Even if you build it, they may not come: Challenges in the uptake of workplace mental health toolkits. BMC Public Health, 24, 2770. 
• Atanackovic, J., Corrente, M., Myles, S., Eddine Ben-Ahmed, H., Urdaneta, K., Tello, K., Baczkowska, M., & Bourgeault, I. (2024). Cultivating a psychological health and safety culture for interprofessional primary care teams through a co-created evidence-informed toolkit. Healthcare Management Forum, 8404704241263918. Advance online publication. 

Dr. Magda Bazkowska

Degrees:

• University of Ottawa, Doctor of Philosophy, Social Work
• University of Ottawa, Master of Education, Counselling
• Concordia University, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

Bio:
Dr. Magda Bazkowska is a researcher at the University of Ottawa, specializing in health worker burnout. Her research focuses on understanding the causes and consequences of burnout among healthcare professionals, as well as developing strategies to mitigate its impact and improve well-being within the healthcare workforce.

Projects & Publications:

• Health Worker Burnout Project: This project investigates the factors contributing to burnout among healthcare workers and explores interventions to improve their well-being.

Dr. Katherine Zagrodney

Degrees:

• Dalla Lana School of Public Health, PhD, Health Services Research, Health Economics
• Wilfrid Laurier University, BA (Honors with Distinction), Psychology, Research Specialist Program

Bio: Dr. Katherine A.P. Zagrodney is a Senior Research Associate and Quantitative Research Lead at VHA Home HealthCare. Her research focuses on health workforce supply challenges, particularly concerning personal support workers, home care, and wage policies. She is also involved in the Enhanced Health Workforce Minimum Data Standard for Planning Project, aiming to improve workforce planning in Canada by establishing a standardized set of questions for health worker registration.

Projects & Publications:

• Dr. Zagrodney is currently working on the Enhanced Health Workforce Minimum Data Standard for Planning Project, which focuses on developing a standardized approach to collecting data on the health workforce. (hhr-rhs.ca)

katherine.zagrodney@vha.ca

Dr. Mary Bartram

Degrees:

• Carleton University, Doctor of Philosophy, Public Policy
• Purdue University, Master of Science, Marriage and Family Therapy
• Reed College, Bachelor of Arts, History and Literature

Bio: Dr. Mary Bartram is a researcher focused on public policy, particularly in health and social services, with an emphasis on gender equity, health disparities, and workplace health. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Mental Health Workforce Policy at the University of Ottawa, where she further honed her expertise in mental health workforce planning and policy development.

Projects & Publications:

• Bartram M., et al. (2023). "What Do We Know about the Capacity of Mental Health and Substance Use Health Workforce to Respond to Emerging Needs during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Canadian Health Workforce Network Working Paper." Canadian Health Workforce Network.

• Bartram, M., et al. (2020). "Applying Gender-Based Analysis Plus to Employee Assistance Programs: A Canadian perspective." Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, 35(2), 80-99. 

Dr. Vivien Runnels

Degrees:

• University of Ottawa, Doctor of Philosophy, Population Health
• City University, London, UK, Master of Science, Disability Management in Work and Rehabilitation

Bio: Vivien Runnels is a researcher specializing in health workforce migration, with a particular focus on gender perspectives. She has worked on various projects that explore the intersection of gender and health worker migration, examining how these factors influence the workforce's capacity to respond to global health needs. She completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship on the Gender Perspectives on the Migration of Health Workers Study, co-supervised with Ron Labonté.

Projects & Publications:

• Runnels, V., et al. (2021). Hiding in plain sight: the absence of consideration of the gendered dimensions in ‘source’ country perspectives on health worker migration. Human Resources for Health, 19(1).

• Runnels, V., et al. (2020). Population Health in Canada: Issues, Research, and Action. 

• Runnels, V., et al. (2017). Causes, consequences, and policy responses to the migration of health workers: key findings from India. Human Resources for Health, 15(28). 

• Runnels, V., et al. (2017). An examination of the causes, consequences, and policy responses to the migration of highly trained health personnel from the Philippines: the high cost of living/leaving – a mixed method study. Human Resources for Health, 15(25). 

Dr. Hasu Ghosh

Degrees: 

• University of Ottawa, Doctor of Philosophy, Population Health
• University of Ottawa, Graduate Diploma, Health Services and Policy Research
• Carleton University, Master of Arts, Anthropology
• Visva Bharati, Shantiniketan, Master of Science, Anthropology (Medical Anthropology Specialization)
• University of Calcutta, Bachelor of Education, Methods in Biology and International Language University of Calcutta, Bachelor of Science, Zoology (Honours), Minor in Chemistry, Botany, and English

Bio: Dr. Hasu Ghosh is a researcher with expertise in population health, health equity, and medical anthropology. Her work explores disparities in health outcomes among Indigenous and immigrant populations, with a particular focus on diabetes and structural violence. She has contributed to projects addressing high-risk populations and policy interventions in Canada. Her research has been recognized with accolades such as the CIHR-IAPH Scientific Director's Award.

Projects & Publications: 

• Ghosh, H., & Bourgeault, I. (in press). Scoping review of population health equity and intervention literature in Ontario. In I. Bourgeault, R. Labonté, C. Packer, & V. Runnels (Eds.), Population Health in Canada: Issues, Research & Action. Canadian Scholars Press Inc.

Dr. Christine Covell

Degrees:

• University of Toronto, Doctor of Philosophy, Nursing Administration
• University of Ottawa, Postdoctoral Studies, Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration

Bio: Dr. Christine Covell is a researcher specializing in health human resources, with a focus on the integration and retention of internationally educated health professionals in Canada. Her work examines the study-migration pathway, the role of institutional policies in workforce retention, and the challenges faced by internationally educated nurses entering the Canadian healthcare system. She has contributed to numerous interdisciplinary projects, collaborating with policymakers and scholars to improve health workforce planning and equity. Dr. Covell's research has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Health Canada, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Publications & Presentations:

• Covell, C.L., Neiterman, E., Bourgeault, I.L. (2014). A scoping review on internationally educated nurses in Canada. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 46(3), 26-45.
• Covell, C.L., Neiterman, E., Bourgeault, I.L. (In press, 2014). Forms of Capital as Facilitators of Internationally Educated Nurses’ Integration into the Canadian Nursing Workforce. Canadian Public Policy (Upcoming Special Issue).

Dr. Christine Kelly

Degrees:

• Carleton University, Doctor of Philosophy, Canadian Studies
• University of Manitoba, Master of Arts, Disability Studies

Bio: Dr. Christine Kelly is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Her research focuses on home care, long-term care, aging studies, disability studies, gender and feminist theory, and Canadian health and social policy. She has held prestigious postdoctoral positions, including a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Ottawa’s Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies and a postdoctoral role in Long-Term Care Health Human Resources at the Bruyère Research Institute. Dr. Kelly currently leads a CIHR-funded study on directly funded (self-managed) home care in Canada and collaborates as a co-investigator on multiple age-related studies, including research on dementia care environments. She also serves as a gender champion for a team grant integrating gender and intersectionality into knowledge translation research.

Projects & Publications:

• Kelly, C. (forthcoming). Towards renewed descriptions of Canadian disability movements: Disability activism outside of the non-profit sector. Canadian Journal of Disability Studies.
• Kelly, C. (2012). Building bridges with accessible care: Disability Studies, feminist care scholarship and beyond. Hypatia, Early View article, 1-19.

Dr. Dana L. Riley

Degrees:

• University of Ottawa, Doctor of Philosophy, Population Health
• University of Ottawa, Postdoctoral Fellow, Population Health
  

Bio: Dr. Dana L. Riley is a health researcher specializing in population health, program evaluation, and physical activity determinants. She has conducted extensive research on the social and ecological factors influencing physical activity, as demonstrated in her doctoral thesis, A Social Ecological Approach to Understanding Physical Activity. Dr. Riley has also contributed to public health policy and program development through her evaluation of the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health’s collective program. Currently, she serves as a Program Lead at the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), where she applies her expertise to data-driven health system improvements.

Projects & Publications:

• An implementation evaluation of the development of the collective program of the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health
• A Social Ecological Approach to Understanding Physical Activity: A mixed methods exploration of the individual, family, and neighbourhood characteristics that influence physical activity among Family Heart Health: Randomized, Controlled Trial participants (doctoral thesis)

Dr. David Williams

Degrees:

Bio: Dr. David Williams is a public health researcher specializing in epidemiology, geographic health disparities, and structured decision-making in disease prevention. His research focuses on understanding the distribution of adverse birth outcomes in Ontario and developing risk-reduction strategies for public health concerns such as West Nile Virus. He has contributed to evaluating health networks and policy frameworks, ensuring data-driven decision-making in public health planning.

Projects & Publications:

• Accounting for the Distribution of Adverse Birth Outcomes in Ontario: A Hierarchical Analysis of Provincial and Local Outcomes
• A Proposed Structured Decision-Making Plan for West Nile Virus Risk Reduction and Mosquito Abatement for Sudbury and District Public Health Unit
• CHHRN Two-Year Summary Evaluation

Dr. Danielle Rolfe

Degrees:

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Population Health, University of Ottawa
• PhD, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Graduate Department of Exercise Sciences, University of Toronto 
• Master of Science (MSc), Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto 
• Bachelor of Physical Education and Health (BPHE), Exercise Physiology, Human Physiology, Zoology, University of Toronto 
  

Bio: Dr. Danielle Rolfe is a Co-Founder & Director of Soul Space Ottawa, an independent documentary filmmaker, and a consultant specializing in community-based health and social services evaluation. With a strong foundation in health services research and social justice, Dr. Rolfe focuses on addressing systemic barriers in health and wellness, particularly for women and marginalized groups. Her work explores topics such as physical activity, health promotion, and the intersection of human relations, spirituality, and diversity.

Projects & Publications:

• Balancing Safety and Autonomy: Structural and Social Barriers Affecting the Exercise Participation of Women with Disabilities in Community Recreation and Fitness Facilities – Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 4(2), 265-283 (2012)
• Negotiating Participation: How Women Living with Disabilities Address Barriers to Exercise – Health Care for Women International, 30(8), 743-766 (2009)
• Cardiac Rehabilitation and the Therapeutic Environment: The Importance of Physical, Social, and Symbolic Safety for Program Participation Among Women – Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(8), 1834-1846 (2012)

Dr. Sylvia Reitmanova

Degrees:

• Comenius University, Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Memorial University, Master of Science in Medicine (MSc)
• Memorial University, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Community Health & Humanities
• University of Ottawa, Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Carleton University, Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Algonquin College, Early Childhood Education (ECE)
  Algonquin College, Graduate Certificate in Autism & Behavioural Science
  

Bio: Dr. Sylvia Reitmanova is a child protection worker at the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, specializing in equity, diversity, and inclusion in child welfare. With a background in social work, community health, and behavioral sciences, she has worked extensively with marginalized populations and contributed to policy development on diversity and universal access in healthcare and social services.

Projects & Publications:
Diversity & Inclusion in Healthcare – Developed policy recommendations for The Ottawa Hospital to improve institutional approaches to universal access.
Culturally Responsive Care Training – Conducted workshops with Centretown Community Health Centre to educate service providers on inclusive healthcare practices.
Child Welfare & Equity Research – Examines how systemic barriers affect marginalized communities in child protection services.
International Student Support – Worked at the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau to assist students with academic and cultural transitions in Canada.

Dr. Sheri L. Price

Degrees:

• PhD, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto (2011)

Bio: Dr. Sheri L. Price is a researcher specializing in nursing work environments, health services, and women’s and community health. Her research focuses on health human resources, professional socialization, and interprofessional education, employing interpretive and critical methodological approaches.

Projects & Publications:

• Health Human Resources Research: Investigates professional socialization and interprofessional education in healthcare settings.
• Covell, C., Sands, S., Ingraham, K., Lavoie-Tremblay, M., Price, S., Reichert, C., Bourgeault, I. (2020). Mapping the Peer Reviewed Literature on Accommodating Nurses' Return to Work after Leaves of Absence for Mental Health Issues: A Scoping Review. Human Resources for Health.
• Johnson, J., Hermosura, BJ., Price, S., Gougeon, L. (2020). What factors influence interprofessional team collaboration when delivering care to community-dwelling seniors: A Qualitative Meta-synthesis. Journal of Interprofessional Care.
• Jackson, L., Bourgeault, I., Kruisselbrink, A., Gardiner Barber, P., Leiter, M., Nourpanah, S., Price, S. (2020). Geographically-mobile healthcare workers and the conditions of their travel: The perspectives of managers. Healthcare Management Forum.

Mercedes McMahon

Degree: University of Ottawa, Bachelor of Arts in English and American Literature; Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health; currently pursuing a PhD in Population Health.

Thesis: Mercedes McMahon is conducting her thesis on collaboration and power dynamics among pregnancy and reproductive care providers. Her research combines large health administrative databases with qualitative methods to examine the landscape of collaboration and its influence on clinical decision-making.

Leandra Pilon

Degree: University of Ottawa, Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Minor in Gender Studies; Master of Arts in Sociology; currently pursuing a PhD in Sociology.

Thesis: TBA

Rose Darly Dalexis

Degree: University of Ottawa, Bachelor of Science; Master of Science; currently pursuing a PhD in Population Health.

Thesis: Rose Darly Dalexis is conducting her thesis on "Workplace Racial Discrimination and Health." Her research examines the impact of racial discrimination in workplace settings on employees' physical and mental health outcomes.

Mylène Shankland

Degree: University of Ottawa, PhD in Women’s & Gender Studies

Thesis: Mylène Shankland completed her PhD thesis titled "Améliorer la qualité des soins perçue lors de la grossesse et de l’accouchement chez les personnes queers et trans : Ouvrir le dialogue avec les prestataires de soins obstétriques pour une approche éthique adaptée aux réalités et aux besoins queers et trans." Her research focused on improving the perceived quality of care during pregnancy and childbirth for queer and trans individuals by fostering dialogue with obstetrical care providers and promoting an ethical, inclusive approach tailored to the specific realities and needs of these communities.

Graduate Research Apprenticeship: During her doctoral studies, Mylène participated in a Graduate Research Apprenticeship, contributing to projects aimed at enhancing healthcare access and quality for marginalized groups, particularly queer and trans individuals, further enriching her research in gender and health.

Billie Jane Hermosura

Degree: University of Ottawa, PhD in Health Professional Education

Thesis: Billie Jane Hermosura completed her PhD thesis titled "Learning to Lead: A Multi-Faceted Study of Leadership Skills Development and Use by Dietitians," co-supervised with Isabelle Giroux. Her research explored the development and application of leadership skills among dietitians, providing valuable insights into professional education, leadership training, and practice in dietetics.

Graduate Research Apprenticeship: As part of her doctoral studies, Billie Jane engaged in a Graduate Research Apprenticeship, contributing to projects focused on health professional education and leadership development, enhancing her research expertise and practical understanding of leadership in healthcare professions.

Caroline Chamberland

Degree: Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa, PhD in Health Systems Management

Thesis: Caroline Chamberland-Rowe completed her PhD thesis titled "Building a Maternal Health Workforce that Supports Women’s Reproductive Autonomy." Her research focused on the design and implementation of health system strategies to cultivate a maternal health workforce that prioritizes and upholds women's reproductive autonomy, providing insights into policy development and workforce planning.

Graduate Research Apprenticeship: During her doctoral studies, Caroline participated in a Graduate Research Apprenticeship, contributing to projects that examined health systems management and maternal health workforce development, further refining her expertise in reproductive health and system-level approaches.

Yvonne James

Degree: University of Ottawa, PhD in Women’s & Gender Studies

Thesis: Yvonne James completed her PhD thesis titled "The Emergence of Birth Centre Aides as a Novel Maternity Support Role in Ontario Freestanding Birth Centres: A Community-Based Institutional Ethnography of Gendered Healthcare Work," co-supervised with Audrey Giles. Her research examined the development and integration of birth centre aides as a new maternity support role, highlighting the gendered dimensions of healthcare work and the implications for community-based maternal care in Ontario.

Graduate Research Apprenticeship: During her doctoral studies, Yvonne contributed to projects focused on gendered healthcare work and institutional ethnography, further developing her expertise in Women’s & Gender Studies.

Myuri Manogaran

Degree: University of Ottawa, PhD in Population Health

Thesis: Myuri Manogaran completed her PhD thesis titled "Managing the Transitions of Neonatal Patients from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: The Role of Interprofessional Collaboration." Her research explored the processes and challenges associated with transitioning neonatal patients from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, emphasizing the critical role of interprofessional collaboration in ensuring continuity of care and improved patient outcomes.

Graduate Research Apprenticeship: As part of her doctoral program, Myuri participated in a Graduate Research Apprenticeship, where she contributed to various projects focusing on health systems and interprofessional collaboration, further enhancing her research skills and subject matter expertise.

Mariam Stitou

Degree: University of Ottawa, PhD in Population Health

Thesis: Mariam Stitou has completed her PhD thesis titled "Étude Comparative De L’état De Santé Des Responsables De Services De Garde Formels En Milieu Familial Du Québec Et De L’Ontario," co-supervised with Dafna Kohen. Her research examines the health status of formal home childcare providers in Quebec and Ontario, highlighting the influence of policy frameworks and working conditions on their physical and mental well-being, with the aim of informing supportive policy measures.

Karen Lawford

Degree: University of Ottawa, PhD in Women’s and Gender Studies

Thesis: Karen Lawford completed her doctoral thesis titled “First Nations Women’s Evacuation During Pregnancy: An Indigenous Feminist Analysis,” co-supervised with Audrey Giles. Her research critically examined the Canadian policy of evacuating pregnant First Nations women from their communities for childbirth, analyzing its implications through an Indigenous feminist lens.

Graduate Research Apprenticeship: During her doctoral studies in Women’s Studies at the University of Ottawa, Karen Lawford served as a Research Assistant, contributing to various projects that intersected with her interests in Indigenous health policies and women’s studies.

Maisam Najafizada

Degree: University of Ottawa, PhD in Population Health

Thesis: Maisam Najafizada completed his PhD thesis titled "An Evaluation of the Community Health Workers Program to Improve Maternal Health in Afghanistan," co-supervised with Ron Labonté. His research focused on assessing the effectiveness of the Community Health Workers Program in addressing maternal health challenges in Afghanistan, offering critical insights into program outcomes and health system improvements.

Graduate Research Apprenticeship: As part of his doctoral studies, Maisam engaged in a Graduate Research Apprenticeship, contributing to projects focused on maternal health and health systems, further enhancing his expertise in community health and healthcare program evaluation.

Birama Apho Ly

Degree: University of Ottawa, PhD in Population Health

Thesis: Birama Apho Ly completed his PhD thesis titled "Déterminants de l’utilisation de la télémédecine au Sénégal," co-supervised with Ron Labonté. His research investigated the determinants of telemedicine use in Senegal, offering valuable insights into the factors influencing the adoption and integration of telemedicine within the country's healthcare system.

Graduate Research Apprenticeship: Birama Apho Ly completed a Graduate Research Apprenticeship as part of the Population Health doctoral program at the University of Ottawa. She contributed to research projects within the Population Health program, gaining valuable experience as a research assistant.

Maria Benkhalti Jandu

Degree: University of Ottawa, PhD in Population Health

Thesis: Maria Benkhalti completed her PhD thesis titled "Health Equity Impact Assessment for Immigrants: Current Uses and Effects," co-supervised with Peter Tugwell. Her research focused on the application and outcomes of health equity impact assessments for immigrant populations, providing critical insights into their effectiveness in addressing health disparities and promoting equitable healthcare policies.

Graduate Research Apprenticeship: During her doctoral studies, Maria participated in a Graduate Research Apprenticeship, contributing to projects on health equity and immigrant health, further developing her expertise in health policy and equity-focused interventions.

Brenda Dogbey

Degree: University of Ottawa, PhD in Population Health

Thesis: Brenda Dogbey completed her thesis titled "The Migration of Health Professionals: Push, Pull, Stay & Stick Factors in Kenya." Her research examined the factors influencing the migration of health professionals in Kenya, focusing on push, pull, stay, and stick dynamics.

Graduate Research Apprenticeship: During her doctoral studies, Brenda participated in a Graduate Research Apprenticeship, contributing to projects on health workforce migration and mobility, further enhancing her expertise in global health and health systems research.

Esther Shoemaker

Degree: University of Ottawa, PhD in Population Health

Thesis: Esther Shoemaker completed her thesis titled "Vaginal Birth after Caesarean Section (VBAC) Decision Making and VBAC Rates in Ontario." Her research explored the factors influencing VBAC decision-making and analyzed trends in VBAC rates across Ontario.

Graduate Research Apprenticeship: During her doctoral studies, Esther participated in a Graduate Research Apprenticeship, contributing to projects focused on maternal health and decision-making in obstetrical care, further strengthening her expertise in population health and healthcare systems.

Ashley Grace Turcotte

Degree: University of Toronto, Master of Arts, Criminology & Sociolegal Studies

Project: Ashley’s research explores the reproductive choice options available to past and present lesbian and single Canadian women, analyzing the role of more than 30 donors in shaping their reproductive journeys within sociolegal frameworks.

Sarah Berube

Degree: University of Ottawa, Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in Sociology (CO-OP); currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Sociology (Thesis).

Project: Sarah’s research examines the relationship between interprofessional teams and family members in providing quality end-of-life care in long-term care homes, comparing pre- and post-COVID-19 contexts. Using a sequential mixed-methods approach, it aims to develop insights and policy recommendations to enhance team-family-resident communication, education, and care practices.

Renee Curry

Degree: University of Ottawa, Master's in Sociology (MRP)

Project: Renee Curry completed her Major Research Paper (MRP) titled "The Process of Decision-Making of Birthing Individuals in the Context of Competing Ways of Knowing and Uncertainty" as part of her Sociology degree. The research explored how birthing individuals navigate decision-making amidst conflicting knowledge systems and uncertainty.

Alvin Law

Degree: University of Ottawa, Master's of Social Science in Sociology (MRP)

Project: Alvin's Major Research Paper analysed "The Promises and Perils of Guaranteed Basic Income Projects" by examining the Southern Ontario Basic Income Project. Since graduating, he manages and maintains websites for various research projects of the Chair ensuring they are up to date and effectively communicate key information.

Chinyere Opia

Degree: University of Ottawa, Master's in Sociology (MRP)

Project: Chinyere Opia completed her project titled "Social Media and Migration Decisions: An Analysis of Popular Facebook Groups and Twitter Handles and Their Impact on the Decisions of Highly Mobile Nigerian Youth," co-supervised with Willow Scobie. The project examined how social media platforms influence migration decisions among Nigerian youth with high mobility.

Ugochi Udonsi

Degree: University of Ottawa, Master of Arts - MA, Sociology and Anthropology

Project: Ugochi Udonsi completed her Major Research Paper (MRP) titled "An Intersectional Analysis of the Social Determinants of Health among Male Migrant Workers: Masculinity, Migration, and Work in the Context of a Pandemic" as part of her Master of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology degree at the University of Ottawa. Her research, co-supervised with Phyllis Rippey, examined how masculinity, migration, and work intersect to influence the social determinants of health for male migrant workers during a pandemic.

Mara Mihailescu

Degree: Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa, Master of Science - MSc, Health Systems

Project: Mara Mihailescu completed her thesis titled "Early Career Attrition of Women Physicians due to Mental Health" as part of her Master of Science in Health Systems degree at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa. Additionally, she collaborated on multiple studies with Simkin S., Aggarwal M., Ahmed N., and others, examining mental health challenges, leaves of absence, and return-to-work experiences of Canadian physicians through the Healthy Professional Workers Partnership and Research Initiative. These findings were presented in both poster and oral formats at key conferences, including the Canadian Conference on Physician Health (2019), the CSSH Canadian-Australian Health Sociology Conference (2019), and the Canadian Health Workforce Conference (2018).

Inna Fatoumata Kandé

Degree: University of Ottawa, Master of Science - MS, Health Systems

Project: Inna Fatoumata Kandé completed her thesis titled "The Health Systems Impacts of Skin Lightening in Senegal" as part of her Master of Science in Health Systems degree at the University of Ottawa. The thesis examined the effects of skin lightening practices on health systems in Senegal.

Nabeelah Ahmed

Degree: Telfer School of Management at the University of OttawaMaster of Science (MSc), Health Systems

Project: Nabeelah Ahmed completed her thesis titled "Mental Health Experiences of Resident Physicians." The thesis explored the mental health challenges faced by resident physicians and their experiences within the healthcare system.

Gregory Huyer

Degree: Telfer School of Management at the University of OttawaMaster of Science (MSc), Health Systems

Project: Gregory Huyer completed his thesis titled "Transitions of Care for People with Dementia: Predictive Factors and Health Workforce Implications," co-supervised with Amir Attaran. The thesis examined the predictive factors influencing transitions of care for individuals with dementia and explored the implications for the health workforce.

Stéphanie Abou Eid

Degree: Telfer School of Management at the University of OttawaMaster of Science (MSc), Health Systems

Project: Stéphanie Abou Eid completed her thesis titled "Evaluation of Current Nutrition Care Practices of Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners in Primary Health Care Settings in Ontario – A Qualitative Study," co-supervised with Isabelle Giroux. The thesis explored the nutrition care practices of family physicians and nurse practitioners in Ontario, using qualitative methods to assess their approaches and identify challenges in primary health care settings.

Caroline Chamberland

Degree:Telfer School of Management at the University of OttawaMaster of Science (MSc), Health Systems

Project: Caroline Chamberland completed her thesis titled "Obstacles and Enablers to the Professional Development of Skilled Birth Attendants: A Case Study of the Shoklo Malaria Research Unit on the Thailand-Myanmar Border." The thesis examined the factors that hinder and facilitate the professional development of skilled birth attendants working in the Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, located on the Thailand-Myanmar border.

Robin Hebert

Degree: University of Ottawa, Master of Science (MSc), Health Systems

Project: Robin Hebert completed his thesis titled "Initiation of In-Hospital CPR: An Examination of Nursing Behaviour within their Scope of Practice," co-supervised with Francois Chiocchio. The thesis explored the behaviors and decision-making processes of nurses in initiating CPR within their scope of practice in hospital settings.

Sarah Simkin

Degree: Telfer School of Management at the University of OttawaMaster of Science (MSc), Health Systems

Project: Sarah Simkin completed her thesis titled "End-of-career practice patterns of primary care physicians in Ontario," co-supervised with Simone Darhouge. The thesis examined the practice patterns of primary care physicians in Ontario as they approach the end of their careers.

Emily Rowland

Degree: University of Ottawa, Master of Science (MSc), Health Systems

Project:Emily Rowland completed her thesis titled "Who’s Baby is it: Nurses and Mothers Experiences in the NICU," co-supervised with Muriel Mignerat. The thesis explored the experiences of nurses and mothers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), focusing on their perspectives and interactions.

Vicki Sabourin

Degree: University of Ottawa, Master of Science in Health Systems, Health/Health Care Administration/Management

Project: Vicki Sabourin completed her thesis titled "Evaluating The Recruitment Strategies Used For The Registered Nurses At The Montfort Hospital," co-supervised with Doug Angus. The project evaluated the recruitment strategies employed by Montfort Hospital for hiring registered nurses.

Jan O. D. Jablonski

Degree: University of Ottawa, Master's in Epidemiology

Project: Jan O. D. Jablonski completed his thesis titled "The Integration of International Medical Graduates in Ontario: An Analysis of the Access Centre Database." The thesis analyzed data from the Access Centre database to explore the integration process of international medical graduates in Ontario.

Frédérick Vachon

Degree: University of Ottawa, Bachelor of Arts, Communication and Media Studies

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Ruth Lourdemie Duclos

Degree: University of Ottawa, Honours Bachelor’s degree, Economics and Public Policy (CO-OP)

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Sarah Berube

Degree: University of Ottawa, Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in Sociology (CO-OP); currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Sociology (Thesis).

Project: Sarah's work for Dr. Ivy Bourgeault's Chair in Gender, Diversity, and the Professions primarily focused on the CHWN library and the SALTY project. She contributed to the development and management of these initiatives, helping to support research and data organization.

Fabrizia Tuletta

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Julieanna Mawko

Degree: University of Ottawa, Honours Bachelor of Arts, Communication; McGill University, Graduate Certificate, Marketing

Project: Julieanna developed and implemented a communications strategy for the Healthy Professional Worker (HPW) Partnership as part of uOttawa's CO-OP program. She managed HPW's visual identity, created multimedia products, and collaborated with researchers to advance mental health research, including literature reviews on teacher mental health during COVID-19.

Renata Khalikova

Degree: University of Ottawa, Bachelor of Arts, Economics; currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Economics

Project: Renata applies her expertise in data analysis, literature review, and data visualizations to support various research projects under the chair, contributing to the development of evidence-based insights.

Kennedy Oynechie

Degree: University of Ottawa, Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences, Political Science (CO-OP)

Project: Somtochukwu Kennedy contributed to the Health Workforce Partnership research, examining the gendered dimensions of mental health before and during the pandemic. She also assisted with revitalizing the CHWN library and researching health worker migration pathways and international reporting obligations.

Justine Pascual

Degree: University of Ottawa, Bachelor of Social Science, International Development and Globalization

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Asli-Oubah Fuad

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Jade Sim

Degree: University of Ottawa, Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences, International Development and Globalization 

Project: Jade Sim worked full-time as a research assistant for the Gender, Work, and Health Research Project, contributing to the analysis of how gender influences work and health outcomes.

Ziyan Liu

Degree: University of Ottawa, Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences, Political Science

Project: Ziyan Liu worked as a part-time trainee for the Healthy Professional Worker Partnership, contributing to the development of initiatives aimed at promoting the well-being of professionals in the workforce.

Ruth Decady

Degree: University of Ottawa, Honours BSocSc, International Development

Project: As an Undergraduate Research Fellow in the Gender, Work and Health Research Lab at the Telfer School of Management, Ruth Decady contributed to developing EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION toolkits to support inclusive leadership in healthcare and academic health sciences. She also supported organizing and facilitating learning labs with women leaders from across Canada.

Laura Pozzobon

Degree: University of Ottawa, Bachelor’s Degree, Honours Bachelor in Health Science

Project: Laura Pozzobon completed her Thesis/Independent Study Supervision as part of the 4th year project (HSS 4900) in the Health Sciences Programme at the University of Ottawa. Her thesis explores Murray Enkin as a reluctant policy entrepreneur, examining his contributions to the field of maternal health and the complexities of his role in shaping healthcare policies.

Marie-Aimée Chiasson

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Project: Marie-Aimée Chiasson completed her Thesis/Independent Study Supervision as part of the Undergraduate Health Sciences Programme at the University of Ottawa. Her paper explores the evolution of alternative and complementary care and the implications of their definitions on healthcare approaches, examining the shifting labels of these care modalities and presenting three case studies—guided imagery for cancer patients, acupuncture for chronic pain, and the Zamboni procedure for multiple sclerosis—to illustrate their fluidity across different medical domains.

Sameer Ratti

Degree: University of Ottawa, Bachelor's degree, Honours in Health Sciences, Minor in Linguistics

Project: Sameer Ratti completed his Thesis/Independent Study Supervision as part of the Undergraduate Health Sciences Programme at the University of Ottawa.

Dominique Menard

Degree: University of Ottawa, Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Project: Dominique Menard's project, Implementing Interprofessional Collaboration: Comparing Approaches Used in Ontario and Nova Scotia, investigates the strategies and challenges of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare across two Canadian provinces. This project is part of her Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences degree at the University of Ottawa.

Emily Bray

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Project: Emily Bray's Secondary Analysis of the Process Literature on Scope of Practice Changes in Canada critically examines existing literature on the implementation and evaluation of scope of practice changes for healthcare professionals in Canada. This project, part of her 4th Year Project (HSS 4900) in the Faculty of Health Sciences, is complemented by her experience in Undergraduate Research Assistantships/Co-op Placements.

Caitlin Jebakumar-Corbett

Degree: University of Ottawa, Honours Bachelor Degree, Health Sciences, minor in Life Sciences (French Immersion)

Project: Caitlin Corbett's Distances from Birth to Hospital Project investigates the impact of the distance between birth locations and hospitals on maternal and neonatal outcomes, analyzing how geographical factors influence birth planning and decision-making. This research is part of her 4th year project (HSS 4900) in the Health Sciences Programme at the University of Ottawa.

Margaret Frère

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Project: Margaret Frere's project, The Migration of Health Workers, explores the influence of the internet on the recruitment and migration of health workers, focusing on geographic location, relationships with Canada, targeted health worker groups, and services offered by agencies. This project is part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and also includes her experience as an Undergraduate Research Assistant/Co-op Placement.

Megan Green

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Project: Megan Green's project, titled Distances from Birth to Hospital, investigates the relationship between the distance to Emergency Obstetrical Services (EOS) and maternal and neonatal outcomes, building on prior research. It also examines additional factors, such as education and decision-support tools, to ensure safe birth planning in homes and distant communities. This project is part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and is conducted as part of her Thesis/Independent Study Supervision.

Kate Kienapple

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Project: Kate Kienapple completed her 4th-year project, titled The Role of Recruitment Agencies in the Migration of Health Workers, as part of the Health Sciences Programme at the University of Ottawa. This research project explored the influence of recruitment agencies on the migration patterns of health workers, examining the factors that drive international recruitment and its impact on healthcare systems. In addition to her project, Kate also participated in an Undergraduate Research Assistantship/Co-op Placement, where she further developed her research skills and contributed to ongoing studies in the field of health worker migration.

Shabnaz Siddiq

Degree: University of Ottawa, Bachelor’s Degree, Health Sciences

Project: Shabnaz Siddiq completed her 4th-year project, titled Translating Maternity Care Initiatives from One Community Hospital to Another, as part of the Health Sciences Programme at the University of Ottawa. This independent study focused on the process of adapting and implementing maternity care initiatives across different community hospital settings, highlighting challenges and strategies for effective translation.

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Brieanne Olibris

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Project: Brieanne Olibris conducted her 4th-year project, titled Maternity Care Decisions Made by Late Childhood, Adolescent, and Early Adulthood Cancer Survivors, as part of the Health Sciences Programme. This independent study explored the unique challenges and considerations faced by cancer survivors in making maternity care decisions during the later stages of childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood.