The N4 national advisory committee is comprised of a multidisciplinary and socioculturally diverse group of individuals from across Canada with expertise in various sectors, including pediatric and adult health care, education, immigration, as well as individuals with lived experience as newcomers to Canada.
The role of the N4 Advisory Committee is to provide support, guidance, and oversight to the project team, as it pertains to the development of the National Newcomer Navigation Network.
Chairs
| Karyn Steer, Interim Co-Chair |
| Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organizations (OCISO) Interim Executive Director | Ottawa, ON
As the Interim Executive Director of Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), Karyn leads OCISO to support immigrants through the journey of making Canada their home, by building community through mutual respect and partnerships, and by fostering healthy and inclusive spaces for open dialogue and healing. An experienced human resources, and employability development specialist, Karyn has worked internationally within Australia and the United Kingdom across a wide range of human resource disciplines. Over the past two decades in Canada, she has combined her extensive knowledge of the human resources corporate world with her passion of supporting equity groups. Using her extensive expertise in project management and innovation, she has created and executed multiple programs for newcomers, women, Indigenous peoples, racialized people, and people with disabilities, specifically for not for profit organizations and government-funded projects. |
| Annalee Coakley, Co-Chair |
| Mosaic Refugee Health Clinic Medical Director | Calgary, ON
Dr. Coakley received her medical degree from Queen’s University in 2001 and completed her residency in 2003 in the university’s Department of Family Medicine. Over the next several years, she practiced emergency and outpatient family medicine throughout Ontario and Nova Scotia, often working in remote, rural communities. In 2008, she relocated to Calgary, working as a hospitalist locum at the Peter Lougheed Centre and practicing outpatient family medicine and urgent care at the Sheldon Chumir Urgent Care Center. In 2009 she began practicing as a family physician at the Mosaic Refugee Health Clinic where, in 2012, she became medical director. She also practices at the East Calgary Family Care Clinic. Dr. Coakley is a passionate advocate for programs that are crucial to her patients’ health and wellbeing. She was part of a team of concerned citizens who spoke out about cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program, and spent countless hours working directly with patients who had been declined status or lost their health care privileges. In instances when patients faced overwhelming bills for uncovered hospital stays or procedures, she fought to reduce these costs. Her concern for vulnerable patients transcends borders and has led to her involvement with a charitable organization that provides medical care to a refugee camp in Kenya. That concern has prompted her to pursue additional training in tropical medicine and to teach about immigrant and refugee health at the University of Calgary. In 2016, Dr. Coakley marshalled the community to welcome and care for the influx of Syrian refugees coming to Calgary, establishing satellite clinics and caring for those who arrive battling illness, injury or trauma. Most recently, over the course of 2017 and 2018, Dr. Coakley has helped welcome the Yazidi refugees to Calgary, providing health care to this highly traumatized population. |
Dr. Annalee Coakley has dedicated her medical career to caring for marginalized and vulnerable patients, including refugees who often arrive in Canada dealing with myriad health issues after enduring unimaginable trauma. As the medical director of the Mosaic Refugee Health Clinic in Calgary, she not only provides compassionate care to new Canadians, but also advocates for her patients locally, nationally and internationally.
National Sector Representatives
| Doug Maynard, Pediatric Healthcare |
| Children’s Healthcare Canada (CHC) Associate Director, Business Development | Ottawa, ON
Starting in 2003 as the Executive Director of the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists, Doug began a career in healthcare associations, where his interests in building communities and facilitating knowledge exchange has been key to the success of many national collaborations. At Children’s Healthcare Canada, Doug led the creation of the Spark knowledge mobilization programming and continues to engage a diverse range of stakeholders from across the child and youth healthcare community. Doug graduated from the University of Western Ontario, with a Bachelor's degree in Biology (1992), a diploma in Respiratory Therapy from Algonquin College (1996), and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Masters in Business Administration (2003). Doug has practiced as a Registered Respiratory Therapist in Ontario, Maine (USA), Alberta, and Saskatchewan. |
| Jonathan Mitchell, Adult Healthcare |
| HealthcareCAN Vice-President, Research and Policy | Ottawa, ON
With over 15 years experience in national policy and research roles, Jonathan previously worked for the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), Accreditation Canada, and the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science from McGill University and a Master of Science in Business Administration from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business in Montreal. He holds a Certified Health Executive designation from the Canadian College of Health Leaders and is a fellow of the International Society for Quality in Healthcare. |
| Aamna Ashraf, Mental Health |
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Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) – Immigrant, Refugee Mental Health Project Aamna holds a Master’s Degree in Education (Counselling Psychology) and has worked in the not- for -profit sector for over 25 years. As an advocate for health equity, Aamna leads the award winning Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project and serves as one of Ontario's Health Equity Impact Assessment Champions. She previously worked as a Senior Program Advisor in refugee resettlement with the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. Before this she was the Director of the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group -Local Immigration Partnership for Peel. Aamna has also worked at United Way Peel and has lead service development for diverse populations at Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto. In her current role at CAMH she manages 11 staff whose portfolios include interpretation services, research and evaluation, education and training, and the IRCC funded national immigrant and refugee mental health project. |
| Jean McRae, Settlement |
| The Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance Treasurer | Victoria, BC
Jean is sector Co-Chair for Pathways to Prosperity, Past-President of the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA), represents AMSSA on the National Settlement Council (NSC), and the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance (CISSA-ACSEI). Jean has been working in the immigrant and refugee services sector since 1982, inclusive of three years working with refugees in Central America. |
Doug Maynard is the Associate Director, Business Development at Children’s Healthcare Canada and is the Knowledge User Co-Director of Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP).
Jonathan Mitchell is Vice-President, Research and Policy, at HealthCareCAN in Ottawa. In this role, Jonathan leads research, advocacy and policy development for member academic health sciences centres, hospitals, and healthcare organizations across Canada. This involves partnerships with organizations across the country as well as the Vice Presidents of Health Research. Jonathan also leads the partnership with the Canadian College of Health Leaders to plan the National Health Leadership Conference, the largest annual health leadership gathering.
Aamna Ashraf is the Manager of Health Equity at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She is a well-known figure in the field of health equity and is an experienced professional in the areas of program and policy implementation, stakeholder development and partnerships.
Jean McRae, B.A., C.P.Ed, M.B.A., is Chief Executive Officer of the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA).
Provincial and Local Sector Representatives
| Karima Karmali, Pediatric Healthcare |
| Sick Kids Director, Centre for Innovation & Excellence in Child and Family-Centred Care | Toronto, ON
Karima is a strong proponent of volunteerism and gives her time both locally and internationally. She is a current member of the Board of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Canada. Karima obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from McGill University and a Master of Business Administration from Queens University. |
| (Unfilled), Adult Healthcare |
| Nicole Jowett, Settlement |
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Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO) With multifaceted experience in the settlement sector, including frontline work, research and evaluation projects, and advocacy, as well as a background in creative project management, Nicole is passionate about fostering welcoming communities and positive spaces for newcomers across Manitoba. |
| Carolyn Whiteway, Settlement |
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Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (ARAISA) ARAISA engages with and supports its membership through professional development and information sharing, and contributes to the settlement and integration sector through consultation, research collaboration and representation. Prior to stepping into the role of ARAISA’s first-ever executive director in January 2018, Carolyn worked for many years in the not-for-profit sector, both regionally and internationally, in the areas of international cooperation, youth programming, and member-based associations. She is excited to contribute to a national project that will help support positive health outcomes for newcomers. |
| Tanya Lentz, Frontline Pediatric Healthcare |
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Janeway Children’s Hospital In her private clinic, she provides psychological and neuropsychological assessments and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. Throughout her career and education, Dr. Lentz has studied and worked in multiple provinces across Canada. She is a passionate advocate for improving medical care services across the country. She is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Respect and Civility Committee for Eastern Health. Through these committees, Dr. Lentz strives to create bridges of understanding and communication between staff and patients, particularly those who are new to Canada. |
| (Unfilled), Frontline Adult Healthcare |
| (Unfilled), Frontline Settlement |
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Karima Karmali has over 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare and is the Director of the Centre for Innovation & Excellence in Child and Family-Centred Care at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. In this role, she provides strategic and operational leadership to advance the design and delivery of healthcare that is patient and family centric. Karima champions and leads initiatives aimed at improving patient and family experience and health equity at SickKids. A key area of her work has focussed on the health of vulnerable populations including newcomers.
Nicole Jowett is the Provincial Coordinator at the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO). Her work focuses on provincial level issues, including health, and on coordinating services for newcomers with temporary status, such as refugee claimants and migrant workers.
Carolyn Whiteway is the Executive Director of the Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (ARAISA), a bilingual umbrella organization providing a collective voice and regional forum for member agencies committed to the settlement and integration of immigrants in the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
Dr. Tanya Lentz is a registered psychologist with a background in clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology. She heads the Pediatric Neuropsychology Service and is one of the psychologists responsible for the Rehabilitation Psychology Service at the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre in St. John’s, NL.
Persons with Lived Experiences
| Bousi Al Ibrahim, Newcomer and parent of a child with complex medical needs |
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Newcomer Parent | Ottawa, ON They arrived in Ottawa in 2016 and Rahma has been receiving care at CHEO. Bousi is happily adjusted to her new life in Canada, and she volunteers her time to initiatives that aim to help navigators understand the needs and issues of newcomers in the Canadian healthcare system. |
| Mateo Vitale, Newcomer |
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Newcomer Youth | Calgary, AB He was a guest speaker in the CBF 2016 Annual Youth Meeting, 2016 Scholarship Gala Awards Night, and the 2017 Employment For Youth event. He got selected to be one of the CBF 2017 scholarship winners. He also volunteered as a tutor with The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society to help students in his school. Mateo joined the CBFY Board of Directors to represent the youth, learn from the experiences of other members, give back to the community and try to make a positive change. After his term ended, he is now working with the city of Calgary as a recreational leader in programs for refugee children while completing his psychology degree at the University of Calgary. He is also working again with CBFY as a program facilitator for high school immigrant youth Mentorship Program. |
Bousi Al Ibrahim is a Syrian mother of six children. Her daughter, Rahma, is a special needs child. When the war broke out in Syria, and health care services for Rahma became scarce, Bousi moved her family to Lebanon. Two years later, a group of 20 Canadians worked together and brought Bousi and the kids home to Canada.
Mateo Vitale was born and raised in Lattakia, Syria. When he was 11 years old the civil war started. After 5 years his family was able to leave the country and refuge to Canada. They arrived February of 2016. He joined the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth Mentorship Program on his second day of school. Since then he has volunteered with CBFY during the summer of 2016 and 2017 as a peer mentor in the summer program. He also became a peer mentor in his high school in the After School Mentorship Program.
Resource Staff
| Christine Kouri, Host Organization Representative |
| CHEO Manager, Health Equity and Diversity | Ottawa, ON
Christine Kouri has over 30 years of experience in the Canadian healthcare system and is known for her initiatives and expertise in equitable health care across socioculturally diverse and marginalized populations. A graduate of McGill University, she worked at the Montreal Children's Hospital as a nurse for 8 years. Upon obtaining her Master's in Health Administration, she was recruited to CHEO to lead the development of their Patient Experience department. As the Manager for that department, she led CHEO's efforts to ensure an optimal experience for the Syrian Refugees that were welcomed to Ottawa starting in early 2016. Christine developed the role of a Newcomer Navigator position to better support the unprecedented number of newcomer families and the multidisciplinary staff that were providing them with care. Based on that In 2019, CHEO received a three-year federal fund to further that work; developing a national platform to facilitate health and social inter-sectoral collaboration regarding newcomer navigation. In addition to oversight of the N4 project, Christine continues to lead CHEO's health equity efforts for their most vulnerable patients and families, including newcomers. |
| Sahar Zohni, Host Organization Representative |
| CHEO Project Manager | Ottawa, ON
Sahar is the Project Manager for the N4. She has a Master and Doctor Degree in Pediatrics from Alexandria University in Egypt, and a Master of Health Administration from the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa. Dr Zohni brings to the role over 25 years work as a clinician, lecturer, researcher and passion for quality improvement. She has worked internationally including Egypt, England and now Canada. Among her clinical roles have been Lecturer of Pediatrics at El-Shatby Pediatric University Hospital, Egypt and as an Associate Pediatric Specialist, Nottingham City Hospital, England. She also managed two highly intense units; Pediatric Intensive care and Renal Unit. She has led many quality improvement projects along her years of practice which she brought to CHEO in roles in quality improvement and patient experience, including building the hospital's participation in the Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS) Program and a learning federal grant to develop a Newcomer Navigator Toolkit. Sahar's career path makes her the ideal leader for the N4 team to create a national network aimed to improve the experience of newcomers in navigating Canada's complex health and social services.
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| Lauren Provost, Administrative Support |
| CHEO Administrative Assistant, Health Equity and Diversity | Ottawa, ON
Lauren Provost is “A proud Canadian and native of our nation’s capital”. She describes in her own words:
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