Dr. Michael Gardam

CEO, Health PEI

Michael is the Chief Executive Officer at Health PEI. He is a pioneer of using complexity science-based approaches to improve patient safety, system transformation, staff engagement and other complex challenges. Michael has advised organizations in Canada and internationally, including the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hand Hygiene New Zealand, the Irish Health Services Executive and the Maryland Patient Safety Center, the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement as well as numerous hospitals across Canada.

His interest in physician leadership and organizational culture led him to become Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee at UHN (2015-2017) and Chief of Staff and Humber River Hospital in Toronto (2018-2020). He is currently Program Director of the York University Schulich School of Business Healthcare Leadership Development Program and an instructor for the Physician Leadership Institute of Joule (Canadian Medical Association).

As past Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at the University Health Network (2001-2016), past Director of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control at Public Health Ontario (2008 – 2010), and a former member of the Board at Infection Prevention and Control Canada (2009-2015), Michael has worked to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings and the community.

Michael is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and has published more than 120 scientific works. He holds Masters degrees from McGill University (Biochemistry) and the University of Toronto (Health policy, management and evaluation), and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in infectious diseases.

Paul-Émile Cloutier, M.Pol.Sc., M.H.A

Paul-Émile Cloutier was appointed President and CEO of HealthCareCAN, effective June 12, 2017. Before coming to HealthCareCAN, Paul-Émile Cloutier was Vice-President of Advocacy and External Relations of Genome Canada, where he was responsible for managing government and stakeholder relations, communications, events and sponsorships. Prior to that, he spent 11 years at the Canadian Medical Association, initially as Assistant Secretary General, and then as CEO and Secretary General responsible for strategic planning, stakeholder relations and alliances, as well as overseeing the policy direction of the Association. Mr. Cloutier also worked as a senior executive at VIA Rail Canada and for the Ontario Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. He has held a number of policy and strategic direction positions in the federal departments of Immigration Canada, External Relations and International Development, and Indigenous and Northern Affairs, where he honed an excellent understanding of the federal-provincial dynamic.

A Montreal native, Mr. Cloutier is fully bilingual and holds two master’s degrees (Health Administration and Political Science) and two bachelor’s degrees (Social Sciences and Political Science) from the University of Ottawa, where he has also been a lecturer in Political Science. Over the years, Paul-Émile has been an active member in the community and served on a number of Boards, including his current role on the Kemptville District Hospital Board and the Blue Cross.