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HealthCareCAN

The national voice of healthcare organizations and hospitals

HealthCareCAN
  • About us
    • Our Vision & Mission
    • Our Board of Directors
    • Our Strategic Plan
    • Our Annual Report
    • Our Team
  • Our Work
    • Bolster Canada’s Health Workforce
    • Modernize Health Infrastructure
    • Support Better Aging and Older Adult Care
    • Strengthen Health Research and Innovation
    • Empower Lifelong Learning
  • Our Membership
    • Our Members
    • Our Members’ Vice Presidents of Health Research
    • Our Health Human Resources Advisory Committee
    • Member Benefits & FAQ
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      • Legacy of Leadership Award
      • Excellence in Patient Engagement for Patient Safety
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Our Health Human Resources Advisory Committee

The greatest resource in Canada’s healthcare system is its people. The HealthCareCAN Health Human Resources Advisory Committee (HHRAC) unites healthcare People and Culture leaders from across Canada in a national network to provide critical advocacy and strategic direction and counsel on policy issues based on the health sector’s needs as well as advice for future leadership and development programs to be offered by HealthCareCAN’s professional development division, CHA Learning.

Snapshot of Canada’s Healthcare Workforce

Benchmarking survey of HealthCareCAN member institutions
HHRACSurvey_EN

In the fall of 2022, HealthCareCAN’s Health Human Resource Advisory Committee (HHRAC) launched a nation-wide benchmarking survey to better understand the workforce challenges facing healthcare institutions across the country.

Overall, the data confirms that hospitals and health authorities across the country are at the apex of a health human resource crisis with both vacancy and overtime rates rising over the duration. This is the cause and effect which is leading to the other healthcare pandemic: massive rates of moral distress and burnout.

Download the survey results

Health Human Resources Discussion Paper

Health Human Resources Advocacy Priorities (Sept. 1, 2021)
HHRACPaperImage2

In consultation with our health human resources (HHR) partners across Canada, we have identified the top three priorities we believe the Federal Government should engage in as a partner:

  1. Ensuring an adequate supply of HHR with the competencies, skills, and diversity required to sustain and evolve our healthcare system and equitably serve the diverse population and needs of Canada.
  2. Support the health, wellness, safety, and resilience of our workforce with a pan-Canadian mental health strategy, tools, and resources for Healthcare workers.
  3. Promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation in our health system by addressing systemic discrimination, removing barriers, and developing talent within equity-seeking and underserved communities so that we reflect and serve all communities in Canada.
Read the full discussion paper

HHRAC Membership

HHRAC Terms of reference

Download PDF

Mandate:

As part of HealthCareCAN’s overall objective and desire to engage more of its members, the Board of Directors has established an advisory committee that focuses on issues related to health human resources (HHR) strategy and planning in Canada and also provides advice with regards to the direction HealthCareCAN’s professional division, CHA Learning, should be taking for future leadership and development programs. HHRAC serves in an advisory capacity to both HealthCareCAN’s Board of Directors (via HealthCareCAN’s CEO) and to CHA Learning.

The advisory committee advances HealthCareCAN’s position on health human resources agenda in Canada by identifying, investigating, and discussing issues and proposing actions reinforcing HCC’s advocacy role. The Advisory Committee would also support the creation of a national network of “Health Human Resources Executives in Healthcare.” The committee will continue to provide counsel on future leadership and development programs based on the health sector’s needs.

Meetings:

HHRAC usually meets four times per year. Ideally one or two of these meetings may be in person (as required and when feasible); otherwise, meetings will be conducted virtually.

Membership:

The Health Human Resources Advisory Committee is composed of HealthCareCAN members whose responsibilities are in the areas of strategic human resources leadership from research hospitals/health authorities, academic health sciences centres and other healthcare organizations, with representation, as much as possible, from each province and territory and rural/urban representation. Every HealthCareCAN full member will be eligible to name a representative to HHRAC. In its early phase, the advisory committee will be composed of up to 25 HHR representatives from across Canada, ensuring that all regions, and voices are represented. In a phased approach, the HHR Advisory Committee may be expanded to include additional representatives from across HealthCareCAN’s membership. HHRAC membership is limited to appointed representatives. *

* If an HHRAC representative should leave their role and join a non-HealthCareCAN organization, the Steering Committee may appoint the representative as a “member in good standing” should they continue to be responsible for strategic human resources. Note: “Members in Good Standing” would not be considered a voting member.

Goals:

  • To advise HCC on how best to champion a health human resources agenda in Canada that ensures a sufficient supply of well-trained, innovative, and resilient talent capable of meeting the current and future needs of both our health organizations and the Canadian population.
  • To advise HCC on how best to advance issues, best practices, research, and collaboration on HHR priorities impacting research hospitals/health authorities, academic health sciences centres and other healthcare organizations.
  • To advise HCC on how best to position itself as a strong political voice in Ottawa for research hospitals/health authorities, academic health sciences centres and other healthcare organizations that will result in more favourable HHR policy and funding/action at the federal level.
  • To identify and build strategic alliances in support of furthering the group’s mandate.
  • To engage HHR interests from all members periodically (e.g., once a year or every other year) in a virtual or in-person forum relevant to a particular HHR strategic issue.

Responsibilities:

  • The HHRAC will consult with the HealthCareCAN CEO and collaborate with their respective CEO’s, HealthCareCAN Board, and staff and partner organizations to identify key issues.
  • HHRAC members will represent their organizations and the collective HealthCareCAN membership on the health human resource issues that are identified as priorities.
  • The HHRAC will convene by video/web conference and, when possible, travel to Ottawa or other locations for meetings as needed.
  • Agendas will be prepared by HHRAC Steering Committee in consultation with the CEO of HealthCareCAN and materials will be distributed in advance in a timely manner.
  • Sub-committees and working groups may be formed to address specific issues or actions as required. Additional participants may be invited to participate as needed/relevant.

Structure and governance:

  • HHRAC is to be co-chaired by two member representatives.
  • HHRAC will be guided by a Steering Committee of up to 7 members from HHRAC.
  • HHRAC will provide its advice and recommendations on issues to be presented to the Board via the CEO who designs/sets the agenda for the Board and Board Committee meetings. This should be done with the help of the VP Learning and Development and the two Co-Chairs.
  • HCC’s VP Learning & Development shall function as liaison between HHRAC, HealthCareCAN Board via HCC CEO and other HCC staff and provide support in facilitating meetings, reporting, and other operational needs of the Advisory Committee.
  • Representatives commit to a three-year term with potential renewal for one additional term.

Resources:

  • HealthCareCAN shall provide staff support to the HHR Advisory Committee and budget as approved by HealthCareCAN’s Board of Directors and CEO.

Decision making:

  • Decisions shall be made by consensus.

Steve Ashton (co-chair)
Vice-President, People & Organization Development
IWK Health Centre

Kristen Winter (co-chair)
Vice President, Human Resources & Organizational Development & Leadership
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Cameron Brine
Vice President, People and Organization Development
Fraser Health

Leah-Anne Brown
Chief Talent Officer, Human Resources, Labour Relations, Occupational Health & Wellness and OD&L
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario

Sandra Carlton
Joint Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
Kingston Health Sciences Centre & Providence Care

Amy Carr
Interim Chief Human Resources Officer
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

Frédéric Finn
Vice-President, Employee Experience
Vitalité Health Network

Sarah Gilchrist
Director, Learning and Development
The Royal Mental Health Centre

Demetrios Kalantzis
Vice President, People and Chief Human Resources Officer
Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care

Joni Kent
Executive Vice President, Corporate Services & Chief Human Resources Officer
Baycrest Health Sciences

Beverly Kravitz
Director of Human Resources, Communications, Legal Affairs and Global Security
Jewish General Hospital

Susan Madore
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Executive
The Ottawa Hospital

Julia Marchesan
Vice President of Human Resources
London Health Sciences Centre

Mike Northcott
Chief Human Resources Officer
Saskatchewan Health Authority

Caroline Roy-Egner
Vice-President, Strategic Planning, Transformation and Chief Human Resources Officer
Montfort Hospital

Donnie Sampson
Vice President, People & Development and Chief Nursing Officer
Labrador-Grenfell Health

Collette Smith
Vice President, Clinical Services and Human Resource/Chief Nursing Officer
Eastern Health

Matthew Snyder
Vice President, Talent and Employee Experience and CHRO
SE Health

Tanya Solberg
Executive Director, Allied Health Programs
Yukon Hospitals

Maria Tassone
Executive Director, School of Continuing Education
University Health Network & Michener Institute

Sharon Torgerson
Vice President, People
Island Health

Elaine Watson
Executive Director, Health Workforce Strategies
Alberta Health Services

David Williams
Vice President, Human Resources
Northern Health

Tracy Wolbaum
Executive Director, Human Resources
Health PEI

HHRAC Steering Committee Membership

HHRAC Steering Committee Terms of reference

Download PDF

Purpose

The purpose of this Steering Committee is to provide strategic direction and operational leadership for the Health Human Resources Advisory Committee (HHRAC) and represent the decisions/direction of HHRAC to HealthCareCAN’s CEO and its Board of Directors and vice versa.  It shall function as the communication liaison between HHRAC, HealthCareCAN Board, CEO and other HealthCareCAN staff.  In fulfilling this role, the committee will make recommendations on behalf of HHRAC.

HHRAC itself advances HealthCareCAN’s position on health human resources agenda in Canada by identifying, investigating, and discussing issues and proposing actions reinforcing HCC’s advocacy role. HHRAC also supports the creation of a national network of “Health Human Resources Executives in Healthcare.” The committee will continue to provide counsel on future leadership and development programs based on the health sector’s needs.

Composition

The Steering Committee shall consist of a maximum of 7 members fulfilling the following roles:

  1. Co-chair (staggered term)
  2. Co-chair (staggered term)
  3. Member
  4. Member
  5. Member
  6. Member
  7. Member

The Steering Committee shall develop and use a “skills matrix” (to be developed) to guide the selection of HHRAC members, ensuring that the members come from a cross-section of HealthCareCAN’s membership and represent a diversity of voices, experience, and expertise that represents the diversity of Canada, health human resources, and the health system. The Steering Committee ensures the diversity of HHRAC is reflected in the representation and voices on the Steering Committee.

In addition to the above membership, the following roles will be non-voting members of the committee:

  • HCC VP Learning & Development
  • Secretariat – role fulfilled by HealthCareCAN representative
  • Other HCC representatives/delegates as required by the Steering Committee

A quorum for meetings shall be the majority of the Steering Committee members present (in person or via phone or video conference).

Terms

  • Co-Chairs to be on staggered 3-year terms.
  • All other representatives on 3-year terms. Wherever possible, the Steering Committee should consider staggering terms to ensure continuity.
  • Terms may be renewed for a maximum of one additional term unless there are not sufficient nominations for the steering committee and/or a vacancy exists.
  • Members may only serve in the co-chair role for one term.
  • Members will be sought from the HHRAC’s membership.

Responsibilities

  1. Review and make decisions on nominations to the HHRAC (committee of the whole).
  2. Set agendas and annual/multi-year workplan for HHRAC in collaboration with HealthCareCAN staff and with input from the CEO.
  3. Provide direction to Secretariat on meetings/events, speakers, etc.
  4. Biannual (2 years) review Terms of Reference.
  5. Shall represent the voice of the HHRAC and facilitate communication on behalf of the HHRAC to the HealthCareCAN board for its consideration.
  6. Facilitate communication on behalf of the HHRAC in making external “statements” on HHR issues/policies for provision to other bodies, stakeholders, agencies, or government.
  7. Provide strategic leadership to HHRAC and foster strategic relationships with key stakeholders.

Meetings

To be conducted virtually, 4 times per year – 1 month in advance of HHRAC meetings (committee of the whole).

Additional meetings may be called at the decision of the Co-Chairs.

Subcommittees

The Steering Committee may establish sub-committees as required to address strategic issues. Sub-committees will develop terms of reference to ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities.

Decision making

To be made by consensus

Steve Ashton (co-chair)
Vice-President, People & Organization Development
IWK Health Centre

Kristen Winter (co-chair)
Vice President, Human Resources & Organizational Development & Leadership
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Sandra Carlton
Joint Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
Kingston Health Sciences Centre & Providence Care

Mike Northcott
Chief Human Resources Officer
Saskatchewan Health Authority

Sharon Torgerson
Vice President, People
Island Health

Elaine Watson
Executive Director, Health Workforce Strategies
Alberta Health Services

Tracy Wolbaum
Executive Director, Human Resources
Health PEI

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    • Our Members’ Vice Presidents of Health Research
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  • About us
    • Our Vision & Mission
    • Our Board of Directors
    • Our Strategic Plan
    • Our Annual Report
    • Our Team
  • Our Work
    • Bolster Canada’s Health Workforce
    • Modernize Health Infrastructure
    • Support Better Aging and Older Adult Care
    • Strengthen Health Research and Innovation
    • Empower Lifelong Learning
  • Our Membership
    • Our Members
    • Our Members’ Vice Presidents of Health Research
    • Our Health Human Resources Advisory Committee
    • Member Benefits & FAQ
  • News & Events
    • From the CEO’s Desk
    • Grants & Awards
      • Legacy of Leadership Award
      • Excellence in Patient Engagement for Patient Safety
    • Events
      • Canada’s Health CEO Forum
      • Great Canadian Healthcare Debate
      • H on the Hill
      • National Health Leadership Conference
    • News
    • Press releases
  • Policy Documents and Government Submissions
  • Job Board
    • Jobs at HealthCareCAN
    • External Career Opportunities
    • Job Postings FAQ
  • Contact us
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