Members of St. Joseph's Board of Directors

Jonathan Batch

Jonathan is the Senior Investment Advisor with BMO Nesbitt Burns. Starting with Nesbitt Burns in 2002, he has built a successful practice providing investment management and financial planning services to a varied client base across Southwestern Ontario. Jonathan is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University with a BA in psychology. Jonathan received his Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM) designation in 2010, his Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation in 2012, and his Portfolio Manager designation in 2014.  

In addition to day to day work with clients, Jonathan is Past-Chair of the IA Advisory Council at BMO Nesbitt Burns. This national council of 16 advisors meets quarterly with senior leadership to collaboratively advance the strategic agenda of BMO Nesbitt Burns and represent the 1000+ advisors who work at BMO Nesbitt Burns.

Recognizing that volunteering is integral to a vibrant community, Jonathan has been active with several organizations. He has volunteered with St. Joseph’s since 2011, starting on the Finance / Resource Planning and Audit Committee (RPAC) eventually serving as Chair of that committee. During that time he also served as Chair of the Investment Subcommittee of RPAC and Chair of the Lawson Health Research Institute Finance and Investment Committee. Jonathan previously volunteered on the McCormick Home Foundation board and was Chair from 2007-2009. After serving two years as Chair of the Board at St. Joseph’s Health Care London (2021-2023), Jonathan is now the Immediate Past Chair.

Jonathan and his wife Elizabeth are kept busy with their three daughters' competitive dance and hockey activities. They spend as much time as possible outside enjoying skiing, hiking, canoeing and camping. 

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 Nawaz Tahir

Nawaz Tahir is the Managing Partner of the London office of McCague Borlack LLP, where he practices in the areas of insurance, professional malpractice and class action defence litigation. He graduated from Western Law in 2001 and was called to the Bar in 2002. He is a past adjunct professor at Western’s Law School, where he taught Civil Procedure.

Outside the office, Nawaz is an avid golfer, Raptors fan and football fan, and satisfies his passion for football by coaching at the high-school level. He has held various coaching positions, such as defensive coordinator and head coach, and his teams have achieved a number of City and Provincial Championship victories (though according to him, it is not because of anything he did!).

Nawaz is active in political advocacy and engagement, as well as in building bridges between different faiths. He is a champion for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. In 2012, he founded and co-chaired an international conference at Western University on Islam and democracy. He is co-editor of the book Religion and Representation: Islam and Democracy (Cambridge, 2015). He is active in the community on other Boards for various community, religious and political groups. Nawaz has served four years as a Director of the Board for St. Joseph’s Health Care London since 2016 and is currently Chair.

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Dr. Abhijit Biswas

Dr. Biswas is a pediatric anesthesiologist, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine at Western University, Ontario. He is a graduate of the College of Anesthesiology of Ireland. He completed a regional anesthesia fellowship at Toronto Western Hospital and a Pediatric Anesthesia fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children.   

Dr. Biswas’s clinical and academic interests include pediatric and regional anesthesia with several ongoing clinical research. He is currently, the Vice-Chair of the pediatric regional anesthesia committee at American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA), one of the largest international forum/society for regional anesthesia. 

Apart from the life of clinical and academia, he enjoys his spare time in travelling with his family, water sports and painting.  

As the current Vice-President of the Professional Staff Organization at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, he has Board responsibilities as well as being a member of the Governance Committee and Medical Advisory Committee for St. Joseph’s Health Care, London. 

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Peter Cassidy

June 2022, Peter Cassidy is retired from serving as the Principal of John Paul II Catholic Secondary School in East London.  He has served as a school administrator since 2002 and has been a teacher in the London Catholic Board in London since 1990, assigned to Regina Mundi College, John Paul II and Catholic Central.  He has served as Principal and Vice Principal at St. Josephs in St. Thomas and JPII and was given the distinction of opening the new Saint Andre Bessette Catholic Secondary School.  Peter enjoyed five years of teaching experience in Hamilton prior to moving to London.  He holds a Diploma of Architectural Technology from Fanshawe College, a bachelor's degree in History and a Master of Education from Western University.  He was raised in St. Thomas and is a graduate of St. Joseph's Catholic High School.

Peter has enjoyed two years of service on the Quality Committee of St. Joseph’s Board of Directors and is looking forward to serving on the Health Care Ethics Committee along with his assignment to the Board of Governors.  He enjoys serving as a citizen voice on the Hospital Board and finds the experience enlightening to his ongoing work in the education sector as well.

Peter also sits on the Alumni Committee of Fanshawe College and was honoured as a distinguished alumnus in 2019.  He is extremely proud of his association with Fanshawe and likes to tout the merits of a practical education when talking to the students in his care.  As a participant in both the college and university schools, he feels that he has a certain unique perspective when discussing post-secondary program choice with students, parents and his colleagues.

Peter has been married to Susan since 1990 and they have three grown children.  In his free time, he enjoys reading, sketching drawing, participating in local trivia contests and supporting his children in their adventures.  Peter and Sue are parish members at St. Peters Cathedral.  

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Lesley Cornelius

Lesley “retired” June 30, 2017 as the Director Business Development and Communications with Medbuy Corporation, a London-based group purchasing organization supporting Member hospitals across Canada purchase medical supplies, services and pharmaceuticals products. In this role, she was responsible for strategic planning, the acquisition of new business, project management, and marketing and communications.  She was also a part time instructor in the Clinical Trials Management post-degree program at Western Continuing Studies, teaching Communications until 2022.

Lesley has over 25 years’ experience in strategic planning, new product development, business development and corporate communications. Prior to Medbuy, Lesley was with the London Economic Development Corporation for ten years as the Director, Marketing & Communications as well as Business Development for the Life Sciences industry.

She began her career in London at Canada Trust where over the course of ten years had increasing management responsibilities through marketing, product development and regional sales and marketing. Upon graduation from Western, she spent four years with Clinique Cosmetics Canadian head office in Toronto.

Lesley holds a B.A. in Psychology, and has completed the Marketing Management Executive Development Program and the Leadership Executive Development Program at the Richard Ivey School of Business.  She also recently completed her Institute of Corporate Directors designation.

Lesley is an active community volunteer and currently sits on the YMCA Southwestern Ontario board. She is also Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at OECM (Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace), a not-for-profit collaborative sourcing partner for Ontario’s education sector, the Broader Public Sector, and other NFP organizations.

Lesley has also served on other London Boards and Committees including two terms on the St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation board where she held several leadership positions including the Chair of Operations Committee and Cabinet, as well as a two-year cross appointment as the Foundation representative on the Hospital Board. Other past positions include the Board of Huron University, the Women of Distinction Awards Identification Committee, Canada Summer Games, The Dream of a Lifetime Lottery Committee and the Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation. 

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Jayne Garland

Dr. Garland is Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University. Prior to joining Western as Dean in 2016, Dr.

Garland was Professor and Director of the Department of Physical Therapy at UBC from 2009-2015. She was as a member of Western’s Faculty of Health Sciences from 1989 to 2009, a tenure that included eight years as Director of the School of Physical Therapy (2000-2008). 

In addition to being a Registered Physiotherapist with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, Dr. Garland holds her BSc and MClSc in Physical Therapy from Queen’s University and Western, respectively, and a PhD in Neuroscience from McMaster University. 

An active researcher, Dr. Garland is recognized internationally for her innovative techniques and advances in the motor control of force production, particularly under conditions of muscle fatigue, and for applying her work in motor control to several clinical populations, including breast cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and end-stage renal disease.  

In 2019, she was named a Fellow of the Canadian Academic of Health Sciences and was recently awarded a Centenary Medal of Distinction from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association in recognition of her significant and meaningful impact on the physiotherapy profession.  

Dr. Garland is currently an ex-officio member of St. Joseph’s Board of Directors.

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Mary Gillett

Mary Gillett is a Lecturer in the Managerial Accounting and Control group at the Ivey Business School and the Faculty Director of the Executive MBA Program. She has a BA in Business Administration from Western University. She earned her CPA designation with Clarkson Gordon (now Ernst & Young). In 2011, Mary was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario in recognition of her career achievements as well as service to the community and the profession. 

Mary thoroughly enjoys being in the classroom and has received numerous awards for excellence in teaching.  As well, Mary received The Vanier Roots and Wings Award in 2007 in recognition of her contributions to the children's mental health sector. 

Mary has served on the Boards of several small to medium sized non-profit organizations and has been involved in two significant amalgamations in this sector. Mary was appointed a Director of St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Board of Directors June 2019. Prior to this she served two years on the Resource Planning & Audit Committee of the Board.  In June 2022, Mary was appointed as Treasurer. 

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Joan Hubert

Joan is a strong voice for continuous improvement.  Following a traumatic car accident in 2016, Joan spent more than five months as an inpatient at Parkwood Institute completing her rehabilitation. Since that time Joan has been a patient advisor on various projects and committees and served 4 years as a member of the Quality Committee of St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Board of Directors. 

Joan’s educational background includes medical administration, business administration and organizational management.  Joan is also fluent in Spanish.  Her professional background spans across both the private and public sector including health care.   

Joan was appointed as a Director on St. Joseph’s Health Care London Board of Directors June 2022. For the 2023/24 Board cycle Joan is serving as the Chair of the People & Mission Committee and continues to be a voting member on the Quality Committee.

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Donna Ladouceur

Donna was appointed a Director of St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Board of Directors in June 2019. Prior to this she served three years on the Quality Committee of the Board.

Donna was the VP of Home and Community Care in the South West LHIN from 2017 until her retirement in November of 2019. During that time she also was appointed the interim CEO for a 6-month period. Prior to the LHIN and CCAC integration Donna had been the VP of Patient Care from 2007 until 2017 and prior to that a Director of Patient Care.

Donna has worked in the community since 1990 providing case management for hospitals, community and the children services team as well as leading the development of the End of Life Strategy for London and Middlesex. She was a branch manager prior to that for a community healthcare agency. Donna has 10 years' senior leadership experience in a hospital-based research clinic which was a joint venture between an acute care hospital and a pharmaceutical company, the first such venture in Canada.

Donna has a strong, demonstrated track record in leading the delivery of client-driven care which is innovative, integrated and accountable. She is a passionate advocate for consistency and equitable services delivery to clients and has a proven track record as a change leader and proven ability to create and sustain strong strategic partnerships. Donna has always demonstrated a commitment to a high quality patient experience as they journey through the complexities of the health care system. Donna is a nurse by background and resides with her family in Middlesex County.

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Stephanie Marentette 

Stephanie is a litigation lawyer at McCague Borlack LLP, with a focus on property litigation, including construction, real property, municipal, privacy and estates.  Prior to commencing her legal practice, Stephanie served as a Special Assistant to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of State (Finance), as well as served as an analyst with the Canadian International Development Agency, Public Safety Canada and Environment Canada. When she is not in Court, Stephanie also serves as a part-time post-secondary instructor and guest lecturer for various law and economics courses.

Stephanie is an active member of the London community, volunteering with organizations such as the Red Shoe Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, London Middlesex Community Housing, and the London Chamber of Commerce. She is presently the Vice Chair of the London Transit Commission. Stephanie began her volunteer work with St. Joseph’s Health Care London in 2019, when she joined the People and Mission Committee and was inspired to take on a larger role within the organization. She became a Director of the Board June 2020.

In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys dance (particularly ballet and contemporary), piano, travel, tennis and spending time with her dog.

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Father Thomas Francis (Frank) O’Connor

Fr. O’Connor has served on the seminary faculty for 27 years as Spiritual Director of the Seminary, and as Assistant Professor in Spirituality, Catholic Social Teachings and Moral Theology. His teaching in both the seminary’s degree programs and in the formation programs for the Permanent Diaconate and Lay Ecclesial Ministry has inspired numerous students.

Prior to his term on the seminary faculty, Fr. O’Connor served as Associate Pastor and Pastor in parishes throughout the Diocese of London. He also served as a member of the pastoral team of missionaries to the Diocesan Mission in Peru for eleven years. His ministry in the seminary has included facilitating numerous Mission Awareness trips for our seminarians and lay students.

His wisdom in the areas of Spirituality and Social Justice have drawn many dioceses in the Canadian Church to call upon him to lead priests’ retreats and study days. Fr. O’Connor’s thirst for justice and care for the little ones of society has impelled him to reach out in many involvements in the community, including L’Arche London, the Save a Family Plan and various local groups supporting refugees and migrant workers.

He continues to be called upon to give assistance to Spanish speaking parishes in the Diocese because of his facility with the language and his love for the people, of whom many have immigrated to Canada from Central and South America.

Fr. O’Connor was appointed as a Director of St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Board of Directors June 2019.

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Karen Perkin

Karen Perkin holds the role of Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nurse Executive at St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s). She joined the Senior Leadership Team at St. Joseph’s in April 2010 as Vice President of Professional Practice and Chief Nurse Executive, supporting nursing and allied health professional practice, spiritual care and ethics. In April 2011, the role expanded to include accountability for all of the clinical programs at the St. Joseph’s Hospital acute ambulatory site. In 2014, the role further evolved to include pharmacy services. Previously, she held the position of Director, Nursing Practice at St. Joseph’s for a number of years.

Karen has more than 30 years of experience in a variety of nursing leadership roles. She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from Western University in 1994 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Windsor in 1984. Karen is also an Associate Professor at the Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University. She has published leadership, professional practice and research papers, presented internationally and taught at Fanshawe College and Western University at the nursing undergraduate and graduate levels.

Karen is passionate about patient and family-centred care, safe and vibrant care environments, scholarly practice, compassionate leadership and system transformation. She feels very privileged and grateful to have the opportunity to serve in health care at this pivotal time.

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Robert Raymond

Robert earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Western Ontario in the Arts. He stays involved in the academic community, striving to highlight the importance of the Arts and Humanities in the corporate world.  

Over the course of his decades-long career in Sales and Management, Robert has applied his creativity and design thinking to create valuable benefit programs and relevant training journeys. As President overseeing many different distribution channels, ranging from Finance and Automotive to Employee Benefits, he is involved in all aspects of the business, from cross-functional oversight, to projects management, risk mitigation, analysis and deployment.  

Robert became a Director on St. Joseph’s Health Care London Board of Directors June 2022, but his involvement with the St. Joseph’s Board of Directors began four years prior serving as a community member on both the Resource Planning & Audit Committee and Quality Committee of the Board.  

Robert is a London resident with his wife and family. In his free time, he enjoys writing and photography. He is also active in the London Literary Community.

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Howard Rundle

Howard Rundle is President Emeritus of Fanshawe College in London, having retired in 2013 after 18 years at the helm. His career at Fanshawe, however, spanned more than 40 years having held various leadership positions since 1972. Howard has been instrumental in the tremendous growth of the college to more than 200 degree, diploma, certificate and graduate programs with campuses in London, St. Thomas, Simcoe, and Woodstock.   

A University of Toronto graduate with an Honours B.Sc., a Masters and Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, Howard has brought his leadership skills to many professional organizations. During his career he was the Chair of the Ontario College Application Service Management Board, member of the Ontario Colleges Library Services Board of Directors, member of the College Employer Council Management Board, and served as a member of the Committee of Presidents of Colleges Ontario, serving as Chair for three terms. Howard was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada June 20, 2017.   

Locally, Howard has served as Chair of the Lawson Research Institute Board, a member of the Board of the London Economic Development Corporation and a member on the Fanshawe College Foundation Board.  He also served a two-year term as Chair of the St. Joseph’s Health Care London Board of Directors 2019-2021.   

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Victoria Smye

Dr. Victoria Smye is faculty and the Director of the Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University (2017-present). 

Victoria began her academic career as faculty at the University of Victoria in BC (2001-2005) after almost 25 years in clinical practice, including as a program manager (Hamilton Regional Public Health) and as a clinical director, clinical nurse specialist (mental health/eating disorders) and provincial coordinator for the BC Provincial Eating Disorders Program. Prior to her current position at Western, she was faculty and Director, Nursing Programs, at Ontario Tech University (formerly UOIT) (2014-2017) and faculty (2005-2014) and Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs (2011-2013), in the School of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Sciences, at the University of British Columbia (UBC). 

Victoria’s program of research is focused on addressing health inequity with particular relevance to policy and practice in the areas of Indigenous health and gender-based violence. Through her research, Victoria has contributed to anti-stigma/racism and health equity work in Canada and internationally, and to the uptake of equity-oriented approaches that include the concepts of cultural safety, trauma- and violence-informed care and harm reduction. Over the past two decades, Victoria has worked closely with several national, provincial and local organizations as a Board Member, including the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC, and the Women’s Rural Resource Centre in Strathroy. She has been a consultant to organizations such as the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Native Mental Health Association of Canada (now the First Peoples Wellness Circle). In addition, over the past 20 years she has been involved in a full range of committee and board activities across Canada to contribute to the shaping of nursing education provincially and nationally, for example, as a Board Member of the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) and the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program (Chair, 2020-present). 

Victoria began her volunteer work with St. Joseph’s Health Care London in June 2018, when she joined the Health Care Ethics Committee as a voting member representing the community. She became a Director of the Board June 2021.  

Victoria lives in London with her partner and is a mother of three and grandmother to six children.

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Janet Tufts

Janet Tufts is the newly appointed (May 2023) Executive Director of Operation Walk Canada.  Prior to this role, Janet served four years as the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area. As a proven organizational leader in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, including two years as an education advisor to the Malaysian government, Janet’s areas of expertise include strategic planning, board governance, fund development, financial and human resources management, outcome evaluation, and communications and public relations. 

Janet has an MBA from Athabasca University and also holds a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts in English from Western University. 

Janet’s work history includes serving as the Executive Director of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, a Communication Consultant with St. Joseph’s Health Care London, and an instructor with Western Continuing Studies. Her lifelong commitment to volunteerism includes several humanitarian trips to third world countries.

Janet began her volunteer work with St. Joseph’s Health Care London June 2019, when she joined the Quality Committee as a voting member representing the community. She became a Director of the Board June 2023. 

Dr. John Yoo

A renowned surgeon and inspiring leader, Dr. John Yoo was appointed to the role of Dean of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University on May 1, 2020. He is a practicing head and neck surgeon in the departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology.  

Dr. Yoo grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and attended University in Toronto. After completing medical school and surgical training there, he accepted a faculty position at Western in 1997.  During his tenure at Schulich, he has served as Chair/Chief of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery for over 11 years and interim Chair/Chief of the Department of Paediatrics, before serving as Dean. 
 
He is grateful to maintain a practice as an oncologic and reconstructive surgeon; as his greatest motivations are the opportunity to provide care for patients and to help support the next generation of health professionals and scholars.

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