The Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada is a national, independent, and not-for-profit organization that purposefully partners with organizations, practitioners, consumers, and caregivers to advance medication safety in all healthcare settings.
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada is a national, independent, and not-for-profit organization that purposefully partners with organizations, practitioners, consumers, and caregivers to advance medication safety in all healthcare settings.
Our Vision: Zero preventable harm from medications.
Our Values:
Quality, Reliability, and Integrity: A quality, high integrity, reliable system for reporting medication incidents.
Learning, Sharing, and Empowering: Knowledge translation about medication system safeguards.
Privacy and Confidentiality: Maintaining and protecting the confidentiality of individuals and organizations submitting data to ISMP Canada.
Research and Innovation: Advancing research and innovation in the area of patient safety.
Trust and Transparency: Ensuring our actions are conducted with honesty and transparency, and funding is free of conflict of interest and consistent with our not-for-profit, independent status.
Purposeful Partnerships: An ISMP Canada purposeful partner is committed to working together toward the vision of zero preventable harm from medications. With shared goals, partners communicate, collaborate and co-create opportunities to advance medication safety in Canada. The positive impact from our collaborative work will be greater than what could have been realized independently.
ISMP Canada is committed to collaborating with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to advance medication safety. Our land acknowledgement is based on the lands that our head office sits upon in Toronto, Ontario.
The Directors on the Board are a diverse group of leaders from across Canada with a passion for medication safety. They govern ISMP Canada by approving the organization’s vision, mission, and strategic directions then ensuring they are accomplished. The Directors adhere to conflict of interest and other related policies.
Board of Directors
I joined the ISMP Canada Board to support the development of a national approach to patient safety in other areas of healthcare, similar to the approach that improved anesthesia safety. I am impressed by the fact that ISMP Canada works collaboratively with many partners to influence safe medication practice and propose solutions independent of the pharmaceutical industry.
Bob retired from clinical anesthesia practice in 2018, however, he retains an honorary consultant appointment at St. Michael’s Hospital and is Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto.
I am honoured to be a member of the ISMP Canada Board. Medication safety, and patient safety more generally, is a critical area of health system performance that, like other areas of health care, is on a journey of continuous innovation and enhancement. I am very pleased to bring 15+ years of leadership experience to the Board, contributing expertise in governance, organizational strategy, and data analytics to the strategic direction of ISMP Canada.
Brent is Vice President, Data Strategies and Statistics at the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), a government funded but independent not-for-profit organization. In this role he has executive responsibility for CIHI’s strategic data initiatives, including work and partnerships to advance new data acquisitions, linkages, improving access and health system use of data as well as CIHI’s strategy for advanced analytics. Brent is an active member of a number of pan-Canadian and international health information initiatives, including the executive for Health Data Research Network Canada (HDRN). He has previously worked at the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare, Statistics Canada, and in management consulting. He holds an MA in Economics from McMaster University.
I chose to be involved in the world of medication safety because I want to contribute to the work undertaken by ISMP Canada. My clinical background is in emergency medicine and medical toxicology. I have seen first-hand the effects of inappropriate drug use. As a regulator, I recognized the importance of education in improving the performance of health care providers. With these perspectives, I look forward to helping ISMP Canada on the journey to Zero Preventable Harm from Medications.
Rocco is a physician and lives in Grand Bend, Ontario.
I decided to get involved in the world of medication safety to be part of improving the safety of the healthcare system and to help reduce patient harm. I’m honoured to be able to participate as a member of the ISMP Canada Board and therefore be able to support their mission.
Janick is currently an Integrated Risk Management Coordinator at the Montfort Hospital. She Studied in nursing and has worked as a registered nurse in Emergency room and Family Birth Center.
I chose to be involved in the world of medication safety as I am driven to create the safest healthcare system. I have designed safety systems for healthcare institutions, governments and intergovernmental organizations. I enjoy complexity and am interested in human factors, patient safety and risk management.
Trevor is the Vice-President of Safety and Risk Management at the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada, Co-Program Director for the Health Law Certificate at Osgoode Law School and is an Affiliated Researcher at the University of Toronto’s Interactive Media Lab.
I am interested in being on the Board of ISMP Canada because of my role as Vice President of Operations at ISMP US. Through the sharing of practices and ideas, I hope we can help advance medication safety in both countries. My background as a neonatal/pediatric pharmacist for 30 years has cultivated my passion for improving the medication use process and medication safety, especially in the most vulnerable patient population. Through the use of technology, standardized processes, systematic approach, and a focus on human factors, I am confident that we can make huge strides toward the goal of Zero Preventable Harm from medications.
I am passionate about improving healthcare and ensuring the safety of patients. As a pharmacist and acute care leader, I understand how common medication errors are and how even the most diligent practitioner can be involved in a medication error. I wanted to get involved in the world of medication safety because I believe that my experience and expertise could influence policies and strategies that promote safe medication practices; ultimately minimizing risk and reducing harm to patients.
Julianne is currently the Director of Clinical Services at Georgian Bay General Hospital and member of their Senior Leadership Team. Julianne has operational and strategic oversight of a broad clinical portfolio, which includes Pharmacy, Critical Care, and Dialysis. Julianne is also a member of the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada.
I chose to be involved in the world of medication safety because of my extensive lived experience as a patient and strong belief in partnering with those working in healthcare in order to bring change to the health system.
Kimberly Strain lives in British Columbia. She has been a patient partner in a variety of initiatives since 2012, including as a committee member, a patient research partner, a member of Patient Voices Network, and a co-author of the Patients Included charters.
In her spare time, Kimberly has a passion for photography and the arts.
I recently retired, and I’m now working part time. I feel it is important for me to continue to contribute. Volunteering at ISMP Canada puts my experience and knowledge to good use.
Lise studied as a pharmacist and has worked in a variety of roles, including director of pharmacy in Ontario and Quebec and the Canadian Forces Senior Health Services Officer (Medical Material Equipment Depots, Hospitals, and Headquarters). She is also certified as a Lean Master Black Belt and a surveyor with the Health Standards Organization. Lise has extensive experience in pharmacy operations, pharmacy and therapeutics committees, and facilitating initiatives in reducing medication errors. Examples include computerized physician order entry systems, introduction of new IV pumps, and Medication Reconciliation.
I chose to be involved in the world of medication safety because I want to learn more about the work ISMP Canada is doing to make the administration and use of medications safer. I have worked with various sub-sectors of healthcare, including acute care and home care, as both a volunteer and as an audit partner at Deloitte, where I spent 25 years of my career. Most recently, I worked for the Ontario Public Service as the Provincial Controller.
Cindy is a professional accountant with graduate degrees in accounting and health administration.
I honoured to be a member of the Board of Directors for ISMP Canada. Throughout my career as a Registered Nurse, I have championed evidence-based practice and many patient safety initiatives including Safe Medication Practices. I have seen firsthand the harms of medication safety incidents on patients, their families and health care providers and am committed to advocating for safe medication practices that can prevent these errors. I believe that through ISMP Canada’s collaborative approach, medication safety will continue to improve, as we work towards the goal of Zero Preventable Harm from Medications.
Elaine has extensive senior leadership experience in Acute Care operations, nursing regulation and quality improvement. Her clinical background includes Critical Care, Surgical Services and Oncology. She was most recently the Vice President of Clinical Services at Eastern Health in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Leadership Team
Carolyn Hoffman has senior leadership experience in hospital operations, provincial government, nursing regulation and quality improvement in healthcare; all with a focus on patient safety. She was most recently the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association and was previously the SVP, Quality & Healthcare Improvement for Alberta Health Services, the largest health region in the country.
In 2004, Carolyn was one of the first employees of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute where she was Director of Operations (ONT to BC). Her key responsibilities included internal lead for the development and launch of the Safer Healthcare Now! National Campaign.
Carolyn is a co-author of the Tool for the Concise Analysis of Patient Safety Incidents (2016), Canadian Incident Analysis Framework (2012); the lead author of the 2008 consultation paper on the Development of a Canadian Adverse Event Reporting and Learning System; and co-author of the Canadian Root Cause Analysis Framework (2006) as well as the Canadian Patient Safety Dictionary (2003).
Sylvia Hyland completed a baccalaureate pharmacy degree from the University of Toronto, and a clinical pharmacy residency at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto. She earned her Master of Health Sciences in Bioethics through the Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto.
Sylvia’s professional experience includes clinical and leadership positions in several hospitals in Ontario. In her work for ISMP Canada, she has assisted with analyses of adverse medication events and has participated in focused reviews of medication use systems in healthcare.
Sylvia has contributed to provincial and national safety initiatives. Examples include: Co-Chair of Canada’s Expert Advisory Committee on the Vigilance of Health Products; member of the Ontario Expert Panel on Standards of Care for the Administration of Psychotropic Drugs to Children and Youth in Licensed Residential Settings; member of the National Advisory Council on Prescription Drug Misuse; and member of the Executive Council for the Canadian Centre on Substance use and Addiction (CCSA) national First Do No Harm strategy.
Enna has been a licensed pharmacist in British Columbia (BC) for close to 30 years, with varying leadership experience from the local level to the national organizational level. She has extensive experience in community pharmacy, including leading flagship locations for national pharmacy chains. Enna also has Specialty pharmacy clinical expertise in long-term care and mental health.
Enna is a member of Inquiry Committee with the College of Pharmacists of BC which has helped her to coach pharmacists to remain focused on best practice and continuous quality improvement, ensuring that patient safety is at the forefront of their everyday practice.
Enna also holds a certificate in Applied Positive Psychology which focuses on the science of human flourishing, which she uses to help pharmacists achieve their goals.
Connie completed a baccalaureate of science degree from the University of Toronto and earned the Certified Management Accountant designation in 2013. Connie is responsible for ensuring ISMP Canada’s financial reporting follows generally accepted accounting principles, funding requirements are met and the organization has proper internal controls in place. She also supports the leadership team in decision making and operations as the organization continues to deliver on its strategic plan, and plans and coordinates activities as directed by ISMP Canada’s Finance and Audit Committee.
Julie is a pharmacist with nearly 20 years’ experience in medication safety, combined with 30 years of clinical and management experience. Julie received her BScPhm degree in 1981 and an MHSc in Bioethics in 2006, both from the University of Toronto. She completed ISMP Canada’s first Fellowship in Safe Medication Management in 2004 and became a staff member in 2005, holding progressively more responsible roles. She retired from her position as Senior Director, Projects and Consults in 2022 and continues to support the work of ISMP Canada as a Medication Safety Consultant.
Julie has participated in numerous medication system reviews and consultations, including root cause analyses of critical medication incidents and various proactive risk assessment projects. She has provided expert witness testimony at coroner inquests and for the Ontario Long Term Care Inquiry in 2018.
After varied clinical experiences in rural medicine, in-patient care, emergency medicine, and as a coroner, Michael joined the Institute for Safe Medication Practices in 2012. He contributes to the investigation of medication errors and the development of mitigation strategies, collaborates in the many ongoing research projects at ISMP Canada, and is privileged to be able to advise and educate local and international health care providers, administrators, policymakers, and legislators about issues in medication safety. Michael has a BSc and MPH from the University of Waterloo, a BEd from Brock University, and received his MD from Queen’s University. He completed his medical residency at the University of Ottawa. In addition to his role at ISMP Canada, Michael provides clinical care in community practice and long-term-care.
Certina Ho is a graduate of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto. Certina joined ISMP Canada in 2007 with a primary responsibility on medication safety initiatives related to community pharmacy practice as well as medication incident reporting and analysis.
Certina obtained her graduate degrees in Library and Information Science (1998) and in Education (2005) from the University of Toronto. She completed her PhD dissertation at the University of Toronto in 2015 and currently holds faculty appointment at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, and the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, with a focus on the development of patient/medication safety and quality improvement curriculum, respectively.
Vivian has two undergraduate degrees and a Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Toronto. She has also completed the requirements for a Master of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety at the same university. Vivian is currently the Clinical Pharmacist for Orthopedics/Neurology/Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Unity Health Toronto and has worked in a variety of other speciality areas such as vascular surgery, chemotherapy, respirology and Cystic Fibrosis.
Gary Lee is the IT Manager at ISMP Canada, where he leads the maintenance and continued development of IT, including application development, vendor management, office infrastructure, procurement and technical support. Gary earned his B.Eng in Computer Engineering from McGill University and has more than 15 years of experience in various industries, including e-commerce and media. During his time at ISMP Canada, Gary has developed incident reporting programs for community pharmacy and consumers.
Melissa joined ISMP Canada as a Patient and Family Advisor, this year. She has over 15 years experience working with families, teaching children and colleagues. Melissa has made meaningful change in Ontario, across the country and in other parts of the world through her advocacy for increased patient safety in medication safety. She speaks publicly about the loss of her son through medication error to patients, professionals and faculty students. Melissa’s role at ISMPC is to be the voice of both the patient and consumer and to advise on different projects, using that unique perspective.
Dorothy Tscheng, RPh, BScPhm, CGP, is a Certified Geriatric Pharmacist who graduated from the University of Toronto in 1993 and joined ISMP Canada in 2007. She has more than 25 years of pharmacy practice in pharmaceutical industry, acute care, community pharmacy, drug information, home care and medication safety. Dorothy is a published author of several articles and chapters in various pharmacy resources. Her management tenure includes oversight of the operations of a large drug information centre and responsibility for leading a team to achieve ISO 9001:2008 certification.
Dorothy currently oversees activities within the Individual Practitioner Reporting and Consumer Reporting programs, including analysis of medication incidents, development of safety strategies, and dissemination of incident learning through two ISMP Canada’s publications, ISMP Canada Safety Bulletin for health care practitioners and SafeMedicationUse.ca Newsletter for consumers. She also precepts pharmacy students from the University of Toronto and the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Careers
ISMP Canada offers exciting career opportunities. Our current positions are listed below. Qualified applicants are encouraged to forward their résumé to HR@ismpcanada.ca or, you can submit your résumé for future consideration at any time.
Current Opportunities
Privacy
What information does ISMP Canada receive?
All information received by ISMP Canada is provided voluntarily by individual healthcare practitioners, consumers and institutions. ISMP Canada receives two types of information:
Non-identifiable information about a medication incident, such as: description of the incident, patient outcome, type of healthcare facility where the incident occurred, the names and dosages of the medications involved, description of how the incident was discovered, contributing factors and recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Additional information about a medication incident, such as: information about the patient’s medical condition, the types of healthcare practitioners involved in the incident, and the reporter’s contact information may be provided voluntarily to ISMP Canada. In some cases, ISMP Canada may be invited to work jointly with reporting healthcare practitioners and institutions to investigate a specific incident (called a “root cause analysis”) and provide recommendations for avoiding similar incidents in the future.
How does ISMP Canada obtain information?
ISMP Canada receives information on medication incidents from individual healthcare practitioners, consumers and institutions, via telephone, email, mail, fax, or web-based reporting programs. In addition, hospitals may report anonymous information on medication incidents through ISMP Canada’s “Analyze-ERR”, a software documentation tool designed by ISMP Canada to track and analyze medication errors.
Does ISMP Canada collect identifiable data on patients?
Please remember that ISMP Canada does not need to collect information that directly identifies a patient. ISMP Canada requests that all identifying information about patients be removed prior to any report being shared with ISMP Canada. Individual healthcare practitioners and consumers may choose to provide their contact information for the purpose of allowing ISMP Canada to carry out follow-up investigations or to clarify information relating to a specific medication incident, but ISMP Canada never needs to know the names of individual patients involved in medication incidents.
