Speakers
General Rick Hillier |
The AWCBC Symposium is pleased to have General Rick Hiller deliver the Day 1 Keynote Address, Leadership in Challenging Times – Lessons Learned. In his 30+ years in the Canadian Forces, culminating as Chief of the Defence Staff (February 2005 to July 2008), General Rick Hillier earned a reputation as a passionate leader. His message is simple, powerful, and it defines his personal life and military experience: “Leadership all comes down to one single focus and that’s people. It is people who accomplish things for you and if you forget that, you will not succeed as a leader.” A dynamic, motivational, and memorable speaker, General Hillier enlightens his audiences with "big muscle movements" and backs up his lessons with personal experiences, keeping the focus close to home by referencing the people around him. |
Dr. Devra Davis |
Dr. Devra Davis, Director of the world's first Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, will deliver the second keynote address of the Symposium on the topic of Occupational Disease. Dr. Davis has been advisor to governments throughout the world on environmental health hazards. She was the Founding Director of the Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology at the National Academy of Sciences, was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (1994-99), and was a Lead Author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - the group awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Dr. Davis is author of two critically acclaimed books - The Secret History of the War on Cancer and When Smoke Ran Like Water - and over 190 publications. |
Dave Greason |
David Greason currently holds the position of Vice President, WorkSafe Division, WorkSafeNB. He will be leading the conference’s first breakout session, on OHS Management – Sharing of Best Practices. David manages the combined services division responsible for workers’ compensation services and health and safety compliance and promotion to employers and employees throughout New Brunswick. David has been employed with WorkSafeNB for 15 years, working in a number of areas including responsibility for corporate planning, claims adjudication, policy development, actuarial services, rate setting, information technology, accident prevention and compensation and rehabilitation. Prior to joining WorkSafeNB, David held a variety of private and public sector positions in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Alberta. He has worked with three Canadian Compensation Boards (Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick) over the past 25 years, and has served on a number of national and international associations and committees. David is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan. He was born in Regina and is married with two children. He resides with his wife Barbara in Saint John, New Brunswick. |
Craig Noseworthy |
Craig Noseworthy is the Director of Compensation Services for the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador (WHSCC). Mr. Noseworthy is co-leading the discussion on service improvement models. The WHSCC claims management model is a multi year, phased in initiative with a focus on claims management and client service. With over 20 years of WHSCC experience in various client service positions, Mr. Noseworthy currently oversees the activities of the claims management model and facilitates the integration of the model into the claims management practices and processes. Mr. Noseworthy graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Bachelor of Arts degree and has also completed a Business Administration program at Memorial. |
Jennifer Parsons |
Jennifer Parsons, Corporate Planning Coordinator of the Workplace, Health Safety and Compensation of Newfoundland and Labrador (WHSCC), is co-leading the discussion on service improvement models with Craig Noseworthy. Ms. Parsons has been part of the project management team for the claims management model since the models’ conception in 2003 and 2004. She is involved in overseeing the development of a new toolset to support the model in addition to ensuring the successful integration of the model into business practice to improve overall client service delivery. In her corporate governance role, Ms. Parsons is involved with the development of strategic plans, leading annual planning processes and overseeing the WHSCC’s key strategic initiatives and projects. Ms. Parsons graduated from Memorial University with Bachelor of Commerce (Co-operative) and Master of Business Administration degrees. Ms. Parsons is currently completing the Masters Certificate in Project Management through The Academy For Project Management, Yorks’ Schulich School of Business and Memorial’s Gardiner Centre. |
Stuart MacLean  |
As Vice President of Service Delivery with Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, Stuart MacLean is leading the efforts of more than 400 employees engaged in the largest transformational change of the WCB’s 92-year history. Beginning from the place that “change starts within,” the WCB is in year three of a major overhaul of its internal processes. The result, already apparent, is a more efficient, user-friendly, easier-to-navigate model of service to the customer that together with other big initiatives is resulting in lower injury rates and timelier, safer return-to-work. Named the Service Delivery Model project (SDM), Stuart is helping to bring the WCB’s mission, vision and values to life through better service to those it serves. Come and hear Stuart speak to their journey of change; the inherent opportunities and challenges within and why the WCB believes strong results are achieved not only by what you deliver but how you deliver it. Over his 23-year career with the Board, Stuart has held portfolios in Finance, Assessment, Policy and Planning, and IT. When the Board took on a mandate for Injury Prevention 5 years ago Stuart provided leadership in the consultation, establishment of strategy, and its implementation. Subsequently he has sponsored many related projects and initiatives including a rate surcharge program for poor performers, online access for employers (My Account), and implementation of prevention programming including the Board’s Priority Employer Program. An avid sailor and dedicated football coach, Stuart resides in Halifax with his wife Charlotte and two boys, Mark and Scott. |
| John Fotheringham |
John Fotheringham is the Emergency Management Program Coordinator for Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and a Certified Business Continuity Professional. His presentation will review business continuity/emergency management and pandemic preparedness in Ontario and at the WSIB. Mr. Fotheringham has been with WSIB since 1999, starting as a Claims Adjudicator in Schedule 2 (Government Services), moving to the Special Investigations Branch in 2001 as a Project Manager, and then as Manager, Security & Emergency Management in 2004. He recently assumed the role of Emergency Management Program Coordinator. In his limited spare time, he commands an infantry battalion of the Reserve Army in Toronto, with 250 full and part-time soldiers, including 22 who recently returned safely from duty in Afghanistan. He is also a Director for the Juno Beach Centre, the museum in Normandy, France dedicated to all Canadians who served in World War 2. |
Warren Preece |
As Director of Communications with the Manitoba WCB, Warren Preece has a key role in building SAFE Work partnerships that are changing the workplace culture in Manitoba. Mr. Preece has overseen the SAFE Work public awareness program from its inception and has a keen insight to the advertising and corporate communications aspects of the program. His message at the Symposium centers on engaging young workers to create an improved workplace health and safety culture. A member of the executive committee at Manitoba WCB, Mr. Preece is responsible for the development and implementation of communication strategies for employees, stakeholders, customers, media, government and the general public. Mr. Preece has a background in journalism and government communications, and is a member of the Canadian Public Relations Society. |
Lilane Gras |
Liliane Gras is the director of Activités Stratégiqus at the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail du Québec (CSST). As co-leader of the breakout session on Young Worker Initiatives, Ms. Gras brings to the AWCBC symposium her expertise on the safe introduction and integration of young people to the workplace. An engineer and ergonomist, for the past decade Ms. Gras has been helping employers and young people prepare to work safely. Ms. Gras is involved with a comprehensive prevention program that includes education, vocational training and orientation for young workers, and has recently been responsible for a special OSH campaign on orientation and support for young workers and summer jobs. She is actively involved with the ISSA section on education and training for prevention to promote the Lisbon Charter for the safe integration of young people entering the workforce at the fourth international seminar in Portugal. |
Mark Evans |
Mark Evans spent 27 years with the RCMP, retiring as NCO In Charge of Undercover Operations/Organized Crime at the Ottawa headquarters. He is a Certified Forensic Investigator, Certified Fraud Examiner, and a Certified Controls Specialist. Presently, he is Manager Corporate Security, WorksafeBC (formerly known as Workers' Compensation Board of BC) and is on the Board of Directors of the Compensation Employee’s Credit Union. |
Dr. Carrie Comerford |
Dr. Carrie Comerford has been Director of Health Care Services for the Workplace Health Safety and Compensation Commission NL since 2005. She will co-lead the panel discussion entitled Health Care Cost Containment, an examination of health care cost drivers within the workers' compensation system and strategies employed by different Canadian jurisdictions. The focus is on initiatives that impact health care spending and ensure the provision of quality care to injured workers. Dr. Comerford graduated from St. Clare's School of Nursing in 1985 and completed her MD in 1992. She practiced as emergency physician and was Clinical Associate with the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University before joining the WHSCC as a Medical Consultant in 2000. Dr. Comerford is a member of the Occupational and Environmental Medical Association of Canada and is on the Board of Advisors for the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners. |
Dr. Jim Melenchuk |
Dr. J. W. (Jim) Melenchuk is Chief Medical Officer and Director of Medical and Health Care Services with the Saskatchewan WCB. Dr. Melenchuk is co-leader of the breakout session on Opiod Medication and Pain Management, which examines optimal treatment of injured workers with chronic pain syndromes in the context of the potential problems with long term use of opioids. He is also co-leading the panel discussion entitled Health Care Cost Containment, an examination of health care cost drivers within the workers' compensation system and strategies employed by different Canadian jurisdictions. Dr. Melenchuk's medical, political and administrative career includes active medical practice, service as President of the Saskatchewan Medical Association, MLA for Saskatoon Northwest, Minister of Education, Minister of Learning and Minister of Finance for the Province of Saskatchewan as well as Senior Government Liaison for Academic Health Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Melenchuk has completed degrees in Biology, Psychology and Medicine followed by Certification in Family Medicine. |
Dr. Peter Rothfels |
Dr. Peter Rothfels is Chief Medical Officer and Director, Clinical Services for WorkSafe BC. He is co-leading the panel discussion entitled Health Care Cost Containment, an examination of health care cost drivers within the workers’ compensation system and strategies employed by different Canadian jurisdictions. Under his direction WorkSafe BC has established an evidence-based workgroup that applies established techniques of critical appraisal and evidence-based review on medical and policy issues. The workgroup provides clarification of existing practices or alternate practices based on up-to-date evidence. The results are shared with WorkSafe BC officers and health care providers. Following graduation from the University of Alberta, Dr. Rothfels spent six years practicing Emergency Medicine in the US, and 13 years as a physician in rural Nova Scotia. He joined WorkSafe BC as a Medical Advisor in 2002, became a Senior Medical Advisor in 2006, and assumed his current position in 2008. In this role Dr. Rothfels has oversight of 75 Medical Advisors, 75 Nurse Advisors and 18 Psychology Advisors as well as all clinical aspects both internally and externally. |
Alan D. Quilley  |
Outspoken, humourous, and thought-provoking, Alan D. Quilley is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional, author, educator, and popular conference presenter. He will lead the AWCBC Plenary Session, What Gets Measured Gets Done. With more than thirty years of OH&S management experience and a broad-based knowledge of the associated challenges and opportunities, Mr. Quilley shares his unique view of health and safety management systems and approaches. He has extensive experience with educating OH&S Practitioners through the University of Alberta and The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology's Certificate and Diploma OH&S Programs. His book, The Emperor Has No Hard Hat - Achieving REAL Workplace Safety Results was recognized for Honourable Mention as one of the Best Business Books of 2006. |
Paul Casey  |
Paul Casey, Director of the Prevention Standards & Incentives Branch of the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board of Ontario, continues to strive for a culture where zero is the only acceptable number of workplace incidents. He leads a team that leads workplace parties throughout Ontario toward zero workplace injuries and illness. Mr. Casey is co-leader of the breakout session ‘Transformation of Health and Safety Awareness to Habit’. Through his career in Prevention, Paul has worked with the Safe Communities Incentive Program, was tasked to create and later manage the Safety Groups Program, and launched the project to create the Accreditation Program. Following graduation from Memorial University in 1990, Mr. Casey began his career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Caseworker, and went on to enroll in Ryerson University’s Occupational Health and Safety studies program. |
Tom Beegan |
Tom Beegan, Chief Prevention Officer for the Ontario WSIB, is the creator of a new prevention system strategy designed to make Ontario’s workplaces the safest and healthiest in the world. Mr. Beegan is co-leader of the breakout session Transformation of Health and Safety Awareness to Habit. He is an integral player on the Road to Zero initiative of the WSIB, and is currently leading the realignment of Ontario’s Health and Safety Associations into four new entities. Previously, Mr. Beegan was Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority in Ireland for six years. He also held Chief Executive Officer positions in health care, private sector and advisory roles to government departments. Among his key achievements was the successful development, passing and implementation of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, which prohibited smoking in Ireland’s workplaces. |
| Dr. Jamie Cox |
Jamie R. Cox MD, a graduate of Dalhousie Medical School, Halifax, Canada. He has spent time in multiple tiers of the health care industry in both the United States and Canada. His most recent challenges include that of a corporate leader to the Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia to improve healthcare and quality outcomes. He has worked within the Nova Scotian system and successfully implemented new processes which have improved provincial disability durations. This has been accomplished by developing strategic initiatives and stakeholder engagement. His broad experience in the medical fields of both countries gives him a unique ability to realize opportunities and pitfalls in both systems. A prior role was that of Corporate Medical Director of Saturn Corp., Springhill TN where his leadership responsibilities encompassed health care initiatives, disability, workers compensation, health and safety, and work related injuries and illnesses. Dr. Cox has been successful in developing strategies for containment in health care costs in industry and the general population while also improving outcomes for clients and injured workers. |
Pieter Lambooy |
Pieter Lambooy, Director of Customer Service and Risk Management for WCB Alberta, will lead the breakout session Innovative Staff Training Programs. As principal of the Leadership in Learning project, an initiative geared toward finding innovative ways to solve complex issues, Mr. Lambooy examines innovations for training adjudicators and case managers at the WCB. Over the past 12 years, Mr. Lambooy has worked as a Case Manager, Corporate Trainer, Supervisor, Manager, Project Manager and Senior Manager. He has led key corporate initiatives around Return to Work and Modified Work, Fairness through Written Communications, and Vocational Rehabilitation. |
Dr. Thomas Horan |
Dr. Thomas Horan graduated from Dalhousie Medical school in 1971 and practiced in St. John's prior to training in general and thoracic surgery in Canada and England. Subsequently he joined the faculty of University of Manitoba Medical School, prior to accepting an invitation to join the SARAH Hospital Network in 1996 to establish a general and thoracic surgeon program in Brazil. Linda Horan, his wife and a specialist nurse in intensive care, also joined this endeavour managing organizational changes in nursing and the operating room, with a focus on the further development of an approach to humanization of care. Dr. Horan will lead a breakout session on Lessons from a Developing World: Approaches to Rehabilitation. |
| Alice Peter |
Alice Peter is Director of the Occupational Disease Policy and Research Branch at the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Ms. Peter is leading a breakout session on Canada's First Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC), a collaborative partnership that brings together health, workplace safety, labour and industry groups toward promoting a healthy workplace. The OCRC is dedicated to identifying, preventing and ultimately eliminating exposures to cancer-causing substances in the workplace through surveillance, research, capacity building and knowledge transfer and exchange. The OCRC develops the WSIB's occupational disease policies, provides scientific advice to support disease claims adjudication and funds external research on occupation health and safety topics. Ms. Peter joined the WSIB in 2000, first as a Senior Scientist in the Research Secretariat and later as the WSIB's Senior Epidemiologist. Prior to joining the WSIB, Ms. Peter held a number of research and health policy positions. |
Ann Martin |
Ann Martin, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary to the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador (the Commission), is leading the breakout session on Privacy and Security of Information. Ms. Martin acts as the Commission’s ‘Access to Information and Protection of Privacy’ coordinator under provincial privacy legislation, and sits on the Provincial Steering Committee for implementation of the Personal Health Information Act. Ms. Martin served as Legal Counsel for the Commission eight years prior to her current appointment. Ms. Martin holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honours (1986) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and a Bachelor of Laws (1990) from McGill University. She has been a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador since 1991 and currently sits on the Law Society Education Committee. |
Jerry Byrne |
Jerry Byrne is CEO of the DFB Group, a global provider of marine, industrial and oilfield products and service solutions. A graduate of Memorial University’s Faculty of Engineering, Jerry has more than 25 years of experience building companies from the ground up. He is a recognized entrepreneur with a strong technical and management background. Jerry has established several successful Newfoundland companies, including SEA Systems Limited and its affiliates, Glamox Canada Limited, Navalco Canada Limited, and Cantech Systems Limited. He also launched several successful companies in the United States, where he lived for 7 years. Returning to NL in 2003, as CEO of the DFB Group, Jerry plays a key role in the company’s business development. The DFB Group has also won numerous industry awards, including the 2007 Canadian Innovation Award for Productivity Improvement and 2008 Exporter of the Year Award and was regional winner for 100 Best Managed Canadian companies. Jerry is a two time winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Newfoundland and Labrador and Atlantic Canada. He has been selected a Top 50 CEO by Atlantic Business Magazine for the past five years. Recently Jerry was inducted into the Atlantic Business Magazine Top 50 Hall of Fame. Jerry is active in the local business and volunteer communities, such as Junior Achievement, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of NL and the St. John's Board of Trade. Jerry is the Past Chair and Director of NOIA – and serves on several other volunteer boards including; MUN Board or Regents, the College of the North Atlantic, Genesis Group and Foundation, the Harris Center at Memorial University, Small and Medium Advisory Board to the Federal Government and the Jack Byrne Arena. |
Anne S. Clark |
A northerner by choice, Anne Clark is President and CEO of the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Ms. Clark's energetic presentation Don’t be left in the cold looks at some of the practical aspects of building a stronger northern safety culture through program and resource development. Ms. Clark led the development of a Return-to-Work (RTW) toolkit that addresses the unique needs of northerners and communicates the importance RTW programs play in disability management and injury prevention. In 2007 Ms. Clark assumed her position, having served as the Chief Worker Advisor in Nova Scotia where she developed and led a program dedicated to providing injured workers with the legal advice, assistance, and representation. Ms. Clark is a graduate of the Bachelor of Law program at Dalhousie University. |
Cheryl Tucker |
Cheryl Tucker, Director of Multilingual Services and Community Outreach for the Ontario WSIB, is leader for the breakout session Immigrant and Migrant Workers. With Ontario WSIB, Ms. Tucker leads a service team specific to niche demographics – immigrants, clients who do not speak English or French, and clients with disabilities and literacy challenges. She will share her gained through front-line initiatives: a multilingual hotline, a customer centric walk-in centre, and extensive community outreach activities developed to ensure accessibility to WSIB products and services. With a degree in Canadian Studies from the University of Toronto and over 25 years experience spanning claims, human resources and communications, she is passionate in meeting the challenges of the changing demographics in Canadian workplaces. |
Terry Boygo |
Terry Bogyo (Bo-show)
In his role as Director of Corporate Planning and Development for WorkSafeBC, Terry Bogyo sees the big picture. Mr. Bogyo is leading the AWCBC Plenary Session "Early Warnings: Watching What's Worrying Workplace Insurers and Regulators". With almost three decades experience in the sector, Mr. Bogyo writes and speaks widely on issues facing workers' compensation systems and on future risks that will face workplaces and society. He is a frequent commentator on workers' compensation issues, a regular contributor to various workers' compensation publications, and sought after speaker on future work-related risks and challenges. He presents and conducts workshops at major workers' compensation, rehabilitation and occupational health and safety events in Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand.
|
Jennifer Byram |
Jennifer Byram is the Vice President of Pelly Construction of Whitehorse, Yukon. She has spent the last 20 years developing and overseeing the implementation of the Safety Program. Her energy has been focused on ensuring a safe work environment in a high-risk industry; her ability to motivate the entire company to think differently has resulted in four years of 0 loss time. The message she brings to the symposium focuses on the involvement of employees through to management in redefining a company’s safety culture. Uniquely focused on her personal and professional trials and triumphs she offers an insiders peak at the industry. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Alaska and is employed in her family business. |