Board of Directors - Biographies

Dr. Kris Aubrey-Bassler

Chair, Board of Directors

Before joining Memorial University as a researcher and educator, Kris practiced medicine full-time in Marathon, a remote community in northwestern Ontario. Kris’ research examines the effect of different models of primary care and of primary care reform on costs, health outcomes and health service utilization. He also studies the appropriate distribution of services between rural and urban hospitals and between specialist and generalist providers, with a current focus on obstetrical care. Kris collaborates with other researchers on projects examining new interventions to improve chronic disease prevention and screening, nutrition and cancer outcomes, nurse-led case management and screening for social determinants of health. He is the Scientific Director of the NL Primary and Integrated Healthcare Innovations Network and is Principal Investigator on projects funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and several provincial agencies. Kris also collaborates on projects funded by Alberta Innovates and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Kris received his Masters of Science from Western University, and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Ottawa. He currently holds a Certification in Family Medicine from the College of Family Physicians of Canada and a Fellowship in the College of Family Physicians of Canada. He works as an Associate Professor and Director of the Primary Healthcare Research Unit at Memorial University.

Pat Coish Snow

Vice-Chair, Board of Directors

Pat Coish-Snow began her career as a nurse. Her passion for learning and wanting to make a difference launched her into health care education, leadership and management. Her career spans over 34 years, including 18 years in senior executive management roles, most recently as Vice-President of Clinical Programs, Eastern Health. Pat played key leadership roles in the reorganization and integration of health care organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador. She successfully facilitated and led many policy, program, and system-wide initiatives at regional and provincial levels, resulting in system transformation while ensuring a commitment to safe, quality health care. She has also contributed to health care on a national level as a surveyor with Accreditation Canada. Pat has been active in board governance roles at local, provincial and national levels including: Provincial Director, Canadian College of Health Leaders; Board of Regents, Memorial University; Director, Board of Directors for Workplace NL; and currently serves as Director, the NL Provincial Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors. She is a member of the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and an honorary member with the Canadian College of Health Care Leaders. Pat is a graduate of Memorial University School of Nursing and also holds a master’s degree in Health Administration from Dalhousie University. Pat currently works as a Health Care Management Consultant.

Allan Bradley

Prior to his retirement in 2013, Allan worked for more than 30 years in senior health care leadership positions in Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba and Alberta including CEO, Parkland Regional Health Authority, Manitoba; VP, Alberta Health Services; VP, Central Health; CEO, St. John’s Nursing Home Board, and CEO, Bay St. George Long Term Care Center. Early in his career, Allan worked as a social worker and social work manager. He has served on several boards and committees at the local, provincial and national levels, and has surveyed with Accreditation Canada, nationally and internationally for approximately 25 years. Allan holds a Masters of Science in Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Memorial University. He has also completed the Health Leadership Program from Rotman School of Management; and the Long Term Care Organization and Management from the Canadian Hospital Association. He is also a Life Member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders. Allan is very active in his community and volunteers with a number of organizations. He is the current Chair, Lionel Kelland Hospice Board of Directors, Grand Falls-Windsor and is a board member with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland & Labrador, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Center for Health Information. He is President of the Kiwanis Club of Grand Falls-Windsor and past chair of the Kiwanis Central NL Music Festival Committee.

Tom Bursey, ICD.D, FCPA

Since 2008, Tom has been the Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President of the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA). CCA convenes global experts to assess the evidence on complex health & scientific topics of public policy interest to inform decision-making in Canada. Tom serves as a member on a variety of boards of directors including Board Chair, Public Services Health and Safety Association; Audit Committee Chair, Standards Council of Canada (a Federal Crown Corporation) and Governance Committee Chair, CENGN (a National Centre of Excellence). Most recently, Tom was Human Resources Committee Chair and a member of the Board of C-CORE & LOOKNorth (a National Centre of Excellence). Tom holds the prestigious distinction of Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCPA). He is a certified member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and a holder of the ICD.D designation. He also holds the Award of Honorary Life Member of the Human Resources Professionals Association. Tom received his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and a Master of Business Administration degrees from Memorial University. He has also received the J.D. Eaton Alumni Award in recognition of his outstanding service to Memorial University.

Cynthia Holden

Over her 30 year career, Cindy held numerous association and board positions including: NL Dental Hygienists Association, Nova Scotia Dental Hygienists Association, Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, NL Dental Board (NLDB), and the NL Council of Health Professionals (NLCHP). Cindy’s career spanned some of the most formative for the dental hygienist profession in Canada. She served many roles that included: the Atlantic representative for national portability criteria; an eligibility assessor for national certification candidates; Board Governor with the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB) from 2008-2013; and the first Deputy Registrar of the NLCHP from 2013-2017. Cindy has a diploma in Dental Hygiene from Dalhousie University and a Master of Public Health from Memorial University. Cindy currently works on inter-professional collaborations for applied health research and health professional education and is a past board member and performer with Kittiwake Dance Theatre, and current board member of DanceNL.

Allan Kendall

Allan is a business owner who previously has served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Western Health Care Corporation. Prior to being appointed CEO of Western Health, Allan worked as the Vice-President, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer. He was Corporate Controller with Cable Atlantic and Systems Accountant with Hibernia Management and Development Corporation (HMDC). Allan’s career experience includes software analysis and technology development, financial management, health care program and service reviews, and community building and engagement. Allan holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Memorial University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. Allan owns Steers Distribution Limited and recently opened a tourist accommodations business in Corner Brook - Appalachian Chalets & RV. Allan is an active member of the ski community locally and nationally. He is also a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nations Band and a mentor with Futurpreneur Canada.

Elyse Bruce

Elyse plays an active role in board governance in Newfoundland and Labrador which includes Practicing Member, Law Society of NL; former Provincial Chair and Member of Health Law Section, Canadian Bar Association; Director, Food First NL; Director, College of Dietitians of NL; Director, Kittiwake Dance Theatre; and, Disciplinary Panel Member, Chartered Professional Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador. Elyse holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Memorial University, a Bachelor of Laws and a Certificate in Health Law from Dalhousie University. Elyse is the Corporate Counsel and Director of Complaints, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and has worked in private practice as an Associate Lawyer.

David Thornhill

David has over 25 years’ experience in the IT industry. David spent two years in Dublin, Ireland as the Managing Director for Xwave Ireland before returning to St. John’s to join Inmarsat. Before joining Inmarsat, David worked with Bell Aliant and Xwave where he established and led an ERP consulting practice. In his current role as Senior Vice-President, Group IT, David leads a global IT team that delivers strategic and innovative solutions for Inmarsat and its customers. Group IT supports Inmarsat’s presence in over 25 countries and is growing an international customer base. David holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Masters of Business Administration from Memorial University. He has also achieved the ICD.D designation through the Institute of Corporate Directors.