Career Conversations Panel Series:
Discovering Careers in Health Policy & Management
Thursday, October 6, 2011
2:30–4:30 pm
McLaughlin Junior Common Room
In partnership with the School of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Health and the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL).
Sponsored by York University Alumni Relations.
About the Event
Interested in Health Policy & Management? Want to meet York Alumni and other professionals working in this field? Individuals working in health policy and management work in a variety of roles and settings, including hospital administration, consulting, government, long-term care, public health and the private sector.
Connect with professionals currently enjoying careers in Health Policy & Management and get the inside scoop on what it's really like to work in this field. During this panel professionals will share their personal stories about breaking into the field, how their career paths took them from graduation to where they are now, what knowledge, skills and experience helped them succeed in their jobs and what types of opportunities are available in the field. The panel will be moderated by one of the Career Centre's team members and followed by an open forum where students will have an opportunity to ask the panelists their own questions.
Participating Panelists:
John P. Angkaw
Manager, Enterprise Risk & Patient Safety, St. Michael's Hospital
M.Ed., Brock University, 2008
B.Sc.N., Ryerson University, 2005
As an early careerist, my career path has allowed me to be very fortunate as I have been exposed to the different areas in healthcare which I feel passionate about: clinical, research, education, and leadership. I believe my current role as Manager of the Enterprise Risk and Patient Safety Program has not only allowed me to apply my acquired education and skills, but also pursue a field to which I have great interest in.
Rheta Fanizza
Senior Vice President, Saint Elizabeth
Alumna: MBA, Schulich School of Business, York University, 1997
Rheta Fanizza is the Senior Vice President of Operations at Saint Elizabeth (SE). In this role, she provides internal and external leadership for organizational quality, effectiveness and service excellence at SE. She is responsible for the successful management and operation of service delivery centres and home care contracts. Rheta has more that 15 years of experience in senior leadership roles within the acute and community health care sectors. Prior to joining SE, she was the lead consultant and Chief of Staff to the Honourable Elinor Caplan for her provincial review of the competitive bidding process used by Community Care Access Centres (CCACs). Rheta is Chair of the Quality Healthcare Network. She graduated with an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University.
Sudha Kutty
Director of Patient Safety, Physician and Professional Issues, Ontario Hospital Association
It took me several years to figure out what my strengths are and a few more years to find a role that I love. Health care and specifically health policy is a great field to be in. Everyone is passionate about the work and because health care touches everyone's lives in someway, you really do feel like you make a difference on some level. Being part of a provincial organization, I get to be involved in provincial and sometimes national initiatives. Being involved in health care at a provincial level is fascinating and highly rewarding.
Yvonne Sinniah
Central West LHIN
I had always had a passion for healthcare and spent quite a lot of time during my educational years figuring out how I can best contribute to our healthcare system. My experiences as a management consultant provided a vast number of opportunities to work with senior management and boards in the healthcare system. The biggest lesson I have learned is to be open to ideas and thoughts that are not traditional. Flexibility is key. This is not just in the work place but also life in general. Today, I work for the Central West LHIN as in Health Systems Planning and Performance, definitely an exciting and dynamic environment. More importantly I see the impact of my work to improve the health outcomes of the region. Hardwork?...yes. Challenging?...at times. Gratifying?...Most definitely.
Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann
Executive Director,
Grandview Children's Centre
Alumna: Bachelor of Arts, York University, 1998
Early Childhood Education with a specialty in Developmental Handicaps Diploma, Humber College, 1983,
Registered Nursing Diploma , Durham College, 1988
Master of Business Administration, Heriot Watt, University of Edinburgh, 2003
My career has taken me from early days, teaching children with special needs to working the front lines of the emergency department as a clinical expert , to progressive leadership positions at St Michael's Hospital and Lakeridge Health; including Vice President of Professional Affairs and Chief Nurse Executive. My current role as Executive Director of a Children's Treatment Centre allows me to utilize my education, health and business experiences fully. Making an impact matters to me and fit with an organization is key.
