Clone of Meet the Team

Dermot Kelleher, MD, FRCPI, FRCP, FMEDSCI

Vice-President, Health
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Professor, Department of Medicine

Professor Dermot Kelleher serves as Vice-President, Health and Dean, Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. From 2012 to 2015, he was Vice President (Health) and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London and concurrently Dean of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in Singapore. From 2004 to 2012 he was Head of the School of Medicine and Vice-Provost for Medical Affairs at Trinity College, Dublin, where he led the development of the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Molecular Medicine Ireland as well as the Wellcome Trust HRB Clinical Research Centre. Prior to this, he was a Wellcome Senior Fellow in Clinical Science at Trinity College Dublin following clinical and research training in gastroenterology in Ireland and San Diego.

Professor Kelleher’s research interests have focused on immunology of the gastrointestinal tract. He has successfully obtained funding from a wide range of sources including the Wellcome Trust, Health Research Board and Enterprise Ireland, European Union 4th and 5th Frameworks, and while in the US, from the National Institute of Health. He has been a co-founder of Opsona Therapeutics, Cellix Limited and Deerac Fluidics which merged with the US-based company Labcyte. He has been a Non-Executive Director at ICON PLC from 2008 until 2019.

Professor Kelleher is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, London and has served as President of the Federation of European Academies of Medicine.

Christie A. Newton, MD, CCFP, FCFP

Associate Vice-President, Health
Associate Professor, Associate Head, Education And Engagement, and Medical Director, UBC Health Clinic,
Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine

As Associate Vice-President, Health, Christie Newton provides leadership to the UBC Health team and advances key strategic priorities on collaborative health education, interdisciplinary health research, and health systems.

Christie has been very engaged with UBC Health activities for many years. She is a co-facilitator of the TBC @ UBC Network and a member of the Health Systems Partnership Group. She has also been working closely with UBC Health on the design and implementation of a new interprofessional teaching clinic for the Gateway Building on UBC Vancouver campus aimed at modelling innovative team-based care and collaborative health education.

In addition to her appointment at UBC Health, Christie is Associate Professor and Associate Head, Education and Engagement in the Department of Family Practice in the Faculty of Medicine. In this role, she is working on a province-wide project funded by the Ministry of Health, aimed at supporting the design and evaluation of teaching within team-based models of care embedded in primary care network communities. She is also Medical Director of the UBC Health Clinic, a dedicated family practice teaching clinic which provides full service primary care to more than 6,000 patients in the community.

Kelly Allison, MSW, RSW

Director Education

Kelly Allison, MSW, RSW, is an Assistant Professor with the UBC School of Social Work and Chair of the School’s Field Education Program. She holds a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University with a clinical concentration with Individuals, families and groups.

As a medical social worker for over twenty years, Kelly has experienced the critical importance of collaborative, high functioning interdisciplinary teams in healthcare. Consequently, a focus of her educational leadership has been advancing collaborative interprofessional health education. She has contributed to renewal of UBC Health’s integrated curricula workshops for both collaborative decision making and professionalism and will be guiding further curricular revisions of the professionalism workshop through her research as an IPE Scholar. She has also co-written a chapter on collaborative practice for social work students in field education.

In her new role, Kelly will build on existing strengths in interprofessional education activities at UBC and guide the development of innovation in collaborative health education, including ongoing renewal of the integrative curriculum, innovations in practice-based interprofessional education and contribute to the development of team-based education models at the UBC Gateway clinic. 

Devin Harris

Director, Health Systems

Devin Harris is Clinical Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, having completed medical school, residency and post-graduate training at UBC Vancouver. He holds the position of Council Chair at Health Quality B.C. and is an Executive Medical Director in Interior Health. Clinically, he has practiced Emergency Medicine since 2001 in multiple departments in British Columbia and has held leadership roles within Interior Health, the Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care.  Along with being active in education and mentorship, Devin has been active in diverse research programs in stroke, cardiovascular care, medical education and patient safety. In addition, he teaches quality improvement and healthcare leadership in numerous regional and provincial programs.

Devin is a strong advocate of innovation and partnerships in healthcare with a focus on equitable and patient-centered care. As the Director of Health Systems, Devin will work closely with the Assistant Director, and the entire UBC Health Team to connect organizations, people and the public. His connections to the Regional Health Authorities, the Ministry of Health, Health Quality B.C., UBC Okanagan and other governmental and non-governmental organizations will assist in bridging silos and moving UBC Health towards the vision of better health together.

Naznin Virji-Babul

Director, Interdisciplinary Research

Dr. Naznin Virji-Babul, P.T., PhD, is a physical therapist, neuroscientist, and Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at UBC's Faculty of Medicine. As the Director of Interdisciplinary Research at UBC Health, she leads efforts to advance interdisciplinary health research collaborations, supports implementation science, and contributes to building a learning health system. Dr. Virji-Babul works closely with researchers, university units, and health and community partners to address complex societal health challenges using a holistic approach. She is deeply committed to fostering equitable relationships, embracing diverse perspectives, and promoting innovative, collaborative practices across UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.

Previously, Dr. Virji-Babul served as the Senior Advisor to the Provost on Women and Gender-Diverse Faculty, where she spearheaded initiatives such as a leadership program for women and gender-diverse faculty, a faculty survey on the impact of COVID-19, and a toolkit for increasing diversity among keynote speakers at scientific conferences. She also created an outdoor art project to celebrate and amplify the contributions of women and gender-diverse faculty and staff at UBC and in the broader community.

Victoria Wood, MA, EdD

Managing Director

604-822-8693
victoria.wood@ubc.ca

In her role as Managing Director, Victoria Wood is responsible for the strategic mission and operations of the Office of the Vice-President, Health. She provides leadership for collaborative and strategic initiatives across the unit’s core areas of work - collaborative health education, interdisciplinary health research, and health systems.

Victoria sees herself as a facilitator of collaboration and connection. Since 2007, she has been committed to improving the health sector by fostering interprofessional and cross-sector partnerships within the university and beyond. She has a long history of developing, delivering, and evaluating educational initiatives across the continuum of learning, including university and practice-based education and professional development for practicing professionals. During her tenure at UBC, she has led initiatives that align with and contribute to the strategic priorities of the university. She works to ensure that UBC Health’s vision, strategy, priorities, and objectives are understood, supported, and advanced. Victoria firmly believes that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and has dedicated her career to connecting people, ideas, and processes.

Victoria has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology, a Master of Arts in International Relations, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy. She is an experienced facilitator specializing in team-based competencies, communication skills, and conflict management. Her research focuses on the relationship between the university and society, beyond education and research.

Ben Fair, MA

Assistant Director, Health Systems

604-822-8693
ben.fair@ubc.ca

As Assistant Director, Health Systems at UBC Health, Ben Fair provides leadership to expand UBC Health’s remit in health systems in alignment with the UBC Health strategic plan. He focuses on initiatives and objectives that involve current healthcare providers and patients. He works closely with UBC Health senior leadership to conceptualize and implement a collaborative planning approach in health systems innovations across both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses of UBC and with external partners.

Ben worked in healthcare planning, project management, and evaluation for 17 years prior to joining UBC Health. He is passionate about applying evidence to build collective purpose to improve health outcomes, equity, and patient experience. He brings expertise in cross-sector collaborations and partner engagement, health program design and evaluation, and quality improvement. His background spans many sectors of healthcare, from primary care to tertiary services, with emphasis on Indigenous health, team-based care, and mental health and substance use.

Carrie Krekoski

Assistant Director, Education

604-822-7359
carrie.krekoski@ubc.ca

As Assistant Director, Education, Carrie Krekoski supports the strategic planning, development, implementation and evaluation of integrated practice education initiatives. She works in close collaboration with the UBC Health team, faculty leads from various health disciplines, and community partners internal and external to UBC. In addition to her work at UBC Health, Carrie is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the UBC Faculty of Dentistry. She teaches in content areas related to professionalism, communications, behavioural change and patient/client-centred care. Carrie brings experience in healthcare regulation and team-based practice. She holds a Masters of Education from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from UBC. She enhances her educational practice with doctoral studies in educational leadership and policy.

Cathy Kline

Assistant Director, Patient and Community Engagement

604-822-8002
cathy.kline@ubc.ca

As Assistant Director, Patient and Community Engagement, Cathy Kline works closely with the directors of Patient and Community Partnership for Education at UBC Health to provide leadership for operationalizing strategic plan objectives related to patient and community engagement. She builds capacity for sustainable patient and community partnerships by developing and leading strategies to advance the inclusion of people with lived experience throughout UBC Health’s core areas of collaborative health education, interdisciplinary health research, and health systems.

Since 2003, Cathy has advanced research and development initiatives that promote patient and public involvement in health professional education. Her work involves collaborations with faculty, students, patients, community organizations, and international scholars in research and program development to integrate patient expertise and experience into mainstream educational practice.

Cathy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Arts in Health Education from Dalhousie University.

Susana Leon

Administrator

604-822-3737
susana.leon@ubc.ca

Susana Leon brings extensive experience in university administration to her role at UBC Health, with a particular focus on budget planning and organizational change. As the Administrator, Susana is responsible for the fiscal health and allocation of resources to sustainably support the priorities and initiatives of UBC Health. She provides leadership in the strategic direction and management of all administrative matters including budget planning, financial operations, human resources, process improvements and change initiatives. Susana has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University and a Certificate in University Management from the University of Manitoba.

Teo Quay, MSC

Assistant Director, Research

604-822-7393
teo.quay@ubc.ca

As Assistant Director, Research at UBC Health Teo Quay is responsible for the strategic planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of interdisciplinary research initiatives across the unit. She focuses on fostering innovation, driving impact, and cultivating relationships and communities across UBC’s health research ecosystem. Teo has more than a decade of experience in health research, policy, and academic publishing and a diverse background in research, management, partner engagement, and science communications. She has a comprehensive understanding of the health landscape and an enthusiasm for interdisciplinary collaboration. Teo holds a Master of Science from UBC and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph.

Anusha Ahmadi

Communications Manager

anusha.ahmadi@ubc.ca

As Communications Manager at UBC Health, Anusha oversees multifaceted communications efforts for the unit, including planning, storytelling, web design, promotions, and analytics. She collaborates with internal project teams to understand and effectively present their work and builds relationships with healthcare communicators across the province, as well as with communicators at UBC.

Anusha is a seasoned communications professional with experience across diverse industries. In recent years, she has specialized in healthcare communications, working with key stakeholders throughout British Columbia’s healthcare sector. Her expertise includes leading successful advocacy campaigns, public education initiatives, stakeholder engagement efforts, and the creative presentation of information.

Anusha holds a Master of Arts in Communication from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Public Administration from the American University of Afghanistan.

Lindsay Burton

Coordinator, Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives

lindsay.burton@ubc.ca

As Coordinator, Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Lindsay Burton collaborates with UBC Health leadership, team members, and partners to develop, implement, and evaluate programs and initiatives that advance UBC Health’s strategic research priorities. Her role centers on creating opportunities for health researchers to collaborate, share knowledge, and bridge research and practice to enhance health systems. Lindsay brings extensive experience in interdisciplinary health research, academic publishing, and student mentorship. She is passionate about collaborative, action-oriented scholarship emphasizing equitable and inclusive solutions. Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Calgary, a Master of Science from UBC Okanagan, and is pursuing her PhD in Nursing at UBC Okanagan.

Brenda Gonzalez

Project Coordinator

brenda.gonzalez@ubc.ca

Brenda Gonzalez comes to UBC Health with a strong background in developing and implementing strategies in health and social services, specifically for equity-deserving communities. With a passion for fostering more equitable systems, Brenda has successfully led various projects aimed at building capacity for service providers and improving access to public services in rural and remote communities. As Project Coordinator, she works closely with UBC Health leadership and team members to support the development and implementation of projects that align with UBC Health’s strategic priorities across collaborative health education, interdisciplinary health research, and health systems. Brenda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from UBC.

Michelle Hamilton

Education Program Manager

michelle.hamilton@ubc.ca

Michelle Hamilton is Education Program Manager at UBC Health, responsible for operationalizing strategic collaborative health education initiatives and leading the delivery of complex interprofessional education curriculum programs and activities through collaboration with faculty, staff, and diverse patient and community partners and coordination across multiple health departments, faculties, and campuses at UBC. 

Michelle has more than a decade of experience coordinating collaborative and competency-based educational programs, including a diverse list of logistically complex learning events. Through her work in the Faculty of Medicine, she supported the expansion of postgraduate medical education programs on Vancouver Island, adopting innovative administrative processes for distributed learning. She contributed to the delivery of the UBC Health Integrated Curriculum and other interprofessional workshops across multiple sites centered around professionalism, cultural safety, and patient-centered care. Michelle uses her experience with building interprofessional relationships and working within distributed education programs to enhance interprofessional education opportunities across the province. Her background includes formal training and extensive experience in finance, business management, and project management.

Do-Rim Joo

Executive Assistant to the Associate Vice-President, Health

604-827-5698
avphealth.execassist@ubc.ca

As Executive Assistant, Do-Rim Joo provides executive level support to the Associate Vice-President, Health. She also supports the functioning of the UBC Health Executive and UBC Health Council, as well as special projects within the health portfolio. She works closely with the UBC Health team to build positive, strategic relationships with campus and community partners and ensure that the priorities of the portfolio move forward. Do-Rim has extensive experience in executive support, event planning and execution, and office operations, working with regional and international partners in academia, government, and the corporate sector. Do-Rim has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UBC.

Chen Li

Coordinator, Interdisciplinary Health Projects

chen.li@ubc.ca

As Project Coordinator, Chen Li works closely with UBC Health leadership, team members, and partners to advance initiatives within the Health Systems portfolio, including the Gateway to Team-Based Care Centre, the TBC@UBC Network, and the upcoming Bridging Research and Action event. Her work focuses on supporting program implementation and fostering partnerships across academia, health authorities, and communities to integrate evidence into practice and advance innovative models of primary care and health education.

Chen brings expertise in managing cross-functional projects, budget and funding oversight, and strategic program delivery in academic and healthcare settings. She holds a BSc in Microbiology and Immunology from UBC, along with a BSc in Nutritional Science and an MSc in Human Nutrition from McGill University.

Jenny Li

Education Program Assistant

604-827-3342
ubchealth.educassist@ubc.ca

Jenny Li supports the organization, coordination, and logistics of collaborative health education delivered by UBC Health on behalf of the health professional programs at UBC. She provides support in building capacity for collaborative health education and plays a key role in the smooth running of the interprofessional programming from an organizational standpoint. With extensive experience working in a few units across UBC, Jenny has demonstrated abilities to support the delivery of educational projects and initiatives for post-secondary students. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and a Masters of Education in Curriculum Studies from UBC and a certificate from the Executive Assistance program at Vancouver Community College.

Jen MacDonald (on leave)

Program Coordinator, Patient and Community Partnership for Education

604-822-8002
jen.macdonald@ubc.ca

Jen MacDonald provides coordination for the UBC Interprofessional Health Mentors Program and the Patient & Community Voices workshop series through the Patient and Community Partnership for Education unit at UBC Health. She works with students and community organizations to promote patient-centered care in the education of health professionals at UBC. Jen has a Masters of Fine Arts degree and a Bachelor of Psychology degree.

Marie-Elssa Morency

UBC Okanagan Health Partnership Manager

marieelssa.morency@ubc.ca

As the UBC Okanagan Health Partnership Manager she is responsible for building new relationships while leveraging existing partnerships to advance the alignment and synergy across the health disciplines at UBC, UBC Okanagan and surrounding health partners. As the UBC Okanagan Health Partnership Manager, Marie-Elssa Morency brings with her a wealth of experience having worked in the public health sector. Her main focus has been in health systems transformation and strategic planning with BC Cancer. She has managed the development of new clinical programs and research initiatives such as Team Based Care and the BC Cancer Kelowna Research Hub. She also specialized in facilitating strategic planning with various health partners across the Interior Health Region. Marie-Elssa holds a BSc (Honors) in Neuroscience from Dalhousie University and a MSc in Nutritional Epidemiology from the University of Toronto.

Jadiel Amarante Pereira

Program Assistant

jadiel.pereira@ubc.ca

In his role as a Program Assistant, Jadiel enhances operational efficiencies across UBC Health’s diverse portfolio, ensuring that all programs run smoothly from an organizational perspective. With a proactive, solution-oriented mindset, he addresses complex challenges while fostering collaboration across departments to streamline workflows and improve processes. His objective is to support UBC Health in achieving its strategic goals, ensuring that its programs thrive in an inclusive and efficient manner.

In 2022, Jadiel transitioned to the education sector after 16 years in finance and operations at one of Latin America's largest banks (Fortune Global 500). He is passionate about applying his expertise in project management, operations, and business analysis to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. His experience includes leading multimillion-dollar initiatives, implementing innovative solutions, and improving processes to enhance efficiency and outcomes. Jadiel’s background equips him with a customer-centric approach and a strong commitment to fostering collaboration and inclusivity in his current role at UBC Health.

Jadiel holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, an MBA in Strategic Planning, a post-degree in Marketing, and a post-degree in Business Administration.

Hillary Stevens

Project Manager, Gateway to Team-Based Care

hillary.stevens@ubc.ca

As Project Manager, Hillary Stevens works closely with UBC Health leadership and team members to support the operational planning and implementation of the Gateway to Team-Based Care project. She brings extensive experience working in clinical healthcare settings and has a strong background in health promotion and program planning in higher education. With a passion for student development and interdisciplinary collaboration, Hilary has supported student leaders and learners in a variety of settings and has served as a clinical instructor and preceptor in the UBC Dietetics program for a number of years. Hillary is a registered dietitian, attaining her dietetics degree from the University of British Columbia.

Mandy Young

Community Engagement Coordinator

604-822-8002
Mandy.young@ubc.ca

Mandy Young is a parent of a medically and behaviourally complex child and has six years of experience working in the non-profit peer support sector. Mandy has been a valued partner of Patient and Community Partnership for Education (PCPE) for over 10 years, volunteering as a Health Mentor and workshop facilitator for health care students. She is also a member of the UBC Health Patient & Community Advisory Committee and a recipient of the R. Paul Kerston Community Educator Award for expanding student learning beyond traditional boundaries and making a difference to student learning at UBC. Mandy brings her passion, dedication and advocacy experience to her role as community engagement coordinator.  

Mandy builds community relationships and develops processes for the recruitment, orientation, and support of patient and community members engaged in UBC Health activities, especially in the core area of collaborative health education. Her work advances UBC Health’s mandate to graduate learners who understand the diverse perspectives and experiences of patients and communities.  

Mandy holds facilitator certificates in ‘Planning an Alternative Tomorrow with Hope (PATH)’, a person-centered planning tool, and ‘Sibshop’, support for siblings of kids with disabilities. Mandy also has a certificate in Family Engagement in Research from McGill University.

Angela Towle

Co-Director, Patient and Community Partnership For Education
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Senior Scholar, Centre for Health Education Scholarship, Faculty of Medicine

604-875-4111
angela.towle@ubc.ca

Angela Towle's expertise, especially in the management of change, builds on her past experience in health services development and change in medical education with the King's Fund, London, UK. She is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Senior Scholar in the Centre for Health Education Scholarship at UBC, and Academic Director of the UBC Learning Exchange in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Between 2002 and 2010, she was Associate Dean, MD Undergraduate Education in the Faculty of Medicine.

William Godolphin

Co-Director, Patient and Community Partnership For Education
Professor Emeritus, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

604-822-7701
wgod@mail.ubc.ca

William Godolphin has been a teacher and researcher for many years, with projects and publications ranging across lipoproteins, breast cancer prognostic factors, clinical laboratory toxicology, laboratory automation and medical education. He is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.

ELIZABETH YUE (on leave)

SUBSTANCE USE & ADDICTION PARTNERSHIP MANAGER

604-366-5883
liz.yue@ubc.ca

Elizabeth (Liz) Yue brings her passion for public health and her expertise in the area of substance use disorder research and education to her role as Substance Use and Addiction Partnership Manager. The position is a joint appointment between UBC Health and the BC Centre on Substance Use, and Liz works out of both locations, managing the initiatives shared by the two organizations that focus on improving substance use education, clinical training and research. In this innovative role, she also works to identify shared priorities and opportunities for program alignment and further partnership between BCCSU and UBC Health. Collaborating with 17 health profession programs on both UBC campuses as well as health system partners, she works to coordinate an interdisciplinary education strategy that provides students with foundational training in substance use and addiction prevention, treatment and recovery. Liz has a wealth of experience in interdisciplinary stakeholder engagement and substance addiction education and training. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Science degree from UBC.

Alina Dhanji

Research and Development Assistant, Patient and Community Partnership for Education

Alina Dhanji is currently a second year student in the Entry-to-Practice Doctor of Pharmacy program at UBC. Through her research experience and community involvement pertaining to harm reduction and mental health advocacy, on both a local and national scale, she has developed an interest in promoting patient centered care and collaborative interprofessional practice. Through her pharmacy education, she has experienced the value of centering the education provided to students in health professional programs around patient and community voices. With this, Alina is excited to develop educational models that encourage opportunities for future healthcare providers to learn from patients and caregivers with lived experiences. 

Priyal Ketan Tailor 

Collaborative Project Assistant

Priyal is a second-year Master’s student doing her Master's in Nutrition and Dietetics (MND) at the University of British Columbia (UBC). With a robust five-year background in clinical nutrition and a master’s specialization in Diabetes and Cardiac Nutrition from Mumbai, India, she has gained extensive experience in various clinical, research, and public health roles. Over the past three years, her work in dietetics has ignited a deep interest and curiosity in interdisciplinary, patient-centered care. At UBC, Priyal is currently engaged in a capstone project that investigates the impact of potassium and phosphorus additives in foods on the electrolyte levels of patients with chronic kidney disease. Priyal is collaborating with the UBC Health team to support unit-wide initiatives at the intersections of collaborative health education, interdisciplinary health research, and health systems. She aspires to become a Registered Dietitian in British Columbia, where she aims to deliver patient-centred care with an interdisciplinary approach in critical care settings.