Meet Our Patient Partners

I’m a Toronto-based AI consultant, researcher, and executive coach with a PhD focused on sustainability, technology, and social impact. Much of my professional and volunteer work has centred on helping organizations and people navigate complex challenges, and I hope to bring a thoughtful, practical, and patient-centred perspective to the PFAC, with a particular interest in making healthcare experiences more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to patients and families. Outside of work, I enjoy fitness, travel, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new ideas and technologies. 

My name is Kishany, and I represent the SouthEast Toronto Family Health Team. As a resident of East Toronto, I am deeply committed to enhancing the healthcare systems that serve our community. With a strong background in health informatics and life sciences, I have always been passionate about using technology and data to improve the lives of both patients and practitioners. My professional experience includes roles as a health process consultant in the public sector and a business intelligence engineer in the health tech sector. I joined DFCM as a Patient Partner to actively contribute to enhancing the patient experience and to offer valuable insights on how we can advance family medicine for everyone involved. In my free time, I enjoy swimming, biking, and walking on the Boardwalk by Woodbine Beach. 

My name is Teodora Ajanovska Gligorova. I am a patient at the Toronto Western Family Health Team. I have been a patient there for 3 years. I am currently working as a Continuing Education Coordinator. My favourite thing about Toronto is the waterfront.

I was born and raised in Toronto, but have lived in both Montreal and London, UK. I now live in Midtown with my husband, son, and our 2 cats. I am really excited to be part of PFAC as a patient at the Sunnybrook Academic Family Health Team. I feel very passionately about everyone having equal access to fantastic primary care. I have worked in tech for the past 10 years in a variety of Operations roles. In my spare time I love to go on adventures around the city, read, and watch reality TV.

As a relatively new patient affiliated with the Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit at the Wilson Site of Hennick Humber Hospital, I am eager to participate in thoughtful discussions on ways of enhancing the patient experience throughout the healthcare system. I have a rather eclectic background spanning studies in psychology, biology, education, modern languages and music complemented by work experience as a teacher, researcher, writer, editor and translator. Culture as a force shaping how we are and who we are has long fascinated me, and my time living abroad in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East has informed my cosmopolitan perspective. At this juncture of my journey, I am contemplating transitioning to the healthcare professions — initially as a personal support worker but later as a medical interpreter and maybe even as a psychotherapist. My engagement with the Patient and Family Advisory Committee thus serves both as an opportunity to broaden my understanding of the intricacies of quality healthcare and as a springboard to explore new career paths. 

Sakina is affiliated with the Scarborough Health Network and holds an MSc in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. She has experience in health services, clinical research and healthcare program coordination and supports EPIQ Education Program's education & QI initiatives. Sakina is interested in addressing barriers to care and translating evidence into practice. As a PFAC member, she hopes to support patient-centred care and medical education & learn from patients and families. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, spending time with her cats, and exploring new places. She is passionate about health equity, community advocacy, and making complex systems easier for people to navigate. 

I have been a patient of the Family Medicine Teaching Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, for a little over 2 years. I am a holistic nutritionist and semi-retired massage therapist. I love researching and learning about health as well as gardening, sewing and music. Having had to navigate the health system with loved ones with mental health issues, dementia and chronic diseases, I hope to use my experiences and interests to improve family medicine and ensure it is accessible to everyone. 

Donna holds an MBA in International Business from McGill and an LLB from the University of London & has received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award (2022). She is Owner/ President of Sterling Creations and Founder/President of Barrier Free Canada. She is an advocate, entrepreneur, author and producer of the Remarkable World Commentary podcast, and has extensive experience in the studies of Civil/ Criminal Procedure, Family Law, and Land/ Property Law. She was an advisor and consultant to Elections Canada, Office of the Auditor General of Canada, Canadian Transportation Agency, and Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. She also serves on Air Canada’s New Customer Accessibility Advisory Committee. She is a former President of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, Communications Director of the Canadian Blind Sports Association, and Board Member of Citizens with Disabilities Ontario. Donna enjoys chess, composing music on her electronic keyboard, pottery, and knitting.    

I have been a rostered patient with the Credit Valley Family Health Team since 2009. I have enjoyed being the regular patient of more than seven family medicine residents who provided excellent care during their training and while I dealt with chronic health issues. I also have professional experience managing clinical trials. As a Patient Partner, I look forward to helping to improve training and providing input into research based on my lived experience. My hobbies are keeping up with current affairs, reading speculative fiction, and thinking about how the two might intersect. 

Colleen currently lives in Midtown Toronto.  As a retired senior with both visible & invisible disabilities, she was appointed to the Vibrant Community Health Advisory Committee, engaging with Sunnybrook's senior leadership to discuss attendant care, healthcare and wellness program goals within Midtown.  She has been with Vibrant Community Health for 10+ years and is a member of the Vibrant Community Council (VCC). She was also appointed to the Senior Tenants Advisory Committee (STAC), giving advice to the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation on policies, programs and services affecting 15,000 tenants across 83 senior-designated buildings.  STAC gives seniors a voice, shaping decisions on tenant engagement, community care and building operations.   

My name is Gisele, and I live in Scarborough. I'm currently a patient at Platinum Medical Clinic, where I've been a patient for 26 years. My family physician, Dr. Rosemarie Lall, has also been the pediatrician for my two children since they were born. Before immigrating to Canada in 2000, I lived and studied in Europe for 14 years, where I obtained my Master's in Economics. In Canada, I obtained a diploma in business administration. I volunteered at my local Salvation Army, where I worked in intake and distributed food to people at the food bank, and as a French teacher at Heritage Skills Development Centre. I wanted to join PFAC to learn and share perspectives with others on what their clinics are like, and I would like to help improve medical clinics for patients. I enjoy listening to gospel music, watching different drama genres, and travelling. 
 

Hi, I'm Selma, and I'm a patient with the Southlake Family Health Team. I've worked in public service for 21+ years and have been involved in community service throughout much of my life. These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the importance of listening to people, building relationships, and working together to improve outcomes. I'm excited to join the PFAC and contribute both my perspective as a patient and my experience working with diverse communities across Ontario. I believe patients and families have an important role to play in shaping healthcare services and creating better experiences for everyone. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. 

My name is Luis Imamura, and I immigrated to Canada more than 25 years ago. For the past 20 years, I’ve been proud to call Toronto’s West End, and High Park particularly, my home. I spent my professional career in IT, including working as an IT Manager for a large consulting company, and I’ve been a patient at St. Joseph Family Medicine since moving to the area.Giving back to my community is important to me, and I volunteer with the St. Joseph Family Medicine PFAC, Toronto Homeless Connection, and Parkdale PARC. Outside of work and volunteering, I enjoy gardening at my High Park allotment garden, where I grow vegetables and fruit. I’ve been told I have a “green thumb,” and gardening is my favourite way to unwind and escape from the IT world. I’m also an avid pickleball player.