Pan-Canadian Health Organization (PCHO) External Review - Biographies, Summary of Expertise, Experiences, Affiliations and Interests

Pierre-Gerlier Forest, PhD and Danielle Martin, MD, MPP, FCFP, CCFP have been appointed by the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, to review the eight pan-Canadian health organizations.

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Biographies

Pierre-Gerlier FOREST, PhD

Professor and Director
James S. and Barbara A. Palmer Chair in Public Policy
School of Public Policy
University of Calgary

Pierre-Gerlier (PG) Forest is the Director of the School of Public Policy and James S. and Barbara A. Palmer Chair in public policy at the University of Calgary. PG Forest also holds an appointment as Professor of Community Health Science in the Cumming School of Medicine.

Prior to joining the School of Public Policy in 2016, PG Forest was Director of the Institute for Health and Social Policy at Johns Hopkins University and a Professor with the Bloomberg School of Public Health. From 2006 to 2013, he was president of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, a Canadian granting institution that encourages innovation in policy. In 2003, PG Forest was appointed to the G.D.W. Cameron Visiting Chair before becoming Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Scientist (2004-2006) with Health Canada, the federal department of health. In 2001, he had joined the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada where as Director of Research, he was responsible for the evidence produced and used by the Commission and contributed directly to its publications.

Dr. Forest spent the first part of his academic career at Université Laval, in Quebec City, where he was Professor of policy analysis and public administration with the department of political science (1990-2007). He is the author of more than a hundred and fifty scientific papers and books; among others, notably: Changing Health Care in Canada (Toronto, 2004) and Paradigm Freeze (Toronto, 2013).

PG Forest obtained a Master's degree in Political Science at Université Laval (1984) and a PhD. in History and Socio-Politics of Science at Université de Montréal (1989). He was elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2008.

Danielle Martin, MD, MPP, FCFP, CCFP

Vice-President, Medical Affairs and Health System Solutions, Women's College Hospital

Danielle Martin is Vice-President, Medical Affairs and Health System Solutions at Women's College Hospital (WCH) and a family physician in the Family Practice Health Centre at WCH. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation and School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Martin's focus is on improving health at the system level as well as the individual level. In addition to being an active medical educator, her clinical work has involved remote northern medicine as well as a current focus on maternity care.

Dr. Martin's policy expertise and passion for equity have made her a recognized leader in the debate over the future of Canada's health care system. She holds a Masters of Public Policy from the School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Toronto. In 2006, her first year in practice, she helped launch Canadian Doctors for Medicare (CDM), the voice for Canadian physicians who believe in "a high quality, equitable, sustainable health system built on the best available evidence as the highest expression of Canadians caring for one another." She chaired the board of CDM until May 2013.

Danielle is a national leader on issues relating to health care policy, working as an expert both within and outside academia on issues relating to the preservation and enhancement of public health care, and the intersection of primary care with other parts of our health and social systems. In her work at WCH, Danielle is helping to advance the vision for Women's College Hospital as a "hospital designed to keep people out of hospital", developing and evaluating new models of care that deliver solutions to the most pressing issues facing Canada's health system.

Summary of Expertise, Experiences, Affiliations and Interests

Purpose

External Advisory Bodies (EAB) provide Health Canada and the Minister of Health with expert advice from individuals who have valuable knowledge, expertise or experience. The table below summarizes the expertise, experiences, affiliations and interests relevant to the PCHO External Review as declared by the external advisors. Health Canada considers these declarations a part of the appointment process.

This summary is made available as part of Health Canada's commitment to transparency regarding the membership of its advisory bodies. The external advisors are expected to report promptly any changes in their circumstances as reported on their Affiliations and Interests Declaration Form.

Expertise/Experience

Criteria for selection for membership on the expert advisory body included the following areas of knowledge, expertise and experience:

  • Recognized leader with expertise in Canadian health care policy;
  • Sound understanding of public policy, governance, and intergovernmental relations; and,
  • In-depth understanding and knowledge of the federal, provincial and territorial health landscape in Canada.

Declaration of affiliations and interests

The external advisors must declare the following:

1. Direct financial interests

Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares, or bonds that relate to the mandate of the advisory body.

2. Indirect financial interests

2.1 Within the past five years, payment from the regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts, or consulting; or financial support, including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria (other than from current employer).

2.2 Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at conferences and meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body (other than from current employer, over $1000).

2.3 Within the last five years, grants or other funding from a party with an interest in the mandate of the advisory body to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision making (i.e. as a board member or executive or non-executive director).

3. Intellectual interests

3.1 Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a Canadian or foreign government organization, or a non-government organization.

3.2 Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view, including scientific papers, articles, journals, or other publications or on websites.

3.3 Current professional or volunteer affiliations, such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest, or advocacy groups that may have an interest in the mandate and work of the advisory board.

4. Other

4.1 Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation

Summary table of External Advisor responses
Name Expertise/Experience Summary of Responses
Direct Financial Interests Indirect Financial Interests Intellectual Interests Other
Dr. Pierre-Gerlier Forest, PhD

External Advisor
National expert/academic in health public policy and governance

Former government decision-maker (GDW Cameron Chair, ADM and Chief Scientist with Health Canada); and advisor (Romanow Commission)

In-depth knowledge of the inter-jurisdictional context of health care governance
1. No 2.1 No 2.2 Yes 2.3 No 3.1 Yes 3.2 Yes 3.3 Yes 4. No
Comments:
Dr. Forest was a member of the CPAC Knowledge Mobilization Committee and he resigned from this position prior to the work of the review.

Dr. Forest is also a public member of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada and the Director of the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation. Dr. Forest will suspend participation in these organizations for the duration of the review.

In the past, Dr. Forest:
  • Attended CPAC meetings in which accommodation and travel were reimbursed.
  • Participated in numerous committees and advisory roles for governments and non-governmental organizations both within Canada and internationally.
  • Published extensively on the federal role in health care, which may include general commentary on PCHOs, in scientific papers, book chapters and academic articles.
  • Been a guest speaker at numerous events which may have included public statements on issues of relevance to the mandate of the review.
Dr. Danielle Martin, MD, MPP, FCFP, CCFP

External Advisor
National health care leader

Expert/academic in health public policy and governance

In-depth knowledge of the Canadian health system landscape
1. No 2.1 No 2.2 Yes 2.3 Yes 3.1 Yes 3.2 Yes 3.3 Yes 4. No
Comments:
Vice President, Medical Affairs & Health Systems Solutions and physician at Women's College Hospital (WCH) in Toronto, ON. The WCH has received funding and grants from PCHOs and the organization may continue to pursue grants and/or funding from PCHOs in the future.

In the past, Dr. Martin:
  • Attended PCHO conferences and meetings in which travel and accommodation expenses were reimbursed.
  • Participated in several committees and advisory bodies for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term care, although none are directly relevant to the mandate of this review.
  • Published academic work and contributed to national television networks that may have commented on broad themes relevant to the mandate of the review (such as the work of the PCHOs).
  • Volunteered as member and Vice-Chair of the board of Directors of the Wellesley Institute; which received a grant from a PCHO in 2015 and is currently engaged in a joint project with a PCHO. Dr. Martin will temporarily step away from this role prior to the work of the review.
  • Previously served as an Advisory Board Member for Upstream; an Advisory Board member for OpenPharma; an Advisory Board Member for the Mowat Centre; an Advisory Council Member for the Basic Income Canada Network; and a "Good Food Champion" for Community Food Services. Dr. Martin stepped down from these roles prior to the work of the review.

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