MEET THE RGPEO TEAM

Lisa McDonnell

Program Director

Lisa McDonnell

Program Director

Lisa is the Regional Director of the Regional Geriatrics Program of Eastern Ontario and the Champlain Regional Stroke Network. She has been a health care leader for over 18 years and is known for her collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and ability to drive complex initiatives from concept to impact. She is driven by a passion to challenge the status quo and create meaningful changes across the health system.

Dr. Allen Huang

Medical Director

Dr. Allen Huang

Medical Director
Past Head, Division Of Geriatric Medicine, TOH & UOttawa
Past Head, Division Of Geriatric Medicine, McGill University Health Center

Allen is a member of the RGPEO team, working on vision, strategy, and quality improvement, while providing direct clinical services at community clinics in Renfrew and Cornwall. They also review clinical cases weekly with the Ottawa Geriatric Assessment Outreach Teams. Passionate about optimal prescribing for older adults, Allen has been involved in health services research and knowledge implementation. With a minor in Computer Science, they are particularly interested in computer-assisted clinical decision support and emerging Artificial Intelligence tools in healthcare. Currently, Allen is contributing to the implementation of Ontario’s “Improving Dementia Care in Ontario Act” (2024).

Yasmine Alborhamy

Program Evaluator

Yasmine Alborhamy, MA, PhD(c)

Program Evaluator

Yasmine is a Program Evaluator with the RGPEO. She holds a Master’s in Program Evaluation from uOttawa and is completing a PhD in Health Professions Education at uOttawa, where her research explores the use of AI in program evaluation. She is passionate about turning data into stories that inspire learning and improvement and uses a participatory approach that values the voices of patients, staff, and leadership alike—making evaluations more meaningful and actionable. Guided by a belief in dignity and person-centred care, Her approach unites rigorous evidence with compassion to improve the systems that serve older adults.

Heather Bauer

Administrative Assistant, Centralized Intake

Heather Bauer

Administrative Assistant, Centralized Intake

Heather is the Administrative Assistant for Central Intake for Specialized Geriatric Services. With over 30 years experience working for the RGPEO in various administrative roles, she has an extensive knowledge of the geriatric programs across the region. Heather shows compassion towards patients, caregivers, and health care professionals as they navigate through the system. She cares deeply about older adults and their care partners in the community. She is often the first link to making a referral and she strives to make this as streamlined, timely, and easily accessible as possible. Her kind approach allows everyone to be comfortable in reaching out and getting the support they need.

Alison Carter

Advanced Practice Nurse

Alison Carter RN, MN

Advanced Practice Nurse, Geriatric Ambulatory Services

Alison is the Advanced Practice Nurse for Geriatric Ambulatory Services. She has a background in surgical care and quality improvement, with experience in supporting both patients and healthcare teams in navigating complex care needs. In her role, she focuses on program development and clinical support to enhance the quality of care for older adults. She is deeply motivated by ensuring equitable access to services. This passion drives her work and keeps her focused on building a system that is responsive and compassionate. Through her contributions at RGPEO, she aims to strengthen the care of seniors, support healthcare teams, and ensure that the programs we offer make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults and their families.

Ioanna Genovezos

Program Manager, Centralized Intake and Geriatric Assessment Outreach Team

Ioanna Genovezos, RN, BScN, MN, ENC(C), GNC(C)

Program Manager
Centralized Intake, Geriatric Assessment Outreach Team, Geriatric Emergency Management Plus

Ioanna is the Program Manager for Central Intake for Specialized Geriatric Services, the Geriatric Assessment Outreach Team, and the GEM Plus program within the Regional Geriatric Program of Eastern Ontario. In her role, she provides leadership and oversight to ensure coordinated, high-quality care for older adults. Ioanna is committed to advancing specialized geriatric services and developing programs that meet the evolving needs of older adults and their families across the region.

Sanjana Haque

Program Coordinator

Sanjana Haque

Program Coordinator

Sanjana is the Program Coordinator with the RGPEO. She is passionate about improving the experience of aging by helping to create programs that are both accessible and inclusive for older adults and their care partners. With a background in program coordination and communications, she brings an organized and collaborative approach to her work, while remaining motivated by a personal commitment to supporting seniors and the communities around them.

Sonia Joannisse

Program Manager, Nurse Led Outreach Teams

Sonia Joannisse, RN, MScN

Program Manager
Nurse Led Outreach Teams

As the manager of the Nurse-Led Outreach Team (NLOT), Sonia works with a dedicated group of Nurse Practitioners in long-term care to improve access to care and reduce hospital readmissions. As a nurse with 20 years of experience, Sonia brings expertise in clinical practice, education, and leadership, with a focus on fostering collaboration and standardization.

She is passionate about ensuring high-quality care for patients and advancing consistency in nursing practice. Sonia is inspired most by the opportunity to support the geriatric population by building systems that provide timely and effective medical services, improving care delivery, reduce strain on the healthcare system, and enhancing quality of life for seniors in our community.

Jennifer Koop

Advanced Practice Nurse

Jennifer Koop, RN MN GNC(C)

Advanced Practice Nurse

Jennifer is an Advanced Practice Nurse with the RGPEO and The Ottawa Hospital in the Division of Geriatrics, specializing in Dementia Care. She completed her Master’s in Nursing with a leadership focus and special interest in delirium and patient and family education. Currently, in her role as APN she is committed to improving clinical outcomes for people living with dementia through advanced nursing practice, program development, consultation, research, education, and leadership.

Natalie Lafrance

Administrative Assistant

Natalie Lafrance

Administrative Assistant

Natalie is the Administrative Assistant for RGPEO and for the Division of Geriatrics, supporting Dr. A. Huang, Medical Director, and Dr. R. Akter Program Director of the Medicine Residency Training Program.

With a clinical support background, she is committed to facilitating efficient operations and contributing to the advancement of care for seniors within RGPEO.

Courteney Munch

Advanced Practice Nurse

Courteney Munch

Advanced Practice Nurse

Dr. Matthew Sacheli, PhD

Program Manager, Education and Knowledge Translation

Dr. Matthew Sacheli, PhD

Program Manager
Knowledge Translation, Education, Research

Dr. Matthew Sacheli has a multidisciplinary background in clinical neuroscience, kinesiology, and exercise physiology. He previously managed the BC Brain Wellness Program at the University of British Columbia and oversaw the Parkinson’s disease portfolio at the Weston Brain Institute, part of the Weston Family Foundation. A dedicated and compassionate leader, Dr. Sacheli brings a unique perspective and research expertise to advancing and reimagining healthcare to better serve Canadians.

MEET THE PHYSICIAN TEAM

THE OTTAWA HOSPITAL

Lara Khoury (Division Head)
Ripa Akter
Anna Byszewski
Ian Chan
Vanessa Cunha
Brad Godwin
Chris Goy
Taleen Haddad
Allen Huang
Shirley Huang
Frank Molnar
Barb Power
Ed Spilg
Miriam Thake
Ben Lafleur (part-time)

BRUYERE HEATH

Kathyrn Bezzina
Krista Whitney
Nicole Fitt
Genevieve Casey
Ruth Ellen (part-time)

MONTFORD HOSPITAL

Genevieve Lemay

QUEENSWAY CARLETON HOSPITAL

Mononita Roy
Ben Lafleur
Fraser Miller
Genevieve Casey

CORNWALL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Allen Huang
Armando Sarasua

RENFREW VICTORIA HOSPITAL

Allen Huang

PEMBROKE REGIONAL HOSPITAL

Anna Byszewski

WINCHESTER DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Genevieve Casey
Brad Godwin

MISSISSIPPI RIVER HEALTH ALLIANCE (CARLETON PLACE & ALMONTE HOSPITALS)

Genevieve Casey