TOPHC: Northern Insights to Public Health
Speaker Spotlight
Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Responding Together: Supporting First Nations Community Evacuations
This session shares lessons from Peel Public Health, Toronto Public Health, and Kashechewan First Nation in supporting evacuations in northern Ontario, with a focus on partnerships, operational considerations and lessons learned to strengthen future emergency preparedness and response.
SUNNY KLER
Emergency Management Specialist, Peel Public Health
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Sunny Kler is an Emergency Management professional with over seven years of experience across both public and non-profit sectors. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto in Sociology and CCIT, and the Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP) designation. Since joining Peel Public Health in June 2024, Sunny has supported urgent public health responses and led various projects. Prior to this, she spent several years at the Red Cross, where she led and supported emergency operations ranging from small-scale residential fires to large-scale mass evacuations.
DWIGHT BUNGAY
Manager, Children's Oral Health Program, Peel Public Health
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Dwight Bungay currently is the Manager of the Children's Oral Health program at Peel Public Health and has worked with the Region of Peel since 2006. He is a Registered Dental Hygienist and has worked in people management positions since 2008. This includes roles in the COVID response. Outside of work, he competes in Masters track and field.
LULI GJEKA
Manager of Emergency Planning, Toronto Public Health
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Luli Gjeka brings more than 20 years of experience in emergency management. Prior to joining Toronto Public Health (TPH), he served as Country Representative for Oxfam Great Britain in Albania and as Manager of Toronto Programs with the Canadian Red Cross. Throughout his career, Luli has played key roles in managing major emergencies and large-scale planned events, including the H1N1 pandemic, the 2015 Pan Am Games, COVID-19 pandemic, and planning for FIFA World Cup 2026.
CHRIS THIND
Health Director, Kashechewan Health Services
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Chris Thind is the Director of Health for Kashechewan First Nation and a seasoned paramedic with experience across urban and remote regions, including Northwestern Ontario. He has served as a paramedic in Toronto and Kingston and worked with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA), coordinating health and evacuation operations along the James Bay coast. Combining frontline expertise with strategic leadership, Chris focuses on improving emergency preparedness and access to culturally informed health services in northern and Indigenous communities.
CINDY LAI
Emergency Management Coordinator, Toronto Public Health
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Cindy Lai is currently an Emergency Management Coordinator at Toronto Public Health. A public servant with over two decades of experience in provincial emergency planning and response, she has held progressively senior roles within the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Health. Prior to joining the public service, she worked in a variety of project-based roles supporting private sector boards, universities, and international organizations.
MODERATOR
DR. YASMIN KHAN
Emergency Preparedness Physician and currently on secondment as Associate Medical Officer of Health at Peel Public Health
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Yasmin Khan, MD, MPH, FRCPC (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine and Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, and a Physician at Public Health Ontario currently on secondment as Associate Medical Officer of Health with Peel Public Health. At PHO, Dr. Khan provides medical and scientific expertise in the area of emergency preparedness and health system emergency management. Her research program focuses on health system emergency management, public health system resilience for emergencies, and encompasses projects on performance measurement and quality improvement for public health emergency preparedness.
Nurturing Algoma: Driving Comprehensive Health Promotion
This session shares insights and lessons from Nurturing Algoma in its use of regional developmental data to guide early childhood health promotion priorities and cross-sector collaboration.
SANDRA DERESKI
Manager, Healthy Growth & Development, Algoma Public Health
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Sandra Dereski, BHSc, MHS is the Manager of Healthy Growth and Development at Algoma Public Health. Holding a Master’s degree in Health Studies and more than 19 years of healthcare leadership experience, she is committed to advancing community well-being through strategic partnerships, health equity, and systems-level leadership. Her work focuses on fostering cross-sector collaboration and driving collective action to improve outcomes for children and families. Sandra provides community-focused leadership through the Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma Child and Family Network and the Nurturing Algoma Project, advancing upstream, comprehensive health promotion initiatives with her team across Algoma.
TAYLOR LABADIE
Health Promotion Specialist, Algoma Public Health
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Taylor Labadie, MSc is a Health Promotion Specialist at Algoma Public Health. She holds a Master of Science in Health Promotion from Western University, where she acquired advanced knowledge of planning, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs. Her expertise has been instrumental in co-leading and developing the Nurturing Algoma initiative and implementation of the CanDDIS project. Her knowledge of and commitment to community collaboration and upstream public health interventions has significantly enhanced local support systems for young children and their familiesTaylor Labadie is a Health Promotion Specialist at Algoma Public Health. She holds a Master of Science in Health Promotion from Western University, where she acquired advanced knowledge of planning, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs. Her expertise has been instrumental in co-leading and developing the Nurturing Algoma initiative and implementation of the CanDDIS project. Her knowledge of and commitment to community collaboration and upstream public health interventions has significantly enhanced local support systems for young children and their families
LILLIE MILLS
Public Health Nurse, Algoma Public Health
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Lillie Mills, RN, BScN is a Public Health Nurse with Algoma Public Health and co-lead of the Nurturing Algoma initiative. Drawing on many years supporting children and families through the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program, she is a passionate advocate for infant and early mental health and early childhood development. Lillie championed the implementation of the CanDDIS in Algoma and is building and chairing the Nurturing Algoma Community of Practice. Through data mobilization, cross-sector collaboration, and systems-level leadership, she works to strengthen community capacity and improve outcomes for children and families across the district.
LANNA COLETTI
Professional Service Manager, Thrive Child Development Centre
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Lanna Coletti, MA, RSW is a Professional Services Manager at THRIVE Child Development Centre, overseeing programs that include the Infant and Child Development Program, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Program, Coordinated Service Planning, and Smart Start Hub. Before joining THRIVE, she spent over 20 years working in the child welfare sector, in frontline practice and supervising protection and non-protection teams. Lanna is passionate about care and services for all children, particularly those from birth to age six. She feels privileged to contribute to a community that shares her commitment to children and families.
HILDA DAN-ARCHIBONG
Registered Early Childhood Educator, Interim Program Coordinator, Child Care Algoma, EarlyON Child and Family Centre
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Hilda Dan-Archibong, RECE is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and Interim Program Coordinator with Child Care Algoma’s EarlyON Child and Family Centre. With a background in Environmental Health and Safety and Hospitality Management, Hilda brings a diverse perspective to her work with children and families. For the past four years, Hilda has worked alongside children, caregivers, and community partners to create inclusive, welcoming spaces where families can connect, learn, and thrive. Beyond facilitating EarlyON programs and drop-in services, she collaborates with partners across the community to support children’s development and empower parents and caregivers through meaningful engagement and accessible, family-centered programming.
MODERATOR
DR. SARAH CARSLEY
Applied Public Health Science Specialist, Population Health, Public Health Ontario
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Dr. Sarah Carsley, PhD, is an Applied Public Health Science Specialist in Population Health at Public Health Ontario. Dr. Carsley completed a Master of Science in Epidemiology at McGill University and a PhD in Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. Her portfolio includes reproductive health and the early years, and her research interests include early adversity and resilience, measurement, and child development.
Learn more about Nurturing Algoma by visiting their website and following them on social media
Infectious Disease Outbreak Preparedness in the North
This presentation including a facilitated panel discussion will bring together perspectives from local, provincial, and federal public health, as well as First Nations communities, to explore approaches to strengthening infectious disease preparedness and response in northern settings, using the 2021-22 blastomycosis outbreak as a case study.
DR. AUSTIN ZYGMUNT
Public Health Physician in Communicable Disease Control, Public Health Ontario
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Dr. Austin Zygmunt, MSc, MD, CCFP, FRCPC is a Public Health Physician in Communicable Disease Control at Public Health Ontario. His portfolio includes viral hemorrhagic fevers, where he provides scientific, technical, and medical expertise to public health partners, supporting VHF risk assessment, public health guidance, and outbreak preparedness and response activities
DR. JULIANNE V. KUS
Deputy Chief of Microbiology and Laboratory Science and a Clinical Microbiologist, Microbiology and Laboratory Services, Public Health Ontario
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Dr. Julianne Kus, MSc, PhD, FCCM is Deputy Chief of Microbiology and Laboratory Services at Public Health Ontario and a Clinical Microbiologist with expertise in medical mycology, emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and public health laboratory practice. She provides leadership for provincial microbiology programs and has a particular interest in fungal pathogens, diseases of public health significance, laboratory surveillance, and diagnostic innovation. In addition to her work at PHO, she has an active research program and contributes to laboratory quality and standards development through leadership activities with Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare (IQMH) and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Her work focuses on strengthening laboratory systems, improving access to specialized testing, and supporting public health action across Ontario and Canada.
DR. LIANNE CATTON
Public Health Physician, former MOH/CEO of Porcupine Health Unit
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After an HBSc at Waterloo, medicine at McMaster, and family medicine residency with an emergency medicine year at NOMEC, University of Ottawa in Sudbury, Dr. Lianne Catton, MD, CCFP (EM), MPH started in emergency medicine in Timmins. Shortly after she added primary care at Misiway Milopemahtesewin Community Health Centre. Years of treating poor outcomes in the emergency department and the impacts of inequities facing the population reignited a passion in upstream medicine, and she returned to public health. In 2016 she became the Medical Officer of Health/Chief Executive Officer (MOH/CEO) for the Porcupine Health Unit, and subsequently Northeastern Public Health in 2025. In February 2026 Lianne moved to the Ministry of Health in the Public Health Division. She is participating in the panel today as a public health physician who was the local MOH at the time of the tragic outbreak in Constance Lake (and is not representing NEPH nor the Ministry).
DR. JO ANN MAJEROVICH
Regional Medical Officer, Direct Service Delivery, Indigenous Services Canada – Ontario Region
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Dr. Jo Ann Majerovich, MD, MSc (Epi), MPH, CCFP, FCFP has worked as a public health physician at Indigenous Services Canada since 2017 after completing the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Field Epidemiology Program at Peel Public Health. Previously she worked as a family doctor in a variety of clinical contexts and as a Medical Officer of Health at both the local and provincial levels in New Brunswick.
DANIELLE POTVIN
Medical Services Manager, Constance Lake First Nation
MODERATOR
DR. JESSICA HOPKINS
Vice President and Chief, Communicable Disease Control, Public Health Ontario
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Dr. Jessica Hopkins, MD, MHSc, CCFP, FRCPC, FCFP is the Vice President and Chief, Communicable Disease Control at Public Health Ontario where she oversees the scientific and operational activities of the Communicable Disease Control portfolio, and Indigenous Strategy and Capacity Building. Dr. Hopkins previously worked as the Medical Officer of Health for Peel Region, and Associate Medical Officer of Health in Hamilton and Niagara Region. She is a practising family doctor and an Associate Professor (part-time) with the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, and Assistant Professor (status only) with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto.