Board of Directors

Chair – Maria Britto

“LHIN’s identify and address a community’s health care needs to create a patient-first, sustainable model that delivers the best in health care services.  LHIN’s continually assess and evaluate the delivery process of local health care to determine successful practices and discover areas where  improvement is desired.  The result is a system designed to be responsive to patient-needs to ensure the best care and the correct care are provided at all times.”

Maria has over 30 years experience in business, charity and community involvement. A tireless volunteer, Maria has brought her leadership skills and experience to the boards of many of the most notable and well-respected organizations within the community. In 1997, Maria served as the first female President of the Brampton Board of Trade; 2008 Maria served as Chair of the Brampton and Area Community Foundation; 2009 Maria was appointed to the Board of William Osler Health System; 2007 Maria was appointed  Chair of the Community Council for the Family Life Resource Centre women’s shelter. Other volunteer activities include the Peel Children’s Aid Society; fifteen years with the City of Brampton’s Economic Development Committee and Ambassador program; Management board for the Small Business Enterprise Centre; Employment Resource Council for the Peel Board of Education.

Since 1984, Maria has been a registered realtor in good standing under the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act and the Ministry of Consumer Relations. An expert negotiator,  Maria has operated as an independent contractor within the real estate industry for over 26 years; responsible for all aspect of her business. Maria has gained the experience, professional education and subsequent trust of her clientele to lead consultations on planning, zoning and Official Plan amendments and interpretations. Ranking among the top realtors in the industry, Maria has led a multi-million dollar Real Estate Business receiving the Corporation’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2011. In 2010, Maria was honoured by the City of Brampton and the Brampton Guardian as the Citizen of the Year.

From her extensive experience, Maria has developed skills as a collaborative leader, working closely with business, government and community organizations to build positive working relationships to the betterment of our community.

Member - Winston Isaac

Dr. Winston Isaac holds the rank of Associate Professor in the School of Health Services Management at Ryerson University in Toronto.  His healthcare experience started as a Respiratory Technologist having graduated from the Toronto Institute of Medical Technology (now The Michener Institute).  His academic positions have included part-time instructor at several colleges and universities; Program Director at the Michener Institute; Program Coordinator with the Chang School at Ryerson; Director for the School of Health Services Management at Ryerson. Other employment included Health Policy Analyst (contract) with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for just under five years.

Dr. Isaac’s academic pursuits have included undergraduate degrees in Science, Psychology and Business Administration. At the Master’s level, he holds degrees in Adult Education and Health Administration & Policy.  Dr. Isaac holds a PhD in Adult and Continuing Education.  He holds the CHE (Certified Health Executive) designation from the Canadian College of Health Service Executives.  Winston has been recognized with an Alumnus of Distinction award by The Michener Institute.

Winston has been active in the Brampton community with his tireless involvement with the United Achievers Club and its youth mentoring and scholarship programs, The United Achievers Housing Corporation and United Achievers Community Services.  He is co-founder of The Walnut Foundation providing support and information on men’s health to the Black and Caribbean community. Winston chairs Review Teams for academic Health Administration programs (national and international) undergoing accreditation with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) located in the United States.

Winston’s research interest is in the area of health human resources and also in men’s health, especially prostate cancer.

Member - Gerry Merkley 

Gerry has over 20 years’ senior executive management experience primarily in the financial services sector in the field of product management, marketing and strategic planning.  She has held Vice-President positions with Canada Trust (Mutual Funds) and ING Canada (Financial Services).   She currently runs her own management consulting business focusing on strategic planning, change management, and development and implementation of business plans. 

Gerry holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree from McMaster University along with several accreditations within the securities and mutual fund industry.  She also currently holds the position of Chairman of an Independent Review Committee with a prominent mutual fund company.

She is the former Chair of Hospice Caledon, and the former Director for Hospice Caledon Foundation.

In the community, Gerry assists with coaching and organizing the Caledon East Junior Softball League.

Member - Emily Tan

Ms. Emily Tan is currently In-House Counsel for a Canadian investment fund company. Prior to that, she worked at one of Canada's largest law firms, the securities regulator and a major Canadian bank.

 Ms. Tan received her BA and JD from the University of Toronto. She is currently a Vice-Chair and Alumna Representative for the University of Toronto Responsible Investing Committee.

 Ms. Tan has been a life-long volunteer for numerous community groups, including a Peel Board of Education committee, the Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyers Feed the Hungry program, the University of Toronto legal aid clinic and organizations promoting literacy.

Member - Ken Topping

I have enjoyed living in Shelburne since 1974.  My retirement from my position as principal with the Upper Grand District School Board has afforded me many interesting opportunities. For several years, I maintained my contact with education by acting as a replacement administrator in both elementary and secondary schools.

My retirement activities are now focused on public service, recreation and travel.

Currently, I divide my time between:

• maintaining my daily commitment to fitness and good health
• exploring creatively works of abstract and realistic art
• coordinating mainly, but not exclusively, youth oriented activities sponsored by the Shelburne Lions Club
• sitting on the board of the Dufferin Arts Council as coordinator of the Artist in the Schools program and teaching art in that program
• meeting with young offenders and their parents as a member of the Youth Justice Committee for Dufferin
• participating in the activities of Lorne Lodge 377, Shelburne
• enjoying the opportunity to travel frequently, often on my motorcycle.                                      

Working for two years in assisted transportation with Dufferin County Community Support Services and caring for a senior family member with extensive health challenges for the past several years has made me keenly aware of some of the health challenges faced by many residents in the Central West LHIN. 

I saw an opportunity to become more involved in by becoming a member of the Shelburne Community Health Task Force. During this very positive experience I decided to seek an appointment to the Central West LHIN Board of Directors.

I look forward to being an enthusiastic participant, learning more about the entire area we serve and bringing my experience and expertise to the current Board so that we can all work together to address the challenges ahead in providing and integrating health care services in our region.

Member - Lorraine Gandolfo

A resident of Brampton since 1977, Lorraine has been an active community member since her arrival.  Early involvement in the education sector resulted in her being elected as a trustee to the French-Language Section of the (then) Dufferin-Peel Separate School Board and serving for eleven years. After working as a Program Advisor with the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Childcare Branch, Lorraine occupied the Executive Director position with a provincial French-Language School Board Association which resulted in great appreciation of governance issues.  A past-president of Le Cercle de l'Amitié (cultural club), and le Centre de Services de Santé Peel-Halton, Lorraine is a member of the Parish Council for Paroisse de la Sainte-Famille (the only francophone parish in Peel). 

Currently Manager of Communications and Public Affairs with the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Lorraine started ten years ago as Area Manager for the Province-Wide program of the Foundation and has a good handle on issues that local community groups face on an ongoing basis. This experience will serve her well in her efforts to contribute to continuing the work of ensuring equitable access to good quality health services for all citizens

Member – Suzan Hall

Suzan Hall represented Etobicoke North for 26 years as an elected official.   For 16 years, she served as Public School Trustee in North Etobicoke.  She was Chair of the Board of Education for the City of Etobicoke from 1989 to 1991 and was the first Vice-Chair of the unified Toronto District School Board.

From 2000 to 2010 Suzan represented Ward 1 in Etobicoke North as Councillor for the City of Toronto.  During that time she served as either Chair or Vice Chair of the Etobicoke York Community Council, was an alternate Director on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, an Executive member of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and sat on a number of City Boards and Commissions.

She actively volunteers on many community Boards.  She is a founding member and Vice Chair of the Thistletown Multi-Service Centre Board of Management, Chair of First Stage Child Care Centre and a founding member of the North Etobicoke Revitalization Project.  She is Rector’s Warden for the Church of St. Paul the Apostle and a member of the Albion Neighbourhood Services Board.  She was instrumental in establishing the Albion Islington Square Business Improvement Area, was a Steering Committee member for the Rexdale Community Services Hub and has been a member of the CANES Community Care Board for the last 10 years.

Suzan was also on the Central West LHIN’s Peel Memorial Task Force which helped her gain insight into the LHIN’s mandate.  Suzan believes in an accessible, integrated health care system and welcomes the opportunity to use her experience and skills to serve on the Central West LHIN Board.

Member - Pardeep Singh Nagra

Pardeep Singh Nagra is a speaker, teacher, trainer and consultant with substantial experience in organizational change. He specializes in Anti-oppression, Equity, and Diversity work. He has held positions in University, College, Public Health, Police and Human Services sectors and has worked both as a Diversity Officer and Diversity Manager. Currently, Pardeep is employed with the Toronto District School Board as Manager of the Employment Equity Office.

His interest in charitable work, community spirit, and humanitarian work has touched the lives of many people and communities over an extended period of time. Pardeep’s work and service has been recognized and valued as he was the recipient of the YMCA Canada Peace Medal, University of Toronto Arbor Award, Region of Peel Chair’s Award for community service, and Auxiliary Constable of the Year with Peel Regional Police.

Pardeep has been a chair, member and advisor to the Board of Directors of the Kesri Ribbon Project, and Sikh Centennial Foundation. Pardeep’s other interests include various sports such as boxing, soccer, ball hockey, marathons, the annual CN Tower stair climb and Toronto Polar Bear Dip, and collecting cars. Pardeep made international headlines when he won the right to compete as a boxer in Canada with his articles of faith intact.  Pardeep has spoken locally, nationally, and internationally on many issues and also attended the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in Durban South Africa. He his also a member of The Dominion Institute’s speaker series for the Passages to Canada as part of their educational programmes.

Pardeep continues to be regarded as a positive role model and productive member of Canadian Society. Pardeep continues to dream the Canadian dream, peace, prosperity, and happiness, and struggle the Canadian struggle, rights, equality and nationhood.

Member - The Honourable John McDermid, P.C.

A former Member of Parliament for Brampton-Georgetown from 1979-1988 and Brampton from 1988-1993 and Member of Prime Minister Mulroney’s Cabinet from 1988 – 1993, John McDermid has extensive experience in governance matters.

Formerly a member of the Peel Memorial Hospital Board from 1970-1975, and a member of the Headwaters Health Care Centre Board for the past six years, two served as Chairman of the Board, Mr. McDermid brings a great deal of experience to the Central West LHIN Board.

He was educated in Brampton Public and Secondary Schools and Albert College, Belleville, Ontario.  A former broadcaster in Television and Radio, Chief of Staff to a Provincial Cabinet Minister in the Davis Government and an executive with the Ontario Real Estate Association, Mr. McDermid is retired and living in Caledon.

He serves on the Board of Governors of Albert College in Belleville and is the immediate past Honourary Colonel of the Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin & Halton Regt.).  He still serves on the Senate of the Lorne Scots and is a Director of the Lorne Scots Trust.

“I look forward to serving the citizens of the Central West LHIN and continue my keen interest in the provision of the best health care possible.”