In her most recent role as Assistant Deputy Minister of Health Service Delivery at Alberta Health, she was instrumental in developing a new governance framework for Primary Care Networks in Alberta that will bring multiple stakeholders together to work toward improved integration and coordination of primary health care services for Albertans.
Kathleen was responsible for implementing the recommendations in Valuing Mental Health: Next Steps, which will introduce actions to improve mental health services across the province. In addition, in the fall of 2017, she developed and implemented the new Continuing Care Residents and Family Council Act. This legislation requires operators to have councils in place to provide residents and families a way to lend their voice in shaping the best possible residence that they call home.
Kathleen is recognized for her work in prevention and promotion of health, and for quality improvement in a number of community based initiatives and clinical areas such as orthopedics and chronic disease management. Her aim is to contribute to improvements in health systems that will provide enhanced quality, continuity and transitions of care for Albertans.
Kathleen completed a Masters in Public Health from the University of Minnesota, and holds an adjunct appointment in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Alberta. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Health System Leadership from Royal Roads University and maintains certification as a Canadian Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
In July 2018, Kathleen was appointed as Alberta’s Health Advocate and Interim Mental Health Patient Advocate. Her passion for and dedication to patients, and families combined with experience and education are a winning combination in the pursuit of supporting Albertans to get the right care, in the right place at the right time by the right provider.