Santis Health launches Western Canada practice with the addition of Steve Vander Wal
Vancouver, BC – October 17, 2022 — After a decade of growth across Canada, Santis Health is proud to formally launch its Western Canada practice with the addition of Steve Vander Wal, Vice President, Western Canada.
“When Santis was founded 10 years ago, we had a long-term vision to expand our services and expertise outside of Ontario. Steve’s arrival to the Santis Health team, his leadership and impressive track record in Western Canada has made this vision a reality.”
– Dan Carbin, Managing Partner at Santis Health.
Steve, who was born in Alberta and spent his formative years in British Columbia, has dedicated his 30-year career to health care and politics in Western Canada. Prior to joining Santis, Steve spent more than 15 years consulting at a senior level. During this time, he provided advice and guidance to numerous health clients including private sector companies, patient advocacy organizations, and regulatory colleges. His advocacy and policy support has helped clients achieve high-impact objectives such as the addition of a lifesaving Parkinson’s drug to B.C.’s formulary, an expansion to B.C. pharmacists’ scope of practice, and a major addition to B.C.’s seasonal influenza vaccine program. Steve also spent nearly a decade working for both the provincial and federal governments including roles as a senior political advisor to three consecutive ministers of health in the British Columbia government, and as advisor to the senior political minister for British Columbia in Ottawa.
“We saw the need for dedicated and expert health care and life sciences advice from coast to coast. Santis’ expansion to Western Canada comes after years of ongoing relationship-building. I look forward to continuing this success with Steve at the helm, creating opportunities for our clients to advance and elevate their organization’s goals in B.C. and Alberta.”
– Patrick Nelson, Managing Partner at Santis Health.
Collaborating with a team of consultants across British Columbia, Steve will lead Santis Health’s Vancouver office. Focused on public affairs, communications, and advocacy in British Columbia and Alberta, the Western Canada practice will support provincial and national health care clients with an on-the-ground presence to achieve their strategic objectives.
The launch of Santis’ Western Canada practice and Vancouver office is tied to a larger strategy to continue growing as Canada’s leading health care consultancy. In September, Santis’ Ottawa office welcomed Monique Lugli, former Vice President of Child Development and Community Services at CHEO and former Chief of Staff to federal Ministers of Health.
Earlier this month, Santis also celebrated its 10-year anniversary providing expert advice to clients in the health care and life sciences sectors.
To learn more about Steve, visit santishealth.ca/our-team.
Santis Health is a leading public affairs, strategic advisory, public policy, and communication consultancy that is dedicated to providing first-class counsel and support for clients exclusively in the health care and life sciences sectors across the country.