Our Team

Role at Santis

Dr. Brendan Carr is a distinguished health system leader who served as the President & CEO of the Nova Scotia Health Authority, William Osler Health System, and Island Health in British Columbia.

He brings an array of expertise in strategic health system leadership and governance with a focus on improving outcomes and rethinking the delivery of care. Dr. Carr’s vast experience in enacting positive improvements and large scale initiatives make him uniquely-suited to providing guidance to Santis clients in the areas of stakeholder engagement, transformation, and strategic implementation.

Experience

Prior to joining Santis, Dr. Carr served as the President and Chief Medical Officer of Innoneo Health Enterprise, an organization focused on dramatically impacting health through an innovative ecosystem model that addressed systemic issues such as provider fatigue, service fragmentation and affordability. In this role, Dr. Carr led efforts to rethink health care delivery in response to global trends in patient expectations, demographics, emerging technology and artificial intelligence.

Dr. Carr also served as the President & CEO of the Nova Scotia Health Authority where he led the province’s comprehensive COVID-19 response and ensured minimal disruption to the health system’s core services. As President & CEO of William Osler Health System in Ontario, Dr. Carr led the shift to a learning organization culture, commissioned several large capital projects, and collaborated with government and external stakeholders to position Osler as an efficient and high-performing organization. Dr. Carr spearheaded the rebranding of the Vancouver Island Health Authority in British Columbia to Island Health as President & CEO. In this capacity, he also established regional leadership nodes to promote community engagement and partnerships to address local health needs.

Volunteerism and Education

Dr. Carr holds a BSc, MBA and MD from Dalhousie University. He completed his medical residency at the University of Ottawa in emergency medicine and family medicine. He has served as a director of numerous Pan-Canadian and provincial organizations including Canada’s Drug Agency, Canadian Resident Matching Services (CaRMS), and HealthCare Can. He has also worked extensively with boards to strengthen governance, manage enterprise risk, and build agile, future-ready organizations.

Dr. Carr is the recipient of several distinctions including the Healthcare Excellence Canada Naimark award and a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. Brendan holds a Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation with the Canadian College of Health Leaders, a Certified Canadian Physician Executive (CCPE) designation with the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders and is an EXTRA Fellow.

ROLE AT SANTIS

As an Associate, Dave serves as an advisor to the Santis team and its clients on key initiatives in the areas of health policy, research, and communications.

EXPERIENCE

Dave has nearly 30 years of experience in the health care and higher education industries and brings expertise in health and science policy, communications and stakeholder engagement.

He has served in executive roles at the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Queen’s University’s Faculty of Health Sciences. He also spent nearly a decade working for the federal government and B.C. provincial government, including as Director of Communications and Senior Advisor for the Hon. Jane Philpott, Canada’s former Minister of Health. In 2014 and 2015, he served as executive director for the Advisory Panel on Healthcare Innovation, appointed by the Hon. Rona Ambrose, then Minister of Health for the Government of Canada. He is an adjunct professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Carleton University.

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Dave completed a Master of Public Administration at Queen’s University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Victoria. Over the years, he has volunteered his time on numerous boards and committees, including the Institute for Work and Health, the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control, and the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre. He is also actively involved in Sit With Me, an Ontario and Quebec-based dog rescue run entirely by dedicated volunteers.

ROLE AT SANTIS

Avis Favaro is an acclaimed medical journalist with decades of experience. As a Senior Advisor at Santis Health, Avis leverages her extensive background in uncovering and reporting health stories that matter to Canadians to help bolster our media training program.

EXPERIENCE

Based in Toronto, Favaro was Canada’s longest-serving television Medical Correspondent, having started this beat for CTV News in 1992. She continues to contribute to the news programming as a freelance contributor. She is also a host of The CHIP – a podcast by the Canadian Institute for Health Information

Favaro has been recognized with a multitude of awards for her work, and holds an honorary PhD from McMaster University. She also has an honorary membership to the Federation of Medical Women of Canada. She is a graduate of Western University where she earned a Master’s Degree in Journalism.

Role at Santis

Jonathan brings senior strategic counsel and decades of executive and advisory experience to Santis.

Experience

For seven years, Jonathan served as the CEO of the Ontario Medical Association, gaining significant exposure to all facets of the health care system. Upon his arrival, he worked with the board to initiate and implement a Strategic Plan designed to cover the fundamental issues facing the OMA. Based on the plan, the board implemented a major governance realignment, and a communications and public affairs strategy (implemented by Patrick Nelson), which guided the Association’s approach in two rounds of negotiations. Jonathan was also responsible for the turnaround of the OMA subsidiary, OntarioMD, which placed Electronic Medical Record (EMR) technology in the hands of over 11,000 Ontario physicians.

Prior to his tenure at the OMA, Jonathan ran the Credit Union Central of Ontario for over twelve years, where he envisioned and engineered the merger with BC Central Credit Union to create the pan-Canadian Central1. Prior to that he served as a lawyer and diplomat in the foreign service.

Volunteerism and Education

Jonathan has also served on numerous boards, including the University of Guelph, the Harvard Alumni Association, Credit Union Central of Canada, OntarioMD, the Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare, a trust company and two insurance companies. He was Chair of the University of Guelph’s Health for Life initiative and is chair of Board of the Pine River Institute. Jonathan has a law degree from the University of Toronto and a degree in economics from Harvard University.

ROLE AT SANTIS

Dr. McNally has held strategic leadership roles in health care for over 20 years. She has worked in various care settings in both northeastern Ontario and on PEI as a practising family physician. 

Her wealth of acumen in primary care, strategic leadership, and firsthand practitioner experience make her uniquely-suited to providing guidance to Santis clients in the areas of public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and policy analysis.

EXPERIENCE

A distinguished leader in health care, Dr. McNally has over 20 years of experience as a practising family physician both in northeastern Ontario and on PEI. Her work in advancing primary care has garnered her numerous health sector accolades. She has worked in a wide range of settings  including full scope community family medicine, long-term care, emergency medicine and acute hospital medicine. Her most recent clinical work is with the homeless population on PEI and in community family medicine.  

Prior to joining Santis, she served as the Chief Medical Officer of Health PEI, the province’s health authority. In this role Dr. McNally was accountable for physician leadership structure, appointment & privileging, and the Medical Affairs team, among other responsibilities. Dr. McNally co-authored and was instrumental in the initiation of the Provincial Primary Care Road Map (PCRM) leading to the province-wide implementation of Patient Medical Homes and Neighbourhoods. 

She previously held the role of Director of Health Services with PEI’s Department of Health & Wellness.

Dr. McNally received the Health PEI Board Leadership Excellence in Quality & Safety award in 2024 and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Award of Excellence for leadership in primary care in 2020. She received her first CFPC Award of Excellence for leadership in hospitalist medicine in 2009 in recognition of creating and implementing the first Hospitalist program on PEI.

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Dr. McNally graduated from Dalhousie University’s M.D. program and the University of Ottawa Family Residency program. She holds a B.Sc. Major in biology obtained from the University of Prince Edward Island. She completed a Master’s Certificate in Physician Leadership with the Schulich Executive Education Center at York University and is a Canadian Certified Physician Executive (CCPE).

A strong advocate for physician health and wellness, Dr. McNally was the inaugural chair of the Medical Society of Prince Edward Island (MSPEI) provincial steering committee on physician health and engagement from 2016 to 2021 and was pivotal in the creation and implementation of the first provincial physician health program. For over a decade, she was the provincial representative and advocate for physician health attending national meetings and conferences on behalf of MSPEI.  She was awarded the MSPEI President’s Leadership award in 2018 for her years of advancing awareness and advocacy in the area.

ROLE AT SANTIS

Saäd provides high-value counsel to executives navigating complex organizations, landscapes and challenges, utilizing his decades of experience as a change leader in the public and private sectors.

EXPERIENCE

For nearly 30 years, Saäd has served as a leader in challenging public and private sector environments, honing his expertise in financial administration, leadership of complex organizations, risk management, health care and, critically, as a changemaker who delivers results.

Saäd has held some of the most critical Deputy Minister positions in the Ontario Public Service including public safety and policing, transportation, energy and infrastructure and health and long-term care. During his time at the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, he oversaw one of the largest government budgets in Canada, $48 billion. Shepherding the Ministry through the challenging landscape after the 2008 to 2009 financial crisis, Saäd also drove impactful change in the realms of infrastructure, digital health and hospital funding modernization.

After his successful tenure with the public service, Saäd was named CEO of the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games in Toronto. He re-established shareholder and sponsor confidence implementing the largest multi-sport event in Canadian history, returning a significant surplus of funds to taxpayers and increasing the economic activity above normal levels in Toronto and the surrounding 16 municipalities.

Prior to joining Santis as an Executive Advisor, Saäd was a National Leader for the Government and Public Services Industry at Deloitte. He has also consulted and advised a wide number of clients in pharmacare, long-term care, municipalities and major health care organizations.  

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Saäd serves on the Board of Directors for several organizations including the Hospital for Sick Children, Baycrest Seniors Care, Ellis Don and the Canadian Olympic Committee. He has received an Honorary Degree from Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning and was recognized as a one of the “75 for 75^th” distinguished alumni honored as part of the 75^th anniversary of the Faculty of Public Affairs at Carleton University.

Role at Santis

As an Associate, Marcel serves as an advisor to the Santis team and its clients on key health initiatives and supports them in achieving their strategic policy, health care policy and government relations objectives.

Experience

Marcel joined Santis after 30+ years of experience in the federal government focusing on strategic policy, health care policy, and intergovernmental relations. After holding several positions as a Policy Analyst, Marcel became a Policy Advisor for the Director of Policy in the Prime Minister’s Office, where he provided advice on key issues in the Health, Justice and Human Resources Development Portfolios.

Marcel has since held various leadership positions as the Director of Policy Research for the Canadian Medical Association, Director General of Policy Coordination and Director General of Health Care Strategies for Health Canada. Most notably, Marcel worked as the Executive Director, Secretariat for the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare for Health Canada. In this role he oversaw the work of the Advisory Council, provided leadership for the Council’s cross-country consultations, and collaborated with senior officials at Finance Canada, the Privy Council Office and Health Canada.

Prior to joining Santis, Marcel served as an Associate Assistant Deputy Minister for the Strategic Policy Branch of Health Canada. In his role he advised the Minister and Deputy Minister on health care policy and led Federal-Provincial-Territorial negotiations on bilateral agreements for mental health, home care and virtual care.

Volunteerism and Education

Marcel holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Economics from the University of Ottawa, along with a Master of Science in Economics from the University of Montreal. Marcel is fluently bilingual in English and French and has significant experience as a member of the Board of Directors of several pan-Canadian health organizations.

ROLE AT SANTIS

As a Senior Advisor, Tyler serves as an advisor to the Santis team and its clients on key initiatives in the areas of health policy, government relations, and stakeholder engagement.

EXPERIENCE

Tyler has nearly 20 years of experience practicing public law and served as the Minister of Health for the Government of Albert from 2019 to 2021. Notably, he oversaw the province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, passed a dozen bills to reform health care in Alberta, and led the redesign of the continuing care sector through the Continuing Care Act and the Facility-base Continuing Care Review.

In addition to these achievements, he held several other prominent posts in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, including overseeing the Ministry of Justice and acting as Solicitor General. Tyler’s areas of specialization include pharmaceutical policy, municipal, environmental, and Indigenous law.

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Tyler has sat on numerous tribunals and commissions, including the Municipal Government Board, the National Parole Board, and the Calgary Police Commission. He has a track record of involvement with community initiatives and he currently sits on the board of Covenant Health and the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre.

In 2005 the Law Society of Alberta called him to the bar and in 2020 he was appointed Queen’s Counsel, a designation and distinction bestowed upon lawyers who have made significant contributions to the legal profession or public life. He obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Calgary in 2004.

ROLE AT SANTIS

Cynthia provides counsel to clients navigating Canada’s health care supply chain management system by leveraging her more than three decades of experience in leadership and operations for health care procurement.

EXPERIENCE

Before joining Santis Health, Cynthia worked at HealthPRO Canada for 24 years, most recently as President and CEO for seven years until her retirement in 2020. In her increasingly senior roles at HealthPRO, the organization grew from an Ontario based group purchasing organization to a national company serving hospitals, health authorities and shared service organizations across Canada.

Cynthia was previously a member of the GS1 Canada Healthcare Advisory Council, the C.D. Howe Health Policy Council, and a Board Director at HealthPRO Canada.

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Cynthia is a Volunteer Advisor with Catalyst+, a Canadian economic development organization who connects Advisors with partners and clients in 30 countries and Indigenous communities in Canada to strengthen local economies. She is also a Board Director at the National Institute of Supply Chain Leaders, one of Canada’s largest communities for supply chain professionals.

Cynthia has her Cynthia has her NISCL-CSCL/CSCMP professional designation from the National Institute of Supply Chain Leaders and completed the Richard Ivey School of Business, Executive Program.

ROLE AT SANTIS

John brings over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector to his role at Santis Health, and is pivotal in shaping Santis’ strategy, policy development, and public affairs engagement. John is instrumental in managing client relationships, conducting in-depth policy and environmental research, and providing valuable support in project management.

EXPERIENCE

Before joining Santis, John held various impactful roles that enriched his understanding of healthcare policy and advocacy.

With over 13 years at the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) John served in several capacities, starting as Director of Health Policy on Public Health files. He subsequently transitioned to leading the Health Promotion program and eventually became Director of Health Promotion, Research, and Emerging Issues.

As CEO of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND) for seven years, John led the organization through significant milestones, including ushering them through the early days of their RHPA regulation, membership and budgetary growth, and then the successful negotiation of the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic.

ADVOCACY

Before his healthcare career, John dedicated six years to advocating for environmental policies at municipal, provincial, and federal levels.

ROLE AT SANTIS

Dr. Wright, an esteemed physician recognized worldwide, brings with him an unparalleled depth of experience from leadership roles in health care institutions both in Ontario and globally. At Santis, he will offer strategic counsel to executives grappling with the intricacies of navigating the ever-evolving health care landscape. His role is grounded in his decades of experience as a changemaker in both the public and private sectors, aimed at fostering meaningful organizational transformations.

EXPERIENCE

In 2018 Dr. Wright joined the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). There, in addition to the crucial advocacy of a professional organization he engaged stakeholders, and through thought leadership, the OMA became a credible, trusted, and valuable voice within the health system. Specifically, he advanced the role of physicians in transforming the health care system to serve as a model for Canada and beyond, including policy papers on mental health, primary and integrated care.

The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges where the health policy unit under Dr. Wrights’ leadership played a critical role not just in preparing the profession but more profoundly by guiding and influencing the system.

Previously, as Chief of Perioperative Services at SickKids, arguably one of the most preeminent children’s hospitals, Dr. Wright oversaw one of the busiest and most advanced paediatric surgery departments in the world ensuring a high level of engagement in complex clinical care, basic and clinical research, undergraduate and postgraduate education.Dr. Wright has been involved in many international and national organizations, held many leadership roles, and is an Adjunct Professor at the Universities of Toronto and Oxford.

VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION

Dr. Wright was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2016 largely based on his National contributions to Children’s Surgery, specifically the Canadian Pediatric Surgical Wait time project. He is the recipient of the highest research awards from the American Academy of Orthopedics Surgeons, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, The Pediatric Orthopaedic Association of North America and the Canadian Orthopaedic Association. He was awarded an ad hominem fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh. He is a distinguished scientist with more than 250 publications.