Committee Biographies

Fred Horne – Co-chair

Fred Horne is MLA for Edmonton-Rutherford, a member of government's Agenda and Priorities Committee and Chair of the Standing Committee on Health. Prior to his election in 2008, Horne worked as a health policy consultant for more than 25 years, serving clients in government, health service delivery organizations and the private sector across Canada and internationally.

Deborah E. Prowse – Co-chair

Deborah E. Prowse is a public member of the board of directors of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute, an independent not-for-profit organization that advocates for a safer health care system for Canadians. She is also a member of the Patients for Patients Safety Canada and the Patient Safety initiative of the World Health Organization and a past member of the Calgary Health Region Patient/Family Safety Council. Prowse works as a private consultant offering mediation, investigation and training in workplace rights and conflict management.

Dr. Tom Feasby

Dr. Tom Feasby is Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Previously he was Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Capital Health and Associate Dean in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Alberta. He is a practising neurologist and a health services researcher, who studies the appropriateness of health care interventions.

Dr. John Cowell

Dr. John Cowell has served as Chief Executive Officer for the Health Quality Council of Alberta since 2003. From 1997 until 2003, Dr. Cowell consulted on health policy and services and occupational health and safety. Prior to that Dr. Cowell was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta's Workers' Compensation Board (1992–1997).

Gordon Graydon

Gordon Graydon was MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti from 2001 to 2008, and Minister of Gaming from 2004 to 2006. In 2002, Graydon chaired the MLA Task Force on Health Care Funding and Revenue Generation. He served as Mayor of Grande Prairie for eight years, served two years as President of Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and was Chairman of the board of directors for the South Peace Health Unit.

Dr. Earle Snider

Earle Snider is Professor Emeritus of Sociology and adjunct professor in the Department of Strategic Management and Organization at the University of Alberta. His research and teaching have focused on health issues affecting the elderly and people with disabilities. Dr. Snider has also done considerable research on physician work/payment options.

Dan MacLennan

Dan MacLennan served as President of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees from 1997 to 2006, following 17 years as a provincial correctional officer. He currently works in the private sector in labor relations and business development.

Dr. John Pasternak

Dr. John Pasternak has served as President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta since 2007. He currently works in a Medicine Hat group family practice. In addition to his role as a family physician, Dr. Pasternak has also had various committee involvements, including co-ordinating the surgical assistant program in Medicine Hat.

Dr. Gary McPherson

Dr. Gary McPherson is Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Alberta. He is also adjunct professor and special lecturer and advisor in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation. Dr. McPherson served 10 years as Chairman of the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Donald W. Johnson

Donald W. Johnson has served as President of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties since 2004 and as councilor with the Municipal District of Taber since 1995. Johnson is a fourth generation farmer near Barnwell, Alberta.

Dr. Patricia (Trish) Bayne

Trish Bayne has a PhD in community planning with more than 15 years of experience in strategic planning and program development for non-profit community and health care agencies, including implementation of women's health and wellness programs for Capital Health and the Grey Nuns Hospital, development of a province-wide framework for osteoporosis management, programs for community seniors, and elder care programs for community caregivers. In addition, she has almost 10 years of experience in policy and reimbursement for the pharmaceutical industry.

Mary-Anne Robinson

Mary-Anne Robinson is Executive Director of the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta. She is an advisor to the Canadian Nurses Association board; adjunct professor, University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing; and an appointed member of the provincial Wait Times Steering Committee. Her career focus has been primary health care and health human resources as it relates to optimizing the role of the registered nurse.

Merv Bashforth

Merv Bashforth is President of the Alberta College of Pharmacists. Bashforth is the owner of Hinton IDA and Valley IDA in Hinton.

Jennie Deneka

Jennie Deneka is the administrator of Forest Grove Long Term Care, a Calgary long-term care centre. Deneka has more than 15 years of health care experience in various leadership roles. She has a Masters degree in Leadership and is a Certified Executive Coach.

Tom Sampson

Tom Sampson was appointed Deputy Chief of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency in March 2009, after serving 11 years as Chief of Emergency Medical Services. Chief Sampson is also a partner in the Centre for National Security and is a representative to the Council on Emergency Management under the Conference Board of Canada.

Dr. Kimberly Fraser

Kimberly Fraser is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta. Fraser is President of the Alberta Home Care and Support Association and a Clinical Practice Consultant with We Care Home Health Services in Edmonton. Her research has focused on decision-making, resource allocation and case management in home care.