Eric Vandewall, Board Chair President & CEO, Joseph Brant Hospital

Eric has led Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) in Burlington as President and CEO since 2009. Under his leadership, JBH received Accreditation with Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada in 2014, 2018, and 2024. He oversaw the largest redevelopment and capital expansion project in JBH’s history; the Halton McMaster Family Health Centre was completed in 2014 and the redevelopment and expansion of the hospital was completed in 2018. Prior to joining JBH, Eric served as the Senior Vice President, Trillium Health Centre, and Vice President of Planning and Corporate Services at Trillium Health Centre. Eric has held a number of other senior management positions including Director, Glaxo Wellcome; Director, Health Reform Implementation Team, and Director, Health Promotion Branch, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. He has held several other senior positions at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care over an 11 year period. Eric is a graduate of Queen’s University and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration, Health Policy. He also has an undergraduate degree from Toronto Metropolitan University in Architectural Sciences and he holds a Chartered Director designation from the Directors College, McMaster University. In his role as the Chair of the Board of Directors, Eric is passionate about the BOHT becoming a fully integrated health system that is clinically and fiscally responsible for providing a comprehensive range of health services for the people of Burlington and area.

Lucy Sheehan, Board Vice Chair

As Executive Director of Community Services, Lucy oversees the two community organizations of Thrive Group, AbleLiving Services and Capability Support Services, which serve more than 2,000 clients each day across five regions with a team of 550 staff members and volunteers. Lucy is a member of Ontario Health West Community Service Sector Advisory Table, Ontario Health West Barriers to Discharge Multi-Sector Table, Homelessness Prevention Strategy in Hamilton, Health Equity Council with Greater Hamilton Health Network, Ethics Committee member across Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant, and Thrive Group’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council (Chair). Lucy has been active with the BOHT since its inception and involved with the Community Wellness Hub through Thrive Group as the lead organization. In her position as Vice Chair of the BOHT Board of Directors, Lucy part of a team of partners and collaborators working to accomplish the BOHT vision of co-creating a system of connected health and social services around our community, patients, clients, and their families and caregivers.

Carole Beauvais

Carole is the Executive Director of the Burlington Family Health Team (BFHT), an organization that has been involved in the BOHT since its inception. Before joining BFHT in 2023, Carole’s career spans more than 35 years of experience across the health care system. She began her career as a registered nurse and after many years in clinical practice, transitioned to healthcare management and administration. Carole’s journey in health care includes acute care, community-based care, home care, and primary care. She also held leadership roles in regional and provincial system planning, program development and implementation and more recently led national mental health policy development and implementation work at Health Canada to fulfill the mandate of the first federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. As a member of the BOHT Board of Directors, Carole wants to help improve access to coordinated and integrated healthcare for those who need it in order to achieve the best possible health outcomes for residents of our community.

Paul Gregory

Paul has worked in human services for the last 35 years in a variety of non-profit and municipal settings. Beginning as a direct service worker in forensic mental health at St. Leonard’s House (Peel) and at Houselink Community Homes, he moved to strategy and housing and homelessness development in various municipal settings. He is currently the Executive Director of Support House – a Halton supportive housing agency working with people who have housing, mental health and addiction concerns. Throughout his career, Paul has demonstrated a deep commitment to making a positive impact for those who are unhoused and unsheltered consistently advocating for policies, initiatives and built forms that promote health equity, opportunity, choice and inclusivity. By working at the local level through the Burlington Ontario Health team we hope to create more inclusive and equitable communities. Communities where everyone can access healthcare and have their needs met.

Michelle Lewis

Michelle leads the Alzheimer Society Brant, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton Halton (ASBHNHH) as its CEO. She transitioned into the community service sector in 2012, following a successful career in education where she specialized in working with at-risk youth. With a passion for making a meaningful impact in people’s lives, Michelle’s journey led her to serve as the Executive Director of the Young Caregivers Association, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership by doubling funding and expanding programming into multiple provinces. Throughout her career, Michelle has been recognized as a thought leader and advocate, earning invitations to speak at numerous events and conferences across Canada and internationally. Her expertise spans caregiver support and client engagement/co-design, reflecting her commitment to placing clients and patients at the heart of every initiative. With a dedication to fostering inclusive and client-centric approaches, Michelle continues to drive positive change within the community service sector, embodying the values of empathy, collaboration, and innovation in her work at ASBHNHH. Michelle has been involved with the BOHT since its inception and is thrilled at the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of a more interconnected healthcare system that prioritizes integrated care and equity-based approaches, with patients firmly at its core. Drawing from her extensive experience in the community service sector, she recognizes the pivotal role this perspective plays in keeping individuals out of hospitals and within their communities for as long as possible. Michelle is passionate about fostering better health outcomes and enhancing the patient’s experience. She is eager to leverage her expertise to advocate for innovative solutions that promote inclusivity, efficiency, and ultimately, a healthier community.

Dr. Deepika Lobo

Kelly McWilliams

Kelly (RN, MBA) has over 30 years of healthcare leadership experience in both home care and hospital settings. Her deep understanding of both of these sectors, has given her a unique perspective on the challenges facing the healthcare system today and has made her a passionate advocate for better integrated patient care. She leads Acclaim Health in providing innovative care and support for families that combines the best of the home care and community service sectors in unique, patient-centred ways. A champion for healthcare workers, she has fought hard for wage parity and improved working conditions for front line team members. Believing strong collaborative relationships is the key to moving the sector forward, she is actively involved in the home care transformation across three Ontario Health Teams and is committed to building a resilient and sustainable healthcare system for the future.

Kim Pearson

Kim is the Executive Director at Carpenter Hospice and Co-Chair of the BOHT’s Palliative & End of Life Integrated Care Committee.

Kim has a long history in community and palliative care and brings over 20 years experience working in the healthcare sector. She has held positions with healthcare organizations, including Provincial Lead for Patient Services at Self-Directed Care Ontario as well as senior roles at the Community Care Access Centre and the Local Health Integration Network.

Debra Carey

Primary Care Network Leadership Council Chair (Vacant)