Meet Our Senior Leadership Team
Jess Rogers, BA
Jess is a dynamic and visionary leader with over 17 years of experience in primary care. As CEO of the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO), she is at the forefront of transforming Ontario’s primary care system through team-based, patient-centred models. In the face of a post-pandemic health crisis, Jess is leading the charge to ensure sustainable, high-quality care through collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
Known for her systems thinking and evidence-based approach, Jess brings expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and health policy to her leadership. She is deeply committed to amplifying the voices of primary care professionals and strengthening interdisciplinary teams to meet the evolving needs of patients and communities across the province.
Under her leadership, AFHTO continues to champion team-based care as the foundation for a resilient and effective healthcare system in Ontario.
Sahba Eftekhary, MD, MPH, MHA, CHE, PMP, M.Sc.,
Sahba brings to the role a deep and diverse background in healthcare leadership, policy, research, and analytics, with over two decades of experience in government, academia, hospital, and community settings. Her career spans from frontline service delivery as a family physician overseas to strategic level and leadership roles at organizations such as the Ontario Ministry of Health, Health Quality Ontario, the Ontario Medical Association, the University Health Network and Lumenus Community Services. She also brings applied research experience from her time at ICES and BCCHR Institute.
With expertise in performance measurement, policy analysis, evaluation, and stakeholder engagement, Sahba is well-positioned to guide the organization’s strategic data, research and quality improvement initiatives. Her academic and professional background, which includes peer-reviewed publications, gives her a strong foundation to lead evidence-based decision-making and advance primary care system design in Ontario and beyond.
Sahba Eftekhary, MD, MPH, MHA, CHE, PMP, M.Sc.,
Director of Health System Data, Research and Quality Improvement
Naomi Abegunde, MHI, PMP,
Naomi brings more than a decade of experience leading transformative initiatives in Ontario’s healthcare system – experience that will be instrumental as she takes on this new, high-impact role at AFHTO. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with a Master of Health Informatics, Naomi has consistently delivered results at the intersection of strategy, stakeholder engagement, and system improvement. Her track record includes advancing primary care integration, building strong cross-sector partnerships, and leading evidence-based programs that improve both outcomes and equity.
She serves on the boards of Unison Community Health Centre and the Canadian Mental Health Association York and South Simcoe. She is deeply committed to transforming healthcare and driving meaningful change within primary care teams.
Chris Langlois, BA, MA, MPP,
Chris brings more than a decade of experience in public policy, strategic planning, and organizational leadership across Ontario’s health, social, and regulatory sectors. A seasoned not-for-profit leader, he has built a career at the intersection of strategy, operations, and system change—designing and implementing practical, evidence-informed solutions to complex challenges in health and public systems.
Chris’s experience in member-based organizations has deeply informed his collaborative approach to system leadership. During his tenure at Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) and the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA), he worked closely with members to build consensus, translate front-line experience into policy action, and strengthen the collective voice of organizations across the province.
Most recently, Chris served as Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives at the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), where he led strategic plan measurement and governance reporting for the Board of Directors. His previous leadership roles include Director of Program Planning and Operations at the Lung Health Foundation, Senior Program Delivery Manager at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, and Team Lead, Public Policy at Children’s Mental Health Ontario.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Rakib Mohammed, PT, BSc, MSc, MBA, President and Chair of the Board
Rakib is a clinical physiotherapist by training and has extensive clinical and leadership experience in healthcare, relationship building and financial planning. He currently holds the Executive Director role at the Credit Valley Family Health Team (CVFHT). Prior to joining CVFHT, Rakib was the VP of Home and Community Care (HCC) at the North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). Earlier in his career he also held various leadership roles within the seniors and community care division of Alberta Health Services (AHS).
As part of his graduate level work he engaged various community agencies in Ontario to establish a decision making framework for the allocation of therapy services. The recommendations generated from his work was peered reviewed and published in the Physiotherapy Canada journal.
Rakib Mohammed, PT, BSc, MSc, MBA, President and Chair of the Board
Executive Director, Credit Valley FHT - Mississauga
Paul Moreau, BA, CPP, Vice President of the Board
Paul Moreau is the retired Chief Administrative Officer of the County of Renfrew and a former Senior Manager with the Government of Ontario. Paul is a Register Professional Planning (RPP) with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and a Certified Municipal Official (CMO-R) with the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario. As the Chief Administrative Officer of the County of Renfrew, he cultivated essential management competencies overseeing the management of two long term care homes, Paramedic Services, Social Services, Public Works and Engineering and the Planning Department. His forte lies in managing financial resources and fostering a robust workforce that ensured organizational efficiency while working in a dynamic political environment.
Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to acting as the face of policy representations for the County and Ontario’s government across various government levels, interacting with private sector stakeholders and elected officials. His approach is founded on consultation and consensus-building.
He continues to be actively involvement in local boards like Family and Children’s Services of Renfrew County and the Petawawa Centennial Family Health Centre and stands firm in his belief that an engaged and committed community member is integral to steering local initiatives toward success.
Paul Moreau, BA, CPP, Vice President of the Board
Community Member - Board Chair, Petawawa Centennial Family Health Centre - Petawawa
Stephen Beckwith, CHE, Treasurer of the Board
Stephen is a respected healthcare leader with over twenty years of experience. He currently holds the position of Executive Director at the South East Toronto Family Health Team, a prestigious multi-site academic organization. Stephen firmly believes in the collaborative nature of healthcare and advocates for care models that promote teamwork among providers. He is dedicated to creating an inclusive, team-oriented environment that empowers healthcare professionals and inspires the next generation of learners. Stephen’s extensive experience spans emergency services, specialty services, inpatient care, and primary/community care, highlighting his commitment to improving efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare delivery. Recognized for his expertise in change management, he has played a pivotal role in implementing key community initiatives supported by the Ministry of Health. His advocacy for team-based care principles extends throughout Ontario, where he actively promotes collaboration and innovation. Stephen contributes to various boards and committees and has served as a Peer Leader with Ontario MD for over ten years. He is driven by a vision beyond mere improvement, passionately working towards a healthcare system that values every voice, fosters shared success, and provides exceptional care to all.
Stephen Beckwith, CHE, Treasurer of the Board
Executive Director, Southeast Toronto Family Health Team - Toronto
Jessie Rumble, NP, Secretary of the Board
Jessie is the Clinical Director and Lead Nurse Practitioner at the Ingersoll Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic. Jessie brings a diverse clinical and leadership background with almost 15 years experience in primary care, health promotion, and quality improvement. She is a clinical preceptor in the nurse practitioner program at Western University and has worked with Huron Perth Public Health in the sexual health program. She holds a Masters of Science in Nursing (Leadership) from York University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western University. She sits on the Executive Committee of the Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic Association (NPLCA) and is actively involved with a number of organizations including Ontario Health, The Oxford and Area Ontario Health Team and the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program (PHCNP).
Jessie Rumble, NP, Secretary of the Board
Clinical Director and Lead NP, Ingersoll Nurse-Practitioner Led Clinic - Ingersoll
Crystal Holly, C. Psych, Past President and Chair of the Board
Crystal Holly earned her PhD in clinical psychology from McGill University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in behavioural medicine at McGill University as well as a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Hospital focusing on health and clinical psychology. She has conducted research on factors influencing health behaviour change and she has published numerous peer-reviewed articles. She has presented at international conferences on the relationship between psychological factors and physical health as well as promoting physician health-care provider wellness. Crystal has experience as the mental health team coordinator at ESFAM. As a bilingual clinician, her clinical practice and research has focused on health promotion and illness prevention in the primary care setting. In addition, she has played a founding role in re-establishing a mental health provider network for psychologists, social workers and counselors practicing in primary care settings in the Champlain LHIN.
Crystal Holly, C. Psych, Past President and Chair of the Board
Clinical and Health Pscyhologist, Équipe de Santé Familiale Académique Montfort FHT - Ottawa
Jason Bartell, BScN, MN, NP-PHC
Jason Bartell (he/him) is the Executive Director of the Chatham-Kent Family Health Team. With 19 years in healthcare—beginning as a staff nurse and followed by 14 years as a primary care Nurse Practitioner—Jason has held increasing leadership responsibilities, including serving as the organization’s Clinical Lead. His portfolio includes guiding multiple pandemic initiatives, co-chairing the OHT working group that achieved RNAO BPSO OHT designation in May 2025, and leading the development and launch of the CKOHT BridgeCare Clinic, a primary care service for unattached patients. Jason holds a Master of Nursing, a Graduate Certificate as a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, all from the University of Windsor.
Sara Dalo, BSc, MSc, PhD
Sara Dalo is a researcher and the executive director at the Tilbury District Family Health Team. Prior to this she was Manager of Quality, Experience and Patient Safety at Windsor Family Health Team. Sara previously supported nine family health teams across the Erie St Clair region in her role as a quality improvement decision support specialist (QIDSS). Her work experience also includes working as a decision support analyst at Windsor Regional Hospital, providing expertise, data analysis, evaluation and quality improvement for stakeholders both internal and external to the organization. Sara has served on multiple local, regional and provincial committees. Sara graduated from McMaster with a MSc in eHealth and from Wayne State University with a PhD in Performance Measurement and Evaluation. Her specialization includes organizational effectiveness, quality improvement, data analytics, operational excellence and team development. She has also completed several professional development courses, including CIHI Health System Performance Workshop and Human-Centered Design for social innovation.
Michael Dickin, BSc, MBA
Michael (Mike) Dickin is the Executive Director at Dorval Medical Associates Family Health Team (DMAFHT) in Oakville, Ontario. DMAFHT was one of the first Family Health Teams established in Ontario and has been in existence for over 17 years. Prior to that, Dorval Medical was a family practice that was established in 1989 by Dr. George Southey and Dr. Margaret Found . Our family health team now has over 8000 patients, six doctors, two nurse practitioners and 15 staff including a social worker, pharmacist, lab technician, nurses, receptionists, and care coordinators.
Mike has spent the majority of his 20-year career as a leader in long-term care, retirement living and cooperative housing. He is a faculty member at Conestoga College where he teaches a variety of courses in healthcare administration, ethics and finance. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and an Honours Bachelor of Science from University of Waterloo.
Mike has previous board experience in the Cooperative Housing sector and as a Director and eventually President of the Ontario Kinesiology Association. During Mike’s tenure, the organization made a successful bid for the professional regulation of Kinesiologists in Ontario. Mike was involved, along with many other selfless volunteers, in stewarding the board and its 5000+ members through the creation of the College and the regulation and certification process. He supported transforming the association into a more traditional member service oriented model.
Mike has three awesome kids aged 10, 12 and 14 and a golden retriever. He enjoys spending quality time with his kids, the outdoors, gardening, reading, camping, fishing, skiing, hiking, biking, cottaging and travelling to hot places during the cold Ontario weather! Mike is a lifelong resident of Kitchener but will be soon relocating to Guelph.
Francine Janiuk, RN, BScN, MPA
Francine is the Nursing Manager at Queen’s Family Health Team. She obtained her BScN from Laurentian University. Over her career, she has worked as an RN in acute care, in an in-patient psychiatric unit, in Public Health offering pre-natal supports, in community mental health, and most recently in primary care.
She completed her Masters Degree in Public Administration at Queen’s University in 2015. She has been involved in policy development and clinical interdisciplinary program development and evaluation through her employment at Queen’s University.
She has a passion for promoting primary care access for all and in expanding the scope and reach of interdisciplinary teams. Francine has been at Queen’s Family Health Team since 2009.
Kevin Samson, MD, BaSc
Dr. Samson is a family physician and IT lead at the East Wellington Family Health Team. He has been in practice in Ontario for over 30 years. He is also an Electrical Engineering specializing in computer software design and biomedical engineering and has been actively involved in the development and application of digital health solutions throughout his career.
With AFHTO, Dr. Samson has been Chair of Finance Committee, Chair of the Governance Committee, Chair of Quality Steering Committee, and is now President and Chair of the Board. He also maintains active leadership and advisory roles with a number of other organizations including OntarioMD, the eHealth Centre of Excellence, Ontario Health, the Centre for Effective Practice, Diabetes Action Canada, the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, MACcellerate, and Khure Health. He is the Clinical Lead for Digital Health and Privacy and Security for the Guelph Wellington Ontario Health Team, an executive member of the Guelph Physician Association, co-Chair of the Diabetes Action Canada Research Governing Committee, Chair of the OntarioMD TELUS Practice Solutions Community of Practice, and an assistant clinical professor (adjunct) with the Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University.
André Veilleux, BHSc, MHA
André Veilleux is the Executive Director of the Montfort Academic Family Health Team (Équipe de santé familiale académique Montfort) and the Montfort Family Health Organization in Ottawa. A bilingual leader recognized for his inclusive and strategic approach, André has over 15 years of experience in transforming primary care through innovation, collaboration, and teaching excellence. Under his leadership, ESFAM has grown into one of Ontario’s leading Academic Family Health Teams, and the province’s only FHT designated under the French Language Services Act, supporting over 10,000 patients, a team of over 100 people, and offering 2,000 annual medical teaching days.
André has successfully led multiple Ministry-funded expansion initiatives, secured sustained base funding, and established regional partnerships in quality improvement, digital health, and interprofessional education. A past Co-President of the Eastern Ottawa Ontario Health Team, he is also deeply committed to advancing equity, culturally responsive access, and workforce development in primary care.
He holds a Master of Health Administration from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Ottawa.
Lisa Vreugdenhil, MSW, RSW
Lisa Vreugdenhil is a registered social worker and experienced health care leader who has served as Executive Director, Clinical Services with the Thames Valley Family Health Team since 2019. With more than 27 years of experience in health care, including over a decade as a front-line primary care social worker, Lisa has held progressive leadership roles across both the primary care and hospital sectors.
An alumna of the Transdisciplinary Understanding and Training on Research – Primary Health Care (TUTOR-PHC) program, Lisa is deeply committed to advancing research, innovation, and quality improvement in primary health care. She also contributes to sector-wide excellence as a reviewer with the Canadian Centre for Accreditation.
In her role at Thames Valley FHT, Lisa focuses on fostering high functioning, interprofessional teams; enhancing access and attachment to primary care; and strengthening collaboration with system partners. She has a particular interest in measurement-based care and outcomes, recognizing their essential role in improving both patient care and system performance.
Throughout her career, Lisa has demonstrated a strong commitment to mentorship, supporting the professional growth of students and emerging practitioners. She remains passionate about expanding access to team-based care and advancing integrated models that enhance the experience of both patients and providers.
Lisa Vreugdenhil, MSW, RSW
Executive Director, Clinical Services, Thames Valley Family Health Team - Thames Valley
Meet Our Advisory Councils
The following councils are elected bodies of representatives from the AFHTO membership and key stakeholders to provide advice and raise membership issues to the AFHTO Board of Directors.
LEADERSHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Leadership Council was established to support the AFHTO in achieving its mandate of ensuring equitable access to high-quality, team-based primary care for every Ontarian. The Council provides advice, guidance, and recommendations on strategic directions, policies, advocacy, governance, member supports, and operational needs, all in alignment with the association’s overarching purpose and vision. A key enabler to the work of the Council is in advancing best practice knowledge transfer and exchange, enhancing collaborations, and to foster leadership capacity across primary care in Ontario.
Stephen Beckwith
Executive Director, South East Toronto FHT
Elliot Halparin (Ex Officio)
Physician, Halton Hills FHT
Mike McMahon
Executive Director, Thames Valley FHT
Andrew Bilton
Executive Director, CarePoint Health
Rabia Khan
Physician, East Wellington FHT
Jenn Metzloff
Executive Director, Centre for Family Medicine FHT
Melanie Ciccone
Melanie Ciccone
Paula Kroll
Executive Director, Bluewater Area FHT
Frank Minardi
Frank Minardi
Sara Dalo (Chair)
Sara Dalo (Chair)
Lynn Laidler
Executive Director, Rapids FHT
Stephanie Nevins
Executive Director, Ingersoll NPLC
Mary Lynn Dingwell
Executive Director, North Shore FHT
Camille Lemieux
Family Physician, Toronto Western FHT
Heather Raymond
Nurse Practitioner, Essex County NPLC
Kim English
Board Chair, Trent Hills FHT
Fok-Jee Leung
Executive Director, ByWard FHT
David Schieck
Physician, Guelph FHT
Jenna Foley
Executive Director, Erie Shores FHT
Kevin Loughlin
Physician, Maple FHT
Andrea Stevens
Executive Director, Summerville FHT
Allan Grill
Physician, Markham FHT
Dinny Matthew
Executive Director, Prescott FHT
Vela Tadic
Executive Director, Bruyere Academic FHT
Gary Gurbin
Board Chair, Kincardine FHT
Paul Mazurkiewicz
Board Chair, Barrie and Community FHT
Janine van den Heuvel
Executive Director, Algonquin FHT
Shannon Wiebe
Physician, Sunset Country FHT
INTERPROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS COUNCIL
The Interprofessional Healthcare Providers (IHP) Advisory Council provides input on interprofessional team matters related to IHPs; give advice and input to the AFHTO board, staff, and other leadership councils; and foster leadership across the IHP community within primary care teams. The council provides a mechanism to advance best-practice knowledge transfer and exchange, to enhance collaboration, and to give IHPs the opportunity to communicate operational, governance, and other primary care team-related items.