Renfrew Victoria Hospital Board of Directors

Robert Tripp

Board Chair

Robert Tripp is a resident of Calabogie who brings extensive experience in health care policy, governance, and senior management to the RVH Board, as well as active participation on Boards at local, national and international levels. Among his Board endeavours are terms with the World Health Organization - working groups, Ottawa Community Housing, and Leadership Ottawa. He has served in leadership roles and in collaborative settings.
Mr. Tripp received a Diploma in Law and Security from Algonquin College, a BA from Carleton University, and completed a Certificate in Business Management as well as Governance Leadership in the Non-Government Sector from the University of Ottawa.
His recent work experience includes Senior Advisor, World Health Organization, Policy Analyst, Health Canada, and Executive Director, New Beginnings for Youth.

 

Pierre Noel

Secretary, Interim President & CEO

Appointed as Interim President and CEO of RVH in September 2024, Pierre has a wealth of experience as an executive leader in the health care sector spanning over 30 years.  He retired as President & CEO of the Pembroke Regional Hospital in 2022 after serving 16 years, while concurrently serving as President & CEO of the Mattawa Hospital and Algonquin Nursing Home for the last five of those 16 years.  In January 2023, he was appointed as Interim President & CEO of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group until a permanent replacement was installed at the end of the year.  Earlier in his career, Pierre was involved in leadership roles in hospitals and health service organizations across Ontario, in Ottawa, Sudbury, Toronto and Wellington County.

Pierre was born and raised in Pembroke and feels privileged to have been able to spend the later part of his career in his town in the Ottawa Valley.

Pierre has also had a career-long involvement with the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) culminating in his serving two full terms on the OHA Board and holding the position as its Chair from 2014 to 2016.

Pierre holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University (1985) and a Masters in Health Administration from the University of Ottawa (1989).  He is happily married to Penny, an elementary school teacher, and the proud father of two young adult sons.  In his leisure time, you can find him paddling in the summers and skiing in the winters. 

Meena Ballantyne

Director

Meena Ballantyne received both a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Health Administration from the University of Ottawa in 1979 and 1990 respectively and, in 2018, obtained Director designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Retiring after more than 20 years in the Public Service of Canada, Ms. Ballantyne has held senior executive roles, most recently serving as the Deputy Minister of Status of Women Canada. Other positions held include Assistant Secretary, Social Development, Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and Director-General, Health Care Policy Directorate, Health Canada. Over the span of her career she has been involved in negotiating the 2004 Health Accord, establishing the Canadian Patient Safety Institute and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, and has been an advisor on issues such as immigration and criminal justice reforms, patient wait-time guarantees and other health policy issues.

Ms. Ballantyne has served previously on a number of government boards, as well as being a patient representative on the Board of the Ronald McDonald House in Ottawa. She and her family have lived in the Renfrew area for 20 years.

 

Tom Faloon

Director

Tom Faloon graduated from the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Medicine in 1977. After completing his family medicine residency in 1979, he practiced in Ottawa until closing his practice in in 2008. He was an Assistant Professor in the University of Ottawa's Department of Family Medicine. In addition to clinic teaching he worked on behalf of the Canadian Medical Association, MD Management, the Ontario Medical Association and Health Force Ontario to offer effective practice management education to medical residents and practicing physicians across the country as well as retirement readiness seminars to Ontario physicians. From 2009-2012 he worked as a Medical Officer for the Canadian Forces and then offered local physician coverage in the Renfrew area until retiring in 2015. Tom and his family have cottaged in Calabogie since 1986 and now live there full time.

 

Sandi Heins

Director

 A lifetime Ottawa Valley resident, Sandi Heins attended the Kinesiology Program at Waterloo University. She began her career with the Ministry of Community and Social Services-Family Benefits, and is now an Income Maintenance Officer with the Ontario Disability Program.

Ms. Heins' community involvement and leadership began with her entry into municipal politics more than 30 years ago. She has held the positions of councillor, deputy reeve and mayor of Renfrew, which have provided her with a unique insight into the workings of the community.

Chris Huckabone

Director

 Chris Huckabone graduated in Business Administration, Specialized Operations Management, from Durham College.  He has been a part owner of Huckabone's Equipment since 2013.  He is a detail-oriented owner/manager and is very involved in the daily operations of the business.  He also worked as a sales representative out of Ottawa for a major company.

Mr. Huckabone is married and has four very active boys.  He enjoys coaching and various outdoor activities that are available throughout our area.  Through his business, he is able to sponsor many local events and works closely with the Cobden Civitan Club, Ducks Unlimited and SCI.

 

Janie Wannamaker-Bilson

Director (Auxiliary)

Janie grew up in Prince Edward County and moved to Renfrew 36 years ago when she met and married her husband, Mark. They have 4 daughters and 3 grandchildren – as well as two due this summer (2024). 

She graduated from Loyalist College in 1981with a diploma in Television Broadcasting. During the span of her career in broadcasting, she worked as a producer, director, studio manager, writer, volunteer coordinator, announcer and instructor for Ottawa Cablevision Community TV, Selkirk Communications,                                   MacLean Hunter, Kaleidoscope Council of Ottawa, Rogers Cable and Cogeco TV.  For 10 years, Janie                                       worked in sales and advertising for My Broadcasting Corporation, back when it began in 2002.

Throughout the years, Janie has enjoyed meeting and working with a wide range of people and volunteer groups  .She started volunteering at the RVH Gift Shop in 2017 and has served as President of RVH Auxiliary since 2019.

Keith Moss

Director

Keith Moss graduated in Electrical Engineering in the UK and moved to Canada in 1974 to assume the role as Design Engineer for Mining Cables at Northern Electric in Lachine, Quebec.  In 1986, Keith moved to the Toronto area, focusing on the distribution of cable and other electrical products.  He became President & CEO for Sonepar Canada in 2007, who soon asked him to move to Hong Kong to become CEO of Sonepar Asia Pacific, with responsibility for over 40 companies throughout China, SE Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Mr. Moss retired in May 2016 and he and his wife moved to Calabogie, becoming members of the Renfrew Curling Club.  They have three adult children and nine grandchildren.

Robert Pelletier

Director

 A resident of Renfrew for more than 46 years, Robert Pelletier has been a Human Resources Manager in the paper industry. His experience includes overall management of the human resources department, and overseeing employment, payroll, training, fire, safety and medical issues.

Mr. Pelletier is involved in the community as Chairman of the Pontiac Bursary, an organization that helps youth pursue higher education in fields such as health care and financial planning.

 

Kathleen Windle

Director

 
Kathleen Windle has lived in Renfrew for 49 years, and worked as teacher at both the Elementary and Secondary levels, Guidance Counselor, Vice-Principal and Principal with the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board for 33 years. In addition to her Bachelor of Arts and Education, Guidance Specialist and Masters of Education, she holds a Doctorate in Pastoral Counselling.

Patient care and particularly palliative care are of interest to Kathleen and she has been a member of the Multidisciplinary Palliative Care Team at RVH for approximately 10 years. She also is interested in advancing program development and new initiatives.

Kathleen brings a belief in clear communications—engaging and listening—as well as teamwork and leadership experience and skills to the RVH Board.

 

Dr. Steve Radke

Chief of Staff

 A graduate of the University of Ottawa Medical School in 2002, Dr. Radke began practice at RVH in August 2005, after completing his training in family medicine at the Elizabeth Bruyere Family Medicine Centre in Ottawa. He took on the role of Chief of Staff in 2012. In 2018, Dr. Radke received his Fellowship designation (FCFP) with the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

Dr. Radke is a committee member of the RVH Foundation Caring for Tomorrow Charity Golf Tournament.

 

 

Dr. Angela Varrin

President of Medical Staff

Dr. Varrin is a graduate of the University of Ottawa Medical School.  She completed her residency at Queen's University, Department of Family Medicine, and received her certification with the College of Family Physicians (CCFP) designation.  She did a year of specialized training in emergency care.  

Dr. Varrin grew up in Griffith and returned home to the Ottawa Valley after her graduation.  She began her practice at RVH in July 2013.

In 2017, Dr. Varrin received the Award of Excellence for her exceptional achievement pertaining to the specialty of family medicine from the Ontario College of Family Physicians. 

 

Mary Ellen Harris

Vice-President, Patient Care Services

 Mary Ellen Harris officially took over the role of VP Patient Care Services on February 1, 2024.

Ms. Harris began her nursing career right out of high school and graduated as an Registered Nurse at age 20.  Her career has progressed through various frontline nursing roles, including pediatrics, family medicine, geriatrics, emergency, AMA, dialysis and nursing supervisor.  Her management roles have included Assistant Director of Care and Manager of Complex Continuing Care.  Her most recent work experience was as the Director of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Executive at SFMH in Barry's Bay.

Ms. Harris has completed certifications and further degrees in nursing and leadership.  She is currently enrolled in an MBA program, which will help in supporting her colleagues at the senior leadership table, along with the Board.