CAMRT-BC Events

Ken Winnig – panelist

Executive Director, Lower Mainland Medical Imaging

Ken began his career in the Lab as a Medical Laboratory Technologist, and over the past 33-years has served in various roles and capacities to improve the delivery of health care.

Prior to his current position as Executive Director of Lower Mainland Medical Imaging, Ken served in Northern Health for 29 years, and was the Regional Director of Diagnostics for Northern Health for 12 years. During this time a strategic plan for Medical Imaging in the North was developed and there was a focus on improving access to imaging across the North. Improved MRI access, improved Ultrasound access, expanded CT services, and partnering with the local college to launch the Med Rad Tech, Ultrasound Tech, and Med Lab Tech programs are some of the highlights while working in Northern Health.

Currently Ken and the Lower Mainland Medical Imaging team are bringing a strategic approach to service delivery planning. Developing dashboards and pathways to improve patient access, applying evidence-based decisions in capital planning, and working with academic partners to develop new methods for educating technologists are just some of the current priorities being addressed.

Ken is also currently working with stakeholders from across BC to form a Provincial Medical Imaging Office. This Office will serve as a coordinating, planning, and quality forum for Medical Imaging as we look to improve access and quality, and the provision of Medical Imaging for all residents of BC.

Ken’s career has been guided by his personal mission statement: “To develop the best in myself, and my peers, so we may deliver the best for the patient”.

President Elect, BC Radiological Society (BCRS) and Chief Radiologist, Kelowna General Hospital

Dr. Farnquist is the president elect of the BCRS and Chief Radiologist of Kelowna General Hospital, where she has worked for the past 10 years. She sub-specializes in musculoskeletal, breast and body imaging. She enjoys running and cycling alongside her husband Steve and daughter Sofia.

Andre Caron – panelist

Senior Manager, Allied Health Policy Secretariat, BC Ministry of Health

Andre currently leads the Medical professional portfolio as the Senior Manager, Allied Health Policy Secretariat, at the Ministry of Health. His responsibilities extend across the lower mainland consolidation groups, notably in Medical Imaging and Labs and Pharmacy. He also has supports Surgical Services and Cancer Care.

Trained as a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT), Andre has navigated through various roles, including being a Project Manager at the Ministry of Health’s Laboratory and Blood Services Branch and Program Head at BCIT, where he directly supported lab professional education and training. He also worked at Lifelabs and the University of Alberta Hospital before that as an MLT. His academic background mirrors his dedication to leadership, showcasing a Master’s in Leadership from Royal Roads University and additional qualifications in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Alberta and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Andre dedicates his leisure time to exploring the outdoors with his family, mountain climbing/running, and brewing the perfect cup of coffee. He is eager to bring his extensive knowledge and expertise to these HHR challenges.

Director, Regional Operations, BC Cancer – Abbotsford

Rupinder is the Director of Regional Clinical Operations at BC Cancer – Abbotsford. She has been with BC Cancer for the past ten years, and is a Radiation Therapist by background. She has worked at three of BC’s six regional cancer centres and has a passion for radiation oncology. She holds a Master of Science in Radiotherapy and Oncology, as well as an Advanced Certificate in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. She is a member of the provincial team that is moving radiation therapist recruitment forward in BC and is thrilled to be given the opportunity to showcase what BC Cancer has to offer both nationally and internationally.

MRI Technologist, BC Children’s Hospital

Originally from Perth in Western Australia, Stuart has been working in paediatric radiology for about 20 years, including a few years in England and Ireland. Stuart started at BC Children’s Hospital in 2014 as an MRI Technologist, later becoming the Supervisor of CT and X-ray. He completed his MBA in February 2022 and has presented at several CAMRT national conferences, Siemens Symposiums, the ISRRT Conference in 2021 and local CAMRT-BC conferences. His favourite foods include cinnamon buns and ice cream. He has 3 kids and enjoys exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.

Radiation Therapy Provincial Professional Practice Leader, BC Cancer

Fiona is originally from the Shetland Islands in Scotland. She trained as a radiation therapist at the Edinburgh School of Radiation Therapy. She worked in Holland and the UK before immigrating to Canada in 1989.

Fiona worked in progressively more responsible positions at the BC Cancer Agency for over 21 years. During her time at the BC Cancer Agency, Fiona’s passion for patient and therapist education grew. As the Provincial Professional Practice and Academic Leader for Radiation Therapy, she was responsible for ensuring the radiation therapists maintained the knowledge and skills required for their professional practice as well as being the clinical leader for BCIT radiation therapy students.

Fiona left BC Cancer in 2010 to join the BCIT team as Associate Dean for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologies. As an academic leader, she was responsible for the success of 10 diagnostic and therapeutic technology programs. From there she moved to Edmonton as Senior Practice Leader for Radiation therapy at Cancer Control Alberta before returning to BC Cancer in 2021.

She has a variety of academic accomplishments a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, a MA in Leadership, and a BSc in radiation therapy. She has volunteered with her professional association, received numerous professional awards, is a Fellow of the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT), and served as CAMRT President for 2008 and 2009. Fiona has co-authored courses on education and leadership. She has participated in a range of research initiatives resulting in an assortment of publications, which she has presented nationally and internationally.

Operations Director, Lower Mainland Medical Imaging

Born and raised in Abbotsford, Kevin is a lifelong resident of the Fraser Valley. Throughout his 20+ years in Medical Imaging, he has worked all over the Lower Mainland of British Columbia in various roles, including X-Ray and Interventional Technologist, Site Coordinator, Manager of Quality & Process Improvement, and Director.

As Kevin transitioned from frontline X-Ray work, he made the decision to head back to school and enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program at Simon Fraser University (SFU). After completing the program in late 2020 he moved into his current role as Operations Director with Lower Mainland Medical Imaging.

Away from work, Kevin is a husband, a father to two very busy boys (10 and 8), and an avid sports fan.

Chelsea Minhas 

Chief Program Officer, Covenant House Vancouver

Chelsea holds a Master of Social Work from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and has been with Covenant House for 16 years. She currently holds the role of Chief Program Officer. She is a mission and values driven leader, with extensive program design and implementation experience. She currently has strategic oversight of all program operations, acts as an industry expert for all levels of government, and is a sought-after trainer and speaker. She is passionate about utilizing evidence-based practices to serve youth with unconditional love & absolute respect, while also advocating for social policy change in our communities. Chelsea currently resides in Langley with her husband and two children, Amira and Axel.

Heather Epp

Simulation Education Lead, School of Health Sciences, British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)

Heather is currently the Simulation Education Lead for the School of Health Sciences at BCIT. She is a Registered Nurse with a background in cardiac, emergency and critical care, has completed a Masters in Nursing Education, and achieved Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) certification. Heather’s interests include faculty development in experiential learning contexts such as clinical and simulation, mentorship, communication, and exploring feedback strategies that promote both psychological safety and meaningful learning.

David Hatfield, M.A, M.Ed.

Leadership Consultant and Process Facilitator, Vancouver Coastal Health and Consultant

David is a conflict facilitator, leadership coach, instructor of improvisational singing, and longtime facilitator of men’s groups. His passions are found in the intersection of creativity, communication and conflict, awareness, skill development and transformation.

www.davidhatfield.ca