Janet brings her passion for the evolution and transformation of healthcare to Hamilton Health Sciences as its Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary. With more than two decades of extensive legal experience, Janet will have oversight of HHS’ legal affairs and board governance. Janet possesses a wide spectrum of expertise including health law, privacy, insurance, risk management, and patient and healthcare provider interactions. Janet also serves as a trusted advisor to the Board of Directors of Hamilton Health Sciences as its Corporate Secretary.
Janet joined HHS from the leading national law firm Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG). At BLG, she specialized in the negotiation of complex agreements while supporting hospitals and health sector organizations navigate the complex regulatory requirements associated with new and established healthcare ventures. Early in her career, Janet practiced as a litigation lawyer and also has experience in the oversight and management of litigation in various forums and jurisdictions. She has been recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada in Health Care Law and has extensive professional legal expertise in both private practice and as corporate counsel.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Western University and two law degrees (JD and BCL) from McGill University. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1997.
Dr. Packer began her career in 1990 as a family physician in Hamilton. Since then, she has held progressive leadership roles within HHS, SJHH, including Chief of Family Medicine for HHS and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH), and both hospitals’ Clinical Advisor for the Greater Hamilton Health Network (GHHN). Throughout her career she has provided inpatient care as a hospitalist in adult and pediatric services. Most recently, she has held the role of Chief of Family Medicine, Complex Continuing, and Post-Acute Care at HHS.
Dr. Packer holds keen interest and experience in advancing hospital and community care delivery, care transitions, quality of care, and patient experience. She brings to the EVP Academic & CME role a wealth of experience leading diverse, inter-organizational teams and implementing large-scale programs and innovative care models.
Her experience in health administration has been bolstered by her involvement in a number of leadership programs, including HHS’ Reimagining Leadership leader development program (2019). She is also an alumnus of leadership programs at Harvard University, McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.
Most recently, Amit was the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. Amit has held executive positions with hospitals in the US, Australia and Canada, where he has led initiatives focused on system performance, financial accountability and quality improvement. Amit acquired his Chartered Professional Accountant designation in Australia, where he obtained an MBA from the University of Adelaide. He also holds a post-grad diploma in Management and Business Law from Queensland Central University in Melbourne, a Bachelor of Technology degree from Kurukshetra University in India, and a “Master Black Belt” in Lean Six Sigma management.
Rochelle’s professional background includes fifteen years of co-creating fairer and more inclusive workplaces and communities through meaningful engagement and strategic planning. Her previous roles include serving as the Director of Service Operations and Student Life at Mohawk College, and creating the BYND BLK advocacy program for black students. Rochelle also founded a consultancy company focused on helping organizations to enhance their strategic initiatives and operations through equity, diversity and inclusion. A life-long learner with credentials in coaching, service excellence, and accessibility, Rochelle is a graduate of both Mohawk College and George Brown College.
Dr. Jeschke has world-renowned expertise in the field of translational research. He is a research leader with a proven ability to attract funding and grants from various national programs and agencies to advance innovative medical care in burns. Under his direction since 2010, the Ross Tilley Burn Centre (RTBC) at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre became a leading surgical and burn care institution in North America. Prior to being the Director of the RTBC, Dr. Jeschke held faculty positions at the University of Texas Medical Branch and Shriners Hospital for Children. There, in addition to his work as a surgeon, he coordinated research activities with a focus on increasing productivity and obtaining grants. Dr. Jeschke became an MD in Germany, moved to the United States and obtained a Master of Medical Science degree at the University of Texas, then returned to Germany to complete his PhD (Habilitation) in Experimental Surgery at the University of Regensburg in Bavaria.
Neil Johnson, RPh, MBA, CHE, FCSHP
Neil is a registered pharmacist receiving his pharmacy education at the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto. He completed a hospital pharmacy residency at the Kingston General Hospital before embarking on a clinical career in oncology pharmacy and a pharmacy leadership career that saw him head the pharmacy department at the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), lead provincial and national organizations as well as serves as board chair of the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
After completing a Master’s in Business Administration at Wilfrid Laurier University, Neil embarked on a health executive career leading numerous clinical and service portfolios at LHSC and at St Joseph’s Health Care, in London. He served as Regional Vice President of the South West Regional Cancer Program for eight years, and contributed to many committees and initiatives within Cancer Care Ontario. Neil has held positions as Chief Quality Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Neil has a range of governance experience in community based and professional organizations such as St Joseph’s Hospice of London, Thames Valley Family Health Team, Western ProResp and the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic. A Certified Health Executive and Fellow of the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists, Neil has served a variety of hospitals and private sector corporations by providing consultation services.
In his current role, Neil serves both as Vice President, Oncology, Site Executive Lead of the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre at Hamilton Health Sciences, and Regional Vice President of the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Regional Cancer Program of Ontario Health – Cancer Care Ontario.