Vanessa Willson Email & Phone Number

Toronto, On, Ca

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

As Senior Advisor, Clinical at Ontario Health, I support the Cardiac Program’s strategic initiatives, transforming clinical best practices into impactful, patient-centered tools for Ontario’s healthcare system. Working closely with stakeholders, our team aligns policies across programs and applies clinical insights to system-level planning, policy development, and performance measurement, ensuring our cardiac strategies are both evidence-based and meaningful for quality care across the province.

Toronto, Canada Area

Formerly part of Health Quality Ontario (HQO), I work as a part of Ontario Health in collaboration with both provincial and regional leadership to coordinate and optimize the delivery of care services to the residents of Ontario with a focus on the development of quality standards and supportive resources.•Directed multi-disciplinary, cross-functional team to develop, disseminate and ensure optimal impact of Quality Standards in Ontario.•Leveraged the expertise, energy, and knowledge of high-performing and often divergent stakeholder groups to successfully develop 5 quality standards (hip fracture, heavy menstrual bleeding, heart failure, opioid use disorder, and type 2 diabetes) based on leading global practices and evidence.•Championed equity, diversity, and inclusion through my advocacy for the inclusion of a population-based, equity approach to develop Quality Standards consistent with the Quintuple Aim•Successfully developed a targeted evaluation strategy for the Quality Standards program to ensure ongoing monitoring and quality improvement of the standards.

Ontario, Canada

•Directed a multi-disciplinary team of professions and fostered teamwork and an environment of innovation, openness and integrity for staff and collaborating stakeholders.•Developed and implemented a transformational and forward-thinking provincial palliative care implementation strategy aligned to regional governance frameworks and long-term care regulations.•Drove the final phases of the provincial Grief and Bereavement Services Report to ensure maximum impact and optimal implementation across OH regions. •Served as a catalyst for change and accountability by uncovering problematic OHIP billing patterns in Palliative Care service resulting in the creation of a plan for an improved palliative care (PC) alternative payment plan for PC physicians in Ontario

Toronto, Canada Area

Drove the education, coaching, and mentoring to 200+ nurses and allied health professionals in high-pressure, high-acuity clinical environments while concurrently developing unit-based policies, procedures, and medical directives to maximize their skillsets and scope of practice within the Coronary Intensive Care Unit (CICU), Cardiac Cath Lab (CIU), and the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU).•Served as the first critical care Clinical Nurse Educator for the cardiovascular department, which required setting the role’s scope, vision and mandate and its integration into the department.•Directed the creation and facilitation of the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) for the Cardiovascular Program at St. Michael’s Hospital.•Led the development and implementation of new and updated unit-based policies, protocols, and medical directives, resulting in better patient outcomes and experiences.

•Facilitated the assessment and monitoring of patients with neurotraumatic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and stroke, utilizing specialized knowledge and expertise.•Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams, including physicians, therapists, and social workers, to develop and implement comprehensive care plans tailored to the unique needs of neurotrauma patients

Toronto, Canada Area

•Administered expert care and monitored vital signs of cardiac patients, ensuring accurate assessment, early detection, and timely intervention in critical situations.•Operated and interpreted cardiac monitoring equipment, administered medications, and educated patients and families on managing cardiac conditions, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Julyna was a fundraising campaign that raised funds and spread awareness about cervical cancer by promoting healthy lifestyle choices to prevent the spread of HPV. •Served as the catalyst and Founder of Julyna taking the team from initial concept through to a full charity.•Raised over $150,000 to cervical cancer research through events and fundraising efforts supported by a team of volunteers and donors.•Collaborated with key advertising, marketing and public relations stakeholders resulting in over $2 million dollars of in-kind contributions aimed at raising awareness for cervical cancer prevention and treatment. •Generated rapid, positive media attention and support via television appearances, national radio shows, and 1000+ virtual blogs, posts, and print articles.

Master'S Degree, Nursing

Bachelor Of Science