Joyce Resin
Joyce Resin, Executive Director of Impact BC, Community Action Team and the Director of the Patient Voices Network, is the one you will see running around the Impact BC office, madly in all directions. She is the one responsible for keeping the intrepid Patient Voices Network team on their toes and meeting their targets. Luckily, they make her life very easy!
When not at her computer balancing budgets, connecting with external stakeholders, writing reports and proposals and singing the praises of the Patient Voices Network to all who will listen, she is teaching her Flexercise classes to participants at Kerrisdale and Kitsilano Community Centres. Her fitness regime keeps her sane and sound. Her other passion is scouring the Globe and Mail from cover to cover with coffee in the mornings and books… when she can find the time to read!
Peter Toppings
Peter steps into the position of Manager with a rich history in program management, community development and coordination of community health initiatives. Much of his experience has focused on building the capacity of marginalized populations and individuals to participate more fully in their own health and wellness. Over the years, he has been active on several community-driven boards and committees relating to issues such as diversity, HIV/AIDS, substance use, domestic violence, etc. He has a M.Sc. from the University of Toronto and a B.Sc. from McGill University.
In his free time, Peter is an avid outdoors enthusiast, film fanatic, and social activist who navigates life as best he can with balance and a sense of humour.
Charisse Cruz
Charisse comes to the Patient Voices Network with experience in tourism, marketing, and event implementation. As the administrative assistant, Charisse is privileged to have the opportunity to poke her nose in all aspects of the PVN program — often by furiously fighting with the printers or by running around the office.
When not at work, Charisse spends her time dragging herself to the yoga studio and digging her feet in the sand: when Vancouver permits it.
Abby Cameron
The Patient Liaison is the first point of contact for the Network, and is responsible for providing program information and matching participants with peer coaches. Abby is pleased to have the opportunity to speak to anyone who would like to be involved with this initiative.
After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Kinetics from UBC, Abby travelled the world aboard cruise ships working as a Youth Programs Coordinator. With her sea legs ready to return to solid ground, she landed in Edinburgh, Scotland where she worked in a non-profit organization managing citywide basketball programs for all ages. Missing the mountains, the water and her family (not necessarily in that order), she decided to permanently return to Vancouver, where she is able to use her skills to make a difference in her community.
In her spare time, Abby enjoys playing sports and travelling.
Rachelle Rebman
Rachelle holds a Masters of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Rachelle comes to the Patient Voices Network with experience working with health authorities, non-profit organizations, and communities using a community development framework. Her work focuses on bringing diverse groups together to find common solutions. Her passions include equitable access to health services and building healthy communities.
When not at work, Rachelle can be found getting her hands dirty in her patio garden or having adventures in the great outdoors
Carol Stathers
Carol is a registered nurse with many years experience with Interior Health in the field of chronic disease management. She developed the hearts@school program for Impact BC which was fueled by her desire to prevent the chronic diseases in children. Carol feels that Patient Voices Network is great avenue for everyone in BC to get involved and have their voice heard in health care.
Outside of her work life, Carol loves to spend time with her husband and three children skiing, hiking, biking and enjoying life in the sunny Okanagan!
Graeme Drew
Graeme is a seasoned manager with extensive experience working in non-profit organizations and the private sector. His communication skills encompass the entire spectrum of marketing from branding and advertising to publicity and promotion. One of Graeme’s strengths is his ability to compile, organize, and communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner to their target audiences.
Diana Cikes
As a communications strategist and writer, Diana spends most of her time developing and implementing strategies and tactical plans, writing, editing and designing promotional materials. With experience in website production, Diana can also be found hovering over Travis’ computer, sharing her ideas on design, layout and content. Her 8 years of experience in marketing communications are helping develop a solid and consistent branding identity and public awareness of the Patient Voices Network.
When she’s not busy creatively brainstorming or strategizing, Diana enjoys being active (running, kickboxing, hiking, yoga), playing guitar, creative writing, watching movies or re-runs of Seinfeld, cuddling with her pets and spending time with family and friends.
Travis Salazar
As the Website Producer for Patient Voices Network, Travis can be found staring into a computer screen for hours on end. Often with over a dozen web pages open and a handful of programs running he finds himself confused and confounded as to how people ever used computers before the era of tabbed browsing. With his years of experience Travis hopes to build the Patient Voices Network into a vibrant online community.
When Travis is not staring at his computer screen he enjoys bad movies on TV, sports, guitar, music, baking cookies, laughter, his iPhone, and taking in the view from the office.
Gloria Kuffner
As the Peer Coach Mentor, Gloria Kuffner is honored at having the great privilege to encourage and mentor the dedicated peer coaches. Through the coaches she gets to be a part of people making healthy lifestyle changes. How good is that? When Gloria is not working, she has fun in her garden and spends time with her lovely granddaughters.
