Regional Advisory Council 12 - Health

Hamida Jaffer is an accomplished health care professional with over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. She holds a master’s in health administration and a bachelor’s in science, with expertise spanning project management, research, plus a wide range of clinical, ambulatory, acute care, and surgical services. Skilled in leading multidisciplinary teams and medical-industry dyads, she excels at managing resources in unionized environments while forging strategic partnerships to drive innovation and achieve system-wide transformation.

As an assessor, Hamida audits accredited testing laboratories to ensure compliance with rigorous standards. A Calgary resident for more than 35 years, she is deeply committed to community health, actively volunteering in continuing care facilities and local initiatives. Her career reflects a strong dedication to service and a passion for delivering high-impact health care solutions.

D'Arcy Duquette collaborates with health care stakeholders to ensure patient voices shape system design. He serves on multiple advisory committees, including surgical and critical care strategic clinical networks, the Health Quality Alberta, Choosing Wisely Canada and international kidney and cardiovascular initiatives. 

D'Arcy advises clinical trials for critically ill patients, drawing from his first-hand experience with health care challenges. After 39 years as senior director of network strategy at Canadian Pacific Railway, he retired and dedicates himself to health care advocacy. He's been married for 40 years and has two adult children.

Christine Chateau is a proud citizen of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, bringing both lived experience and professional expertise to her roles. Raised with a strong commitment to community, Christine has dedicated her career to supporting Indigenous well-being through social work, research, education and community engagement. She holds a master of social work from the University of Calgary and a bachelor of commerce from its Haskayne School of Business. 

Driven by a passion for improving Indigenous health outcomes, Christine serves as research coordinator for the Métis-specific cultural safety in health care project with the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine and the Métis Nation of Alberta. Her work focuses on creating safer, more respectful health care environments through community-led approaches. 

Linda-Ann Elobuike is a registered nurse and clinical instructor at Mount Royal University. She also works in the intensive palliative, medical oncology and radiology units at the Arthur Child Cancer Centre in Calgary. With a strong background in acute care, mentorship and curriculum development, she served as the vice-chair of the Prairie Mountain Health Advisory Council and mentors internationally educated nurses through Alberta Health Services. 

Linda-Ann is deeply committed to health equity, supporting internationally educated nurses, patient-centred care and improving patient care through leadership, advocacy and meaningful community engagement.

James Hodge has served as a family and patient advisor with Alberta Health Services’ Health Quality Alberta, as well as cancer health research and community health boards. After earning his engineering degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1973, he worked as a municipal engineer in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. 

Now retired, James looks after his wife who struggles with chronic pain, which gives a family/patient perspective to his volunteer work in Alberta.

Saifa Koonar has been with the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation for nearly 30 years and has served as president and chief executive officer since 2009. As CEO, she is accountable for the organization’s leadership, direction and operations while ensuring advancement in children’s health through community generosity. Saifa is a member of the Canadian Children’s Hospital Foundations and serves on the board of The Woodmark Group, a consortium of leading children’s hospital foundations throughout North America. 

In addition, Saifa has served on the Premier’s Council on Charities and Civil Society. She is also an active volunteer in the Ismaili Muslim community and serves on the Ismaili Council for Canada. As a two-time University of Calgary alumna, she earned a bachelor of communications and a master of business administration. Saifa also holds an Institute of Corporate Directors designation.

Dasola Oluge is a professional engineer with more than 15 years’ experience in project management within the telecommunications and information technology sectors. A graduate of the University of Calgary, Dasola enjoys collaborating broadly and has served as director of communications for the Livingston Community Association and as a member of the professional development and outreach program for the Project Management Institute. Currently, Dasola volunteers on the University of Calgary’s alumni recognition committee.

Ali Shivji is a principal at Optima Living, where he leads development, asset management and environmental, social and governance across 38 seniors communities in Alberta and British Columbia. A born and bred Albertan, he brings over 20 years of experience in health and seniors care, including roles with the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, McKinsey & Company and AgeCare. 

Ali serves on the boards of Calgary Economic Development and the Alberta Seniors and Community Housing Association and has contributed to global aging strategies. He holds a master of business administration from Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires and a bachelor of engineering from McGill University. Ali is passionate about community-based, inclusive health care for Alberta’s aging population. 

Linda Winfield’s health care background includes 25 years of nursing in Alberta, from inpatient bedside care to home care and public health. She is currently teaching English at Columbia College in the health care practical nurse and academic upgrade programs while also tutoring English as a second language students. 

Additionally, Linda volunteers and encourages Canadian Language Benchmark students in developing English conversation skills. As a retired nurse, she continues to volunteer on many committees focused on health promotion for Albertans. Most recently, she served as a patient and family advisor within the Medicine Strategic Clinical Network and as a member of the Cardiovascular Program Improvement Integration Network under Acute Care Alberta.

Terry Wong has been a public services management professional for 45 years. During his career, he has served as a management systems engineering analyst at Red Deer Regional Hospital and Calgary General Hospital and as an administrative and infrastructure services manager with the City of Calgary. Terry was principal owner and municipal consultant for Bridging Consultants Group. 

He is currently a municipal councillor with the City of Calgary. Over the years, Terry has maintained contact with hospital leaders and health care professionals in public health and long-term care. Additionally, through his councillor duties, Terry is currently engaged in mental health, drug and alcohol addiction, and other social disorder situations through the Calgary Police Commission and city council. He is also active in the Asian diaspora ethno-cultural communities.

George Yang is a community leader and certified clinical research professional with over 15 years’ experience in public health, research and the non-profit sector. He led community-based projects at the University of Calgary aimed at improving pain and mental health support for visible minorities and seniors by connecting health care providers with communities. As president of the Chinese Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association of Calgary, George fosters partnerships, career development and public forums on health and economic issues. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he volunteered over 600 hours, helping thousands of Alberta’s visible minority families receive real-time updates through translation and broadcast of Alberta government briefings. George holds a master’s in management and received Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Alberta communities.