CAHN's Executive Team
CAHN is run by an amazing team of dedicated volunteers with the support of Administrative Consultants. Volunteering for CAHN is a fun and rewarding way to make new connections and hone leadership skills in the field of hepatology nursing.
Considering Board Of Director & Executive Candidacy?
Consider joining CAHN’s executive team either as a board member, a committee chair, or a committee member. Volunteering with CAHN is a rewarding and fun experience. We are looking for people who have about 2 hours per week to dedicate to moving CAHN’s initiatives forward. This is how CAHN is able to bring you the educational content you love. All experience levels are welcome. Having a diverse from across the nation with varying perspectives helps us ensure educational gaps are bridged.
Lindsay Myles
President
2024-2026
Lindsay Myles has been a primary care nurse practitioner since 2014, and after working full time in primary care developed a subspeciality in hepatology. She helped to establish the Simcoe Liver Centre in Barrie along with a community group of gastroenterologists. They manage patients with all types of liver diseases from across the Simcoe Muskoka region. Additionally, she works with HepCure to clinically support mobile outreach teams across Ontario to treat patients with hepatitis C. Beyond managing the interesting viral hepatitis conundrums, she is interested in optimizing outpatient management of patients with end stage liver disease, and strengthening the link between primary care and hepatology in the care of patients with NAFLD.
Elizabeth Martin
Board Member
2024-2026
Elizabeth Martin has been a Nurse since 2007 and has worked in a variety of settings in Canada throughout Nova Scotia, Alberta, British Columbia, and Northwest Territories. She obtained her Master of Nursing- Nurse practitioner Stream through Dalhousie University and started her GI career in Yellowknife in 2013.
Since 2016 she has been in Southern Ontario working in Community GI/Hepatology clinics (primarily Hepatology). She supports Hepatologists and Gastroenterologist treating all liver diseases with a focus on cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease, NASH/NAFLD and viral hepatitis. She has recently become the Director of Outreach for a non-for-profit organization with a focus on identifying and treating priority populations at risk for hepatitis C infection.
Sajida Shaikh Damji
Board Member
2024-2026
I have been working as a Registered Nurse for 17 years. I have been a CAHN member for the past 2 years, so I feel I still have lots of room for growth within this realm of nursing. I feel I would be an asset to the board as I am keen to build my knowledge on hepatology nursing in Canada and hope to do this by supporting & participating in networking opportunities, liaison with members of the board to help organize CAHN events and attend educational opportunities and facilitate knowledge sharing and networking opportunities while advocating for equitable policies/practices that address social & structural determinants of health.
My past work experience is varied across Canada. I have worked at Street health on East Hastings Street and Emergency department medicine in Vancouver BC, to Hemodialysis and Emergency medicine in Hamilton, ON to Kingston, ON, where I currently live and work. The past 15 years has led to opportunities as a Case manager & Care coordinator for Ontario Health, including primary care at Kingston’s only Emergency Department. I currently work at Street health which has included experience in outreach/Hepatitis C and opportunities for growth in Spirometry testing. I am excited to lead the charge on Spirometry testing now offered at the Street Health Centre.
Sonja Hartz
Board Member
2024-2026
I have been a nurse since 1991 and have worked in most areas of nursing. I have been in Hepatology/HIV for Positive Wellness North Island since 2014. In 2021 we expanded our clinical focus from viral hepatitis and HIV to encompass all liver diseases.
I have had the opportunity to mentor a few other nurses in hepatology, coordinate our outreach with existing teams and add in remote patient monitoring for our more fragile decompensated patients. I am also fortunate to be able to outreach and offer services in our community on the MOUHSS (mobile outreach unit for health and social services) which is a converted RV.
I live with my husband and two dogs in Campbell River on beautiful Vancouver Island and have 3 adult children. I enjoy volunteering in my community at the local dinner program and overseas teaching English.
Pam Ford
Board Member, Partnership Chair
2024-2026
Lindsey Lenters
Board Member
2025-2027
Lindsey is a registered nurse with experience in primary care and community health, emergency nursing, and viral hepatitis. Prior to nursing, she worked in public health as a research coordinator and project manager. Lindsey joined CAHN in 2021 and has served as the Special Projects and Education Chair, developing CAHNference Bytes, helping refresh CAHN’s mission statement, and most recently working on strategic planning. She is delighted to join the Board of Directors and to continue deepening her understanding of hepatology nursing.
Michelle Pittman
Board Member, CAHNference Co-Chair
2025-2027
Michelle became a Registered Nurse in 2016 after graduating from the University of New Brunswick and began her career at the Fredericton Downtown Community Health Centre. She quickly developed a passion for addiction medicine, mental health, and sexual health, particularly within community healthcare for marginalized populations.
In 2020, an addiction medicine clinic focused on patients with refractory injection drug use opened with funding from Health Canada’s Substance Use & Addictions Program (SUAP). Michelle became both the nurse and clinic manager at River Stone Recovery Centre, which was one of five sites across Canada funded to establish an injectable opioid agonist therapy (iOAT) program—the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada.
Driven by her commitment to improving healthcare for vulnerable populations, Michelle returned to school in 2019 to pursue a Master of Nursing with the goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. She graduated from Athabasca University in August 2023 and transitioned into her NP role with Horizon Health Network, becoming the first NP prescriber at the recovery centre, now known as RECAP Health Services.
Beyond her clinical work, Michelle launched a nurse-led Hepatitis C treatment program, successfully reaching the WHO’s viral hepatitis eradication goals within the iOAT program. She has also co-chaired two CAHNferences (2024-2025), serves on the steering committee of Action Hepatitis Canada, and recently joined the nurses committee for the International Network of Health & Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU).
Outside of her professional roles, Michelle is a wife and the proud mother of an energetic four-year-old boy.
Laurie Clarida
Board Member
2025-2027
Laurie Clarida is a registered nurse living in Kelowna, BC. She is an active member of the Canadian Association of Hepatology Nurse (CAHN).
Collaborating with not-for-profit organizations to educate, test. treat and cure Hepatitis C and STBBIs within the marginalized community in the Okanagan for 5 years.
Her previous background in nursing is quite diverse, giving her a unique perspective with her clients and their needs.
Lori Lee Walston
Finance Chair
2025-2027
Lori Lee has over 34 years of nursing experience from neonatal nursery to geriatric rehabilitation, medicine to surgery. The last 20 years were in the field of Hepatology where she worked both clinical and research with Hepatitis C patients. She started working with interferon alfa and participated in all the clinical trials that eventually brought the current treatments to market. She retired from nursing at the end of 2019 and now resides in Saskatchewan enjoying good country life. Lori Lee has been a member of CAHN since its inception. She has held the position of Treasurer since 2014.
Elizabeth (Liz) Lee
CAHNference Co-Chair
2024-2026
Tamara Barnett
CLM Co-Chair
2024-2026
Tamara Barnett is a registered nurse with certified practice working in Victoria, British Columbia as a primary care nurse and the hepatitis C program coordinator of the nurse-led hepatitis C treatment program at Cool Aid Community Health Centre. The Cool Aid clinic provides low threshold primary care to vulnerable populations including people with polysubstance dependence and complex mental health challenges. The Cool Aid nurses have developed many nurse-led programs including their nurse-led PrEP program, nurse-led Doxy-PEP program and the internationally award winning, nurse-led Hepatitis C program that utilizes numerous innovative models of care including ‘seek and treat’, PEER led and pharmacy led initiatives. Tamara is also currently working with the local jail developing a model of care for hepatitis C elimination with a link to primary care upon release from prison.
Stacey Frasson
Membership & Communications Chair
2024-2026
Hello, my name is Stacey Frasson, and I am a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) with over 20 years of nursing experience. I began my nursing journey in long-term care, where I developed a strong foundation in providing compassionate care to older adults.
For the next 15 years, I worked in the bariatrics field, specializing in helping patients navigate their weight loss journeys. During my time in the clinic, I had the opportunity to manage the bariatric clinic, overseeing the day-to-day operations and ensuring exceptional patient care.
My passion for hepatology developed during the following four years with Liver Care Canada, where I served as a hepatology nurse and also contributed to the business development of the organization. This experience allowed me to witness the impact of liver care on patients’ lives and solidified my dedication to this field.
I took a two-year hiatus from hepatology, and worked as a patient support nurse case manager in dermatology. This role provided me with valuable experience in managing patient care plans and coordinating biologic treatments to support patients’ dermatological needs.
Currently, I am thrilled to be working with Sentrex as their Hepatology and Gastroenterology Patient Care Manager. In this position, I am responsible for ensuring high-quality and personalized care for patients with liver and gastrointestinal conditions.
Outside of my nursing career, I find joy in working with my hands on small woodworking projects and furniture refinishing. It allows me to tap into my creativity and unwind. Additionally, I love spending time on the trails with my dog Stella, enjoying the outdoors and staying active.
Danae Sale
Administrative Consultant
Danae has been supporting CAHN’s executive team since 2016.
Participating on CAHN’s executive team is a fun and fulfilling way to help deliver education to hepatology nurses across Canada while becoming a leader in the field. Contact Danae at admin@cahn.ca to learn about open opportunities.
Emma Jensen
Administrative Consultant
Emma has been supporting CAHNs executive team since 2022. With a diploma in Marketing Management; Emma specializes in member communications and marketing. In her free time, Emma enjoys many outdoor activities like backpacking, hiking, and kayaking.
