Speakers
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Dr. Perrone is a passionate leader of laboratory quality improvement programs and has more than 20 years’ experience strengthening health and laboratory systems internationally. Dr. Perrone’s practice focuses on system- level approaches to ensuring patient access to quality assured diagnostic testing, diagnostic network optimization, laboratory service sustainability, regulation and governance. Dr. Perrone has worked in >35 countries worldwide.
Dr. Perrone holds the Donald B. Rix Professorship in Laboratory Quality, and is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. She is the Chair of the ISO 17043:2022 accredited Canadian Microbiology Proficiency Testing Program, and the Director of the Program Office for Laboratory Quality Management where she is the director of the certificate program in laboratory quality management and the micro certificate in antimicrobial susceptibility testing and interpretation. Dr. Perrone is a member of the Canadian Standards Association and the ISO working group TC2-12 which shapes the ISO 15189:2023 standard. |
| Dr. Lucy Perrone | |
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Craig Ivany is a laboratory services strategist with over 38 years of experience influencing healthcare. His depth of practice includes a legacy of leadership across Canada, including VP roles with DynaLIFE Alberta, Dynacare Ontario, CEO Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association, President and CEO Alberta Public Laboratories, and Chief Provincial Diagnostics Officer, Provincial Health Services Authority British Columbia. Craig is a certified health executive, and long-standing member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders, holds an ICD.D with the Institute of Corporate Directors, and is an Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columba.
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| Craig Ivany | |
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Dr. Kinloch is a practicing gynecologic pathologist and the Area Department Lead of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory.
Provincially she sits as co-chairs for Biomarker Development and Quality Assurance Committee and Cervical Cancer Screening task force in Saskatchewan.
Nationally she is on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Association of Pathologists and the pathologist representative for Canadian arm of the TransPORTEC RAINBO blue, de-escalation clinical trial.
Her research interests include the effects of precision molecular classification of ovarian and endometrial cancer in the variation of oncologic treatment and biomarker equity for the patients in Saskatchewan. |
| Dr. Mary Kinloch | |
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Robby Chen is an experienced data analytics leader with over a decade of expertise in data visualization, forecast modeling, and data-driven decision support. He currently serves as Manager of PLMS Analytics at the Provincial Health Services Authority, where he leads strategic analytics initiatives to drive operational improvements in laboratory and transfusion medicine in BC. Prior to joining PHSA, Robby supported multiple portfolios at Fraser Health, including Patient Quality and Safety. Robby is known for translating complex data into clear, actionable strategies and was recognized with the Fraser Health’s ‘Above and Beyond’ Innovator Award in 2019 for his work in developing the Patient Safety Priorities dashboard. With a strong foundation in both engineering and analytics – holding a Master’s in Data Analytics from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor’s in Engineering Physics from UBC – Robby has delivered impactful insights in both the energy and healthcare sectors. His work has supported high-stakes decision-making, from optimizing emergency department operations to designing predictive models for long-term care planning and outbreak detection. Prior to his work in healthcare, he led analytics consulting projects in the energy sector, generating multimillion-dollar savings for major clients globally.
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| Dr. Robby Chen | |
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Dr. Amanda VanSpronsen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology at the University of Alberta. A certified Medical Laboratory Technologist with a PhD in Public Health, she brings a systems-thinking and critical lens to research on laboratory stewardship and professional practice. Dr. VanSpronsen led the creation of the 14 Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations for Medical Laboratory Science and co-leads Lab Wisely, a national initiative with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science. Her work explores how laboratory professionals can engage more fully in collaborative efforts to improve diagnostic appropriateness. She works to advance a model of practice where medical laboratory professionals are recognized not only as technical experts but as active partners in laboratory stewardship and diagnostic quality. |
| Dr. Amanda VanSpronsen |
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Title: Strategic Lead, Lab Disciplines – Microbiology Organization: Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS), Provincial Health Services AuthorityHope Byrne is a seasoned laboratory medicine leader with nearly 30 years of experience in BC’s healthcare system. As Strategic Lead for Microbiology at PLMS, she specializes in strategic planning, and system-wide improvements. She holds an Executive MBA with honors and dual certification as a Medical Laboratory Technologist. Her leadership has spanned director and practice leader roles, including guiding major initiatives like COVID-19 testing infrastructure. Known for her collaborative approach and commitment to quality, Hope champions patient-centered, efficient lab services. |
| Constance Hope Byrne | |
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Katie Monai joined the Provincial Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS) in 2024 as the Strategic Lead for Medical Biochemistry. Together with her co-chair Dr. Michael Chen, they support the Medical Biochemistry Advisory Committee in identifying and fostering discussions on operational and technical quality improvement, utilization/stewardship, environmental sustainability, optimization, and innovation opportunities to ensure a coordinated provincial delivery approach. Prior to joining PLMS, Katie worked for over 20 years with Interior Health in various roles including MLA, educator, quality and pre-analytics. |
| Katie Monai | |
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Corey Murray has 25 years of experience in front-line diagnostics and clinical laboratory management. After graduating from the Michener Institute with an advanced diploma in Genetics Technology, he worked as a genetic technologist until 2010 before successfully progressing through management roles to the Director of Laboratory Medicine at Eastern Health.
Corey has played an active role in Choosing Wisely NL, working closely with key stakeholders to identify opportunities to integrate the initiative into the Health Transformation agenda within NL Health Services, supporting the delivery of high-quality care in Newfoundland and Labrador. As a member of the laboratory services advisory group, he contributed to the transformation of pathology and laboratory services in NL. Much of this foundational work is in alignment with the Health Accord. Currently, Corey is the Senior Director of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine for NL Health Services. |
| Corey Murray | |
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David Goldfarb is a Medical Microbiologist and Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist based at BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre where he also serves as the Interim Head of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Dr. Goldfarb had completed his training and certification in Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology at the University of Ottawa. Prior to coming to UBC, he had academic appointments at McMaster University and the University of Botswana. Dr. Goldfarb has over 150 publications and his research focuses primarily on novel diagnostic, management and prevention strategies for pediatric infectious diseases, particularly in resource limited settings.
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| David Goldfarb | |
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Following a short career in business & personal finance, Kristin pivoted to Medical Laboratory Sciences. She worked in Transfusion Medicine at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) as well as Canadian Blood Services (CBS), and fell in love with the “rules” as regulated by Health Canada (as someone who likes to colour within the lines!). At VGH, Kristin worked in a quality capacity as the Ig Utilization Management Coordinator, then as a Technical Coordinator with a focus on audits, inspections and accreditations. In 2021, she joined the Provincial Blood Coordinating Office (PBCO) where she currently works as the Strategic Lead for Transfusion Medicine. Kristin leads many collaborative working groups, works closely with neurology experts ensuring appropriateness of use of Ig, develops and maintains a strategic plan, contingency plans and new blood product implementation plans. Kristin volunteers for Canadian Society of Transfusion Medicine (CSTM) where she sits on the committee for Standards for Hospital’s Transfusion Services. |
| Kristin Rosinski |