Dr. Kirsten Fiest is the Institute’s Scientific Director and a professor of critical care medicine, community health sciences, and psychiatry at the CSM. She brings deep expertise, a passion for public health, and a collaborative vision to the Institute’s leadership.
An accomplished researcher, her work focuses on improving outcomes for critically ill patients and their families through patient- and family-centered care and meaningful partnerships.
Dr. Roach is an assistant professor in the departments of family medicine and community health sciences, also serving as academic director, Indigenous engagement in the VPR Office at University of Calgary. A proud citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Dr. Roach completed her PhD in medical and human sciences at University of Manchester, England, before returning for a postdoctoral fellowship in family medicine at University of Alberta, Canada.
Dr. Jamie Day is Administrative Director of the O'Brien Institute. Trained as a biomedical researcher (PhD Neuroscience), her postdoctoral experiences developed strengths in scientific writing & research management. Dr. Day has over ten years’ experience as a university research administrator and brings to the Institute valuable experience with strategic funding applications, budgeting & reporting of research infrastructure projects, among other things.
Dr. Paul Ronksley is an Associate Professor and health services researcher in the Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary. He served as Associate Scientific Director of the Institute from Jan. 2024 - Aug. 2025
Stephen Samis has over 25 years' experience in health and health care, advancing evidence-informed health policy and population health to improve health systems and the health of Canadians. He served as Associate Scientific Director from Jan. 2024 - June 2025.
Dr. Tom Stelfox was the Scientific Director of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health from Nov. 2021 - Aug. 2023.
He received his M.D. from the University of Alberta, Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Toronto, Ph.D. in Health Care Policy at Harvard University and Critical Care Fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He is a Professor of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Calgary and practicing intensive care physician in Alberta Health Services – Calgary Zone.
Dr. Kirsten Fiest, PhD, is an associate professor of Critical Care Medicine, Community Health Sciences & Psychiatry at the University of Calgary. She is also Director of Research & Innovation in the Department of Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Fiest received her PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Calgary and completed post-doctoral training at the University of Manitoba. She served as Associate Scientific Director from Jan. 2022 - Nov. 2023
Dr. Milaney served as Associate Scientific Director from March 2022 - Oct. 2023.
Dr. Milaney is a research fellow within the School of Public Policy and is the founder and lead of the Institute’s Social and Structural Vulnerabilities program. To the ASD role, she brings a wealth of experience and partnerships with academics, government, industry, and community.
Dr. Ghali was the Scientific Director of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health at the University of Calgary from 2010 to 2020. He is also a Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary, and a practicing physician specialized in Internal Medicine. He is a principal in the University of Calgary World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre in Disease Classifications and health information.
Served as Interim Scientific Director from March to November 2020.
Dr. Christine Friedenreich is an accomplished epidemiologist dedicated to prevention who – through committed and ongoing participation in Institute programs, such as Internal Peer Review – has cemented a reputation as a capacity and community builder who values service and the success of others.
Seuli Roy: Seuli.Roy@albertahealthservices.ca
403-476-2566
Please contact in case Dr. Friedenreich is not available
Dr. Melanie Rock served as the O’Brien Institute’s Associate Scientific Director from 2016 to 2018. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary, where her primary appointment is in the Cumming School of Medicine's Department of Community Health Sciences. At UCalgary, she also has adjunct appointments in multiple departments and faculties.
Dr. Lynn McIntyre is Professor Emerita of Community Health Sciences in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She retired from her active faculty position in November 2015. She continues to be involved in research and in population health advancement.
