CIPHI Alberta is the provincial branch of CIPHI that represents the field and professionals of Environmental Public Health in Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
Branch Opportunities
Get Involved
Throughout the year, the branch offers numerous opportunities for members to get involved. These include:
- Assisting with the planning of CIPHI AB/NT/NU Educational Workshops
- Participating in student activities
- Organizing monthly education learning sessions
- Managing social media accounts and presence
- Organizing CIPHI social events (e.g., hockey pool, golf tournaments)
If you are interested in becoming more involved with your professional association, please send an email to branch@ciphi.ab.ca.
Educational Lunch and Learn
Join us for a monthly lunch and learn hosted by the Alberta Branch. Sessions are held on the first Tuesday of the month from 12 pm to 1 pm.
Watch your emails for more information and details!
For links to upcoming webinars, please email branch@ciphi.ab.ca.
For past webinar recordings, please email education@ciphi.ab.ca.
Registration is required to attend. If you experience any issues with registration, please email education@ciphi.ab.ca.
Upcoming Webinar
To be announced.
Call for Abstracts – CIPHI AB Branch 2026 Workshop
The Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) Alberta Branch invites abstract submissions for presentations and workshops focused on environmental public health practice, innovation and emerging issues. This Educational Workshop will be held on October 22, 2026, in Nisku, Alberta.
We welcome abstracts from environmental public health professionals, public health practitioners, researchers, regulators and partners who wish to share knowledge, experiences or best practices relevant to environmental public health in Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and nationally.
Presentation Format
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- Session lengths: 45-minute sessions including question-and-answer period.
- Formats: oral presentations, case studies, or interactive workshops.
Suggested Topics (not limited to)
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- Environmental public health inspection and enforcement
- Drinking water, wastewater and recreational water safety
- Housing, indoor air quality, and a healthy built environment
- Climate change impacts and adaptation in environmental health
- Emerging environmental health issues and trends
- Regulatory updates, compliance challenges and best practices
- Indigenous, rural and remote environmental health considerations.
Food Safety Culture Brief Presentation & Panel Participant
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- Presentation length: 15-20 minute presentation plus participation on a panel for 25-30 minutes
- Format: series of 3-4 presentations from different perspectives (e.g. operations, education, enforcement) followed by panel for Q&A and discussion
Submission Details
Please submit your abstract on or before July 24, 2026 to workshop@ciphi.ab.ca. Ensure to include:
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- Presentation format (45 minute presentation OR food safety culture presentation and panel)
- Presentation title
- Brief abstract/summary
- Presenter name(s), affiliation(s), and contact information.
We look forward to receiving your submissions and to a day of learning, collaboration, and professional growth with colleagues from across Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Please note daily conference fee for October 22, 2026 will be covered for accepted presenters; however, travel expenses will not be provided.
CIPHI AB/NT/NU Branch members gathered in March 2026 for an engaging in‑person education workshop. Sessions showcased the breadth of our profession, highlighting the everyday work of our members, including outbreak investigations, tobacco smoking and vaping enforcement, and water reuse. Participants also explored soft-skill development in resilience and rebuilding relationships with the public, as well as emerging issues such as returning home after wildland–urban fires and the remote sensing of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms.
The workshop was a reflection of the diverse and evolving nature of our field, and the opportunity to reconnect face‑to‑face was just as valuable as the learning itself. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to a successful and inspiring event!
CIPHI AB/NT/NU Executive
Karah Harvey
President
president@ciphi.ab.caKarah Harvey is a certified public health inspector with over a decade of experience in the field. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology from Lakehead University and an after-degree in Environmental Health from Concordia University of Edmonton.
Throughout her career Karah has been actively involved with CIPHI. She served as Secretary for the Alberta Branch from 2015 to 2017 and as a member of the planning committee for the 2016 National Education Conference. In addition, she coached the CIPHI Alberta Gladi8aors team in the Row for Kids corporate challenge for three seasons. Most recently, Karah held the position of Chair of the Membership Committee for two years before taking on the role of President Elect.
Manny Ahmad
Past President
past.president@ciphi.ab.caManny completed his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta in 2005 followed by specialized training in Medical Laboratory Sciences until 2007. He also holds a Bachelor of Environmental Health from Concordia University of Edmonton and a Master of Public Health from the University of Waterloo.
He has been working in healthcare since 2007 and specifically in the field of Public Health since 2009. Throughout his career, he has held specialized roles in CDC, outbreak management, community-based health care investigations and municipal affairs. He is currently a Manager in Environmental Public Health at Alberta Health Services – Central Zone.
Meaghen Allen
Secretary
branch@ciphi.ab.caMeaghen Allen is a seasoned public health inspector with over 20 years of experience
in environmental health and health policy. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Alberta, an After-Degree in Environmental Public Health from Concordia University of Edmonton, and a Master’s in health policy and management
from the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health.
As Director of Environmental Public Health for Alberta Health Services’ South Zone,
Meaghen leads a dedicated team of Public Health Inspectors serving communities across southern Alberta. Her provincial portfolio includes oversight of non-municipal drinking water systems, recreational water safety, and emergency preparedness. In 2025, Meaghen expanded her leadership role by taking on a co-director role with the Provincial Environmental Acquired Disease Control Team.
Meaghen is also a committed advocate for the profession. She served as the National Director of Advocacy for the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI), where she championed the work of PHIs in protecting the public health. She is the currently the AB Branch Secretary.
Her work reflects a deep commitment to protecting public health through evidence-based policy, cross-sector collaboration, and frontline leadership.
Leah Tomasevic
Treasurer
treasurer@ciphi.ab.caLeah graduated from the University of Alberta with a BSc in Biological Sciences in 2013. During her final year of her undergraduate studies, she was introduced to the field of Public Health which led her to pursue a degree in Environmental Health at Concordia University of Edmonton. Leah completed the program and was certified as a Public Health Inspector in 2015. Since 2015, Leah has worked in the Edmonton Zone in various program areas. Currently, she is a member of the Safe Built Environment team in Urban Edmonton where she enjoys the fast pace and “never a dull moment” work environment.
Leah has volunteered with CIPHI on workshop planning committees and helped complete Financial Audits for the Alberta Branch from 2017-2021. Leah was excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Executive Committee so she could give back to her profession through her work as the Alberta Branch Treasurer. She has also volunteered in the community as a Wish Grantor with the Make-a-Wish Foundation Northern Alberta Chapter since 2012 and has been involved in over 25 Wishes to date.
In her free time, Leah enjoys travelling and being outdoors. Her favorite activities include mountain biking, hiking and dragon boating in the summer, and skiing and snowboarding in the winter. She also enjoys escaping with a good book!
Ashley Yu
Northern Zone Councilor
northern.zone@ciphi.ab.caHeya! I have been working in the north zone since my practicum and have loads of interesting experiences. I have been hauled off by a mall cop, locked in a walk-in freezer and of course yelled at numerous times. It has also been enjoyable to watch a business start from the ground up and flourish.
I took over the North Zone Councillor around 2021 and have helped with the Branch Awards. I have also assisted in various other committees for the branch on and off through the years. I have also been an BOC examiner for the last 5 years and have also helped with PDH audits. If you see me at an event, come say hello.
Also if you ever have a good ice cream spot to try, let me know.
See you around!
Katelyn Andrews
Edmonton Zone Councilor
edmonton.zone@ciphi.ab.caKatelyn graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Environmental Health (AD) from Concordia University of Edmonton. In between degrees she worked in research for the Department of Bioinformatics (Dalhousie); developing software for assessment and treatment of Chron’s and Colitis patients, and at the School of Public Health (University of Alberta); studying Campylobacter species in chicken. This work led her to discover the BEH program at Concordia, and ultimately set her on her path to becoming a certified Public Health Inspector. Marrying her love of Biology and her 16 years of restaurant industry experience, the career was a natural fit.
In her time with AHS, Katelyn has worked both in the Safe Food Department and the Rural Department, where she now holds a permanent position. During Covid-19, Katelyn was a part of several strike teams, including as Assistant lead for the School Team and a member of the Public Safety Compliance Team.
Katelyn brings past volunteer experience with Boyle Street Community Services and Habitat for Humanity, and currently assists with fundraising for Wounded Warriors Canada. She held the VP of Communications position with Concordia University of Edmonton and currently holds a Global Ambassador position with Dalhousie University and a Local Unit Executive position with Health Sciences Association of Alberta.
Andrew Kong
Central Zone Councilor
central.zone@ciphi.ab.caAndrew graduated from the University of Alberta and Concordia University of Edmonton with a BSc in Chemistry and a BEH(AD), respectively. He currently works as a Public Health Inspector at Alberta Health Services in Red Deer. During his leisure time, Andrew enjoys travelling and listening to music.
Rachel Burak
Calgary Zone Councilor
calgary.zone@ciphi.ab.caRachel completed a Bachelor of Technology from the BC Institute of Technology in 2018. Since then, she has worked as a Public Health Inspector throughout the province of Alberta.
Having been back in Calgary since 2021, Rachel is currently the Membership Committee Chair, enjoys special events, and being involved with student mentorship.
Chantal McBride
South Zone Councilor
southern.zone@ciphi.ab.caChantal obtained her Bachelor of Health Science degree with a major in Public Health from the University of Lethbridge in 2014. Upon completion of her practicum, she became interested in becoming a Public Health Inspector. She graduated from Concordia University of Edmonton in 2015 with a Bachelor of Environmental Health after degree. She worked with Alberta Health Services from 2017 to 2019 before returning to Saskatchewan to continue her career as a certified Public Health Inspector. She began working again with Alberta Health Services in 2023 as a rural generalist Public Health Inspector. She is a part of the South Zone disease control team and has a passion for completing disease investigations and outbreak management. She supports her profession by being a BOC examiner and holding a Local Unit Executive position with the Health Sciences Association of Alberta. In her spare time Chantal loves spending time with her family, hiking Waterton trails, traveling, reading, exercising, watching movies and trying new activities.
Wojciech Drobina
Federal Zone Councilor
federal.zone@ciphi.ab.caWojciech earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Environmental Health from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
He achieved his CPHI(C) designation in 2002 and has since built a diverse career across several health authorities in both the Lower Mainland and Interior of British Columbia.
After relocating to Alberta, he joined the Capital Health Authority’s Built Environment Division, where he spent four years specializing in inner-city housing. This experience deepened his technical expertise and inspired him to pursue a Master’s degree in Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Alberta.
In 2008, Wojciech joined the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Indigenous Services Canada, where he continues to serve with dedication. His passion for lifelong learning led him to develop a specialty in emergency management, earning his Emergency Management certification from the Justice Institute of British Columbia in 2014. He then, worked exclusively in this field, including with the Canadian Energy Regulator and as Manager of the Emergency Management Program at the Public Health Agency of Canada for three years.
While his passion for learning remains strong, Wojciech now enjoys raising his family of four with his wife, tinkering on their house and cabin, and spending his free time competing in the sport of sailing—despite living in the landlocked province of Alberta.
As a new member of the Alberta Branch CIPHI Board, Wojciech looks forward to giving back to the profession that has shaped his adult life and provided him with many rewarding experiences, valuable opportunities, and lifelong camaraderie.
Chirag Rohit
Arctic Councilor
arctic.zone@ciphi.ab.caChirag became a Certified Public Health Inspection in 2018 with Peel Public Health in Ontario. He joined the Government of Northwest Territories in 2019 as regional Environmental Health Officer in Hay River. He has been the Chief Environmental Health Officer since April 2022. Chirag is managing the Environmental Public Health program.
Born in India, Chirag is an international medical graduate who immigrated to Canada in 2013. Chirag attended Toronto Metropolitan University in 2016 and is currently getting his Masters in Public Health from the University of Victoria.
Chirag wants to bring the unique northern perspective to the broader CIPHI organization and wants to give back to the organization. Chirag has touched the Arctic Ocean and owes all his adventures to CIPHI. He is always happy to talk about life in territories and bust some myths.
Find branch-specific documents and resources:
Get in Touch
Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut
CIPHI ALBERTA
General Inquiries: branch@ciphi.ab.ca
President: president@ciphi.ab.ca