BoC and EC Members

Gary Tam, CPHI(C)

Chair

Gary is the Senior Environmental Health Officer with Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. He has a humble start in his EHO career by working in a small town in Alberta to experience all aspects of public health after he graduated from BCIT in 2004. He moved back to the West Coast two years later and worked as a generalist EHO in the Richmond/Vancouver region. He is always passionate about improving the training experience for practicum students by being actively involved in developing a robust training program. He works tirelessly with the students to help them build competencies as entry-level EHOs.

Gary has been a strong supporter of CIPHI at both provincial and national levels. He is always a keen volunteer who is willing to pick up any tasks, big or small, such as being a photographer in an education conference, leading various planning committees, and managing projects in BC Branch, NEC, or BOC. He was awarded the President Award in 2016 for his outstanding service as a Branch President and National Treasurer from 2011-2013. He was also recently recognized as the Member of the Year 2021 in the CIPHI BC Branch for his numerous contributions to the Institute.

In his spare time, he loves weight training at the gym, taking scenic pictures, and spending quality time with his wife and his rescued dog, Riesling.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition & Health (University of British Columbia)

Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health (BCIT)
Master of Business Administration (University of the People)

Keara Shaw, CPHI(C)

Past Chair

Keara Shaw is a provincial manager for the Tobacco, Smoking and Vaping Enforcement program with
Alberta Health Services. Keara holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor
of Environmental Health (after degree) from Concordia University College of Edmonton. She completed her field training in southern rural Alberta and then gained a full time position in Edmonton in 2002 as a public health inspector with the Safe Food team. She later took on a role as a health educator, focusing on teaching food safety, childcare and certified pool operator courses. Keara’s passion for advanced education, professional development and interdisciplinary teams led her to complete a Master of Education in Health Sciences Education in 2014 from the University of Alberta.

Keara has been active with CIPHI throughout her career. She has participated in many branch workshop planning committees; has been an examiner for the Board of Certification; was a western
representative for the National Exam Panel; and, has now been a part of the Board of certification since 2016.

In her free time, Keara enjoys being active and spending time with her family.

A.L. (Gus) Skinner, CPHI(C)

NB Branch

Gus is the New Brunswick Branch – BOC representative and has been on the BOC since 2017. His 2nd term will terminate in
December 2023.
Gus has extensive experience in the field of environmental public health with over 47 years’ service in the Canadian Forces Medical Services – Preventive Medicine, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada combined. He was the Health Canada & Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Lead Manager for the Canadian Cruise Ship – Public Health Inspection Program for 10 years (2009 to 2019). During this period, he was instrumental in the development and direction of the public health inspection program and fostered a positive and collaborative environment between the Canadian Cruise Ship Inspection Program (CSIP), the United States – Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) and the International Cruise Industry.
He has extensive experience in environmental public health on the international stage, for example: he served with North America Treaty Organization (NATO) in Germany [1984-1989] as the Base Preventive Medicine Technician, deployed to the United Nations (UN) in the Golan Height (UNDOF) (Israel / Syria) [1992] and Haiti (UNMIH) [1996] as the UN Forces – Preventive Medicine / Force Hygiene Officer. He is a recipient of the Canadian Forces – Order of Military Merit (Member) for his work in Preventive Medicine and the United Nations; he was invested into the Order by the Governor General of Canada in 1995. The Member of Military Merit recognizes exceptional service or performance of duty.

In 2007, he was awarded the Health Canada – Deputy Minister’s Award of Excellence – for exceptional contribution to the success of the organization. Gus holds a Bachelor Health Science (Public Health) [B.HSc (PH)] from the Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia, Canada.

In 2019, Gus retired after 47 years in the government (military and federal) and created his own environmental public health consulting company, with the focus being the global cruise industry.

Sabina Mian, CPHI(C)

Manitoba Branch

A public health inspector in Winnipeg, Manitoba and CIPHI member since 2008.
Sabina has worked in rural and urban settings and enjoys the challenges that come with both. She loves
to mentor future PHI’s and has been the practicum coordinator for multiple candidates. She enjoys
sharing her knowledge and experiences with whoever is willing to listen, ha ha.
She is looking forward to her new role as BOC representative for the province of Manitoba and is eager to learn from her fellow provincial counterparts.
Sabina is married with three young children and loves cooking, working out and spending time with her
family. She is originally from Ontario and hopes to return and retire there to be close to family.
Education: BSc from the University of Waterloo and BASc from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Tonya Pugh, CPHI(C)

Canadian Armed Forces Representative

Tonya is a Preventive Medicine Technician in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). She has been a CIPHI member since 2014. She joined the BOC because she was excited to assist in advancing and contributing towards the progress of the environmental health profession.

Tonya has deployed with the CAF domestically and internationally where the promotion and education of environmental public health is vital.

In her spare time she enjoys backcountry camping with her family.

Education: Bachelor of Health Sciences (Public Health) Cape Breton University, Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and Certificate in Advanced Safety Management Toronto Metropolitan University

Heidi Darling, CPHI(C)

NS/PEI Branch

Heidi graduated from Cape Breton University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Public Health. She worked in Northern Ontario for a short time until returning to Nova Scotia where she has taken on various public health roles that include field inspection, policy development, implementation and program support for Environmental Health. Heidi has supported CIPHI since 2012 by serving as councillor of the local branch, participating as BoC examiner, and representing the BoC as exam coordinator, until joining as the BoC Representative in 2022.

Daria Romanish, CPHI(C)

Alberta Branch

Daria has been a CIPHI member since 2005 and in that time has volunteered many hours to CIPHI in various capacities. Her roles have included workshop planning/development, BOC examiner, Alberta Branch Zone Councilor, and, currently, Alberta Branch Representative on the Board of Certification.

Since 2006, Daria has been an EHO at Alberta Health Services, Calgary Zone, and has spent the majority of her career in the built environments portfolio, which includes program areas such as rental housing, personal services, recreational water, and social care.

In her spare time, Daria loves travelling and spending time in the beautiful Rocky Mountains on skis, snowshoes, a road bike, or in hiking boots.

Angela Whalen, CPHI(C)

BC Branch

Lal Rishi, CPHI(C)

Ontario Branch

Lal graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University with a BASs in Public Health in 2005. With a student public health experience from Peel Region for the first summer student job, he started his public health career at Niagara Region and called it a home since 2005. He has taken on various public health roles that include field inspection, coordinating pool and food safety programs, implementation and program support for Environmental Health. He has been passionately involved in the mentorship program for PHI students.

Lal has been an active member of CIPHI since 2005 and has supported CIPHI by volunteering on working groups, participating as Board of Certification examiner until joining as the Ontario Branch Representative on the Board of Certification in 2019.

Lal loves traveling and exploring new areas. In his spare time you will find him bicycling embracing beautiful Niagara, golfing, or spending time with family and friends.

George Koutsoulis, CPHI(C)

Saskatchewan Branch

George has been working as a public health inspector since 1996. George is currently the Senior Public Health Inspector for the Region Regina area office of the Saskatchewan Health Authority and oversees the Communicable Disease, Rabies Prevention and Public Water programs. He has been a member of the Board of Certification since 2019.