Chanda MacDonald, RN, BScN, M.AdEd, CVAA(c), CCNP
President
Chanda MacDonald, a BScN graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, has been a registered nurse for 24 years with a successful background in critical care where she acknowledged the importance of Vascular Care & Maintenance were significant to the patient’s plan of care. Currently a Clinical Educator with Nova Scotia Health, Chanda demonstrates the values of integrity, compassion, and commitment to ensure best practice guidelines are promoted and implemented when delivering education. She has dedicated much of her career to supporting new nurse graduates as they enter the nursing profession. Chanda has been involved with the Nova Scotia CVAA chapter for nine years, and currently serves as Vice-President of the Nova Scotia CVAA chapter. She has presented at Global Vascular summit, and previous national CVAA conferences.
Disclosures:
Any affiliation with industry or paying organization: In 2022, Chanda was a sponsored speaker for 3M (now Solventum)
Any conflicts of interest that could affect your Board role: No
Are there other relationships or activities that could influence or give the appearance of potentially influencing your role on the Board? No
Do you have any patents, whether planned, pending or issued, broadly relevant to the work done by CVAA or your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Dr. Janny Proba, BScN, MEd, EdD, CON(C), CHPCN(C), CVAA(c)
Past President
Janny Proba is the Chief Nursing Officer at Hamilton Health Sciences with professional practice oversight to over 5,000 nurses and over 150 advanced practice nurses. Her role ensures nursing practice is aligned to strategic priorities while examining nurse-sensitive indicators that impact clinical outcomes and patient safety. Her role also has operational oversight to vascular access teams across the organization. Janny graduated with a BScN from McMaster University and completed a Masters in Education through Brock University. She attained her Doctorate in Educational Leadership, focused on the impact of lateral aggression on psychological safety in the nursing profession. She has been involved in corporate improvements for the standardization and implementation of best practices, resource development, and education for a large healthcare organization for 20 years. Her passion for vascular access arises from professional interests for quality improvement, education, professional practices, and oncology nursing. Janny is keen to advocate for the scholarship and advancement of clinical practices within this exciting specialty.
Disclosures:
Any affiliation with industry or paying organization: Astra Zeneca (sponsored speaker)
Any conflicts of interest that could affect your Board role: No
Are there other relationships or activities that could influence or give the appearance of potentially influencing your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Do you have any patents, whether planned, pending or issued, broadly relevant to the work done by CVAA or your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Christina Belza, PhD, MN, ACNP, BScN, CVAA(c)
Treasurer
Christina Belza received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from McMaster University before working in a variety of areas including Blood and Marrow Transplant, Clinical Response Nurse and the Emergency Department before pursing her Masters. She has been a nurse practitioner for the past 15 years in the pediatric intestinal failure program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. In her work capacity she manages inpatient and outpatients on long-term parenteral nutrition and intestinal failure. Academically, she completed her PhD in clinical epidemiology with a focus on evaluating burden of care for caregivers of children with intestinal failure. Her research interests also focus on evaluating long-term outcomes for children with intestinal failure and implementation of novel therapies to improve long-term morbidity and mortality.
Disclosures:
Any affiliation with industry or paying organization: No
Any conflicts of interest that could affect your Board role: No
Are there other relationships or activities that could influence or give the appearance of potentially influencing your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Do you have any patents, whether planned, pending or issued, broadly relevant to the work done by CVAA or your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Alana Aquino, BScN, MN, RN, CVAA(c)
Director
Alana Aquino is a Registered Nurse with a BScN from McMaster University and a Master of Nursing with a focus in Education from Athabasca University. She is currently the Education and Development Clinician of the Diagnostic Imaging and Medical Diagnostic Units at Hamilton Health Sciences. Prior to her role as an Educator, she was a member of the Vascular Access Team at Hamilton Health Sciences where she was involved in day to day patient care including vascular access assessment, insertions and collaboration. Alana also worked on curriculum/policy development, and the creation of a Centre of Excellence at Hamilton Health Sciences which provides education and support to other centres for PICC insertions and vascular access problem solving. This is Alana’s second year on the CVAA Board of Directors and she is excited to continue to advocate for excellence in vascular access and utilizing the right device, for the right patient at the right time.
Disclosures:
Any affiliation with industry or paying organization: No
Any conflicts of interest that could affect your Board role: No
Are there other relationships or activities that could influence or give the appearance of potentially influencing your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Do you have any patents, whether planned, pending or issued, broadly relevant to the work done by CVAA or your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Emily Higgins, BScN, RN, MMI, CVAA(c)
Treasurer-Elect
Emily Higgins is a registered nurse and Clinical Sales Specialist. She gained clinical experience in critical care and vascular access at Mount Sinai and Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, notably in the Emergency Department, PACU, and Acute Oncology. Emily is committed to improving patient outcomes through interdisciplinary collaboration and best practice. She is currently working on the CVAA 2024 Guideline Revision. She holds a Bachelors of Science from the University of Guelph and completed her nursing degree and a Master of Management of Innovation at the University of Toronto. In her free time she enjoys yoga, skiing, and biking.
Disclosures:
Any affiliation with industry or paying organization: Employee at Edwards Life Sciences
Any conflicts of interest that could affect your Board role: No
Are there other relationships or activities that could influence or give the appearance of potentially influencing your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No Do you have any patents, whether planned, pending or issued, broadly relevant to the work done by CVAA or your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Elizabeth Martin, RN, BScN, VA-BCTM, CVAA(c)
Director
Beth is an Infection Control Practitioner from IPAC team at Providence Health Care (PHC) in Vancouver, BC. Her role (along w/ team) encompasses supporting all 17 PHC sites, works collaboratively with other healthcare teams in developing and implementing strategies to reduce healthcare associated infections affecting patients, residents, visitors, and staff. When able, works as RN at the Medical Short Stay Unit/ Outpatient Antibiotic Treatment at St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH). She is CVAA certified, Vascular Access Board Certified, and completed IPAC Professional Development Course from Queen’s University. In addition to her clinical roles, Beth is currently serving as one of the CVAA Directors, an active reviewer for the Safety Learning System (SLS) - PHC Chart Club. Beth is passionate on both infection prevention and vascular access, with a strong commitment to continuous professional development. Outside of work, she values quality time spent with her family and enjoys the outdoors.
Disclosures:
Any affiliation with industry or paying organization: No
Any conflicts of interest that could affect your Board role: No
Are there other relationships or activities that could influence or give the appearance of potentially influencing your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Do you have any patents, whether planned, pending or issued, broadly relevant to the work done by CVAA or your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Catherine Hunt, RN, CVAA(c)
Director
Catherine developed her advanced vascular access skills working in the NICU placing PIVCs and PICCs during stabilization at high risk deliveries and bedside care. Her prior nursing background was in hemodialysis, ER, and ICU. Catherine has worked for Hamilton Health Sciences for 24 years and joined the Vascular Access team in 2018 and now advocates for device selection and best practices in insertion, care, and maintenance. Catherine facilitates hands-on training and staff development at the Centre of Excellence for adult PICC insertions. She collaborates with colleagues and the multidisciplinary team to update vascular access policies in accordance with changes in best practices. Catherine had the honour of working on the 2024 National CVAA Guidelines Development Group to promote best practices in vascular access and infusion therapy. Catherine loves kayaking, fishing, and spending time with her family.
Disclosures:
Any affiliation with industry or paying organization: No
Any conflicts of interest that could affect your Board role: No
Are there other relationships or activities that could influence or give the appearance of potentially influencing your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Do you have any patents, whether planned, pending or issued, broadly relevant to the work done by CVAA or your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Nadine Smith, NP, CVAA(c)
Director
Nadine graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Dalhousie University in 2004 and started her career on the Medical, Surgical, Neurosciences Unit at the IWK Health Centre. She accepted a position as central venous access nurse and PICC Inserter in 2012 and graduated with a Master of Nursing from Dalhousie in 2015. Nadine continued to further her education and graduated from University of Toronto in 2017 with a post-masters certificate as a pediatric nurse practitioner. She currently works as nurse practitioner with the general surgery service at the IWK and continues her work as a PICC inserter and improving venous access for patients. Nadine has been a member of the NS CVAA chapter since 2012 and is the current chapter president.
Disclosures:
Any affiliation with industry or paying organization: No
Any conflicts of interest that could affect your Board role: No
Are there other relationships or activities that could influence or give the appearance of potentially influencing your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Do you have any patents, whether planned, pending or issued, broadly relevant to the work done by CVAA or your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Gillian Weppler, RN, CVAA(c), VA-BCTM
Director
Gillian holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies and Gerontology from McMaster University. She is CVAA Certified and Vascular Access Board Certified, with a true passion for vascular access and infusion therapy. Currently, she works on the Vascular Access Team at St. Mary’s General Hospital and serves as an educator in infusion nursing practices at Conestoga College. Gillian has a diverse background in community care, acute care, and endoscopy brining a wealth of experience to her role as a director. She is particularly excited about the launch of the new Best Practice Guidelines and is committed to advancing patient care through evidence-based practices. In her spare time, Gillian enjoys traveling, skiing, playing board/card games, and spending quality time with her husband, daughter, and friends.
Disclosures:
Any affiliation with industry or paying organization: No
Any conflicts of interest that could affect your Board role: No
Are there other relationships or activities that could influence or give the appearance of potentially influencing your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Do you have any patents, whether planned, pending or issued, broadly relevant to the work done by CVAA or your role on the Board? If so, please disclose. No
Juan Jose Avila Amariles
Student Ambassador (non-voting)
Juan Jose Avila is currently a first-year nursing student at McGill University and the future President of VASC, the CVAA student chapter at McGill. Through his clinical rotations, he is gaining hands-on experience while also encouraging fellow students to develop a deeper awareness of vascular access. He fosters curiosity by rekindling the same sense of intrigue we all had when first learning about vascular access and its critical role in patient care. By advocating for additional education through workshops and hands-on lab activities, Juan aims to equip students with the knowledge and confidence needed to handle real patient scenarios effectively. As this marks his first involvement with the CVAA Board of Directors, he is eager to learn and, in turn, raise awareness among other educational institutions about the importance of providing more resources on vascular access. And what better way to do so than by establishing and leading a CVAA chapter? Beyond contributing the student perspective to the Board of Directors, Juan also brings a cultural touch—perhaps even a few salsa moves to share along the way!
Gerry Kimmel
Patient Liaison (non-voting)
Gerry Kimmel is a retired Airline employee and lives an active lifestyle enjoying walking, skating and cycling. He has been on Home Parenteral Nutrition for over thirty years and has had twelve CVCs. He has been a long-time Patient Advisor for the BC Home Nutrient Program and an Advisory and Resource Committee member for the Canadian Patient Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Alliance (CPPENA). He looks forward to expanding his knowledge and sharing his experience and perspective with CVAA!
He is happy to answer your questions from a patient perspective! We will be compiling the questions submitted by August 31 and creating a webinar or other session this fall.
Ask Gerry!
You can post your question in Sosido or anonymously here.