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Panel Member Biographies

Newfoundland and Labrador

Dorothy Andrews was appointed on July 30, 2008. She is a member of the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador and qualified to practise nursing in that province . Prior to her retirement, she was a staff nurse, public health nurse and nursing instructor in a variety of health care settings for over 25 years. She was also assistant director and associate director of the Western Regional School of Nursing, where she served on the Undergraduate Studies Committee and Ethics Committee. She continues to work as a clinical instructor on a part-time basis. She was actively involved with the Victorian Order of Nurses and the Corner Brook Status of Women Committee, providing funding and housing for women in need of assistance. Mrs. Andrews holds a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Nursing from Memorial University .

Aidan Beresford was appointed on September 15, 2006. He is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. Prior to his retirement, he had a private legal practice in Gander. He currently serves as commissioner of Town Plan Amendments for the Town of Gander. He has been actively involved in a number of professional and community organizations, including the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Newfoundland and Labrador Legal Aid Commission, the Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce and the School Council of Eastport, among others. Mr. Beresford holds a Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University and Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University. He also studied philosophy and theology at All Hallows College in Dublin, Ireland, received a diploma in social communications from St. Paul ’s University and a certificate in mediation from the University of Windsor.

Ernest Boone was appointed on November 1, 2007. A member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Law Society of Upper Canada and Queen’s Counsel, he practises law in St. John’s. He is chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Mineral Rights Adjudication Board as well as legal counsel for the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Relations Board and the Discipline Board of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers. Mr. Boone also served in the Canadian Forces for 27 years. He has been active in a number of organizations, including the Royal Canadian Legion (Mount Pearl Branch), the Army Cadet League of Newfoundland and Labrador and The Hub, a non-profit organization for persons with physical impairments. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University, a Bachelor of Education from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor.

Jeannette Christopher served initially from 1992 to 1997 and was re-appointed on March 5, 2007. She is a member of the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador and qualified to practise nursing in that province. She has worked as a staff nurse, head nurse and education coordinator at the Western Regional Health Authority in Corner Brook, and currently serves as Regional Director, Organizational Development. She also owns and operates a communication and planning business. She is a former councillor with the City of Corner Brook and has been actively involved in a number of organizations, including the Corner Brook Economic Development Corporation, the Canada Winter Games and the Bay of Islands Civic Centre Association. Mrs. Christopher holds a registered nursing diploma from the Grace General Hospital, a Bachelor of Vocation Education from Memorial University and is pursuing a master’s degree in education.

Vera Curtis was appointed on June 18, 2008. She is a member of the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador and qualified to practice nursing in that province. She is an administrative co-ordinator with the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre and has worked in a variety of senior positions in community health care and hospital settings for more than 35 years. She has volunteered with a number of community organizations, including the local Emergency Response Team. Ms. Curtis holds a nursing diploma from Western Memorial Hospital .

Eileen Evans was appointed on August 1, 2007. She is a member of the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador and qualified to practise nursing in that province. Prior to her retirement, she was a community health care and home care nurse as well as primary care nurse in hospital and clinic settings. She has been actively involved in a number of community organizations, including the Canadian Red Cross, the Grand Bank Memorial Library and the Parent-Teacher Association, among others. Mrs. Evans holds a nursing diploma from the Salvation Army Grace Hospital School of Nursing in St. John’s.

Andrew Fitzgerald was appointed on September 4, 2008 . He is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and practises law in St. John’s . He is a member of the Board of Directors of St. Patrick’s Mercy Home, a long-term care facility as well as Rowing Newfoundland. Mr. Fitzgerald holds a Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University and a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University .

Bernard Fitzpatrick was appointed on April 11, 2008. He has been involved in the insurance industry for over 35 years, currently working as an insurance consultant. He has been active in numerous organizations, including the Special Commission on Youth and Recreation, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Provincial Committee, the Bell Island Economic Commission as well as the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Mr. Fitzpatrick studied business management at LaSalle Extension University and is a graduate of the Life Underwriters Association of Canada.

Dean Halleran was appointed on April 30, 2007. He is licensed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Optometric Board. He has been in a partnership practice since 1979. He has also served as registrar of the Newfoundland and Labrador Optometric Board and was a consultant with Blue Cross of Atlantic Canada. He has been actively involved in a number of professional and community organizations, including the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Optometrists, the Rotary Club of Clarenville and the Clarenville Public Library Board, among others. Dr. Halleran holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Wales and a Doctor of Optometry from the University of Houston as well as an ocular therapeutic certificate from Northeastern State University.

Catherine Hodder was appointed on April 14, 2008. Prior to her retirement, she served as a member of the National Parole Board and worked in a real estate office for many years. She is actively involved in fundraising activities for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Mrs. Hodder received her education in St. John’s.

Jeffrey Keefe was appointed on September 9, 2009 . He is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and practises as a mediator in Gander . He is actively involved in a number of community organizations, including the V.O.N. Broadening Horizons for Adults with Developmental Disabilities, past president of the Rotary Club of Gander and member of a local school council. He is also the former founding member and president of the Children’s Heart Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and member of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador . Mr. Keefe holds a Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick , with additional training in mediation and dispute resolution.

Helen Lawlor was appointed on November 5, 2007. She is a member of the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador and qualified to practice nursing in that province. Prior to her retirement, she had an extensive career in the delivery of health care services in acute, long-term care as well as in community sectors. Her long time employment with the Department of Health and Community Services spanned both community, regional and provincial health care practice environments as well as positions and levels of authority. Her most recent part-time public health nursing work has been with native populations in Newfoundland and Labrador. She has been actively involved in a large number of health care-related committees, support and working groups. She is the current chair of the Cervical Cancer Screening Initiatives Advisory Committee and the Nurses’ Education Leave Fund, a member of St. Clare’s Mercy Advisory Council and the Health Archive and Museum Board, among others. Ms. Lawlor is a graduate from St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, she holds a diploma in public health nursing for Dalhousie University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mount St. Vincent University and a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Toronto.

Diane Lomond was appointed on September 15, 2006. Prior to her retirement, she was an elementary school teacher for over 30 years. She has been actively involved in a number of community organizations, including the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, and the Gander Public Library Board as well as fundraising activities for the Canadian Red Cross, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the Kiwanis Music Festival, among others. Mrs. Lomond holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Memorial University.

Dominic Lundrigan was appointed on May 11, 2007. He has had a long career as facility manager with the Town of Marystown. He has been active in a number of organizations, including the Burin Placentia Alternative Measures Program, the Burin Heritage Tourism Association and the Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games, among others. Mr. Lundrigan studied at Memorial University, Burin District Vocational School and St. Mary’s University.

Donald MacBeath was appointed on September 4, 2008. A member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and Queen’s Counsel, he conducts a general practice of law in Marystown. He has also served as Commissioner of the Court of Revision and Master and Taxing Officer of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador . He is an active board member of the Marystown-Burin Area Chamber of Commerce and was chair of the local hospital board. Mr. MacBeath holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick.

James Merrigan was appointed on June 18, 2008. He is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and practises law in Corner Brook. He also serves as chief adjudicator on a panel of adjudicators for the Human Rights Commission of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. He has been actively involved with the Canadian Bar Association, serving on several branches and committees. Mr. Merrigan holds a Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Victoria.

Shirley Nolan was appointed on October 7, 2009 . She is a member of the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador and qualified to practise nursing in that province . Prior to her retirement, she worked in a variety of senior positions for more than 30 years, including nursing supervisor, education services coordinator, registered nurse and instructor. She continues to work on a casual basis as a continuing care nurse coordinator. She has been involved in a number of community initiatives. Mrs. Nolan holds a diploma in nursing from the St. Clare’s School of Nursing .

Albert O’Rielly was appointed on February 18, 2008. Prior to his retirement, he was a secondary school teacher of 30 years. He also served as special assistant to a member of Parliament. He has been actively involved with the Knights of Columbus for many years. Mr. O’Rielly holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from Memorial University.

Lisa Rowe was appointed on April 30, 2007. She is a member of the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador and qualified to practise nursing in that province. She is an experienced registered nurse on a general/vascular surgery unit with the Eastern Health Corporation. She is an active volunteer and is involved with the School Lunch Association, St. John’s Seastars Synchronized Swim Club as well as two local schools. Mrs. Rowe holds a registered nursing diploma from the Grace General Hospital School of Nursing and is presently enrolled in the Post RN Program at Memorial University.

Wilson Wiseman was appointed on July 30, 2008 . He is the business manager of a rental property company. He is a former councillor for the Town of Shoal Harbour, where he served on several committees. He has been actively involved in community organizations, including the Shoal Harbour Recreation Committee, the Cross Memorial Hospital board and the Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games. Mr. Wiseman studied business and commerce at Prince of Wales College.

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