Chris Mackey – Director of Facility Management, Providence Care
Chris has been an active member of the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society for 19 years and has been serving as the Ontario Chapter Secretary since 2022. He is is graduate of Queen’s University Civil Engineering, is a licensed professional engineer through Professional Engineers Ontario, and holds a Facility Management Administrator designation through BOMI Canada. Chris has worked in various healthcare facility roles since starting in healthcare in 2003, and is currently the Director of Facilities Management at Providence Care in Kingston, ON. Chris looks forward to the opportunity to continue serving CHES as the Vice-Chair of the Ontario Chapter. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with family, being active, and volunteering in the community.
Haj Risebrough – Director, Facilities Management and Redevelopment
Hajnalka Risebrough leads the redevelopment, facilities management and biomedical engineering operations for Brightshores Health System 7 hospital sites, with responsibilities for master planning, capital renewal and construction renovation projects. She is also accountable for the organization’s sustainability, conservation & demand management plan.
Before joining Brightshores in May 2021, Risebrough served as Facilities Planning and Redevelopment Manager for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH),Toronto, where she made a significant impact to the Facilities Capital Planning Portfolio. She has developed a high performing team, who delivers a growing number of projects annually; from small projects to large, complex multi-phased projects.
Through Risebrough’ s leadership, CAMH achieved record ministry funding for the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund projects, revitalizing the aging infrastructure. Risebrough was instrumental in the implementation of the Central Room Booking project, and improved access to meeting spaces for CAMH people. She oversaw the development of a space utilization methodology, allowing CAMH to use data to inform decisions related to space. She has brought stability to CAMH’s external lease portfolio, proactively negotiating lease terms and developing a strategy for lease repatriation. Risebrough has worked with a number of stakeholders on all manner of project requests, and has maintained a pleasant demeanor and positive attitude throughout, despite a myriad of challenges.
Risebrough holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Polytechnic of Timisoara/Romania and project management certificate from McMaster University of Hamilton, Ontario.
Ken Paradise
CHES member for 28 years.
CHES, Ontario Chapter Executive member since 2015.
Operating Engineer 2nd class.
Facility/Project Mgr with over 40 years experience gained primarily in the Healthcare sector.
Most recent experience, served as Ops Mgr. with Nasittuq, (civilian contractor) to CFS Alert, (North Pole).
Current CHES Ontario Chapter Treasurer and have served the membership since 2015.
Rudy Dahdal – Vice President of Planning, Redevelopment & Clinical Support, North York General Hospital
Rudy Dahdal is the Vice President of Planning, Redevelopment & Clinical Support at North York General Hospital. Prior to this, Rudy spent over two decades at the University Health Network in progressive leadership roles, most recently as Senior Director, Planning, Redevelopment & Support Services, where he developed extensive experience in capital planning and operations, strategic and space planning, project delivery, facilities and support services delivery, sustainability as well as procurement and contract negotiations.
Rudy has a strong interest in creating systems and cultures of safety and high reliability to proactively anticipate failures and help reduce preventable harm. Additionally, Rudy’s work has focused on creating healing environments for patients, and how the provision of exemplary support services can result in improved health outcomes and enhanced patient experience.
Rudy holds a Master of Health Science degree in Health Policy, Management and Evaluation and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, a Certificate in Construction Law from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University and is a Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
Rudy Dahdal – Vice President of Planning, Redevelopment & Clinical Support, North York General Hospital
Rudy Dahdal is the Vice President of Planning, Redevelopment & Clinical Support at North York General Hospital. Prior to this, Rudy spent over two decades at the University Health Network in progressive leadership roles, most recently as Senior Director, Planning, Redevelopment & Support Services, where he developed extensive experience in capital planning and operations, strategic and space planning, project delivery, facilities and support services delivery, sustainability as well as procurement and contract negotiations.
Rudy has a strong interest in creating systems and cultures of safety and high reliability to proactively anticipate failures and help reduce preventable harm. Additionally, Rudy’s work has focused on creating healing environments for patients, and how the provision of exemplary support services can result in improved health outcomes and enhanced patient experience.
Rudy holds a Master of Health Science degree in Health Policy, Management and Evaluation and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, a Certificate in Construction Law from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University and is a Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
Matthew Cannon – Senior Director, Infrastructure and Capital Development, Lakeridge Health
Currently serving as Senior Director, Infrastructure and Capital Development at Lakeridge Health in the Durham Region, where I have worked for over 6 years. Since 2018 I have held various roles at Lakeridge Health including, Manager of Facilities, and Director of Facilities Operations and Business Development.
Holding a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Certified Energy Manager (CEM) designation, I honed my skills in energy management by supporting hospitals pursue energy incentives while working at Enbridge Gas Distribution as an Energy Solutions Consultant serving the Healthcare sector across Ontario. It was during this time I forged relationships in the healthcare community and gained an interest in working in the sector.
Attending CHES Ontario Conferences since 2016, I have moderated panel discussions on energy savings related to OR HVAC Setbacks (2017 and 2018) and presented a Federally Funded Low Carbon Economy Fund Project to a room full of peers and industry representatives (2024). In addition to speaking at various CHES Conferences, I have participated in numerous healthcare specific panel discussions and presented at various public sector and energy related forums over the years.
CHES is an incredible organization that facilitates growth and development, and fosters a an environment promoting networking opportunities within the healthcare community. It would be an honor to participate in the Ontario Chapter Committee as Secretary.
George Pankiw – Director Capital Development, Hamilton Health Sciences
George graduated from Royal Military College of Canada. He spent twenty years in the Canadian Forces as a Military Engineer in various roles. George then began working in healthcare and has worked in several hospitals in Ontario.
He is registered Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario, and holds both the Canadian Certified Healthcare Facility Manager from CHES and the Certified Healthcare Facility Manager and Certified Healthcare Constructor Designation from the American Hospital Association.
He has been actively involved in both Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES) and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) for the past 20 years He is a Chair of the Canadian Certified Healthcare Facility Manager Certification Advisory Panel and a member of the Canadian Healthcare Construction Course Sub Committee.
He is Vice Chair of the Technical Sub Committee for CSA Z8002 Operation & Maintenance of Healthcare Facilities and a member of the Technical Sub Committee for CSA Z317.13 Infection Control in construction, renovation and maintenance. George is an instructor for the CSA Z317.13 standard on Infection Control in construction, renovation and maintenance and the CHES Canadian Healthcare Construction Course.
Daniel Neaves – Director of Facilities Management, St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital
As Director of Facilities Management at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH), I lead the strategic and operational management of the hospital’s infrastructure, ensuring a safe, sustainable, and efficient environment for delivering exceptional healthcare. Since November 2021, I have focused on enhancing facility performance through innovation, regulatory compliance, and collaborative leadership. My career in construction and healthcare facilities management spans over two decades, starting in 2002 as an Electrical Apprentice. I joined London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) in 2012, advancing through roles such as Maintenance Coordinator, Project Consultant, Coordinator of Facilities Management Planning, and Manager of Facilities Management where I had the privilege of working with Derek Lall. This progression has equipped me with expertise in infrastructure planning, project management, and operational leadership within complex healthcare environments. I hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Athabasca University (2021) and the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation from the Canadian College of Health Leaders (2023). My professional credentials also include the Facilities Management Administrator (FMA) designation from BOMI Canada (2014), a 309A Construction and Maintenance Electrician certification (2008), and a Computer Systems Technician Diploma from Fanshawe College (2003). CHES has become a significant part of my professional development where I have met many committed individuals who are committed to a sustainable future for our healthcare infrastructure. I would be honored to serve in the position of Chapter Secretary. With a strong foundation in technical expertise, leadership, and strategic planning, I am committed to supporting CHES’s mission of helping members to better manage the healing environment which is imperative for efficient and effective healthcare delivery.