Our Team

Dr. Jon S. Novick is a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and addiction medicine specialist who runs a private practice in Oakville, Ont. and is the medical director of the OMA Physician Health Program in Toronto. He attended McGill University for medical school followed by residency training in adult psychiatry at Brown University and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and psychoanalytic training with the Toronto Psychoanalytic Institute.

As an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Toronto with a focused interest in medical psychotherapy, he has supervised and mentored many students and residents during the past two decades. He also served as the first career exploration faculty lead and the first director of the Career Advising System with the MD Program at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Novick is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the American Board of Preventive Medicine (Addiction Medicine), and as a medical review officer. He is also a fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

In addition to assisting physicians struggling with mental health and addiction problems, he enjoys helping learners with career development and established physicians find the best work-life balance. Originally from the United States, Dr. Novick now lives in the Greater Toronto Area with his husband and two kids. He is a proud member of the MTV Generation.

Laura Mattila joined the OMA Physician Health Program in 2020. Laura has more than 15 years of experience in health-care leadership including at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto as well as at Sault Area Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Laura has held volunteer executive board of director positions in the non-profit sector in the areas of community health & supportive housing, mental health, and women’s employment. Laura completed her Master of Arts degree from the University of Toronto with a specialization in Sociology of Health & Mental Health and a Master of Business Administration from Carleton University with a specialization in Management & Change.

Jordanna Graves is the director of clinical services at the Ontario Medical Association’s Physician Health Program. She joined the program in 2007 as a clinical coordinator and brings over 25 years of experience in the field of mental health and addictions.

Jordanna’s previous experience includes case management and counseling individuals navigating challenges related to substance use, problem gambling and mental health disorders. She holds a master of social work from the University of Toronto and is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Jordanna is deeply passionate about physician health and wellness. She is dedicated to ensuring physicians have access to compassionate, high-quality support and services that promote their overall well-being and long-term professional sustainability.

Dr. Lisa Lefebvre joined the OMA’s Physician Health Program (PHP) as an associate medical director in September 2014. She is an assistant professor in the department of family and community medicine at the University of Toronto and is cross-appointed in the department of psychiatry. Dr. Lefebvre completed a fellowship in addiction medicine at the University of Toronto in 2006. She became a diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine in 2009 and completed her master of public health degree at the University of Toronto in 2011. In 2016, Dr. Lefebvre became a fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and was granted a Certificate of Added Competence in Addiction Medicine in 2019—the inaugural year for this certification. Dr. Lefebvre is also certified by the Medical Review Officer Certification Council.

Dr. Lefebvre served as program director of the University of Toronto addiction medicine fellowship for seven years. During this time, the program underwent a significant expansion, culminating in its accreditation by the American Board of Addiction Medicine in 2013. Dr. Lefebvre continues to supervise fellowship-level trainees.

Dr. Lefebvre is a past chair of the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine Education Committee and was previously co-chair of the Ontario College of Family Physicians’ Practising Well Program. Dr. Lefebvre served as an OMA council delegate from 2008 to 2014 and as a CMA council delegate from 2011 to 2017. Her clinical interest lies in occupational addiction medicine with a particular focus on safety-sensitive workers as well as in the treatment of opioid use disorder.

Kirat Klair has been with the OMA’s Physician Health Program (PHP) as an operations manager since 2019. Kirat holds a masters of health informatics degree from the University of Toronto.

Prior to working at PHP, Kirat worked in medical case management, clinical research, and has co-published a Canada’s Health Informatics Executive Forum white paper on enterprise innovation with Digital Health Canada.

Kirat manages, executes, and implements technical and operational responsibilities for the PHP case management system in collaboration with OMA technology and multiple external stakeholder groups. As well, Kirat manages and oversees overall program operations and business processes, analytics and reporting, and quality improvement and quality assurance initiatives within the PHP.

Beth Collison, MSW, RSW, is a Clinical Coordinator and the Peer Support Team Lead at the Ontario Medical Association’s Physician Health Program (PHP). Since joining the PHP in 2019 as a Clinical Coordinator, she has supported physician wellness through various programs, including initiatives that strengthen peer support at the PHP and capacity building in other healthcare organizations. 

Beth holds a Master of Social Work from Carleton University, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of British Columbia, and a post-graduate certificate in addiction studies from OISE/University of Toronto. She is trained in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and other therapeutic modalities, and is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Her clinical background includes community-based mental health and substance use treatment, as well as roles in employee assistance and healthcare settings.

Dijana Jovic has been an integral part of the Ontario Medical Association’s (OMA) Physician Health Program (PHP) since October 2018, initially serving as a senior administrator supporting the PHP assessment team. In April 2021, Dijana transitioned to the role of Operations Manager, taking on increased responsibilities.

Dijana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, a Certificate in Business Management from Ryerson University, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI). In her current role, Dijana manages and oversees overall program operations and business processes, including analytics and reporting, as well as quality improvement and quality assurance initiatives within the PHP. She collaborates closely with other departments of the OMA to ensure seamless operations and continuous improvement.

With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, Dijana's previous work includes roles in research and business/project management. Her extensive background and dedication to excellence make her a valuable asset to the PHP and the broader OMA community.

Colleen Good is a registered occupational therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience specializing in mental health and addictions. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from McMaster University and is licensed with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario.

Throughout her career, Colleen has contributed to both hospital and community-based services. Her previous leadership roles include Collaborative Practice Leader at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Toronto (2014) and Discipline Chief of Occupational Therapy at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) from 2008 to 2014. She has also provided direct clinical care and team support through the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Assertive Community Treatment Team, the Mood and Psychosis Early Intervention Program, and CAMH’s Forensic Mental Health Service.

With a passion for continuous learning and reflective practice, Colleen is deeply committed to the creation of equity-centred services. She is known for leading quality improvement initiatives, advancing interprofessional collaboration, and building capacity through education and clinical mentorship.

Eva Ingber has been working in the role of clinical coordinator since June 2015. Eva has a master of social work degree from the University of Toronto, and is a registered social worker. She is also a member of the International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers.

Prior to working at the PHP, she has been working in private practice, and facilitating training on motivational interviewing for health-care professionals. Eva worked for twenty years at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health as an advanced practice clinician, trained staff in concurrent disorders and motivational interviewing. Eva was a manager of the Women’s Addiction Program and a therapist.

Tereena Berry joined the Ontario Medical Association’s (OMA) Physician Health Program as a senior administrative assistant in May 2015. Tereena holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and has a background in financial analysis and reporting, with 10 years of experience at Coca-Cola Bottling Ltd. as a sales analyst. A shift in her career interests, along with experience in various reception and office administration roles, led her towards medical administration and the opportunity to work for the OMA.

In her current role, Tereena supports various members of the clinical team and actively contributes to the program’s special projects. She has been involved in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) working group and has collaborated with the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (see IPAC video). Additionally, Tereena is a member of the OMA’s Black Employee Forum. 

Tania Campbell has been working with the Physician Health Program as a clinical coordinator since 2018. Tania has a master of social work degree from York University, and a bachelor of social work from Ryerson University.

Prior to joining the PHP, Tania worked as a social worker and addiction therapist in an outpatient treatment program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for 12 years. Tania has provided education and training to health-care professionals about mental health and addiction, as well as providing training in cognitive behavioural therapy.

Tania works as a psychotherapist in private practice, providing support to individuals who struggle with mental health and substance use-related issues. Tania is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

Anna Kopowska joined the OMA’s Physician Health Program as a senior administrative assistant in November 2006. Anna provides administrative support to the assessment team and actively contributes to the program’s special projects. She is an active member in education initiatives within the program. Anna is certified in early childhood education, medical office assisting, communications, marketing and advertising. She has held various administrative positions at the PHP, as well as previous positions in administration and sales representative positions for publications of Today’s Parent Magazine at Rogers Media.

Rosa Parsons joined the OMA’s Physician Health Program as a senior administrative assistant in March 2015. Rosa holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Toronto. Rosa provides administrative support to various members of the clinical team while actively contributing to the program’s special projects. Rosa has held several administrative roles, including, the high-tech industry, human resources and health care. Rosa previously worked as an administrative assistant for the client services section of the Toronto Central CCAC. In that capacity, she supported six managers and their teams of front-line staff (in hospitals and community) in all aspects of their administrative needs.

Mary Vidaic joined the OMA’s Physician Health Program as a senior administrative assistant in April 2014. Before joining the PHP, Mary had a long work experience with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board working in number of administrative roles, her latest position was as the executive secretary of the chief operating officer at the WSIB. In her current role, Mary supports various members of the clinical team while actively contributing to the program’s special projects.

Danijela Ninkovic is a Clinical Manager at the Ontario Medical Association’s Physician Health Program (PHP). She joined the program in 2018 as a Clinical Coordinator.

Danijela is an internationally educated registered nurse with 30 years of experience in various clinical settings. With over 15 years dedicated to crisis intervention, her primary focus has been on mental health and addiction.

She holds a Master’s degree in Health Management from McMaster University and has been certified by the Canadian Nurses Association in psychiatric and mental health nursing since 2007.

Danijela has successfully presented her scholarly work at global forums, bridging European and North American practices that influence her approach. She serves on the executive board of directors in the non-profit sector, focusing on national mental health nursing, and volunteers as a clinician at a local health hub supporting the community.

Throughout her career, Danijela has valued the contributions of interdisciplinary teams and is actively involved in several PHP projects aimed at enhancing support for medical learners and physicians across Ontario.

Michael Pett is a clinical social worker with 25 years of clinical experience in adult mental health and addictions. He received his master of social work degree from Carleton University in Ottawa Ontario and is a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Prior to coming to the Physician Health Program, Mike worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health as a front-line clinician and advanced practice clinical leader. He worked in a number of clinical settings including the schizophrenia program, concurrent disorders program, and the forensic mental health program providing direct client care, clinical supervision, clinical consultation and capacity building

In his spare time, Mike enjoys playing, coaching, and watching baseball, basketball and hockey and driving his three sons all over the city to ensure that they get to the field or rink on time.

Wendy Ross joined the OMA’s Physician Health Program in July 2019. Wendy is a registered social worker whose career spans over 40 years. She has held both administrative and clinical positions in health care which has included the management and development of numerous addiction and mental health programs. Additionally, Wendy has chaired multiple committees addressing child abuse, woman abuse, concurrent disorders, diversity, crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment and prevention and program advisory committees including consumer and family participation.

Wendy has provided clinical services to various populations including older adults, individuals, couples, and families in the area of bereavement, couple and family conflict, mental health, and addiction problems, and occupational and/or personal stress. She has additional accreditation in family and elder mediation.

Dr. José Silveira is an adjunct associate professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Toronto and is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in psychiatry. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine and is accredited by the American Society of Addiction Medicine since 2004. Over the past 22 years, Dr. Silveira has worked at the Academic Health Sciences Centers, a community teaching hospital and works extensively with community-based physicians through the Ontario College of Family Physicians and the Center for Effective Practice.

Since 2012, Dr. Silveira has been an addiction psychiatrist with the National Basketball Association/National Basketball Players Association Player Assistance/Anti-Drug Program Clinicians Network. His leadership experience spans 20 years and includes departmental chief, medical director, chair of the Medical Advisory Committee at St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto, and co-chair of Corporate MAC for Unity Health Toronto. He has also served as chair of the SJHC Quality of Care Committee and chair of the Credentialing Committee. 

Dr. Silveira’s professional focus is to support the delivery of mental health and addiction care through primary care and community networks. He has worked closely with the Ontario College of Family Physicians since 2001 facilitating continuing education workshops for primary care physicians and was on the steering committee of the Ontario College of Family Physicians Collaborative Mental Health Network until 2020. As a mentor in the latter program, Dr. Silveira has provided support to family physicians across Ontario since 2001. Working with the Centre for Effective Practice, he has been an invited lead or committee member on several point-of-care tools to assist primary care providers in managing complex conditions. He has served as a psychiatrist providing shared care with numerous CHCs and FHTs throughout his career and has developed and delivered peer-reviewed workshops and seminars based on naturally emerging clinical dilemmas derived from case discussions with primary care providers. Dr. Silveira has been nominated and/or received 12 teaching awards over the course of his career.

Dr. Samantha Cook Wallenius is an associate medical director with the Ontario Medical Association’s Physician Health Program. Outside of this role, she is a psychiatrist who has practiced general adult psychiatry in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. since 2008.  

Dr. Wallenius obtained her medical degree (MD) from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 2003 and completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Toronto in 2008. Additionally, she completed her master of laws degree (LLM) in health law from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2024.

She is an assistant professor at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Psychiatry where she is also the assistant program director for the Collaborative Indigenous Psychiatry Residency Stream. 

Dr. Wallenius has clinical interests in physician mental health, the dual diagnosis population, and Indigenous health and wellbeing.

Shayan Baksh joined the Physician Health Program (PHP) in February 2022 as a Senior Administrator. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Health Studies from York University, completed in May 2021.

Before joining PHP, Shayan gained valuable experience in administrative and customer service roles across a range of industries, including the non-profit and hospitality sectors.

In her current role, she plays a key part in supporting the assessment program, contributes to financial operations, and provides assistance to team members across various functions. Shayan is also actively involved in the coordination and execution of special projects, helping to enhance the overall impact and efficiency of the PHP.

Lesley Stoddard has practised nursing in Halifax, Vancouver, and Toronto since 2001. She holds an honours degree in health psychology from Queen’s University; a BScN from Dalhousie University; and a MSc in community health from the University of Toronto. Lesley was an intensive care nurse in major tertiary care centres. She then turned to community work providing palliative care, primary care, and most recently mental health and addictions care. 

Early in Lesley’s career, she developed a strong interest in learning about the well-being of health care providers and pursued a deeper understanding of the dynamic nature of how intrinsic and extrinsic factors can positively or negatively influence the healthcare work environment, the care that is provided, and the overall personal and professional wellness of providers. 

In her role as clinical coordinator at the PHP, Lesley hopes to help normalize the experience for medical learners and physicians accessing PHP services and play a supportive role in connecting them with the resources they need and deserve.  

Thurja Thavalingam joined the OMA’s Physician Health Program (PHP) in May 2023 as a Senior administrator. She completed her honours Bachelor of Health Studies degree at York University. Prior to joining the PHP, Thurja worked as an Administrative Assistant in the healthcare industry over 13 years, mainly at downtown teaching hospitals such as UHN & St. Micheal Hospital.

Thurja is currently part of Intake and PSAAP, where she manages the daily workflow of clinical coordinators in terms of responding to inquiries, preparing documents, supporting financial operations, coordinating schedules, travel and meeting arrangements, along with contributing to the program’s special projects.

Christina Hargobind joined the Ontario Medical Association’s Physician Health Program (PHP) as a senior administrator in December 2023. She holds a diploma in medical office administration from Sheridan College. With over 10 years of experience in health-care administration, Christina has worked at major health-care facilities including Mount Sinai Hospital in downtown Toronto and Trillium Health Partners' oncology department in Etobicoke. 

Christina is currently part of PHP’s Intake and PSAAP, where she manages the daily workflow of clinical coordinators, responding to inquiries, preparing documents, coordinating schedules and meeting arrangements, as well as contributing to the program’s special projects.

Antonietta Romao joined the PHP team in January 2025 supporting the executive team. She comes with more than 20 years of experience in administrative/executive assistant roles.

Prior to the PHP, Antonietta supported the OMA's CEO and president. She also worked for the Ontario government for 15 years in different administrative roles. Antonietta graduated from the General Arts and Sciences Program at Centennial College in 2003.

Dr. Kaufmann graduated with a degree in medicine from the University of Toronto in 1979. He completed his training in family medicine at the University of Toronto and then received certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada in 1981. The College of Family Physicians honoured him in 1991 with a fellowship award.

After 14 years of practising family and addiction medicine in rural Ontario, in 1995 Dr. Kaufmann became the founding director of the Physician and Professionals Health Program (PHP) of the Ontario Medical Association - a service designed to assist doctors and other health professionals with substance abuse, psychiatric disorders and other personal health problems. He received certification in addiction medicine from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) in 1996 and the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM) in 2000. He is presently a fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and a diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine.

Dr. Kaufmann is a past chairman of the Canadian Physician Health Institute Advisory Committee, the Physician Health Committee of the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine and the Canadian Physician Health Network, a national affiliation of physician support programs.

In 2003, Dr. Kaufmann was awarded a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of his work in the field of doctors’ health. In 2007, he received the Courage to Come Back award from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and in 2009 he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement in Addiction Medicine Award from the Addiction Medicine Section of the Ontario Medical Association. In 2015, Dr. Kaufmann was the recipient of the Misericordia award from the Canadian Medical Association recognizing his career-long contributions to the field of physician health.

Dr. Kaufmann is an invited speaker, teacher and consultant nationally and internationally and has written extensively on the subject of doctors’ health.

Dr. Kaufmann retired from the PHP on May 1, 2017, and was honoured as emeritius medical director with the PHP for his service. Dr. Kaufmann is still involved in physician health but has more time for his other interests, including music, writing and travel.