Our Leadership Team

Laura Kokocinski, CEO

Laura was appointed CEO on September 1, 2010. She previously served as the Senior Director, Planning, Integration and Community Engagement since January 2006.

Laura’s extensive background in the integrated delivery of health services in Northwestern Ontario has given her a solid understanding of our region. In addition to having held the positions of Vice President, Health Services at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, the Executive Director of the Community Care Access Centre of the District of Thunder Bay and the Director of Continuing Education with Confederation College, she brings a strong background in leadership, education, policy development and research.

Laura holds the degrees of Master of Education and Bachelor of Science of Nursing from Lakehead University and is currently completing her Doctorate in Education with the University of Toronto.

Andy Gallardi, Senior Director, Performance, Contract and Allocation

Andy has extensive experience in system level financial and performance management of health care. Most recently he held the position of Manager, Finance and Information Management for the East Region of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care where he had broad responsibility for regional health-care operations in Eastern Ontario.

He has 17 years experience in various ministries within the Ontario Public Service including housing and justice. Andy holds an MBA degree from York University in Toronto as well as a Master of Music degree from the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut.

Susan Pilatzke, Acting Senior Director, Planning, Integration and Community Engagement

Susan began her position at the North West LHIN in 2007 as Senior Integration Consultant. Prior to joining the North West LHIN team, Susan held the position of Director of Clinical Oncology Systems for the Integrated Cancer Program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Susan’s current portfolio includes initiatives such as advancing the North West LHIN ED/ALC Strategy; the FLO Collaborative Spread Strategy; and she is the lead of various committees of the North West LHIN such as the System Integration Committee, Centre of Excellence for Integrated Seniors Services, and ED/ALC Steering Committee. Susan is involved with the work related to health service provider accountability agreements including proposal development and review processes at the North West LHIN.

Susan has extensive knowledge about health care delivery systems, integrated models of care and has been involved with clinical system redesign and leadership development in her various professional roles throughout her career. Susan is a life-long resident of Northwestern Ontario. She has a Masters Degree in Public Health Administration from University of Minnesota and an Honours Bachelor Degree in Nursing from Lakehead University.

Brian Ktytor, Chief Information Officer and eHealth Lead

Brian Ktytor has a reputation for strategic and transformational leadership, balanced with a strong focus on delivery. He has developed extensive positive relationships within the education and business sectors in Northwestern Ontario. Brian has also served on a number of community boards and organizations. Most recently Brian was the Dean of the School of Aviation and Director of Marketing, Communication and External Relations at Confederation College. He also served as a member of the College’s Senior Management Team and Executive Planning Committee.  Previously, Brian was a Senior Account Manager for Commercial, Business and First Nation Accounts with RBC Royal Bank.

 Brian received his Masters in Business Administration from Dalhousie University. Prior to that, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) and an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Lakehead University.

 In his senior leadership position with the North West LHIN, Brian plays a pivotal role in the interface between eHealth Ontario and the LHIN in advancing the province’s strategic e-Health directions. As the CIO, Brian works with providers to develop e-Health solutions and lead e-Health transformation in the region.

LHIN Leads

Dr. Mike Scott, Critical Care Lead

Dr. Michael Scott is currently Director of Critical Care at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, a practicing intensivist and anesthesiologist and a member of the Ontario Critical Care Expert Advisory Panel. He was appointed Director of Critical Care at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital in 1998 and has developed and implemented the Intensivist-Directed Critical Care Service at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Scott was previous Chief of Anesthesiology from 1996-1998 at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, and continues to be an investigating Coroner since 2001 for Thunder Bay Region.