Melissa is an Innovation Fund Coordinator for the Network, having joined the team in early 2014 soon after the launch. She currently oversees and coordinates research and quality improvement projects funded by the Network‘s Innovation Fund that help improve seniors care and services.
Melissa has a Master’s degree in Health Promotion from the U of A, and has a varied work background in the health sector. She has worked in pediatric oncology (most recently), on several health-related research projects, and in the non-profit world as a health educator.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her young family, Cooper the dog, and getting out to the mountains or the lake whenever possible.

Dr. Anwar Haq’s educational background includes an MSc and PhD in Molecular Biology, and an MBA. Dr. Haq has over 16 years of experience within higher education and healthcare settings that involved research; research facilitation; strategic and financial management; design, implementation, and evaluation of innovation policies; and a wide range of other corporate services.

Prior to joining the Network, Dr. Haq was the Executive Director, for the Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research (ISTAR), Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta and the Executive Director for the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary.

Dr. Haq is an active community volunteer for science outreach, community engagement-focused organizations, not-for-profit fund raising and social marketing. He was also an elected Senator at the University of Calgary Senate where he served on various committees.

Jasneet Parmar is a physician, innovator and educator. She has worked with the Specialized Geriatrics Program as a Care of the Elderly Physician in the Edmonton Zone since 1992.

Jasneet has been very active in developing and implementing clinical programming in the care of the frail elderly. She has been extensively involved in medical education and education of allied health professionals in geriatrics. Her research experience has included a variety of initiatives to improve the quality of care of complex and frail seniors, and family caregivers. Jasneet was instrumental in developing and implementing the process used in Alberta to assess decision-making capacity under the Personal Directive and Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Acts.

In addition to serving as medical director for the Network, Jasneet is the Medical Lead of Home Living and Transitions, Continuing Care, Edmonton Zone for Alberta Health Services (AHS) and an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta.

Sally initially joined Covenant Health’s Project Management Office more than three years ago supporting initiatives such as Path to Home, Foyer Lacombe Operational Commissioning and Palliative Institute projects. Recently Sally moved to the Network as Lead, Elder Friendly Care in order to support the spread of elder friendly initiatives across Covenant Health’s acute and long-term care settings. Sally’s background is rooted in innovation, spending more than 16 years embedded in the clinical drug development process, managing global clinical trials focused on breast cancer and multiple sclerosis with a goal of advancing knowledge and treatment strategies.

Yvonne has been the Network’s program assistance since its inception in 2013. Previous to taking on this position, she worked for as administrative assistant in the medical administration and surgical administration departments at Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Elaine currently provides knowledge translation support to the Network by helping find appropriate ways to spread the information, practices and tools resulting from the Innovation Fund investments. Elaine has worked for more than 15 years in health care and has previous experience in knowledge translation, research ethics and communications.

Julie-Ann oversees a variety of strategic initiatives at the Network. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree, a Master’s in Medical Sciences, specializing in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology from the University of Alberta and holds a Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute. She has worked in a range of health practice settings, including Laboratory Medicine, Animal Health and Infection Prevention and Control. Outside of work, Julie-Ann enjoys staying active and spending time with friends and family, especially camping in the mountains and relaxing by the lake.