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OUR TEAM

  • Dr. Simge Erdogan-O'Connor, Museum Director

    Dr. Simge Erdogan-O'Connor

    MUSEUM DIRECTOR

    Simge has over 15 years of international experience in museums, art galleries, and heritage sites in Canada, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. She joined the Canadian Museum of Health Care in 2024, bringing a deep commitment to institutional growth, community engagement, and transformative museum practice. Prior to her current role, Simge served as Director of the Murney Tower Museum in Kingston, Ontario, and as Curator at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Simge holds a PhD from Queen's University and is the recipient of Kingston's 40 Under 40 Award and the Kingston Museum Association's Paul O. Robertson Award for Leadership and Innovation.

  • A woman wearing glasses and a red shirt sitting at a counter with various boxes and medication, holding a brown bottle labeled 'St. John's Wort' in a storage room with shelves filled with labeled bins.

    Kathy Karkut

    COLLECTIONS MANAGER

    With over 25 years of experience in museums, including 18 years as the first Collections Manager at the Canadian Museum of Health Care, Kathy is accomplished in all aspects of collections management, with a particular strength in storage solutions, exhibit design, and supports. Before joining the Museum in 2007, she spent nearly a decade working with collections and exhibits in a variety of institutions. Kathy is passionate about mentoring students, inspiring new generations of museum professionals, and supporting smaller museums in caring for their medical and pharmaceutical collections.

  • A young woman with brown hair, glasses, and a black polka dot shirt smiling in front of a stone wall.

    Anna Collett

    PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

    Anna holds an Honours B.A. in History from McGill University, and she is currently pursuing a Certificate in Museum Studies through the Ontario Museum Association. Anna previously served as Museum Coordinator at the 1000 Islands History Museum in Gananoque, ON, where she engaged thousands of visitors by sharing her knowledge of the 1000 Islands region. She is passionate about uncovering lesser-known stories, creating meaningful visitor experiences, and making history accessible to all audiences.

The Canadian Museum of Health Care is a not-for-profit organization with charitable status. Trustees are elected by the Museum Membership at the Annual General Meeting in May, and together they form a Board of Directors. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the conduct of the Corporation and the achievement of its objectives by exercising its due diligence responsibilities through regular meetings of the Board, Executive Committee, Standing and Special Committees.

Our Board is a dedicated, passionate and professional group of volunteers who believe in the value of community organizations and the potential for the Museum to create meaningful engagement and contribute to the future of its community. We are forever grateful for their time, expertise and passion – both past and present.

Our Board of Directors

Black and white portrait of a middle-aged woman smiling, with shoulder-length hair, wearing a sleeveless top, a necklace with a star pendant, and holding a camera.
Portrait of an older man with gray hair and glasses, wearing a light blue collared shirt, standing outdoors with greenery in the background.
A middle-aged man with glasses and a beard, dressed in a blue blazer and white shirt, standing outdoors with blurred trees and colorful foliage in the background.
A young woman with dark hair and glasses smiling, dressed in a blazer over a casual shirt, against a gray background.
Close-up of an elderly woman with short, light brown hair smiling outdoors with greenery in the background.
A young woman with blonde hair, blue eyes, and light makeup, smiling in a white t-shirt against a neutral gray background.
A woman with gray hair and glasses, smiling, wearing a black shirt and a bright pink blazer, against a light background.
A person with short gray hair, glasses, and a sleeveless black top, looking directly at the camera in a room with bookshelves in the background.
Close-up of a middle-aged man with blonde hair, glasses, wearing a light-colored shirt and a tie, in an indoor setting with a bookshelf or cabinet in the background.

  • President and Chair

    Mary Lou Toop is Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer at Kingston Health Sciences Centre, bringing deep leadership experience across Ontario’s health care sector. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with a strong track record in financial strategy, planning, and operations in hospitals and health systems. Prior to joining KHSC, Mary Lou held senior finance leadership roles at institutions including Women’s College Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital, and the Prism Eye Institute, and has served in executive positions across multiple health care organizations. At KHSC she works closely with financial services, planning and analysis, and support services teams. Beyond her professional work, Mary Lou is a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders and serves on the Board for Burman University in Alberta. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Andrews University and has completed executive leadership programs at the Ivey School of Business and University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

  • Vice Chair

    Renee joined the Museum’s Human Resources Committee as a member in 2022 and became Chair in June 2024. She brings over eight years of diverse HR experience, especially in Talent Acquisition within healthcare environments—from for-profit home health and long-term care to health-tech and hearing care sectors. Renee has managed full-cycle recruitment, developed employee engagement and onboarding initiatives, and consulted on public perception, service delivery, and workforce experience. She is passionate about building well-rounded teams and enhancing employee experience, and also volunteers locally in HR and branding support.

  • Treasurer

    Catherine is an experienced financial leader with 20+ years of experience as an accounting professional.  She is designated as a CPA – and has her MBA from Laurentian University.

    Catherine has wide ranging Board experience, and has served on several Board Committees. Recently retired, Catherine is the former CFAO of the Universities Hospital Kingston Foundation, and has held positions as a strategic member of the leadership teams at Purolator Inc and Cardinal Health (Gananoque). 

  • Secretary

    Brian’s 27‑year professional career with the Limestone District School Board culminated in roles as both teacher and Principal. Since 2014, he has served on the Providence Care Board of Directors (including as Chair from 2017–2020), and previously held leadership roles with the Frontenac Children’s Aid Society. Brian is also currently a member of KFL&A Addiction & Mental Health Services Board of Directors, and has volunteered with numerous community organizations including Food Sharing, Meals on Wheels, and the Eagle Lake Property Owners Association

  • Director

  • Director

    Dr. Allison Morehead is a historian of medicine, psychology, and psychiatry as well as a scholar in medical humanities. She serves as Associate Professor of Art History (and Graduate Program in Cultural Studies) at Queen’s University. Dr. Morehead works internationally with art and medical museums to advance public understanding of the history of medicine through exhibitions and educational programming.

  • Director

    Dr. Oyedeji Ayonrinde is a Professor of Psychiatry at Queen's University where he is also the Division Chair and Clinical Director for Community Psychiatry. He is currently the Chair of the Programing and Collections Committee of the Museum of Healthcare, Kingston.

    Dr. Ayonrinde is also on the board of the Bethlem Museum of the Mind, London, England who were recognized as Finalists for the Museum of the Year in 2016 as well as an advisor to the Canadian Peace Museum.  He has a Diploma in the History of Medicine from the Society of Apothecaries, London, England and previously had a Fellowship with the Victoria and Albert Museum. He maintains international collaboration and scholarship into historical aspects of mental health care. 

  • Director

  • Director

  • Director


    Janet Overvelde is a Project Management Professional with more than 20 years of experience in global clinical research and trial delivery. She has held leadership roles across industry and academic environments, overseeing complex, cross-functional operations and driving strategic improvements in study startup and execution.

    With a strong foundation in healthcare systems and operational governance, Janet brings expertise in organizational effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, and risk-based decision-making. She is passionate about advancing healthcare through both innovation and stewardship of its history, and is proud to contribute to the Canadian Museum of Health Care as a member of its Board of Directors.

  • Past President

    Dr. Gemmill is the former Medical Officer of Health for Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health, serving from 1997 until his retirement in 2017. A Queen’s University medical graduate, he is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Public Health & Preventive Medicine), a Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and an Honorary Life Member of the Canadian Public Health Association. With over 40 years of experience in Ontario’s public health sector, Dr. Gemmill is past chair and long-time member of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), including leadership of its influenza vaccine working group.

  • Director

Executive Committee: Dr. Ian M. Gemmill (Chair), Renee Box, Brian Devlin, Catherine Sutton

Advancement Committee: Tamás (Tom) Zsolnay (Chair), Dr. Ian M. Gemmill, Felicity Pope, Sherri Robertson, Ian M. Fraser, Karen Humphreys Blake

HR Committee: Renee Box (Chair), Dr. Ian M. Gemmill, Tony Button

Programs and Collections Committee: Dr. Oyedeji Ayonrinde (Chair), Dr. Ian M. Gemmill, Dr. Allison Morehead, Danielle Macdonald, Danielle Marshall, Felicity Pope, Jane Errington, Dr. Jenna Healey, Leah Cox

Finance Committee: Catherine Sutton (Chair), Tamás (Tom) Zsolnay, Dr. Ian M. Gemmill, Eric Bogstad, Phil Piasetzki

Our committees bring together staff, board members, and community partners to support the Museum’s mission and guide key areas of our work. These dedicated groups provide insight, expertise, and leadership across a range of priorities, from collections stewardship to public programming and equity initiatives. Together, they help ensure the Museum remains responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

Museum Committees