Neil Stephens

My 14 years of leadership experience have been filled with gratitude to be able to serve in unionized and non-unionized environments have encompassed areas that include community-based response management, data-informed strategic planning, integrated and multidisciplinary program implementation, financial management, program development, evidence-based project evaluation, OHT strategic partnerships, community development and performance management.

As Population Health and Wellness Manager at Flemingdon Health Centre, I have successfully managed and led the expansive equity-enhancing Population Health, Community Engagement and Disease Prevention teams, implemented challenging projects by collaborating with key stakeholders to maximize the effectiveness and equity of COVID-19 mass vaccine mobilizations and pandemic response and recovery initiatives over a sizeable catchment area. 

I strived to serve and lead with an intentional social determinants of health, Quality Improvement and Collective Impact approach and tried to demonstrate a daily commitment to advocating for equity-deserving communities which helped advance FHC’s position as a community leader and an innovator in this space. At the centre of all my experiences have been deeply committed team members and management teams that 'get it.'

Neil Stephens

SUMMARY

• As a BIPOC newcomer to Canada, I bring 14 years of leadership experience have been filled with gratitude to be able to serve in unionized and non-unionized environments that have encompassed areas including community-based response management, data-informed strategic planning, integrated and multidisciplinary program implementation, financial management, program development, evidence-based project evaluation, OHT strategic partnerships, community development and performance management.
• As Population Health and Wellness Manager at Flemingdon Health Centre, I have successfully managed and led the expansive equity-enhancing Population Health, Community Engagement and Disease Prevention teams, implemented challenging projects by collaborating with key stakeholders to maximize the effectiveness and equity of COVID-19 mass vaccine mobilizations and pandemic response and recovery initiatives over a sizeable catchment area.
• I strived to serve and led with an intentional social determinants of health, Quality Improvement and Collective Impact approach and tried to demonstrate a daily commitment to advocating for equity-deserving communities, which helped advance FHC’s position as a community leader and an innovator in this space.

EXPERIENCE
Manager, Population Health & Wellness | Flemingdon Health Centre (FHC), Jul 2019 to May 2023

• Managed Health Promotion and Disease Prevention teams at a Community Health Centre, ensuring innovative and coordinated programs (average of 30 programs per quarter)
•  Developed and led initiatives with diverse stakeholders to improve health outcomes in local catchments (M2J, M3C, M4H) by enhancing population-based planning, implementation, and equity.
• Collaborated with the Director of Community Health & Social Impact to maximize effectiveness, equity, and integration of COVID-19 vaccine mobilizations and pandemic response initiatives.
• Led strategic human resource planning related to COVID19 workforce redeployment, transitioning to hybrid work by modernizing and virtualizing workspaces and subsequently return back to on-site work.
• Represented the agency at health planning tables with Ontario Health Teams to eliminate health equity gaps for underserved communities.
• Advocated for CHC priorities with system partners to address complex population health equity issues and prioritize communities facing significant barriers to good health.
• Developed and implemented community engagement strategies for BIPOC communities that address structural health determinants and respond to local community needs.
• Developed a municipally and provincially well-recognized Community Health Ambassador program that leveraged the underutilized training, cultural competency, and wisdom of grassroots leaders to help step into the gap and respond to the needs of the communities.
• Provided leadership for emergency responses in areas such as vaccine engagement, food insecurity, housing, infection control, and pandemic response.
• Worked with Michael Garron Hospital and North York General Hospital to develop equity-enhancing tools for collecting health data and strengthening vaccine engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Expanded access to programs by transitioning community-based programs to innovative virtual programs while addressing digital equity gaps for underserved communities during the pandemic.
• Led recruitment, retention, coaching, and performance management for clinical, professional, and administrative teams to create nurturing learning environments. See more here

Diabetes Prevention Program Manager | Flemingdon Health Centre, Mar 2009 to Jul 2019

• Created Canada’s first culturally relevant and language-specific Diabetes Prevention Program, securing permanent funding from MOHLTC (South Asian Diabetes Prevention Program – SADPP.)
• Transformed SADPP from a single-year pilot project to a sustainable and permanent Ministry of Health program, which was replicated as a model for Toronto's Latin American, Caribbean and Indigenous populations.
• Conducted analysis and interpretation of program-related data, participant demographics, evaluation outcomes and emerging evidence to contribute to annual and long-term program planning.
• Coordinated scope definition, resource planning and timelines with the Director of Community Engagement.
• Led evidence-based program evaluations, including planning, budget monitoring, creating evaluation frameworks and logic models, data analysis, report writing, and policy-level advocacy.
• Established strategic partnerships and sustainable environments to support newcomer populations beyond the scope of SADPP.
• Monitored program budgets, reviewed expenditures regularly, and ensured prudent fiscal stewardship, control and reporting to MOHLTC.
• Maintained performance management tools such as monthly dashboards, measuring key performance indicators, and provided coaching to improve team capacities.
• Modernized the workplace by introducing online project work plans, logic models, collaboration tools, and constituent relationship management tools (CRM.) See more here

Operations Manager | Go Logistics Inc., Oct 2006 to Sep 2007
Supported the VP of Operations and CEO while managing logistics operations for 150 CIBC branches in the GTA on a 24-hour cycle, overseeing logistics managers and staff.
Provided executive support such as email screening, report and presentation preparation
Improved the office administration of an inter-modal logistics firm by implementing Standard Operating Procedures, policy manuals, and training materials resulting in consistent organizational growth.
Revamped and enhanced the payroll system, refining HR practices and preventing potential errors.
Acted as a mentor and coach, overseeing training needs and motivating employees under my direct and indirect supervision.
Created a workplace aligned with core business strategies, leading to more robust employee engagement and a high-performance work environment.

EDUCATION
Administration Diploma 2006
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
Toronto, ON. Canada

Associate’s Degree in Science 2004
Northern Virginia College
Fairfax, Virginia. USA

COMMITTEES

1. Quality Improvement Committee – Health Equity 2021-Present
2. Pandemic Response – East York and North York Cluster 2021-Present
3. Labour Management Committee (Working with Union) 2019-Present
4. Regional Diabetes Steering Committee (MOHLTC— TC-LHIN) 2018– Present
5. Accreditation Committee 2017-Present
6. Ministry of Health’s Performance Management Committee 2013-2017
7. Communications Committee Chair 2013-2016
8. Quality Assurance Committee 2011-2012

RECENT & RELEVANT CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Successfully sought and secured 2 years of funding from City of Toronto and managed the Youth Violence Prevention Project team for Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park, funded by the City of Toronto, demonstrating leadership and dedication to addressing this critical issue with a Collective Impact approach. (Youth Voice Collective). In addition to multiple funding sources for initiatives in response to food insecurity, seniors Wellness, emerging populations, pandemic response and digital equity.
• Led the development of the Population Health and Wellness department at FHC, bringing together teams composed of the health promotion and diabetes prevention staff. I supervised a talented and high-achieving interdisciplinary team that included a Registered Dietitian, Registered Nurse, Community Health Workers, outreach workers, project staff, communications staff, administrative support staff, community health ambassadors, peer workers, students, and volunteers.
• Provided operational and strategic management and support to community services teams, ensuring that the team achieved and maintained clinical and service excellence. I managed budgets, work plans, and schedules to guarantee optimal performance. Moreover, I supported the development, implementation, and monitoring of FHC's strategic goals and operational plans (2022-2027.)
• Actively support a complex project funded by the Toronto Urban Health Fund, engaging local Romani communities in a Needs Assessment Project for youth.
• Ensured the team met accountability measures and associated quality indicators and goals through Quality Improvement Plans related to Health Equity data collection, Cancer Screening, and Client Satisfaction.
• Effectively managed the coordination of service delivery and interdisciplinary care within the context of the Community Health Centre model of health and well-being. I advocated for the accessibility of non-insured individuals and FHC's priority populations, promoting inclusive and equitable treatment and services.
• Identified and participated in community-based research opportunities, analyzed data from such research, and interpreted trends related to community service needs, specifically in the areas of Disease Prevention, Health Equity, Population Health, Youth Health, and emerging populations.
• To ensure that all community members were informed, engaged, and able to access services while addressing local community needs, I worked with the team in developing and implementing innovative community outreach plans based on community engagement frameworks and best practices.
• As the management representative for the Gateway Bike Hub, a collaborative community support program in partnership with FHC, Evergreen, TNO, and the City of Toronto, I supported its successful launch.
• Played a key role in initiating the program "Digital Equity: Seniors Online Together, While Physically Apart," which aimed to provide digital access support to older adult and senior populations in FHC's catchment area.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, I provided strong leadership in the Emergency Food Distribution efforts at Angela James Arena. I also took the lead in developing evidence-based and language-specific COVID-19 education resources in partnership with resourceful teams of Community health ambassadors.
• Championed the development of the CHIF Model, (Community Health Information Fairs), for the M2J catchment area in collaboration with w/NYTOHT and led the development of the highly successful Community Health Ambassador Program at FHC, which played a crucial role in COVID-19 mass immunization and recovery efforts, focusing on poorly-served populations.
• Actively supported housing insecurity advocacy for Romani communities in the St. Dennis neighborhoods, working closely with Parkdale and Scarborough Community Legal Services staff.
• I participated in various planning tables for M3C, M2J and M4H catchment areas, including Health Equity, East York Cluster, North York Cluster, COVID-19 Response Tables, Violence Prevention and Safety Tables, Disease Prevention Tables, Food Security Tables, and Community Health Tables (such as FTIAN, TNLIP, FTFSN, FTCCRT).

Administration Diploma 2006
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
Toronto, ON. Canada

Associate’s Degree in Science 2004
Northern Virginia College
Fairfax, Virginia. USA