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Chair’s Message

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A Message From Our Chair

Ella Ferris

Chair of the Board

Health system administrators and healthcare providers are facing significant challenges as we grapple with staffing shortages and other resource constraints that have direct impacts on client care.

As Chair of Touchstone Institute, I am very proud of the team’s accomplishments over the last year in addressing these challenges. Together with our partners, we are building and implementing effective pathways that strengthen the professional competencies of internationally educated health professionals. This work, in turn, drives health system improvement and reinforces public confidence in the care they receive.

I am equally inspired by the dynamic leadership of our new CEO, Nicole Beben. Joining us in June 2023, Nicole’s strategic lens, commitment to partnership and energetic leadership are already bringing tremendous value to Touchstone Institute’s work.

I also would like to acknowledge the work of my colleagues on the Touchstone Institute Board of Directors. Our shared commitment to good governance is critical to the meaningful and sustainable impact of the organization.

Strong governance calls for regular change in perspectives around the table. In 2023, the Board said goodbye to departing Board colleague Mr. Murray Klein, who stepped down after five years of dedicated service, and we welcomed Dr. Glen Bandiera, Executive Director of the Office of Standards and Assessment with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Finally, a word of thanks to Touchstone Institute staff for their commitment to improving healthcare in Ontario; your combined efforts and hard work are making a difference for people in this province.

Ella Ferris
Chair of the Board

A Message From Our CEO

Nicole Beben

Chief Executive Officer

Touchstone Institute’s core work is to build and implement solutions to health system challenges. We do this by enabling more healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality, safe care to more people.

When I joined Touchstone Institute in June 2023, I had an ambitious goal: to improve healthcare delivery and make measurable, positive change for people.

Our work at Touchstone Institute is about people, and the current shortages of healthcare professionals and gaps in delivery have left many people struggling to access necessary care. We want to improve that.

I am energized by my belief that we have what is needed for system transformation. As outlined in this Annual Report, Touchstone Institute’s initiatives are demonstrating meaningful impact as we break down barriers and achieve success through innovation and strong partnerships.

Concrete examples this year include a leading-edge communication tool to support internationally educated nurses; expansion of our flagship programs to meet unprecedented demand amid a changing landscape for international medical graduates; and a streamlined route to practice for physicians educated outside Canada. This last initiative will increase the number of family doctors in Ontario, starting with an additional 100 physicians by the end of 2025.

I would like to express my gratitude to all Touchstone Institute staff for their commitment to improving healthcare in Ontario and give a special thank you to Andrea Strachan and Adrian Frisina. After more than a decade of service in senior roles and foundational work for the organization, Andrea and Adrian stepped away from Touchstone Institute. We have truly benefitted from their commitment and generosity in sharing their expertise.

I am privileged to be a part of this team and inspired work, and I am confident in the directions we are setting in Touchstone Institute’s upcoming Strategic Plan (2025-28) to advance progress.

Going forward, we are committed to seeking out new opportunities to innovate, to partner and to lead as we work together for a more resilient, responsive, and sustainable health system.

Nicole Beben
Chief Executive Officer

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