Executive Committee

Karen Riddell has been a Registered Nurse for 35 years, working in the United States, Northern Ontario, and British Columbia before joining WRH in 1999.

She has been in a VP role since December 2017 responsible for the Critical Care, Cardiology, Diagnostic Imaging, Patient Relations, Clinical Quality and Safety, and Corporate Education and Training Departments.

Karen’s career is defined by her dedication to continuous system and process improvements throughout her portfolios and the entire organization for the improvement of patient safety and quality of care.

Nicole Krywionek, RN, MAL-H is the Chief Nursing Executive and Clinical Vice President at Windsor Regional Hospital, where she provides strategic leadership across a broad portfolio that includes Critical Care, Cardiology, Diagnostic Imaging, Respiratory Therapy, Patient Relations, Corporate Education and Training, and Professional Practice.

With over 20 years of nursing experience spanning multiple provinces and international settings, Nicole brings a global perspective and deep clinical expertise to her role. Her leadership journey began in 2012, and she joined WRH in 2018 as Director of Critical Care and Respiratory Services, where she guided teams through significant transformation and growth.

Nicole is driven by a lifelong passion for nursing and a deep-rooted commitment to serving her community. As a third-generation nurse, she is dedicated to advancing professional practice for all regulated health professions, fostering interprofessional collaboration, and ensuring compassionate, high-quality, and innovative care for all patients.

Dr. Wassim Saad, MD, FRCPC, FACP is the Chief of Staff at Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH). He joined WRH in 2013. Prior to that, he held privileges with HDGH starting in 2005. Dr. Wassim Saad completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Windsor before completing his medical degree at the University of Ottawa in 2001.

After a few years as Chief Medical Resident at Toronto’s Western Hospital (part of the University Health Network of hospitals) and later Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. Saad returned to our region to join the internal medicine staff at the former Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in 2005. Most recently, Dr. Saad has been Chief of the Department of Medicine at WRH as well as Academic Director of Postgraduate Medicine for the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry’s Windsor program.

Brandon Bailey is the Vice President of Redevelopment. He joined WRH in 2023 to lead the New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital Project and redevelopment at the Ouellette Campus, bringing with him 10 years of experience in hospital construction, design, and engineering. Brandon is a professional engineer with an MBA from Ryerson University and experience in delivering major healthcare infrastructure projects across Ontario.

Before joining WRH, Brandon worked for Stantec Consulting Ltd. where he was part of the consultant leadership team working on some of the largest and most recent hospital projects in Ontario including the new South Niagara Hospital, Toronto Sick Kids capital project, and Trillium Healthcare’s Mississauga and Queensway sites.

Todd Bested is the Vice President of People and Culture. He joined WRH in 2022. Prior to that, he has more than 25 years of international corporate experience and unique background in Human Resources and Operational Leadership.

Todd will play an integral part in working towards achieving the WRH strategic direction of creating a dynamic workplace culture that establishes WRH as an employer of choice. In this role, he oversees Human Resources, Labour Relations, Health and Safety, Education & Organizational Development, Risk Management, and Patient Advocacy.

Kristi Cecile, RN BScN MN, is the Vice President of Medicine, Pharmacy, HIV clinic, IPAC, Stroke, and Access and Flow at Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH). She joined WRH in 2009 and has commenced her role as Clinical VP in January 2024. Kristi began her career as a frontline staff in Surgery and Medical Oncology. She moved through various roles in Medicine as a Clinical Practice Manager, Operations Manager, and Director.

As Vice President, Kristi is committed to enhancing our patient experience by working closely with professional staff, service providers, community partners, and patients to improve key quality indicators throughout her portfolio.

Jonathan Foster, BA Hons, MSW, RSW, is the Vice President of Emergency, Trauma, Mental Health, Cancer Services & Renal at Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH). He joined WRH in 2006 and has been VP since January 2020.

Jonathan supports and guides these departments with data-driven process improvement and redesign initiatives to improve patient outcomes. He is passionate about developing high-performing teams throughout his portfolio and contributing to new organizational initiatives.

Malissa relocated from Winnipeg, Manitoba to join WRH in May 2022. She brings 19 years of financial and operational leadership experience to WRH, including budgeting and forecasting, financial analysis, cost containment, Board governance reporting, and day-to-day administrative and operational management.

Malissa was with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority ("WRHA") since 2016, serving as both a Director of Financial Reporting & Accountability and a Director of Financial Planning where she rebuilt the Financial Planning portfolio of the WRHA as part of the Province of Manitoba’s Health System Transformation.

She received her Chartered Accountant Designation (CA) in 2003 and has also attained various certifications including courses in conflict resolution, LEAN in healthcare, and change management. In this role, she oversees Finance, Payroll, Facilities, Laboratory Services, Clinical Engineering, Print Services, and Guest Services.

Kelly Heron RN BScN MClSc WOCN is the Vice President of Women and Children, Inpatient Surgery, Peri-Operative & Ambulatory Surgical Services. She began her nursing career in 1996 after graduating from University of Windsor School of Nursing and subsequently obtained her Enterostomal Therapy Certification at the Cleveland Clinic, followed by a Master of Clinical Science from the University of Western Ontario in 2010.

Kelly has worked in the community with VON and St John Hospital in Michigan prior to joining Windsor Regional Hospital in 2000 where she has served in a variety of roles including Clinical Practice Manager, Enterostomal Therapist, Operational Manager and since 2013 the Director of Surgical Services.

Margo Reilly is the Executive Director of the Windsor Family Health Team. She joined the WRH Executive Committee in 2022. She has 18 years of experience in a variety of healthcare settings with 8 of those years in another community family health team.