Board Members
Norfolk General Hospital
Our Board of Directors oversees the activities at Norfolk General Hospital (NGH). The Board is made up of business leaders and community members who are committed to making sure NGH remains a leader in patient care and provides you and your family with high-quality, safe care.
We are always seeking passionate people who want to serve our community by providing leadership to the hospital. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Board, please contact Charlene Charles, Coordinator of Board Affairs.
STEPHANIE PONGRACZ-CLARYSSE – Board Chair
Stephanie Pongracz-Clarysse brings extensive governance knowledge to the role of Board Chair. She has been an esteemed member of the Board of Directors since 2017 and has held various leadership positions, including 1st Vice Chair since 2020. She previously served as Chair of the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home Board of Directors in 2019.
In addition to her extensive board experience, Stephanie’s professional background is in healthcare and, as an experienced public health leader, adds significant value to her position. She has worked in various municipalities over her career and currently serves as a Director of Public Health.
Stephanie grew up on a farm in rural Langton. Both her family and her husband’s family have a long history of farming in Norfolk County.
Stephanie possesses a comprehensive educational background, including Bachelor of Science undergraduate degrees with an emphasis in Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Human Biology, and Psychology. She also possesses a Master of Public Administration graduate degree.
PETER KRAUSE – Vice-Chair
Originally from St. George ON, Peter now resides in Port Dover, where he is able to pursue his interests in reading, motorcycling, bicycling, walking, community, and family.
Peter has a BA in Geography, Urban Planning and Resource Management from the University of Toronto and has used his expertise in public speaking, report and proposal writing, negotiating contracts in a successful career in operations, marketing, public relations, financial stewardship, leading change initiatives. Besides his time at NGH, Peter continues to serve on the board at the Haldimand-Norfolk Literacy Council, something he has done since 2008.
DONNA CAPPER – 2nd Vice-Chair
Donna began work as a registered nurse, but spent most of her career as a Foreign Service Officer, primarily focused on immigration issues. She is a recipient of the Deputy Minister’s Award for her work in Operation Parasol, the evacuation of 5,000 Kosovars from refugee camps in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (now Republic of North Macedonia). She also has extensive global volunteer experience with Habitat for Humanity.
ROBERT WHITENECT – Treasurer
Robert has extensive Board experience as he served as Board Chair at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH) in Grimsby and thereafter as President and Board Chair of the WLMH Foundation. He currently also serves as Treasurer of the Board at Lighthouse Festival Theatre.
Robert has a Bachelor degree in Administrative Studies from Brock University and an MBA from Niagara University, NY.
After a 40-year career in business, the last 30 as CFO/Controller at a major floral distribution company, Robert and his wife Judy recently retired to Port Dover where Judy was born and raised. An avid skier, Robert is also active in recreational baseball, golf and hockey.
CARL BUTLER
Carl is a Norfolk County native from Port Dover. He attended elementary school there and secondary school in Simcoe. In 1985 he joined the Haldimand Norfolk Regional Police as a Constable. In 1998 he joined the OPP during the amalgamation of the two Police Services. While with the OPP he held several different positions and was promoted twice. He retired as the Haldimand County Detachment Manager in Cayuga in 2015. He currently resides here in Simcoe.
LAURA CASTLES
Born and raised in Norfolk County Laura and her family enjoy all that our County has to offer, including small businesses, fresh local produce and days on Lake Erie.
Laura works as a Nurse Practitioner focusing on Primary Care and Long Term Care Practice settings. Laura prides herself on the endeavour to make continued education part of her practice and also as a way to contribute to the Nursing profession. Laura is a Professor of Nursing through Fanshawe College as well as a sessional Lecturer at Western University’s School of Nursing. Laura advocates for improved access to healthcare here in Norfolk County through involvement with local stakeholders as well as current political members. As a new board member Laura is eager to expand her experience and is hoping to use her background to positively impact the healthcare landscape in Norfolk County.
LYNDA CLELLAND
As a Registered Nurse with 30-plus years of experience, Lynda has been a part of a health care system that has faced many changes and challenges. Lynda’s primary focus and passions have been education and research – both in academia, hospital and then the private sector. As a clinical research manager, in pharma Lynda worked in collaboration with key option leaders and global teams in the conduct and management of multiple clinical trials with a diverse portfolio.
Born in Montreal and raised in Guelph Lynda moved to Hamilton for school and career opportunities. Wanting to live in a smaller community she relocated to Simcoe in 2004. Lynda currently works remotely, as a research consultant for a Rheumatologist providing support in the development and maintenance of a busy clinical trial program.
Lynda is a passionate gardener and enjoys being on the golf course.
As a new board member, Lynda is looking forward this chapter in her life. Since moving to Simcoe, Lynda has observed first-hand the growth and potential of the community.
RICHARD GELBARD
A career Commercial/Industrial Insurance Specialist since 1980, Richard is a Senior Account Executive with HIROC (Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada). Richard has held various positions in the Insurance Industry such as Broker, Underwriter, Market/Product Development, and Premium Financing.
Along with the designation of Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP), he has trained in the French Culinary Arts. Richard joined the NGH Board because he believes his background would be an excellent resource for Board Governance and to ensure our community continues to have a successfully run hospital.
FRANK GELINAS
Born and raised in Simcoe, Frank’s career demonstrates his support for his community. After a time working for the Ministry of Revenue and the Department of Environment, Frank returned to Simcoe to work in many civic positions such as Assistant Director of Finance at NGH, Treasurer of the Town of Simcoe, CAO of the Township of Delhi, and General Manager of Corporate Services with Norfolk County. Besides his work at the hospital, he volunteers with Venture Norfolk and the Simcoe Non-profit Housing Corporation. Frank has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a post Graduate Diploma from Western in Public Administration, is a CPA and attained Municipal Professional Designations of AMCT, CMMIII, and CMO.
TOM LEWIS
Tom’s career was in Aviation Management, most recently as a Senior Vice President with the Emirates Group in Dubai; during this time, he was involved in operations, organizational structure, people and financial management. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Before returning to Canada in 2019, he was Chair of a Town Council in the U.K. and also served as a Trustee/Director of a charity directed to the welfare of elderly and disadvantaged people.
Since 2020 he has lived just outside Simcoe.
JIM MULHERON
Jim has served on the Board of Directors at Norfolk General Hospital since May 2016. His professional career has been almost exclusively in the commercial bank lending and capital equipment leasing sector, with an emphasis on institutional health care. Outside the finance sector, Jim’s interests include Tai Chi, kayaking, travel and classic cars. He has been a resident in Port Dover since September, 2013.
DAVE WILLIAMS
Dave grew up in Simcoe and now resides in Port Dover. Now retired, he worked in sales & management with IBM as well as at Deloitte Consulting and the Attorney General’s Office. Dave’s mother, now deceased, was a long-time member of NGH Auxiliary.
Ex-Officio Members
Todd Stepanuik, President and CEO
Dr. Robin Martin-Godelie, Chief of Staff
Kim Mullins, VP Clinical & CNE
Dr. Aqeel Al-Aqeel, President – Professional Staff Association
Strategic Plan
In 2018, the Board of Directors undertook a strategic planning process. After consulting with stakeholders across the community, a 5-year Strategic Plan was developed that reflects the collective vision for the future course of Norfolk General and its role within an increasingly complex and dynamic health care landscape.
The full report can be viewed here
