Choosing Wisely Canada’s roots are grounded in fostering conversations between clinicians and patients about the risks and harm of overuse in health care. Engaging patients in these efforts has been critical to Choosing Wisely Canada’s approach since the beginning and will remain core to our future endeavours.

Patients offer invaluable perspectives, drawing from their direct experiences across various health care sectors. Since the launch of Choosing Wisely Canada, patient and public advisors have shaped many aspects of the campaign, from resource development to establishing campaign priorities. To build on this approach and include an even wider and more diverse set of patient perspectives, we have established a new Patient Advisory Council. This four-member council will provide guidance and collaborate on various Choosing Wisely Canada core activities related to advocacy, implementation, and clinician engagement.

Jane Arychuk:
Jane Arychuk’s life and career have brought her into contact with many different touchpoints within the medical and health care system. Currently situated in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Jane brings experiences recognizing the health care system of a 700-person community, a 2500-person regional centre and a 20 000 person capital city. Jane hopes to raise awareness about the importance of using finite resources wisely, drawing from her rural and remote experiences.

Tony Leamon:
Tony has been an active member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Patient and Public Advisory Council for over seven years. Personal experiences supporting a family member through a dementia diagnosis furthered his commitment to ensure patient and public voices are heard in health care. Tony hopes to use past experiences and expertise to support and shape Choosing Wisely Canada’s future initiatives.

Amy Ma:
Amy is passionate about the intersection of the climate crisis and health care. She believes that making informed choices, both on a micro and macro level, can lead to more resilient and environmentally responsible health systems. As an adult child to immigrant aging parents, a racialized woman, and a parent to three children, Amy brings experiences navigating the healthcare system, coupled with over five years in the Patient and Public Advisor role with Choosing Wisely Canada.

Paula Orecklin:
With seven years of experience as a patient advisor, partner, and evaluator, on the local, provincial, national, and international levels, Paula comes to Choosing Wisely Canada with a very strong background in patient engagement. She is interested in improving healthcare systems across the country. Having seen how waste, outdated practices, and pressure from patients can result in unnecessary tests and treatments, Paula aims to use her experience and perspective to help others understand the risks associated with overuse in health care.