BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kingston Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences Centre is a not-for-profit corporation that was established to increase the provision of eye care and to support the academic mission of the Department of Ophthalmology. The physician group at KOVSC are all Queen’s University Faculty members. Our Board of Directors and KOVSC Officers are comprised of physicians, community members and subject matter experts in finance, real estate, corporate management and community outreach. The Board provides financial and operational oversight as well as strategic direction for the corporation.
Board Directors
dr. stephanie baxter - President
Is an Associate Professor at Queen’s University with tenure at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. She became the Department of Ophthalmology’s Department Head in September of 2022, and has transitioned into the Chair of the Board of Directors at KOVSC. Dr. Baxter has been with Queen’s since her residency, and currently holds the Ernie and Edna Johnson Chair.
Dr. J. Tom Gonder
Is the Deputy Head – KHSC Assistant Professor
Fellowship: Retina, University of Calgary (2014)
Ophthalmology Residency: University of Calgary (2013)
Medical School: University of Calgary (2008)
MBA, Richard Ivey School of Business (2005)
BSc, Mechanical Engineering, Flint, Michigan (2003)
Dr. Christine law
Is an Assistant Professor and Deputy Head at Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Kingston, Ontario. She is also Chair of the Practice Resource Centre for the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and a member of the Medical Advisory Council for the CNIB EyeVan.
dr. sherif el-defrawy
Is the Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto, and Ophthalmologist-in-Chief at the Kensington Eye Institute. Dr. El-Defrawy has been President of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Chair of the CNIB/Baker Committee, President of the Association of Canadian University Professors of Ophthalmology, Co-Chair of the Eye Health Council of Ontario, Chaired or been a member of many Ontario Expert Panels and vision task forces and also served on the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons Examination Committee.
Dr. Omar Islam
Dr. Islam earned his MD from the University of Toronto in 1995, after which he pursued Radiology residency at Queen’s University. Following the completion of his residency, he undertook a fellowship in Neuroradiology at Yale University. Returning to Queen’s in 2001, Dr. Islam became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, and he also took on the role of Section Head for the Division of Neuroradiology and Head & Neck Imaging. Since 2019, Dr. Islam has been serving as the Head of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at Queen's University.
Robin harris - treasurer
Robin Harris joined the board in July 2021 and brings a wealth of experience in finance, taxation and risk management. She received her Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University. She articled with Deloitte (Ottawa) while completing her CPA, CA designation. Her work and volunteer experience includes time in the financial services industry, health care and the non for profit sectors.
Mike Brown
Mike Brown is a corporate and commercial lawyer and Partner at Cunningham Swan Carty Little & Bonham LLP. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganization and structuring, as well as corporate governance, among other areas. Mike advises clients on a variety of complex legal matters and works with both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Mike has served on the Board of Directors for both Swim Ontario and Swimming Canada, as well as a member of various committees for both organizations.