Helping Ontarians Breathe Easier!
The Ontario Home Respiratory Services Association (OHRSA) is a not-for-profit industry association representing Ontario's private sector respiratory service providers and the patients they serve.
Our association embraces service providers of all sizes, from mutli-national corporations to locally owned small businesses. We are able to represent all of our members' best interests because our policy positions are always based on what's best for patients. We believe in Value Based Healthcare, and advocate for policy reform designed to improve patient reported outcomes and experiences, improve care-giver experiences, all while driving economic benefit across the care cycles involved.
What We Do
The activities of OHRSA are focused on three key groups: our membership, the clients they serve, and our funding partners.
On behalf of our membership, we inform and promote government understanding and support for the well-being of our industry and the clients served. In turn, we advise members of government and regulatory activities, and act in their collective interest. An important function of the association and a benefit to our membership is the provision of government relations services and advocacy. We also provide direct member benefits through education and training.
On behalf of the clients served by our members, we ensure our members are well versed on the latest technologies that enhance individual independence and respiratory health, and we take the patient voice to government and private health insurers in support of policy reform.
On behalf of our primary funding partner, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, we are a key stakeholder in the advancement of a program of high-quality, cost-effective, client-focused and universally accessible home care services that substantially improve quality of life. We also represent our constituents and their patients in optimizing funding resources through the private health insurance industry.
Board of Directors
Our bylaws allow for a board of directors with 10 seats, each having a two year term, attained through membership vote. Additionally, the association may nominate an executive director.
- Paul Damiani, CEO, Carestream Medical ULC - President & Chair of the board
- Lyndsey Ross, Owner, Absolute Respiratory - Secretary/Treasurer
- Boutros Salama, Regional Director, VitalAire Canada - Director
- Doug Fines, President, MED-E-OX - Director
- Geoff Patton, VP of Operations, Homestead Oxygen and Medical Equipment - Director
- Terry O'Farrell, Business Manager, Medigas - Director
- Kelly O'Donnell, Managing Partner, InspiAIR Inc. - Director
- Brooke Allen, CFO, Resolve Sleep Health - Director
- Michael Sharp, CEO, FPM Solutions - Director
- Soula Schumacher, Manager, Haldimand Home Respiratory - Director
- Paul Edwards - Executive Director
Sussex Strategy Group
OHRSA retains Sussex Strategy Group to facilitate government relations undertakings in compliance with relevant legislation. Today, our policy reform initiatives are supported by:
- Paul Pellegrini, Executive Chairman
- Joyce Mankarios, Vice President, Government Relations