Health Hub Class Notes: Fall 2025

Eric Celentano (BSc '79, Kinesiology) is currently living in Toronto. Eric joined the Faculty of Health Deans Advisory Committee in March 2025 and looks forward to contributing to Faculty priorities. He is also joining the Toronto University Health Network Patient Partner program to contribute a patient perspective to quality improvement initiatives. He volunteers in retirement as an advocate for organ donation, lung transplantation and lung diseases stemming from his receiving a successful double lung transplant in 2018.

Alice Strachan (BSc '83, Kinesiology) retired last year, but has still been working on a contract as a practice facilitator with Health Innovation Group supporting primary care providers in Newfoundland and Labrador in a blended capitation payment program. “Working directly in health care in this capacity feels so rewarding. Encouraging providers to think about practicing in a different way that enables greater patient and provider satisfaction is energizing.”

Christine Barnes (BA '83, Recreation and Leisure Studies) has written a book titled "Inclusionable: Transform How You Lead and Elevate Your Team's Performance." It combines research, inspiring stories and practical tips to increase inclusion and leadership effectiveness at work. Available January 20, 2026.

Jim Kile (BSc '85, MSc '88, Kinesiology) recently taught on the Military Global Health Engagement Course in the U.K., working with NATO colleagues on ethics and global health. Jim is now the national manager for Professional Affairs, Canadian Forces Health Services, and a former varsity hockey energy player.

Wendy Huismans (BSc '88, Kinesiology) has switched gears after more than 20 years in the health and fitness industry; she has now joined the tourism sector. Wendy is celebrating a fifth anniversary at Pedal Toronto, a tour and event company that combines a love of fitness, travel and hospitality.

Janet Lang (BA '89, Recreation and Business) took command of HMCS Prevost (London, Ontario Naval Reserve Division) on July 5, 2025. As a public affairs officer, her military career has included deployments to Nunavut, South Korea and support for the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also served at HMCS Cataraqui and HMCS Carleton. Janet lives in Goderich, Ontario with her wife Sandy.

MJ Macdonald (BA '92, Recreation and Leisure Studies) opened an all-Ontario wine bar and bottle shop with their partner in Prince Edward County in July 2022. They earned the VQA Promoter award this year for their work in hospitality. They maintain a full-time Learning and Development function in Toronto and still teach yoga in their spare time.

Peter Tiidus (PhD '93, Kinesiology) completed their 10-year term as dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at Brock University in July 2025. Before that, Peter was a professor and department chair in Kinesiology at Wilfrid Laurier University for 26 years. Peter is currently on sabbatical and plans to return as a professor at Brock. Peter lives in the Niagara area with their wife. They have two grown sons and two granddaughters.

Monica Kim-Taylor (BSc '98, Kinesiology) has pursued various careers, including being an ergonomics consultant, a stay-at-home mom, owning a yoga studio, and owning three Orangetheory Fitness studios since graduating. After years of supporting members about the mental health struggles around self-esteem, anxiety and depression, she decided she wanted to do more than listen. At age 50, she obtained her Master's degree in Counselling Psychology to become a psychotherapist and owns her own practice in Markham.

Yehuda (Hugh) Adams (BSc '03, Kinesiology) is married and lives in Toronto. Yehuda is active in the Jewish community, and has a three-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter. Yehuda enrolled in an MBA, transitioning from electrical engineering/construction to finance/insurance.

Farhan Asrar (MPH '13, Public Health), now TMU School of Medicine's associate dean, was recently honoured for his contributions to Space Medicine at an event held in his honour by H.E. Jean-Philippe Linteau at the Official Residence of Canada in Riyadh. Dr. Asrar is an internationally known physician leader, educator and researcher in space medicine and health. The event was attended by regional leaders in health care, education and the space sector.

Russell Kovshoff (BA '14, Recreation and Sport Business, Tourism Option) recently moved to Vancouver and has stepped into an exciting new role as executive producer and senior manager of Event and Match Presentation with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer. 

Alexandra Piatkowski (BSc '15, Health Studies) launched Piat Public Health, a woman-owned consulting practice supporting community needs assessments, strategic planning, evaluation and equity-focused engagement. After a decade in health leadership, she is excited to help health and social impact organizations turn data and community insight into action for healthier, equitable communities.

Ashley Parker-Symons (BA '16, Recreation and Sport Business, MA '18, Recreation and Leisure Studies) had the opportunity to lead a program called Camps on Tracks after graduation, which supports municipalities and educators in implementing inclusive, peer-mediated strategies. This sparked Ashley’s passion for municipal recreation, leading them to roles with the City of London, Southwest Middlesex, and now the City of St. Thomas, where they serve as the supervisor of Recreation Programs. 

Adriana Michaud (MSW '24, Social Work) and her husband have welcomed their second child, a girl, making them a family of four along with their son (five, if you include their husky!). After over a year off, she is eager to begin a new position in January as a registered social worker and psychotherapist in private practice. She is also going back to work as an addiction worker within the addiction treatment centre with Niagara Health.

Ronald Brown (PhD '24, Public Health Sciences) recently joined the Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation as an independent researcher.