About Us
History
The Centre of Arthritis Excellence (CArE) is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health to deliver a community-based arthritis program under a not-for-profit governance model. CArE delivers community-based care for arthritis and associated conditions to provide patients with timely assessment, effective treatment, and patient education grounded in self-management principles and based on decades of ground-breaking evidence based, innovative and transdisciplinary care formerly situated in an acute care context.
CArE evolved from the success of The Arthritis Program (TAP), an interprofessional model divested from its acute care setting in January 2021 secondary to loss of global budget support. CArE received first of its kind base funding from the Ministry of Health in 2022 to implement this innovative care model in the community.
Mission
Our mission is to deliver outstanding interdisciplinary team-based care that enhances the quality of life for individuals with arthritis through patient-centred treatment plans, education, and collaboration.
Vision
Improving the lives of people living with arthritis through compassion, innovation, and leadership within the health care system.
Values
Our values are core to our culture, guide our work and define what we stand for.
- Leadership and Innovation – we champion innovation in team-based arthritis care
- Impact – we improve the lives of people living with arthritis and influence progress in health care delivery
- Discovery – we search for new treatment approaches, encourage creative ideas, and support continuous learning
- Belonging – we are an organization where people collaborate and everyone feels valued and heard
- Excellence – we hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do
Foundations for success
- Build a cohesive organizational culture with shared mission and values
- Build on lessons learned to establish effective governance and operational policies
- Develop and nurture a culture of trust, accountability, and reliance between and among team members
- Embed diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do
- Ensure stability of leadership positions (i.e., executive director, clinical and medical leads, directors of the board)
- Ensure CArE’s sustainability by capitalizing on digital health and technological advancements
Spotlight on outcomes
Develop, deliver, and evaluate high quality, evidence-based programs that improve the health of our patients and advance team-based care delivery
- Develop and evaluate programs that respond to our patients’ needs
- Invest in teaching to strengthen the future of arthritis care
- Ensure purpose-driven engagement in professional organizations to ensure access to, and influence in development of best practices
Influential relationships
Establish strong, mutually beneficial partnerships that enhance arthritis care
- Engage our patients and families/significant others in care and programming decisions
- Work with other providers to improve arthritis care delivery and care pathways
- Build and nurture relationships with community, funders and elected officials
Innovative leadership
- Make our successes known
- Advocate for and lead system change based on outcomes
- Actively participate in and lead regional, provincial, national, and international organizations
Board of Directors
Board Chair
Dr. Carter Thorne
Treasurer
Gary Ryan
Directors
Patrick Clifford
Janet Jeffrey
David Johnson
Secretary
Annette Marcuzzi
Patient & Family Advisory Council
Kevin Thompson
Sharon Pringle
Jim Davidson
Dr. Carter Thorne
Dr. Melissa Holdren
Marcia Palonen
David Walker
Clinic Staff
Executive Director (Interim)
David W
Innovation and Interprofessional Team Coordinator
Marcia P
Occupational Therapist, Education Liaison
Ahava L
Physiotherapists
Leya B
Lauria L
Nurse
Kathy R
Administrative Assistants:
Yasmine S
Liezl H
Melissa D
Pharmacists
Peggy B
Monica T
Rheumatologists
Dr. Melissa Holdren (Medical Lead)
Dr. Richard Tse
Dr. Cheuk Hei (Keith) Tam
Dr. Edward Ng Tung Hing
Dr. Salman Anwar
Rheumatologist
Dr. Michael Aubrey
Rheumatologist
Peggy B.
Pharmacist
Leya B.
Physiotherapist
Dr. Edward Ng Tung Hing
Rheumatologist
Dr. Melissa Holdren
Rheumatologist
Liezl H.
Administrative Assistant
Ahava L.
Occupational Therapist
Laurie L.
Physiotherapist
Kristen R.
Health Educator
Dr. Richard Tse
Rheumatologist
Yasmine S.
Administrative Assistant
Monica T.
Pharmacist
Testimonials
Our Physical Space
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