Board of Directors

Claudio Munoz, MD PhD, Scientific Director, Head of Research

Claudio Munoz has an MD degree from Chile, and MSc and PhD degrees in Pharmacology and Toxicology from University of Western Ontario. Since 1988, he has participated as a co-investigator or sub-investigator in more than 50 clinical trials of new cardiovascular drugs in Canada, first at the Hypertension Research Unit, and since 1996 at the Stroke Prevention and Atherosclerosis Research Centre (SPARC) of the London Health Sciences Centre and the Robarts Research Institute, London. Through this work, he has gained extensive experience in all aspects of conducting academic- and industry-sponsored clinical research. He will be responsible for promoting Gateway as a centre of excellence for community-driven clinical research and ensure a constant stream of appropriate research projects. He will be also be responsible for ensuring proper training of clinicians to obtain investigator certification, supervising research coordinators, and organizing and coordinating an external ethic review board. He will also continue his involvement with SPARC, and maintain strong networking and collaboration with other rural research centres and academic institutions.

Gwen Devereaux, President

A Huron County native, registered RN and former clinic administrator, Gwen is a physician- and healthcare- recruiter for a number of local hospital agencies. As a community key volunteer, she conceived and initiated the Healthkick program and was also instrumental in creating one of the first community-driven Family Health Teams in Ontario with a mandate of delivery of primary healthcare to local residents. A keen community activist, she continues to promote health care services in the region in both work and private settings.

Linda Knight, Vice President

One of three of Gateway’s newest Directors, Linda is a long time resident of Ashefield Colbourne Township in Huron County, Linda is exceptionally familiar with rural health care. She started a home nursing company 25 years ago and it has since grown to over 600 employees and has 10 branches throughout Southwestern Ontario and now sits as the CEO for CarePartners. In 2002, Linda won the Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the year and she attended Wilfrid Laurier University, graduating in Business. Linda’s familiarity of rural health care is a definite asset to Gateway and she sits on the Executive and Project/Programming Committee for Gateway.

Rob Evans, Chair
A graduate of Pickering College, Newmarket with a B.A. from Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo. Rob is
President and CEO of two private asset management companies and a consultant in business advisory services. Rob has received business awards, also serves on several community boards and municipal committees and is an active community leader and volunteer. Rob sits on the Executive and Financial committee for Gateway as well and utilizes his business knowledge and familiarity of procedures/policies for non profits. Rob leads the Governance committee and sits on the Executive committee.

Dan Stringer, Vice Chair
A pharmacist, Dan graduated from Carleton University (B.Sc. 1968) and U.of T. (B.Sc. Phm. 1971). He practiced retail and hospital pharmacy in Ottawa, Pembroke and Goderich. He purchased Rieck Pharmacy, Goderich in 1978 and practiced as an independent pharmacist/owner until 2001. Currently employed by Rexall PharmaPlus as dispensary manager in Goderich, and Huron community FHT as consultant pharmacist. Has been active in Goderich Lions Club, on executive of local Pharmacy associations and as councillor for local district at Ontario College of Pharmacists. Currently serve on executive of Goderich BIA and on Huron FHT board of directors. Dan was an essential element in the Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Waterloo-School of Pharmacy, and helps mentor the Pharmacy Cooperative Education students from the UoW – School of Pharmacy for Gateway. Dan sits on the Project/Program and Marketing/Communications Fundraising Readiness Committees for Gateway as well.

Mary Lapaine, Secretary/Treasurer

A native of Goderich, Huron County, Mary attended Bishop Straughan in Toronto and later Michigan State University. Operated a family hotel, the Bedford in Goderich, and a motel and in 1993, was chair of the Ontario Motel & Hotel Association for two years. Also served on the Goderich Marine Hospital board and in 2003, became chair of the Ontario Hospital Association. In May 2004, became chair of the Canadian Healthcare Association. In January, 2007, appointed to the new South West region Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) Board for a three year term and now serving as vice-chair.

Lin Steffler, Past President

A resident of Huron East, the last 20 years in Seaforth, Lin has many years experience working with provincial ministries and committees and over 10 years local experience as Police Services Board chair, municipal councilor, municipal reeve and mayor following the Ontario amalgamation process. Lin is also an active community leader and volunteer.