Our Team
Krystal Kehoe MacLeod, PhD
Founding Director
Dr. Kehoe MacLeod is a public policy and health services researcher with expertise in qualitative, mixed methods, and community-based research, as well as professional experience working in health policy in the public service in Ontario and New South Wales, Australia. Her research program on improving patients’ access to timely, equitable, and high-quality health and social care that meets their expressed needs as they age, is seeing increasing success through equity-focused research approaches leading to funded, collaborative, and impact-focused results. Krystal has taught at the University of Ottawa and at Carleton University in the Department of Health Sciences, the School of Public Policy and Administration, and the School of Social Work. When she is not overseeing the exciting work going on at CCAER, Krystal co-owns and operates Gael Glen Farm and Apiary with her partner and three young children. She is also a Director on the Board of Carefor, Eastern Ontario’s largest home care and community support services charity, Treasurer of the Women’s, Gender, and Social Justice professional association, and Director of the grassroots organization, the Ottawa Valley Food Security Project.
Eunice Hammond, MA
Research Coordinator
Eunice Hammond is a Research Coordinator at the Bruyère Research Institute. She works on qualitative projects in various research areas including food security, retirement home regulation and emergency department avoidance. Her other research interests include mental health studies among ethnic minorities, housing affordability and immigrant health. Eunice has a Master of Arts in Health Policy and Equity from York University and completed her undergraduate degree in Health Studies at the University of Waterloo. Eunice is passionate about working to improve healthcare outcomes through policy, research and community advocacy. Outside of work, Eunice enjoys spending time with family, reading, watching TV shows and listening to podcasts.
Sarisha Philip, MPH
Research Coordinator
Sarisha is a Research Coordinator at the Bruyère Research Institute. Her area of research involves addressing food insecurity, specifically in older adults living in rural settings. She works alongside Family Health Teams and community paramedics in the Champlain region to develop comprehensive tools for food insecurity screening and assessment. Sarisha received her Master’s in Public Health at the University of Ottawa. As an always curious person, she enjoys exploring various aspects of public health and health services research. She has experience conducting interviews, performing statistical analysis, and evaluation research. Outside of work, Sarisha enjoys reading, mostly epic fantasy, but makes some room for non-fiction. She also enjoys cooking/baking, even though her kitchen persona can be a tad bit chaotic at times.
Olivia Ballantyne, MA
Research Coordinator
Olivia is a Research Coordinator at the Bruyère Research Institute. She coordinates the team’s Indigenous research projects including; our project on Change Champions in Indigenous communities in the North and our Food as Medicine project focused on promoting healthy aging for Indigenous older adults through cultural food programming. Olivia has a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Sport Business and a Masters of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of Waterloo. She has spent the past three and a half years working in the Indigenous non-profit sector working on program design, implementation, and evaluation with Indigenous communities across the country. Olivia is passionate about health and well-being, community development and the social impact of non-profit and community organizations. Outside of work, Olivia enjoys spending time outdoors and being physically active. She is also an avid traveler and has visited 18 countries.
Victoria Wicks, MSc
Research Coordinator
Victoria Wicks is a Research Coordinator at the Bruyère Research Institute. She supports our food insecurity portfolio and is involved in research exploring the role of food as part of person-centred palliative care. Victoria’s other research interests include patient experiences of healthcare and the use of lay navigators to support equitable access to care. Victoria has a Master of Science in Family Medicine degree from McGill University and completed her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at the University of Toronto. Victoria is passionate about health, improving patient and caregiver experiences and supporting community initiatives. In her spare time Victoria enjoys exploring new running routes around the city, swimming and spending time with friends and family.
Tara Tabatabaei, BSc
Research Assistant
Tara Tabatabaei is a 4th year medical student working under Dr. Krystal Kehoe MacLeod. Her project looks at how language discordance (when a provider and patient don’t speak the same primary language) affects the provision of patient-centered care in a primary care setting. Prior to beginning her work with this team, Tara had completed two Bachelors of Science, and is now completing her medical degree at the University of Ottawa. Tara is interested in research that can be applied clinically to improve healthcare outcomes and patient experience. Outside of work and school, Tara is a huge foodie who is making her way around all the major Ottawa restaurants and she is always open to recommendations for new places to try!
Marie-Ève Tittley, MN, RN
Research Assistant
