Meet Our Executive Leadership Nursing Team

Dr. Vanessa Burkoski

Vice President, Professional Practice/Chief Nursing Executive

Vanessa Burkoski has practiced nursing for 26 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate, Master of Science Degree in Nursing, Doctorate in Health Administration and an adjunct professorship at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Nursing. Vanessa has practiced in both the community and hospital sector providing leadership in clinical, administrative, research, education, and policy domains of nursing practice in Ontario and beyond.

As the longest serving Provincial Chief Nursing Officer, Vanessa’s role was to provide strategic advice regarding nursing and broader health system policy to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. She is responsible for conceptualizing and facilitating the implementation of a wide-range of evidence-based, innovative program and policy initiatives such as, the Personal Digital Assistant program, Ontario Nursing Workforce Alliance, Late Career Nurse - Retention Performance Target, and Long-Term Care - Emergency Mobile Response Program. Vanessa continues to provide nursing leadership through her active involvement on several provincial, national, and international steering committees, working groups, and advisory committees.

Currently, Vanessa holds the position of VP, Professional Practice/CNE at London Health Sciences Centre where she is accountable for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and management of professional practices including, nursing, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nutrition and speech language pathology, as well as Library Services, Student Affairs and Volunteer Services. Her role includes responsibility for care and practice quality, academic affairs, research, education, and professional development.

Vanessa is a longstanding member of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario and the Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario-Special Interest Group.