Hi, I am Mary Ann Gatbonton. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to learn more about

me. I'm a registered nurse who is passionate about leading change to strengthen the health

and well being of communities. Most of my career has been in public health in the area of

reproductive, child and family health. Over the last decade, my work has been centred on

policy, issues management, project management and health promotion. This shift has allowed

to engage with complex problems, think upstream and contribute to solutions that address the broader conditions that shape health. Along the way, I have health leadership roles that have strengthened my ability to build and maintain relationships across levels of government and organizations, allowing me to collaborate with diverse partners in ways that align with my organization's priorities.

 

I currently work as a Senior Policy and Strategic Issues Advisor and bring over 10 years of experience as a Health Promotion Specialist. My work in strategic planning and health promotion has involved finding synergies with key stakeholders and advancing integrated approaches to communication and service delivery for Toronto residents. I have built strong connections with community programs and contributed to the development of innovative strategies to promote access to health services.

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My approach to public health is shaped by my social location and lived experience. I am a Filipino woman, the daughter of immigrants and a mother of three boys, and I navigate the healthcare system both professionally and personally. I work as a nurse and manager in a hierarchical public health organization in Toronto. These experiences have made me particularly attentive to access, cultural responsiveness and equity in health services. I am aware that my professional role carries influence as well as responsibility. I try to listen, learn and amplify the voices of communities most affected by health inequities and bring reflexivity and a commitment to health equity into how I lead, collaborate and engage in my work.

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On a personal note, to keep me grounded, I spend lots of time with my family (which includes my wonderful labradoodle dog) and friends. This pandemic has made me cherish this time even more! Travelling and having life experiences by having a variety of adventures and learning about different cultures is what my family enjoys the most. 

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