Council and Committees
Council of Directors
The Council governs the COA. Council members include Registered Opticians appointed by the COA Council and Public Members appointed by the Minister of Health.
The Council is responsible for setting the governing policies and strategic direction of the COA, monitoring the fiscal health of the organization, and ensuring the College meets its mandated obligations under legislation and regulations. Through careful analysis of changes in eye care and the healthcare sector, the Council approves policies and practice standards for opticians to maintain and enhance patient protection.
The Council works together with the Government of Alberta, other provincial regulatory bodies, and post-secondary institutions.
You can find a list of Council meeting dates and previous meeting minutes here.
Members of Council
President
Vice President
Registered Member
Past President
Public Member
Public Member
Public Member
Public Member
Registered Member
Public Member
Council Appointments
In 2022, the Council adopted an appointment process for registered members as part of the transition of the former ACAO to the College of Opticians of Alberta (COA) with a single mandate to protect the public. In accordance with the COA Bylaws, registered members are appointed for a three-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms. Public members are appointed by the Minister of Health. Current terms of office for the Council are as follows:
Council Member | Appointing Authority | Appointed | Term | Expiry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lana Bentley (Public Member) | Minister of Health | 2020 | 1 | 2024 | |
Margaret Cayenne (Registered Member) | COA Council | 2022 | 2 | 2025 | |
Tania Arora (Registered Member) | COA Council | 2024 | 1 | 2025 | |
Reagan Cerisano (Registered Member) | COA Council | 2023 | 1 | 2026 | |
Laura Lazenby-Pashko (Registered Member) | COA Council | 2023 | 1 | 2026 | |
Scott Smith (Registered Member) | COA Council | 2023 | 1 | 2026 | |
Oziren Ogbimi (Registered Member) | COA Council | 2024 | 1 | 2025 | |
Chinedu Ogbonna (Public Member) | Minister of Health | 2021 | 2 | 2026 | |
Olatunde Olatona (Public Member) | Minister of Health | 2021 | 1 | 2024 | |
Kay Walsh (Public Member) | Minister of Health | 2024 | 1 | 2027 | |
Cheryl Seaborn (Public Member) | Minister of Health | 2024 | 1 | 2027 | |
Public Member (Vacant) | Minister of Health |
|
Committees and Hearing Tribunals
In addition to the Council, the COA establishes committees and tribunals in accordance with the Health Professions Act, Opticians Profession Regulation, and COA Bylaws to support the governance of the organization and the regulation of opticians in Alberta.
View the COA Council Committees Terms of Reference (including SOP Focus Group).
Executive Committee
- Laura Lazenby-Pashko (President)
- Lana Bentley, Public Member (Vice Chair)
Governance and Audit Committee
- Lana Bentley, Public Member (Chair)
- Chinedu Ogbonna, Public Member
- Olatunde Olatona, Public Member
- Scott Smith, RO, RCLP
- Nicole McIntosh, RO, Member at Large
- Rhianna McMurdo, RO, PCLP, Member at Large
Registration and Competence Committee
- Margaret Cayenne, RO, RCLP (Chair)
- Laura Lazenby-Pashko, RO, RCLP (Vice Chair)
- Olatunde Olatona, Public Member
- Scott Smith, RO, RCLP
- Reagan Cerisano, RO
- Udo Hanebaum, RO, RCLP
- Deidre MacIntyre, RO, RCLP
- Leah Hart, RCLP, Member at Large
HPA Membership List (Tribunals)
- Georgina Bromley, RO, RCLP - Chair (2022-2025)
- Kathie Melzer, RO (2022-2025)
- Jasmina Miskic, RO (2022-2025)
- Nicole Servold, RO (2022-2025)
- Nitin Pal Singh, RCLP, (2023-2026)
- Harpreet Kaur, RCLP, (2023-2026)
- Laura Anderson, RO, (2024-2026)