Steven K. Patterson, B.Sc., D.D.S., M.P.H., Principal Investigator

Dr. Patterson is a graduate of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Alberta. He later completed a post-graduate degree in public health, receiving his M.P.H. from the University of Washington as well as a certificate program in Addictions Studies through the Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta. He is currently the Education Lead for the School of Dentistry and Associate Chair (Academic) overseeing the curriculum, for the Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. He is also Research Director of the Tobacco Cessation Program and Director of the Dental Public Health Centre at the University of Alberta. He is a leader in dental public health initiatives in the province of Alberta where he has been serving as Regional Dental Officer for five of Alberta’s Health Regions. On a national front he is Past-President of the Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry. He and his wife Shirley reside in Wetaskiwin, Alberta and have six children and two grandchildren.

Jennifer Kwan, MSc, Project Manager

Jennifer Kwan is an experienced project and event manager in the health care, education, community and arts sectors, and has applied her skills to numerous multi-organization collaborative projects.  Combining her academic research background with her previous project/program management experience, Jennifer is enjoying the opportunity to work with a diverse range of colleagues and stakeholders in her role as the IPCLU Project Manager.  As Principal Consultant for Kwan Consulting, Jennifer also focuses on the development and implementation of program evaluation initiatives and combines her skills in logistics with her creative enthusiasm managing events of varying sizes.  She currently teaches Project Management and Powerful PowerPoint Presentations at Metro Continuing Education and is the Vice-President, Internal and Mentorship Committee Chair for the interVivos Mentorship Society of Alberta.

Jessica Culling, RN, BN, Research Assistant

Jessica received her Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Manitoba. She has worked for a number of years in Community Health with those experiencing homelessness and addictions issues. She is currently gaining valuable research experience as a Research Assistant for the Interprofessional Clinical Learning Unit (IPCLU) Project and the Interdisciplinary Tobacco Cessation (ITC) Project at the University of Alberta.  Jessica hopes to apply her experiences towards graduate studies in the near future.