Medical Leadership Team
Dr. Anirudh Goel (He/him)
Chief of Staff and VP Medical & Academic Affairs
Dr. Anirudh Goel has been Chief of Staff and Vice President Medical and Academic Affairs at the Brant Community Healthcare System since 2021.
Dr. Goel completed medical school at McMaster University, residency at the University of British Columbia (St. Paul's Hospital), and has since worked in a variety of settings across the spectrum of the Canadian healthcare system. He has worked as an acute-care hospitalist at BCHS since 2017.
Prior to his appointment as Chief of Staff and Vice President Medical Affairs, Dr. Goel served as Chief and Medical Director of Hospital Based Medicine at BCHS from 2018 to 2021, where he led a number of transformative changes for the department. He also served as Co-Lead Physician for the BCHS COVID-19 pandemic response, and was previously Vice President of the Medical Staff Association.
Dr. Goel’s priorities in his current role include the development of a culture of excellence through a steadfast focus upon quality of care, expansion of access to care, and patient safety, as well as the development of an academic mandate for BCHS. He is passionate about quality improvement, provider wellness, and supporting diversity in healthcare.
Dr. Somaiah Ahmed (She/her)
Chief & Medical Director, Emergency Medicine
Dr. Somaiah Ahmed was appointed to the role of Chief and Medical Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine in May of 2022.
Dr. Ahmed is an accomplished and highly-respected physician leader, with a breadth of experience in clinical and senior administrative roles across the spectrum of the Canadian healthcare system. She previously served for five years as Chief of Staff and Vice President Medical Affairs at Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orangeville, prior to which she served for three years as Chief of Emergency Medicine, also at Headwaters. She joined BCHS in 2018 as an emergency physician, and has held a number of progressive leadership roles within the department, including as Physician Lead for the Clinical Decision Unit, and as Physician Lead for Scheduling.
Dr. Ahmed completed medical school at McMaster University, and residency at the University of Toronto based in both Toronto and Orangeville. Dr. Ahmed has also completed the Advanced Health Leadership Program at the Rotman School of Management. She is well-known at BCHS as a compassionate and authentic leader, who operates with an approach rooted in patient-centered care and provider wellness.
Dr. Anne Powell (She/her)
Chief & Medical Director, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dr. Powell was appointed to the role of Chief and Medical Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in August of 2021.
Dr. Powell has been a key member of the BCHS department of Obstetrics & Gynecology for over 15 years. She joined BCHS upon completion of her training, including medical school and residency at McMaster University. In addition to her medical training Dr. Powell also holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Western Ontario.
Since starting her role as Chief and Medical Director, Dr. Powell has led a number of important initiatives, including the development of a robust quality council, implementation of a central monitoring system, and supporting the Department and its regional partners through the 2021 closure of OB/GYNE at Norfolk General Hospital.
Dr. Jessica Dooley (She/her)
Chief & Medical Director, Pediatrics
Dr. Jessica “Jessa” Dooley was appointed as Chief and Medical Director of the Department of Pediatrics in July 2021.
Dr. Dooley completed medical school at Dalhousie University, followed by residency at McMaster University. Upon completion of her training, she joined BCHS as a pediatrician in 2017.
Since then she has played an integral role as pediatrician at BCHS. In her current role as Chief and Medical Director, Dr. Dooley has been instrumental in the Department’s ongoing growth and development, including the recruitment of several additional pediatricians, implementation of a new AFP and the redevelopment of a new Pediatric Acute Referral Service (“PARS”) clinic.
Dr. Philippe Dass (He/him)
Chief, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine
Dr. Dass was appointed as Chief, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine effective June 1, 2024.
Dr. Dass is an anesthesiologist who has been with BCHS since 2014. He completed medical school at the University of Ottawa, followed by residency and fellowship in Anesthesiology at McMaster University, where he served as Chief Resident.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Dass has become well known to the BCHS professional staff and staff for his collaborative nature, dedication to quality and patient safety, and commitment to excellence. He was the recipient of the BCHS MSA Staff Choice Award in 2018, the MSA Above and Beyond Award in 2022, and the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine CARE Award in 2023.
Dr. Kaplan Kugathasan (He/him)
Chief & Medical Director, Hospital Based Medicine
Dr. Kaplan Kugathasan was appointed Chief and Medical Director of the Department of Hospital Based Medicine effective November 15, 2024.
Dr. Kugathasan attended medical school at the University of Toronto and completed his residency in Family Medicine at McMaster University, where he served as Chief Resident. He also holds a Masters of Medical Science in Immunology from McMaster. Since joining BCHS in 2025, Dr. Kugathasan has taken on several leadership roles since joining BCHS, including on the Coding Optimization Committee and System Wide Admission and Discharge Committee. He is passionate about medical education and is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster.
Through his time at BCHS, Dr. Kugathasan has become well-known to our staff and professional staff for his kindness, approachability, and commitment to excellence for the patients and communities we serve. He was also the recipient of the 2024 Medical Affairs Hospital Based Medicine CARE award.
Dr. Katherine Chorneyko (She/her)
Chief & Medical Director, Laboratory Medicine
Dr. Katherine Chorneyko has served as the Chief and Medical Director of the Department of Laboratory Medicine since January 2019.
Dr. Chorneyko completed her medical school at the University of Western Ontario, followed by her residency in General Pathology and Anatomical Pathology at the University of Ottawa. She also completed additional training in electron microscopy. She worked at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton for several years before joining the BCHS Department of Laboratory Medicine in June 2008.
In addition to her leadership at BCHS Dr. Chorneyko is also the Medical Director for West Haldimand General Hospital. She is also very involved in other aspects of the practice, and has held such roles as President, Brant County Medical Association, President of the Ontario Association of Pathologists, and Vice Chair of the Laboratory Medicine Section of the OMA.
Dr. Angela Fleming (She/her)
Chief & Medical Director, Diagnostic Imaging
Dr. Angela Fleming was appointed to the role of Chief and Medical Director of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging in January 2021.
Dr. Fleming has been a key member of the BCHS Department of Diagnostic Imaging since October 2005. She joined BCHS upon completion of her medical training, including both medical school and residency at McMaster University, followed by an additional fellowship in Women’s Imaging.
Since starting her role as Chief and Medical Director, Dr. Fleming has played a key role in advocacy for the growth and development of the department, while spearheading a number of key initiatives including the procurement of a second CT scanner and implementation of the Interventional Radiology Outreach Program.
Dr. Ajmal Razmy (He/him)
Chief & Medical Director, Mental Health & Addictions
Dr. Razmy was appointed as the permanent Chief and Medical Director of the Department of Mental Health and Addictions in June 2023 after serving as the interim Chief and Medical Director since April 2022.
Dr. Razmy is a psychiatrist with a special interest in preventative mental health, sleep medicine and organizational wellness. He completed medical school, residency, and a Master’s degree in Neuroscience, all at the University of Toronto, then worked for several years at Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga before transitioning his practice to Joseph Brant Hospital and joining BCHS.
He currently serves as Deputy Chief of Psychiatry at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington (JBH), where he collaborates with regional partners to improve access to mental health services. He also champions organizational well-being, and serves as Physician Co-Chair for Well Being at JBH. Dr. Razmy’s previous leadership roles include Service Medical Director of Acute Care Psychiatry at Trillium Health Partners, and he has served as a psychiatry member of the Consent and Capacity Board of Ontario. He joined BCHS as a psychiatrist in 2019, and is known to our staff and physicians for his kindness, patient-centred focus, and holistic approach to care.
Dr. Sean Bulley (He/him)
Chief & Medical Director ,Stroke, Rehabilitation, Complex and Palliative CareDr. Sean Bulley was appointed to the role of inaugural Chief and Medical Director of the Department of the new Department of Stroke, Rehabilitation, Complex and Palliative Care, in 2022.
Dr. Bulley completed medical school at the University of Toronto, residency in Internal Medicine at McMaster University, and fellowship in Clinical Immunology and Allergy at the University of Toronto. He maintains a keen interest in medical education, and is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University. He provides teaching and mentorship for undergraduate and postgraduate medical learners and is known for his commitment to quality improvement.
Dr. Bulley has been a member of the BCHS professional staff since 2017 and has served on a number of BCHS communities including the Medication Utilization Committee and the Policy & Directive Evaluation Committee.
Dr. Andrew Burkett
Chief & Medical Director, Internal MedicineDr. Andrew Burkett began his term as Chief and Medical Director of Internal Medicine at BCHS in October 2023. Dr. Burkett is a respirologist and previously the Director of Interventional Pulmonology in Kitchener-Waterloo. In his most recent role, he worked as the Medical Director of Quality, Risk, and Patient Experience for Grand River Hospital, ensuring quality of care while building a culture of continuous quality improvement. He continues to serve on the Thoracic Advisory Committee for Ontario Health-Cancer Care Ontario, with a focus on centralized intake for lung cancer.
In his clinical work, he predominantly focuses on pleural disease, lung cancer diagnosis, and cancer related dyspnea. He completed his Internal Medicine, Respirology, Interventional and Epidemiology training at the University of Ottawa, and investigated the association between malignant pleural effusions and venous thromboembolism as a Clinical Scholar in Epidemiology.
He is originally from Kitchener-Waterloo and, prior to his career in medicine, graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in computer science, working as a computer programmer and data scientist.
Dr. Sydney Godzisz
Chief, Department of Surgery
Dr. Sydney Godzisz was appointed Chief, Department of Surgery effective January 1, 2024.
Dr. Godzisz has been a dedicated general surgeon at BCHS since 2020. After completing medical school at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Dr. Godzisz went on to complete her residency in General Surgery at McMaster University. Dr. Godzisz has been on the executive of the BCHS MSA for the last three years. For the last year she has served as the Head of Service, General Surgery.
Dr. Godzisz is known for her strong leadership, and dedication to patient centred care and building a culture of excellence. She was also the recipient of the 2022 Medical Affairs Department of Surgery CARE Award.
Dr. Dale Kalina
Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO)
Dr. Kalina joined BCHS as the inaugural Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) in January 2024.
Dr. Kalina is an Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine physician who joins BCHS from Joseph Brant Hospital, where he held the positions of Deputy CMIO, Pandemic Lead, Medical Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, and most recently, Medical Director of the Infectious Diseases Clinic.
Dr Kalina’s professional interests include outpatient medicine, virtual care, wound care, and innovation in medicine. He is a faculty member at Project ECHO Skin and Wound Care Ontario, lectures at McMaster University in healthcare innovation and is a regular contributor to various national news programs.
Dr. Kalina holds an MBA specializing in Digital Transformation from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. He completed residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, where he served as Chief Medical Resident, and fellowship in Infectious Diseases at McMaster University. He is an Associate Clinical Professor (Adjunct) of Infectious Diseases at McMaster University, and will also be joining the BCHS Infectious Diseases service for his clinical work.
Dr. Kalina currently lives in Oakville, ON, with his partner and their dog, Lloyd.
Dr. Susan O'Leary (She/her)
Medical Director, Surgery, Anesthesia and Perioperative Services and Ambulatory Care
Dr. O’Leary transitioned to the role of Medical Surgery, Anesthesia and Perioperative Services and Ambulatory Care in June 2024. Prior to that change she held the role of Chief and Medical Director of the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Services July 2020, and Medical Director of Surgery, Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine and Chief of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine since June 2021.
Dr. O’Leary completed both medical school and residency at Memorial University of Newfoundland. After completion of her training, she worked in the Department of Anesthesia at Eastern Health in St. John’s Newfoundland from 1996 to 2015. She then worked at Hamilton Health Sciences for several years before joining BCHS in June 2020.
Beyond clinical duties, she was an Associate Professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where she fulfilled various roles including Anesthesia Program Director and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Anesthesia Examiner, as well as Chief of Anesthesia at Hamilton Health Sciences. Nationally, Dr. O’Leary was President of the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society (CAS) from 2014 to 2016, and was involved in the national specialty society for several years prior to that time. She continues to work with the CAS and national committees. She is also the current chair of the BCHS Credentials Committee.