The achievements of the French Health Network of Central Southwestern Ontario are the result of the expertise of its members. We are dedicated to providing quality services in the mission entrusted to us and remain at your disposal for any request concerning the French Health Network of Central Southwestern Ontario.
Julie Lantaigne
Executive Director
[email protected] – Phone: 416-413-1717/1-888-549-5775 ext. 1
Julie Lantaigne has been the Executive Director of French Health Network of Central Southwestern Ontario since 2012. She is the former Clinical Director of the Centre de santé communautaire de Hamilton/Niagara’s counselling department. She is also a former therapist, counselor and social work program teacher. She serves on various Société Santé en francais’ and Alliance des Réseaux Ontariens de santé en français’ committees. She works closely with the French language health planning entities to coordinate provincial health-related initiatives. Julie Lantaigne graduated from University of Waterloo -St. Jerome’s University with a specialization in Sexuality, Marriage & Family Studies. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Development Studies from the Renison University College in Waterloo and a College Diploma in Social Service Worker from Fanshawe College in London. She has been an active member of the Hamilton community for over thirteen years.
Houda Zrelli
Project Coordinator
hzrelli@francosantesud.ca – Tel: 416-413-1717 ext. 4/ext 4
Houda Zrelli has been the project coordinator for the Réseau Franco-santé du Sud de l’Ontario since 2022. Based in Sudbury since 2011, she trained as a nurse in Tunisia at the Institut Supérieur des Sciences Infirmières de Tunis, where she obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science in Nursing. She decided to pursue her career in the healthcare field in Canada. She has developed an expertise in systemic health and more specifically with the newcomer pathway. She worked in immigration as a socio-community liaison officer at the Centre de santé du Grand Sudbury, supporting the mission of helping French-speaking newcomers settle in and familiarize themselves with the healthcare system. Drawing on her experience, Houda’s philosophy is to always act ethically and with a social conscience. With a flair for innovation and creativity, she is adept at setting up workshops, organizing events and leading them, with the aim of bringing added value to French-speaking immigrants.
Gabrielle Laurin
Project Coordinator
[email protected] – Phone: 416-413-1717 ext. 2
Of Métis descent, originating from a small French-speaking village on Ontario’s Georgian Bay, Gabrielle Laurin is proud to be Franco-Ontarian.
She holds a certificate in women’s intervention from Laurentian University, as well as a diploma in law and security from Fanshawe College. She has professional experience in social work, respiratory care and French-language secular education. Active in her community, she has been involved with the Viamonde School Board for over 7 years as a community liaison officer. This role led to her election as Secretary to the Franco-Info Table of London and to the Board of Directors of the Carrefour communautaire francophone de London. Her career also includes leadership roles as co-chair of the Table francophone de Waterloo-Wellington-Guelph and the Comité local en immigration francophone de London et des comtés environnants. In 2010, Gabrielle was the recipient of the Youth Award at the Simcoe County Women’s Gala and was recently recognized for her commitment to the City of London Diversity and Inclusion Community Strategy. Throughout her career she has managed projects, events and campaigns in partnership with various community organizations, and has had the pleasure of being Master of Ceremonies at a number of these francophone and bilingual events.
She looks forward to continuing to work with communities, this time in the development of French-language health services.
Christine Gilles
Project coordinator
[email protected] – Phone: 416-413-1717/1-888-549-5775 ext. 4
Christine Gilles joined the Réseau franco-santé du sud de l’Ontario team in 2022 as project coordinator. Specialized in health promotion and education, Christine is particularly interested in issues of health equity and access to health services for the most vulnerable and/or in a minority situation. Christine has worked in the field of health for more than twenty years having occupied – alternately – program management positions at the national level and field experience with structurally underserved and/or excluded populations. With an international experience (Belgium, France and Canada since 2007), she has worked more particularly in the field of mental health for the past ten years. Originally from Belgium, she began her career as a general nurse while continuing her studies with a specialization in community health and then a Masters in Public Health.
Nancy Larivière
Project Support officer
[email protected] – Phone: 289 880 6163
Project coordinator for the Réseau franco-santé du sud de l’Ontario since 2013, Nancy Larivière works on recruitment and retention initiatives for bilingual health human resources as well as access to services for Francophone communities. She works, among others, on initiatives for students and immigrants such as Franco-Doc, Franco-Santé and Santé immigration francophone. Prior to joining the Network, she worked as a Health Promotion Officer and as a Volunteer Engagement and Internship Officer. Nancy Larivière holds a degree in Humanities, a Bachelor’s degree in Consumer Science from Laval University and has completed training in sustainable community development.
Diane Brezden
Finance Coordinator
[email protected] – Phone: 416-413-1717/1-888-549-5775 ext. 3
Originally from Smooth Rock Falls in northern Ontario, Diane Brezden graduated in business accounting from Canadore College in North Bay. She travelled early in her career and settled in Barbuda in the Caribbean where she held the position of Manager and Chief Financial Officer responsible for the financial management of several Companies over a period of three years. Back in London, Ontario, she owned and managed the Documat Legal Search House company for nine years before selling it to a Toronto firm. For more than 9 years, Diane served as treasurer / chief financial officer to the non-profit foundation and charity St. Paul’s Cathedral / Woodland Cemetery in London. Diane joined the French Health Network of Central Southwestern Ontario team in May 2011 as Finance Coordinator with 22 years of experience working closely with the Network’s Executive Director, as well as with provincial and national partners, on several projects.
Linda Johnston
Administrative assistant agent
[email protected] – Phone: 416-413-1717/1-888-549-5775 ext. 3
Linda Johnston is originally from Welland, Ontario and graduated with a Sociology degree from Brock University in St Catharines. With over 20 years of experience in IT and office administration, Linda holds the position of Administrative Support Officer with RFSSO and runs a small business. Over the past few years in her career, she has had the pleasure of working with several Francophone organizations. Prior to opening @ Linda’s Office, she held the position of Director of the East Side Senior’s Center in Port Colborne for over 9 years. Very recently, she has the pleasure of working as Executive Director with ABC Communautaire. Linda joined the Réseau franco-santé du Sud de l’Ontario team in January 2020. As part of her role, she works in collaboration with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors and her teammates. She is responsible for administrative tasks such as emails, IT, document management, etc.