Recipients include healthcare leaders, physicians, nurses, community leaders, and volunteers.

Southlake Health and the Southlake Health Foundation are proud to announce that 11 members of the Southlake Health family have been awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal. This national honour recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Canada and their communities.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal was established to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on May 6, 2023. Only 30,000 medals were awarded across the country to deserving individuals who made significant contributions to Canada or a particular Canadian province, territory, region, or community.

“We are incredibly proud of our colleagues and partners whose contributions have been recognized with this extraordinary honour,” said Paul Woods, MD, President and CEO of Southlake Health. “For over a century, Southlake has built healthy communities, and each of the recipients is an important part of that legacy. Their commitment to advancing leading edge care and building healthy communities is a reflection of the values we uphold every day.”

Southlake’s recipients include healthcare leaders, physicians, nurses, community leaders, and volunteers. Each individual is being recognized for their outstanding commitment to healthcare, philanthropy, and community impact across York Region, Simcoe County, and beyond.

“What makes Southlake Health truly special is our People – our clinicians, our staff, and our incredible community of volunteers, donors, and supporters who go above and beyond every day for patients and families who rely on us. They are the true champions and tireless partners. It’s both humbling and inspiring to see these remarkable leaders recognized for their service,” said Jennifer Ritter, President and CEO of Southlake Health Foundation.

Southlake Health congratulates each of the 11 recipients for this well-deserved recognition and thanks them for their continued service to the hospital and the broader community.

Learn more about the recipients by reading the profiles below:

Staff and medical staff

Karyn Popovich
Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive
Karyn Popovich is a Registered Nurse who has worked more than 35 years in healthcare. She has held a range of clinical leadership and executive positions, including Vice President, Chief Nurse, Executive Vice President and most recently, CEO of North York General Hospital, which she led during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Karyn is a passionate champion of patient and family-centred care and the pursuit of excellence in quality and operational performance.

In addition to her work as healthcare executive, Karyn has served an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto’s Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing since 2009 and an Accreditation Canada surveyor since 2011.

Patrick Gamble, MD, FRCSC
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Patrick Gamble is an orthopaedic surgeon and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada with subspecialty training in hip and knee reconstruction and orthopaedic trauma. He practices at Southlake Health, where his clinical work focuses on complex joint reconstruction, trauma, and sports medicine, with particular expertise in anterior hip surgery and advanced knee procedures.

He served as Head of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at Southlake Health for nearly a decade and has worked extensively as a surgical consultant with multiple orthopaedic companies. His contributions include surgeon education, the development of advanced techniques, and training learners across North America.

Dr. Gamble is also the founder and Medical Director of Motus Medical, The Sports Medicine Professionals, a network of multidisciplinary clinics dedicated to comprehensive musculoskeletal care. Beyond his professional commitments, Dr. Gamble is most proud of being the father of seven children.

Baseer Khan, MD, FRCS(C), M.FIN., P.CEO.
Glaucoma, cataract, anterior segment & refractive surgeon
Dr. Baseer Khan is a globally respected ophthalmologist and co-founder of Clarity Eye Institute, Ontario’s largest ophthalmic group. A pioneer in advanced eye surgery, he has performed over 35,000 intraocular and 20,000 laser procedures and was among the first in North America to use several cutting-edge technologies. Dr. Khan is the Division Head of Ophthalmology at Southlake Health and serves on staff at multiple hospitals while teaching as an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Laura Pella
RN, CPMHN©, Outpatient Mental Health Community Treatment Orders Coordinator
With over 35 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Laura has worked across a wide range of clinical settings, including day surgery, family practice, telemedicine coordination, inpatient mental health, and as team lead for an outpatient schizophrenia clinic. Since 2017, Laura has been a Certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse through the Canadian Nurses Association. Currently serving as a Community Treatment Order (CTO) Coordinator, Laura plays a vital role in supporting individuals with serious mental illness by ensuring they receive consistent care and treatment while living in the community.

Current and former members of the Board of Directors or Philanthropy Cabinet

Pat Horgan, CPA, Past Chair of the Board of Directors for Southlake Health
Patrick Horgan is the Past Chair of the Board of Directors for Southlake Health. He worked at IBM for 35 years, playing a pivotal role in leading transformations both in Canada and globally. As Chair of the IBM Canada Board and in his final role as Chief Operating Officer, Patrick oversaw a broad range of business operations. As head of Innovation, he led IBM Canada’s Software Lab and the IBM Microelectronics Plant in Bromont, Quebec—both the largest of their kind in the country.

Patrick has served on several external boards, including as the 2013 Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, as well as serving on the boards of the Ontario Brain Institute, the Aboriginal Business Council, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. From 2019 to 2022, he was an Adjunct Professor at Western University, advising on AI and its implications for the Engineering and Business faculties. Pat currently is a member of the Newmarket Economic Development committee and a Board member with Invest Ontario.

Peter van Schaik, Co-Chair, of Southlake Health Foundation’s Philanthropy Cabinet and Board Director
Peter van Schaik is the Co-Chair of Southlake Health Foundation’s Philanthropy Cabinet, a Board Director of the organization, and is currently the Chairman of Van-Rob Realty. In 1979, Peter formed Van-Rob Inc., an automotive parts supplier, which grew into one of Canada’s largest automotive parts suppliers.

Under Peter’s leadership as Southlake Foundation’s Count on Me Cancer Campaign Chair, $65 million dollars was raised to build the Southlake’s Regional Cancer Centre, which opened in 2010. Since then, Peter has been an integral leadership volunteer and donor, supporting leading edge care across Southlake Health.

Steve Hinder, Co-Chair of Southlake Health Foundation’s Philanthropy Cabinet
Steve Hinder is the Co-Chair of Southlake Health Foundation’s Philanthropy Cabinet.

After completing a 30-year career in policing in Toronto, he retired at the rank of Staff Sergeant, having served in many areas of policing. Community has always meant a lot to Steve. He has been active since moving to Aurora in 1975, serving as a member of Aurora Council (1997 to 2000) and honoured as Aurora’s “Citizen of the Year” in 1996.

Steve has served as a Director on the Southlake Health Foundation Board of Directors, was a long-time member of the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake and Southlake Gala Committees, is the former Chair of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, and former Chair of the Board of Governors for the Character Community Foundation of York Region.

Michael Croxon, Southlake Health Foundation Philanthropy Cabinet Member, and President and CEO of the NewRoads Automotive Group
Michael Croxon is the President and CEO of NewRoads Automotive Group and a dedicated community leader in Newmarket and surrounding areas. Inspired by his father’s example, Michael has made philanthropy a core part of his business, supporting Southlake Health, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Women’s Centre of York Region and other worthy organizations.

NewRoads supports Southlake through various signature events and by running their annual community event, the NewRoads LakeRide, a cycling event in support of Southlake’s Mental Health Program. Michael, his wife Sharon, and NewRoads, were also lead supporters of the Better Begins Today Mental Health Campaign. The NewRoads Emergent Mental Health Assessment Unit was named in recognition of their generous investment in the mental health and wellness of our communities.

Volunteers and community leaders

Brian North, Member, Southlake Health Foundation Community Cabinet
Brian North is a dedicated member of Southlake Health Foundation’s Community Cabinet – a group of citizens invested in engaging our communities in fundraising for Southlake in diverse and meaningful ways. Brian is community builder whose passion for service has made a lasting impact in York Region. A driving force behind the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake for over 13 years, Brian has helped rally thousands in support of Southlake Health, a cause deeply personal to him. Mr. North was recognized with the prestigious Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship in 2019 and named Aurora’s Citizen of the Year in 2012.

Lynnette Lanning, Member, Southlake Health Foundation Community Cabinet and Owner, Neighbour Media
Lynette Lanning is a member of Southlake Health Foundation’s Community Cabinet and is committed supporter of Southlake Health. A journalist and business professional by trade, Lynnette supports local storytelling through Neighbour Media which highlights positive, uplifting, and heartwarming stories for the neighbours who live, work and play locally in Newmarket and Aurora. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Abuse Hurts (Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness).

Arif Khan, Member, Southlake Health Foundation Community Cabinet and Chairman, The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association
Arif Khan is a member of Southlake Health Foundation’s Community Cabinet and is a dedicated community leader who has played a key role in strengthening local engagement in Newmarket through his work with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association. Under his leadership, the Newmarket branch has become a driving force behind numerous charitable initiatives, including blood, clothing, and food drives that support those in need. In recent years, Arif helped launch the Run for Newmarket, a major community event that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for Southlake Health. Committed to service, Arif and his team continue to support a wide range of local causes, from spring cleanups to urgent community needs, whenever and wherever help is needed.