Janet Beed has more than 40 years of experience in the Ontario health care system, most recently as President and CEO of Markham Stouffville Hospital. Prior to that position she held a number of leadership roles at the University Health Network/Toronto General Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital/Ontario Cancer Institute, and the Hospital for Sick Children. Janet was also a Partner with Deloitte Consulting working globally in the Change Management Service Line.  

Janet’s understanding of the needs of caregivers began when she was a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Cardiac Care division of the Hospital for Sick Children. During this time, she became involved with Bereaved Parents of Toronto and served on their professional Advisory Board and the Board of Directors. During her tenure the organization transformed to Bereaved Families of Ontario, a provincial volunteer-based organization focused on providing support by bereaved parents to bereaved parents through a self-help model under the guidance of a Professional Advisory Committee. Over the past 10 years, Janet has been an active caregiver to friends and family members during acute and palliative times of need. 

In 2017, Janet was engaged by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to examine how to strengthen supports for caregivers in Ontario. Janet consulted widely with caregivers, Ontario organizations providing supports to caregivers, and caregiver organizations in other jurisdictions. The Ontario Caregiver Organization is based on recommendations in Janet’s report “Expanding Caregiver Support in Ontario.”