Johny Van Aerde, MD, MA, PhD, FRCPC

Johny has more than 25 years of experience as a neonatologist, first as a clinician-researcher and then in various leadership roles. 

He served as the executive medical director of the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders. He served as medical director of several neonatal intensive care units and the Pediatric Home Nutrition Support Program for Northern Alberta, chair of the Collaborative Practice and Quality Improvement (Neonatology) initiative for Alberta Health Services and regional director of the Northern Alberta Neonatal Intensive Care Program. With a supportive team, he led the integration of the latter program was able to bring together 115 neonatal beds and a follow-up clinic in five different hospitals under one functional umbrella. Johny has also served on many committees for regional, provincial and national organizations.

Johny is Professor Emeritus in Pediatrics at the University of Alberta, and Adjunct Professor at the School of Leadership Studies, Royal Roads University. He holds a PhD in medical sciences and a master’s degree in health leadership studies. He has published 100 peer-reviewed papers, two dozen book chapters and 150 abstracts on topics ranging from neonatal nutrition and metabolism to health system leadership. He is the founding editor of the Canadian Journal of Physician Leadership. He lives in a self-sustainable house where his wife grows food year-round.