Diane Savage

Diane Savage, vice-president, experience and transformation, is retiring effective June 30, 2022.  Since joining Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in 2009, Diane has been a driving force in leading the evolution of holistic, strength-based rehabilitation programs, collaborative practice excellence, creation of transition pathways to adulthood and the advancement of health equity in all aspects of care. These efforts have been propelled by an award-winning family and youth leadership program, recognized for innovation in co-design and partnership.

Diane has held a range of roles at the hospital, including senior director participation and inclusion, co-lead of the centre for leadership in participation and inclusion and vice-president programs and services. She served as part of Holland Bloorview’s international health consultation team.

Diane also held adjunct lecturer status for the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto for many years. In addition, she has provided executive support to the quality committee of the board of directors and has co-led the organization’s pandemic steering committee.

“Holland Bloorview is the best place to be and the hardest place to leave,” says Diane. “I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn and lead along side the most amazing kids, families, staff, leaders and community partners.”

She adds, “Our kids and families have never needed us more and I am so proud of our role in advocacy for access and critical services along with our system partners.”

“We are going to miss Diane’s expertise, leadership, mentorship and commitment to children and families,” says Julia Hanigsberg, Holland Bloorview president and CEO.  “Her contributions will have a long lasting impact and she will always be remembered for her dedication to high quality, safe care, her spirit of innovation and the joy she brings to everything she does.”

Aman Sium 

Diane’s position will be assumed by Aman Sium for nine months, following which the position will be publicly posted for a full and open recruitment process.

Aman joined Holland Bloorview as director, client and family integrated care in 2017.  Aman’s experience includes extensive leadership in family engagement with Health Quality Ontario (now integrated within Ontario Health) and a deep background in patient education through his work at University Health Network.  In his current role, Aman provides leadership and oversight for the family leadership program, family support specialists, research family engagement, family support fund, pro bono legal services, client and family relations, bioethics, and BLOOM.  Aman also serves as chair of the IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility) taskforce.

Aman is known as collaborative leader and a trusted colleague.  His leadership has been essential in supporting complex and ethically informed decisions particularly through the pandemic and our journey of anti-oppression, anti-racism and anti-ableism through his co-leadership of the IDEA Task Force. Holland Bloorview looks forward to his continued leadership in his new role. 

Tom Chau

Meanwhile, Tom Chau, vice-president research and director of the Bloorview Research Institute (BRI), will conclude his second term on Sept. 30, 2022, following remarkable leadership in this position for the past 10 years.

“I am most honored to have served as VP research at Holland Bloorview over the last decade,” says Tom. “Together with children and families, our scientists, staff and trainees, we have inked a memorable chapter of childhood disability science, replete with many developmental firsts. I gaze at the future of childhood disability research with tremendous hope.”

Tom will continue his leadership of the PRISM lab at the BRI where his recent research is focused on investigation of novel access pathways for children and youth with severe physical impairments. His lab has developed numerous innovations aimed at maximizing possibilities for children. His research has been featured extensively in national and international media including CNN, Time Magazine, ITN (UK), Discovery Channel, and Report on Business.  

“Tom has served the VP research role with great humility, creativity, skill and dedication for the past 10 years – among other things as the visionary behind the $32 million Growth Holland Research campaign and the physical expansion of the BRI,” says Julia.  “His legacy will continue on for many years to come in support of the families that he’s dedicated his work to and I’m excited to see the research breakthrough’s he and his team in the PRISM lab will continue to make.”

Read more about Holland Bloorview’s senior leadership team.