Santis Bolsters its Ontario Government Affairs Team with the Addition of Clare Michaels

TORONTO, ON – Santis Health welcomes Clare Michaels as Vice President, Ontario Government Affairs. A seasoned advisor on complex issues, Clare will lead the development of client strategies, helping health care organizations navigate the complexities of government and craft the right message at critical moments.

“With the current political climate and health sector needs presenting new challenges and opportunities, we are strategically expanding our government affairs team,” said Peter Cleary, Principal at Santis Health. “Clare’s  experience as a senior advisor on both sides of the table – to both government and then to clients in driving outcomes for health care – means she understands how to move priorities forward in a fast-changing environment.”

Before joining Santis, Clare led high-stakes mandates for a Canadian crisis communications agency, where she worked with broader public sector clients, including hospitals, long-term care operators, universities and social services organizations.

Clare also previously served as Director of Strategic Communications and Principal Writer for the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario. In this role, she supported the Premier through hundreds of press conferences and speeches covering the government’s COVID-19 response, major infrastructure investments, and omnibus legislation. She also oversaw the intergovernmental affairs portfolio, an area of increasing importance to both Canadian governments and the health system alike. Prior to that, Clare was a senior communications advisor to Ontario’s Minister of Finance, where she scripted provincial budgets and fiscal updates and supported the ministry through key economic announcements.

“Clare’s time in the Premier’s Office and her work with public sector organizations give her a rare perspective on how health care decisions are made in Ontario,” said Patrick Nelson, Managing Partner at Santis Health. “Her ability to connect policy, politics and communication will be a real advantage for our Ontario practice.”

To learn more about Clare, please visit santishealth.ca/our-team.

Original source here.