Centered around the preservation of human life. We are committed to safeguarding and enhancing the well-being of individuals.
Safe Science Solutions is led by:
A highly experienced team of entrepreneurs, pharmaceutical executives and former high level government officials.
Our Team
Doug Sommerville
Chief Executive Officer
25 years experience in the pharmaceutical sector
Former Country Head and Global SVP at Teva Canada, with record revenue exceeding $1.4B
Former Chair of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association - $6B industry sales
Former Global Vice President at Baxter Healthcare Corporation
Eric Hoskins
Director Government Relations
Former Ontario health minister responsible for one of the largest health care systems in North America (2014 – 2018)
On June 20, 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Hoskins to head a national pharmacare strategy
Former elected Member of Ontario Provincial Parliament with multiple cabinet positions
Current Government of Canada Chair, Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare
Ray Novak
Advisor
Co-founder and Managing Director of Harper & Associates, a global consulting firm led by Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper
Former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Canada (2013–2015) (Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper)
Principal Secretary of Canada (2008–2013)
Served nearly a decade in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada where he led strategic coordination in support of the government’s policy and communications
Dr. Andrea Barthwell
Advisor
Internationally renowned physician that has been a pioneer in the field of addiction
Former Deputy Director for
Demand Reduction, Office of
National Drug Control Policy under President George W. Bush
Former Chair of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association - $6B industry sales
Former committee and advisory
member at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), and the US Food and Drug Association (FDA)
Medical Director for Encounter
Medical Group PC and Founder
and CEO of the Two Dreams
facilities
Dr. Joseph Maroon
Advisor
Consistently listed in America’s
Best Doctors for the past 20 years
Current team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers since 1981
Current Medical Director of the
World Wrestling Entertainment
(WWE)
Board Member of Mylan
Laboratories, the 3rd largest
Generic drug company in the world
Author of six books, and (co-)author of 40 book chapters and over 270 published
scientific papers
Victor Vazquez
Advisor
Over 25 years of experience in the Med-Tech industry
Founder of Future-well, a wellness consultancy designing wellbeing ecosystems and smart cities
Senior Managing Partner at VNS Wellness Advisors, a wellness investment firm shaping transformative shifts and trends in wellbeing
Expertise in integrating predictive health tech, biotech, med devices, community, and corporate wellness
Specializes in strategic planning, innovation mapping, Green Energy solutions, and multi-modal transportation
Aligns capital with impact-based projects to foster commercial viability and collaboration
Advisory Team
Leah Ward - Independent Advisor
Two decades of experience in both the private and public sectors
Former Director of Communications to the Alberta NDP Caucus
Former senior advisor to former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley during the NDP’s term in government
Commentator on CBC’s Power and Politics, CBC Calgary’s political panel, CPAC, CTV National News, CBC’s Alberta at Noon, and the CBC podcast West of Centre
Zita Astravas - Independent Advisor
Seasoned public affairs professional with over 15 years serving in senior government
Former director of Issues Management and a seasoned Advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Former Chief of Staff to the President of the King’s Privy Council and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, the Minister of Public Safety, and the Minister of National Defence
Former Director of Media Relations for the Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne
Laurel Brazill - Independent Advisor
Decade of experience in provincial politics and government relations, specializing in the field of healthcare
Former Director of Stakeholder Relations for the Minister of Health
Oversaw the implementation of transformative initiatives such as Ontario Health Teams and Ontario Health
Held roles at two of Ontario’s largest healthcare associations: the Ontario Medical Association and the Ontario Hospital Association
Clancy Bouwman - Independent Advisor
Vast experience working directly with federal and provincial party leaders and government officials
Former Executive Assistant to the former Premier of Alberta for 3 years
Former political advisor on Parliament Hill in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition
Katy Merrifield - Independent Advisor
Decade of experience advising senior cabinet members and elected officials
Former Chief of Staff to the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Jobs, Tourism, Skills Training and Labour in British Columbia.
Former head of communications for the Premiers of British Columbia and Alberta
Previously managed two successful leadership campaigns in British Columbia and serving as a senior advisor to a provincial party
Peter Csillag - Independent Advisor
Over a decade of experience in public affairs, politics, and advocacy
Former Director of Issues Management for the Leader of the Official Opposition and caucus in the Alberta Legislature
Won the 2019 election campaign, and served as Senior Communications Advisor to the Government Caucus in British Columbia
Former Director of Issues Management & Parliamentary Affairs for Canada’s Minister of National