Clara Ho

Clara Ho (she/they) is a values-based healthcare leader and social worker with a decade of experience driving strategic advancements in patient- and family-centered care. Their commitment to authentic partnerships, health equity, and organizational excellence has demonstrably shaped patient and family engagement practices across the hospital sector in Ontario. Clara is a proud alum of the Master of Social Work program and the Human Service Management and Leadership specialization at the FIFSW, and recently completed their Master of Health Science in Health Administration at the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. They are a Certified Healthcare Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.

In their current role as Manager, Patient Engagement at Michael Garron Hospital, Clara co-designs and implements strategic initiatives in partnership with patients and their caregivers that enhance the care experience for the diverse Toronto East community. Prior to this, at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital as Manager, Client and Family-Centered Care and Partnerships, Clara spearheaded the award-winning Family Leadership Program, empowering over 120 Family Leaders as integral lived experience partners in hospital governance, service design, policy development, and research projects. Passionate about creating equitable pathways to care, they led the design of an inclusive peer support program for families living with complex medical needs, launched an accessible emergency transportation fund, and co-developed a new social needs screening tool to support determinants of health. At North York General Hospital, Clara co-led the development and implementation of a three-year Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) strategic framework and maturity model, significantly advancing the hospital’s approach to patient engagement.

Clara’s dedication to advancing healthcare extends to their academic contributions. As a sessional instructor at University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, they equip the next generation of social workers with key knowledge and skills in human services management and leadership. They have been a preceptor and supervisor for Master of Social Work students in leadership placements. Additionally, they have designed and facilitated numerous professional development programs and workshops, including the “Teaching & Facilitation Course for Family as Faculty” which was recognized as a 2021 Leading Practice by Health Standards Organization of Canada.

Driven by a deep commitment to fostering meaningful connections and ensuring accessible healthcare for all, Clara strives to build a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system that is co-designed with patients, families, and their caregivers.