Ryan Bennett, CCPA
President
Originally from Hastings, Ontario, Ryan has called New Brunswick home for the past couple of decades—originally Saint John and now Fredericton. After obtaining a BSc from the University of New Brunswick and working for some time in Residence Life, Counselling and Student Services he went on to become a 2014 graduate of the University of Manitoba’s MPAS program. Ryan has worked in both rural emergency medicine in Gimli, Manitoba and most currently in Fredericton, NB in the Emergency Department at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. He has an interest in orthopedic emergencies, sports and wilderness medicine. Outside of work he likes hiking in the great outdoors, camping, partaking in stories by the campfire and enjoying a brew at one of the many local breweries/pubs around town with friends and family. It is my wish to continue to advocate and help grow the PA profession in New Brunswick, and indeed the Maritimes.
Kirsten Luomala, CD,DMSc, MPAS, CCPA
Past-President
Originally from BC, Kirsten joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 1987. She served for 26 years with deployments to Alert, Haiti and Afghanistan. She was selected for the CAF PA program in 2007 and graduated in the inaugural BSc PA class in 2009. Kirsten subsequently was then posted to the Canadian Forces Medical School assigned to teach in the CAF PA program. While on her 2nd deployment to Afghanistan in 2013 she completed her Master of PA studies in Education and ER medicine from the University of Nebraska while assisting in developing the Combat PA program for the Afghanistan National Army. Kirsten retired from the CAF in 2014 to accept a position in Alberta’s Demonstration Project in Neurosurgery at University of Alberta where she currently works. She attended the University of Lynchburg, graduating in 2021 with her DMSc in Neurosurgery. Kirsten has been involved in the CAPA in various capacities, and directly involved in the successful regulation of Alberta PAs in Apr 2021. She currently resides in Spruce Grove with her family.
Lisa Stewart, CCPA
Director, British Columbia
Lisa has nine years experience as a physician assistant with a focus in Plastic Surgery; trauma and burn medicine. She has a diverse background, starting her career in commerce before returning to university to study science, yoga and then health care. Lisa’s journey as a PA was inspired from her role as a Medical Technician Reservist with the Canadian Armed Forces. She attended the University of Manitoba to obtain her Master’s degree in PA Studies in 2012. Initially she worked in Critical Care medicine in Winnipeg, and in 2014 she moved to Calgary to work in Critical Care until she transferred to work in Plastic Surgery at the Foothills Medical Center.
Lisa has recently returned to her home province of British Columbia, settling in the Comox Valley with her husband and two young children. She continues to be a strong advocate for the PA profession, while seeking out her next great challenge.
Hannah Wiens, CCPA
Director - Alberta
While born and raised in Alberta, Hannah has had the distinct privilege of living in multiple Canadian provinces, spanning coast to coast. But something about Alberta just keeps bringing her back. Hannah has enjoyed a long and storied non-traditional educational background in everything from performing arts to sexual health to social science before eventually finding herself at McMaster University’s Physician Assistant Education Program. Hannah has a proven history in advocacy from her previous work with the LGBTQIA+ and disability communities, the skills from which she is proud to bring to her work with CAPA.
Alana Takahashi,CCPA
Alternate Director, Alberta
My name is Alana Takahashi. I’m from Lethbridge, Alberta. I completed my bachelor degree at the University of Manitoba in Kinesiology/Athletic Therapy in 2010. I primarily worked as a certified Athletic Therapist with a sports medicine physician, working with both the general active population and high level athletes. I wanted to progress my career and bridge my background as an AT with medicine. The physician I was working with at that time was U.S trained and encouraged me to consider becoming a Physician Assistant.
I was accepted into the U of T B.Sc.-PA program in the fall of 2019. I was thrilled to be part of this program and growing profession in Canada. After graduating and completing my certification exam, I began working as PA in family medicine in Lethbridge. I have since branched out to assisting and providing locum coverage in rural emergency departments in southern Alberta as well providing on site medical care at a recovery facility for individuals with addictions. I’ve enjoyed the challenge that each role has offered me. I’ve appreciated that diversity in our skills and training, which has allowed me to be involved in various areas of medicine.
I have continued to maintain my certification in Athletic Therapy and remain involved by volunteering my time with the local judo club and assisting the athletes with their injury care. Southern Alberta is home for me and my family. During my off time, I enjoy exploring the outdoors and backpacking to remote mountain lakes with my husband. I enjoy early morning runs and I’ve recently obtained my brown belt in judo.
Ashley Millham, CD, CCPA
Director - Saskatchewan
Ashley Millham is currently employed as a Physician Assistant at Diavik Diamond mine in the NWT, working for 24/7 Occupational and Emergency Medical Services.
He has recently retired after 35 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Having graduated the CAF PA program in 2010, he worked as a PA in Canadian Special Operation Command for 5 years before taking roles as unit training officer and clinic detachment commander.
He finished his CAF career serving as Officer Commanding of Banting Company, and CAF Physician Assistant Program Director at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Center (CFHSTC) in Borden, ON.
Ashley Millham has had operational deployments in Cyprus, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Central and South America, Sub-Sahara Africa, and Iraq. Additionally, he deployed to domestic operations: Winnipeg flood in 1997, the Ice Storm in 1998, and as the senior medical authority for Task Force Aurora, providing COVID-19 vaccinations to northern Manitoba communities in 2021.
He has been happily married to his dedicated wife, Suzanne for 26 years. Their daughters, Belana, and Cheyanne, attend University of Ottawa majoring in marketing and studying nursing.
Kevin Kitzul, CCPA
Director - Ontario
Kevin Kitzul is a Saskatchewan Born Physician Assistant, who started out his career as a military medic, where he gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in healthcare ranging from clinical to operational conditions. He graduated from the Canadian Armed Forces Physician Assistant Program in 2009. He has operational experience in a multitude of nations and environments and fondly looks back at his time in the military as one of great learning experiences. Upon retirement in 2014, he has worked at the Windsor Regional Hospital Emergency, in Primary Care at the Harrow Health Centre FHT and is presently employed as a Sleep Medicine PA at 3 locations throughout southwestern Ontario. Kevin has been a proud member of CAPA since graduation and twice before has held the position of Alternate Director in Ontario from 2010-2014. He stepped back into the role of Alternate Director in 2021 and is looking to complete a 2nd term again as your Alternate Director – Ontario. He is a strong advocate for the profession and is looking forward to working with you the members of Ontario, the incoming Provincial Director and CAPA to ensure the continued growth and strength of the profession.
Guillaume Couture, CCPA
Director - Quebec
Guillaume is a 2017 graduate of the Canadian Armed Forces PA program. He started with the CAF in the reserves, and in transferred into the regular forces in 2003. As med tech, Guillaume toured in Bosnia, Afghanistan and DART in Nepal. Also did a tour on HMSC Nanaimo and was the station PA at CFS Alert.
Guillaume now works at the 41 H SVC C St-Jean as a PA and is the clinical supervisor. He is also involved in patient safety and quality improvement projects.
Guillaume lives with family in St-Bruno, QC where he enjoys, hiking, kayaking and SUP.
Iain Chiasson, CCPA
Alternate Director, New Brunswick
Born in Wolfville NS, Iain currently calls Oromocto NB home.
Iain joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a Medic in 2002. As a medic he deployed to Afghanistan in 2007, 2009 and 2012. He went on to become an instructor at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre in CFB Borden Ontario in 2013. In 2017 he was accepted to the CAF Physician Assistant program and graduated in 2019. He was then posted to New Brunswick and deployed to Latvia in 2020.
He continues to serve full time with the Navy in Halifax as a primary care and dive medicine Physician Assistant. Iain also works as a Casual Emergency PA at the Dr Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton since 2022. Iain and his wife Meghan are the proud parents of six children who love hiking, camping and exploring this beautiful province they call home.
Jennifer Tracz, CCPA
Director, Nova Scotia
Jennifer Tracz is a Physician Assistant working within Family Practice at the Westville Clinic in Nova Scotia. She has been a certified PA since 2015, having worked with the Canadian Armed Forces, General Surgery and Neurosurgery.
Jennifer is married to her spouse Steven, who is a member of the Canadian Armed Forces and has 2 children.
Her hobbies include hiking, travelling and reading. She has been a member of the CAPA Board of Directors and is now the Nova Scotia Director for PAs.
Allie Penrose
Student Representative
My name is Allie Penrose, and I am currently a student in the Dalhousie University MPAS program. I’m honoured to have been elected as your CAPA Student Representative for the 2025/2026 term, and I’m incredibly excited to get started!
I’m passionate about advocating for our profession, strengthening student engagement, and ensuring that PA students across Canada have a voice at the national level. One of my main goals is to enhance communication and collaboration among students. We will be sending bi-monthly updates and holding regular student meetings to keep you informed, answer questions, and hear what’s important to you. I want to make sure everyone feels informed, supported, and involved in CAPA’s initiatives.