Beyond Compliance: Leadership Lessons in MDRD Design & Future Forward Opportunities

This session explores what it truly means to go beyond compliance in the design and construction of Medical Device Reprocessing departments. Grounded in real‑world experience, it highlights leadership lessons drawn from MDRs that have stretched capacity, exposed design gaps, and revealed opportunities for smarter, future‑ready systems.

An RN by profession, and board-certified in Infection Control & Epidemiology, Suzanne is the Director of Clinical Planning with Nova Scotia Health/ Build NS’s Healthcare Infrastructure division for the $7 billion QEII Redevelopment Project in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Previously, she held roles as the Provincial Director of Medical Device Reprocessing with Nova Scotia Health, the IWK Health Centre, and various roles at the Nova Scotia Department of Health & Wellness. Her academic background includes an RN diploma from the Aberdeen School of Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St Francis Xavier University, and a Master of Health Studies from Athabasca University. She is a past president of IPAC Canada and IPAC NS, and remains actively engaged in national activities with the organization, particularly in areas of political advocacy, national guideline development, reprocessing, and healthcare construction. She was a long-standing member of the National Advisory Committee for Infection Prevention & Control with the Public Health Agency of Canada, is an active member of the RPAP Working Group under PHAC. Most recently, a founding member of the Women’s Infrastructure Network, Halifax-Atlantic Chapter. In 2024, Suzanne received the Governor General’s Award for her service during the pandemic as well as the Champion of Infection Control from IPAC Canada and Honorary Member Award in 2026.