Meena Karsanji
Summary
A highly skilled, accredited, compassionate, empathetic and solutions oriented medical professional dedicated to providing exceptional leadership in an efficient, patient-focused, cost-effective manner. A demonstrated track record of success working with diverse client populations, front line staff and management in one-on-one and group settings. Innate ability to establish rapport, build trust, effectively communicate and relate to individuals on multiple levels. Team oriented, consistently recognized for the ability to establish and maintain solid relationships with colleagues. Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, communication and analytical skills.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Manager-Diabetes and Nutrition Therapy Services
Island Health Authority
01.2021 - Current
- Lead and manage daily operations of a large clinical unit, directly supervising a team of nurses and allied health professionals while maintaining a strong focus on patient-centered care and quality outcomes.
- Collaborate with physicians, clinical leaders, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure the seamless integration and delivery of care across multiple departments.
- Drive the implementation of new clinical initiatives, contributing to the development and execution of strategic goals aligned with organizational priorities.
- Oversee budgeting and financial management for the unit, ensuring operations stay within financial parameters while maximizing resource utilization.
- Foster an environment of continuous improvement, implementing quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety, reduce costs, and increase operational efficiency.
- Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development support for staff, improving team performance and fostering a positive work environment.
- Lead change management efforts, guiding the implementation of best practices, policies, and procedures that align with broader organizational goals.
- Regularly evaluate and assess unit performance against key metrics, identifying opportunities for improvement and driving accountability across teams.
- Serve as a liaison between unit leadership and other departments, ensuring effective communication and coordination across services.
- Key Achievements:
- Co-led the strategic review of diabetes services with the goal of creating a strategy to align care delivery across programs and improved patient outcomes.
- Successfully managed a [specific program/department] resulting in a [X%] increase in [patient satisfaction/efficiency/outcomes].
- Spearheaded the implementation of [a specific initiative], which resulted in improved quality of care and reduced patient transition times by [X%].
- Led a team through a [significant change or challenge], improving team engagement and overall performance as measured by [metrics, e.g., employee satisfaction surveys, performance reviews].
Professional Practice Leader - Clinical Nutrition
Vancouver Coastal Health
01.2011 - 01.2021
- Provide evidence based nutrition leadership and expertise in a team based environment to dietitians working in acute care, long term care, outpatient/chronic disease management clinics, home health, primary care network and public health settings
- Plan and coordinate Nutrition Services across all sites and programs in the Richmond community of care
- Establish working relationships with various groups to determine priorities, assist with program planning, policy setting, and provide technical guidance and expertise
- Maintain local, provincial and national relationships within and across disciplines to facilitate knowledge sharing, and identification of current trends in education and best practice
- Provide professional practice leadership to coordinate the development, implementation, evaluation and revision of evidence based practice-based reference manuals, practice standards, and goals and objectives
- Coordinate dietetic internship placements and rotations in collaboration with Dietetic Internship Coordinator
- Coordinate recruitment, orientation, and training of all dietitians, define appropriate position requirements and job descriptions, professional qualifications, and competencies required
- Provide leadership, direction, and guidance on education and in-service programs by coordinating continuing professional education and appropriate orientation programs
- Provide direct supervision and support to front line clinicians across all practice areas throughout the community of care while promoting a multidisciplinary team approach
- Provide input into the ongoing development of annual operating and budget proposals and operations of individual programs
- Evaluate nutrition services in various settings through audits and monitoring of quality indicators
- Participate in and lead quality improvement projects using appropriate project management and quality improvement principles
- Develop and recommend human resource staffing requirements for all areas based on best practice guidelines
- Regional Dietetics Representative, Clinical Systems Transformation Project (provider stream)
- 48/6 BC MOH Clinical Care Management Strategy Implementation Co-Lead (Richmond Hospital)
- Conducted environmental scan, needs assessment, and mapped work flows prior to developing implementation plan
- Developed and executed communication plan, including monthly updates to all stakeholders
- Co-chair local working group, Richmond Hospital representative on regional working group
- Developed forms and education to be used during implementation at Richmond Hospital
- Conducted rapid PDSA cycles during implementation and engaged staff by incorporating feedback quickly
- Developed and monitored quality metrics for implementation
- Engaged team members from all disciplines and areas and employed change management strategies to assist with implementation
Project Manager/Consultant –Restricted Activities Review
College of Dietitians of British Columbia
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Develop proposal outlining schedule, deliverables and budget
- Facilitate efforts of the Restricted Activities working group through in-person or online meetings and by supporting decision making processes
- Review and provide recommendations on policies
- Review restricted activity legislation nationally, internationally and across jurisdictions
- Review Health Professions Acts as it applies across all health professions
- Provide ongoing status updates, preliminary reports and final report to College as per agreed upon schedule
- Deliver a formal presentation of the project recommendations and final report to the Registration Committee and Board
- Establish and maintain time records and books of account, invoices, receipts and vouchers of expenses
Board of Directors Member
College of Dietitians of British Columbia
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Ensure protection of the public by establishing, monitoring and enforcing competent, safe and ethical dietetic practice
- Responsible for governing and administering the regulatory and business affairs of the College in accordance with the Health Professions Act, Dietitians regulations, and College by-laws
- Responsible for establishing the mission, vision and policy direction for the College
- Chair of Quality Assurance Committee, member of Personnel Working Group and Registrar Employment Search Committee
- Participate in the ongoing analysis and implementation of the financial operating budget
Renal Dietitian and Dietetic Student Coordinator
Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital
01.2004 - 01.2011
- Provide quality comprehensive patient care and education through assessment and collaboration with the multidisciplinary team
- Lead Dietetic Student Program by managing staff and schedules, developing standards and initiatives, coordinating clinical experience and auditing the program to ensure standards and goals are being achieved
- Create, deliver and coordinate staff, patient and family education opportunities/projects based on adult learning principles
- Initiate and maintain relationships with community partners, ie. the Kidney Foundation, long term care facilities and primary care physicians/providers, by providing ongoing education and support
- Develop and maintain nutrition standards, goals, objectives, and policies based on best practice guidelines
- Maintain quality indicators and generate quality assurance reports based on K-DOQI and CSN guidelines
- Participate in continuing education opportunities and present relevant research at multidisciplinary meetings for discussion regarding potential program changes
- Create and maintain nutrition education database utilizing various electronic databases and health information tools
- Audit practices within the nephrology unit and investigate changes to practice through ongoing quality assurance programs
- Survey key stakeholders of the nephrology program and make recommendations regarding program planning and operational needs
- Committees: accreditation, program planning, education, policy and procedure, local executive committee, contract negotiating team, labour relations management
Consulting Dietitian –Long term Care
Seasons Care
01.2004 - 01.2011
- Complete nutrition assessments on residents, make appropriate recommendations, counsel residents and families in accordance with Ministry of Health policies
- Develop policies, procedures and quality improvement processes
- Provide regular reports on dietary services and initiatives to the facility administrator
- Work collaboratively with Food Service Supervisor to develop menu through product selection within budgetary guidelines
- Synchronize daily staff activities to ensure quality service delivery
- Manage, train, mentor and provide continuous coaching for new consultant dietitians
- Act as a resource to multiple long term care sites and provide critical review of current practices and recommendations
Clinical Dietitian
Windsor Regional Hospital
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Assessed resident profile, made recommendations and counseled residents and families based on behavioral, social and medical factors commonly influencing nutritional intake
- Worked with food service supervisors to ensure nutritional quality of menu items and to ensure compliance with all Ministry of Health and Long Term Care guidelines
- Participated in multidisciplinary care conferences
- Member of dysphasia team, wound care committee and resource member of palliative care committee
Education
Master of Science - Nutrition and Food Science
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan01.2003
Bachelor of Science - undefined
University of Windsor
Windsor, Ontario01.1994
Skills
Team leadership
Operations management
Strategic planning
Decision-making
Timeline
Manager-Diabetes and Nutrition Therapy Services
Island Health Authority
01.2021 - Current
Project Manager/Consultant –Restricted Activities Review
College of Dietitians of British Columbia
01.2017 - 01.2018
Board of Directors Member
College of Dietitians of British Columbia
01.2015 - 01.2017
Professional Practice Leader - Clinical Nutrition
Vancouver Coastal Health
01.2011 - 01.2021
Renal Dietitian and Dietetic Student Coordinator
Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital
01.2004 - 01.2011
Consulting Dietitian –Long term Care
Seasons Care
01.2004 - 01.2011
Clinical Dietitian
Windsor Regional Hospital
01.2003 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Science - undefined
University of Windsor
Master of Science - Nutrition and Food Science
Wayne State University