Tara Robinson Leach
Ottawa
Summary
Experienced Nurse Practitioner and post-secondary educator with over 15 years in health care and extensive teaching experience at the college and university levels. Skilled in delivering engaging, student-centered learning both in-person and virtually, with expertise in anatomy and physiology, mental health, critical care skills. Strong background in curriculum development, equity-oriented teaching, and integration of applied clinical practice into academic instruction.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner
Revive Health Solutions
- Provide private health care to clients across the lifespan.
- Manage chronic conditions; complete comprehensive assessments and care plans.
- Prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications.
Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner – Adolescent Medicine
South East Ottawa Community Health Centre
01.2022 - Current
- Provide trauma-informed primary care to youth ages 13–22.
- Conduct comprehensive health and mental health assessments, including ADHD and mood disorders.
- Prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications; integrate teaching moments into care.
Instructor (Contract) – Mental Health for Nurse Practitioners
University of Toronto, Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
01.2021 - Current
- Deliver graduate-level modules on substance use, lifespan development, and mental health for NP students.
- Integrate anatomy, physiology, and clinical application in advanced practice education.
Instructor (Contract) – Lifespan & Family Violence Training
Ilinniaapa Skills Development Centre
01.2018 - Current
- Deliver Inuit-specific curriculum on lifespan development, trauma, and interpersonal violence across Nunavut & Quebec.
- Adapt teaching methods to ensure cultural safety and accessibility for diverse learners.
Professor (Contract) – Victimology Certificate Program
Algonquin College
01.2017 - Current
- Teach within health sciences and public safety program: human sexuality, victimization throughout the lifespan, psychology, in both online and in-person formats.
- Develop curriculum and lead course delivery on child/adolescent victimization, male victimization, and trauma informed care.
- Engage diverse learners through interactive and evidence-based teaching strategies.
Nurse Practitioner – Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Delivered care for adults and adolescents with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders.
- Provided psychotropic prescribing and harm-reduction strategies.
Nurse Practitioner / RN – Emergency & Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Program
The Ottawa Hospital
01.2006 - 01.2019
- Delivered acute emergency and forensic care for survivors of sexual and domestic assault.
- Introduced inclusive services such as opioid agonist therapy and abortion care.
Education
MScN - Primary Health Care NP
Laurentian University
01.2019
Nurse Practitioner Certificate
University of Ottawa
01.2008
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Science
University of Ottawa
01.2006
Diploma in Nursing & Critical Care Nursing - undefined
St. Lawrence College
Skills
- Demonstrated professional collaboration
- Effective interpersonal communication
- Effective communicator in diverse settings
- Effective prioritization abilities
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Flexible accommodations for diverse learning needs
Languages
English
Certification
- Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse (CNA), 2022
- Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE-A), 2019 (retired)
- Clinical Traumatology Certificate, 2016
- Prescribing Narcotics & Controlled Substances, 2017
- Diabetes Educator Certificate, 2009
Timeline
Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner – Adolescent Medicine
South East Ottawa Community Health Centre
01.2022 - Current
Instructor (Contract) – Mental Health for Nurse Practitioners
University of Toronto, Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
01.2021 - Current
Nurse Practitioner – Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
01.2019 - 01.2022
Instructor (Contract) – Lifespan & Family Violence Training
Ilinniaapa Skills Development Centre
01.2018 - Current
Professor (Contract) – Victimology Certificate Program
Algonquin College
01.2017 - Current
Nurse Practitioner / RN – Emergency & Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Program
The Ottawa Hospital
01.2006 - 01.2019
Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner
Revive Health Solutions
Diploma in Nursing & Critical Care Nursing - undefined
St. Lawrence College
MScN - Primary Health Care NP
Laurentian University
Nurse Practitioner Certificate
University of Ottawa
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Science
University of Ottawa
Publications
- Developed Human Trafficking Module – Ontario SANE Program, CMHA, Public Safety Canada.
- Created Inuit-specific lifespan and interpersonal violence curricula – Ilinniaapa Centre.
- Advisory roles: House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Rights, G7 Human Trafficking Consultations,
- Peer-reviewed publications: Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Emergency Medicine Journal, Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
- Training in online and virtual teaching methodologies (Brightspace, D2L, Blackboard).
- Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS).
- CAMH – Smoking & Vaping Cessation for Queer and Trans Youth (2025).
- Inuit & Indigenous Cultural Safety Training (2016, 2019, 2022).
- Anti-Black Racism in Child Sex Trafficking (2021).
- Motivational Interviewing (2021), PTSD & Complex Trauma (2023), 5-Minute CBT (2023).
- ASSIST Suicide Intervention (2015, 2022).