CEYMH Executive Committee
The CEYMH Executive Committee serves as an advisory body to the Scientific Director and the Operations Director of the Centre. Its mandate is to offer strategic advice, guidance, and support on the development and implementation of the Centre’s vision and priorities. Given CEYMH’s integration with clinical services, a key role of the Committee is to strengthen and sustain the bridge between research, the CIUSSS, and the broader community.
Responsibilities
Strategic Guidance
Provide recommendations to the Scientific Director and Operations Director on the Centre’s vision, strategic priorities, and long-term planning.
Development
Review, advise on, and support the development and implementation of programs and initiatives within the Centre.
To bring external viewpoints and suggest approaches regarding the challenges and opportunities facing the CEYMH
Partnerships
Help the Directors to strengthen and maintain the link between research activities, clinical services (CIUSSS), and the community to ensure alignment and impact.
Support the Centre in fostering partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including lived experience people, healthcare providers, academic institutions, and community organizations.
Knowledge Translation & Dissemination
Support promotion, dissemination and translation of research findings into practice and policy to benefit the community and clinical services.
Members
Lena Palaniyappan, MD, PhD
CEYMH Director
Céline Villemus, MSc
CEYMH Operations Director & Research Project Manager
Susie Theberge, MSW
Coordinator, Youth Mental Health Continuum, CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal
Chantal Fournier, TS, MAP
Assistant Director of Specialized Services, CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal
Michel Spodenkiewicz, MD, PhD
Psychiatrist and Associate Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry McGill
Srividya Iyer, PhD
Canada Research Chair (Tier1); Professor, McGill University; Researcher, Douglas Research Centre
Massimiliano Orri, PhD
Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair (II) in Suicide Prevention
Ina Winkelmann, MSW
Director, Multidisciplinary Services and Programs for Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Physical Disability (DSM DI-TSA-DP)
Jessica Chisolm
Administrative Director, Douglas Research Centre
CEYMH Advisory Board
The CEYMH Advisory Board helps guide the Centre’s future. Its members share their expertise and ideas with the Directors on key issues such as vision, priorities, and growth. They also play an active role in connecting the CEYMH with partners and supporters, and in exploring new opportunities for funding so that it can continue to grow and make a positive difference in the community.
Responsibilities
Offer advice on the Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health’s mission, vision, goals, and strategic initiatives, and provide constructive feedback on new ideas.
Assist with fundraising efforts, identify grant opportunities, and help ensure the sustainability of the Centre’s activities.
Contribute to increasing the Centre’s knowledge dissemination, profile, and recognition at local, provincial, national, and international levels.
Facilitate relationships between the Centre and external communities, including family and patient advocacy groups, relevant government bodies, and partners at the provincial, national, and international level.
CEYMH Scientific Advisory Committee
The CEYMH Scientific Advisory Committee provides expert, independent peer review and advice on research grants and awards funded by CEYMH. Through its guidance, the Committee helps ensure that funding decisions are fair, transparent, and aligned with the Centre’s mission and strategic priorities.
Responsibilities
Evaluate grant and award applications submitted to CEYMH using clear, transparent, and objective criteria.
Advise CEYMH leadership on research priorities, funding strategies, and the alignment of proposed projects with the Centre’s mission and goals.
Ensure that funded projects meet the highest standards of scientific excellence, ethical integrity, and relevance to youth mental health.
Provide constructive feedback when appropriate, and offer recommendations to improve the overall grants and awards process.
Encourage partnerships and knowledge exchange between researchers, clinicians, and community stakeholders to strengthen the scientific impact of funded initiatives.