About Us
History
The Ontario Physician Assistants Association first became an idea in 2018 in response to a judicial review at the Ottawa Children’s Hospital (CHEO), which saw the PAs included as part of OPSEU. This went against the wishes of the PAs at that hospital, as well as PAs from around the province who watched these events unfold with concern for their future.
As a result, a group of PAs, together with Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA) and CLAC, launched OPAA. We are now the only union specifically for PAs across the province, with bargaining rights at seven different hospitals and representing more than 150 members.
Our vision is to grow to be the union of choice for PAs, providing professional representation, both in your workplace and at the bargaining table, for this unique and growing profession. We’re excited to grow our community in the years to come and hope that you’ll join us!
OPAA is part of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants.
Purpose
(From our Constitution)
The purpose of the association is to organize Physician Assistants in Ontario in order to establish justice in the workplace, to promote the particular, unique, and mutual workplace interests of its representees through collective bargaining, advocacy, and other means of mutual air or protection.
Participating Hospitals
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
OPAA Board
Stephanie Ruttinger
Hamilton Health Sciences
Stephanie Ruttinger graduated from the McMaster Physician Assistant Education Program in 2015 and has been working at Hamilton Health Sciences ever since, in the area of Maternal Fetal Medicine. As she has watched the PA profession expand through Hamilton, this inspired her interests for PA hospital advocacy and fair representation. She joined the Ontario Association of Physician Assistant board with its inception, working on the base collective agreement that we have now. She also went on to be the Hamilton Health Sciences union steward with a goal of increasing PA wages through the hospital system. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, hiking, and building custom furniture for her home. Stephanie is on maternity leave and unavailable until April 2025.
Colbourne Moro
St. Joseph’s Hospital Hamilton
Colbourne Moro has worked as a Physician Assistant for five years and currently works in Acute Care Surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital Hamilton, where he serves as the OPAA Steward. Prior to his current position, Colbourne worked in Critical Care and Multi-Organ Transplant in Hamilton and Toronto, respectively. As part of the OPAA, Colbourne has worked closely with his colleagues to determine their labour priorities and to support the labour relations between the OPAA and St. Joseph’s Hospital Hamilton. Colbourne currently lives in Hamilton and enjoys golfing, waterskiing, and Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey.
Valerie Derbecker
Brantford General Hospital
Valerie Derbecker graduated from the McMaster Physician Assistant program in 2012. She started her career at Brantford General Hospital as part of the career start grant and has been employed in the Emergency Department ever since. Her experience also includes trackside medical with NASCAR, family medicine, and as a PA program clinical facilitator with several years as a bedside POCUS instructor. During her time as Vice President of the OPAA board, she has overseen base wage increases, shift premiums and provided a strong and united voice at the bargaining table. Her goal is to continue to advocate for PA recognition and mentorship to increase the value and importance of PAs within the medical profession. Valerie enjoys hiking with her family, drinking tea, gardening, and baking!