Management

Homer Tien

Dr. Tien joins Ornge from Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre where he is the Medical Director for the Tory Regional Trauma Centre, Canada’s largest trauma centre and a frequent destination of Ornge patients. Previously he was a Colonel in the Canadian Forces, having served as a Staff General Surgeon and Medical Officer in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Myanmar.

Dr. Tien has had a distinguished career as a frontline military physician who has worked in combat zones, a well-regarded mentor within the Forces, a researcher in the field of trauma medicine, and as an educator at the University of Toronto. His accolades include the Order of Military Merit, presented to members of the Canadian Forces who demonstrate dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty. 

Peter Cunnington

Peter Cunnington became Chief Aviation Officer in November 2023. In this role, he is responsible for a portfolio that includes the rotor wing, fixed wing, aviation maintenance, aviation safety, Standing Agreement carriers and the Trillium Gift of Life Network programs. During COVID-19, Peter supported Operation Remote Immunity, a provincial vaccination effort led by Ornge and Nishnawbe Aski Nation for remote indigenous communities, by coordinating the tactical use of aircraft for all transportation and logistics. 

Peter Cunnington’s career began in 1997 in the Helicopter EMS industry as a pilot with the British Columbia Air Ambulance Service, transitioning to EMS Captain serving the province of Ontario in 2002. During that time, he served as a Flight Standards Captain in both Ontario and the Province of Nova Scotia's Emergency Health Services. He held progressively larger roles as a Training Captain, Check Pilot and Chief Pilot for Ornge's Air Ambulance Helicopter program, transitioning to Director of Flight Operations-Rotor Wing. 

Peter holds a helicopter Airline Transport Pilot License and has accumulated over 5000 flight hours in his career. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Western University in London Ontario. 

Wade Durham

Wade began his EMS career in 1997 working as a front line Paramedic in Cochrane District, in Northern Ontario.  In 2001, he relocated to the James Bay Coast where he worked for James Bay Ambulance, before joining the Air Ambulance Program in 2002.  Wade has been the Base Manager in Moosonee, Kenora and Thunder Bay.  He has held a number of senior leadership positions within Ornge, including Director – Computer-Aided Dispatch Project, Director of Operations and Director of Base Management. 

Wade completed his Advanced Emergency Medical Care Attendant (A-EMCA) program at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, and his Advanced Care Flight Paramedic Certification through the Academy of Transport Medicine in Mississauga.

Abbie Hudson

Abbie joined Ornge in February 2021 as Chief of Staff.  While at Ornge, Abbie has played a key role in various initiatives including the expansion and replacement of the fixed wing fleet and development of the current strategic plan.  Before joining Ornge, Abbie spent over 15 years working for the Ontario government, with the majority of her career at the Ministry of Health working in emergency health services and public health.  During her tenure, she led the development and implementation of the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program and led various change management and process improvement initiatives including the review of the Northern Health Travel Grant and physician billing.  Prior to joining the Ministry of Health, Abbie held advisory positions to the Assistant Deputy Minister of Customer Care and Deputy Minister at ServiceOntario.  
 
Abbie is a collaborative leader and values working with others to achieve a common goal.  Her career has largely been focused in the areas of strategy, project management, organizational transformation and communications/issues management. 

Percy Gyara

Percy brings to Ornge more than 25 years experience as a finance executive in Canada and internationally. He has an extensive background within the aviation/travel sector in senior leadership roles with Canada Jetlines, Sunwing Travel Group and Skyservice Airlines, as well as the Broader Public Sector with the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). He has earned certifications as a Certified General Accountant in Ontario, a Certified Public Accountant in the US, and a Certified Accountant in India.

Lorinda Lee

Lorinda Lee joined Ornge in August, 2023. She is an HR leader with an extensive breadth and depth of experience. Prior to joining Ornge, Lorinda spent the last decade as a Senior HR Leader and Executive in the hospital sector including UHN, Humber River, and Oak Valley Health. She has over ten years of progressive experience in Ontario Public Services including Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Lorinda is also registered as a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) and Certified Health Executive (CHE).
 
She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology, a Bachelor’s in Adult Education Training and Development, a Master’s in Intercultural Communications, and a Ph.D. in Applied Management, Leadership, and Organizational Change.
 
Lorinda enjoys teaching voluntarily and coaching globally. She also dedicates her time to serving on not-for-profit boards.

Dr. Bruce Sawadsky,
MD

Dr. Bruce Sawadsky has 20+ years of leadership within the provincial air ambulance program, including his role as a Transport Medicine Physician and Medical Director, as well as the Chair of Ornge’s Medical Advisory Committee.

Dr. Sawadsky is a graduate of McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Outside of Ornge, he has been a Staff Emergency Physician at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre since 1996, and the Medical Director of Ontario’s Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT) since its inception in 2008.  His primary focus is clinical care provided in austere environments such as transport and disaster medicine as well as the measurement of quality of care and simulation based training.

Susan Kennedy

Susan has over twenty years of experience in corporate/commercial law and brings with her experience in both the public sector and in the role of Corporate Secretary.

Prior to Ornge, Susan spent eight years with the Ontario Power Authority as Counsel, Director Corporate/Commercial Law, Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Prior to joining the Ontario Power Authority, Susan practiced corporate and business law for a total of 12 years at three law firms following her attainment of her LL.B./M.B.A.

Isabel Atkinson

Isabel Atkinson was appointed Chief Integrations and Partnerships Officer at Ornge in November 2025, following the successful integration of CritiCall Ontario into the organization. In this role, she leads strategic partnerships and system integration efforts to strengthen coordinated access to critical care services across Ontario.

With more than 35 years of experience in healthcare, more than 25 of those in senior leadership, Isabel is widely recognized for her ability to build and lead high-performing teams. She is deeply committed to developing people and fostering environments where individuals and teams can reach their full potential. Her leadership philosophy centres on embracing “the art of the possible,” consistently driving innovation and system improvement.

Prior to joining Ornge, Isabel served as Executive Director of CritiCall Ontario, where she played a pivotal role in advancing provincial critical care coordination. Before that, she held the position of Director of Acute Medicine, Critical Care and Emergency at Hamilton Health Sciences. In this capacity, she oversaw a broad portfolio including trauma and burn services, as well as Trillium Gift of Life, supporting life-saving organ and tissue donation efforts.