Regulated Members

Jessica Wiebe, MLT – President
Jessica graduated with honours from the MLT program at SAIT in 2013. Her position right after graduation was with the hematology department at the Foothills Medical Centre for two years. Here she gained experience in some specialty hematology testing and bone marrow collections through the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. Ready for an adventure, she made a big move to the Northwest Territories. For 4 years, Jessica worked as a lead MLT at the Hay River Regional Health Centre. During her employment there, Jessica got to work a great deal with validating new instruments and laboratory information system interface testing and setup. This helped to further ignite her interest in quality management, which eventually led to her completing a certificate in Clinical Laboratory Quality Management, through the Michener Institute. Ready for yet another adventure, Jessica moved back to Alberta, where she worked as the Tech II at the Devon General Hospital laboratory for 3 years. After this Jessica worked as a Credentialed Trainer with the Alberta Connect Care Project for a year, where she loved getting to meet Laboratory Staff from all around the province. She is currently working with Roche Diagnostics - getting to combine her love of instrumentation while still training Laboratory Staff. Jessica is fascinated with all aspects of the laboratory profession and is looking forward to increasing hers and others awareness about legislation and regulation for medical laboratory professionals in Alberta. In addition to being the Vice President for the CMLTA, Jessica also volunteers on the Legislation and Finance/Audit Sub-Committees.

Megan Parrish, MLT – President
My name is Megan Parrish and I am an MLT II with Alberta Precision Labs in Edmonton Alberta. I have worked as an MLT for 8 years in the Regional Transfusion Medicine and Point of Care Testing departments at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton.

I completed a BSc in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) and obtained my MLT certification in 2014. In 2017, I completed the Clinical Laboratory Quality Manager certificate which focused on understanding quality issues in the clinical laboratory. In addition to completing this certificate, I was chosen as one of two MLTs in Canada to attend the CSMLS Leadership Development Scholarship in Ottawa. This workshop focused on learning effective leadership and communication skills, understanding and learning to adapt personal strengths and challenges as a leader, and understanding leadership in the laboratory profession. I am currently enrolled in an MSc in Public Health with a focus on Health Policy Research in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.

In additional to my professional career, I have served as VP Administration on the Aboriginal Student Council and VP Finance and Co-Chair on the Indigenous Graduate Student Association at the University of Alberta.

Sumbo Ashcroft, MLT
Sumbo earned her Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) degree in 2010, graduating as an internationally educated medical laboratory technologist (IEMLT). She furthered her academic journey by completing a Master’s degree in 2016. Starting her career in Nigeria, Sumbo gained extensive experience teaching students and performing diagnostic bench work, solidifying her expertise in the field.

Upon moving to Canada, Sumbo began her career with Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) in the microbiology department of the Edmonton base lab, where she currently works. Throughout her career, she has made significant contributions to the field of Medical Laboratory Science, including several publications in respected journals. Her passion for continuous improvement and safety led her to achieve a professional certification in Biorisk Management from the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA). She is a strong advocate for promoting biosafety culture and emphasizes the importance of risk assessment, characterization, and mitigation in diagnostic laboratories.

Sumbo’s career aspirations include expanding her expertise in biosafety and quality management by taking on more advanced responsibilities in the field. Outside of her professional life, Sumbo is actively involved in her church community, where she serves in the drama group and as a children’s teacher. Balancing her career and personal life, Sumbo strives to make meaningful contributions both in her profession and her community.

Eugene Cheung, MLT
Eugene is currently a laboratory manager for Genetics and Genomics/Molecular Pathology at Alberta Precision Laboratories. He completed a BSc in Medical Laboratory Science in 2008 and started his career in Transfusion Medicine at the University of Alberta Hospital. After working for a few years, he chose to pursue his Masters in Public Health in Public Health Leadership which he completed in 2016. Following that, Eugene completed a Certified Health Executive designation with the Canadian College of Health Leaders in 2017. During this time, he continued to work full-time in various areas including Special Chemistry and Endocrinology as well as serving as a Tech III at the Sturgeon Hospital laboratory. Eugene is passionate about building strong teams as well as improving patient care. As a mentor for the past 7 years with the WiSER (Women in Science and Engineering and Research) program through the University of Alberta, he has mentored 14 individuals to reach their potential and has found it invaluable in his growth as a leader. Eugene’s interest in volunteering for Council stems from his passion for the Medical Laboratory Technology profession but also in his current role, a passion for supporting our Clinical Genetics Technologists.

Deanna Faist, MLT
Deanna graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Alberta in 2018. During her time in the program, she was always eager to get involved with … everything! In between classes, she was on the MLS Student Association, volunteering as a microbiology Teaching Assistant, and working as a lab assistant. After graduating, Deanna worked at Dynalife’s Base lab’s chemistry department. Working in the immunology and routine chemistry areas, she loved working with instrumentation, training students, and solving problems. However, towards the end of the pandemic, Deanna wanted to explore other career paths and opportunities offered within the lab world. Currently she works at Somagen Diagnostics as an Application Specialist for their chemistry and immunology products. This job enables her to support customers across Western Canada, offering them troubleshooting assistance, instrument validation, and user training. Always eager to try new things and experiences, she is excited to serve on the CMLTA council and see where that takes her! When Deanna’s not being a keener in her work life, she is a keener in her personal life, for instance by being the captain and playing on a recreational Women’s volleyball team and organizing corgi-themed events across Edmonton.

Harpreet Manhani, MLT
Harpreet graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Alberta in 2016. Harpreet started her career in microbiology at the Red Deer Hospital. She is very passionate about healthcare and actively participates in projects to enhance healthcare structure and organization. Harpreet was recently involved in the validation and training of the staff for a new analyzer for testing Respiratory Syncytial virus, Influenza A and B; and now COVID-19. She also volunteered at the Red Deer Festival of Trees in November 2017 for raising donations towards implementing a front-end automation for the microbiology laboratory. To continue her ambition for healthcare, Harpreet joined the Connect Care project as a credentialed trainer for central zone laboratories where she gained technical skills pertaining to information technology of the laboratory. Harpreet is now working as a Medical Informatics Education Lead with the Chief Medical Information Office of Connect Care, Alberta Health Services. Harpreet is pursuing a master's degree in healthcare administration. By incorporating the knowledge gained from this master's degree relating to healthcare budgeting, resource allocation, human resources management, healthcare structuring and organization, and strategic planning, Harpreet believes she can serve the CMLTA Council to continue to strengthen the field of laboratory medicine.

Public Members

Domingo Chavez 
Domingo Chavez was born in Santiago, Chile. In 1973, while working on his mechanical engineering degree at the Technical State University in Chile and while working for the Public Work Ministry, the democratic elected government in Chile was overthrown in a coup d’état. As a result, Domingo lost his job and was deprived of his chosen career path. He was interrogated, tortured, and sent to a concentration camp. In 1974 with the help of United Nations and various humanitarian and religious organizations, Domingo moved to Argentina where he was joined by his fiancé Monica, and they later married in 1974. He and his wife moved to Canada in 1975 and settled in Edmonton and had two daughters. While in Canada, Domingo and his wife participated in various initiatives to denounce the violations of human rights that occurred in Chile during the military dictatorship. Both were deeply committed to re-establishing the democratization in their motherland. Domingo has been an active member of the Latin American community. In 1993, the Government of Chile appointed Mr. Chavez as the Honorary Consul of Chile until 2001. He has served in many positions dealing with cultural, media, solidarity, and human rights. He has also volunteered with the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Teen Time. Domingo was a member of the Human Rights Commission and Multiculturalism and Education Fund for the Government of Alberta from 2000 until 2006. Domingo was a Licensed Practical Nurse for the past 25 years and is currently employed at the University of Alberta Hospital as a nursing attendant.

Alissa Harding
Alissa Harding has a broad career spanning public and private sectors in managerial, policy, and HR roles. She works extensively in disability management, accommodation, and equitable employment, with deep expertise in occupational and non-occupational obligations. Alissa holds a Justice Studies degree and Graduate Certificates in Human Resources, Psychological Health and Safety, Occupational Health and Safety, and Administrative Justice, plus training in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Disability Management. In off hours, Alissa spends time with her family, enjoys being outdoors, and volunteering in her community.

Sajid Khan 
Biography to be added

Patricia Palechuk
Pat has served her community of Smoky Lake and the surrounding region for many years. She began her career as a teacher in Radway and Smoky Lake. After leaving teaching she entered into public service in the field of education; first as a school trustee for the County of Smoky Lake School Board and then as vice chair of the Aspen View Regional Board. While on these boards she also served as chair for the combined Zone 2/3 Regional Board and then on the executive of the Alberta School Boards Association. After retiring from trusteeship, she was elected the Smoky Lake region representative for the Lakeland Regional Health Authority and also had two tenures on the local Smoky Lake Town council. Part of her career was also spent as an appointed member of the North Central Alberta Child and Family Services. In the health field, she has been a member and chair for the Lakeland Communities Health Advisory Council for six years and is presently a community member on the Alberta North Zone Primary Care Network.

In addition to her professional career, Pat and her husband, Ed, worked together as partners in their company, Ed’s Auto Body (Smoky Lake) Ltd. They still enjoy the beauty and challenges of their farm where they once raised Percheron horses. However, Pat’s greatest treasure is her family. Ed and Pat are blessed with a son and a daughter, their spouses and four grand-children. Their family unit has always been very involved in sports and Ed and Pat have always supported these activities. Through all their endeavors their Ukrainian heritage and faith gave them the strength and guidance needed in their lives.

Patricia was honored to have received the Zone Appreciation Award and awarded an Honorary Life Membership from the Alberta School Boards Association. Recently, she was a recipient of the medal for Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee.

Pat is a lifelong community advocate, builder, and volunteer and has a passion for learning.