OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Born in St. John’s, NL, Dr. O’Brien received his medical degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland and received his Plastic Surgery certification from the Royal College in 1985 having completed residency at the University of Toronto.
In 2009 Dr. O’Brien was appointed special advisor for Medical Research with New Brunswick’s Horizon Health Network was soon appointed as Vice President Health Research and Innovation. Dr. O’Brien was a founding member of the NB Provincial Medical Education Steering Committee and also served as an advisor to the Deputy Minister post-secondary education on the management committee of the Dalhousie Medical Education Program project which led to the establishment of the Dalhousie Medicine NB Campus in 2010. Dr. O’Brien has completed an EXTRA fellowship under the auspices of the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation and in the past has also served as a plastic surgery examiner for the Royal College. At the present time Dr. O’Brien holds faculty appointments at Dalhousie University and Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dr. O’Brien has served on the council of the Royal College since 2010 and has served on many committees at the Royal College. Most recently he was appointed Director of Faculty and Alumni Engagement – NB for the Faculty of Medicine Memorial University of Newfoundland. He is currently a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Ron Outerbridge
Director
Ron Outerbridge is a Chartered Professional Accountant, and the President and CEO of Coast Tire & Auto Services Ltd. He is also the Chair of the Board of Regents at Mount Allison University and a Director of the Symphony New Brunswick Foundation. Ron has volunteered on a number of other Foundations and Not for Profits over the years. He has been on the Board of the NB Medical Education Foundation Inc for 3 years and strongly supports its mission. NB Medical Education Foundation Inc’s commitment to supporting New Brunswick Medical students to stay home and serve their province’s citizens medical needs is a great cause.
Bernadette is an immigrant by birth and a New Brunswicker by choice. Besides immigration, she views the greatest gift her parents gave her as education, sending her to Portugal in grade school to ensure she maintained her mother tongue. She went on to obtain her bachelors on a full-tuition scholarship, during which she also did a semester in Spain.
After fulfilling a 19-year career at NBTel/Aliant, during which time she raised her twins and returned to Spain for a semester, she worked on contract with Irving Oil before heading to work in Guatemala, El Salvador, Ireland, New York, Trinidad & Tobago, and finally back home to New Brunswick. In 2011, she became an entrepreneur, her company headquartered in Saint John, and is now known as a global connector of people, ideas, and communities. She works with the public sector on attracting and retaining investment and talent to communities; and with the private sector on developing ideas and business in new markets.
Bernadette embraces diversity and inclusion in helping communities thrive and grow together, having helped settle five Syrian families in Saint John, and hosted Siyabulela Mandela in New Brunswick on his inspirational journey of continuing Nelson Mandela's legacy. She is committed to giving back to the newcomer community and retains her permanent resident status to remind herself of sacrifices made and challenges overcome.
In addition to the New Brunswick Medical Education Foundation, she serves on the boards of the Saint John Learning Exchange, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of NB, and Africa Trade & Investment Global Services.
Bernadette is grateful for her three grandchildren, and her little cabin in the woods.