Patient and Family Engagement Advisor/Family Partner, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, BC Children’s Hospital; Canada

Cynthia Vallance has served as the Patient and Family Engagement Advisor at Sunny Hill
Health Centre at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver since 2020. As the parent of a medically
complex young adult and a breast cancer survivor, she brings much lived experience and a
clear understanding of the challenges faced when navigating complex care systems. Her earlier
work managing police Victim Services programs strengthened her commitment to
traumainformed practice and continues to ground her approach with empathy, advocacy, and
familycentred care.

Cynthia is dedicated to amplifying the family voice and advancing collaborative, holistic, and
accessible models of care. She works to address ableism and champion meaningful patient and
family involvement with the codesign, codelivery, and shared leadership in research and
healthcare. Outside her advisory and volunteer work, Cynthia enjoys long walks with her family
and paddling in a dragon boat, all while soaking up the West Coast’s natural beauty.