Care from the Heart 2025 | Interviewees
Tony Deys, Cardiac Patient
Tony has spent many years in the Southern Alberta media, in both radio and TV. In that time, he has dedicated countless hours doing volunteer work for numerous organizations, whether it's serving on a board, or being the MC for various fundraising events.
Tony was, in many ways, your average 52-year-old. Not really 'in' shape, but not really 'out' of shape, either.
But on December 15th, 2019, everything changed.
But on December 15th, 2019, everything changed.
While playing a recreational hockey game at the Cavendish Centre, Tony suffered a massive heart attack.
The paramedics arrived to find him in V-fib, and they started resuscitation immediately. Attending to him were seven gentlemen who worked tirelessly to bring him back to life not once, not twice, but three times.
The paramedics arrived to find him in V-fib, and they started resuscitation immediately. Attending to him were seven gentlemen who worked tirelessly to bring him back to life not once, not twice, but three times.
From there he was transported to the Emergency room at LRH, where the crack staff of Dr's and nurses had to resuscitate him two more times. He was eventually airlifted to Calgary via STARS and is able to tell his story today because of friends who knew what to look for, and a medical staff that knew what to do.
Dr. Sayeh Zielke, MD., IMBA., FRCPC., ICD.D.
Dr. Sayeh Zielke is an author, medical director and cardiologist based in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. She is the Physician Lead for Cardiac Sciences in the AHS South Zone, the Chair for the Southern Alberta Cardiac Sciences Advisory Cabinet and is a member of the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors. She is the Medical Director of Chinook Cardiology, which she established in 2013, and of the Heart function Clinic and Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, both part of the Alberta Healthy Living Program of Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Her extensive experience and understanding of the specific needs of cardiac patients in southern Alberta is invaluable as she plays a vital role in the Bringing Hearts home project. Her insights have been instrumental in shaping the project’s direction, aiming for significant life-saving improvements in cardiac patient care for residents of southern Alberta.
Dr. Zielke completed her Master of International Business Administration in 2001and went on to receive her medical doctorate, both from the University of Ottawa where she was class valedictorian. In addition, she completed her internal medicine and cardiology residencies at the University of Ca
lgary. She further completed training in both cardiac CT, and echocardiography at the Royal Brompton Hospital and John Radcliffe Hospital – University of Oxford Hospitals in the U.K.
A member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, Dr. Zielke earned her ICD.D designation in 2022. Currently, she holds faculty appointments as a Clinical Lecturer at The University of Calgary, Department of Cardiac Sciences, Cummings School of Medicine and Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Neurosciences at the University of Lethbridge.
Colin Zieber, South Zone Senior Operating Officer, AHS
Colin Zieber holds a diploma in Psychiatric Nursing, a BSc in Neuroscience, and an MSc in Health Sciences. This background serves him well in his position as he plays a key role as a zone operational lead for Women's and Children's Health, Senior's Health, Indigenous Health, and geographic AHS lead for Lethbridge.
When Colin isn't at work he invests in time with his family, married to Lori who is an amazing Registered Nurse and musician, they are the proud parents of four incredible children who either work in healthcare, are in training to be a healthcare professional or are volunteering at CRH. He is inspired "to ensure our health teams are supported to provide exceptional care with the best equipment, training and encouragement." Outside of work, Colin has a passion for soccer and basketball, as well as a love for a wide variety of music.
When Colin isn't at work he invests in time with his family, married to Lori who is an amazing Registered Nurse and musician, they are the proud parents of four incredible children who either work in healthcare, are in training to be a healthcare professional or are volunteering at CRH. He is inspired "to ensure our health teams are supported to provide exceptional care with the best equipment, training and encouragement." Outside of work, Colin has a passion for soccer and basketball, as well as a love for a wide variety of music.
Kristie-Lynn Sitter, Manager Day Procedures, Chinook Regional Hospital
I grew up in Southern Alberta. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, eating good food, travelling, hiking, kayaking, yoga and rowing with an amazing group of women on my dragon boating team WTF - Where's the finish? (I know where your thoughts went with that). I have a son in high school, two cats and a dog. I come from a family of workers in the public sector (from front line to end of the line).
I went into nursing so that I could help people through all stages of life. I have worked in many different areas such as geriatrics, nursing education (teaching in the LPN program at the College), med/surg floor nursing, palliative care, pediatrics, endoscopy and minor surgery.
My passion is in the surgical realm of healthcare and that is why I went into management in the Day Procedures Department. It gives me the opportunity to make a real change for the people of Lethbridge and the surrounding communities. I have firsthand experience working in the department and now use that knowledge to provide the resources to help people with their functional and physical health concerns. One example of this is the new Artevo-850 3D cataract microscope, that we were able to obtain from donations to the foundation. We are now able to use the newest and most state-of-the-art equipment on the market to treat our patients with cataracts, eye injuries and other eye conditions that may have had to go elsewhere for their procedures.
Crystal Elliott, CEO, Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation
Crystal is not just a seasoned leader; she's your friendly guide through the realms of nonprofit and healthcare, bringing warmth and transformative energy to her role as CEO of the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation. Her journey has been a colorful tapestry woven with a commitment to positive sector-level change, sprinkled with expertise in nonprofit governance, strategic planning, and revenue development that makes her a real generator in the foundation world.
In her previous role as the Executive Director at the Family Centre Society of Southern Alberta, Crystal didn't just manage; she danced through the challenges, enhancing nonprofit sector resilience with her unique blend of systems thinking, fundraising prowess, research finesse, and expert project management. During her delightful 12-year tenure, she not only shared expert advice on the nonprofit sector but also played a role in social innovation and public/stakeholder engagement, turning projects from mere issues into success stories. Crystal has also a strong marriage to healthcare, as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, she has experience as a front-line nurse, Manager and Director giving her a strong understanding of the needs experienced in healthcare.
Crystal's excitement about contributing to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation is not just professional; it's deeply personal. With a career origin as a psychiatric nurse within the Chinook Regional Hospital, she's not just returning; she's coming home. Her visionary leadership, strategic mindset, and a toolbox of skills in group facilitation, stakeholder engagement, interpersonal communication, project management, and team leadership are all set to create a melody of success for the foundation.
Darren McEwen, Executive Director of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation
Darren McEwen is the Executive Director of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, a role he’s held since November 2023, though his involvement with the Foundation began in 2016. A passionate curler, Darren combines his love of curling with a deep commitment to helping babies born too soon, too small, too sick, or too far. Under his leadership, the Foundation has surpassed $9 million in grants to hospitals across Canada, funding vital neonatal equipment and care. Darren is dedicated to building strong relationships with communities, ensuring donor support creates life-changing impacts for families in need.
Amber Darroch, Board Chair, Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation 
I joined the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation Board of Directors in the fall of 2022, a short while after I retired. After a career in K-12 education as a teacher, principal, and school jurisdiction leader, the foundation struck me as a way to leverage my professional experience in the public sector in a new and fascinating context. I had worked on boards provincially in the past, but working with an organization impacting the everyday lives of Southern Albertans struck a chord with me.
Supporting the foundation as a volunteer and a donor was an easy choice for me as soon as I understood that our hospital and related facilities serve ALL. Each of us will need the hospital ourselves or due to the needs of our family and friends, so supporting the CRHF has the potential to impact every demographic you can imagine. The quality of our health care is directly improved by the specialized equipment, education, and special projects the foundation provides.
I grew up all around Alberta, started teaching in Yellowknife and moved to Lethbridge in 1999. I completed my B.Ed. at the University of Alberta and M.Ed. at the University of Lethbridge. Other than the CHRF work, my retired life includes pottery, reading, travel and lots of adventures with my best friend and husband, Clark Bosch. We have four adult kids and a two-year-old grandson.
