Directors & Ambassadors
The Canadian Osteogenesis Imperfecta Society Board of Directors consists of volunteers with a personal connection to osteogenesis imperfecta and experience in one or more of the following areas: medicine, health, accounting, finance, fundraising, organizational management, public relations, strategic planning, business and/ or policy. Board members meet 3 times per year and a separate COIS operational committee (made up of a smaller group of board members) meet monthly to advance a variety of projects and initiatives.
Members of the COIS Board of Directors serve three-year terms.
President & Chair
S. Jacinta Whyte Toronto, ON
Member since 2017 (2nd term)
When the Shriners Hospital invited me to reactivate the COIS, I was both proud and honoured to accept. I believe that my involvement is the best way to give back, to express our family’s gratitude for the care and support that our daughter Rachel received. My vision is to secure the same support for everyone, and to further medical research, treatment, and care to benefit the OI community in Canada and beyond.
COIS Medical Advisor & Chair of the COIS Medical Advisory Committee
Dr Angela M. Cheung, MD, PhD, FRCPC,
Toronto, ON
Member Since 2025
Staff, General Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Department of Medicine and Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, University of Toronto
Dr. Angela M. Cheung is Professor of Medicine, at University of Toronto (UofT) and Senior Physician Scientist at University Health Network (UHN). She holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Musculoskeletal Health. She has led a very distinguished and award winning career both in Canada and Internationally. Her first exposure to OI was in high school; she was a volunteer in a care home and was paired with someone with Type 3 OI. That sparked her interests in bone. Her current research interests are in rare bone diseases, atypical femoral fractures and metabolic bone diseases. Dr Cheung obtained her M.D. degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1988, and her PhD degree from Harvard University in 1997. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada and has been in clinical practice for >35 years.
Dr Cheung joins the COIS board as COIS Medical Advisor and Chair of the COIS Medical Advisory Committee.
Secretary
Sarah Kamal Toronto, ON
Member since 2018 (1st term)
The knowledge and support I received from the OI community was invaluable after my youngest child was diagnosed with severe OI. I chose to volunteer on the COIS board as a way to give back to the OI community.
Treasurer
David Turnbull Oakville, ON
Member since April 2019 (1st term)
Having adopted a young daughter with OI, I understand the enormous support and value of having medical professionals that both understand and provide critical treatment to improve the quality of life of those growing up with OI. Medical research and assisting those who are new to a diagnosis will help us all in this journey and adventure, and being part of COIS is my way to play a part.
COIS Ambassador, & Lifestyle and Donor Services Director
Kristen Hayes Markham, ON
Member since June 2018 (1st term)
I became a COIS Board member because I am a proud Canadian and disability advocate. I love connecting people and wanted to help build a community of knowledge and support for people and families with OI. Learning from others with OI as I grew up was invaluable.
Fund Development Director
Chandra Ramadurai
Member Since 2024
As the very proud father of a special OI kid, RJ - one who has taught me how to smile through adversity and find happiness in the ‘moment’ - I love to support the OI community thru’ awareness building, furthering research and educating the community. I was previously the founder of iBones foundation, a doctor-parent initiative to raise awareness of OI and other rare bones diseases across the medical community. Professionally, I am the Co-founder and CEO of Efficiency Capital, Canada’s first Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) company that retrofits buildings and provides financial, environmental, and social returns to building owners and occupants.
OIF Representive
Tracy Hart
Member Since 2023
Tracy Hart is the Chief Executive Officer of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Tracy has served in this role since 2009 and is responsible for the overall management of the OIF including fundraising, program development and volunteer recruitment. She serves as the Co-Chair of the Rare Bone Disease Alliance, a newly formed group of researchers, industry partners and other stakeholders and is a Principal Investigator on behalf of the OIF in the Brittle Bone Disorders Consortium. She is also involved with OI research and advocacy on an international level collaborating with OI colleagues around the world.
COIS Junior Ambassador
Sophia Kamal
Non-Board Member
I’m Sophia, I’m 10 years old, and I was born with type III OI. I’m happy to be a COIS jr. ambassador to show other kids that people with OI can do all kinds of things. I am a competitive artistic swimmer, and I also love arts and crafts, music, wheelchair sports, and going to camp. I can do almost everything kids my age can do, sometimes I just have to do them a little differently. I am proud to have a disability, and hope that other kids are too.
COIS Teen Ambassador
RJ Chandrasekar
Non-Board Member
When I started breaking bones as a toddler (and I have broken over a hundred!), it took a few years for the doctors and my family to know that I had OI. The OI disease is rare and my OI “type” is even rarer – most people I meet have never heard about this and that includes my friends at school. I decided to become an Ambassador as I want to bring awareness about OI – and I want to help others with OI who are going through the same journey that I have. I aspire to further the research and studies in this field so that people like me can have a chance to live a normal life.
Design & Digital Director
Adam Kearney Chatham-Kent, ON
Non-Board Member
Growing up with OI, my mother was an active Board Member of COIS for many years. I saw first hand just how much the community was able to help individuals and families. When the opportunity presented itself for me to help build back the community, I jumped at the chance.