Welcome Anita Snobelen and Dr.Wayne Caldwell as Board Members

Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Wayne Caldwell and Anita Snobelen as Board Members.  

Wayne J. Caldwell, Ph.D., RPP, FCIP 

Dr. Wayne Caldwell is Professor Emeritus in Rural Planning at the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development. He has served in leadership roles, including Interim Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College and Associate Vice-President Research. His work has focused on agricultural planning, farmland preservation, rural community health, and supporting community-based economic and environmental initiatives. He has authored and edited numerous books on rural planning and development and contributed to public policy and best practices that advance sustainable rural communities. Wayne has also served as President of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and has led several local, provincial, and national organizations devoted to rural and environmental planning. 

A lifelong resident of Huron County, Wayne has always been passionate about the health and well-being of rural people and communities. He sees Gateway CERH as a vital and innovative organization that shares these values and has demonstrated real impact in advancing both individual and community health. He looks forward to contributing to Gateway CERH’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life across rural Ontario. 

Anita Snobelen 

Anita Snobelen was born and raised in Chatham-Kent and relocated to Goderich in 2015. She began her career in retail pharmacy as a pharmacy technician, a role she held for over 20 years. Over time, she transitioned into orthotic fitting, focusing primarily on supporting breast cancer survivors. 

In 1997, Anita opened a retail business in downtown Chatham dedicated to meeting the needs of cancer survivors. Her business grew to include a second location in Strathroy in 2013. After selling both locations more than a decade ago, Anita is now semi-retired but remains active in her community, currently serving on the Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Council. 

Anita is enthusiastic about joining Gateway CERH’s Board of Directors and is passionate about addressing the unique challenges of rural healthcare, particularly in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals. She also values the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from a group of thoughtful, driven, and inspiring individuals.