Guided by a passion for healthcare transformation, Stéphanie Despins has spent over two decades working to improve clinical standards and enhance system performance in Quebec. Beginning as a nurse in 1997, Stéphanie quickly realized her desire to make an even broader impact, leading her into healthcare management in 2008. Over the years, she has taken on diverse leadership roles, including team supervision and consulting. In 2019, she assumed a senior executive position, where she played a pivotal role in managing the healthcare sector’s response to the pandemic. Most recently, in 2023, she became the Deputy General Director of General and Specialized Physical Health Programs at CIUSSS MCQ. Known for her loyalty, rigor, authenticity, and dedication, Stéphanie has distinguished herself through her unwavering passion for skill development, healthcare performance, continuous deveopment, and service quality.
Throughout her career, Stéphanie has led numerous large-scale initiatives. However, she considers her greatest accomplishment to be the mentorship of the individuals and teams she has supported. To her, witnessing the professional growth and success of her colleagues, as well as seeing the positive impact on the care and services delivered to patients, is the most fulfilling aspect of her leadership journey.
Stéphanie’s commitment to health and social services stems from a profound desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most. Whether impacting a patient, a family, a healthcare team, or a system-wide initiative, she thrives on driving improvement and challenging herself daily.
Beyond her organizational contributions, Stéphanie is involved in the Quebec Chapter of the College. She joined with the goal of broadening her impact provincially, fostering connections with leaders from diverse backgrounds, and contributing a regional perspective to discussions and strategic initiatives. Her most cherished achievement within the College has been her leadership in designing and launching the Quebec Chapter’s mentorship program, which is a passion-driven project aimed at guiding and supporting emerging healthcare professionals.
Reflecting on her years in leadership, Stéphanie offers a simple, yet powerful, lesson:
“When things get too complicated, it’s time to go back to the basics and redo our homework. The greatest successes often lie in the little things!”
Stéphanie was selected by the Quebec Chapter as the recipient of the 2025 Chapter Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of her contributions. She extends her gratitude to the Quebec Chapter of CCHL for this recognition, emphasizing that during times of transformation, it is reassuring to be surrounded by dedicated, inspiring, and highly skilled professionals who share a common vision for a stronger healthcare system.
