Sandra Young is an innovative health care leader with 35 years of experience in advanced practice nursing, senior leadership, patient safety, quality improvement and project management, research, education, policy and regulation. 

As Executive Director, Standards and Education at Health Standards Organization, she drives evidence-informed strategies for standards development, integration, education, and the QMentum program; with a focus on reliable safety practices and integrated people centered care. With a proven track record in strategic leadership, quality improvement, and policy development, she has held senior roles across multiple sectors, elevating healthcare excellence. 

Sandra was the first graduate of a Nurse Practitioner program in Western Canada and has practiced in advanced practice nursing in both Canada and the United States in fetal, neonatal and pediatric intensive care and community-based follow-up care for mothers and babies for the first 23 years of her career. 

Sandra has served as the Chief Professional Practice Officer for the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta, and the Standards and Practice Director for respite, supportive, long-term care, mental health, palliative and hospice care across two provinces with Age Care. 

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She holds extensive experience in improving patient flow and patient experience across sites and sectors especially during the pandemic focused on emergency care. Sandra also led the clinical project management of a 189-bed pandemic response unit, constructed and commissioned within 16 weeks.