Shabnum Durrani brings years of health and stakeholder relations experience to the role

Toronto, ON – March 7, 2012 –Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada, the country’s top-ranked PR firm, continues to bolster its health expertise with the addition of Shabnum Durrani to its Toronto public affairs team. A lawyer with a wealth of health experience in both the public and private sector, Shabnum will assume the role of account director, public affairs, effective March 12.

“Shabnum brings extensive health experience in both policy and stakeholder engagement, further enhancing our ability to deliver top-notch health-care counsel and results to our clients,” says Ilyse Smith, general manager of Hill+Knowlton’s Toronto office. “That she is also a lawyer by training who has worked with a variety of ministers at Queen’s Park only adds to the insight and perspective she will bring to the team.”

Shabnum comes to Hill+Knowlton from the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) where she worked as a senior policy analyst, responsible for dealing with eHealth and privacy concerns. This role gave her the opportunity to forge deep relationships with various health associations, government and consumer groups – with extensive work in implementing health-policy initiatives related to myriad legislative and practice issues. Shabnum also worked in advisory roles to the minister of citizenship and immigration and the minister of health and long-term care, the latter leading to strong relationships with various health professionals across Ontario.

Prior to joining the public sector, Shabnum worked as a lawyer in both Toronto and Vancouver, specializing in contracts and agreements, government-transaction structuring and regulatory compliance. She studied law at the University of Toronto, graduating with a Juris Doctor, in addition to holding a master in public policy from York University.

Hill+Knowlton’s national health team offers a fully integrated suite of services that encompasses pharmaceutical, medical and corporate communications, public affairs, consumer health, issues management, market access and stakeholder relations as well as nationwide digital and social media communications.