HAM Board of Directors

Dr. Jacob Szereszewski

President

Dr. Jacob Szereszewski is a family physician practising in Hamilton and President of the Hamilton Academy of Medicine. He is committed to strengthening connections among physicians and supporting a collaborative and engaged medical community in Hamilton.

Dr. Szereszewski graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland School of Medicine in 2015 and is certified in Family Medicine by the College of Family Physicians of Canada. He practises family medicine in east Hamilton and is an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University.

Jessica Wooder

Executive Director

Jessica Wooder is the Executive Director of the Hamilton Academy of Medicine, where she leads strategy, governance, operations, education, communications and stakeholder engagement. Since joining HAM in 2017, she has helped expand the organization’s educational reach, strengthen its financial position, grow partnerships and modernize its governance and member programs to better serve Hamilton’s physician community.

Prior to joining HAM, Jessica held roles in Public Affairs at the Ontario Medical Association, with a focus on physician and stakeholder engagement, executive communications, issues management and province-wide consultation. She holds a Master of Communications from McMaster University.

Jessica has a longstanding commitment to community service. She is a Past President of both the Rotary Club of Ancaster AM and the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington and has held numerous volunteer leadership roles in the Hamilton community. She is a two-time Paul Harris Fellow and was recognized with a Business Link Media Group Top 40 Under 40 Business Achievement Award in 2014.

Dr. Darren de SA

Past President

Dr. Darren de SA is an orthopaedic surgeon, clinician-scientist and Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at McMaster University. His clinical practice focuses on adult and pediatric sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, musculoskeletal trauma and complex knee reconstruction.

Dr. de SA holds several leadership roles within McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, including Site Chief of Adult Surgery at McMaster University Medical Centre and leadership roles in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. He completed his medical degree and orthopaedic surgery residency at McMaster University, followed by fellowship training in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. He also holds an MBA from Brock University.

An active researcher and educator, Dr. de SA has authored more than 240 peer-reviewed publications and holds editorial roles with leading international orthopaedic journals. He also serves as Associate Head Orthopaedic Surgeon for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Forge FC. Dr. de SA served as President of the Hamilton Academy of Medicine in 2025–26 and remains a member of its Board of Directors as Past President.

Dr. Susan Piccinin

President - Elect

Dr. Susan Piccinin is a family physician with nearly four decades of experience serving patients in the Hamilton community. She practises in Ancaster and is a member of the Hamilton Family Health Team.

A graduate of McMaster University’s medical school, Dr. Piccinin has been certified in Family Medicine since 1988 and holds the designation of Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. She is also involved in the Greater Hamilton Health Network’s Primary Care Network, contributing to the ongoing development and strengthening of primary care in Hamilton.

As President-Elect of the Hamilton Academy of Medicine, Dr. Piccinin brings extensive experience in community-based family medicine and a longstanding connection to Hamilton’s medical community.

Dr. Eugene Maida

Vice-President and Treasurer

Dr. Eugene Maida is a physiatrist and interventional pain physician specializing in spine, musculoskeletal and pain medicine. He is the City-Wide Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine, with a cross-appointment in Anesthesia, at McMaster University. He also serves as Medical Director of the Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic.

Dr. Maida completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and subspecialty training in Pain Medicine at McMaster University, as well as a sports medicine research fellowship at the Mayo Clinic focused on ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal and peripheral nerve interventions. He holds certification in both Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

His work also extends into sport medicine. Dr. Maida has worked with McMaster varsity soccer and football and the Canadian Junior National Basketball Team and currently serves as Head Team Physician for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education at McMaster.

Kimberly Biback

Membership Manager

Kimberly Biback is a member of the Hamilton Academy of Medicine staff, where her work focuses on membership and physician engagement. She supports HAM members throughout their relationship with the organization, helping physicians connect with HAM’s programs, resources and broader medical community.

Outside of her professional work, Kimberly is an accomplished endurance athlete who has undertaken extraordinary physical challenges in support of charitable causes. Her efforts have included multiple ultramarathons, an 84-kilometre Haliburton Forest ultramarathon, a solo 180-kilometre Run for Heroes, and a 3,001-burpee challenge completed over 10.5 hours. Her 180-kilometre run raised more than $11,000 while building awareness and support for veterans and first responders.

Kimberly is closely involved with Veterans and Everyday Heroes (V-EH), supporting initiatives benefiting military members, veterans, first responders and their families. Her community contributions have been recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, awarded in 2025, as well as other community and professional honours.