Liliana Fu Rivera is a Risk Management Consultant at London Health Sciences Centre.
April 23, 2025
By: Liliana Fu Rivera, Risk Consultant at London Health Sciences Centre
Risk Management at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) plays a crucial role in patient care and safety, as well as in the daily business operations including special events, patient safety initiatives, community-based projects, new technology projects, contracts and insurance. Some team members who support this are risk consultants.
I love being a risk consultant because we can see the daily impact of our work on patients, the organization, and the community.
Journey to LHSC
In 2006, I obtained my Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the Catholic University of Honduras; Our Lady Queen of Peace. After working in Honduras as a corporate lawyer and anti-money laundering compliance officer for six years, I immigrated to Canada in 2012.
Driven by a desire to deepen my understanding of the Canadian legal system, I enrolled in Fanshawe's paralegal program and graduated in 2017, leading to my enrollment with the Law Society of Ontario. Before joining LHSC as a risk consultant in 2021, I worked at a law firm in London, where I supported various files, including immigration, real estate, corporate matters, and powers of attorney.
I joined London Health Sciences Centre in March 2021 and quickly found myself conducting risk assessments, assisting in identifying potential risks and mitigation strategies, reviewing safety incident reports as well as drafting contracts and supporting the corporate insurance portfolio. This was something I had experience working as a corporate lawyer in Honduras.
What does a risk consultant do?
Health care is an evolving field and Risk Management requires staying updated on regulations, legislation, technology and best practices. I find it's a career that fosters continuous personal and professional development. Some of our responsibilities include:
- Regulatory compliance: The health-care industry operates under strict regulations. As risk consultants, we play a vital role in helping the organization stay compliant with laws and regulations to avoid financial penalties and reputational risk.
- Patient safety: Risk Management reviews safety incident reports and supports the Serious Safety Event procedure in accordance with the Public Hospitals Act.
- Institutional accountability: We support the organization to avoid legal issues and financial penalties, contributing to the organization's wellbeing ensuring financial resources can be directed to patient care.
- Enterprise Risk Management (ERM): Risk Management supports the organization's ERM by assisting leaders in conducting LHSC's standardized Risk Assessment tool.
- Insurance: From annual renewals to reporting and settling claims, Risk Management ensures LHSC complies with insurer requirements and oversees the organization's corporate insurance policies.
What I love about my role
In Risk Management we collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve the common goals of quality care and the organization's well-being. As consultants, we rely on problem solving, and critical thinking daily. I take pride in being part of the positive change for patients as well as being able to support them and LHSC in creating optimal outcomes.
As a risk consultant, I have a deep sense of accomplishment and pride for several reasons:
- Patient safety and well-being: We support identifying, assessing and mitigating potential risks that could impact patients. Our work contributes directly to creating a safer health-care system.
- Dynamic and challenging: Every day brings new challenges, from assessing a serious safety event to developing proactive strategies for preventive future issues.
- Protecting stakeholders: Our work protects not only the organization and patients, but also employees, visitors, contractors, and even larger communities from potential risks.
- Collaborative engagement with community partners: To stay current in the rapidly evolving healthcare environment, we actively collaborate with our regional counterparts, including our participation in the Ontario Risk Networking group.
I’m passionate about my role as a risk consultant here because I can see the daily impact of our work on patients, the organization, and the community.
Moving to Canada has been one of the best surprises in my life, and joining LHSC has been amazing too. I want to motivate others and show why risk management is so important and highlight the key role we play in the organization.
Are you interested in growing your career at LHSC? Check out current opportunities online or connect with the Recruitment Team recruitment@lhsc.on.ca to learn more.