Kristine Russell

Kristine is a Canadian sepsis survivor and patient partner whose work is grounded in lived experience and a commitment to improving care.

In 2014, following the birth of her daughter, Kristine and her newborn were both diagnosed with life-threatening sepsis caused by Group A Streptococcus. Their experience navigating critical illness, uncertainty, and recovery became a turning point, shaping her commitment to improving how care is delivered, experienced, and understood.

Kristine brings over a decade of experience in healthcare communications and system-level improvement, with a focus on translating complex information into clear, accessible, and actionable insights.

She is an active patient partner contributing to national and international research, policy, and quality improvement efforts. Her work includes collaborations with Alberta Health Services, Sepsis Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the World Health Organization, supporting advancements in maternal and neonatal sepsis, patient engagement, and health system improvement.

As a speaker, Kristine brings a perspective that bridges lived experience and system-level change. She is passionate about ensuring that patient voices are meaningfully integrated into healthcare design, research, and policy, and that stories are used not only to raise awareness, but to drive action.