PalCare Core 1 Instructors
PalCare Instructors are subject matter experts in the field of Palliative and End of Life Care. We have an excellent reputation as an education and training program provider. We make every effort to balance our fees so that some sessions are free where others are at a cost – this reduces barriers for education opportunities for not for profit organizations and community volunteers. Our education topics are current.
Elizabeth Ferrier
RN BScN CHPCN(C), Clinical Nurse Consultant, Hospice Palliative Care Teams for Central LHIN
Liz has been a Registered Nurse for 30 years, and started her Career working in Geriatrics and Community Visiting Nursing. She soon developed a passion and interest towards palliative care and working to improve quality of life for patients and the care they received.
Over those years, she has worked towards building her own capacity and developing programs that demonstrated the importance of excellence in palliative care. Further to Nursing Liz has found a talent in teaching, and worked with Georgian College educating Nurses in pain and symptom management and also then premedical students in biology. She continues to strive to make a difference in her Nursing and Teaching Career.
Dr. Nadine Persaud
MSW, RSW, PhD
Executive Director of Kensington Hospice, Senior Director, Client Services at Kensington Health, and is an accreditation assessor with Hospice Palliative Care Ontario. As well as being a Core 1 instructor for PalCare’s Introduction to Hospice Palliative Care. Nadine’s PhD is in adolescent and young adults dying of cancer. Nadine has been in the Hospice Palliative Care field for about 16 years, and has a wealth of experience working with individuals and their families.
Rachel Smith
Senior Social Service Worker and Programs Manager
Experienced Administrator, Senior Social Service Worker and Programs Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the long term care and the health care industry. Skilled in Social Services, Event Planning, Program Development, Program Management, and Quality Initiatives. A Strong leader and consulting professional within the Social Services field with a focus on geriatrics, palliative care and working with those with cognitive impairment. Rachel teaches PSW’s through Seneca, as well as being a Core 1 instructor with PalCare. Rachel is passionate about her roles and wanting to impart what she has experienced over the years.
Rami Shami
BSc
He has been serving in Hospice Palliative Care for nearly 3 decades.
He feels privileged to practice as a Consultant as well as Case Manager for the Second Mile Club at Kensington Health.
While harvesting a conviction that everyone should have access to quality Hospice Palliative Care, Rami strongly advocates and intimately supports the development and growth of programs and services for those travelling the journey of a life-limiting illness, their caregivers, and those who are bereaved.
Sharron Spencer
BA Thanatology
Sharron is a Certified Thanatologist with the Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Thanatology, which is the study of the psychological mechanisms of death, dying and bereavement. Sharron is also a Registered Social Service Worker and is part-time faculty with Seneca Polytechnic's Social Service Worker Gerontology program. As well, Sharron is a Certified Funeral Celebrant and Reiki Master.
Sharron is currently a full-time Hospice Counsellor providing Spiritual, Grief, and Bereavement support at Matthew’s House Hospice.
Susanne Urzendowsky
MSW, RSW, Registered Social Worker
Susanne obtained her Bachelors and Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Potsdam (Germany) and Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada). She is a registered social worker and clinical practice lead with Better Living Health and Community Services where she is an experienced educator working with individuals, groups, and international organizations. She worked as a Social Worker for an Assisted Living Program for seniors in Canada and currently at Doane House Hospice / Margaret Bahen Hospice.
Since 2016, she has focused on palliative care and participated in the HPCO Advance Care Planning education and became a HCC ACP Regional Champion. Susanne is a strong believer that social workers play an important role in facilitating ACP conversations.
Rev. Vicki Cousins
Registered Psychotherapist
Viciki is a spiritual director, labyrinth facilitator, registered psychotherapist, United Church of Canada minister, and the retired chaplain with York Regional Police.
She was the Certified Spiritual Care Practioner at Southlake for eleven years, until her retirement from the hospital at the end of May 2020.
Wendy Graham
Registered Psychotherapy
With a background in Counselling and Education, Wendy transitioned into Palliative Care and Grief & Bereavement counselling, while volunteering in community hospices. Wendy then expanded her focus to include children, adults, caregivers and families. Additional education at King’s College in London Ontario increased the scope of Wendy’s practice to include palliative care and end of life support.
For the past 28 years Wendy has supported 3 different community and hospice residents with education, advocacy and counselling in Palliative Care, Grief, Traumatic Loss, Anxiety and Depression, and navigating difficult challenges in life.
As a Registered Psychotherapist, Wendy currently works in private practice.
Workshop Instructors (Past & Present)
Aly Bird
Andrea Abell
Danielle Lobo
Emily Moffat
Harold Yuen
Jim Metson
Josh Landry
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Linda Hochstetler
Lois Hayes
Louise Leblanc
Nancy Hall
Vicki Cousins
Victoria Di Giovanni