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We are a compassionate community in which everyone has access to high-quality, seamless palliative care, where end-of-life choices are respected, and supports are readily available. We provide compassionate palliative care and supports in our hospice and community for individuals and their families through the end-of-life journey.
FORWARD ALL MAIL TO:
Innisfree House
2375 Homer Watson Blvd
Kitchener N2P 0E9
519-208-5055
LISAARD HOUSE DOES NOT RECEIVE MAIL
Lisaard House
990 Speedsville Rd
Cambridge
519-650-1121
Andrea is a Registered Nurse with over three decades of experience and holds a Masters of Arts (Leadership) from the University of Guelph. Andrea has worked in the areas of acute care, home & community care and long-term care. She has been instrumental in the development of the Waterloo Wellington Hospice Palliative Care Program and has supported provincial hospice palliative care system design and development with the Ontario Palliative Care Network. Andrea has held leadership positions with the Victorian Order of Nurses and Community Care Access Center in the Waterloo & Wellington Counties. Andrea also is an Associate Professor at Conestoga College in a nursing program. Andrea is currently a Director of the HPCO Board of Directors and the co-chair of the HPCO Annual Conference.
Jo Ann has over 35 years of administration experience. Jo Ann’s family experienced the amazing care and compassion provided by the staff and volunteers during her father-in-law’s final weeks at Lisaard House prior to joining our team in 2012. Her portfolio includes operations management, payroll, and the volunteer program. One of her favourite quotes: “I can do what you cannot do and you can do what I cannot do. Together, we can do great things.” – Mother Theresa
Since 2008 Maria has been providing and promoting exemplary end-of-life care as a Registered Nurse and Clinical Resource Nurse at Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice. Serving now as the Director of Care, Maria oversees the Frontline Clinical Staff, Clinical Resource, and Psychosocial programs. Maria works with our community partners and is the lead for the accreditation process through Hospice Palliative Care Ontario.
Gillian is a Registered Nurse with over 25 years experience in practice both in Canada and the USA. She has worked in the hospital and community setting providing Palliative Care. Gillian oversees the Resource Nurses, Staff Education, Clinical Student Placements, Hiring and Orientation.
Heather MacCuaig is a Registered Social Worker and previously worked in the Oncology and Palliative Care Program at Cambridge Memorial Hospital for 20 years. Heather has taught in the Palliative Care Certificate Program at Conestoga College and is currently an Associate Clinical Professor at the Michael DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University.
Gord is a certified Supervisor-Educator within Canadian Association of Spiritual Care (CASC), a certified member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, and an experienced trained spiritual director and Mennonite pastor for over 20 years. Gord is a founding member of the AIDS Committee of York Region where he led an AIDS Support Group in his church and worked as a psychospiritual therapist to palliative care and mental health clients for the Community Care Access Centre of York Region for nine years. As part of his training to be a certified CASC Supervisor-Educator, Gord has supervised and trained Master students in psychospiritual therapy in settings such as Long Term Care, hospitals, churches, and correctional centers since 2017. He has facilitated a faith-based mental health peer support group since 2014 and, more recently, leads monthly small groups on personal spiritual growth and development. Gord knows personally the path of intense grief from saying goodbye to both of his hemophiliac brothers who died in the 1990s from HIV/AIDS.
Greg is a registered nurse whose main focus for over 20 years has been the provision of palliative care. He has worked as a Visiting Nurse, and as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton. Greg has a Master’s degree for which he published narrative research on Alternate Level of Care. In 2015, he and his family moved from Hamilton and he is pleased to serve this community in his role as Bereavement Coordinator.
Debbie has been part of the Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice team since 2009. Beginning as a Personal Support Worker, she worked closely with residents and their families through their end-of-life journey. Debbie transitioned to the role of Operations Coordinator, where she is responsible for managing Payroll, Clinical Schedules, Maintenance, and the day-to-day operations of both houses.
Samantha graduated from King’s University College with a BA in Thanatology as well as a Post Graduate certificate in Human Resources Management from Conestoga College. She spent several years as a volunteer with St. Joseph’s Hospice in London, supporting both palliative individuals and their caregivers. Samantha is excited to combine her passion for diversity and inclusion with her commitment to compassionate palliative care. She will be overseeing all the volunteer programs and training.
Sarah began her journey with Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice as a Volunteer in 2011. With her background in the banking industry, Sarah joined our Administration team in the finance department processing tax receipts and bank deposits. In early 2021, Sarah undertook the Fund Development Coordinator role where she is responsible for fundraising activities, building and maintaining donor relationships, and educating our community on the importance of Hospice care.
This team is made up of experienced palliative nurses who demonstrate clinical expertise, knowledge and professionalism to help coach and mentor our clinical staff. Under the direction of the Clinical Resource Manager, the resource nurse team facilitate resident intake, placement, and works to ensure a smooth transition of residents to the hospice. This team facilitates strong working relationships between our residents, families, inter-professional team members and community partners.
This team is made up of experienced palliative nurses who demonstrate clinical expertise, knowledge and professionalism to help coach and mentor our clinical staff. Under the direction of the Clinical Resource Manager, the resource nurse team facilitate resident intake, placement, and works to ensure a smooth transition of residents to the hospice. This team facilitates strong working relationships between our residents, families, inter-professional team members and community partners.
This team is made up of experienced palliative nurses who demonstrate clinical expertise, knowledge and professionalism to help coach and mentor our clinical staff. Under the direction of the Clinical Resource Manager, the resource nurse team facilitate resident intake, placement, and works to ensure a smooth transition of residents to the hospice. This team facilitates strong working relationships between our residents, families, inter-professional team members and community partners.
Meghan is an accredited music therapist with over 5 years experience supporting those experiencing end-of-life, trauma, and mental health needs in the region. Meghan has a masters in music therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a supervisor for their undergraduate music therapy program. In her role, Meghan provides physical, emotional and spiritual support to residents and their families through music based practices.
Michelle McKinnon has a Master of Social Work degree and also completed a comprehensive Grief and Bereavement Certificate as well as an advanced certificate in Clinical Hypnosis. For over 23 years, she has worked in a variety of settings with a focus on mental health and grief and bereavement. She founded and operates The McKinnon Centre, a private practice, for the past 13 years. She has been the Family Time group therapist at Lisaard and Innisfree for 13 years, since its inception. Her passion for grief and bereavement rose out of significant personal losses both as a child and adult which resulted in a keen interest to assist others.
Marty is an enthusiastic communications professional and storyteller with over 20 years of progressive experience in the telecom, high-tech, and petcare industries. As a corporate communications and PR professional, she has learned that success in any role is founded in building reciprocal relationships. Marty has a personally meaningful history with Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice; her mom spent her final days in the comfort and care of Lisaard House. Marty then spent a year with us as a signature fundraising event volunteer prior to joining our team.
Donna first joined Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice as a reception volunteer at both Houses. Donna’s diverse accounting and business knowledge, combined with her eager willingness to tackle any task, was an ideal combination for our Donor Stewardship position. In this role Donna processes donations, completes income tax receipts, manages our banking, accounts payable, and other various general accounting functions.
Stephanie graduated with a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology (Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy) at Martin Luther University College, which is affiliated with Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. Stephanie is a Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario. She is also a Psycho-spiritual Therapist (Qualifying) with the Canadian Association of Spiritual Care. She enjoys working with clients from different cultures, religions, and social backgrounds. Stephanie will be providing care for individuals living with life-limiting illness who have spiritual care needs either in their home or at a hospice residence.
Our hospice Houses are staffed by an incredibly passionate team of Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs), and Personal Support Workers (PSWs). Along with our Physicians, Clinical Resource Nurses, Clinical Manager, Department Resource and other members of our interdisciplinary Care Team, we strive to provide the highest level of hospice care.
Our Clinical Team has specialized education and training in hospice palliative care, and we collectively have decades of experience caring for people with a life-limiting illness. We work with residents and their families to develop individualized plans of care based on each individual’s unique needs and priorities. We are committed to person-centred care, respecting every individual’s right to dignity and self-determination. Our dedicated team works alongside both the resident and their loved ones, supporting them all through the end-of-life experience.
Department Resource (DR) is responsible for providing support, clinical expertise and knowledge to the Lisaard and Innisfree Team. The DR supports the development of employees working at Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice and fosters empowerment through knowledge to achieve excellence in the delivery of care and the day to day operations of the hospice
