SPRING LUNCH & LEARN WEBINAR SERIES

Speaker: Sharon Baxter

Sharon Baxter is a private consultant specializing as an expert advisor on hospice palliative care; health care management and executive coaching will present on “Compassionate Leadership in Action: Multidirectional Leadership through partnerships”.

Sharon recently retired from her position of Executive Director of the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) after 19 years. Sharon holds a Masters of Social Work degree in Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University and has worked on national health policy for over thirty years.

While at CHPCA Sharon chaired the Quality End-of-Life Care Coalition of Canada (QELCCC). The QELCCC is a coalition of 34 national organizations that have an interest in hospice palliative care issues. While at CHPCA and the QELCCC Sharon led the development of The Way Forward and Advance Care Planning in Canada initiatives found at www.chpca.net and www.advancecareplanning.ca

Sharon is currently an advisor to the Don Green Palliative Care Advocacy Team at the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). Sharon has provided guidance  to the federal government with the development of the new national Framework for Palliative Care. Sharon is a member of the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) College of Reviewers. Sharon has been involved in many other national and international coalitions and committees looking at hospice palliative care issues specifically around health policy. Sharon often speaks at conferences around national health policy, advance care planning, hospice palliative care, a palliative approach to primary care and is a strong advocate.

Speaker: Jessica Tremblay

Jessica Tremblay joined Canuck Place in 2018 as Director, Volunteer & Support Services, will present on “Fostering diversity in hospice and palliative care volunteerism”. Jessica oversees housekeeping and food service departments across two hospice sites, as well as the volunteer program consisting of 400 incredibly dedicated people.

Jessica has an extensive background in leadership, hospitality and operations. She has over 15 years in senior leadership roles with Red Robin Restaurants both franchise and corporate operations. This included overseeing new restaurant openings and training programs for management and staff across BC and Alberta, comprising 18 locations and 1500+ employees. As Regional Operations Director (multi-unit), Jessica was responsible for overseeing up to $11 million in revenue.

In her four years at Canuck Place, Jessica has mentored and leveraged the talent of her staff and managers. Her focus has been on attracting and retaining top support staff and volunteer talent, ensuring her team’s work is guided by the program service needs that support Canuck Place children and families. In 2019 she led her team in the growth and recruitment to reach over 400 volunteers dedicating an incredible 25,000 hours of service.

Being able to offer hot meals, housekeeping services, and quality time with volunteers, keeps Jessica and her team connected to the purpose of Canuck Place; to ease the burden for families staying in hospice, and provide exceptional pediatric palliative care for children with short lives and the families who love them.

Speaker: Pablita Thomas

Pablita Thomas, Executive Director of BCHPCA, will present on “Grief and Bereavement: A response through advocacy”.

Pablita Thomas has worked in the nonprofit and public sector for over 15 years, in government policy relations, indigenous affairs, communications, advocacy, direct service, fund development and membership management. Pablita is passionate about access to care for those who need it most in our communities and around the world. 

She sits on the Board of CARIPALCA – The Caribbean Palliative Care Association, a regional body that advocates, educates and aims to represent the palliative care community of the CARICOM Caribbean countries.