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Spring Lunch & Learn Series 2025


April 28- May 2, 2025 

Monday - Friday

In healthcare, particularly at the end of life, inclusivity and accessibility involve providing equitable access to services for everyone, irrespective of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other traits, while also customizing healthcare experiences to cater to varying needs. This necessitates eliminating obstacles, fostering respectful care, and appreciating diverse viewpoints.

Join us this spring to explore and learn from our presenters and community practitioners how Breaking Barriers in Hospice Palliative Care can not only Advance Access and Support for Underserved Communities but also support the evolving Times of Challenge and Change we live in.

Secure your spot today as space is limited!

The BC Hospice Palliative Care Association (BCHPCA) is hosting its Spring Lunch & Learn Webinar Series from April 28 to May 2, 2025, focusing on "Breaking Barriers in Hospice Palliative Care: Advancing Access and Support for Underserved Communities in Times of Challenge and Change."

Event Details:

  • Dates: Monday, April 28, 2025, to Friday, May 2, 2025
  • Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (PST)
  • Location: Online via Zoom
Workshop Focus:
This series aims to address inclusivity and accessibility in hospice palliative care by exploring strategies to eliminate obstacles, foster respectful care, and appreciate diverse viewpoints. Participants will engage in real-life scenario case studies, evidence-based practices, and interactive breakout rooms to deepen their understanding. Templates and guides will be provided to facilitate the implementation of learned strategies in their respective practices.

Importance of This Education:

In today's healthcare landscape, characterized by diverse patient populations and evolving challenges, education that emphasizes person-centred care is crucial. Such training ensures that healthcare professionals, including those in hospice societies, are equipped to respect and integrate individual patient preferences, cultural backgrounds, and values into care plans, leading to improved patient satisfaction and outcomes. ​

Economic constraints and political decisions significantly influence the delivery of person-centred care. Budget limitations can lead to staff shortages and resource constraints, hindering the implementation of comprehensive, individualized care plans. Additionally, political priorities and financial pressures may overshadow the focus on patient-centred approaches, affecting the quality of care provided.

Integrating an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) lens into healthcare education further enhances the delivery of person-centred care. Applying an IDEA lens involves recognizing and addressing systemic inequities, fostering a culture where all individuals feel welcomed, respected, and valued. This approach ensures that care is equitable and accessible, particularly for historically marginalized and vulnerable populations.

Education that incorporates person-centred care and IDEA principles equips healthcare professionals, including those in hospice societies, with the skills to navigate these challenges effectively. By understanding and advocating for policies that prioritize patient needs and by efficiently utilizing available resources, practitioners can enhance care quality even amidst economic and political pressures. Moreover, such education fosters adaptability, enabling healthcare providers to maintain high standards of care regardless of external constraints.​

Participating in this webinar series offers valuable insights and practical strategies to uphold and advance person-centred care practices through an IDEA lens, ensuring that patient well-being remains at the forefront of healthcare delivery.​
Secure your spot today, as space is limited!

Presenters

Day 1: Monday

Brittany Hertz

RN, BScN, MSN



Program Lead

SE Health - First Nations, Inuit and Métis Program

Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility for Volunteers & Staff within the Hospice Palliative Care Space

Speaker Bio

Brittany is a Program Lead for the SE First Nations, Inuit and Metis (FNIM) Program, joining the team in January 2024. She is a proud anishinaabekwe who grew up in the Sault Ste. Marie and Barrie, Ontario areas. She currently resides in Severn, Ontario. In 2011, Brittany completed her Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from the University of Ottawa. She has also accomplished completion of a Masters of Nursing from Charles Sturt University in 2017. As a Registered Nurse, Brittany has 12 years of experience working in various areas including community, acute care and critical care. She has practice in providing education and assisting in professional growth for many health care professionals. Brittany has participated in anti-racism and reconciliation initiatives. She is passionate and committed to creating safe spaces for others through advocacy and education.

Presentation Description

In today’s globalized world, where interactions among individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds are increasingly common in Canada, prioritizing Indigenous cultural safety and humility is essential—especially in hospice and palliative care settings.
 
This comprehensive workshop is designed to enhance participants' understanding and appreciation of cultural differences, fostering inclusivity and effective communication across cultural boundaries. Recognizing the importance of Indigenous perspectives, the workshop will explore the principles of cultural safety and humility, with a focus on respect, reciprocity, and relationship-building with Indigenous peoples and communities.
 
Participants will gain insight into the impact of colonization on Indigenous Peoples and how historical and systemic barriers affect workforce participation in healthcare and hospice settings. The workshop will also highlight policy and procedural considerations that support culturally safe practices, ensuring that Indigenous patients, families, and healthcare professionals feel respected and included.
 
By engaging with Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, participants will develop practical skills and strategies to navigate intercultural interactions with respect and relevance, ultimately contributing to more inclusive and equitable environments for both Indigenous patients and healthcare professionals.
 
The workshop is designed for:
  • Hospice Volunteers and Coordinators
  • Patient Navigators
  • Educators
  • Community Health Representatives
Learning Objectives:
  • Understanding the Importance of Cultural Safety for Indigenous Peoples
  • Exploring Policy and Procedural Approaches
  • Addressing Volunteer and Workforce Barriers and Creating Opportunities

Day 2: Tuesday

Pablita Thomas

MBA, Hon., BASc, Dip., SSW, MD



Executive Director

BC Hospice Palliative Care Association

Jennifer Dufour

Coordinator of Volunteers

Richmond Rotary Hospice House

The Influence of Words: Approaches for Mitigating Stigmatizing Language in Hospice Palliative Care

Speaker Bio

Pablita Thomas is the Executive Director of BC Hospice Palliative Care Association and brings advocacy, partnership relations and membership engagement skills to the organization in aiding growth and public awareness.
She has senior leadership roles, fund development positions for health regulated and funded non-profits and charitable organizations in Canada. She has worked in the public government space as a bilingual senior policy advisor, focusing on advocacy and health promotion and serves on numerous boards.

Currently, Pablita sits on the BC Rural Health Linked Sectors as a sector contributor and 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.

She is an honours graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Diploma in Social Services of Family and Community Services from Guelph Humber University and a recent MBA grad from the Australian Institute of Business and holds an MD from Ross Medical University. Pablita is a French Caribbean immigrant from Point a Pitre, Guadeloupe, and has two beautiful little girls, ages 9 and 10.

Facilitator Bio

After many years in the private sector and several years in the Communication department of the Canadian Cancer Society, Jennifer Dufour is now into her 16th year as the Coordinator of Volunteers at the Salvation Army Rotary hospice House. With a volunteer base of 50, many of whom are bilingual or trilingual in Cantonese and Mandarin, part of the position’s mandate is to hold Volunteer support and education meetings throughout the year and a Volunteer Appreciation event. The volunteer program also provides visiting volunteers into the community and for bereavement and grief support phone bereavement volunteers are available along with an ongoing, volunteer-led, bereavement walking group which has been going strong for over 17 years including throughout the pandemic. Other components of the Coordinator’s position include: recruitment, recognition, mentoring, scheduling and training. As a Hospice House staff member the twice a year Celebration’s of Remembrance held in honour of the over 150 residents whose end of life journey was in our facility is a joint effort with our Chaplain and there are other duties as assigned making this a very busy part time position.

In keeping with the importance of work/life balance, Jennifer has been a performing chorus member of the Richmond Chorus and Orchestra Association for over 30 years and counts a performance in a combined choir on the stage of Carnegie Hall as the ultimate amateur choral experience. This highlight is soon to be augmented by an upcoming performance at the Orpheum Theatre.

Presentation Description

Contrary to all the hype down south of us, WORDS DO MATTER!!!
This session will delve into the profound influence of language in hospice, palliative care, grief and bereavement, particularly in shaping how patients and residents experience their end-of-life journey. It will explore strategies for eliminating stigmatizing language, replacing it with words that encourage hope, dignity, and respect. The goal is to equip healthcare providers with practical tools to communicate in ways that mitigate stigma and foster compassion and empathy in every aspect of care.

The session is designed for:

  • Hospice, Palliative Care, grief and bereavement Staff, volunteers and clinical teams
  • Practitioners supporting individuals who access healthcare and social services
  • Policy Makers and Health Authority Program Leads
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Understand the Impact of Language on Patient and Person-Centred Care:
  • Recognize how stigmatizing language can affect the emotional, psychological, and physical well-being of individuals, caregivers and chosen families in hospice and palliative care settings.
  • Identify how language choices contribute to feelings of isolation, fear, or marginalization in individuals, particularly those with life-limiting illnesses or experiencing grief or bereaved.

    Identify and Address Stigmatizing Language in Care Settings:
  • Learn to recognize common terms or phrases that may unintentionally perpetuate stigma, especially related to death, dying, and illness.
  • Understand the difference between neutral, supportive language and language that may exacerbate suffering to marginalize people.

    Adopt Compassionate Communication Practices:
  • Develop skills for using language that fosters dignity, respect, and empathy in interactions with people, and patients.
  • Apply principles of compassionate communication that ensure patients feel heard, valued, and respected during their hospice or palliative care journey.

    Explore Strategies for Training Healthcare Teams:
  • Gain insight into how to incorporate education and training around the use of non-stigmatizing language into healthcare practices.
  • Discover approaches for building a culture of care that prioritizes respectful communication and inclusivity.

Day 3: Wednesday

Farah Kotadia

MBA, CPHR, MACP, RCC


Founder/Clinical and Career Counsellor

Wellness Works Counselling

Exploring Grief Migration Through Social and Cultural Perspectives

Speaker Bio

I am a champion of mental health awareness and a human resources professional who has worked in both leadership and frontline roles. With an MBA in HR and over 25 years of experience in the field, I recently achieved my lifelong goal of completing my master’s degree in counselling psychology. Focusing on the intersectionality between Clinical Counselling and Human Resources, I work with clients who experience anxiety, depression, grief, loss, and trauma, as well as those searching for meaning in their work, who are exploring career transitions. My passion is helping people develop appropriate strategies and coping mechanisms to realize their power and potential, both personally and professionally.

Presentation Description

When individuals are forced to leave their homes and countries with only the clothes on their backs and a few cherished belongings, it significantly affects their mental and physical well-being. The trauma that newcomers experience while relocating to a new country is complex: from learning a new language to navigating unfamiliar political, health, and education systems, among other challenges.

How can we, as health practitioners, help newcomers mourn their past lives while encouraging them to build a new life in Canada? Many migrants come from minority populations and racialized backgrounds, facing additional trauma from war-torn countries and confronting systemic and individual racism upon their arrival in Canada.

Numerous individuals have endured profound challenges, including death and loss. This workshop will explore the various aspects of grief that newcomers experience and how we, as clinical counselors and healthcare providers, can be aware of their needs and provide culturally sensitive support for their grief.

The workshop is designed for:

  • Hospice and Clinical counsellors
  • Health Navigators and Providers
  • Grief and Bereavement Coordinators and Educators
  • Community Mental health and wellness representatives

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Recognize the Impact of Forced Migration on Well-being:

  • Understand the mental, emotional, and physical challenges newcomers face when leaving their home countries, including the effects of trauma, grief, and loss.
  • Identify the systemic barriers and additional challenges faced by migrants from minority and racialized backgrounds.

    Enhance Cultural Competency in Healthcare:
  • Develop awareness of the cultural, linguistic, and social factors that influence the grieving process for newcomers.
  • Learn to provide culturally sensitive and trauma-informed support that respects the diverse experiences of migrants.

    Apply Practical Strategies for Supporting Newcomers:
  • Explore effective counseling and support techniques and healthcare practices that promote healing and resilience.
  • Learn how to help newcomers mourn their past lives while empowering them to build new connections and identities in Canada.

    Foster Inclusive and Compassionate Care:
  • Gain insight into addressing systemic racism and bias in healthcare when working with migrants.
  • Strengthen empathy and understanding to offer more effective and compassionate care.

Day 4: Thursday


Adam Webber

BPA, BA (Hons.) Spec Gerontology



Membership and Education Coordinator

BC Hospice Palliative Care Association

Jennie Biltek

Client Services Coordinator

Sunshine Coast Hospice

Beyond the Binary: Creating Safe(r) and Affirming Spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ People Accessing Hospice Palliative Care

Speaker Bio

Adam Webber is a trans man, partner, and passionate advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults. He holds a BPA in Human Services and a BA (Hons) Spec Gerontology, with a focus on transgender older adults' access to care and understanding the impact of historical trauma on 2SLGBTQIA+ people as they age.

As a Dignity Seniors Society board member, Adam is actively involved in the End-of-Life Care Planning Working Group. The group aims to empower 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults to develop necessary plans to ensure they live their last days on their terms with dignity and respect. Adam is also a member of Senior Pride Network Canada's newly formed Public Advocacy, Research and Education Committee.

Adam's work aims to improve access to culturally competent care for transgender older adults and address the long-term effects of historical trauma, ensuring they receive the support and respect they deserve.

Facilitator Bio

Jennie joined Hospice in June 2023 after eight years of supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs. She moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2018 and has since been involved with a number of community organizations and events. She is a life-long dancer and loves spending time in her garden. Jennie believes that the care offered by Hospice is vitally important to the health and wellbeing of our Coastal community.

Having supported friends through significant loss, she understands how valuable it can be to have someone to offer comfort and kindness at end of life, and during bereavement.

In her role, Jennie meets with palliative clients, their care givers, and people who are experiencing grief to connect them with the variety of support offered by Coast Hospice.

Presentation Description

2SLGBTQIA+ individuals have existed for as long as humanity has been on this Earth. We have always been here and will continue to be. Throughout history, there have been numerous attempts to erase our existence, and these attempts persist today. Transgender individuals, in particular, are under attack right now; we are being erased from history in the United States, and some Canadian provinces are trying to strip away our rights.

Older 2SLGBTQIA+ activists fought for the freedoms many of us enjoy today, such as the right to marry our partners, access necessary gender-affirming care, and be respected for who we are in society. Now, they, along with the rest of us, are witnessing the dismantling of the hard-won battles that secured those rights. These shifts directly impact how individuals access respectful and inclusive end-of-life care

What does this mean for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals seeking dignified end-of-life care, and how can we ensure that they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve?

This presentation offers a brief overview of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Canada. It will include important historical information regarding the challenges they faced at the hands of healthcare providers, universities, mental health services, and other institutions that have caused significant harm to this vulnerable population. Understanding this historical context will help illuminate the current challenges that 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals encounter when planning for and accessing end-of-life care. There will also be an opportunity for group discussions, reflection, and exploration of strategies to apply inclusive end-of-life care practices in your work.

This session is designed for:

  • Hospice staff and volunteers
  • Health, mental health and social service providers

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the historical challenges faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in healthcare and other institutions in Canada, and how this history impacts their experiences with end-of-life care.
  • Identify the challenges 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals encounter when planning for and accessing end-of-life care.
  • Understand the importance of connecting with local 2SLGBTQIA+ groups to assess their specific end-of-life care planning, grief, and bereavement needs.
  • Implement inclusive practices in their work, such as using inclusive language on intake forms, respecting chosen families, and providing staff and volunteer training on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues.

Day 5:  Friday

Dr Amit Arya

MD CCPF (PC), FCFP



Medical Lead

North York Congregate Access and Support Team

Dr Shannon Freeman

PhD, Health Studies and Gerontology



Associate Professor

University of Northern British Columbia

Equity at the Heart of Care

Speaker Bio

Dr. Amit Arya is a Palliative Care Physician with extensive experience across hospital, home care, and long- term care settings. Currently, he serves as the Medical Lead of NY CAST (North York Congregate Access and Support Team), a pioneering initiative aimed at enhancing health outcomes for residents in long-term care and retirement homes through improved access to supports and capacity building.

Additionally, Dr. Arya holds the position of Medical Director of the Specialist Palliative Care in Long-Term Care Outreach Team at Kensington Health. In this role, he provides specialized palliative care services at Kensington Gardens in Toronto and other long-term care facilities.

Dr. Arya is a Lecturer in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University. He has previously served as a board member of the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians.

Known for his advocacy of culturally safe palliative care for racialized communities, Dr. Arya regularly conducts workshops on cultural safety, anti-racism, and their profound impacts on palliative and long-term care.

In recognition of his dedication to improving seniors care, palliative care, and long-term care, Dr. Arya has been honoured with an Award of Excellence in Creative Professional Activity as well as an Award of Excellence in Social Responsibility from the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. He has also received an Award of Excellence from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. He has been acknowledged by the Toronto Star as a "Change Maker" for his significant contributions. Dr. Arya's advocacy extends to education and research, with notable coverage in print and broadcast media. He frequently presents to medical students, physicians, interprofessional colleagues, and the public.

Facilitator Bio

Dr. Freeman is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), the Vice-President of the BC Hospice Palliative Care Association, and BC Provincial Representative to the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. Dr. Freeman has published widely in field of palliative and hospice care, including examining caregiver distress and supports when caring for persons nearing end-of-life, dyspnea at end of life, and palliative patients’ expressions of wishes to die now. Dr. Freeman has examined the experiences of professional caregivers and requests for medical assistance in dying in the non-provider hospice context. Dr. Freeman has been instrumental to co-designing the hospice at home program with leaders at the Prince George Hospice Society and is currently leading the evaluation of this new program.

Presentation Description

In a pre-recorded presentation, Dr. Amit Arya discusses the essential importance of equity, cultural safety, and anti-racism in palliative and senior care. By looking into the intricate challenges that racialized and marginalized communities encounter in obtaining care, Dr. Arya aims to offer practical insights for clinicians to create inclusive and respectful environments. This session will tackle systemic barriers, examine community-focused strategies, and emphasize innovations in incorporating anti-racist principles into care.

Following the video, Dr. Shannon Freeman  will facilitate a deeper exploration of the six key redefining anti-oppression elements discussed by Dr. Arya. This exploration will include group discussions on how these elements manifest in hospice palliative care and other healthcare environments, along with practical steps toward creating a more inclusive environment for everyone.

The session is designed for:

  • Hospice Palliative Care Staff, volunteers and clinical teams
  • LTC Staff and Leadership
  • Practitioners supporting individuals who are terminally ill, seniors, and vulnerable populations.
Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Understand the Importance of Equity, Cultural Safety, and Anti-Racism in Care:

  • Recognize the critical role of equity, cultural safety, and anti-racism in hospice palliative and senior care.
  • Identify how these principles intersect with grief and bereavement support in diverse populations.

    Explore the Challenges Faced by Racialized and Marginalized Communities:
  • Examine the systemic barriers racialized and marginalized communities encounter when accessing care, particularly in end-of-life and senior care contexts.
  • Develop an awareness of the social determinants of health and their impact on healthcare delivery

    Engage in Group Discussions on Anti-Oppression Elements in Healthcare:
  • Deepen understanding of the six key anti-oppression elements discussed by Dr. Arya and their relevance to hospice palliative care and seniors care more broadly.
  • Participate in group discussions to explore how these principles manifest in healthcare environments and develop actionable steps for improvement.

    Implement Community-Focused Strategies for Inclusive Care:
  • Discover community-focused approaches to care that prioritize inclusivity and respect for diverse cultural and racial backgrounds.
  • Develop strategies to foster collaboration and create an environment where all individuals feel valued and supported.


BCHPCA is dedicated to evolving into a more equitable and accessible organization, consistently offering inclusive and welcoming events, educational opportunities, and resources for everyone. If you're interested in our services and require accessible materials or financial assistance to participate, please email us at events@bchpca.org, and we will do our utmost to accommodate your needs.


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About the association

BCHPCA represents its members: individuals and organizations that deliver hospice/palliative care and bereavement services and programs across British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.

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Email: office@bchpca.org
Main Line: (604) 267-7024
Toll Free: 1-(877) 410-6297

Unit 1100- 1200 West 73rd Ave,
Vancouver, BC, V6P 6G5

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The BC Hospice Palliative Care Association (BCHPCA) recognizes the traditional land of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples who have walked before us and minded the lands we now call home for time immemorial. Hospice Societies have been able to support, aid and care for many people on these same lands.

The BCHPCA Offices are located on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and TsleilWaututh Nations.


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