The North West Dementia Steering Committee​
Lori Russell, Co-Chair
​
Lori Russell is a Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant with the Canadian Mental Health Association – Fort Frances Branch working out of the Dryden site; providing service in the Kenora District.  In her role as a PRC she provides consultative support to LTC homes; assisting staff in the development and evaluation of care plans and develops and delivers ongoing education, training and resources on a variety of topics related to dementia and responsive behaviours.

She is a P.I.E.C.E.S. Facilitator, Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) in Dementia Care Certified Coach, LIVING the Dementia Journey Facilitator and a Positive Approach to Care (PAC) Certified Independent Trainer.  She is currently working with a long term care home on a Life Skill Stations initiative to provide resident’s excellence in dementia care.  She has sat on the Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) Working Group, participated in a PhotoVoice community project for seniors and was involved with a committee addressing Depression in LTC.
Ruth Wilford, Co-Chair

Ruth is a Knowledge Translation Lead at the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health (CERAH), Lakehead University. She manages a LHINS funded project which identifies education and research initiatives related to dementia and geriatric mental health. Ruth sits on various committees locally and regionally including the Caregiver Support Committee, Caring Connections newsletter, the Northern ON Age Friendly Network, Community of practice for LIVING the Dementia Journey, the North West Dementia working group and the Advisory Hub for the Division of Dementia and Geriatric Mental Health.  She co-chairs the network with Lori Russell. 
Deanna Bessel

Deanna Bessel is a Public Education Coordinator at the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay. She has a Science degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Gerontology from Lakehead University. She also received a diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from Confederation College. Deanna started her career as a Therapeutic Recreationist working in long term care homes, supportive housing apartments and at the Manor House Adult Day Program. She is a Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) in Dementia Care Certified Coach and she chairs the Behavioural Supports Ontario Education Collaborative. She is also the Education Lead for the Community Elder Abuse Prevention Committee. Her passion in dementia care started at an early age when she volunteered at Bethammi Nursing Home and this passion has continued throughout her career. Deanna’s main goal is to improve the quality of life of people living with dementia in the community and in long term care homes. She is honored to be a part of the North West Dementia Network.
Allison Denton
​
​Alison Denton is the Manager of Regional Behavioural Health Services with St Joseph's Care Group, the Lead Organization for Behavioural Supports Ontario in the NW LHIN.  The Regional Behavioural Health Service includes a 32 bed in-patient unit located at Hogarth Riverview Manor, Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant Services along with BSO Mobile Outreach Teams through the NW LHIN.  Alison is passionate about dementia care and has a long standing history working in the field.  Before joining SJCG, Alison was the Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay for over 7 years. ​

Terri Kannegiesser
​
​Terri Kannegiesser is a life-long resident of Thunder Bay, received her B.A. in psychology from Lakehead University in 1995 and furthered her studies in 2013 by completing the Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Certificate Program.  Since 2008, Terri has been employed as the Manager of Client and Volunteer Services with Hospice Northwest.  Her role there includes the delivery of hospice volunteer services to clients and caregivers who are facing the challenges of living with a life-limiting illness.   Terri is also responsible for all aspects of volunteer management with Hospice Northwest which includes the recruitment, training, ongoing education, support and retention of its volunteers.   She is committed to, and passionate about, the provision of quality end-of-life care for all citizens.​
Francine Mattar

​Francine Mattar is a European educated RN/RPN and is the LTC Nursing Supervisor at Wilkes Terrace in Terrace Bay.
 She is working in psycho geriatric nursing for 35 years. In Belgium she worked with a program to bring back memories for people living with dementia. This program aimed to improve quality of life, improve a person’s ADL’s, gave person living with dementia roles that they used to do (make lunch for kids, fold laundry, etc.)
Francine is passionate about dementia care and promotes improving quality of life of the residents and “the Living the Dementia Journey” concept.
She works in partnership with the North Shore Family Health Team to help people living with dementia and their care partners with the challenges of living at home.  Desired outcome: To give residents in our community, who are living with dementia the chance to stay in their own environment as long as possible
Jackie McDonald

​​Jackie McDonald PSW has been working as a personal support worker in LTC for 14 years, and prior to this worked in a community setting. In her role, Jackie volunteers at the college and speaks to students about competencies of PSW's in a LTC setting as well she sits on several committees within her work setting to ensure the voice of the PSW is heard. Jackie chairs the PSW Practice Council and was the PSW lead for the five year Quality Palliative Care in LTC project lead by Dr. MaryLou Kelley. 
Working for people living in LTC with a dementia is an everyday challenge for not only our residents but for staff.  Continuing education and support, is very important to help staff understand the unique needs of the people they are there to help.
It is an honour to volunteer alongside members of the North West Dementia Network, who are working hard to educate our communities and ensure people living with a dementia have the best quality of life.​
​Lisa Peterson

​Lisa attained a BA in Sociology with a Minor in Gerontology from Lakehead University.  Before completing her degree, Lisa started her career with St. Joseph's Care Group, which was over 20 years ago.
She has held several positions working directly with clients living with a dementia. She has also held various supervisory positions. Currently, she is the Manager of Community Seniors' Health, which encompasses several outpatient geriatric programs. Lisa thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to lead dynamic teams, committed to enhancing the quality of life of clients, as well as, their care partners.  In her 'spare time', she can be found at the hockey rink or the baseball field managing, and assisting the coach of both her son and daughter's teams. ​
Susan Veltri​

Susan Veltri was born in Thunder Bay and has lived here her whole life. At an early age, Susan knew she would like to become a nurse, nursing is a family tradition. After about a decade working in intensive care, Susan made the switch to geriatrics and spends her days as a Geriatric Care Facilitator (RN) helping seniors who access acute care at TBRHSC. She is a strong family person with a large extended family and nine grandchildren who are the sparkle in her life. Susan received her Dementia Studies and Palliative Care Certificates at Lakehead University and uses the knowledge in her everyday practice.  She loves all that the north has to offer, and in her spare time, she likes to relax beside Lake Superior. ​
Elaine Wiersma, PhD

​​Elaine is the Director of the Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health and an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, completing an MA and PhD from the University of Waterloo. Having spent many years working with older adults in practice and research, particularly individuals with dementia, Elaine’s research aims to tell people’s stories in ways that challenge stereotypes and misconceptions of older people, particularly persons with dementia. Advocacy, inclusion, and rights form the fundamental values underlying her work with people with dementia. Using participatory qualitative methodologies, her research spans community and long-term care, exploring aging and dementia care, contexts of rural and northern communities, and quality of life issues.  Originally from southern Ontario, she has been living in Thunder Bay since 2004. When Elaine is not working, she can be found in her gardens or hiking with camera in hand, and spending time with her family.

Find our Facebook page by clicking on the Icon, or click here!