Our Team

Lindsey Jones has served as the Manager of Hospice Services at Nipissing Serenity Hospice since January 2022.  As the Manager of Hospice Services, Lindsey provides leadership to the Care Team staff in the day-to-day operations of Nipissing Serenity Hospice and plays an integral role in terms of planning and policy development, quality assurance, strategy, and growth.  Additionally, she oversees referral and placement of new admissions, liaising with our physicians, as well as our health care community partners.  She strives to increase community awareness of hospice care as an option for those diagnosed with a life limiting illness through community outreach and advocacy and routinely works alongside educational institutions to provide meaningful student placements at Nipissing Serenity Hospice.  As Manager of Hospice Services, Lindsey strives to meet the goals of care for both our residents and families through the provision of individualized approaches and dignified care.

Lindsey holds a Bachelor's Degree from Nipissing University and is also a graduate of Canadore College as a Registered Social Service Worker. She has extensive experience in the provision of therapeutic supports as it pertains to an individual’s unique needs, taking into account ones lived experience and psychosocial needs in the development of a comprehensive care plan.  She has completed courses in Death, Dying, and Spirituality as well as Palliative Care training for Front-line workers in Indigenous Communities.  She is committed to ensuring that individuals have access to quality, dignified care at end-of-life and passionately advocates for equitable access to hospice care. Lindsey and the care team at Nipissing Serenity Hospice is committed to ensuring our compassionate approach is extended to all residents, families, and friends that are journeying alongside their loved ones.  She takes immense pride in the team she leads at Nipissing Serenity Hospice and is a firm believer that when you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.  It is both an honor and a privilege to support our community in their most vulnerable days and she is committed to ensuring that the hospice continues to meet the expectations of our residents and families for years to come.

Lindsey is also the proud mother to two incredible daughters and has a supportive husband who entertains her endless accumulation of literature that pertains to death and dying. In her limited free time, she can be found in her kayak on Lake Nosbonsing, enjoying the company of friends and family around a campfire, or capturing the sunrise in the early morning hours from the waters edge.

Sandra Carriere has served as the Clinical Care Lead at Nipissing Serenity Hospice since September 2022.  This role allows her to work alongside the care team to support them and deliver the best possible care to our residents. Additionally, she facilitates the referral and placement of new admissions, liaising with our physicians, as well as our health care community partners. Prior to joining the team at the Nipissing Serenity Hospice, Sandra was employed by the North Bay Regional Health Centre for several decades in a variety of roles.

 

Sandra is a graduate from Canadore College as a Registered Nurse. She has been a lifelong learner participating in numerous educational programs including courses, certifications and training pertaining to Grief and Bereavement and Palliative care.

 

She is mother to two adult sons and is the grandmother of six. In her free time, when not travelling with her husband, she can be found in the company of family and friends or in the outdoors running, biking, or enjoying a book on her back deck.

Lillian Cozac joined the NSH Team, as the Volunteer and Support Coordinator, in April of 2023.  She is responsible for coordinating, administering, documenting, and maintaining an effective and comprehensive Hospice Volunteer Program, which includes recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and supporting our incredible team of volunteers. She coordinates end of life supports for our Residents as well as grief and bereavement services for their loved ones. Additionally, she plans and implements programming and outreach in the community. The most rewarding part of her role, is the privilege of making our Residents’ end of life wishes come true- whether it be one last rock & roll concert, birthday or anniversary party, family meal, trivia night, or dance performance.

 

Lillian graduated from the Recreation Therapy program at Canadore College in 2011, and went on to work in long term care, in North Bay, for over a decade. During this time she was involved in planning and implementing Recreation Therapy programming and special events for Residents, and also went on to gain experience in Volunteer Coordination as well as Clinical Administration. The best part of her experience in LTC was definitely connecting with and supporting the Residents, and their families in their journey. She has received education and training in grief supports, as well as individualized programming in palliative care. Lillian is passionate about supporting people at end of life, and she is dedicated to her career here at Nipissing Serenity Hospice.

 

Lillian is a small town northern girl, who grew up in Englehart, Ontario.  She moved to North Bay when she was 18, and established her roots and now shares her life with her two beautiful dogs. Lillian enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, camping, reading, and knitting. She is passionate about health and fitness and living life to the fullest. 

Bernadette joined the team in August of 2020. As the Fund Development Coordinator, she is responsible for generating revenue for the Hospice. Bernadette likes to network within the community to build partnerships and educate people on the hospice’s needs. She handles sponsorships, marketing, event planning, communications, grant writing, and donor relations. Among other things, Bernadette is instrumental in our major fundraising events, including our annual Hike for Hospice, Escape to the Tropics & Drive-in movie. She also acts as a liaison for third-party events, such as the Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaign, Cobs Bread’s Doughraiser, golf tournaments, community bake sales, etc.

 

Bernadette is a graduate of the Broadcast Journalism program at Humber College in Toronto. She also has a certificate in Digital Media Design. While Toronto is her hometown, she’s also had the privilege to live in the Middle East and Europe. She moved to North Bay in 2008. 

 

Bernadette has had a long and diverse career in communications, sales, marketing, event management and hospitality. Prior to the joining the hospice, she worked for various organizations like OLG, Toronto Board of Trade, MS Society, Métis Nation of Ontario and Northeastern Ontario Tourism.

 

Bernadette loves to cook, travel, dance, listen to live music, entertain and be outdoors. She says she loves her job and the good work that is done at Nipissing Serenity Hospice, but her biggest accomplishment is being a Mom.

Olivia Parker has been working in the hospice since the front doors were still made of plywood, in late 2019 as the Administrative Assistant. As the Office Coordinator & Executive Assistant, Olivia provides administrative support in all areas of the hospice, from the kitchen to the care team. Olivia is the first point of contact when calling, mailing, and emailing the hospice, and she is often the first face people see when they come in. Olivia is primarily responsible for donation management and tax receipting, human resources, inventory management, minute-taking, direct fundraising support, and social media management.

 

Olivia was born and raised in North Bay, having attended French elementary and high schools. Olivia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences (BHSc) with a Specialization in Health Studies from the University of Western Ontario, primarily focused Health Promotion and French translation. After her degree, Olivia returned home to North Bay to obtain a postgraduate Certificate in Health Care Administration from Canadore College and complete additional coursework in Sociology at Nipissing University. Olivia has previously worked within the Senior Transportation program for the Red Cross and in shipping and receiving/inventory management.

 

Throughout the capital campaign and construction process of the brand-new Nipissing Serenity Hospice, Olivia kept seeing hospice and palliative care as an intriguing field worth learning more about. As a part of the original hire group for the hospice before opening, Olivia has had so many unique experiences with the organization, including starting operations, successful fundraising events, resident parties, celebrations of life, COVID lockdowns, and so much more. Olivia continues to be a huge advocate for access to palliative care and grief and bereavement services in our area. “What I enjoy most about working at the hospice is the special attention and care given to not only the residents, but also their loved ones. Despite not personally providing direct care to our residents, I am able to provide support to their loved ones, whether it be brewing a fresh pot of coffee or actively listening to them when they need it most.”

 

Olivia is very involved in the local West Ferris Ringette Association, having been involved for over 25 years. She is currently involved as a player, Sponsorship Director, Social Media Manager, referee, coach, and trainer for minor officials. When not at the arena, Olivia enjoys spending her time at the cottage with family.

Bruce is responsible for monitoring, maintaining and documenting service of all the Hospice’s mechanical systems. In addition to conducting monthly Fire Alarm training, he also must ensure the staff and fire safety equipment pass an annual Fire Department certification. He provides support to the clinical and administrative staff with general building maintenance. Bruce also does a wonderful job keeping the exterior Hospice property looking great. You will often see him tending to the flower gardens, fruit trees, and lawns to keep them beautiful for our residents, their family, and friends. 

 

Bruce has a lifetime of experience with general maintenance, as well as building maintenance systems. He grew up on the family dairy farm, became very adept with construction equipment operation, had a 20-year career with Bell Canada and 12 years co-managing a large resort operation in Huntsville. Throughout this journey, he managed to fit in a four-year experience engineering and building Fiber optic networks in the Philippines.

 

Having seen and experienced how some people live in the world outside of Canada, Bruce will never forget how privileged we all are in either our family lives, work environment or country. Bruce also never expected, at the twilight of his work career, to work in this beautiful Hospice or work surrounded with such caring and wonderful people.

At Nipissing Serenity Hospice, we are proud to have a compassionate and dedicated team of care team staff, palliative physicians and palliative trained Compassionate Care volunteers. Our physicians and care team work collaboratively with other multidisciplinary professionals and volunteers to care for our residents, 24 hours a day.

Our Care Team is comprised of Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs), Personal Support Workers (PSWs), Physicians, Compassionate Care Volunteers, a Spiritual Support Companion and a Medical Director. Our team aims to foster a supportive environment for our residents and their families. We are dedicated to ensuring the provision of individualized and person-centered care which respects and values the each resident's right to dignity when it comes to their end of life experience.