Posters

Currently there is no standardized approach to providing grief and bereavement services across hospices in Ontario, or standardized data collection. This makes it hard to describe the impact and outcomes of grief and bereavement services. This led to the creation of the HPCO Grief and Bereavement Data Collection Tool. This poster takes you through the process of how the tool was developed, using the Irish Hospice Foundation Adult Bereavement Care Pyramid as the foundation.

Presented by:  Ms. Camryn Berry B.A., MSc Project Manager
Hospice Palliative Care Ontario
Camryn Berry is a Project Manager at Hospice Palliative Care Ontario. She works across the organization in various projects, including leading the work in grief and bereavement. Camryn has a Master of Science from the University of Waterloo in Public Health and Health Systems, and has a background in aging and dementia research. She has now turned her attention to the hospice sector, and is very passionate about equitable palliative care.

Discover how the Mountain View Hospice Society integrates animal-assisted therapy to bring comfort, connection, and emotional support to individuals facing end-of-life. This poster explores the therapeutic benefits of animal interaction in hospice settings, highlighting reduced anxiety, enhanced communication, and improved quality of life.

Presented by:

Ms. Bridget Ryan, Services Coordinator
Mountain View Hospice Society

This poster presents a quality improvement project exploring the use of a hydroponic gardening tower in a home hospice. Over 20 weeks, staff and volunteer interactions were tracked to assess the feasibility, workload, and therapeutic value of the gardening tower. Attendees will learn how this low-cost, low-effort intervention may enhance the emotional environment of hospice care through passive, nature-based engagement.

Presented by:

Ms. Atefeh Panahi, PhD Student and Research Assistant, University of Northern British Columbia
Atefeh Panahi is a PhD student in Health Sciences at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). Atefeh contributes to teaching and research initiatives within the Faculty of Human and Health Sciences, and she actively participates in committees and community-engaged projects aimed at strengthening healthcare systems for seniors in northern BC.

Equitable access to palliative care is essential for health justice in Canada. Many Indigenous communities face a lack of culturally safer resources when supporting individuals who are seriously ill. In response, Indigenous-led, community-informed education initiatives have been developed to support culturally safer care delivery. This poster highlights a suite of education designed to build capacity among caregivers – from community members to unregistered and registered professionals.

Presented by:
Ms. Jessica Wyatt BEd., MA, PMP, Knowledge Broker, CERAH, Lakehead University
Jessica is an experienced Knowledge Broker who began her career at CERAH in 2008. Skilled in curriculum development, evaluation and project management, Jessica holds a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Arts degree in English with a specialization in Women’s Studies. She is also a certified Project Management Professional. Having a keen interest in working with equity-seeking groups, Jessica supports the development and delivery of culturally safer palliative care education for Indigenous communities across Canada.

Ms. Kassandra Fernandes MPH, (PhD Cand.), Curriculum Developer, CERAH, Lakehead University
At CERAH, Kassandra works under the supervision of Holly Prince to design, develop, and evaluate palliative care education that promotes the wholistic wellbeing of Indigenous individuals. Kassandra has a Master of Public Health degree from Lakehead University and is also a PhD candidate in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University specializing in aging and occupational science. Kassandra has represented CERAH in her work with community partners on several local projects including Age Friendly GIANTS, AgeBIG and the Thunder Bay Museum’s Places & Faces Digital Storytelling, and the Oasis Senior Supportive Living expansion. Experienced in community-based research, program evaluation, and knowledge translation, her work tends to focus on working with individuals and communities to promote quality of life through to the end of life. Ela também fala Português.

Dr. Holly Prince MSW, PhD, Division Lead, Indigenous Peoples’ Health & Aging, CERAH, Lakehead University
Holly Prince is an Anishinaabekwe and a member of Opwaaganisiniing in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. She has a Master’s in Social Work and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies. Holly’s research focuses on decolonial and Indigenist education, Indigenous health equity, the resurgence and re-activation of Indigenous Knowledges, and community-based research. She has devoted the last 20 years to advancing the right of Indigenous peoples’ access to culturally appropriate and equitable palliative care and has mobilized her efforts as a national champion of human rights and dignity for people preparing to journey back to the spirit world.

“What are the key benefits of accreditation and what does it take for a hospice to be fully accredited with HPCO? What will your hospice get out of pursuing HPCO Accreditation? This poster will outline key aspects of the HPCO Standards & Accreditation Program, highlighting its specialized focus on hospice palliative care services, ensuring the delivery of consistent, high-quality, ever-evolving hospice palliative care.”

Presented by:

Ms. Camryn Berry, B.A., MSc, Project Manager, Hospice Palliative Care Ontario
Camryn Berry is a Project Manager at Hospice Palliative Care Ontario. She works across the organization in various projects, including leading the work in grief and bereavement. Camryn has a Master of Science from the University of Waterloo in Public Health and Health Systems, and has a background in aging and dementia research. She has now turned her attention to the hospice sector, and is very passionate about equitable palliative care.

This presentation shares findings from a literature review on bereaved informal caregivers’ experiences with home death and home hospice care. Attendees will learn about key challenges, supports, and emotional impacts of end-of-life caregiving, as well as critical gaps in research, particularly in rural Canadian contexts. Implications for future research, caregiver support, and home-based hospice practice will be discussed.

Presented by:

Ms. Miao Li, PhD Student, niversity of Northern British Columbia
Miao Li is a PhD student in Health Sciences at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), holding a Master of Nursing degree. With a background in geriatric nursing, her research focuses on palliative and hospice care. She is passionate about helping individuals experience end-of-life with greater dignity and less pain. During her master’s studies, she explored the experiences of bereaved informal caregivers with a home hospice program in a Canadian context. Her doctoral research continues this commitment, aiming to strengthen compassionate, community-based palliative approaches and improve support systems for people at the end of life and those who care for them. U

The rising prevalence of dementia in Canada has elevated ethical and legal debates on medical assistance in dying (MAiD), particularly for patients with advanced dementia, as existing laws require mental capacity as an eligibility criterion. This poses significant challenges for affected individuals, prompting a scoping review to explore healthcare practitioners’, patients’, families and caregivers’ perspectives and experiences, focusing on advance directives and decision-making capacity.

Presented by:

Ms. Hinako Fujita, HBA Student, Health Studies Program, University College, University of Toronto

Hinako Fujita is a Research Assistant at the Science of Care Institute at Sinai Health. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Public Health from the University of Toronto. She is interested in aging, care, and wellbeing, inspired to become a scientist by enhancing the health system and the community.

This poster presentation highlights interventions for grieving and bereaved informal caregivers from a scoping review of the literature. Electronic databases were searched/articles screened. Three themes emerged: 1) Category of the intervention (e.g., music therapy, etc.), 2) Format of the intervention (delivery method, etc.), and 3) Target of the intervention (caregivers, etc.). Collaboration is required to scale/evaluate programs. An infographic is introduced to enhance knowledge translation.

Presented by:

Dr. Christopher Klinger, PhD is an Assistant Professor (Part Time) with the Department of Family Medicine, Division of Palliative Care at McMaster University and Sessional Instructor in the graduate professional Translational Research Program at the University of Toronto. His research interests are in health systems and policy, with a focus on hospice and palliative care. He leads the End-of-Life Issues Theme Team of the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE) and co-chairs the Research and Knowledge Translation Working Group of the Palliative Care Coalition of Canada (PCCC). For his work to advance hospice and palliative care research in Canada, he received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in February 2025. The work presented here was conducted as part of the PCCC’s Research and Knowledge Translation Working Group.

This presentation shares SE Health’s innovative approach to enhancing palliative care nursing competencies through the Canadian Home Care Association’s SPRINT Accelerator Project. Focused on the development of emotional intelligence skills for communication and supporting clients in their last days and hours, the initiative empowered novice to experienced nurses using microlearning, self-assessment, and peer collaboration, demonstrating significant improvements in confidence and care delivery.

Presented by:

Ms. Carly McPhee, RN, MSc, CHPCN©, Advanced Practice Leader, SE Health

Carly McPhee is an Advanced Practice Leader at SE Health and a Registered Nurse with a Master of Science in Aging and Health. She holds CNA certification in Hospice Palliative Care Nursing and currently leads SE Health’s palliative care portfolio while expanding her work to include organizational competency development. Carly is committed to building confident, well-supported nurses and cultivating strong clinical mentors through evidence-informed education and leadership. She co-designs care models, develops policy, supports quality and client safety initiatives, and provides clinical best practice guidance. Passionate about integrating a palliative approach across care delivery, Carly fosters psychologically safe environments for learning and growth, grounded in SE Health’s purpose: to bring hope and happiness.

An increasingly aging prison population is often paired with multifaceted challenges with delivering humane health care. To alleviate these barriers, compassionate release policies aim to grant eligible inmates the opportunity to die in their community. This poster presentation will explore policy-related barriers, signifying the underuse of this vital approach to decarceration. Additionally, research, policy, and social work implications will be examined and promoted.

Presented by:

Dr. Shivani Kaushik, PhD, MSSW, Assistant Professor of Teaching, University of British Columbia – Okanagan

Dr. Shivani Kaushik is a qualified professional with over ten years of experience in the social services field and with an exemplary record of academic achievement. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor of Teaching at the University of British Columbia (Okanagan), School of Social Work. Dr. Kaushik has relevant clinical experience and the proven ability to work well with diverse populations. She possesses a great interest and vast knowledge in working with individuals who have experienced loss and/or anticipatory grief. Moreover, she has extensive training in end-of-life and palliative care practices. With a deep connection to social justice, she hopes to continue work that eradicates barriers to compassionate health care for marginalized populations.

The Palliative Care Coalition of Canada is a group of 30+ national organizations dedicated to advancing palliative care in Canada. The Blueprint for Action serves as its strategic roadmap to advocate for a well-funded, sustainable national strategy for palliative care. The poster highlights priority areas including: 1. Engaged, Informed Public, 2. Skilled, Supported Care Providers, 3. Knowledge to Improve Quality of Care and Life, and 4. Equitable Access to High Quality Palliative Care for All.

Presented by:

Dr. Christopher Klinger, PhD, Assistant Professor (Part Time) and Theme Team Lead, McMaster University and National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE)

Dr. Christopher Klinger, PhD is an Assistant Professor (Part Time) with the Department of Family Medicine, Division of Palliative Care at McMaster University and Sessional Instructor in the graduate professional Translational Research Program at the University of Toronto. His research interests are in health systems and policy, with a focus on hospice and palliative care. He leads the End-of-Life Issues Theme Team of the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE) and co-chairs the Research and Knowledge Translation Working Group of the Palliative Care Coalition of Canada (PCCC). For his work to advance hospice and palliative care research in Canada, he received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in February 2025. The work presented here was conducted as part of the PCCC’s Blueprint for Action 2025-2030 Sub-Committee.

Families benefit from accurate prognostic information as their loved one reaches the end-of-life, helping them to plan visits, spiritual affairs, or even life afterwards. While some signs of imminent death such as respiratory changes, skin mottling, and anuria, are known, highly specific clinical markers remain limited. This project focuses on an underreported clinical sign involving earlobe morphology at the end of one’s life and it’s use as a sign of imminent death and as a prognostic factor.

Presented by:

Mr. Aiman Hadif Bin Abdul Razak, MSc.(A), BA&Sc., Medical Student, McGill University

Aiman Hadif Bin Abdul Razak is a current third-year medical student at McGill University. He previously completed an undergraduate degree in Cognitive Science and an Applied Masters in Speech-Language Pathology, where he obtained clinical experience regarding communication disorders within pediatric and adult populations. During medical school, he began to nurture a strong interest in the field of Palliative Care, highlighting its emphasis on patient-centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and communication strategies for end-of-life discussions. His current research interests involve clinical signs of imminent death and how these indicators can help refine a clinician’s ability in prognosticating a patient’s life expectancy, helping families arrange and plan for what matters most. Outside of studies and research, he enjoys cooking Malaysian food and playing badminton.

Applying a co-design approach with local hospices and community partners, Trillium Health Partners’ Palliative Community of Practice developed a bereavement booklet to support families after the death of a loved one in any adult in-patient unit. The resource provides practical, culturally sensitive information and has been integrated into staff education, end-of-life care practices, and the organization’s Care After Death Policy.

Presented by:

Miss Linda Forson, BScN RN MN CHPCN (c), Palliative Clinical Nurse Specialist, Trillium Health Partners’

Linda Forson is a Palliative Clinical Nurse Specialist at Trillium Health Partners with over 12 years of experience in oncology, community, and palliative care. She began her career caring for patients with malignant and non-malignant diagnoses in inpatient Oncology-Medicine. She holds a Master of Nursing from Toronto Metropolitan University, focused on Leadership, Education, and Health Policy. Linda spent two years as a Clinical Nurse Consultant in the community, supporting primary care and educating providers. Currently as a Palliative CNS, she chairs THP’s APN Council and Palliative Community of Practice, sits on the Equity Advisor Circle, is a LEAP Facilitator (to earn Coach designation), and an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto. She is also a member of the RNAO Palliative Nurses and Black Nurses Leading Change Interest Groups.

This poster presents findings from a mixed-methods study exploring Indigenous Women, Two-Spirit, Transgender, and Gender-Diverse (W2STGD+) perspectives on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada. Attendees will learn about cultural safety, systemic barriers, and the importance of Indigenous-led, spiritually grounded approaches to death and dying that honour community, ceremony, and self-determination.

Presented by:

Ms. Raya Semeniuk, MSc, Director of Health, Native Women’s Association of Canada

Ms. Elizabeth Virkutis, BSc, BHS, MPH, Team Lead – Health, Native Women’s Association of Canada

This poster presents a case study exploring how rurality and structural vulnerability intersect to create significant barriers to accessing quality palliative and end-of-life care. Focusing on a rural patient in Alberta, we illustrate how geographic isolation and systemic inequities limit care options, reduce patient choice, and challenge providers.

Presented by:

Angela Ferguson, RN, PhD, CHPCN (C), Assistant Professor, University of Calgary

Angela L. Ferguson is a Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary. She is a primary instructor in the palliative and end-of-life care stream and lead instructor in the rural and remote nursing stream of the graduate-level laddered certificate to Master of Nursing program. Angela’s academic interests include advanced practice nursing education, and optimizing full-scope nursing roles, clinical decision-making, hospice access and the art and science of prognostication. She is interested in initiatives that focus on improving access to high-quality palliative care for vulnerable populations, especially those in rural and remote communities. Angela is a proud member of AAN, CPCNA, and CNA. She enjoys hospice volunteering and travel with her family.

Mrs. Nicole Porquet-Seitz, RN, BN, MN, CHPCN (C), Clinical Nurse Specialist, Alberta Health Services

Born and raised in Ontario, Nicole attended the University of Guelph and attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. She moved to Calgary in 2012 to attend nursing school. She graduated from University of Calgary Bachelor of Nursing in 2013 after spending a decade working as a registered veterinary technician. She completed a Masters of Nursing degree from Athabasca University in 2021. She has had the privilege to work from 2014 to 2021 as a rural palliative home care nurse. Since 2021, She has been working on the Calgary Zone Palliative Care Consult Service as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and continues to work in the rural setting. She is a proud member of the Alberta Association of Nurses, Canadian Palliative Care Nursing Association, Canadian Nurses Association, Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology, and the Global Palliative Nursing Network. She is married with 2 children and 3 dogs. She enjoys volunteering, playing sports, and camping.

This presentation shares findings from a rapid review exploring how social workers support individuals and families through the MAiD process. Attendees will gain insights into the diverse roles social workers play—including psychosocial support, advocacy, and system navigation—as well as the structural and professional barriers limit their proper involvement as healthcare workers. The presentation will provide recommendations for policy, practice, and research, from the findings of the review.

Presented by:

Christopher Klinger, PhD, Senior Research Associate, Institute for Life Course and Aging Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work University of Toronto

Dr. Klinger is a Research Scientist with Pallium Canada and chairs the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly’s End-of-Life Issues Theme Team, a knowledge transfer network dedicated to enhancing the care of older adults in Canada and abroad. He also chairs the Quality End-of-Life Care Coalition of Canada’s Research and Knowledge Translation Committee, a group of national stakeholder organizations concerned about quality end-of-life care. He is a knowledgeable and experienced educator and has presented at numerous conferences. He regularly teaches courses on aging, health systems/policy research methods and public administration. Here at the TRP, Chris leads the Student-led Work and Research Module (SWARM) and is a Co-Instructor for the Methods in Practices and Contexts course.

This presentation shares findings from a qualitative study on bereaved informal caregivers’ experiences with a home hospice program in a Canadian community. Attendees will learn about key experiences with home-based hospice care, emotional and practical impacts, supports received, challenges faced, and areas for improvement. Implications for policy, practice, community, and future research will be discussed.

Presented by:

Ms. Miao Li, PhD Student, University of Northern British Columbia

Miao Li is a PhD student in Health Sciences at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), holding a Master of Nursing degree. With a background in geriatric nursing, her research focuses on palliative and hospice care. She is passionate about helping individuals experience end-of-life with greater dignity and less pain. During her master’s studies, she explored the experiences of bereaved informal caregivers with a home hospice program in a Canadian context. Her doctoral research continues this commitment, aiming to strengthen compassionate, community-based palliative approaches and improve support systems for people at the end of life and those who care for them.

Still, most people agree with the positive role of palliative care in improving patients’ quality of life, providing multi-dimensional care, emotional comfort, maintaining dignity, and relieving symptoms. At the same time, some people have a misunderstanding of palliative care, thinking that it is equivalent to hospice care or doctors abandoning treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen publicity and education on palliative care to enhance public awareness in China.

Presented by:

Dr. Zhenzhen Gao, Second affiliated hospital of JiaXing University

Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network created a video series exploring cultural, spiritual, and religious responses to pregnancy and infant loss. Featuring families and community leaders from Ontario, Canada, the series highlights diverse grief and healing traditions and includes accompanying resources for professionals. These videos aim to foster understanding, respect, and culturally informed care, enhancing support for bereaved families through inclusive educational resources.

Presented by:

Ms. Megan Fockler, RN, MPH, Manager, Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Megan Fockler is a Registered Nurse with 17 years of experience supporting families during the childbearing years – first as a Labour and Delivery nurse, and then as an Advanced Practice Nurse in High Risk Obstetrics at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Ontario. In September 2024, she transitioned to the role of Manager for Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network, where she provides leadership to the PAIL Network team, and expertise in education, research, and resource development. Her clinical areas of interest include nursing education, quality improvement, and pregnancy and infant loss. She is also very interested in ways the healthcare system can better integrate the patient and family voice into all aspects of care.

Poster presentation of a qualitative study conducted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Presented by:

Ms. Dominque Duquette, RN BScN MN CHPCN(c) PhD(c), Registered nurse, Victoria Hospice and University of Alberta

I am a French-speaking, cisgender woman of European descent who grew up on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, on the territories of the Mohawk Nation. I am grateful to now live, learn, and play on the traditional and unceded lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples. I am honoured to practice nursing with the Palliative Response Team at Victoria Hospice and to be of service to the community. I am blessed to be a friend to beloveds and a mother to dazzling adult daughters. I savour slowness, beauty, and ritual. For more information, please visit my website: www.artesmoriendi.ca

This study explores the relationship between quality of life (QoL) in terminally ill cancer patients and caregiver burden. Conducted at a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia using validated tools, it found that most patients had poor QoL and over 80% of caregivers experienced moderate to severe burden. A significant correlation was observed between low patient QoL and high caregiver burden. The session highlights the need for caregiver-centered palliative care approaches.

Presented by:

Dr. Haneen Alharbi, Palliative care doc, Ministry of Health

I’m Dr. Haneen Alharbi, a Saudi board-certified physician in Family and Palliative Medicine. I’m passionate about medical education, improving end-of-life care, and advancing palliative services across Saudi Arabia.

McGill Palliative Care National Grand Rounds (NGR) is an initiative to foster the advancement of palliative care by providing an opportunity for healthcare professionals to stay informed about the latest evidence, engage in discussions on key issues, and share expertise to improve patient care. We organized 10 innovative monthly lectures in collaboration with Palliative Care McGill Network and Pallium Canada. We analyzed the interim results of program evaluation.

Presented by:

Dr. Justin Sanders, MD, MSc, FAAHPM, Kappy and Eric M. Flanders Chair of Palliative Care, Director of Palliative Care McGill, Associate Professor, McGill University, McGill University Health Center

Dr. Sanders received his MD from the University of Vermont and MSc in Medical Anthropology at the University College London as a US-UK Fulbright Post-graduate Scholar. After residency and chief residency in Family and Social Medicine at the Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, he completed the Harvard Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He was a research fellow in cancer communications outcomes research and then the Associate Director of Innovation in the Serious Illness Care Program at Ariadne Labs, a joint health systems innovation center at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He holds the Kappy and Eric M. Flanders Chair of Palliative Care and directs the divisions of Palliative Care at McGill University and the McGill University Health Centre.

This poster will explore the challenges of parenting while grieving and offer strategies for fostering healthy grief-related relationships within the family. Additionally, we will provide a handout with further resources and information to support parents and families during this difficult time.

Presented by:

Mrs. Loralee McInroy, Family Support Coordinator, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre: Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network

Loralee McInroy is the Family Support Coordinator at the Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network in Ontario. PAIL Network is a government-funded program that offers peer support to bereaved families across the province. As a bereaved parent, Loralee draws on her own experience of loss and the voices of other bereaved families to create and implement meaningful support initiatives for families across Ontario.

This research explores the often-overlooked contributions of hospice and palliative care volunteers through a scoping review of international literature. Drawing from diverse studies, it highlights how volunteers provide emotional presence, cultural and practical support, and system-level value through workforce sustainability and community engagement. Attendees will gain insight into how volunteerism strengthens quality end-of-life care and what policy and organizational supports are needed

Presented by:

Miss Zoe Yalung, BA, MSc(c), Project Administration Officer, Summer Student, Hospice Palliative Care Ontario

Limits on visitors to health care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic presented a particular challenge to the staff of inpatient palliative care units. Themes arising from semi-structured interviews with 25 members of the inter-professional health care team will be the focus of this presentation, followed by a discussion of values in end-of-life care, how they are prioritized by health care systems, and the impacts for palliative care clinicians and the clinical workforce at large.

Presented by:

Ms. Simone Stenekes, RN, MN, CHPCN(C), Clinical Nurse Specialist, Winnipeg Rgional Health Authority Palliative Care Program

Simone Stenekes is a Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Pediatric Palliative Care Team of the WRHA Palliative Care Program. She has been working in palliative care for over 22 years, with many of those years focused in pediatric palliative care primarily in Winnipeg. In her current role, Simone acts as a resource to health care teams across the province of Manitoba, engaging in pediatric palliative care consultation, research, project work and teaching. She is an active collaborator on a number of national Palliative Care educational and research initiatives and a highly valued member of the local and National palliative care community.

CuddleBlanket is an innovative cooling solution designed by Flexmort. This portable, thermoelectric cooling blanket allows loved ones to spend meaningful time with deceased individuals while maintaining dignity and comfort. In hospice and palliative care, it provides an alternative to traditional cooling methods, ensuring a serene environment for families during their final goodbyes. The CuddleBlanket, can foster a sense of closeness, making the end-of-life experience more compassionate.

Presented by:

Ms. Jessica Fleming, Business Development Executive, Flexmort/CuddleCot

Jessica Fleming is the Business Development Executive at Flexmort for Canada and the founder of the Maxwell George Fleming Foundation. Since 2018, MGFF has donated CuddleCots to hospitals across Canada, giving families the gift of more time and closeness with their babies after loss. In her role with Flexmort, Jessica also supports the introduction of CuddleBlankets within Canada, a cooling technology designed for use with children and adults in hospices, palliative care, and funeral settings, helping ensure compassionate care across all ages. With a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University and 15 years in finance, she now focuses on advancing bereavement training, awareness, and resources nationwide. Based in Toronto, Jessica is dedicated to improving the support families and care providers receive during life’s most difficult goodbyes.

Despite advancements in palliative care, racialized communities continue to face systemic barriers to accessing high-quality, culturally safe end-of-life care. This presentation explores how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles can be meaningfully integrated into palliative care practice, policy, and research. By centralizing the lived experiences of racialized patients, this session calls for a shift from equity as an ideal, to equity as actionable and accountable care.

Presented by:

Ms. Fabienne Germeil, B.Sc,N, M.Sc.(A), Faculty Lecturer\Clinical Partnerships Office Director, Ingram School of Nursing-McGill University

With over thirty years of experience in Quebec’s healthcare system, I have served in a variety of nursing roles: bedside care across different specialties, consultation work, leadership positions (middle manager and an executive manager). Throughout my years of study and practice, I have also witnessed persistent and damaging effects of racism in healthcare. These experiences have shaped both my perspective and my sense of responsibility. They compel me to pursue doctoral studies in nursing—not only to advance my own knowledge, but also to confront inequities and contribute to meaningful change.

Doing the PhD brings together professional experience with research rooted in justice, advocacy and compassion. I aspire to be a voice for patients and families who are often marginalized and help create healthcare environments where equity and dignity are central to end-of-life care.

Presented by:

Dr. Amir Pourghadiri

Amir Pourghadiri is a first-year resident in the UBC Family Medicine Surrey-South Fraser program. Amir earned his
Master of Science and MD from UBC. During graduate school, he studied the mechanisms of burn and wound
healing and the application of collagen hydrogels in reducing hypertrophic scars in patients with burn injuries.
Amir has been actively involved in clinical research since 2015

Presented by:

Mr. Jim Nelson, MC, Grief Counsellor, Nanaimo Community Hospice

I am an educator who has worked with learners from infancy through college. I founded, taught in, and administrated a Montessori school for 30 years. A friend allowed me to companion him as he succumbed to cancer. This relationship opened the door to supporting bereaved and terminally ill persons at Nanaimo Hospice.

Ms. Bronte Pike, CYC, Grief Counsellor, Nanaimo Community Hospice

I have been working with Nanaimo Community Hospice for the past four years as a Child and Youth Grief Counsellor. With my background in Child and Youth Care, I am passionate about providing a safe and compassionate space for those I walk alongside. It is an honor to support children and youth as they navigate grief and loss. I continue to learn and grow from those I meet and hold space for their unique personal experiences.

Presented by:

Ms. Gen Ward, Student, University of British Columbia

Hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) malignancies are devastating diagnoses with pancreatic cancer being the most common cancer of the group and the 12th most common worldwide. Pancreatic cancer is the 6th leading cause of death, with a rate of survival less than 10% 1(usually 2-9%) for metastatic cancer. Worldwide, the number of cases diagnosed pancreatic cancer has more than double from 1990 to 2020. In 2023 there were 7,200 cases of this type of cancer in Canada2. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer incidence is projected to rise in the future.

Like many other hospitals, The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) HPB team followed the “traditional way” of triaging patients with HPB malignancy: by ordering test after first encounter on both resectable and unresectable patients. The” traditional way” led to many delays in accessing appropriate care and services in a timely manner. In 2020 HPB surgical team develop an interdisciplinary approach of triaging patient affected with HPB malignancies. This initiative was born out of a lack of resources and expertise of the experienced surgeons in managing patients that were not surgical candidates and who were severely symptomatic and had poor prognoses. In this new model of care, all HPB referrals are triaged daily by the surgeons and for the unresectable cases, diagnostic investigations are ordered (blood markers, imaging, biopsy) upon reviewing the chart and before the first encounter. This new framework aims for an early confirmation of diagnosis, prompts a visit with palliative care physician resulting in of goals-of-care (GoC) discussion, better symptom management, rapid access to life-prolonging therapies and community services.

It has been 5 years since the new model was adopted, and the data reveals a two-fold increase in patients seen in the first year of the change. In 2024 there was five- fold increase of consultation to palliative care physician for GoC and symptom management; 71% patients were seen within 14 days of referral received; 20 % within 3 weeks. The majority had other investigations (biopsy or biomarkers) already scheduled at the time of palliative care consultation. Interestingly there was no increased number of consultations noted for the year 2021 to 2023, concurrent with peak years of COVID-19 pandemic.

Presented by:

Dr. Wildhine Lominy

Together Still: Love Beyond Death by Linda Hill is a portrayal of a well-researched but little known approach to resolving grief known as Continuing Bonds (Klass et al.). Readers say Linda’s memoir is an enthralling mystery adventure. Beginning with end of life accompaniment, each chapter faces another spiritual crossroad. Will Linda mindlessly run on instinct or mindfully attend to continuing her loving bonds with her beloved spouse John? Every step of the way, love is the answer.

Presented by:

Dr. Linda Hill, Ph.D

Linda is a community psychologist, experiential educator, researcher, and author of Together Still: Love Beyond Death. Linda is sharing her own experiences and listening to others who are continuing loving bonds during end of life accompaniment, death care and the journey beyond death’s horizon.