Staff & Researchers
KATHY KORTES-MILLER, MSW, PhD
Director
Kathy Kortes-Miller, MSW, PhD has a passion for palliative care and improving the end of life care for all. She is an associate professor in the School of Social Work and is committed to improving the care provided at the bedside and in the community. Her research is interdisciplinary and collaborative contributing to a broad range of fields of study including: social work, palliative care, end-of-life, interprofessional education, LGBTQ+, caregiving and gerontology. She was a long-standing member of the board of directors for Hospice Northwest and in 2020 joined the board for Roots to Harvest. In March 2018 Kathy published the book “Talking About Death Won’t Kill You” with ECW Press. When not working she can be found nagging her lovely teenagers, winning at a board game against her husband or walking her four-legged bestie, Lucy Maude.
(807) 343-8010 Ext. 7204
ELAINE WIERSMA, MA, PhD
Associate Director
Elaine Wiersma is 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 critical 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 garden or hiking with camera in hand, and spending time with her family.
HOLLY PRINCE, MSW, PhD Candidate
Project Manager
Holly Prince is an Anishinaabekwe from the Red Rock Indian Band, Lake Helen reserve in Northwestern Ontario. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is currently enrolled in the Joint PhD of Education program at Lakehead University, Thunder Bay. Holly works as a Project Manager where she designs, implements and evaluates research projects. Her research expertise is in Indigenous health and community-based research using Indigenous and participatory methods. Holly’s work focuses on improving the end-of-life care in Indigenous communities by developing community based education and palliative care programs. Holly is married and is the mother to three beautiful children.
hprince@lakeheadu.ca
(807) 343-8010 Ext. 7274
EMILY SHANDRUK, BA, MA
Project Manager
Emily Shandruk is a Project Manager with CERAH on several different projects. She is also a Sessional Instructor in the Faculty of Business Administration at Lakehead University, focusing on Conflict Management and Negotiation. Emily was raised in Thunder Bay and has an Undergraduate Degree from the University of Manitoba in Criminology and a Masters of Arts Degree in Conflict Management with a specialization in Organizational Development. Her career has taken her across Canada, working in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Toronto, and spanned several different types of organizations, the nonprofit and for-profit, where philanthropy, conflict management, and employee relations were the main focus for her work.
eshandruk@lakeheadu.ca
(807) 633-0568
CARLINA MARCHESE, MHSc
Knowledge Broker
Carlina Marchese completed a Specialized Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Health Sciences at Lakehead University. Carlina is currently a Knowledge Broker for the Dementia and Seniors’ Mental Health division, working closely with the North West Dementia Working Group. Previously she was a Research Coordinator and Research Manager with Dr. Elaine Wiersma, and Dr. Nisha Sutherland, respectively. Both projects involved people living with dementia. Carlina has a passion for gerontology and working with the elderly. She has experience working in research, as well as front-line work with seniors. When not at work, Carlina enjoys going to yoga, trying new recipes, and attending the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra.
cmarches@lakeheadu.ca
(807) 343-8010 Ext. 7298
STEPHANIE HENDRICKSON, RSW, MSW
Knowledge Broker
Stephanie Hendrickson completed her master’s in Social Work practicum at CERAH on the Quality Palliative Care in Long-Term Care research project in 2011. Her master’s project was based on an adult learning experience entitled “Improving Communication around Death and Dying for Personal Support Workers in Long-Term Care Using High-Fidelity Simulation.” Stephanie has also worked as a research assistant on the Improving End-of-Life Care in First Nations Communities project. Stephanie is currently a Knowledge Broker who oversees a Ministry of Health funded program that coordinates palliative care education for physicians and interprofessional health care providers.
shendric@lakeheadu.ca
(807) 343-8010 Ext. 7182
JESSICA WYATT, BEd, MA, PMP
Knowledge Broker
Jessica is an experienced Knowledge Broker who began her career at CERAH in 2008. Skilled in curriculum development, evaluation and project management, Jessica has a keen interest in working with marginalized populations. She holds a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Arts degree in English with a specialization in Women’s Studies, and is a certified Project Management Professional. In her current role at CERAH, she supports the development and delivery of culturally appropriate palliative care education for Indigenous communities across Canada. When not at work Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, hiking with her golden retriever, and documenting her experiences with her Canon DSLR.
jlwyatt@lakeheadu.ca
(807) 343-8010 Ext. 7263
KASSANDRA FERNANDES, MPH, (PhD Cand.)
Curriculum Developer
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.
kfernan2@lakeheadu.ca
(807) 343-8010 Ext. 7259
CAROL BOLD
Knowledge Broker Assistant
Carol is a Knowledge Broker Assistant at CERAH, helping in the development and coordination of palliative care educational events, and working closely with community partners on special initiatives. Carol is also a Community Learning Session Coordinator at NOSM University. Her work experience includes positions in management, planning, communications and marketing. She is an alumna of Lakehead University with degrees in English, psychology and education, and has a graduate diploma in journalism from Concordia University (Montreal).
DEB RIDDELL
Education Initiatives Assistant
Deb is the Education Initiatives Assistant and she has been working at the Centre since 2001. She is responsible for all office administration and provides assistance to all full and part-time staff. Deb is an integral part of the daily activities at the Centre and a key contributor to all educational events.
driddell1@lakeheadu.ca
(807) 343-8010 Ext. 7271
Research Affiliates
CERAH’s research affiliates participate in research discussions, develop interdisciplinary team research grants, write articles based on collaborative research and engage in knowledge transfer activities.
- Ide Costa, PhD, School of Nursing
- Katherine Kortes-Miller, PhD, School of Social Work
- Anna Koné Péfoyo, PhD, Department of Health Sciences
- Lynn Martin, PhD, Department of Health Sciences
- Nisha Sutherland, PhD, School of Nursing
- Elaine Wiersma, PhD, Department of Health Sciences