New Appointments

Regional Stroke Steering Committee Chair
Karen Gill

The Regional Stroke Steering Committee is very pleased to announce that Karen Gill has accepted this position and we very much look forward to working with her as our new chair.  Karen worked as a registered nurse from her graudation in 1971 until retirement in the fall of 2008, working across the continuum of care.  She has lived and worked in the Kingston area since 1980.  Karen has a wealth of varied experience, including work in intensive care, infection control, palliative community care, long term care, management of community care agencies and work as the Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Kingston.  Karen worked as the Director of Care at Helen Henderson Care Centre also as Branch Manager of two different community health care agencies overseeing a large stall.  Karen also worked as a volunteer with the Board for the Alzheimer Society of Kingston (ASK) for six years and saw the board transition from an operational board to working under a governance model.  In her work with the Alzheimer Society, she became more familiar with the region of SEO and established the SEO Dementia Network, working to establish consensus on collaborative strategies to improve service provision.  After Karen retired she worked as a consultant with the SEO Dementia Network with service providers from across the continuum of care and discussed care needs with clients and families at various stages in their journey from urban and rural areas across the SEO region.  Karen also worked with the Ontario Dementia Network to provide leadership in the dissemination and implementation of best practices, working with regions across the province in establishing workplans.

Karen embraces new learning and notes that "Governance with strategic planning and visioning sessions is an exciting way to function.  The development of strategic plans, tracking measures and accountability systems is inspiring work".  Karen states "I believe in enhancing knowledge and creating learning environments for professional caregivers so they can be the best they can be in their chosen field.  I believe strongly in working with community partners to accomplish greater goals and to enhance service provision for clients and their families".  She notes how inspiring it is to work with a group of people with many varied areas of expertise coming together to share that expertise for a common cause.  Karen notes in particular the benefits of the community and health providers working in partnership with stroke survivors and their families to further the vision of "Fewer strokes.  Better outcomes".

We warmly welcome Karen to her new role as our Regional Stroke Steering Committee Chair.  Karen can be reached by phone at 613-549-4874 or by email at karenagill@gmail.com

Regional Stroke Rehabilitation Coordinator
Caryn Langstaff, M.Sc., SLP(C)

We are pleased to welcome Caryn Langstaff to the role of Regional Stroke Rehabilitation Coordinator of SEO.

Caryn graduated from Queen's University with an Honors Baccalaureate degree, Psychology.  She obtained her Master of Science degree from the University of Western Ontario specializing in Communication Science and Disorders.  She has a strong interest in health system design, rehabilitation and project design, particularly from an interprofessional perspective.

Caryn has held the position of District Stroke Coordinator at Quinte Health Care since 2007.  She has led the implementation of telestroke and tPA for hyperacute stroke care in this district, a very large and successful undertaking!  Caryn has also been involved in successful implementation of the Quinte 5 acute stroke unit, electronic order sets for acute stroke care and updates of TIA order sets.  Caryn has supported the use of standardized outcome measures across the continuum of rehab care in the Quinte District and has assisted in a review of the rehab (NRS) data to lead quality improvements.  Community exercise programs, implementing the HSFO Living with Stroke self-management program and ensuring local community support for the stroke support group have been areas of emphasis in her work over the past 3 years.

Caryn has also worked as a Speech Language Pathologist in education, private practice and health care including work at Quinte Health Care and at Brockville General Hospital with individuals who sustained a stroke.  Her expertise in the areas of aphasia, motor speech disorders and dysphagia bring a further dimension to the regional team's interprofessional approach to stroke care.

Caryn is familiar with the SE region, its people and resources.  She is involved with a number of community agencies and brings to the table a system approach to best practice across the continuum of care.  She looks forward to working in the system of rehabilitation, especially as this region looks carefully at how to implement positive changes as a part of the Clinical Services Roadmap initiative of the SE LHIN.  Caryn demonstrates a strong belief in the value and contributions of the Ontario Stroke System and is very pleased to continue to contribute to our shared vision Fewer strokes.  Better outcomes.

Caryn's contact information is:
Caryn Langstaff, M.Sc., SLP(C)
Regional Stroke Rehabilitation Coordinator
Stroke Network of SEO
Ph: (613) 549-6666 x6841
Email: langstac@kgh.kari.net

Quinte District Stroke Coordinator
Christanne Lewis, RN

Quinte Health Care (QHC) and the Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario are pleased to announce that Christanne Lewis was the successful candidate for the position of District Stroke Coordinator. Christanne Lewis has been an employee of QHC for eight years. Her time here has been divided between the QHC Trenton ER where she worked as a staff nurse and the Utilization department where she has been a dedicated and passionate voice for patient safety and quality care as a Quality and Performance Improvement Coordinator (QPIC). Christanne is a Registered Nurse, has a B.A. and is currently completing her Bachelor of Education (Adult). Christanne played a central role in the development and implementation of the ER electronic documentation system; worked with several teams for the last accreditation at QHC; has led a number of quality and patient safety initiatives and has provided decision support to the Medicine and Primary Care Programs for the past three years. This has included support to the District Stroke Program.

Christanne brings to her new role several years of project management and strategic planning skills from the healthcare and private sectors. As District Stroke Coordinator, she will oversee the great work being done by QHC as a District Stroke Centre and Stroke Prevention Clinic and will facilitate the advancement of best practice stroke care across the continuum of stroke care in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. Christanne will oversee, with the Quinte District Stroke Council, the implementation of the District Stroke Best Practice Workplan. QHC and the Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario wish Christanne success in her new position which begins this week - April 11.

Christanne can be reached at:
Ph: (613) 969-7400 x2874
Email: clewis@qhc.on.ca