Celebrating Continuing Care Month: Staff Spotlight
- NWN Staff
- Oct 2
- 4 min read
A message from Northwood's CEO, Charbel Daniel to our Continuing Care Staff:
"As we begin Continuing Care Month, I want to pause and share my deepest gratitude to each of you, on behalf of myself, our Leadership Team, and our Board of Governors.
This month is more than a calendar recognition. It is a reminder of the heart, compassion, and resilience that define Northwood. Every day, whether in long term care, home care, or in the many roles that support these services, you change lives. You bring comfort, dignity, and connection to those who need it most. That is something worth celebrating, not just in October, but every single day.
Throughout the month, we will gather in celebration, moments to reflect, connect, and honour the difference you make. A highlight will be our Long Service Awards Ceremony, where we will proudly recognize 192 members of our Northwood family who have each devoted 10 or more years to this work. Their dedication tells the story of what Northwood is truly about, people who show up, day after day, to care for others with dignity and compassion.
To all of you, thank you. You are the reason Northwood continues to stand as a place of care, hope, and community. Your contributions matter more than words can say, and I am proud to celebrate you today, this month, and always."
Sincerely,
Charbel
Spotlighting Northwood’s Continuing Care Workers
October marks Continuing Care Month, an opportunity to recognize the vital contributions of those who provide care, comfort, and support each day. At Northwood, Continuing Care Workers play an essential role in ensuring the well-being of our residents and clients.
Throughout this month, we will highlight members of our team through a series of spotlights, sharing their experiences, interests, and reflections on what they value most about their work. These stories provide a window into the dedication and professionalism that define continuing care at Northwood.
Julie Bartolacci
How long have you worked at Northwood? 6.5 years
What is your current position? Float Home Support Supervisor-also CPR/First Aid
Instructor; GPA Instructor; SCH Instructor; CCA Standardization Instructor! Jack of all
trades, master of none kind of thing
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work? I love kayaking, camping,
hiking with my husband and dogs, and spending time with family and friends. I have a true passion for nature and spend a lot of time outdoors. In my spare time, I
volunteer at Hope Cottage and bartend at the Fairview Legion. Community is very
important to me.
What do you enjoy most about coming to work each day? Connecting with people.
Whether it is with co-workers, clients, families, internal and external stakeholders, I
love interacting with others. I also enjoy volunteering with Northwood - the Petting Zoo
is my favourite!
Gregg Goulding
How long have you worked at Northwood? 27 Years
What is your current position? Product and Quality Assurance Coordinator
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work? Gregg enjoys golf, making
home made wine and cheering on the Montreal Canadians and Denver Broncos.
What do you enjoy most about coming to work each day? It is incredibly fulfilling
knowing you are part of a group of dedicated individuals who consistently strive to meet the needs of our clients while upholding the values and mission of our program. Through both our success and challenges I receive great satisfaction from our team’s support of each other, our program, and the Northwood Community as whole.
Gregg is always willing to lend a hand or share his knowledge. No matter the task he approaches it with care and attention to detail, which sets such a strong example for our team.
Jeremy Kanyaru
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
I have a variety of hobbies outside of work. I love to spend time with my family as well as helping my community, neighbors, and newcomers. I belong to multiple different development and mentorship groups which include mentoring our new-comer staff here at Northwood. I participate in many church activities, gardening, and have a love for manual work.
What do you enjoy most about coming to work each day?
What I enjoy most about coming to work is how our residents welcome us into their homes with appreciation and smiles every day. My heart melts when I see the wonderful residents and imagine the journey they have travelled to reach here. Even when challenges arise like during most recent pandemic, I know what a small act of kindness can mean and do for the person receiving it, especially our vulnerable residents. I love our team and knowing that I am never alone. There is always a ring of people around me who give me the strength to smile. I honor and respect all my colleagues and I receive the same from them. Colleagues, thank you for being there wherever I need you.
Diversity at Northwood gives me a purpose and a sense of belonging. As an organization, Northwood has devoted a lot of resources and time to diversity, and you can see and experience it as you interact with both residents and staff. I feel it! As set out in our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) committee, which I belong to, Northwood has a very diverse team, and everybody feels DEIB. By using DEIB concepts, Northwood's aim is to address systemic racism and helps to provide a safe work environment for all staff. Diversity is the choice of this photo background.
Winter Devoe
How long have you worked at Northwood? Employed with Northwood since 2013 as a CCA.
What is your current position? I'm currently with the Adult Day program as a program worker .
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work? My hobbies and
interests outside of work are spending quality time with my family and friends,
camping, beach combing and travelling.
What do you enjoy most about coming to work each day? I love coming to work every day and seeing the difference we make in our clients lives. It's so rewarding getting to know each individual person and sharing stories and laughs along the way.
A sincerest thank you to all our Continuing Care Workers at Northwood! We'll continue to spotlight more staff in the coming weeks.
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