LEADERSHIP TEAM
Medical Director- Dr. Brian Berger MD
Our Medical Director Dr. Berger was awarded the Ontario Medical Association's Award of Excellence, a well deserved award from the OMA for his palliative care work. Everyone at Hill House Hospice has benefited from his empathy, compassion and strong skill set. We’re so thankful for his dedication to improving care for our patients, families and community.
Executive Director- Michelle Hambly RN, MBA
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Michelle Hambly has been appointed as Hill House Hospice’s Executive Director, effective January 11, 2021.
Michelle is a Registered Nurse and holds an MBA. She has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, having worked for the last 15 years in the international development sector, focusing on health programming, as well as building and running health institutions. Her experience in program development and infrastructure projects is extensive, and has involved working with multiple stakeholders, internationally, nationally and locally, and across many sectors. In addition to her strong communication skills, Michelle brings a proven track record in team leadership and cultivating trust and positivity.
The Board of Directors is confident in Michelle’s experience, ability and commitment to support the excellent clinical care team and volunteers at Hill House Hospice.
Michelle lives with two young sons in York Region. She is excited and humbled to contribute and be part of the local healthcare system, particularly at this challenging time.
Director of clinical Care- Terrilynne Young RN, CHPCN(c)
Our Director of Clinical Care has an extensive nursing background with specialties in emergency and trauma medicine as well as palliative care. Providing leadership and guidance is imperative to maintaining the high level of nursing care provided at Hill House Hospice.
clinical Care LEAD - amanda barnett RN
Amanda is a registered nurse with close to 15 years of experience primarily based in the community setting of Richmond Hill. Through her extensive practice as a home visiting nurse, Amanda realized her love and skill for palliative care and joined the Hill House team in 2021 to pursue this passion full-time. Believing in self improvement and professional growth, Amanda continues to advance her education and experience in nursing, leadership, and management, by currently pursuing her certification in hospice palliative care nursing and by working as a grief support volunteer with her local community hospice. Positioned as the Clinical Nurse Lead, Amanda’s caring nature, calm presence, and sensibility are an asset as she works within the nursing team providing guidance and instruction and building relationships to support the continued high-quality care provided at Hill House. When not working or volunteering, Amanda can be found relaxing with her husband at their home in Georgina, working on cross-stitch projects, and enjoying time spent at her family’s cottage exploring trails with her beloved dog Winnie.
Office manager - kasia witkos-caldow mba
Kasia completed her MBA at the Schulich School of Business and joined the Hill House team in 2021. Her past work experience includes York University and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. At the Heart and Stroke Foundation, she was responsible for acquiring new donors by developing effective direct mail campaigns.
Kasia takes care of Hill House donors, volunteers and the house itself. From her first day at Hill House Hospice, she has been impressed by the amazing care and compassion of the hospice team and is dedicated to contributing to that herself.
Kasia lives with her family in Richmond Hill.
business development & Fundraising manager - Maureen rogers RpN
Maureen brings over ten years of nursing experience in acute care settings, and international health care in East Africa and India to share with the Hill House team. Soon after graduation, she started her nursing career at North York General Hospital on the inpatient surgical unit and the palliative care unit. Maureen’s International experiences have contributed to her drive to improving and developing health for all and gave her tangible opportunities to contribute to building positive relationships based on care. While in Kenya and India, Maureen oversaw the development and community outreach that provided ongoing education programs for local healthcare providers while also serving the health needs of the local communities. Maureen believes in lifelong learning and is currently enrolled in the Health Studies program at York University, following her passion for preventative and community health. Her next personal goal is to complete her Master’s in Health Management. Maureen greatest love is her 5-year-old son who keeps her very busy, and all things hockey, you can usually find them at the rink.
Admission to Hill House
Admission Criteria...
Prospective clients and/or their families will be encouraged to visit Hill House when it's appropriate and safe to do so. Visitors receive a tour and have an opportunity to ask questions and meet the staff. Due to COVID-19 tours are on hold.
Applicants must be:
· An adult (age 18 or over)
· Diagnosed with a terminal illness
·The client and/or the substitute decision maker (SDM) have an understanding that resuscitation and other life prolonging interventions are not provided at hospice. There should be no expectations from the client or SDM regarding further diagnostic testing, monitoring or curative treatments.
Who Can Admit?....
Referrals are accepted from many sources. If you are an attending physician, a hospital, a home for the aged, any community hospice organization, any type of health care professional, or even a family member you can make a referral to us.
The best way to start the referral process is to call the hospice and speak with an intake nurse. The nurse can advise you on the next steps depending on where you are calling from.
If yo are a GP (general practitioner) you can continue to provide care to your patient as their primary physician as long as you feel comfortable doing so and meet our standard requirements. Please contact us for more information on our doctor mentorship program.
Waiting Period.....
At Hill House there is no waiting list per say. Once a referral has been made a file is created. Some referrals are for future admissions others are for urgent admissions and every stage in-between. An intake nurse stays in contact with clients or their SDMs and when a bed becomes available a triage system is used. We make every effort to be there for those when they need us most. Admissions are based on the applicants care needs and not the length of time since the referral was made.
