Compassionate Chats
Compassionate Chats #14: With special guest David O’Neill, Glebe Centre, Manager of Community Programs. David began his career in recreation at a private retirement residence, where he developed a strong foundation in resident engagement and program development. He later transitioned into marketing roles within the private sector, working with both Chartwell and Riverstone Retirement. In these positions, he combined his understanding of senior care with strategic marketing and business development. Driven by a desire to apply his skills in service of mission-driven organizations, David moved into the not-for-profit sector. He spent five years at Perley Health in their senior living department, contributing to programs and initiatives that supported older adults and their families. He currently serves as the Manager of Community Programs at the Glebe Centre, where he continues to champion accessible, meaningful, and inclusive services for seniors in Ottawa.
Compassionate Chats #13: With special guest Christine Forget, Founder of Solva Senior’s Living. Solva Senior Living was founded in 2013 by Christine Forget, a seasoned leader with a deep and personal connection to seniors housing. Raised in Eastern Ontario, Christine grew up surrounded by family members who worked in and managed long-term care (LTC) homes. This early exposure shaped her passion and gave her a meaningful understanding of the complexities and nuances of the industry. Christine’s professional journey spans decades in both long-term care and retirement living. With formal education in LTC management and extensive leadership experience as a regional and corporate director for some of Canada’s largest seniors housing providers, she recognized a gap in the system: families needed honest, unbiased guidance—not a sales pitch. Solva was born from that vision. It was created as a trusted resource—a place where people could save time and make informed decisions with confidence. Since its inception, Christine has built a team of local experts—many of whom are industry leaders with deep roots in seniors housing. Their diverse backgrounds and hands-on experience allow them to provide genuine, informed guidance—cutting through marketing noise to help families find the right fit.
Compassionate Chats #12: with special guest George Zahalan, Pharmacist/CEO – Valley Health Pharmacies. George has been a pharmacist in good standing with the Ontario College of Pharmacists since 2013, after graduating from the University of Toronto. Previous to that, he earned a Neuroscience degree at Carleton University. George has a keen interest in geriatric, mental health, psychiatric, neurologic, & addiction-based pharmacy, as well as pain management. Aside from these interests, George is also passionate about long-term care and community pharmacy; George has very strong relationships with healthcare providers across Ontario, also serving as a consultant for several prescribers, hospital departments, associations, and initiatives. He has also served as one of the program designers for the University of Toronto’s new Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, taught University Ottawa’s Doctorate of Medicine (MD) program students regarding Geriatrics and Psychiatric topics, and is an adjunct professor and lead clinical rotations coordinator with the University of Ottawa’s MD & PharmD programs. In mid-2025, he achieved the Ontario Top 40 under 40 award for his novel and innovative advancements in the Retirement Home and Long-Term care home pharmacy fields.
Compassionate Chats #11: With special guests Kerry Durant, RPN, Dementia Specialist Kerry Durant has been a medical and training consultant with My Place Home Care since 2020. Her main responsibilities include teaching and training its staff the complete spectrum of Dementia care. Prior to being a consultant with My Place Home Care, Kerry taught at Algonquin College and has completed international courses of study in Dementia and Gerontology all while working as a director of care at home care companies and at retirement homes. She works primarily in Eastern Ontario. Prior to Kerry’s medical consulting career, she worked as a nurse at the Ottawa Hospital for 25 years. While at the Ottawa hospital, she started the inaugural Corneal Donation Program, trained medical providers how to retrieve eyes from cadavers and taught university students the anatomy of the eye and conducted wet labs for the dissection of the eye. This was the first nursing program of its kind in Canada, for which Kerry received the prestigious Premier’s Award of Ontario.
Compassionate Chat #10: With Special Guest Fiona Smith-Bradley. Fiona is an occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience working in the community in Ottawa and throughout Eastern Ontario. She is a partner with Modern OT, which is a team of more than 35 occupational therapists working in client’s home, workplaces, and communities from clinic sites in Ottawa, Kingston, and Pembroke, ON. Fiona’s experience involves handling complex files where individuals are facing both physical, cognitive and psychological challenges in their lives as a result of injury, illness, and disability. In addition to assessing and working to improve the individual’s function at various stages of their recovery, she is frequently asked to consult on home modification, ergonomics, and return to work issues.
Compassionate Chats #9: Join hosts Heidi Gagne and Tanys Coughlan for another heart-centered episode of Compassionate Chats. My Place Home Care exists to improve our client’s quality of living. We challenge the status quo on how home care is delivered by operating with an open mind, compassion, integrity and responsibility. The attention we pay to the needs of our clients helps them achieve independence, improved health and vitality – while living at home
Compassionate Chats #8: With special guest Andrew Gill. Andrew is a dedicated Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor with over 15 years of experience! Andrew shares valuable insights into supporting older adults through personalized fitness programs focused on:
✅ Balance
✅ Strength
✅ Flexibility
✅ Cardiovascular Health
✅ Fall Prevention
With deep empathy and a passion for improving quality of life, Andrew brings a wealth of experience to those navigating arthritis, chronic injury, or post-rehabilitation needs. Whether you’re looking for a custom fitness plan or online Zoom classes, Andrew is here to support your journey to better health.
Compassionate Chats #7: With special guest Konrad Quinn. In this podcast, listeners will discover how Konrad revolutionized the cleaning industry by prioritizing eco-friendly solutions, employee health, and exceptional customer service, becoming a trailblazer in Ottawa’s green business movement. Born in England and raised in Canada, Konrad began his career in the insurance sector but soon transitioned into the cleaning industry, where he quickly rose through the ranks. By the late 1980s, he recognized the harmful impact of conventional cleaning chemicals on workers’ health and co-founded Sunco Carpet Cleaning in 1989, making it Ottawa’s first green cleaning company.
Compassionate Chat #6: With special guest Scott Pommerville. Scott is an Ottawa Lawyer, offers comprehensive services for wills, trusts, and estate administration. Frequently appointed as an estate trustee in litigation, he brings a deep understanding of complex estate requirements and skillfully navigates intricate legal challenges. He also has extensive real estate experience covering a wide range of transactions, including commercial leasing and property acquisitions. Scott’s commitment to personalized service ensures that each client receives effective solutions for their unique legal circumstances.
Compassionate Chats #5: With Special Guest Peter Akinshola. Peter is a passionate healthcare professional with over a decade of experience in personal support work and healthcare management. Peter is one of our amazing caregivers that is dedicated to providing compassionate high quality care.
Compassionate Chats #4: With Special Guest Ruth Heyerdahl. Ruth is a certified aromatherapist, Reiki practitioner, and holistic wellness coach dedicated to helping individuals find balance, renewal, and resilience in their lives. Beyond holistic wellness, Ruth is a Volunteer Supervisor with A Friendly Voice, which is a seniors’ conversation line run by Rural Ottawa South Support Services. A Friendly Voice offers a compassionate ear and conversation to older adults who face isolation and loneliness throughout Ontario and the Atlantic Provinces.
Compassionate Chats #3: with special guest Becky Hughes, PSW. Becky is a certified personal support worker and developmental service worker who has been with My Place Home Care since February 2019. She delivers excellent care to her clients day in and out and has been doing so since she started as a PSW in 2011.
Compassionate Chats #2: With Special Guest Annie Baril, RN. Annie started her career as a registered nurse and has devoted herself to providing care and support to those in need, embodying empathy and professionalism in her work. Beyond her contributions to healthcare, Annie has pursued a diverse range of interests and skills that reflect her passion for holistic well-being and creative expression. She has become a certified yoga instructor and has her second-level reiki certification.
Compassionate Chats #1: With Host Heidi and Tanys. Compassionate Chats is our podcast series dedicated to exploring the world of personalized senior care. This series will focus on candid conversations with caregivers, healthcare experts and clients that share their journeys, challenges, and heartwarming stories.
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