2012 SAGE Awards

From left: Dr. Nicole Didyk (l), Susan Oates,
Anne Pizzacalla

Maureen Montemuro

Passionate about Gerontological practice, nursing and dementia care, Maureen is recognized as an outstanding clinician, leader, education, writer innovator and role model. While there are many who have contributed to geriatric practice, few have worked so diligently to build this capacity in others at the individual, community and provincial levels. She is a highly regarded mentor by both colleauges and many students who made the decision to specialize in geriatrics after working with her.  Maureen is also know for never faltering in her passion for person-centred care and the philosophy that bed-side care should be guided by the best research evidence.

Anne is the volunteer who goes above and beyond, essentially being “on call” for her clients.  Part of Acclaim Health’s Friendly Visiting Program, over the past year Anne has made nearly 100 visits and given 300 hours of her time to provide comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate support to older adults and those with physical or mental challenges to maintain their independence in the community. Anne provides care and support, validates clients’ self worth and helps to enhance clients’ own abilities to care for their own needs as much as possible. Many clients consider her not only a wonderful volunteer, but also a dear friend.

Ella assumed the role of Project Coordinator for Project Wisdom in 2010.  This work represented her first foray into the field of elder care.  Ella took the lead in developing materials and strategies to enhance the capacity of service providers to respond to the needs of ethnocolutural communities.  She mobilized older adults who have been challenged by language and cultural barriers, fostered new community partnerships and enhanced the understanding and capacity of service providers to respond to the needs of diverse older adults.

In August of 2011 The Westmount Long Term Care team came together to make a video depicting what the team believes life in long term care should be; that people come to long term care to live, to have fun, to dream and still have an impact the community.  The Westmount Flashmob video is the result of true team collaboration and is a celebration of life in long term care.  Staff choreographed a dance that was accessible and adaptable to all residents, families, staff members, community partners and neighbours.  The video has travelled the globe via You Tube with close to 9,000 hits to date.

Saint Elizabeth is a home health care provider with a rich history of more than 100 year, offering comprehensive array of programs and services for older and adults and caregivers to support individuals’ self care and help them maintain independence. Some examples include: a falls education and exercise program; health and home care services to assist with activities of daily living, personal care and nursing; a driver assessment and training program providing medical and road assessments for clients with disabilities or special needs; mental health and community crisis intervention programs; a chronic disease self management program; and much more.The organization also offers innovative education and information services such as a phone line and online chat service to provide access to clinical experts, and a social media site which engages individuals, families, professionals and researchers in dialogue about the health care system and available resources.