About Us

Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov is known around the world for his research into the emotional and psychological needs of dying patients. His work exploring dignity in palliative care has been published in journals such as The Lancet, the Journal of the American Medical Association and the British Medical Journal.

Shelly Cory’s ability to overcome obstacles and achieve difficult goals has defined her 20-year career. Shelly approaches every project with an optimism and belief that anything is possible.

Katherine Cullihall has been a bedside nurse in emergency, intensive care, acute medical and palliative care units, as well as in cancer treatment clinics.   She counts it a privilege to have learned from colleagues, students and perhaps the best teachers – patients and family members.  “Listen to the patient” were the most important words she heard from a patient.

Cheryl is the Director of Operations with Canadian Virtual Hospice. Across her career, she has held leadership, strategic policy, program development, and education roles with post-secondary institutions, government, and paramedic services. She is an advocate for paramedic integration into healthcare and is currently supporting numerous paramedic services across Canada to embed palliative care approaches into paramedicine. 

Elder Betty McKenna touches others profoundly by generously sharing the traditional teachings she has learned from her grandmother and other elders. Anishnabae from the Shoal River Band in Manitoba, she reviews content for the Canadian Virtual Hospice website and provides guidance from an Aboriginal point of view.

Michaela McLean is a grief specialist providing end-of-life and grief education for individuals, families and people working in healthcare. She has a background in thanatology as well as contemplative end of life care and holds professional certification and membership with the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC).

René Morin has been involved with the Canadian Virtual Hospice since 2008. He serves as CVH’s representative in francophone areas and coordinates the translation and adaptation of Web content for French-speaking users.

Holly Prince is an Anishinaabekwe and a member of Opwaaganisiniing in Northwestern Ontario. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a Ph.D. Candidate in Educational Studies at Lakehead University. She works as a Project Manager at the Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health at Lakehead University, where she is responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of palliative care education initiatives for Indigenous communities across Canada. 

Dr. David Henderson is the Senior Director of Integrated Palliative Care for the Nova Scotia Health Authority. He also serves as the Medical Director of the Colchester East Hants Palliative Care Program where he provides clinical care, education and program development along with a dedicated multidisciplinary team.

In 2008, the Canadian Virtual Hospice expanded its clinical team to include Rev. Dr. Glen Horst, who is exceptionally qualified to provide leadership on spiritual matters relating to palliative care. Dr. Horst is responsible for spiritual material posted on www.virtualhospice.ca and provides consultation for questions submitted to Ask a Professional.

Chris is a psychologist and Director of Training at Psychologie Mont Royal, a private clinic located in Montreal. In this role he sees individuals, couples, and families while overseeing the internship and apprenticeship programs of the practice. Prior to this position, he worked as a palliative care psychologist for almost 10 years at the McGill University Health Center.

In 2008, the Canadian Virtual Hospice expanded its clinical team to include Fred Nelson. With close to thirty years of experience in the palliative care community as a clinician, consultant, and teacher, Fred has comprehensive knowledge of the issues and challenges facing both individuals and families living with terminal illness.

Adam Rapoport is a general pediatrician with a Masters in bioethics. In 2009, Adam joined the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care at Mount Sinai Hospital as their pediatric consultant. In July 2011 he became the first Medical Director of the Paediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT), the palliative care service at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

Since 2011, Maxxine Rattner has been the staff social worker at Kensington Hospice in downtown Toronto. In her role, she attends to the practical and psychosocial support needs of hospice residents and their chosen and biological families and implements the hospice’s Bereavement Support Program.

Dr. Shane Sinclair is Assistant Professor, CancerCare Research Professorship, in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary.  He is also a certified spiritual care specialist with the Canadian Association of for Spiritual Care. He currently has a nationally funded program of research investigating the impact of compassion in clinical care.

Jill Taylor-Brown retired from her position as the Director of Patient and Family Support Services at CancerCare Manitoba in 2015. Jill has been working with those diagnosed with cancer and their families for over 35 years.

Marney Thompson is a bereavement counsellor with extensive experience in hospice, hospital and community settings. She is also a registered clinical counsellor and maintains a private practice. As coordinator of the Victoria Hospice Bereavement Program, in addition to her clinical work, Marney is also involved in education, research, and advocacy within Canada and abroad.

Andrea Warnick is a nurse, educator, and grief counsellor who specializes in helping families, professionals, volunteers, and communities prepare children for a death and supporting them in their grief.

Dr. Cornie Woelk is an award-winning rural family practice physician, with more than 20 years of experience in rural palliative and cancer care, and with regional, provincial and national medical organizations. He holds a teaching position at the University of Manitoba medical school, and is a Pallium Educator. Dr. Woelk helps develop information for Virtual Hospice and answers questions at Ask a Professional.