Meet the Team

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.

In the field of palliative care, Dr. Mike Harlos is admired in equal measure for his expert medical knowledge and his compassionate care. Dr. Harlos has devoted 18 years to improving end-of-life care and has received national recognition for his work. 

Tricia Yerex started her marketing career in the non-profit sector, and has returned to her non-profit roots as part of the Canadian Virtual Hospice team. Tricia's public and private sector track record includes partnership building, solutions development, fundraising, mentoring, web-based education and training, and communications.

Colleen Young is a community moderator who listens, connects, informs and constantly learns. Using the online social networks, Colleen encourages people to add and tap into the collective knowledge of peer sharing. She has built several health communities, most notably SharingStrength.ca, a community for women with breast cancer and Health Care Social Media Canada (#hcsmca), an open community for people interested in health care in Canada.

Sarah Brown is a clinical nurse specialist with expertise in palliative care and geriatrics. She has a particular interest in pain management and the end of life care needs of the elderly in all clinical settings. As a member of the Canadian Virtual Hospice clinical team, Sarah helps develop and review clinical health information for virtualhospice.ca and answers questions submitted to Ask a Professional.

Freya Hansen is a clinical nurse specialist with a wide range of counselling experience. Her current role is to support patients, families and caregivers, with a focus on symptom management issues at the end of life. She has a particular interest in stress and psychosocial determinants of health.

In the field of palliative care, Dr. Mike Harlos is admired in equal measure for his expert medical knowledge and his compassionate care. Dr. Harlos has devoted 18 years to improving end-of-life care and has received national recognition for his work. 

Brenda Hearson is dedicated to palliative care education for patients, families and colleagues. As a member of the Canadian Virtual Hospice health care team, Brenda develops, reviews and updates clinical health information posted on www.virtualhospice.ca. She also answers questions submitted to Ask a Professional and monitors postings on Discussions.

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.

Pat Murphy works as a Clinical Ethicist with the Health Care Ethics Service at St. Boniface General Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is engaged in ethics consultation, ethics education, policy development and review for fourteen health care and social service facilities.  

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.

Simone Stenekes is the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s Pediatric Palliative Care Nurse Specialist. In this role, Simone focuses exclusively on caring for children and youth with advanced illness.

Lisa Streeter is passionate about reducing disparities in access to palliative care information and resources. As a member of the Canadian Virtual Hospice health care team, Lisa develops, reviews and updates clinical health information posted on www.virtualhospice.ca. She also answers questions submitted to Ask a Professional and monitors postings on Discussions.

George C. Webster works as a Clinical Ethicist with the Health Care Ethics Service at St. Boniface General Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is engaged in ethics consultation, ethics education, policy review and development, and research ethics with fourteen health care and social service facilities.

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.

Maria Derzko joined Virtual Hospice as an Administrative Assistant upon completion of her BA in English Literature from the University of Manitoba. Previously, Maria worked in a thriving family-owned business and as an administrative assistant for a local environmental consulting firm.