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Leadership Team

Margaret Paan, MN BScN RN CHE
Executive Director

Margaret Paan graduated from Ryerson University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and went on to complete a Master of Nursing from the University of Toronto in 2009.

Margaret has over 25 years’ experience in health care, holding a number of progressive leadership roles in a variety of settings including Director of the Central West Palliative Care Network and Director of Patient Care Services with the former CCAC. Throughout her career, Margaret has worked in acute and community care, in both front line and administrative & strategic roles. Margaret’s more recent focus has been on collaborative, cross-sector initiatives that have improved earlier identification of, and access to, quality palliative care for those in need.

Margaret is passionate about building strong health care teams and creating a healthy work environment that is rooted in kindness, humour, collaboration and commitment to excellence. Margaret enjoys yoga, reading, camping and spending time with her friends and family. She lives in beautiful rural Dufferin with her husband, four children, and mother.

Margaret joined Bethell Hospice in the summer of 2019.

Dr. Michael Gagnon, MB, BCh, BAO, CCFP (PC)
Medical Director

Dr. Gagnon graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2004 with Honours, and went on to complete his residency in Family Medicine in Abington, Pennsylvania where he took an interest in palliative care.

Dr. Gagnon has been practising family medicine in Bolton for 13 years and has been the Medical Director of Bethell Hospice since 2012. He has an honest, down-to-earth style, is always accessible, and works to foster a collaborative approach to care. He has worked within the local community to normalize death and dying, and partnered with schools to educate and support students to remove the stigma of palliative care.

His clinical leadership extends beyond the walls of Bethell Hospice, teaching palliative care courses to health care providers across the region, and participating on local palliative care committees to ensure that all patients have access to excellent, end-of-life care. As our Medical Director, Dr. Gagnon works to revise clinical guidelines and continually educate staff, always ensuring that Bethell Hospice remains a leader in quality palliative care.

Trudy Mulder-Hall, RN BNSc, CHPCNc
Clinical Manager, Hospice Residence

Trudy graduated with an Honours Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Science from Queen’s University. Trudy subsequently completed several postgraduate nursing certifications including the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Nursing Certification in 2015.

Trudy has accumulated over 15 years of palliative care nursing experiences in a variety of settings including acute care, community, long term care and the private sector. Trudy has shared her passion and expertise in a number of projects to further develop and enhance accessibility to palliative care in Ontario. Trudy’s focus on “what matters most to the person” helps guide her to optimize their care.

Trudy has worked in the Central West area of the province most of her career, but her passion for the outdoors often leads her to the Collingwood area for relaxation. She skis most winter weekends (either downhill or cross-country), kayaks and swims in the summer months, and hikes all year round. A good book or a home project will take her inside.

Trudy has been a contributing member of the Bethell Hospice team since September 2019.

Natalie Talma, MSW, RSW
Manager, Supportive Care Program

Natalie holds an Honours Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Toronto, and a Masters of Social Work Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is passionate about palliative and end of life care, having devoted her professional life to working in this special area of practice. Natalie has supported clients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, long term care, hospices and not for profit support agencies. Natalie employs an eclectic approach to practice, but most often uses narrative therapy, emotion-focused therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy in her work. Natalie was born and raised in Brampton, but has been working in the Dufferin and Caledon regions for close to ten years. She believes in a healthy work-home life balance and, in her downtime, you can find her walking her dog, discovering a new wine and cheese pairing, enjoying a movie night at home, or spending time with friends or family.

Kat Powell, BCD
Manager, Volunteer Program

Kat holds a Bachelor of Community Development Degree from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, a diploma in Social Service Work from Sheridan College, and a diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from Georgian College. Kat has also completed the Fundamentals of Volunteer Management Certificate program from Humber College and the Foundations of Teaching & Training Adults Certificate program at George Brown College.

Kat has accumulated over 15 years of experience in both volunteer management and program management in non-profit organizations such as the Brain Injury Society of Toronto, and Right To Play in Toronto, Thailand and Tanzania.

Kat grew up in the Erin area, and has returned to her roots after having a great time both working in and exploring other parts of Canada and the world. Kat is outgoing and energetic, loves to hike, camp and ski, and always enjoys exploring something new. She also has a passion for volunteering with programs that provide children and youth with opportunities for fun and growth.

Kat first joined the Bethell Hospice team as a volunteer in the fall of 2018, and in September 2019 became a contributing staff member of the Bethell Hospice team.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
– John Quincy Adams

Lisa Ward, BA, CHRL
Human Resource Manager

Lisa graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. Lisa then went on to complete a post-graduate Business Diploma in Human Resources Management, and achieved her Certified Human Resources Leader designation through the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario. Lisa also has a number of certifications including Situational Leadership, Appreciative Inquiry, and the Power of Managing Inclusively.

Lisa has accumulated over 25 years’ experience in Human Resources, in a variety of organizations including corporate and manufacturing divisions of healthcare, education, and IT. She has developed a strong generalist and leadership portfolio, but her passions are career development, employee engagement, talent management, coaching, and communications.

Lisa loves being a part of Bethell Hospice, where she has been helping to build and support our team of caring and dedicated professionals in providing exemplary end-of-life care since April 2019.