Brain Care Centre - Defy Limitations

Dr. Garnet Cummings

Dr. Cummings was former head of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Emergency Department and is a survivor of a  near-fatal motor vehicle collision. He is currently the  executive director of Brain Care Centre.

Michael Ryan, B.A.

As a Service Coordinator for three years, I indeed relished the unique challenges that service provision to the brain injured community provided. As Service Coordination Manager at BCC I lead a service team of highly gifted, intelligent and passionate professionals. Do not be afraid to seek me out if you need assistance; my door is always open.

Louise Jensen , B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Ed

Since 1998, Louise has served as Office Coordinator and lately, Operations Manager.  Always keen to support growth in any way possible, she has helped to develop many database tools, provided solid financial management, adopted new technologies and attempted to build awareness of brain injury and BCC’s services through the library, publications and web page. Louise’s background includes biological research, teaching and international development education.

Team Leader / Intake Coordinator

Carolyn Biron, B.Sc

Carolyn graduated from the University of Alberta in 2004 with a B.Sc. degree in Psychology and Genetics. During a 3 year move to Calgary, Carolyn worked as a Services Supervisor in support of people with developmental disabilities at the Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute.  There, she also spent two years as a research assistant working on a project that sought to better understand the psychosocial effects of medical genetic testing.  In 2008, Carolyn returned to Edmonton with her family and in October of 2009 began her career with NABIS.  Carolyn is currently working as a Service Coordinator and managing intake and referral for BCC’s services.

Barb Baer Pillay, B.Ed., M.Ed

Barb has been on staff at BCC since September of 1998 and has had various titles over the years but her main areas of responsibility have been supporting BCC’s volunteers and growing funds and friends for BCC. In November, 2010 Barb joined the Service Coordination team. With a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and teaching experience, Barb is very interested in growing healthy communities through program and people development and believes that knowledge is key. She also believes in fun and encourages its practice at Brain Care Centre!

Service Coordinator

Madison Steele, B.A. Hon. (Psych.)

Madison joined Brain Care Centre in November 2010, working as a Service Coordinator. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Brock University in April 2010, where she studied the complexities of the brain and behavior, focusing on humility and forgiveness. Madison is very excited to be working with NABIS and looks forward to supporting people affected by brain injury.

Service Coordinator

Julie Hanson

Julie, jules Julie Emily enthusiastically joins Brain Care Centre as the new Program Assistant!  This unique and challenging position will assist the Service Teams to ensure program goals are met! She will be supporting clients of all ages one-on-one in the community, life skills training and/or facilitating groups for survivors.  Julie will lead the S.U.B.I. group and support those with BI and substance use challenges.  Julie’s background includes but is not limited to Substance use facilitation in communities and institutions, Health Care Aide to all ages and challenges, teacher’s aide specializing in American Sign Language, and several years Office Administration.  Julie is very excited to join the professionals at BCC inspire hope and continue to “Defy Limitations”!

Service Coordinator

Ashley Brosda, B. Ed

Ashley is excited to join the Brain Care Centre team as a Service Coordinator.  She graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Education and a minor in educational psychology.  She also holds a Special Needs Educational Assistant certificate and has spent the past four years working in various roles at the Robin Hood Association in Sherwood Park.  Ashley loves working in the community and is looking forward to increasing her knowledge about the world of brain injury!

Program Assistant/Service Coordinator

Mitchell Torkarak, B.A.

Mitchell graduated from the University of Augustana in 2010 with a background in psychology and English. He joins the Brain Care Centre with prior experience in the human services field, previously working at both a homeless shelter and a rehabilitation facility for drugs, alcohol, and gambling. Mitchell is excited to contribute to the team orientated environment at BCC.

Community Rehabilitation—OT

Lily Ma, B.Sc., MSc.O

Lily began her career in community brain injury services in September of 2009 at EBIRS. She completed a  Bachelor of Science in Biology and Art and Design and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alberta.  In her time at EBIRS and BCC she has participated in research in partnership with the U of A and the Reconnecting Program. She currently serves on the Board of the Alberta Artists with Brain Injury Society. Lily’s interests include topics concerning cognitive rehabilitation, program development, and the use of art in therapy.

Community Rehabilitation—OT

Jessica , B.Sc., MSc.O

Jessica is cool. Jessica needs a bio so that the spacing is normal. That will happen sooner than later.

Community Living Coordinator

Jean Roy

Jean Roy has worked as the Reconnecting Program Supervisor at EBIRS since 2007. Jean and her family moved to Edmonton from Nova Scotia, in 2006. Graduating with a Human Service Diploma in 2001 she has since supported individuals with brain injury and mental health. At BCC,  Jean is the Community Living Program Coordinator.

Young Adults Service Coordinator/Support Facilitator

Jaimie Schmidt, B.S.W.

Jaimie is the Young Adults Service Coordinator/Support Facilitator. She works with survivors aged 18-30 years old. As a Service Coordinator, she supports clients to access different community resources to achieve their utmost potential, and in her role as a Support Facilitator, she leads the Young Adults Group and provides short term counselling for survivors. She graduated from the University of Calgary in April of 2009 with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree and is passionate about her social work career within the brain injury field.

Support Facilitator

Lisa

Lisa is also cool. and will one day have a bio to make the spacing less weird.

Support Facilitator

Teresa LaRocque-Walker, B.A., M.C.

Teresa is one of the Support Facilitator’s at Brain Care Centre, having started with the team in the fall, 2009. Teresa graduated with a Master of Counselling in 2009 and has experience working with families in crisis and counselling. At BCC, Teresa facilitates a number of groups for individuals with BI and caregivers and offers short term counselling for individuals, couples and families. Teresa is delighted to be part of team BCC, supporting individuals, families and caregivers living with brain injury.Events Coordinator

Andrea Carroll Papirny

Andrea studied at the University of New Brunswick focusing on Theatre Arts, continued her studies at Grant MacEwan University in the Theatre Production Program specializing in Stage Management, and most recently attended NAIT taking the Special Event Management program.  Andrea has worked for Live Nation Canada, been a production/stage manager and account rep for a local production company providing a variety of resources to events of all shapes and sizes!  Andrea has a strong passion for the events industry and is very excited to be working at the Brain Care Centre as the Events Coordinator.Volunteer Coordinator

Janine, MHR

Janine joins the Brain Care Centre team as the Volunteer Coordinator with extensive experience in the mental health field. Janine successfully completed her diploma in Mental Health Rehabilitation from Norquest College and is in the process of finishing her degree in psychology through the University of Athabasca. Janine is eager to learn and work with the multi-faceted team at BCC.

Office Coordinator

Shamim Khanbhai

Awesome cool info about her will be found here!Service Coordinator - Edson

Tannis Arsenault, R.S.W.

For the past 9 years I have worked in the Edson AB office serving the community from Jasper through to Drayton Valley.  I continue to assist Survivors and Caregivers with tools to support those with acquired brain injury. I feel fortunate to have a job that makes such a difference in people’s lives.  I am also very grateful for the team I work with at Brain Care Centre and all the positive energy. On a personal note my family husband, David, and son, Carter, are truly my heart and I enjoy spending a lot of time with them and choose not to take family for granted.

Service Coordinator - Edson

Laura See

Laura is a Service Coordinator for the Edson Region. She had been involved with Networks Activity Centre since 2001, first as a caregiver and then as a volunteer. She served as Vice-President on the Networks Activity Centre Board of Directors in 2002. In 2008, she and her family made the move to Edson from Edmonton, leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind. She really enjoys the quiet, friendly community of Edson. At BCC she feels she’s found her niche where her previous experience and her desire to learn helps her to be an effective Service Coordinator.