News Room

Chelsea Welch loves living near the St. Lawrence River, a seaway that curves through the Thousand Islands that is perfect for her favourite pastime, boating. A young woman with a cheerful energy, Chelsea is the staff spotlight for September at Carveth Care Centre, a popular retirement lodge and long-term care home in Gananoque where she has worked as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) for more than seven years. Speaking from the home in early August 2024, Chelsea smiles when asked about her job providing frontline health care to 104 residents.…

Bryan Bateman is finding personal and professional happiness in his job as a nurse at a long-term care (LTC) home. “I like the sense of family, here,” he explains about his position at Helen Henderson Care Centre (HHCC) in Amherstview. “They treat me like a human being. I like the support. I also like the flexibility with scheduling and realistic expectations of managers. They work with what they have and make the best of it.” Known for his positive attitude, Bryan is the home’s Employee of the Month for September…

A Personal Support Worker at a long-term care home in Gananoque is gaining attention for her hard work and quiet resolve. Speaking from Carveth Care Centre, a long-term care home and retirement lodge in Gananoque, Katelyn Lozo talks about her work for the past 13 years as a front-line health care worker. “I like it,” says the 32-year-old Tincap woman at the end of a night shift in early July 2024. “I like working with the residents. You never know what they’re going to say.” Katelyn is one of many…

A high school graduate from Kingston is the recipient of a nursing scholarship by a local health care company. Speaking from her home in Kingston, Gracie Locke smiles as she talks about receiving the Gibson Family Health Care Nursing Scholarship at her graduation from Bayridge Secondary School last month. “I have always had a strong passion for helping people,” says the teenager about her desire to become a nurse. “My family is full of people working in health care. I love that nursing is a lifelong learning opportunity where the…

Alandra LaFirst is a young woman with a bright future. Speaking from her home in Gananoque, the Ontario Scholar’s smile is contagious as she talks about winning the Gibson Family Health Care Nursing Scholarship at her graduation from Gananoque Secondary School (GSS) on June 26. “I’m so very grateful, it’s incredible,” she says about the education bursary to help offset the cost of four years in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at St. Lawrence College. Speaking on behalf of Carveth Care Centre, a popular retirement lodge and long-term…

Violet Storck has lived longer than 99 per cent of the world’s population and she thinks she knows why. Talking from a long-term care home in Amherstview where she moved in early June 2024, the 105-year-old is in great shape for her age, thanks to a combination of genetics and behaviour. Sitting on a walker near the front door which she watches closely for the arrival of a friend, she says with a laugh, “I’ll be 106 next April if I don’t kick the bucket before then.” Sharp-witted and fairly…

After 40 years at Carveth Care Centre, Ruth Stevenson is hanging up her whisk and tongs. A cook at the popular retirement lodge and long-term care home in Gananoque, Ruth is retiring in June 2024. “I’ll miss everybody,” says the friendly 67-year-old Gananoque woman. “I’ve enjoyed my time here.” Speaking from the home in mid-May 2024, Ruth remembers her early years fondly. “I worked for Brett’s grandfather and his father,” she says with a smile, referencing the current Administrator, Brett Gibson. “When Brett was little, he used to play hockey…

A new Personal Support Worker (PSW) at Helen Henderson Care Centre in Amherstview is making a good first impression. Speaking from the long-term care home in May 2024, Shaya Cameron smiles brightly when informed she is the home’s Employee of the Month for June after only three months of work. “I like the environment and atmosphere here,” says the 39-year-old Collins Bay woman who is married with children and a dog named Jerry Bear. “The staff has been more than welcoming.” As a fairly new graduate, Shaya has only worked…

An Amherstview woman struggling with depression has turned adversity into opportunity. Speaking from Helen Henderson Care Centre where she has volunteered for more than a year, Jenna Brandt smiles as she talks about using her mental health issues as material for her new book. “I have been writing poetry since I was a teen,” explains the 35-year-old. “This past fall was the five-year anniversary of my suicide attempt and I thought this would be a powerful and positive way to honour and celebrate that I’m still here; that I have…

Janette Wheeler is having a hard time leaving a job she loves. Working for the past 38 years as a Health Care Aide at Carveth Care Centre, a long-term care home in Gananoque, Janette retired last month due to health reasons. She was hoping to work for a few more years. “It’s been a really good experience,” says the 67-year-old woman. “This type of work is extremely rewarding. Taking care of people has been my life. It’s hard to step down. I’ll miss the residents and their stories.” Wearing a…