Maryse Fournier
Education and career
I began working at CLSC Parc-Extension, in the palliative home care team. I then taught at McGill University. I also spent a few years at Phare, Enfants et Familles.
Why St. Raphael’s ?
It’s been my dream to work in a palliative care home since my first internship during medical school. I’ve always loved the unique and personalized atmosphere, filled with humanity and respect. Above all, I love to take time with our patients, our families and our team!
Your greatest motivation for coming to work
What motivates me most is our privileged role of helping someone in the last moments of their life. Also, working as a team with wonderful people!
A book, film or other work that has affected you in how it approaches the theme of death
“Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande. In our work in ultra-modern medicine, it’s helpful to remember the basics of life and dying with the dignity you want.
Your interests, hobbies or passions outside your work
I play viola in an amateur orchestra. I also love the outdoors and camping, as well as practising the art of making amigurumis.
Source : Wallpaper Flare
Adeline Khadoury
Education and career
I first started worked in palliative care at Mount Sinai Hospital after my residency. Later on I went onto working in general family practice as well as Palliative Care at Lachine Hospital. I stopped working in family medicine clinic in March 2022.
Why St. Raphael’s ?
When I found out that Dr Krista Lawlor was the medical director at the newly opened St. Raphael Care Home and Day Centre, I just had to inquire! I truly admired her approach to palliative medicine when I was a resident and I’ve always wanted to work with her. Luckily I got my wish! In addition, I have always wanted to incorporate hospice care into my palliative care practice.
Your greatest motivation for coming to work
At St. Raphael’s, I love how there’s always a way to find laughter and fun even when times can be very sad. I never stop learning about what it means to be human and how to try to be a better one.
A book, film or other work that has affected you in how it approaches the theme of death
A book that’s marked me since a was very little is “I Love you Forever” by Robert Munsch. It recounts the trials and tribulations of being a parent throughout different phases in a child’s life. It continues until the parent herself is sick and dying, and her child then takes care of her. He also has his own child to care for, and continues to chant the poem his mother sang to him every night. It makes me cry every time!
This book has become more meaningful to me in many ways as I grow older myself, as I watch my own children change throughout phases in life. It also illustrates how life continues to go on, carrying the beauty the ones we have lost have passed on to us. In essence, the symbol of death highlights the richness and love of life.
Your interests, hobbies or passions outside your work
Everyone who has worked with me knows knows how much I love to spin and bake!!! And of course just enjoying time being spent with those I love. I’m always looking for a good time.
Marie-Josée Caron
Education and career
I’ve had the opportunity to work in palliative care since I started in medicine over 30 years ago. I first had the great honour of working in the palliative care unit at Hôpital Notre-Dame (the first French-speaking unit in Quebec), along with a wonderful team. Subsequently, I worked in palliative care in a variety of settings. I now work full time in palliative care and I’ve been at the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur for over 15 years.
My practice now includes the hospital’s outpatient clinic, home care (CLSC de Saint-Laurent), the Gracia pavilion and, of course, St. Raphael’s.
Along the way, I also trained in England at Oxford (Dr. Robert Twycross) and at King’s College in London. I’ve been fortunate to work with many of Quebec’s pioneers in palliative care: Andrée Gauvin, Justine Farley, Balfour Mount, Ina Cummings, Yvon Beauchamp, to name only a few.
Why St. Raphael’s ?
I was eagerly awaiting the opening of St. Raphael’s. I came to the groundbreaking, saw the plans and the transformation of the church, and when jobs were posted, I sent in my résumé. I have been working there since December 2020.
I love working at St. Raphael’s because I’m with a team of kind-hearted, compassionate people who have all chosen to be there. The building and its surroundings are beautiful, the food is exquisite, but most importantly, this home has a soul, a heart—many hearts, in fact—which allows me to do what I love most in the world : “caring for people, being present with them and attuned to their experiences, their pain and also their joy.”
A book, film or other work that has affected you in how it approaches the theme of death
One book that moved me was David Servan-Schreiber’s “On peut se dire au revoir plusieurs fois”. This great doctor and neuroscience researcher lived for 19 years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, defying all prognoses. In this book, he says goodbye to his loved ones and all those who appreciated him: “Discovering that I was fragile, mortal, suffering, and afraid opened my eyes to the infinite treasure of life and love.”
I also can’t fail to mention “Paul à Québec”, an amazing book by Quebecois cartoonist Michel Rabagliati (which was also made into a beautiful film). It’s the wonderful story of a family whose father is diagnosed with cancer.
Your interests, hobbies or passions outside your work
In my spare time, I like to get out into nature: collect seashells by the ocean, watch birds and identify wildflowers. I also enjoy hearing good stories, either through books, films or encounters with people.
Caroline Morin
Education and career
I am a new Quebecer who came from New Brunswick to study at the Université de Montréal (since there was no med school in N.B. at the time!). I graduated with a degree in family medicine in 2010.
I worked for several years at the Hôpital de Verdun in Montréal, a small community hospital. The spirit of collaboration and the involvement of general practitioners in patient hospitalization appealed to me when I finished my studies. That was where I discovered a passion for teamwork in hospitals, for the challenges of diagnosing patients with health problems that require investigation, and for supporting patients and their families through periods of illness-related anxiety and concern.
I then moved to Magog in the Eastern Townships for family reasons and had the chance to work in in-patient and home-based palliative care there for five years. I received exceptional mentoring from a dedicated team who introduced me to palliative care. They impressed upon me a desire to support patients with respect, and I’m grateful to have brought this valuable experience back with me to Montréal.
Why St. Raphael’s ?
I’d heard great things about St. Raphael’s and their support services are certainly in line with my values. I think it’s a great privilege that patients and their loved ones have access to various professional approaches that can smooth their experience before, during and after the hospice stay. This allows us to meet physical, psychological and spiritual needs: it’s the ideal support that everybody deserves.
Your greatest motivation for coming to work
I believe the most important thing is understanding people’s needs, questions and concerns so that I can respond in the best possible way. All decisions must be made with the patient’s well-being at heart and my role is to provide information on possible and appropriate treatment options, so that together we can create a plan that makes sense for them. There are as many different solutions as there are patients. This quest to respect and pay tribute to all life drives my work.
A book, film or other work that has affected you in how it approaches the theme of death
There is a song called “Ta tempête” by Sarah Toussaint-Léveillé. I don’t know if the song is about giving birth or about dying, but when I listen to it, I feel the intensity of both milestones.
Your interests, hobbies or passions outside your work
I’m passionate about dance and have enjoyed creating choreography in another life. Like many other team members here at St. Raphael’s, I love the arts. They provide an outlet, freedom and the chance to get in touch with our inner self. Running is my sport of choice for its meditative side, and psychology is my favourite reading topic.
