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Staff

Michael Chow
As Director of Spiritual Care for the St. Joseph's Health System, Mike oversees the delivery of spiritual and religious care for the System. However, on a day to day basis, he is manager of the Spiritual Care departments at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and St. Mary's General Hospital, Kitchener. Mike is also a pastoral educator and is enthusiastic about lifelong learning for himself, trainees and professional colleagues. He is one of the Teaching Supervisors in the system-wide Supervised Pastoral Education (SPE) program. His hobbies include music, woodworking, cooking and landscape design.

Debra Crispin
Debra is a chaplain for Complex Continuing Care and Long Term Care. She did her residency training here and then worked in Geriatric Psychiatry and Forensics in Penetanguishene. A particular interest of hers is using life stories as a communication and healing tool, particularly for those with cognitive deficits and as a way to promote person-centred care. Deb has a Master of Theological Studies in Pastoral Counselling from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary and Specialist certification through the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC).

Roy Dahl
Roy has been employed at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton since the summer of 2001. As a staff chaplain, he has provided spiritual care in the emergency department and in the acute mental health units. He is also an educator in the Spiritual Care department and is involved in the supervision of spiritual care education students. Roy serves on several committees and programs within, or on behalf of, the healthcare facility. These include the Aboriginal Health Advocacy Committee and the Labyrinth Committee. He is a specialist in institutional ministry and obtained full credentialing as a clinical pastoral education supervisor in CASC (The Canadian Association for Spiritual Care).

Fr. Andrew Lopatniuk
Fr. Andrew has been working as a priest chaplain at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton since the spring of 2001. Originally from Ukraine where he studied languages, literature and pedagogy at the University of Lviv, his theological education began in his home country and later continued at the Westfaelischen Wilhelms University in Muenster, Germany. He is at home in theologies of both the Christian East and West. In Hamilton, he serves two congregations: St. Nicholas Ukrainian and St. Boniface German Roman Catholic. His love for hospital work was initiated in Europe and matured through chaplaincy training here in Canada.

Gary Payne
Gary earned his B.A. in Philosophy while living in his home State of Kentucky and soon thereafter obtained his Master of Divinity from St. Meinrad School of Theology, St. Meinrad, Indiana. In November, 2006, Gary was certified as a Specialist in Pastoral Care, and in April 2010 received his certification as a Supervisor through the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC).
Soon after moving to Canada in 1994, Gary was employed as the chaplain of Bayview Community Hospice in Toronto where he created and developed a spiritual care programme to respond to the identified needs and requests of clients, families and staff. In 2000, Gary was employed as a chaplain/spiritual care provider with the Oncology and Palliative Care Programs at the former Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre. Here, he was the proud recipient of a peer-nominated award entitled the "Schulich Award for Clinical Excellence", an annual recognition of employees who reflect the mission and values of the hospital in an exemplary way.
In 2005, Gary accepted the position of Coordinator of Pastoral Education and Practice at Bridgepoint Health, being responsible for education regarding spiritual care throughout the organization while also providing patient care to those on the palliative care unit and those receiving complex care and rehabilitation.
Subsequent to this, Gary was the Manager of the Spiritual Care Department and a Provisional C.P.E. Supervisor at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, having been employed with the University Health Network from November 6, 2006 until accepting his present position here at St. Josephs Healthcare Hamilton. He is a Certified C.P.E. Supervisor, a Spiritual Care Provider, as well as the Professional Practice Leader of the Spiritual Care Department here at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

Feli Toledo
Feli is a chaplain/spiritual care provider in ICU, CCU/MSDU, Cardiology and Birthing units. She has been providing spiritual and religious care at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton since 1990. She has worked in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Dialysis, Emergency, Thoracic, Musculoskeletal, Rehabilitation and Obstetrics units prior to her present assignment and has served on a variety of hospital committees. She has a Master of Arts in Education degree and was a high school vice-principal in the Philippines before coming to Canada in 1987. She earned her Master of Divinity at McMaster University in 1990 and is a certified Specialist in Institutional Ministry with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care. She is interested in literature, music, painting, sports, education and research, and likes to travel to distant lands.

Janet Young
Janet Young has been the full-time chaplain at the St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus since 2004. She is responsible for the day-to-day provision of spiritual care at West 5th which includes a variety of Spiritual Care learners and residents, volunteers and community clergy. Clinically, she provides coverage on Schizophrenia Services and the General Forensic Unit as well as outpatient counselling and follow-up as needed. Janet came to St. Joseph's as a chaplaincy resident in 2002 following a short contract at St. Mary's in Kitchener. With a BSc from Aberdeen University she taught Chemistry in Scotland before immigrating to Canada. She obtained her Master of Theological Studies in Pastoral Counselling from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1997 and is a CASC Specialist in Pastoral Care.
Janet is also a Provisional Teaching Supervisor with CASC, completing her first extended unit at West 5th in April 2011, and her second intensive unit in July 212. She intends to continue to pursue certification as a Full Teaching Supervisor within the next five years. Her interests include gardening, natural history and the arts and she strives to keep up to date in research about spirituality and mental illness.

Administrative Support Staff

Elizabeth Toke
Elizabeth is our departmental Administrative Support and has been with the St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton team for over 35 years. Her path began in Patients' Accounts and then on to the Department of Surgery, both in the Operating Room and Dr. R.U. Repo's office. For the past 14+ years Elizabeth has provided support to a diverse team including the Spiritual Care staff chaplains, chaplaincy learners, community clergy and the many volunteers. Elizabeth's home is a little cottage in the country that she shares with Michael, her husband of 48 years, Molley and Tilley, the Cocker Spaniels, and Natasha and Roady, the cat. They have one grown son who is an accomplished artist living in Toronto. Hobbies and interests include stained glass, folk art painting, photography and just enjoying the great outdoors.

2012/2013 Graduate Residents

Margo MacCuish
Margo is a graduate resident providing care for Cardiology and Acute Mental Health patients. She graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Music Education, spending many years teaching in both traditional and non-traditional settings. Following her love of learning she attended McMaster University graduating with a Master of Divinity. While at McMaster, Margo began exploring the use of narrative therapy and life stories as a pathway to healing and was delighted to continue this work as a resident in Spiritual Care here at St Joe's last year. Margo is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy at Laurier University.

Danielle Slump
Danielle is a Spiritual Care Graduate Resident offering Grief and Bereavement Support and Counselling out of the Spiritual Care office at St. Joseph's Urgent Care King Street campus in East Hamilton. She graduated from Redeemer University College with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Education. Shortly after graduation Danielle attended a volunteer spiritual class at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and became interested in the area of spiritual care as a profession. Through this experience and different volunteer experiences in the community and overseas, Danielle persued a Masters of Theological Studies and Pastoral Counselling porgram at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. Danielle completed her Masters and has been a part of the Spiritual Care Team at St. Joseph's Hospital as a Clinical Pastoral Education Student since last year. Danielle enjoyed her residency year and is happy to be back for a graduate year.

2012/2013 Residents

Nancy Calvert-Koyzis
Nancy graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts, from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity, and a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from the University of Sheffield. She spent many years teaching both part-time and full-time at universities and theological colleges in the United States and Canada. She is also a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Canada and completed basic CPE training last summer, which she found very satisfying. She is excited about being a spiritual care resident this year as she discerns whether chaplaincy will be her next vocation. Nancy is also a published author who enjoys long walks, knitting, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Tracey Hand-Breckenridge
Tracey recently completed work on her Master of Divinity at Trinity College, University of Toronto, and will convocate next spring. Three years ago, she was trained and commissioned as a lay-chaplain at Headwaters Health Care Centre, following a call to ministry, and is honoured to have served on their Ethics Committee and Pastoral Care Committee for the past two years. Tracey is very involved in the life and community of Christ Church Anglican Church in Bolton, where she enthusiastically serves as part of the leadership team. She has a particular interest in the Godly Play method of faith formation for both children and adults, especially with those who may have cognitive impairment. Tracey is excited to be a part of this year’s Spiritual Care Residency here at St. Joseph’s, and looks forward to the learnings and growth ahead. A special thank you goes to Tracey’s husband and children for their unfailing support and encouragement in this venture.

Christine Hossack
Christine has recently graduated from Huron University College with a Master of Divinity degree. Previous to that she completed her undergraduate degree through the University of Western Ontario with a major in history. While working towards the completion of her studies, Christine served the congregation of Fairview United Church as a Staff Associate and is currently an Inquirer seeking ordination in the United Church of Canada. She is excited to be part of the Spiritual Care Residency program and is looking forward to learning new ways of providing pastoral care. Christine lives in Burford with her husband, has four grown children and three grandchildren.

Ibrahim Long
Ibrahim is one of our department's Spiritual Care Residents. Before coming to St. Joseph's, Ibrahim worked for three years as the first Muslim Chaplain at Choate Rosemary Hall, a private boarding school in Connecticut. At Choate, Ibrahim led students in religious services and catered to their pastoral needs. Concurrently, Ibrahim completed his coursework towards an MA in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim relations, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy from Hartford Seminary. Ibrahim obtained his BA with honors in Humanities and Relgious Studies and has several years teaching experience. His hobbies include writing (he has his own blog), astonomy, and studying the life and works of the 12th century Muslim scholar, mystic, and theologian: Abu Hamid al-Ghazali.

Part-Time Spiritual Care Providers

Lorraine Dick
Lorraine earned her Bachelor of Religious Studies degree at McMaster University and her Masters of Liberal Arts in Creation Spirituality from Naropa University, Boulder Colorado. She has completed the Spiritual Care Residency at St. Joseph's Healthcare. She has worked as a Lay Pastoral Visitor and Designated Lay Minister at St. Mark’s United Church in Dundas, Ontario. Lorraine has been an intern at the Pastoral Counselling Center in Hamilton and was a contract counselor there for one year. The past five years she found a home as a Chaplain/Spiritual Care Provider for St. Joseph’s Healthcare. Lorraine is interested in and has taken courses in cellular healing. She is married, has four children and loves animals and nature.

Lucinda Landau

Lucinda Landau, M. Div., DMin (cont'd) is a professional Chaplain (CASC) enrolled in the Doctorate of Ministry program at the Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto. Her D.Min. research is focused on the integration of chaplains in long term care communities. She is working as a contract chaplain at St. Joe's and is awaiting her specialist designation from the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care. Lucinda was principle investigator for "Training & Sustaining: A Model for Volunteer Spiritual Care Visitors in Long Term Care" with the Quality Palliative Care in Long Term Care research alliance. She is also compiling research data from an online survey into The Use of Ritual at the Time of a Pregnancy Loss, conducted during a Graduate Chaplain Residency at St. Joseph's

Lillian Porter
Lillian is a chaplain in the Clinical Teaching Unit-Central and Emergency Department. After completing the Supervised Pastoral Education residency program in 2009, she has worked as a graduate resident grief counsellor at the King campus and has also worked in the Geriatric Psychiatric Unit and Acute Mental Health at the West 5th Campus. Lillian has a BA in Psychology/Sociology and an M. Div. She is an ordained Anglican priest,