FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HALTON HILLS, ONTARIO, July 7, 2026 – North Halton Hospice, formerly Townsend-Smith Foundation, an organization working toward building the first hospice care facility in North Halton, has appointed seven new Board Directors. The new leaders bring extensive expertise and experience in healthcare, governance, finance, community leadership, strategic planning and communications and are eager to serve North Halton Hospice.
The new directors were officially sworn in during the Annual General Meeting that took place at Norval United Church in Georgetown, ON on June 25, 2026.
“We are delighted to welcome Janette S. Panhuis, Ken Jacobsen, Dr. Merna Wassef, Rick Menassa, Wahid Wafa, Mide Seyi-Ajayi, and David Silvestro to our Board,” said Ty Shattuck, Board Chair, North Halton Hospice. “Their diverse expertise and commitment to compassionate end-of-life care will guide us as we work toward making residential hospice care a reality for North Halton residents.”
Janette S. Panhuis, MBA Janette Panhuis brings extensive healthcare leadership and governance experience to North Halton Hospice. A former Chief Operating Officer of the Population Health Research Institute, Janette has also served in senior leadership roles across healthcare, pharmaceutical, and research sectors. Her governance experience includes serving as Past Chair of Bethell Hospice and as a Board Director with Hospice Palliative Care Ontario.
Ken Jacobsen, BA, CPA, CMA Ken Jacobsen is a seasoned finance and business leader with more than 30 years of experience in accounting, financial management, and organizational leadership. He brings extensive expertise in financial oversight, strategic planning, risk management, and governance, complemented by previous board service with the Milton Public Library and the Community Foundation of Halton North.
Dr. Merna Wassef, MBChB, CCFP (PC) Dr. Merna Wassef is a palliative care physician with experience providing hospice, hospital, and community-based palliative care throughout Halton and the Greater Toronto Area. In addition to her clinical and academic appointments with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, McMaster University, and the University of Toronto, Dr. Wassef has demonstrated leadership in hospice care, education, quality improvement, and provincial palliative care initiatives.
Rick Menassa, CPCA Rick Menassa is an entrepreneur and healthcare leader with extensive experience in home care, elder care, and digital health innovation. As Founder and CEO of Health Espresso and Co-Founder of iCARE Home Health, Rick is committed to improving access to coordinated, patient-centred care. He also brings governance and fundraising experience through his service on several nonprofit boards such as the Willow Foundation, Senior Life Enhancement Centres, and the Brain Injury Society of Toronto.
Wahid Wafa Wahid Wafa is a senior nonprofit and humanitarian leader with more than 25 years of experience leading complex programs, partnerships, and organizational transformation initiatives in Canada and internationally. Most recently, he provided strategic oversight of large-scale global programs at Save the Children Canada. A longtime Milton resident, Wahid brings extensive expertise in strategy, partnerships, fundraising, and community development.
Mide Seyi-Ajayi, RN, MBA Mide Seyi-Ajayi is an accomplished healthcare executive with more than 16 years of leadership experience across hospital and seniors’ care settings. Currently serving as Executive Director of Apotex Long-Term Care at Baycrest, Mide is recognized for advancing innovative, person-centred models of care and leading complex healthcare organizations. He brings extensive expertise in healthcare operations, quality improvement, and strategic leadership.
David Silvestro David Silvestro is a public affairs and communications professional with extensive experience in healthcare, stakeholder engagement, government relations, and strategic communications. In his current role with Hamilton Health Sciences, he supports major healthcare infrastructure initiatives, including the redevelopment of West Lincoln Memorial Hospital. David also brings valuable hospice experience, having supported the development and opening of Margaret’s Place Hospice while working with St. Joseph’s Villa and Foundation.
North Halton Hospice extends its sincere appreciation to all community members who expressed interest in serving the organization and looks forward to working alongside its new Board members as the organization continues to grow and advance its mission of providing compassionate hospice palliative care services to residents across North Halton.
_____
About North Halton Hospice:
North Halton Hospice is the next chapter of the Townsend Smith Foundation, carrying forward a long-standing commitment to bringing compassionate, end-of-life care closer to home. What began as a vision inspired by the Townsend and Smith families has grown into a community-driven effort to create North Halton’s first residential hospice.
At our core, we care about dignity, comfort, and support. Hospice care focuses on quality of life, ensuring individuals can spend their final days in a peaceful, caring environment, surrounded by loved ones. We believe no one should have to leave their community to receive this level of care.
Today, North Halton Hospice continues this work with a clear purpose: to build a place where individuals and families are supported through some of life’s most difficult moments, and where compassionate care is always close to home.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NORTH HALTON, ONTARIO, January 27, 2025 –The Townsend Smith Foundation (TSF) was delighted to learn that the Government of Ontario has approved funding for 3 additional hospice beds, bringing the support for North Halton’s hospice to 10-beds.
“Townsend Smith Foundation looks forward to working with the government to finalize details and complete the necessary agreements to move this much needed capital health care infrastructure project forward”, shared Board Chair, Astrid Lakats.
The recent announcement further commits the government to work with Townsend Smith Foundation to complete early planning and design for this project. Once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded, a construction schedule will be confirmed.
“The provincial announcement is important and helps to keep the necessary momentum going” shared Townsend Smith Foundation’s Executive Director, Kim Kohlberger. “Like other health infrastructure projects in the Province of Ontario there is an expectation that the community rally to raise a ‘community share, and to this end TSF is dedicated to the fundraising efforts necessary.”
Townsend Smith Foundation recently unveiled the design for a state-of-the-art patient and family centred hospice to serve North Halton and beyond, and has projected that the organization will need to raise $25MM in order to build and operate the hospice residence.
Those wishing to learn more about hospice care for North Halton, the work of the Townsend Smith Foundation, or to offer support through a generous gift or as a volunteer are encouraged to visit https://northhaltonhospice.ca/donate/.
– 30 –
###
About Palliative Care According to the Global Atlas of Palliative Care, over 56.8 million people are estimated to require palliative care every year including 31.1 million prior to and 25.7 million near the end of life. The majority (67%) are adults over 50 years old and at least 7% are children. The majority (54%) are non-decedents who need palliative care prior to their last year of life. The burden of severe illness and health related suffering, and the corresponding need for palliative care, are immense. Yet palliative care is still not accessible to most people in need, especially in low and middle-income countries.
About Townsend Smith Foundation Working vigorously since 2012, the Townsend Smith Foundation, TSF, is a registered charitable organization with a unique mandate to provide the supports and education to those interested in hospice care, in the last stages of living, or bereaved. Our meaningful projects include free seminars to raise awareness for the need and benefit of hospice palliative care, support for caregivers, children and will planning, group discussions of death through death cafes, and honouring those who have passed through candlelight ceremony. TSF volunteers consistently engage the community on hospice care and its needs in North Halton with a key objective being to raise funds to build hospice facilities in North Halton.
For further information at Townsend Smith Foundation please contact Ms. Kim Kohlberger, Executive Director [email protected] I 289.878.3407
Message from Astrid Lakats, Chair, Board of Directors:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Kim Kohlberger to the position of Executive Director, Townsend Smith Foundation (TSF), beginning June 24, 2024.
Kim brings a history of leadership roles across the spectrum of healthcare including hospital, home and community care services, long term care, supportive housing and primary care. Most recently she was employed as Executive Director for the Dorval Medical associates Family Health Team. Prior roles include Associate Vice President at Mackenzie Health and Clinical Operations Lead for the Western York Region Ontario Health Team. From 2005 to 2017, Kim was the Program Director, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics at Halton Healthcare.
Kim Kohlberger has an undergraduate degree in Social Work from the Toronto Metropolitan University, a graduate diploma in gerontology from the University of Toronto (1995) and Master’s in Health Service Management (2009) from Charles Sturt University. Much of her career has been spent in quality improvement and clinical best practices. She completed a Lean Green Belt certification in 2015.
Our board believes Kim’s history, commitment to learning and innovation and unique mix of skills and leadership qualities position her for success in leading our organization forward. She is joining TSF at an exciting juncture in our development. The Board of Directors looks forward to working collaboratively with Kim and our many partners, funders and supporters to bring the Townsend Smith Foundation’s vision to reality with the building of the first hospice in North Halton bringing dignified and compassionate end-of-life care to our community.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to congratulate Kim on her new role with TSF, and extend our deepest gratitude to Theresa Greer for her leadership as our part-time Executive Director for the past several years.
NORTH HALTON, ONTARIO, December 04, 2023 –The Townsend Smith Foundation (TSF) was pleased to use the internationally recognized “Giving Tuesday” day to recognize and thank the many community-mind volunteers and donors that have helped TSF make measurable gains in its journey to build and operate a residential hospice in North Halton a reality.
“2023 saw much progress” shared Board Chair, Astrid Lakats, “The community can always celebrate the past months as the time that the land and planning permissions necessary to build North Halton’s first hospice residence were secured at the geographic heart of North Halton on Trafalgar Road and 5th Line, strategically and conveniently nestled between the urban centres of Milton and Georgetown and a short drive to downtown Acton”.
TSF’s hospice care will prioritize patient comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering but will also support the needs of family and friends in a supportive environment.
“Like other health infrastructure projects in the Province of Ontario there is an expectation that the community rally to raise a ‘community share’, and to this end TSF is dedicated to the fundraising efforts necessary.”
“We live in a wonderfully generous community” shared former, now retired, Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette who has joined the fundraising campaign as a volunteer and who was celebrated by close to a hundred volunteers, donors, and guests at the Tuesday (November 28, 2023) appreciate event. “While we will need leadership gifts, no donation is too small. All gifts and offers of support are gladly, and gratefully accepted. Townsend Smith Foundation understands that the fundraising task is substantial”, added Rick.
Those wishing to learn more about hospice care for North Halton, the work of the Townsend Smith Foundation, or to offer support through a generous gift or as a volunteer are encouraged to visit https://northhaltonhospice.ca/donate/.
-30-
#
About Palliative Care
According to the Global Atlas of Palliative Care, over 56.8 million people are estimated to require palliative care every year including 31.1 million prior to and 25.7 million near the end of life. The majority (67%) are adults over 50 years old and at least 7% are children. The majority (54%) are non-decedents who need palliative care prior to their last year of life. The burden of severe illness and health related suffering, and the corresponding need for palliative care, are immense. Yet palliative care is still not accessible to most people in need, especially in low and middle-income countries.
About Townsend Smith Foundation
Working vigorously since 2012, the Townsend Smith Foundation, TSF, is a registered charitable organization with a unique mandate to provide the supports and education to those interested in hospice care, in the last stages of living, or bereaved. Our meaningful projects include free seminars to raise awareness for the need and benefit of hospice palliative care, support for caregivers, children and will planning, group discussions of death through death cafes, and honouring those who have passed through candlelight ceremony. TSF volunteers consistently engage our community on hospice care and its needs in North Halton with a key objective being to raise funds to build hospice facilities in North Halton.
For further information at Townsend Smith Foundation please contact: Ms. Astrid Lakats, Chair, Board of Directors [email protected] I 289.878.3407
NORTH HALTON, ONTARIO, October 16, 2023 –Partnering with local government in Halton Hills and Milton, the Townsend Smith Foundation (TSF), a local charity working to build and operate a hospice residence to serve area residents celebrated World Hospice Day with flag raising ceremonies at the Halton Hills Town Hall and at the Milton Town Hall.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) is a unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world every second Saturday in October. To mark WHPCD 2023, thousands of people around the world will be coming together on the 14th of October 2023 to celebrate, but most importantly to speak out about their lived experiences in grief, loss, and bereavement. The Townsend Smith Foundation will be working together with hospices, palliative care facilities, and people living with palliative care needs to amplify the WHPCD theme, “Compassionate Communities: Together for Palliative Care.”
WHPCD 2023 will be a day to advocate for the support of people with serious health related suffering including those at the end-of-life, caregivers and their families. Compassionate communities care for people, assist people to live in the place they call home, connect people to services, raise awareness about end-of-life issues and develop the capacity of others in the community.
WHPCD 2023 will be a day where communities, institutions, and healthcare providers, unite and raise their voices to advocate for palliative care policies and programs that support the strategic development goal of good health and well-being. Palliative care development follows a public health model developed by the WHO that emphasizes policy, education, medication availability, community empowerment, research and implementation. There are many barriers to achieving each of these components.
TSF’s state-of-the-art hospice residence will prioritize patient comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering but will also support the needs of family and friends in a supportive environment.
Those wishing to learn more about hospice care for North Halton, the work of the Townsend Smith Foundation, or to offer support through a generous gift or as a volunteer are encouraged to visit https://northhaltonhospice.ca/donate/.
-30-
#
About Palliative Care
According to the Global Atlas of Palliative Care, over 56.8 million people are estimated to require palliative care every year including 31.1 million prior to and 25.7 million near the end of life. The majority (67%) are adults over 50 years old and at least 7% are children. The majority (54%) are non-decedents who need palliative care prior to their last year of life. The burden of severe illness and health related suffering, and the corresponding need for palliative care, are immense. Yet palliative care is still not accessible to most people in need, especially in low and middle-income countries.
About Townsend Smith Foundation
Working vigorously since 2012, the Townsend Smith Foundation, TSF, is a registered charitable organization with a unique mandate to provide the supports and education to those interested in hospice care, in the last stages of living, or bereaved. Our meaningful projects include free seminars to raise awareness for the need and benefit of hospice palliative care, support for caregivers, children and will planning, group discussions of death through death cafes, and honouring those who have passed through candlelight ceremony. TSF volunteers consistently engage our community on hospice care and its needs in North Halton with a key objective being to raise funds to build hospice facilities in North Halton.
For further information at Townsend Smith Foundation please contact Ms. Astrid Lakats, Chair, Board of Directors [email protected] | 289.878.3407
