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Staff Feature Stories

 

What matters to you matters to us


What matters to you matters to us. Together, we can create a brighter future for those in need.

We are introducing a new series focused on sharing stories of our staff, the work they do and
impact they have on providing compassionate care to those we serve. 

Considering a career at Waypoint? Visit our careers page


 

 a photo of Neil in front of a tree overlooking the bay Neil Thazhamon missed growing up with his grandparents around, but a fulfilling career working with older adults has turned out to be the next best thing. 

Learn more about Neil's journey.
 Shavon Stafford A former Addiction Counsellor with our Georgianwood program and now a Rehabilitation Counsellor at the North Simcoe Youth Wellness Hub, Shavon Stafford, loves coming to work every day and making a meaningful impact on people's lives. 

 Learn more about Shavon and her work. 
 Dr. Elnaz Moghimi Meet Dr. Elnaz Moghimi - a research scientist with the Waypoint Research Institute. No two days are ever the same in her job, which largely involves generating and disseminating knowledge that helps explore and identify mental health needs. 

Learn more about Dr. Moghimi and the WRI.



 Chris Prete Chris has been a Registered Social Worker on Waypoint’s Bayview Program for Dual Diagnosis since 2008. “Same desk, same chair” on the fifth floor of the Toanche Building, he remarked with a smile. He is deeply committed to helping patients who have completed their care in the hospital transition to a community setting.

Read more about Chris here

 Dr. Katie Bingham A crucial member of the Specialized Geriatric team is geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Katie Bingham. As NSM SGS physician lead since 2022, she helps craft strategies for the provision of compassionate and patient-centred care, and also networks with partner organizations on service delivery and shared priorities. 

Read more about Dr. Bingham
 Peter Dangerfield  

Peter Dangerfield never expected a job at Waypoint would involve caring for the people who care for patients.

Read more about Peter. 


 Mara Muraven  

Dr. Mara Muraven, a forensic psychiatrist at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, keeps a “rainy day folder” in her desk.

A place to record good feedback and positive outcomes, it reminds her of the excellent work the hospital does fostering a healing environment for patients in its provincial forensic mental health-care programs.

Read more about Mara here.

 Madison Tait, Shift Nurse manager at Waypoint

Adventure might be built into Madison Tait’s DNA.

Mountain biking and cliff jumping are more recent examples of the adrenaline hunting that has always been part of her makeup, but a chunk of Tait’s childhood was spent roaming the continent with her free-spirited parents.

 Read more about Madison.
 Malcolm McDiarmid

Malcolm McDiarmid must be the only nurse practitioner (NP) in Ontario whose first career steps included heating/air conditioning installer and marine biologist.

 Read about about Malcolm
 Lindsay Burrus  

 

Lindsay Burrus hasn’t stopped learning since arriving at Waypoint for a 2008 student placement that turned into a career. The organization’s Tuition Support Fund, which was introduced in 2009, has been a key factor in aiding her scholastic journey.

Read more about Lindsay's journey. 

Humza Shahid  It's amazing the difference a few hours can make. That is one of the lessons Humza Shahid has learned in the almost six months he has been a volunteer at Waypoint.

Read more about Humza here.
 Jenna Davis  

Jenna Davis joined North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatric Services (NSM SGS) as a recreation therapist in 2021. Today, she is the acting manager of the Geriatric Mental Health Community Team.

Such advancement is only partly a testament to her own abilities, said Davis. Even more than that, it’s evidence of the mentors who have helped her along the way.

Read more here.


 Dr. Becky Van Iersal

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care may have a baby in Nepal to thank for its Medical Director of Integrated Care.

These days, Dr. Becky Van Iersel can be found overseeing the physical health needs of hundreds of patients within the organization.


 Read more about Dr. Van Iersels story...
 Celissa Vipond Celissa Vipond had her eyes trained on Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care even before she started working here.

Read more about Celissa's story
Blair Bridge

Blair Bridge isn’t someone who stands still when it comes to professional growth.

 

The healthcare professional started his career at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care (Waypoint) in 2018 as a personal care assistant (PCA). Soon after, he passed his nursing exams and became a registered nurse.

Read more about Blair's story...