The Health Sciences North Volunteer Association is a not-for profit organization that focusses primarily on running day to day businesses within Health Sciences North in order to support Patient Care at the hospital. Currently we operate the Boutique and Lottery Kiosk at the Ramsey Lake Health Centre Site, and the Pétit Cafe at the Sudbury Outpatient Clinic. We are also actively involved in providing several bursaries to deserving students in the medical field in our area.
Our organization is comprised of a Board of Directors, a full time Administrative Professional, and a number of volunteers.
Our 2017-2018 Board of Directors
Adam Haight, President
Adam was born and raised in Sudbury. He joined the Volunteer Association in 2012, and has since been involved heavily in all aspects of the Association, including their recent Pennies for Pediatrics campaign, and the creation of the HSNVA website. He brings strong leadership skills, a positive attitude, and a marketing background. He has been an award winning Real Estate Agent in Sudbury since 2006, and is extremely proud to be a Sudburian. In his personal life, Adam and his amazing wife Pam have two children, a boy, Blake, and a girl Isla.
Berthe Last, Vice President
Berthe joined the HSN Volunteer Association Board in June 2003, accepting the position of Director of Member Services. Throughout the years, she has held the position of Co-President and Secretary. She is once again Director of Member Services whose mandate is to recognize the number of hours members volunteer by honoring them with a life membership to our association. Many of our members obtain a life membership from HAAO, the provincial organization. Berthe graduated ther the University of Waterloo in 1969, attended l’École Normale in Sudbury and taught from 1970 to 2002 in various high schools in the Sudbury area. Berthe has also been on the Board of Sudbury Developmental Services since 2003 and is currently President of that Board.
John VanDerRydt, Treasurer
John brings an incredible amount of volunteer and professional experience to the HSNVA. He has been an active volunteer in our community for over 30 years with organizations including United Way, Sudbury Youth Services, and the Parkside Centre. Professionally John is a Certified General Accountant, and brings a wealth of financial and management expertise to our organization. He has been a member of the HSNVA since 2011.
Julie Crouse, Secretary
Julie joined the HSNVA in 2012, becoming a member of the Executive in 2014. She retired from Northern College in Kirkland Lake in 2009 and moved to Sudbury in 2010 to be closer to her daughter and her family. She has a lot of Board experience having been a member of the Timiskaming District Board of Health as a representative for Kirkland Lake for 8 years as well as various other Boards in Kirkland Lake. She is also a member of the Finance and Communications Committees of the HSNVA.
Eileen Martin, Director of Boutique
Eileen started working at the Sudbury and District Health Unit in 1974, with the Home Care Program. After restructuring at the Ministry level, the Program became known as North Eastern Community Care Access Centre. She retired in 2001 after 27 years as Purchasing Supervisor. Eileen has helped at flu clinics and different programs at Parkside Centre. For the last 8 years she has also volunteered at the Breezes Retirement Living Home, currently known as Amber wood Suites, on a weekly basis. She started at HSN VA 4 years ago and have been on the Board of Directors (in the position of Boutique Director) for the last 3 years as well as 1 year Director of the Cafe at the SOC site. Recently, she became Vice President on the Board of Directors with the Lighthouse Non-Profit Home Inc.
Estelle Bernier, Director of Lottery
Estelle spent the vast majority of her professional career in the Banking Industry. She began volunteering later in life, but has amassed a wealth of experience through various organizations including 25 years with Meals on Wheels, and 15 years with the Parkside Centre. She has volunteered at Health Sciences North in various roles for nearly 10 years. She currently is the directory of the HSNVA Lotto Centre located in the main lobby at HSN Ramsey Lake Site.
Natalie Brabant, Director of Communications
Born and raised in Sudbury, Natalie left Sudbury for 6 years after graduating from Laurentian University’s Bachelor of Commerce program. Now a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), her career in the federal public service brought her back to Sudbury in 2006 to join the FedNor team. At home, Natalie is married to her loving husband Daniel, she enjoys spending time with their dog Kanata and has a number of hobbies. Natalie enjoys volunteering and is happy to be part of the HSNVA as the Director of Communications.
Raymond Pharand, Director of Cafe
Mr Pharand is a native of Sudbury Ontario. He studied in Toronto to obtain his inter provincial licence in Cutlery & Arts. He worked in Toronto, Timmins and London and held different positions and then returned in Sudbury. Ray worked at HSN (Then Sudbury Regional Hospital) as Patient Food Service Manager for 34 years. Unfortunately he had to leave his work place due to disability. Also Ray taught at Cambrian College and community schools.Raymond is married to Carmen, father of 3 sons and proud grandfather of 4 grand-children. Raymond has been on the board for 7 years and volunteers his time also for the parish.
Pauline Demers, Director of Member Services
After 36 years of teaching, Pauline is now a retired school teacher who serves on many boards and committees. She has served on the Network North Board from 1996 to 2001, on the Discipline Committee of the College of Teachers from 2000 to 2004 and currently sits on the HSNVA Board of Directors. She also currently volunteer at the HSN Boutique and at her church, and she is a life member of the Hospital Auxiliary Association of Ontario. Pauline is an avid knitter and spends many hours knitting for the HSNVA.
Gabrielle Potvin, Director of Personnel
Isabelle Carignan, Director at Large
Katheryn Gillespie, Director at Large
Ted Paylor, Director at Large
Imran Bagha, Director at Large
Imran was raised in Sudbury and has studied in Guelph, Toronto, Ottawa, and London (England). Over the years, he has travelled to over 10 different countries including Turkey, Kenya, Tanzania, and Morocco. The diverse experiences he has gained from his education and travels have served to hone his interest in charitable and community initiatives. Now back in his hometown and having finished school (for now), Imran brings his academic and professional background in philanthropy and non-profit leadership to his service on the Board of HSNVA.
Dr. Karl (Charles Sebok), Director at Large
Dr. Karl (Charles) Sebok was raised in Sudbuy. He graduated from the University of Waterloo, Laurentian University and McGill University, and he holds an Hon B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Karl has worked as a Visiting Scientist at the Endocrine and Reproductive Research Branch, NIH/NICHD National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, a Research Fellow at Laurentian University, Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry, an Adjunct Professor at Laurentians Department of Biology, and a Research Scientist at the Molecular Immunology Research Group, Research Division, Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre, Sudbury. He has worked extensively with physicians and scientists both locally and internationally. At CTS – Canadian Career College Inc. he taught paramedic students. He is an innovative-goal oriented professional with 18 years of successful experience in sales and has proven ability to work with the general public and professionals. Karl also volunteers at the cancer center and HSN volunteer services and he joined the HSN Volunteer Association Board in 2018.