SPEAKER BIOS
Sienna Caspar | Courtney Denman | Alana Evans | Meagan Fitzpatrick
Emily Kinnaird | Joyce Klassen | Nicole McDonald | Sheila Smith
Dr. Stewart-Archer | Karen Stobbe | Kelly Tye-Vallis | Dr. Kristel van Ineveld
Sienna Caspar
Sienna Caspar is an Associate Professor at the University of Lethbridge in the Faculty of Health Sciences — Therapeutic Recreation program. Dr. Caspar is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and a dementia care specialist, having worked as a clinician and consultant in long-term care homes in both Canada and the United States for over 20 years. She is the founder of the Relational Care Knowledge Hub (relationalcare.ca) and the Executive Director of the Centre of Excellence for Therapeutic Recreation in Continuing Care (therapeuticrecreation.org)
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
Courtney Denman
Thursday, November 16 - Meaningful Engagement of People with Dementia in Physical Activities
Alana Evans
Video 2 - C: Building Dementia-Friendly Communities
Meagan Fitzpatrick
Meagan is an Education Coordinator at the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. Since starting at the Society in 2021, Meagan has worked directly with families and people living with dementia as part of the First® Link Client Support team and facilitating education sessions for families, students and professionals. Meagan developed a passion for dementia care in her previous work within long term care. Now in her current role, she strives to communicate the experiences of people living with dementia and promote strategies that support not only those living with dementia, but the people who care for them too.
Video 1 - A: Getting in the Door & Cb: In-home Safety & Wandering
Video 3 - A: Foundations for Understanding Behaviours
Emily Kinnaird
Emily is an Education Coordinator with the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Manitoba in 2020. Emily’s role within the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba is focused on educating families, public, students, staff and more on topics including understanding dementia, brain health and communication strategies. She also manages the Touch Quilt program which offers sensory stimulating lap quilts to people living with dementia throughout Manitoba.
Video 1 - A: Getting in the Door & Cb: In-home Safety & Wandering
Video 3 - A: Foundations for Understanding Behaviours
Joyce Klassen
Joyce worked at the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba for 17 years. In most of her years at the Society, Joyce held the role of Dementia Education Project Manager overseeing professional education programs, primarily for Long Term Care, and for other areas and disciplines. She also pioneered PIECES education delivery in Manitoba. Since 2020, Joyce worked as one of the Society’s Client Support Coordinators bringing her passion to dementia care into supporting family care partners through supportive counselling and one-to-one client interaction. Prior to working with the Society, Joyce worked as a clinical dietitian in Long Term Care facilities for 28 years.
Video 3 - Ca: Better Mealtimes
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
Nicole McDonald
Nicole has been with the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba since 2022, advocating for individuals living with dementia to ensure they can continue living at home while accessing community resources that support their social and recreational needs. Her responsibilities include managing the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba’s Minds in Motion® program and overseeing dementia-friendly community partner programs. Nicole holds a Recreation Management and Community Development Degree from the University of Manitoba and an Applied Counselling Certificate from Red River College.
Video 2 - C: Building Dementia-Friendly Communities
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
Sheila Smith
Sheila Smith has been nursing in Winnipeg for over 35 years, starting as an LPN, furthering her training as an RN, then working with the Critical Care Program and subsequently completing her BN. She has worked as a Family Medicine Educator at Concordia Hospital before taking her on her current role as the Regional Educator for the Long Term Care Program in 2014. She is the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Lead for Dementia Care in Long Term Care and provides support to the 38 Personal Care Homes in the Winnipeg area.
Session 3 - Cb: Bathing Methods
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
Dr. Lois Stewart-Archer
Dr. Stewart-Archer is the Regional Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s Rehabilitation, Healthy Aging and Seniors Care. She is also a research affiliate with the Manitoba Centre for Nursing and Health Research. Dr. Stewart-Archer provides consultations regarding the management of challenging issues related to older adults with mental health/psychiatric concerns; clinical education and supervision; policy/protocol and clinical practice guideline development. She enjoys working with older adults and strongly endorses maintenance of their dignity, spirit and independence.
Video 3 - B: Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
Karen Stobbe
Karen Stobbe switched her career from theatre and improvisation to healthcare when her dad, Manfred, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Since then, she has served as the Director of Education for Pioneer Network, written over 12 training programs and spoken all across North America. Karen was also the co-creator of the Hand in Hand Training program for CMS, which was distributed to every nursing home in the country.
Video 2 - B: Cueing and Communication
Kelly Tye-Vallis
Kelly has over 20 years of experience in the long-term care sector specializing in the diagnosis and management of communication and swallowing disorders in the geriatric population. Kelly earned a BA degree from the University of Manitoba, a BA degree from the University of North Dakota and a graduate degree in speech-language pathology from the University of North Dakota. Currently, Kelly is a member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists Manitoba.
Video 1 - B: Integrating Practical Approaches to Responsive Behaviour in Dementia Care
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
Dr. Kristel van Ineveld
Dr. Kristel van Ineveld is an Associate Professor in the Section of Geriatric Medicine. She graduated from medical school at the University of Manitoba then completed speciality training at McMaster University and received a Masters in Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Her clinical practise is primarily based at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg. As a consultant geriatrician, her clinical focus is on outpatient care and outreach. Dr. van Ineveld has held multiple administrative and teaching roles within the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and nationally.
Video 2 - A: Signs and Commons Symptoms of Dementia
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
For more information, contact the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba at:
204-943-6622 (Winnipeg) | 1-800-338-6699 (Manitoba) | alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca
© Copyright 2025 Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. All rights reserved.
CHARITABLE REGISTRATION # 106705353RR0001