Hospice appoints new executive director

Laura Ricketts

Laura Ricketts has joined Hospice Prince Edward as its new executive director and residential manager.

Board chair Birgit Langwisch made the announcement this week. There were two dozen resumes reviewed by the board’s recruitment committee.

“The board is very pleased to have found someone of Laura’s ability to join and lead our team,” Langwisch said. “We felt we needed someone with excellent communication skills, experience in end-of-life care, and knowledge of Ministry of Health and Long Term Care standards. After an extensive search, Laura was the unanimous choice to manage the day-to-day operations of the three bed community residential hospice home and the Hospice Home Visiting program which has been present in the community for almost 20 years.”

Langwisch said Ricketts brings extensive experience as a leader in managing service programs, ensuring that personnel, material and financial resources work together to achieve maximum operational performance and efficiency.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and recently completed a Master’s Degree with dual focus areas of Work, Organization and Leadership, and Equity Studies. Most recently she held the position of Manager, Patient Support and Ambulatory Services at Uxbridge Cottage Hospital, part of a progressive, two-site hospital system focused on the needs of the surrounding community.

“Throughout my career, I have developed and engaged teams in the delivery of service excellence,” Ricketts said. “I particularly thrive in environments that support interdisciplinary collaboration and cooperative environments.”

Ricketts said she is excited about her new role and new home town, and said she is looking forward to experiencing the wonderful lifestyle and community that Prince Edward County has to offer.

She is Hospice’s second full-time executive director, following the resignation last year of Nancy Parks. Interim directors included Angela Jodoin and former Prince Edward Family Health Team executive director Stephanie MacLaren who is now working in Haliburton.

Hospice Prince Edward also has 43 home visiting volunteers caring for 29 people. Jane Moon has been welcomed to the position of service co-ordinator and will be overseeing home-visiting jprograms, volunteer recruitment mentoring and training and bereavement services.

Hospice Prince Edward is a non-profit, non-denominational organization with a mandate to provide palliative and bereavement support to families and individuals of all ages in Prince Edward County.

For more, visit www.hospiceprinceedward.ca.