
Staff Directory
Staff Directory
Ted Cohen is an accomplished leader with a diverse background and proven record of accomplishment in the not-for-profit, health care and municipal sectors through periods of complex change. Prior to joining The Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge, Ted was the administrator of the Peter D. Clark Long Term Care Home. At Peter D. Clark Home, Ted oversaw the transformation of many of its programs and services resulting in improved results for its 216 residents.
Prior to working at Peter D. Clark Home, Ted worked for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in a variety of leadership roles. Ted's professional background also includes work as a management consultant and leading fundraising campaigns for organizations in the education and hospital sectors.
Ted has also maintained a lifelong commitment to volunteerism and has assumed leadership roles in local, provincial, national, and international boards and governing committees. Currently Ted is on the Board of Advantage Ontario and is the vice-chair of the International Facilities Management Association's Credentials Commission.
As Director of Care, since 1994, Morag has been responsible for overseeing the Lodge's largest department with close to 100 full-time staff under her direction. She is the infection control lead for the facility and is currently enrolled in the Ontario Public Health Infection Control Certification.
Under her guidance, she has helped facilitate significant changes to policies that address the increased demands that arise from the complexity of care with more challenges expected on the horizon.
Morag has worked in long-term care nursing for well over 30 years in numerous capacities both in For-Profit and Not-for-Profit settings and began her training at the Liverpool United School of Nursing, followed by education in Long-Term Care Senior Management, Palliative Care and RAI/MDS.
Cindy has been with Hillel Lodge for almost 30yrs with 25yrs focused on Nursing. Cindy first started her career in long term care as a private duty care giver and with her passion for Nursing, she continued to forge her way as a PSW, Charge Nurse then eventually her current position as Assistant Director of Care. Throughout the years Cindy has been involved, led, and helped facilitate many focused areas of our home including taking on different roles, such as: RAI Coordinator and Quality Management as well as participating and implementing various computer programs, RAI-MDS lead, Person Centered Care project, “Living the Dementia”- Instructor and supportive role leading CARF Accreditation program. Cindy’s wealth of experience and knowledge has allowed her to work closely not only with Nursing, but all departments to ensure high quality of care, implementing and supporting new initiatives, and continue success towards growth and person-centered care.
As the Manager of Recreation and Volunteers, Marilyn has been working at the Lodge since 2000. Marilyn is responsible for the planning, implementing, scheduling, and supervising of a range of therapeutic programs to meet the physical, intellectual, psycho-social, and cultural needs of the residents. She is also in charge of arranging outings and recruiting talent.
Her other duties include the recruiting of volunteers to assist with the development of new opportunities and enhance the programs offered. She ensures that volunteers are screened, oriented, and trained and works with the other departments to determine volunteer placement. Under her direction, the Lodge has numerous therapeutic recreation programs per day, including ones on evenings and weekends. Marilyn previously worked for over 12 years at what is now the Jewish Eldercare Centre in Montreal and has a Special Care Counselling designation from Vanier College.
Shari Cooper is a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from York University, coupled with a diploma in Human Resources from Sheridan College, and more than 20 years of human resources management experience across multiple industries ranging from small not-for-profit and owner/operator to large multinational organizations.
In her role as Human Resources Manager, Shari is accountable for development, delivery and oversight of HR programs and services for The Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge and the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. She provides expert advice in all areas of HR to support these two organizations and ensures their respective strategic missions and business objectives are met through best practice in line with current legislation.
As Director of Food Services, Patricia has been working at the Lodge since 1997. She oversees the dietary needs for all residents and is responsible for providing almost 500 daily Kosher meals and snacks for the residents, community, and visitors. Included in her duties is the management of the Lodge's Café as well as the catering of special events and functions. Patty works closely with the Lodge's consulting dietitian to ensure that the meals are both pleasing and appropriate for the geriatric palate. She ensures that the menu and all three kitchens meet the stringent rules of Kashrut. She is a Certified Member of the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management and has a Chef de Cuisine Certification.
A newcomer to the Lodge, Adina has been working in the for-profit world for the past 9 years, her most recent role as the COO of a profitable family-owned business. Prior to that Adina worked in public accounting where she obtained her CPA, CA designation. Throughout it all though, Adina kept a foot in the not-for-profit environment through her board work, including many years on the boards of both the Hillel Lodge Long-Term Care Foundation and of the Lodge itself. Adina is hoping to bring her accounting and technical experience to her role as the Director of Finance, Administration and IT and help in continuing the success of the Lodge.
Tracy has over 25 years of strong customer service, project management and communication skills which have been developed through hands on experience and overseeing building and equipment maintenance services, inventory, and procurement in fast-paced production environments. Tracy headed up a 20-person Procurement and Maintenance team with HLS Linen Services, a commercial linen cleaning and rental business serving Hospitals, Long Term Care, and other health related facilities. Her chief responsibility there was to keep the production plant and equipment running safely, effectively, and efficiently, with minimal down time.
Born and raised in Ottawa, Lisa holds a Master's degree in Social Work from University of Windsor and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Carleton University. Before joining the Lodge, Lisa spent nearly 10 years at Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Ottawa supporting Jewish seniors and their families, first as a social worker and subsequently as Manager of the Thelma Steinman Seniors Unit. While at JFS, Lisa supervised a multidisciplinary team in the delivery of seven distinct support programs for Jewish seniors and their caregivers, addressing issues such as coping with transitions, grief counselling, dementia and caregiver burnout. Lisa's responsibilities at JFS allowed her to work closely over the years with many of the staff and residents here at the Lodge, and Lisa is thrilled to now be a member of their team. In her free time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, working out and staying on top of home decorating trends.
Jim Farrow has been a member of the Hillel Lodge Board of Directors since 2016 and President of the Board since August 2020. Jim is a licensed Architect with the Ontario Association of Architects and a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. In 2015, after 28 years, he stepped away from active full-time practice as a senior architect and firm principal and owner. He continues with his volunteer activities as an active member of various OAA and other architectural committees as well as at the community level as a board member at Hillel Lodge. He also does part time architectural and project management consulting through Farrow Levine Inc.
Dr. Janet Dollin has been a member of the Hillel Lodge Board of Directors since 2018. Originally from Montreal, Dr. Dollin has been a community family physician in Ottawa since 1996 and teaches as an Associate Professor in the University of Ottawa Department of Family Medicine. She is a daughter, a mother, a wife, and a grandmother above all else! Working on the Board of Directors of Hillel Lodge gives her an opportunity to shape needed changes in long term care and give back to her community.
Randy Greenstone is a senior manager with the accounting firm Crowe BGK. Randy has extensive experience in the areas of accounting, tax, audit, business advisory, internal audit, risk assessments and fraud and litigation support. Randy is a CPA, CA and holds a Diploma in investigative and forensic accounting and is Certified in financial forensics.
Moving past her professional achievements, Randy has used her skills to benefit her community. Randy has sat on numerous Board of Director positions including treasurer and vice president.
Daniel joined the Hillel Lodge Board of Directors in 2020. Daniel is from Long Island, New York and has been living in the National Capital Region since 2015. Daniel is a communications and policy professional who works with clients on issues related to diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation. In addition, Daniel is a Fellow at the Public Policy Forum and a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.
Ruth has been doing volunteer work all of her adult life with many organizations and became a member of the Hillel Lodge Auxiliary over 20 years ago. Her first job with the Auxiliary was organizing volunteers for the Auxiliary Gift Shoppe, then she went on to Assistant Treasurer, Vice President for 3 years and President for 4 years. She is currently the Auxiliary representative for the Hillel Lodge Board. Ruth is a mother of 6, grandmother of 21 and great grandmother of 11. She has a strong connection to Israel as 3 of her children live there.
Shirlee Engel joined the Hillel Lodge Board of Directors in 2021. She is a senior multi-platform media, communications and public affairs strategist with 20 years of experience in storytelling, media relations, crisis communications, and public policy. She has a knack for building relationships and helping great organizations navigate the noise to get the attention they deserve.
As an award-winning national news correspondent for Global News, Shirlee covered domestic and international politics, federal budgets, election campaigns, public policy, and the economy. She also worked in the non-profit sphere, leading media relations for the Canadian branch of a global organization focused on fighting inequality and promoting women’s rights.
Francie has over 25 years of experience in communications and public relations, with her last engagement as the Director of Communications for the Jewish Federation of Ottawa.
Originally from Toronto, Francie spent 8 years as a Communications Officer with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). She moved to Ottawa in 1989, initially working in communications on the opening of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and thereafter, as a Communications Officer for Ottawa’s local CBC television and Radio stations.
During her 13 years working for Federation, she had numerous opportunities to connect with the staff and residents of the Lodge and was always impressed with the tremendous work it does on behalf of the Jewish community’s most vulnerable. Ottawa in general, and Ottawa’s Jewish community in particular, are fortunate to have such a welcoming and caring long-term care facility that continues to provide excellence in long-term care.
Her volunteer experience includes working on the annual R.E.A.C.H. auction, serving on the Board of the Soloway Jewish Community Centre, and serving on the Communications Committees of the Hopewell Eating Disorders Support Centre and the National Initiative for Eating Disorders.
Jonathan Mitchell joined the Hillel Lodge Board of Directors in August 2020. Since 2018, he has held the role of Vice-President, Research and Policy, at HealthCareCAN. In this role, Jonathan leads research, advocacy and policy development for member academic health sciences centres, hospitals, and healthcare organizations across Canada. Jonathan also serves on numerous national healthcare advisory committees and has volunteered for local causes in Ottawa and Montreal.
With over 15 years experience in national policy and research roles, Jonathan previously worked for the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), Accreditation Canada, and the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
Jeffrey has been an active supporter of the Lodge since his own grandfathers lived in the Lodge in the late 1980s. Over the past 12 years he has been a top fundraiser and participant in the annual Biking for Bubbies event.
Jeffrey’s mother became a resident in 2015, and his father in 2017. He served as a volunteer member of the Family Council and joined the Board in 2017. He has a deep appreciation and understanding of the work the Lodge and its staff do to support their residents.
Jeffrey has decades of experience in retail business, management and sales. He understands service, staffing and problem-solving in real time, and aims to use these skills to serve the Lodge’s residents. He believes it is important that we give the residents, our community’s legacy, the best quality of care.
Peter Stelcner joined the Hillel Lodge Board of Directors as well as the Audit and Finance Committee effective September 2019.
Attained CPA, CA designation December 1978. Worked in public accounting in Montreal between 1975 and 1987. Moved from Montreal to Ottawa in 1987 and acquired an equity interest in The Starship Group of Companies carrying on business in the courier and logistics platform. Serving as CFO of Starship from 1987 to present.
Dr. Daniel Levine is a graduate of McGill University Medical School. He completed his Family Medicine Residency at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. Dr. Levine has since done primary care and worked in several Long-Term Care homes in Ottawa. He presently is on staff at St Patrick's Home and the Glebe Center
Dr. Levine has been working at Hillel Lodge since 1987 and has been Medical Director for 29 years.
Dr. Lynn Rusimovic is a Family Physician. She completed her Family Medicine residency in Montreal at McGill University in 2005 and went on to complete a Fellowship in the Care of the Elderly program at the University of Ottawa in 2007. Dr. Rusimovic has been in practice since 2007 and practiced family medicine in a clinic for several years. Her interest is in geriatrics and she works in several long-term care homes in Ottawa. She has worked as an attending physician at the Perley Rideau Veteran’s since 2007 in long-term care and since 2014 in convalescent care. She also works at the Glebe Center and joined Hillel Lodge in 2019.
Dr. Michael Malek completed his medical school training in 1995 at University of Ottawa. After 10 years of working in a private family medicine office with his father, he is now associated with the Ottawa Hospital Family Health Team. This environment is also a training site for the Family Medicine Residency Program at the University of Ottawa.
Dr. Malek has been an attending physician at Hillel Lodge since 1997 and continues to enjoy working with such a dedicated and compassionate staff.
Dr. Gayatri Uppal completed her post-graduate training in internal medicine in India. She immigrated to Canada with her family in 1997. After completing her entrance exams and clinical clerkship at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, she joined the University of Ottawa Family Medicine Residency, which was completed in 2004. Dr. Uppal completed a one-year fellowship in the Care of the Elderly program at the University of Ottawa in 2005. She joined the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre and St. Patrick’s home of Ottawa in 2006. She worked as the attending MD in convalescent and Veterans units at the Perley Rideau until 2019. She joined St. Vincent complex continuing care in 2009. Dr. Uppal presently continues her position as attending MD at St. Patrick's long-term care and at St. Vincent Hospital. She joined Hillel Lodge in 2015 and continues as attending physician. Dr. Uppal has an academic appointment with the University of Ottawa where she is involved in clinical teaching of medical students and residents.