Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth was looking for someone passionate about palliative care when it came time replace executive director Lana Burchett, who is retiring from the role.
After looking through many resumes, the hiring team found their new executive director and were delighted when Louise Lepp, a Stratford resident, accepted the job offer.
Lepp has held the title of executive director at Aldaview Services, part of Tri-County Mennonite Homes, since 2014. Aldaview Services supports persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities through supportive housing and community participation programs.
Lepp and her team developed a palliative care program at Aldaview Services. Families asked if people they supported could stay in their group home settings, where they lived for many years, instead of moving to long-term care residences for palliative care, essentially upending their daily routine.
“We were happy to respond to the need and support folks,” Lepp told StratfordToday of the endeavour. “It worked well. We were lucky enough to have a core group of staff interested in doing it.”
Lepp, originally from England, is excited for the new role (she officially starts Oct. 11).
“I am looking forward to it,” she said. “I have thoroughly loved what I am doing (with Aldaview Services) and definitely ready for a new challenge. As a resident of Stratford, I know the hospice has been an amazing resource for the community and I am happy to be a part of that.”
“It feels like a natural progression for me in terms of the experiences I have had over the years.”
Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth provides 24-hour palliative care in a comfortable space for those at end-of-life, at no cost. It officially opened in June, 2019.
Sue Wakelin, board chair, Hospice Care Avon Maitland, said the hiring committee underwent an extensive search after Burchett announced her plans to retire.
Wakelin said Lepp had a good combination of education and experience, and a passion for palliative care, highlighted by the palliative care program she helped start at Aldaview Services.
Burchett started as executive director in 2018, essentially helping the organization get on its feet in the community. Wakelin said her guidance through the pandemic was particularly appreciated, given how hard the pandemic hit healthcare and palliative care, specifically.
“Our hospice was bustling with families, residents, volunteers - then COVID hit, it changed everything. Families were restricted, volunteers couldn’t come in. We couldn’t do the fundraisers.”
“We are very sorry that she is leaving, she has been terrific,” Wakelin said.
