Our Staff
A compassionate team of professionals
Our interdisciplinary team is here to provide the best care, enhance the well-being of our residents, and enable them to live their lives to the fullest. We also work closely with local healthcare professionals to ensure access to needed medical services, ranging from onsite visits to booking appointments. We always consider our residents’ need for independence, in accordance with their Personal Wellness Plan, and an ongoing respect for their privacy.
Our wellness team includes:
Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and Personal Care Attendants on staff 24/7
Physician
Therapeutic Recreation Specialists
Registered Dietitian
Other healthcare professionals as required
Pamela Thoms
Director of Client Services
After four years of being our dedicated Dietitian at Littledale, Pamela has now taken on the role of Director of Client Services and we could not be happier. She is an active member of the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Dietitians, with experience spanning Newfoundland, Ontario, and Alberta. From addressing public health issues to diabetes management, primary care, and private consulting, Pamela’s expertise shines through. Outside of work, you’ll catch her hitting the pavement for a run, nurturing her garden with a passion for seeing beauty flourish from the ground up, or driving her two girls around town for their various activities.
Kelsey Cahill
Manager of Client and Community Involvement
Kelsey brings extensive marketing and hospitality management experience to the Littledale community. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Memorial University, Kelsey has honed her skills in understanding client needs and delivering exceptional service. Kelsey takes on many different responsibilities here at The Residence leading our Concierge services, spearheading marketing campaigns, driving sales initiatives, and ensuring top-notch customer satisfaction. Her passion for fostering meaningful connections within the community aligns perfectly with our values, making her an invaluable addition to our team. Outside of work, you’ll find Kelsey out dining with friends, playing with her two dogs, or with her nose in a book!
Maria Tracey
Director of Care
Our Director of Care is a Registered Nurse with more than forty years of experience, including leadership roles at St. Clare’s and with Eastern Health. Although it’s now be en quite a while since she arrived from Ireland, Maria remains strongly connected to her roots, and enjoys sharing Irish traditions with her children and grandchildren, especially at her favourite time of year, Christmas.
Maurizio Modica
Culinary Operations Manager
Maurizio brings his talents and skills to the Residence every day to create delicious and healthy meals for all of our guests. Trained in Europe, he has been the executive chef for a number of companies since he arrived in Newfoundland, and the one-time restaurant owner is very happy that working at the Residence allows for a much more enjoyable work/life balance than chefs normally manage. At the end of the day he’s excited to get home with his family – where his wife handles most of the cooking, and he gets most of the credit.
Silvo Hernesniemi
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
With a background in music, dance, and painting, Silvo brings an artist’s energy to his work. He completed his degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a Master of Science in Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge, where his work helped to establish a Canadian Centre of Excellence for Therapeutic Recreation in Continuing Care. He and his twin brother Miika are artists, and have painted more than a dozen murals in healthcare facilities. Even more impressively, they are both accomplished dancers, and perform with the first Ukrainian Dance Company. Silvo also performs with the Kittiwake Dance Theatre and does ballet, as evidenced by his perfect posture. He’s passionate about Finnish culture (as a Finnish-Canadian himself), and loves learning about philosophy, psychology, and the arts.
Miika Hernesniemi
Assistant Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Miika truly enjoys sharing meaningful and life-enhancing activities with our residents, and in his role he gets to do just that. He works with people of all ages and abilities, and believes that therapeutic recreation is fundamental to healthy aging. He completed a Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation and Master of Science in Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge, and has a Diploma in Logotherapy from the Viktor Frankl Institute of Ireland. With his brother Silvo, Miika performs with the Dolya Ukrainian Dance Company alongside newcomers from Ukraine, and enjoys painting and playing musical instruments.
Lori Mercer
Accounting Administrator
A traveller with a love of good food, Lori loves working with the team at Littledale. Her background in finance and administration with major banks and small businesses, has prepared her for many of the questions that come up in her job. She loves spending her free time enjoying good food with family and friends, and believes that if life hands you lemons, give them back – you deserve chocolate!
Dr. Brad King
Physician
Dr. King gained an interest in geriatric medicine during his training, after completing medical school right here at Memorial, and now considers care of elderly patients his area of focus. Brad grew up in Shoal Harbour and loves to hike all over the island with his wife and two kids, enjoying being active while experiencing the natural beauty of our province.
