Our Team
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
Affiliated Physician
Therapeutic Recreation Specialists
Registered Dietitian
Other healthcare professionals as required
Brian Kinden
Senior Director of Facilities & Operations
Brian Kinden brings extensive experience in facilities management and operations to Littledale. Before joining our team, Brian served as the Director of Plant Services at Central Health, where he led a multidisciplinary team responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of facilities across a vast geographic area. Brian’s expertise in budget management, project design analysis, human resource management, and quality control ensured the smooth operation of Central Health’s infrastructure.
In addition to his professional achievements, Brian is an avid salmon fisherman and enjoys spending his free time on the Gander River.
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 and our Recreation team, 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, travelling with her husband, 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.
Jessica Walsh
Manager, Clinical and Support Services
Jessica graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Nursing from Memorial University. She has since built a diverse career with Eastern Health, contributing significantly to the Community Supports Program and Mental Health and Addictions. With extensive experience and specialized training in wound care and palliative care, Jessica is dedicated to providing high-quality nursing care that enhances the residents’ way of life and promotes their independence.
A passionate traveler, Jessica has visited 30 countries, immersing herself in new cultures, traditions, and cuisines. Her love for exploring extends beyond international borders, as she enjoys discovering new trails and kayaking in her free time.
At home, Jessica shares her life with her rescue pup, Phoebe, and enjoys experimenting with new recipes and savoring really good food. She highly values ongoing education and interdisciplinary teamwork to ensure the best possible care for our residents.
As the co-chair of the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) committee at Littledale, Jessica is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for both residents and staff. Her dedication to enhancing the quality of nursing care and her proactive approach to resident well-being make her an invaluable asset to our team.
Miika Hernesniemi
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.
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.
Cynthia Whalen
Clinical Dietitian
Cynthia brings over 20 years of experience in the field of nutrition and dietetics, having held diverse roles in both clinical settings and educational institutions. Her extensive background includes work in public and private long-term care facilities, as well as teaching positions at the College of the North Atlantic and as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Memorial University. She has also made significant contributions to the 811 provincial health line, providing expert advice through the dial-a-dietitian service.
Cynthia’s passion lies in educating individuals about healthy eating to improve their overall well-being. She finds immense satisfaction in empowering people to make informed dietary choices.
Cynthia’s dedication to supporting seniors is deeply rooted in her academic work, particularly her thesis on Food Security Among Rural NL Seniors. This passion led her to Littledale, where she is committed to enhancing the nutritional health of our senior community.
When she’s not sharing her nutrition expertise, Cynthia is a devoted mother to two active teenage daughters. You can often find her driving them to their various activities, including dance, soccer, and volleyball.
Brittany Stevenson
Lead Concierge
Brittany Stevenson is currently completing her Business Administration – Accounting program at CNA while serving as the Lead Concierge at The Residence at Littledale. With a passion for the outdoors, she spends much of her free time with her two Huskies, Lexi and Storm. A dedicated hockey and baseball fan, Brittany often travels to Toronto to catch games, combining her love for sports with her love for travel. Brittany is also an avid reader and enjoys diving into books during her downtime.
Her extensive background in customer service has equipped her with invaluable skills, which she now applies in her role, ensuring that residents and their families receive the highest level of care and support. Brittany’s commitment to excellence and her warm, approachable nature make her an integral part of our team.
Lori Mercer
Accounting Administrator
A traveler 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. He now considers the care of elderly patients his area of focus. Although Dr. King is not a staff member at The Residence at Littledale, he is a valued affiliate through NuHaven Health Centre. 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.