Dr. Janine Brown, Associate Professor at the University of Regina, is a scholar in end-of-life care and medical assistance in dying (MAID). Her research focuses on promoting dignified, patient- and family-centred end-of-life experiences and on addressing the social-political factors shaping Canadians’ end-of-life planning. Dr. Brown’s work informs health policy and education and strives to improve end-of-life practices through research, education, and advocacy.

Kathy Kortes-Miller, MSW, PhD is an Associate professor in the School of Social Work, the Director of the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health and the research chair in aging and end-of-life at Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada. Kathy has a passion for contributing to improving the end-of-life care for all. Kathy’s research is interdisciplinary and collaborative and she is a founding member of the Canadian Grief Alliance.  She is the author of  the book “Talking About Death Won’t Kill You” with ECW Press and her most recent projects include a podcast called “Disrupting Death” available wherever you get your podcasts and at https://www.disruptingdeath.ca/episodes

Dr. Tracy Powell, BScN, MN, PhD (she/her), is a white settler Registered Nurse and tenured Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Mount Royal University, Calgary. With over 30 years of clinical practice and academic experience, her expertise centers on cancer and palliative care. Her research explores medical assistance in dying (MAID), the experiences of families and caregivers, and related ethical and policy dimensions. 

Research Assistant: Alberta Region

Anne ​van der Aa holds an MSc in Social Sciences from Utrecht University and an MSc in Global Politics (International Relations) from Birkbeck, University of London, with training in qualitative research methods, policy analysis, and healthcare systems. Her academic work has focused on how social, political, and economic contexts shape health care delivery. ​She also brings strong connections in palliative and end-of-life care, has experience supporting individuals and families navigating complex health challenges​, alongside over 20 years of experience in healthcare related business administration, including consultancy, project coordination, and account management in Canada and the Netherlands.

Research Assistant: Saskatchewan Region

Mir Nabila Ashraf is a graduate student in Aging Studies at the University of Regina whose research explores digital health, chronic disease management, end-of-life care, and quality of life among older adults. Her current work examines inclusive digital-health interventions and policy strategies to improve chronic disease self-management and access to health information. She has also studied end-of-life care options, including Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), among individuals with progressive neurological conditions. Nabila’s community-engaged research emphasizes equity, compassion, and patient-centered care. Recognized through numerous awards—including the AGE-WELL APPTA Policy Challenge, Epic-AT Fellowship, and CIHR Aging Summer Program—she aims to pursue a PhD focused on end-of-life care and health promotion for individuals with chronic diseases.

Research Assistant: Ontario Region

Rebekah is the research assistant for the Ontario team. She is a Registered Social Worker and Master of Social Work student at Lakehead University specializing in Gerontology. She obtained a BSc. in Psychology specializing in Health and Well-being from Trent University before attending Lakehead Orillia for her Bachelor of Social Work degree. While completing her studies she found herself working in retirement homes, sparking a deep interest working with the aging population. Rebekah has developed particular interest within dementia care, chronic illness, age friendly communities, end of life planning, and grief. On her free time she enjoys hiking and snuggles with her puppy, Ruth!

Jocelyn Rempel is the Chair in Older Adult Health and an Associate Professor at Mount Royal University, where she founded the Centre for Health and Innovation in Aging. Jocelyn is dedicated to bridging the gap between health and innovation through various initiatives that engage students and the wider community. Her work focuses on enhancing care for the growing demographic of older adults and has successfully created opportunities for post-secondary students to learn from and interact with this population through simulation, digital health research programs, and intergenerational programming on campus.