HEALTH & WELLNESS NOMINEES
For helping others achieve and promote well-being in her career or through community involvement.
Award Presented by:
Andrea Mondoux
Andrea is the founder of Balance + Bliss, the lead author of two books, the host of The Balance + Bliss Podcast, and a speaker. Andrea has focused much of her career on women's mental and physical well-being in our region, focusing on body positivity and accepting our bodies exactly as they are. She has been a leader in anti-diet culture and body acceptance in Waterloo Region and beyond. Through "Body Bliss: The Journey to Body Acceptance”, Andrea has allowed local women to co-author and share their story as it relates to navigating body image and healing in the relationship with their body.
Delia Simu
The Loving Health Clinic is run by Dr Delia Simu, a medical doctor from Europe with a registered homeopathic designation. She is committed to helping patients identify a multitude of health concerns and finding the best and most effective solutions for their health and wellbeing. She understands and applies the latest scientific research, in medicine and homeopathy, in her everyday practice. Delia is also the author of Conquering Cellulite and the product formulator of AlphaCell. Outside of her business, she also acts as secretary of the Ontario Homeopathic Medical Association and sponsor/vendor coordinator for the Canadian Homeopathic Conference.
Desta Leavine
Growing up, Desta learned firsthand the importance of supporting the community from her father, Dr. Stanley F. Leavine. His passion for helping others and his commitment to the K-W community led her to create a memorial scholarship at the University of Waterloo, which is given to a third- or fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a medical career. Desta is no stranger to the medical community as she is the first woman dermatologist in Kitchener-Waterloo. Throughout her 39-year career, Desta dedicated herself to mentoring other women in the medical profession, eager to grow female representation in the medical community.
Jennifer Jones
Dr Jennifer Jones is passionate about supporting healthcare across the region. She operates her own clinic as a family physician and has recruited other doctors to the area to ensure small communities can maintain their healthcare infrastructure. When the covid vaccines rolled out and mass clinics were being established, Jennifer ensured that the townships did not get forgotten. At a time when many family physicians have eschewed the risks involved with operating their own clinic, Jennifer continues to lean into the challenge. Jennifer also practices low risk obstetrics at Grand River Hospital and is an adjunct professor with the local school of medicine.
Jessica Lunshof
Jessica Lunshof (BScN) is the co-founder of TAMVOES, a health management platform supporting the information of individuals, families, and their professional team. Motivated by her own personal experiences as a registered nurse and caregiver for her mother and grandmother, Jessica identified an urgent need for a platform that could efficiently save and share information in a confidential way. Prior to TAMVOES, Jessica worked in emergency departments, LTC facilities and palliative care. Beyond TAMVOES, Jessica keeps health & wellness at the forefront of her life, playing and coaching soccer as well as completing an Ironman in 2013.
Lo (Lauren) Koehler
Lauren has been guiding and inspiring people with their health and wellness journeys in Kitchener, Waterloo, and surrounding areas for 10 years now. She holds space for the community in an open and loving way that is extremely rare. She has created and facilitated numerous wellness trainings to support people with their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. She continues to keep herself up to date on all things wellness and is very gracious in using her own journey with mental health to support others. She is an instructor and educator in Pilates, yoga, barre, and aerial.
Marian Best
Marian is a compassionate, innovative community leader who has dedicated her 27-year career to advocating for individuals struggling with substance use, alcoholism, and mental health in Waterloo Region. She currently serves as the Addictions Clinical Supervisor at Porchlight, having worked with those experiencing homelessness in Cambridge since the 1990s. Marian has diligently spent the last two decades building Cambridge Addiction Services, which includes two Recovery Homes providing supportive recovery living for up to 15 individuals at a time. Marian meets people where they are, and through a person-centred approach, helps them learn to believe in themselves again.
Nadine Rubie
Nadine is a registered social worker with a passion for health and wellness who recently joined the University of Waterloo, as a leader on the Campus Wellness Team with a focus on equity strategies. She is an amazing community activist and organizer and is co-founder of Malton Moms -- a community advocacy group in Malton , Mississauga. Before the pandemic, Nadine also led initiatives such as the Black Health Challenge and Black Experience research project in areas across Peel and Toronto. She is excited to continue her activism and volunteering in the KW. She has an indomitable spirit that has allowed her to raise a family, give back to the community, educate others on health disparities and social justice, all while fighting the effects of MS herself.
Taylor Dirstein
Taylor has been a Sole Proprietor, Registered Massage Therapist for 11.5 years and a business ceo/entrepreneur for 9.5. She began her career at 20 years of age and opened her clinic (Knots RMT & Wellness) when she was 23. Taylor lives, breathes and promotes all aspects of wellness in her business and lifestyle. She is a pillar in our community for healing, health and wellness as her business has over 300 5-star reviews. Taylor has also added a yoga studio to her space and looks forward to sharing the growth of her business with the KW community for many yeras to come
Taylore Pennell
Taylore is a young healthcare professional who became an entrepreneur during the pandemic. She operates her massage therapy business out of Frontline Forward, a wellness centre focused on supporting first responders as well as the K-W community. She is exemplary in her approach to safe practice and boundary setting, while continuing to embody generosity and warmth. She is sure of herself, her skills, and the quality of service she provides. Taylore wants her clients to feel heard and understood, and prides herself on creating a safe space for clients to let go, physically and emotionally, for optimal care.