The Life and Death Matters Frances Montgomery Personal Support Worker Hospice Palliative Care Award acknowledges the invaluable contributions of PSWs in providing excellent care for the dying, support for families and loved ones, and in helping to move quality hospice palliative care forward in Ontario. This scholarship is generously sponsored by Life and Death Matters.
2025 Award
Myke Dyer, Kath Murray, CEO, Life and Death Matters and Jennifer Wilson, Board Chair, HPCO
The recipient of the 2024 Life and Death Matters Frances Montgomery Personal Support Worker (PSW) Hospice Palliative Care Award is Myke Dyer.
Myke is a PSW at Hospice Georgian Triangle that truly exemplifies the spirit of this award. Myke provides exceptional emotional support to patients and families. His ability to ease anxiety, offer comfort, and create lasting memories through the Living Wish Foundation makes a profound difference in the lives of those he serves. Here is a sample of what his nominators shared about Myke:
One colleague shared:
“Myke has an air of peaceful calm and a quiet, unassuming confidence. His steady voice lets you know that everything will be alright, regardless of the circumstance.”
Beyond his confidence and skill, Myke intuitively understands patients’ emotional states, stepping in with gentle reassurance, soothing music, or quiet support when it’s needed most.
A family member recalled a deeply emotional moment:
“Peter was overwhelmed with panic when he realized he would not be returning home. Myke’s calming presence and emotional intelligence helped ease his fears. More importantly, Myke helped Peter find a new place of emotional comfort and resolve. That moment changed everything, allowing Peter to embrace his final days with joy and laughter.”
A volunteer shared:
“I’ve witnessed Myke’s exceptional care time and time again – he brought dignity, comfort, and incredible strength at a time when it was most needed. His warm smile, sense of humour, and compassion exemplify what it means to be a Personal Support Worker.”
Another colleague noted:
“He completely goes above and beyond every single shift. Myke ensures patients and families receive the right kind of support – whether physical, emotional, or simply the reassurance of having someone by their side.”
As one team member put it:
“Myke is attuned to his patients and the tenor of a room. He has the ability to bring warmth and laughter while also holding space for the gravity of each moment with a calm, empathetic approach. Above all, he prioritizes dignity right to the end of life.”
His colleagues frequently look to him for insight, with one physician stating:
“On the days Myke is on shift, I look to him for the most pertinent patient details. He understands the nuances of care, disease progression, and dignity – his observations are crucial in ensuring patients receive the best possible support.”
Congratulations, Myke!
Read more about HCPO2025 and the awards presented this year.
2024 Award
Kath Murray, CEO, Life and Death Matters, Michelle McInnes and Rick Firth, President and CEO, HPCO.
The recipient of the 2024 Life and Death Matters Frances Montgomery Personal Support Worker (PSW) Hospice Palliative Care Award is Michelle McInnes.
Michelle is a PSW, at Margaret’s Place Hospice, who consistently goes above and beyond for those in her care. Michelle is always seeing to it that the care she provides and assists her team in providing, is as person-centered as possible. She takes and “makes” the time for the little things, ensuring meaningful experiences in each interaction. She is also known for mentoring and orienting nurses new to the hospice.
Here’s a small sample of what her nominator said about Michelle:
Michelle has a unique and loving holistic approach with the residents and their families. She is able to be cheerful, compassionate, and patient in every interaction.
Michelle does a beautiful job of helping people live well in their last days, improving their quality of life and helping to ease suffering. She keeps people comfortable, rearranges pillows, coifs hair, cuts and paints nails, pampers and reassures, and makes special meals and snacks. She caters to individual preferences on timing of care and type of care, never rushing interactions.
Michelle has always displayed a desire to learn in order to enhance the care that she provides. She enthusiastically completed the PACE course that was offered to her and has implemented this knowledge into her palliative care approach.
Michelle, your willingness to learn, to teach, to train, to collaborate and to continue to grow in your practice are an inspiration. Congratulations!
The award was presented at the HPCO Conference on June 9, 2024. The 2024 conference theme was Palliative Care Everywhere. Building on the 2023 conference theme of Now is the Time, Palliative Care Everywhere underscores the importance of a palliative approach to care being available in all settings where people die. Despite the progress we have made, many people do not have equitable access to quality, integrated, patient-centred, sustainable hospice palliative care services. Whether at home, in hospice, in long-term care, in hospital, group homes, prisons, shelters, or unhoused, palliative care must be available in all settings and for all people.
Read more about HCPO2024 and the awards presented this year.
