FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The Board of Directors of Hospice Vaughan are pleased to announce that Joe Azzopardi, Karima Kassam, and Enza Torchia were officially elected to the Board for an initial 3-year term at the Annual General Meeting held Monday, Sept. 21, 2020.

Joe Azzopardi is an entrepreneur with over 40 years’ experience in the Branding/Graphic Design Business representing some of Canada’s top tier companies. Joe is a member of the Packaging Design Association of Canada and has sat on numerous client strategic planning committees.  Joe is a strong believer of giving back and is the proud founder of the Giving Hearts Gala Fundraiser event since 2012 supporting Breast & Prostate Cancer research at Sunnybrook Hospital. Joe has been a resident of Vaughan since 1987 together with his wife Rose. They have raised two beautiful children and recently became proud Grandparents.

Karima Kassam has over 25 years of experience in health and government organizations in policy and community development roles. Karima continues to contribute to serve communities as a Program Officer at the Government of Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada. Karima has degrees in health and the pure sciences: Bachelor of Science, Biology (McMaster University), Bachelor of Arts, Gerontology (McMaster University); and Master of Health Sciences (University of Toronto). Born in Tanzania, East Africa, she immigrated to Canada at the age of 4 with her family. Karima has resided in Vaughan for the past ten years with her husband and family of four children.

Enza Torchia has over 16 years of experience as a health care professional. She is a registered nurse and has held coordinator and senior managerial roles in hospital management, retirement, and long-term care (Humber River Regional Hospital, York Central Hospital, Villa Colombo Vaughan LTD, and Bayshore Home Health). She has experience in managing acute and palliative units as well as overseeing the launch of geriatric outreach.  As Director of Clinical Management for Bayshore Home Health Care, Enza oversees and is accountable for 1000 dedicated field staff members and 4000 clients over a territory spanning Mississauga, South Simcoe, North York and Peterborough.  Enza graduated with honours from the Nursing Program at Seneca College earning many academic achievements. Enza resides in Woodbridge with her husband Frank , their two children and their newest member, Charlie, a labradoodle.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020-2021

Renata Rizzardi, President of the Board

Robert Corridore, Vice-President of the Board

Nick Angellotti, Treasurer of the Board

Louie Chiaino, Secretary of the Board

Joe Azzopardi, Director of the Board

Heidi Falckh, Director of the Board

Karima Kassam, Director of the Board

Teresa Marando, Director of the Board

Vicki Moretti, Director of the Board

Dina Palozzi, Director of the Board

Deryn Rizzi, Director of the Board

Adriano Tommasino, Director of the Board

Enza Torchia, Director of the Board

About Hospice Vaughan

Since 1995, Hospice Vaughan, a not-for-profit organization, has been providing compassionate support to individuals facing a life-limiting illness, their caregivers or those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. We provide various programs and services that include in-home visiting volunteers, a day program, grief and bereavement support, counseling and wellness services and children’s support. Our services extend out to caregivers, family members and friends who also need support through their loved one’s journey and through their grief. Hospice Vaughan is now building a Centre of Excellence 10-Bed Residential Hospice that will serve terminally ill individuals and will support other individuals and families impacted by their illness. This new facility will also house the new Hospice Vaughan Institute for Hospice Palliative Care. All our programs and services are offered free of charge.

For More Information

Belinda Marchese, Executive Director, Hospice Vaughan

905-850-6266 x 205 Cell: 416-254-2397

belinda.marchese@hospicevaughan.com