BCBWP Team Announcement
Dear BC Brain Wellness Community,
After a highly successful tenure as our Program Manager, Dr. Matt Sacheli and his family are leaving Vancouver for a management position at the Regional Geriatric Program of Eastern Ontario at the Ottawa Hospital. The move is a family decision, given the unsustainable rise of the cost of living in Vancouver but will also enable them to be closer to family on the east coast. Matt’s last day with the BC Brain Wellness Program will be December 8, 2023.
During Dr. Sacheli’s time with the BC Brain Wellness Program, the Program has grown 10-fold, navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, and engaged more than 30,000 people on the website. He has mentored countless trainees, built new programs, was instrumental in securing research funding and provided valuable leadership of research projects and strategic direction. Dr. Sacheli has built a vibrant network of like-minded people and organizations to collectively foster brain wellness in our province and beyond, and we are looking forward to continuing his inspiring work.
Going forward, Alisa Hashimoto, who has been a core team member for 18 months, will lead the day-to-day program delivery operations. I will continue to lead our research pillar and the overall program, supported by our Steering Committee (see below).
Elaine Book, Team Lead Specialized Projects & Stakeholder Integration
Cynthia Friesen, Team Lead Expression & Creative Programs
Sally Stelling, Team Lead Exercise Program and Education Pillar
Susie Stewart, Team Lead Communication & Strategic Development
In the meantime, we will seek to fill the Program Manager position - they will be big shoes to fill!
We are most grateful for Dr. Sacheli’s contributions to the BC Brain Wellness Program and wish him the very best for his new role.
With kindest regards,
Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell
