The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children Seniors and Social Development, announced the appointment of four individuals, and the reappointment of two others to the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors for a three-year term.
The appointees are:
- Rana Aslanova
- Leo Bonnell
- Maisie Clark
- Marie Brennan Downey
- William Eaton
- Roseanne Leonard
Biographies for the appointees are provided in the backgrounder below.
The appointees will join the current council chair, Linda Oldford, and the other five council members: Noreen Careen, Doreen Chaulk, Helen Handrigan, Judy Pardy, and Wayde Rowsell.
The Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors is comprised of members who represent a diverse cross section of society and are familiar with seniors’ issues. Its members provide the Provincial Government with advice on issues affecting seniors throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Quote
“I am pleased to announce those newly appointed as well as those reappointed to the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors. As we adjust to life with COVID-19, this is a critical time for seniors in our province and the council provides us with a tremendous vehicle for understanding the needs of our aging population. This active council of energetic volunteers who have considerable life experiences and community connections, inform our work to ensure programs and services are responsive and effective. I greatly value the input of the council and I look forward to continuing our ongoing work together.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
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Learn More
Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors
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Media contact
Gina MacArthur
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Biographies of Newly Appointed and Reappointed Members of the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors
Dr. Rana Aslanova (St. John’s)
Dr. Aslanova holds master and doctoral degrees in Clinical Epidemiology from Memorial University. She has served as a client/volunteer services coordinator for the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Health Centre, and is a research manager and lecturer in Faculty of Medicine at Memorial. Dr. Aslanova is a member of the Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Evidence into Action for Community Health/Atlantic Interdisciplinary Research Network, Editorial Offices of the Clinical Rheumatology Journal, The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry & Current Oncology Journal, and Women in Science and Engineering Newfoundland and Labrador.
Leo Bonnell (Clarenville)
Mr. Bonnell is a retired bank manager and active community leader. He has been active in local community affairs throughout the province and has held leadership positions with his church board, the chamber of commerce, bankers’ association, Lions Club International, Rotary International, and other organizations. He is past chair of the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors, vice-chair of the Random Age-Friendly Communities Board, and is an advisory member for the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Pan-Canadian Age-Friendly Communities Reference Group.
Maisie Clark (Campbellton)
Ms. Clark was born in Port Blandford and taught school in Newfoundland and Labrador and Northern Manitoba. Since her husband served with the Canadian Air Force, she has lived in a number of communities across Canada, the United States and Europe, where she was active with volunteer organizations and local governments. She has been very involved with Girl Guides of Canada, the Lewisporte and Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Lewisporte Area Economic Development Committee. Ms. Clark has served as the mayor of CFB, Gypsonville, Manitoba and has been the mayor of Campbellton since 2001. In 2013, she was named one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Seniors of Distinction.
Marie Brennan Downey (Stephenville Crossing)
Ms. Brennan Downey holds a Bachelors in Social Work from Memorial University and has worked in a variety of health care related positions throughout her career. In addition to working as a Social Work Clinical Leader, she also served as Outreach Services Coordinator, and Program Manager of Rehabilitative Services in acute and long-term care facilities. Ms. Brennan Downey serves on the Board of Trustees of Western Health and continues to be active in her community through volunteer activities.
Dr. William Eaton, MD, FCFP, (PC) (St. John’s)
Dr. Eaton earned MD and MSc (Clinical epidemiology) degrees at Memorial University. He worked clinically for 40 years in family medicine, long-term care, and palliative care; which included 36 of those years at Memorial’s School of Medicine. He is a retired Associate Professor of Family Medicine, a former Chair of the St. John’s Alzheimer Society, and a former Program Director for Family Medicine at Memorial University. He has six children and 11 grandchildren.
Roseanne Leonard (Paradise)
Ms. Leonard holds a Masters of Business Administration from Memorial University and serves as Managing Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Community Business Development Corporations. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and a former Chairperson of the Newfoundland and Labrador Employers Council. Ms. Leonard also holds a Masters Certificate in Project Management from York University.