People of Perley - Emily Kewell

Clinical Dietitian Emily Kewell has been part of Perley Health for nearly two years, and in that time she has found a workplace that is both professionally and personally rewarding. 

“I was initially drawn to the community culture and innovative approach to care,” she says. “We have so many team members that do such fabulous work. Everyone goes above and beyond to support our residents' quality of life and care, which I feel is special in long-term care.”

Emily's interest in working with seniors began early in her training. She first worked in long-term care while completing a nutrition care placement during her dietetic training. She found the setting “rewarding yet challenging” but those early experiences confirmed for her that this was work she wanted to continue pursuing. 

“There are so many moments day to day filled with genuine laughter from the residents and staff. I look forward to coming back to work each day,” she says.

As a Clinical Dietitian, Emily supports residents by assessing nutritional needs, addressing barriers to eating well, and working closely with the care team and families to help residents meet their nutritional needs and maximize quality of life.

One moment in particular stands out for her. 

“I was meeting with a resident to review their nutrition and they voiced a challenge that was affecting their ability to eat well,” Emily recalls. “It was having a real impact on their nutrition and quality of life.”

Emily advocated on the resident's behalf and worked with the team to find a solution that supported the resident's needs. “I remember how happy the resident was when I shared the good news. It was special knowing our work had made a positive impact.”

For Emily, Perley feels different from other workplaces she has known. 

“The culture here is so different from anywhere else I've worked,” she says. “When I first started, I was amazed by how friendly everyone is. It really does feel like we're all one big team.” She also values Perley's depth of expertise. “I find Perley incredibly resourceful, both in terms of education opportunities and specialized roles amongst staff. We have the tools to really care for our residents and make a difference in their lives, which is a privilege, and not the case in all long-term care homes.”

Her time at Perley has shaped her professional growth, and collaboration is an ongoing source of inspiration for Emily. “One of the parts of my role that I most enjoy is collaborating with the interdisciplinary team, because I learn so much from my colleagues.” She points to the Special Approach Team as one example. “The team is incredibly knowledgeable and an amazing support for our residents with dementia. I've deepened my understanding of dementia and its progression through collaborating with this team.” 

Through colleagues, she collaborated with the Champlain Hospice Palliative Care Program to provide education on nutrition at end of life. Since then, she's been able to share her knowledge with other staff members through education sessions and nursing skills days. 

“I've been fortunate enough to be offered some really cool education opportunities which have allowed me to grow professionally and identify areas I'm passionate about,” she says. 

What makes Emily feel most connected to Perley is the everyday warmth and kindness of the community. “I find everyone – volunteers, staff, residents – smile or say hello when passing in the hallways,” she describes. “I love seeing all the wonderful activities that happen at Perley Health, such as recreation activities, staff appreciation events, and holiday gatherings. They really create this warm and fun feeling in the building that we're all united.”

Emily is enthusiastic about what comes next and she's excited to continue learning and growing. For anyone considering joining Perley Health, her advice is simple: “Go for it.” 

“Honestly, my time here has flown by so quickly, and I know that's because I've found a workplace where I'm genuinely happy to come to each day. Healthcare is a challenging field to work in, but if that's your passion, I can't think of a better place to work than Perley Health.”

“I find Perley incredibly resourceful, both in terms of education opportunities and specialized roles amongst staff. We have the tools to really care for our residents and make a difference in their lives, which is a privilege, and not the case in all long-term care homes.” Emily Kewell, MAN, RD, Clinical Dietitian