This presentation highlights a Nurse Practitioner-led, home-based palliative care model that improves patient outcomes, reduces hospital utilization, and fosters interprofessional collaboration. By integrating community partnerships and leveraging performance metrics, it demonstrates sustainable leadership, addressing health inequities while advancing innovative, patient and family-centered care aligned with global sustainable development goals.
Karen Lock, RN(EC), NP-Adult, MN, CHPCN(C), North York General Hospital
Karen Lock is a Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years of clinical experience in oncology, palliative care, cardiology, geriatrics and community health. She has been a member of the Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care at North York General Hospital since 2004. She is the inaugural nurse practitioner for the Edwin S. H. Leong Geriatric Supportive Care Outreach Program. In addition to her clinical work, Karen is an Adjunct Lecturer at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto and a course faculty for the Certificate Program in Palliative Care for Nurse Practitioners at the Centre for Professional Development.
Carolyn Willson, RN(EC), NP-PHC, MN, CHPCN(C), North York General Hospital
Carolyn Willson is a nurse practitioner working in palliative care for the Edwin Leong Geriatric Supportive Care Outreach Program at North York General Hospital. Carolyn has over 32 years of community nursing, and palliative care educator experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Hons) and Certificate in Nursing Leadership and Management from the Toronto Metropolitan University and Master of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner Diploma from Athabasca University.