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The team at Cedars at Cobble Hill is a diverse group of knowledgeable, highly-trained and compassionate individuals from varying professional and educational backgrounds. Many members of Cedars staff have had first-hand experience with addiction and are not afraid to share their experiences with honesty, empathy and humility.
At Cedars, our approach is invitational instead of confrontational. We foster connections and establish trust with our patients by being transparent and involving them in their own individualized treatment process. By courageously sharing our stories, we can create the authentic connection that is essential to healing from addiction.
We believe that it truly “takes a village” to create an environment for individuals to grow and thrive. Regardless of their particular area of expertise, each team member is united in their goal of helping each individual find success in long-term recovery. Each staff member has their own unique skillset and our team is proud of our collaborative approach to treating addiction. Our multi-disciplinary staff make Cedars one of the premier recovery centres in the country.
Below, we invite you to learn more about our incredible team members at Cedars.
Stacey Petersen
Mr. Stacey Petersen has gained national recognition for his leadership in the addiction recovery and homeless serving sectors. He is a person in long term recovery, celebrating 35 years in…
Cathy Gillespie
Cathy recently joined Cedars in the capacity of CFO from Winnipeg where she had resided her entire life. The move to BC and to Cedars was an opportunity for Cathy…
Dr. Gerrit Prinsloo, MD, MbChB, CCFP, DABAM
Gerrit Prinsloo is a Canadian Family Physician. He is American and Canadian Board certified in Addiction Medicine and started his medical career 21 years ago as an Emergency Physician working…
Ethan McCandless
Ethan showcases his enthusiasm for recovery and provides genuine compassion for individuals and families suffering from addiction disorders. Ethan is grateful for the opportunity to support patients taking their first steps on…
Dr. John Lawlor, PhD, RCC
At Cedars Dr. Lawlor brings an empathetic and experienced focus to substance use disorder recovery and mental health wellness. He has worked in the addiction treatment field since 2008 and…
Colin Reid, B.Sc.
Colin obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology-Psychology in 2018 from the University of Victoria and is currently completing an MBA through the University of Fredericton. Colin strives to connect with…
Lindsay Nikkel
Lindsay is Vancouver Island born and raised. In 2020 her family had the opportunity to relocate from Port Hardy, where they had resided for the past 8 years, to the…
Aaron McCluskey
Originally hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, Aaron “Gator” McCluskey, headed west in 2012. Aaron pursued education in journalism and marketing, but his true passion has always been connecting with people and…
Annelies Briggs
Annelies has been caring for Cedars since it opened, over 10 years ago. Her role has evolved from housekeeping to managing Cedars’ ongoing maintenance operations. Annelies can often be found…
Sheila Humber
Sheila Humber is a Community Support Manager who supports both staff and patients to succeed in their everyday tasks, while managing a team. Sheila believes that she has to lead…
Geoffrey Schmidt
Geoffrey grew up on Vancouver Island, graduating from UVic in 2002 with concurrent bachelor degrees in Mathematics and English. He spent the next twenty years travelling the Canadian prairies before…
Melissa Petersen
Melissa Petersen has spent the last 16 years building and leading successful non-profit organizations in the field of addictions and mental health. She is passionate about walking alongside families as…
Dr. Gerrit Prinsloo, MD, MbChB, CCFP, DABAM
Gerrit Prinsloo is a Canadian Family Physician. He is American and Canadian Board certified in Addiction Medicine and started his medical career 21 years ago as an Emergency Physician working…
Dr. Crosbie Watler, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Crosbie Watler completed his MA in Psychology at Lakehead University, before going to Medical School at McMaster in 1988. Following medical school, Dr. Watler completed his residency in psychiatry…
Dr. Ian Forster
Dr. Ian Forster, is a key member of the Cedars team as well is a consultant for Addiction Medicine at Edmonton’s Life Mark Health Institute. Currently a member of the…
Dr. Rachel Grimminck, MD, FRCPC, DABPN, CGP
Dr. Grimminck (she/her/hers) is a psychiatrist of mixed European ancestry living on the unceded traditional and present day territories of the Quw’utsun and Coast Salish Peoples on Vancouver Island. She…
Nick Fitterer
Nicholas took his first primary care position as a Nurse Practitioner in January of 2013. After nearly 4 years with the BC Cancer Agency Nicholas started his BC Center for…
Marnee Wilson
Marnee is a lifelong resident of the Cowichan Valley. She obtained her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) diploma at Discovery College in Nanaimo and continues to pursue training in mental health…
Chantal Lewis
Chantal was born and raised in the Cowichan Valley. With a background in Horticulture and Herbal Medicine, she received her LPN Diploma through Vancouver Island University in 2018. Her previous…
Tana Spencer
Tana received her Licensed Practical Nurse diploma in 2020, and set out into the world with a passion for helping people. With past experience in acute and long term care, she…
Jennifer Lloyd
My name is Jennifer and I am a Licensed Practical Nursing working at Cedars. I have a true passion for helping others and have over 10 years experience working in…
Bruce Dumont
Bruce grew up in central Alberta in a small rural town. He completed his Red Seal Apprenticeship in Electronics at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton. He has…
Karen Hayde
Karen was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. She moved to the island 12 years ago in order to be closer to friends and family. Karen’s passion for spirituality drove…
Mohammed Elewonibi
Nigerian born and Vancouver Island raised, Mohammed brings a breadth of skills and compassion to his work at Cedars. Mohammed’s varied career began in professional sports including time in both…
Matt Cowan
Matt was born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He started working on the family farm starting at age 12 and continued until his early 30s. Shortly thereafter, Matt relocated…
Leah Saari
Leah grew up in Bamfield, a small remote community on the west coast of Vancouver Island. She spent time living in both Northern Alberta and Yukon as a heavy duty…
Steven Kelly
Steven is from Glasgow, Scotland and has lived on Vancouver Island for 20 years. Steven has worked extensively with the street community in Victoria and has spent the last five…
Ashley Allan
From a young age Ashley developed a special interest in nature-based practices as she grew up in a home on the edge of a nature reserve. She spent most of…
Emily Maxwell
Emily was born and raised on the west coast, now working towards her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville with a BSW. She has been working for the…
Cole Johnson
Born on Haida Gwaii island, Cole moved first to Port McNeill and later to Nanaimo with his family where he resides now. Cole was an avid sportsman growing up, with…
Kathleen Stevens
Kathleen comes from a background in social work (child protection) and psychology. She has been doing this work since 2015 both here and at Edgewood. She is passionate about horses…
Toni Hiatt
Coming from a background of academic and artistic pursuits, and more recently motherhood and doula work, Toni brings qualities of presence, gentleness, and humor to her work at Cedars. She…
Ethan McCandless
Ethan showcases his enthusiasm for recovery and provides genuine compassion for individuals and families suffering from addiction disorders. Ethan is grateful for the opportunity to support patients taking their first steps on…
Lisa Carlson
I was born in Chatham Ontario and moved to beautiful British Columbia when I was six years old. Raised in Shawnigan Lake, met my husband in grade 9, married in…
Meaghan Roberge
Meaghan is a graduate form the University of Victoria, pursuing her passion in helping support individuals to come into Cedars as the Admissions Coordinator. I am originally from Calgary, Alberta…
Paula Kornelson
Originally from Montreal, Paula has lived in the Cowichan Valley since 1995, moving up here from Victoria with her husband and children. She is a Cedars alumni and brings with…
Seth Petersen
Originally from Alberta, Seth has traveled west, drawn to the peaceful waters and mountains of British Columbia. All throughout life, Seth has found great inspiration and purpose towards helping others.…
Cathy Gillespie
Cathy recently joined Cedars in the capacity of CFO from Winnipeg where she had resided her entire life. The move to BC and to Cedars was an opportunity for Cathy…
Lindsay Nikkel
Lindsay is Vancouver Island born and raised. In 2020 her family had the opportunity to relocate from Port Hardy, where they had resided for the past 8 years, to the…
Jonelle Andrew
Terrace born and Nanaimo raised, Jonelle’s family immigrated from South Africa prior to her birth. Jonelle holds a BHM degree from VIU and an MBA from Thompson Rivers University. Jonelle was…
Melissa Wiseman
Melissa went to college in Newfoundland where she was born and raised. She started her accounting career in Alberta in 2005. For the next 14 years she worked in Oil…
Annelies Briggs
Annelies has been caring for Cedars since it opened, over 10 years ago. Her role has evolved from housekeeping to managing Cedars’ ongoing maintenance operations. Annelies can often be found…
Michael Whitehead
Michael was born in California but has called British Columbia home since the age of 6. With education in a variety of sciences, Michael joins the Cedars team with versatility,…
Glenn Sheather
Glenn was born in Ontario and grew up in sunny Tsawwassen before moving to Victoria. Glenn attended the University of Victoria and Camosun college before completing his Culinary Red Seal…
Patrick Beaulieu
With nearly 20 years of experience in the culinary field, Patrick says that Cedars is by far the job he has enjoyed the most. He brings creativity, humour, responsibility, and…
Natasha Van Walleghem
Born in Ontario, moved to BC in 2013 after high school graduation to attend university. Graduated from VIU in Nanaimo in 2017 from the Culinary arts program. Continued on to…
TeeJay Cleroux
Hi I'm Teejay and I'm one of the cooks at Cedars. Behind me is a Greek dish called moussaka. I am of Greek and British Heritage. I grew up in…
Jeanine Rovas
Jeanine was born in Ottawa, Ontario attending Rideau Secondary School through Grade 13. Jeanine’s diverse career started in bartending, before working as a Teacher’s Aide, in Carnival Exhibitions, owning her…
Deborah Vergoes Houwens
I was born in South Africa where I grew up and graduated College.I Moved to Toronto Canada in 1998 raised my 4 children then Moved to BC. I have just…
Colin Reid, B.Sc.
Colin obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology-Psychology in 2018 from the University of Victoria and is currently completing an MBA through the University of Fredericton. Colin strives to connect with…
Sheila Humber
Sheila Humber is a Community Support Manager who supports both staff and patients to succeed in their everyday tasks, while managing a team. Sheila believes that she has to lead…
Geoffrey Schmidt
Geoffrey grew up on Vancouver Island, graduating from UVic in 2002 with concurrent bachelor degrees in Mathematics and English. He spent the next twenty years travelling the Canadian prairies before…
Joanna Blaszczyk
She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Victoria in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Born in North Vancouver, Joanna has lived in Haida Gwaii, Kitimat, Vancouver, and Victoria…
John Blaszczyk
John has been with the Cedars team since 2010. He has been an empathetic ear for men to talk with during overnight hours. John began his studies at University of…
Don MacLeod
Don began working at Cedars in the fall of 2006 and has since become a seasoned member of the Support Staff team. For over a decade, Don booked Cedars’ Wednesday…
Glen Crichton
Glen comes to Cedars with an extensive working knowledge of recovery and addiction, bringing over 5 years experience working with marginalized populations, addiction and the homeless. Glen is passionate about…
Chrissy Wilson
November 11, 2005. I chose myself. Favourite quote: Healing is the new flex. Chrissy was born and raised in the Cowichan Valley and is a member of the Cowichan Tribes.…
Cameron Smith
Cameron is a member of the support staff hear at the cedars in cobble hill. Even before his time here he was drawn to assisting people with challenges that exceed…
Amber Rabey
Amber divides her time at Cedars working as Support Staff and as Administrative Support. Her career at Cedars began through a practicum offered by Camosun College in the Mental Health…
Penny Murphy
Born & raised in Victoria, lived and worked on the mainland for several years, managed group homes for high risk youth and adults with developmental disabilities. I returned to Vancouver…
Amanda Finlayson
Amanda has been with Cedars since we opened over 16 years ago. Her passion for recovery comes from her own journey – she is a survivor. As a child of…
Nate Kupczak
Nate could not be happier with his employment at Cedars. As an alumni of Cedars, Nate takes his years of addiction experience to work everyday, and tries to approach work…
Amanda Weir
In 2012 Cedars saved my life and helped me find freedom from the grips of my addiction and Eating disorder. Today, I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to…
Terra Baum
Hi my name is Terra and I am a grateful recovering addict, I have 12.5 years clean. I came from a hard life that lead me to addiction, my trauma…
Vidya Mohit
Vidya has been sober since 2011 and has since dedicated himself to spreading the message of hope. Coming from an outreach background of many years working in non-profit recovery services,…
Riley Graves
I was born and raised in Windsor, ON and moved to the Island in 2012 at the beginning stages of my recovery. I began my recovery journey in the summer…
Megan Keevil
Megan recently moved to Vancouver Island to be closer to family and further opportunity to work in mental health and addictions support. She is passionate about caring for others and…
Linda Milford
Linda comes to us with a wealth of experience from working in Victim Services, to Youth at Risk, to Employability programs and, of course to Residential and Out Patient Treatment & Recovery.…
Bill Cleverley
Bill is a retired journalist with long-term sobriety who is passionate about recovery.
Bruce Dumont
Bruce grew up in central Alberta in a small rural town. He completed his Red Seal Apprenticeship in Electronics at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton. He has…
Karen Hayde
Karen was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. She moved to the island 12 years ago in order to be closer to friends and family. Karen’s passion for spirituality drove…
Rev. Pierre Leroux, CACII
Rev. Pierre Leroux is an Ordained Minister with the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada and holds a certification of Addiction Counseling (CACII) with the Canadian Council of Professional Certification. For…
Robert George
Robert grew up in the Duncan area where he mentors youth in his community and participates in cross cultural workshops. He joined the Cedars team after assisting his brother who…
Meghan Weir
In addition to being a nurse and certified life coach, Meghan is a Kundalini Yoga and meditation instructor. She has always been extremely passionate about mental health and addiction recovery…
Jennifer Hodge
Jennifer is a Registered Massage Therapist, BodyTalk Practitioner and Reiki Master. She brings her passion for self discovery, recovery and healing to Cedars. Being a person in long term recovery…
Dr. John Lawlor, PhD, RCC
At Cedars Dr. Lawlor brings an empathetic and experienced focus to substance use disorder recovery and mental health wellness. He has worked in the addiction treatment field since 2008 and…
Aaron McCluskey
Originally hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, Aaron “Gator” McCluskey, headed west in 2012. Aaron pursued education in journalism and marketing, but his true passion has always been connecting with people and…
Amanda Graham
Amanda was born in the UK and came to Canada as a child. After earning a BA in Anthropology from UBC Amanda worked in Corrections before taking time out to…
Shawn Jones MA, RCC
Shawn is originally from Calgary, AB and was drawn to Vancouver Island since he was a child visiting his Grandparents. He now resides in the Cowichan Valley with wife and…
Annette Richardson
Annette grew up on the North Island in Gold River and currently resides in Nanaimo. Annette brings a diversity of training and lived experience to her role as a Continuing…
Krista Crawford
Krista is a island native that has worked in the wellness industry for 20 years. Before moving to cedars two years ago. As she was challenged with her own recovery…