Regional Coordinators

HOLLY GUSNOWSKY

Holly Gusnowsky holds a Master's degree in Communication Disorders and has worked as an audiologist since 1995. She is heavily involved with hearing-related issues such as the prevention of hearing loss, early intervention and identification of hearing impairment, and advocates for children in this area.

She has presented on Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA) to physicians and other professionals, on behalf of Entific Medical Systems and the Craniofacial Osseointegration and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation Unit (COMPRU) at the Misericordia Community Hospital in Edmonton and taught "Introduction to Audiology" within the University of Alberta. She has also been interviewed about the high volume of children's toys and the hearing concerns it presents on A-Channel Edmonton, and about BAHA in the Edmonton Journal.

She was also vice-president of audiology for two years for the Speech-language and Hearing Association of Alberta (currently the ACSLPA) and worked to raise awareness of audiology and hearing loss with the government, the public, and the medical community.

Holly's interest in the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) stems from her work in audiology and her daughter Danica's lengthy battle with the disease. Danica was diagnosed with strep pneumococcus bacterial meningitis when she was almost three years old after showing symptoms such as fever, earache and lethargy. After suffering from a stroke and spending a few weeks in hospital, she recovered, but Danica suffered a relapse a mere two months later. After six weeks of intravenous antibiotics she was finally cleared of any signs of meningitis and she continues to recuperate well.

Holly lives in Edmonton, Alberta with her husband and two daughters, and is eager to spread the word about the dangers of meningitis through her role as Regional Coordinator for the MRF.




SHERRY WEBSTER

Sherry Webster lives in Quesnel, BC, on a cattle ranch with her husband of 24 years, Doug, where they also raise Quarter Horses. She is a homemaker and has five children, Chris, 23, Jeff, 18, Rich, 15, Mike, 13, and Rachael, 10.

After tragically losing her 16 year old son Matt to meningococcal disease in July of 2000, her interest in the disease and the Meningitis Research Foundation began and has continued to grow ever since. Sherry has been intent on learning all she can about the disease, and has become an active voice for inoculation in BC, becoming involved with the promotion of a meningococcal vaccination program in the province. She has also been involved in fundraising.

Through her interest in meningitis, she has made valuable contacts within the media, the Provincial Health Office, and the BC Centers for Disease Control. Sherry is passionately interested in promoting education and awareness of meningitis, and in supporting families who have been affected by this devastating disease.




ELAINE HAMLYN

Elaine was born, raised and resides in Mt. Pearl, Newfoundland & Labrador. Elaine is a Certified Health Information Manager and Certified Tumour Registrar. From 1986-2001 she worked with the Cancer Care Program in Newfoundland, and since that time has worked as a Data Quality and Standards Specialist for the Canadian Cancer Registry, Statistics Canada and as a private contractor. Elaine is currently working towards a Bachelor of Health Administration (Health Information Management) degree through Ryerson University Distance Education part-time program.

Elaine is a wife, stepmother of three and mother of one precious daughter who on January 7, 2007 was diagnosed with meningococcal septicemia. Thankfully her daughter survived with no side effects but she fought a hard battle. As a parent, Elaine was devastated to realize the implications of what might have been and turned to the MRFC to answer some of her many questions. Kathryn asked Elaine to consider becoming a regional coordinator with MRFC and she accepted as she felt compelled to educate people about the signs and symptoms of this devastating disease and secondly to raise awareness that most types of meningitis are potentially vaccine preventable.