I currently work as the Director at The Bitove Method, a not-for-profit organization with the mission of supporting persons living with dementia and their carepartners by offering creative, respectful, and relational spaces for community, learning, and engagement. I oversee the management and growth of all branches of the organization.I completed a Master of Arts at the University of Waterloo in the department of Recreation and Leisure with a focus on culture change in Long-term Care (LTC). My thesis research explores experiences of friendship between persons with dementia and personal support workers (PSWs) in LTC homes, as well as the barriers individuals face in developing meaningful relationships in the home. I worked directly with both residents and PSWs at an LTC home in the GTA area conducting arts-based interviews to uncover rich, meaningful data. My passion for dementia care and LTC started with my work as an art instructor specializing in working with persons with memory loss. I developed and facilitated lessons/projects designed to be both structured and free-flowing, focused and experimental. I instructed both group and one-on-one sessions, working directly with individuals to make art an enjoyable, educational experience for everyone. I focus on the ways in which art helps us connect and build meaningful relationships in all contexts. I have worked for private clients as well as within larger organizations.I am also a freelance illustrator/designer. I do work ranging from custom commissions, to logo and branding design, to poster design, and more.
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DirectorThe Bitove Method Oct 2021 - PresentToronto, Ontario, CanadaI oversee the management and growth of The Bitove Method, a not-for-profit organization with the primary mission of enriching the lives of older adults living with memory loss.It is my responsibility to oversee delivery of our innovative, arts-based programming, continual assessment nad improvement of our processes and approaches, as well as facilitating and managing other organizational initiatives including: academic research projects, student placements, care partner gatherings/support, marketing, fundraising, etc.I am also the primary point of contact for our team and community, including the director, staff, artists, collaborators, members, care partners, and all organizational partnerships. -
Artistic Project ManagerThe Bitove Method Oct 2021 - Jul 2022Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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ArtistThe Bitove Method Jun 2021 - Jul 2022Toronto, Ontario, CanadaAs part of the exciting new chapter of the Bitove Method, I am currently offering and supporting virtual arts programming for persons living with dementia, and their care partners.We approach our work with a relational caring philosophy, meaning that our arts-based learning and exploration is focused on the goal of building authentic, meaningful relationships, and getting to know one another.
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Freelance Artist/DesignerFreelance Jan 2010 - PresentToronto, Ontario, CanadaDesigner of print and digital materials for a variety of clients, both brands and individuals.• Design and Illustrate elements to meet client's needs, using traditional and digital methods• Own and manage an online shop and an active social media presence • Photograph products and edit photos for promotional materials• Liaise with local retail vendors, galleries, art fairs, markets, etc.• Mural painting and commission work for private clients
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Presentations And PublicationsSelf Employed Public Speaker/Author Apr 2018 - Present- Presenter at the June 4th, 2019 Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation Donor’s Event, highlighting relational and arts-based approaches at the Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy.- Engell, K. (2019). Reconceptualizing relationships in the dementia context: Imagining the caring process as fertile ground for friendship between persons with dementia and paid care partners (Presentation of proposed research). Oral presentation, GARLS Symposium, Waterloo, ON.- Engell, K., Main, S. (2018). Leisure and aging-well. Invited guest speaker, Kitchener, ON: Trinity Village Care Centre.- “Relational Caring and the Arts: How we do it at the Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy” Presented at the Walk With Me 2018 Conference on Culture Change in Ageing 2018- Dupuis, S.L., McAiney, C., Hickman, K., Engell, K., & Main, S. (2018, April). Relational Caring Learning Series Facilitator and Leader Workshop Summary Results. Final Report prepared for the Relational Caring Learning Series Working Group, Extendicare, and the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Waterloo, ON: Partnerships in Dementia Care Alliance. 11 pp -
Clinical Research AnalystToronto Rehabilitation Institute Nov 2020 - Jun 2022Toronto, Ontario, CanadaWorking alongside a diverse team of researchers supporting the development and implementation of the Dementia Isolation Toolkit (DIT) (www.dementiaisolationtoolkit.com) and related training materials.The DIT is designed to guide ethical decision-making in isolation care planning for persons with dementia who must be isolated in LTC during COVID-19 outbreaks. The goal is to support compassionate and effective isolation caring, as well as moral resilience and well-being for LTC staff during the pandemic.Duties include:- Developing training materials for the DIT- Supporting the dissemination and communication of the DIT materials- Developing and writing protocols, interview guides, and other materials for ethics review- Data Collection, conducting interviews with LTC stakeholders- Data Analysis -
Social Media SpecialistThe Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy, Uhn 2017 - Oct 2020Toronto, Canada AreaManaging three social media accounts for the Dotsa Bitove Wellness including a Facebook page, an instagram account, and a twitter account. Main roles include creating content, developing social media campaigns, connecting with relevant organizations and individuals, and maintaining a publishing schedule.
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Art InstructorThe Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy, Uhn Oct 2014 - Oct 2020Toronto, Canada AreaI instruct art classes at the Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy, an innovative program for persons with memory loss. At the Academy we engage in a philosophy of relational caring, striving to change the way society views persons with dementia and create culture change in dementia care.I typically develop and facilitate lessons or projects that introduce art history or topical subjects, followed by an art project inspired by what we learned. Some days it is much more improvised, and music, or drama, or poetry, or even dance enter the process! I work with large groups and one-on-one, and enjoy every minute of it!
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Research AssistantUniversity Of Waterloo May 2017 - Aug 2020Working as a project coordinator with the Partnership in Dementia Care (PiDC) alliance, a team of researchers from various institutions, piloting a Relational Caring Learning Series. The Relational Caring Learning Series is intended to promote and implement culture change within Long Term Care settings .My duties include:- Working directly with long term care homes to coordinate and support the implementation of the pilot learning series in ways that worked for them- Scheduling interviews, workshops, meetings, etc.- Conducting interviews with long term care home staff, administrators, and others with roles in the pilot series- Data collection, transcription, and analysis of data- Liaising with team members via email and phone calls- Organizing training events by booking flights, hotels, tracking attendee numbers, etc.- Gathering additional resources to supplement and support training materials- Visual branding for the project -
Teacher AssistantUniversity Of Waterloo Sep 2016 - Apr 2017I was a Teacher's Assistant for courses related to Therapeutic Recreation and Program Development and Management. In this role I was responsible for the following:- Organizing course material online- Corresponding with students and professors- Holding office hours for meetings with students- Grading papers and quizzes- Attending course-related events
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Administrative And Photography AssistantThe Westend Studio Jun 2014 - Aug 2018Toronto• Assisting with communication and administrative tasks at the studio• Assisting on photoshoots, with photo editing• Liaising with event planning companies, other wedding vendors, etc.• Designing promotional materials for the studio• Managing social media and website updates -
Visual Communications Student For The Lean Process Improvement TeamUniversity Health Network May 2013 - Aug 2013Toronto, Canada AreaA summer position with the Lean Process Improvement Team at UHN to aid in visual communications.During my time with the PI Team I was able to do the following:• Design and implement standardized Lean Communication boards within the participating hospital units. In doing so we hoped to create a concise and consistent form of communication between the process improvement team and hospital staff who were participating in process improvement initiatives.• Illustrate and Design a 5S Kit. The purpose of the kit was to make the 5S Lean concepts accessible and easy to use for managers throughout the hospital without the supervision of a PI team member.• Re-Design the Lean training presentation• Design posters and promotional material for upcoming Rapid Improvement Events
Katia Engell Skills
Katia Engell Education Details
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Recreation And Leisure Studies
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Illustration -
Esag PenninghenGraphic Design & Art Direction
Frequently Asked Questions about Katia Engell
What company does Katia Engell work for?
Katia Engell works for The Bitove Method
What is Katia Engell's role at the current company?
Katia Engell's current role is Director at The Bitove Method.
What schools did Katia Engell attend?
Katia Engell attended University Of Waterloo, Ocad University, Esag Penninghen.
What are some of Katia Engell's interests?
Katia Engell has interest in Social Services, Children, Education, Environment, Human Rights, Arts And Culture, Health.
What skills is Katia Engell known for?
Katia Engell has skills like Illustration, Editorial Illustrations, Painting, Drawing, Visual Arts, Art Instructor, Art, Logo Design, Art Direction, Typography, Visual Communication, Adobe Creative Suite.
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