The Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes has onboarded a new Executive Director and Education and Support Coordinator this year. This new change will bring growth and opportunity to the organization as they begin to expand our services into the Maritimes.
Robert attended Memorial University of Newfoundland, graduating from the Bachelor of Recreation program with a minor in Sociology. He moved to Nova Scotia in 2013 and has been a leader in a variety of community-oriented and health care roles, which has built his passion for inclusion and community development. Working in recreation therapy with seniors health, neurology, mental health and all populations, he built a strong passion for health and wellness while bridging gaps in community integration. He has worked on national and international projects with St. John Ambulance to support the growth of programs and services.
As a leader in non-profits, his passion for volunteer management helps grow community capacity. He believes that the value volunteers bring is undoubtedly the foundation of any organization, and he is looking forward to working with EAM volunteers and our community members. Robert is the current President of the Association of Volunteer Management Professionals of Nova Scotia and the Vice Chair of the Landrace Community Garden Society. In 2021, he received the Chairs Commendation through the Order of St. John for his active involvement in volunteer engagement provincially, regionally and nationally.
In his leisure time, Robert likes to hike, camp, cook and be with friends and family. He is excited to take on this new role with the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes and will work diligently to increase the awareness and services provided for those living with epilepsy.
Susan Rahey recently joined the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes Team as their Education and Support Coordinator, but her involvement with EAM dates to the late 1980s. Her interest in epilepsy diagnosis and management predates that by about 10 years when, following her graduation from Dalhousie University with a BSc in Biology, she began her future career at the Victoria General Hospital as a student in electro-neurophysiology technology.
Susan was employed for over forty years in healthcare, both in frontline care and management positions. She held numerous leadership roles in local, regional and national healthcare-related organizations. She retired in 2020 as the Neurophysiology Program Coordinator, with responsibility for coordinating the Epilepsy Medical and Surgical program at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, NS.
She has received many distinguished awards from societies and organizations in which she has participated. However, she ranks her proudest achievement as her leadership role in the planning, fundraising and construction of the newest and most patient-centred Epilepsy Monitoring Unit in Canada with her mentor and colleague of more than 30 years, Dr. R. Mark Sadler, which opened in 2017.
In 2017, Susan received the Clinical Care/ Advocacy Award from the Canadian League Against Epilepsy. She Credits Dr. Sadler and the division of Neurology, QEII HSC and especially her patients for sharing their lives with her.
EAM provides direct support, advocacy, education and resources to the community about seizure first aid, epilepsy and increasing quality of life amongst those living with epilepsy.
EAM supports the epilepsy community by:
- Offering services to clients and their families such as support groups, education and advocacy
- Delivering epilepsy awareness & seizure first aid training to schools, workplaces and community groups
- Providing information and awareness to the community
- Hosting social and recreational programs
- Scholarships and community funding opportunities
For more information about EAM’s programs or services or to get in touch with one of its staff members, please email info@epilepsymaritimes.org or call 902-429-2633.