Diabetes In Motion

Team

Professional Team Members

Ann Sirek, MD FRCP© Founder and Executive Director

Ann Sirek has practiced endocrinology in Kitchener Waterloo since 1979. Her particular interest is diabetes care. She is very aware of the challenges of living with diabetes and the gaps in the current system that do not provide affective support for persons with diabetes. She has recently pursued a Masters degree at Regis College, University of Toronto, in ethics and spirituality, with a particular focus on meaning-making, compassion, suffering, and community-building. She lives in Waterloo with her husband, and is always joyful when one of her three grown children comes home for a visit.

For full CV see below.

Diane E. Frederick, R.N., M.A., I.C.A.D.C.,I.C.C.S.

Diane Frederick has a clinical private practice in Kitchener, Ontario with a focus on health promotion, addictions, and stress management using mind body techniques. She helps her clients in discovering their own insights and potential to options and make choices to improve quality of their life. Diane is an instructor at workshops, seminars and institutes.

Diane holds a Master of Arts in Adult Education from the University of Central Michigan, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Development Studies from Waterloo University, Renison College, a Diploma in Addictions Studies from McMaster University, a Certificate in Management Studies from Sheridan College and a Diploma in Nursing from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, London. She is an International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor and a Certified Clinical Supervisor through the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Board which is a member board of the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol & Other Drugs.

Diane’s professional experience includes nursing management positions in Critical Care Units, Program Coordinator of Post Diploma Nursing Programs and Health Courses, along with teaching in the Continuing Education Department at Conestoga College, Kitchener. For six years she worked as an assessment/aftercare counsellor in a Waterloo Women’s Treatment Centre for substance abuse disorders. Also, Diane is a past president and director of the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Board.

Diane’s past experience in medical, social service and educational environments have given her a strong holistic perspective which she brings to her professional practice. Within her practice there is a strong emphasis on education, health promotion, and relapse prevention. Recently, Diane developed and published You’re breathing anyway … A practical guide in a workbook format with an accompanying CD that guides you through Mindfulness practices. These mind body strategies and techniques help to reduce stress and anxiety to make more conscious choices in everyday living.

Kathleen Butler. RD.

Kathy Butler, RD is a clinical dietitian registered with the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is also a member of Dietitians of Canada. Kathy’s professional background is varied. In California she worked as a clinical dietitian at Oakland Children’s hospital where she revised and published a diet manual. At Oakland Kaiser Permanente Hospital she assisted in the innovative change, for that time, from a conventional kitchen to a prepared cook-chill catering system. In Hawkesbury, Ontario Kathy was hired by the Smith Clinic to restructure the dietary department and it became the most cost efficient of its size in the province. Eighteen years ago Kathy became a diabetes educator at the Grand River Hospital Diabetes Education Center in Kitchener, Ontario. It was there she discovered her love of teaching. In 2000 Kathy retired from GRH and now she has a private practice. She still specializes in Diabetes teaching and works with Dr. Ann Sirek’s patients. Kathy is a member of the Canadian Federation of University Women where she sits on the Executive Board and she volunteers for the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Sheila Schuehlein

Sheila has been involved in leading fitness classes and developing health promotion programs since 1989. As Director of Wellness for the YWCA of Kitchener- Waterloo she developed the region’s first osteoporosis exercise program and is active in the Osteoporosis Network. More recently she returned to McMaster University, graduating with distinction in the field of Gerontology. She is a Trainer with the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging and has facilitated leadership courses across Canada for the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON). She is an Older Adult Specialist with the Canadian Fitness Professionals Association. KOM: Keep On Moving is Sheila’s private practice, promoting active living for older adults, regardless of age and ability. Sheila develops programs, services and resources for the Region of Waterloo’s Community Health Department. She has also helped develop and continues to manage a unique in-home exercise outreach for homebound elders in Guelph-Wellington. She enjoys facilitating her Gentle Moves programs in seniors, community and health centers across the Waterloo Region. She is called upon frequently to present on successful aging locally, provincially and nationally. Her work with VON Canada/Health Canada as Seniors’ Wellness Project Manager concluded with the creation a best practice guide for senior’s wellness classes that has been disseminated internationally.

Board of Directors

Greg Munroe, BA

A graduate from the University of Waterloo, Honours degree in Languages and a minor in business. Now with Johnson and Johnson for 15 years with cross functional experience in public relations, medical sales, consumer sales, marketing and sales management. Through various assignments with J&J, he and his wife Marisa have resided in Vancouver, Montreal and have now returned back home to live in Kitchener with their three sons. Over the past two years, Greg was the National Sales Director for the Medical Sales force with McNEIL Consumer Healthcare ( A division of J&J) and was just recently (May 19th) promoted to National Sales Director, responsible for the Consumer Sales division of McNEIL. Greg has also been a type I diabetic for 34 years and is a volunteer with the CDA.

David F. Renner, MD (chair & secretary)

Born : Kitchener Ontario 1948 Educated in Cambridge, Kitchener and Toronto Received a BSc. St. Michael’s College 1970, MD University of Toronto 1974, Interned at St. Michael’s Hospital and Sick Children’s Hospital 1974-75. Began a General Practice doing Obstetrics, Emerg, O.R. and Family Medicine in Preston Cambridge on July 1975. Married to Sharon, my second wife for 12 years with five children and five [plus one coming] grandchildren. Still practicing at 506 King St. Cambridge working within the Heritage Health Network of 14 physicians. On staff at Cambridge Memorial Hospital since 1975 I have been on the Medical Staff Advisory Board acting in the role of Head of the Dept of General Practice and as the President of the Cambridge Academy of Medicine over the years. Medical advisor to the Arthritis Society for five years, founding board member for St. Peter’s Place, a 55 unit non profit Seniors Apartment in Cambridge, medical volunteer serving in Guatemala and Honduras for Missionary Ventures on three different trips. Founding shareholder and director of Small Fry Snack Foods which acquired a number of companies including Humpty Dumpty Snack Foods. Participated as a Director in the formation of Humpty Dumpty Snack Foods Inc. as a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and serving as a Director until 2005. I have a passion for teaching and golf and grandchildren.

Jan Stefan Eperjesi, BSc, MHSc, BEd

Jan Eperjesi is currently studying medicine at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Mexico. From 2002-2004 he worked as a consultant for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Indonesia and East Timor. Subsequently, he joined the Department of Canadian Heritage (Government of Canada) in connection to Canada’s representation at the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi, Japan. He is an Action Canada fellow, a national fellowship program for development of leadership and excellence in public policy. He holds undergraduate degrees in physiology and education from McGill University and University of Toronto, and a Master’s degree in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology from University of Toronto.

Andrew Wilkin CFP CHFC

Andrew has been Type 1 Diabetic since age of 18. Andrew enjoys extensive travelling, golf and spending time working their three American Quarter Horses. He is very active in the Community and has been Past President of The Kiwanis Club of Kitchener Waterloo three times. Currently he is involved in a number of committees with Kiwanis. He is involved In JDRF and is currently the 2006 Chairman for the Ride for Diabetes Research. He is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Waterloo Region. He is a principal partner in Cowan Wilkin Financial Services, a firm providing insurance and investment solutions to members of our community. He has been involved in the insurance and financial services business for 25 years and holds his Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations. He is a member of the Waterloo-Wellington Estate Planning Council as well as a member of the Court of the Table, the Premier Association of Financial Professionals.

Founder and Executive Director

Curriculum Vitae Ann Sirek

Professional Activity

1979. Private practice, Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Kitchener
1997 - 2003. Active staff St Mary’s General Hospital and Grand River Hospital.
2004 - Courtesy staff St Mary’s General Hospital and Grand River Hospital
1979 -2004 Medical advisor to the Diabetes Education Centre, GRH.
1997 – 2002 Established and developed the Diabetes Health Management Clinic, (SMGH), a pilot project in the restructuring of health care services to the diabetic populaton.
2006 Envisioned, established, and is actively directing the new registered charity, Diabetes in Motion. This is a community-based, privately funded organization with the mission 1) to develop holistic, evidence-based, self-management programs for persons with diabetes, and 2) to train health care professionals in the art of facilitation of groups of persons with diabetes.
2004. Started a community-based interdisciplinary Diabetes Centre with private funding independent of the hospital system, which has now evolved into Diabetes in Motion.
2003- 2006 Launched, (with two colleagues), the KW Spirituality in Health Care Network, an interfaith group for health care professionals who intentionally integrate their spirituality into professional practice. This group is linked with a similar larger group in Toronto.
1998-2007 part time student, Master of Theological Studies, Regis College, Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto. Studies in ethics, spirituality, suffering, healing, and community formation are explored with a view to expanding the evidence-based medical paradigm in the interest of the artful practice of medicine.
1998- 2002 Established and facilitated the monthly Bioethics Journal Club, (SMGH)
1984- 1985 Chief of Medicine, St. Mary’s General Hospital, Kitchener, ON
1983. Developed a Pediatric Diabetes Clinic at the Guelph General Hospital, which was turned over to the local pediatricians when running smoothly.
1980. Established the Juvenile Diabetes Clinic at Grand River Hospital, Kitchener, ON, which was taken over by the pediatricians as new, young colleagues were recruited to the area.

Associations & Committees

Alpha Omega Alpha Honours Medical Society
Alpha Sigma Nu Honours Jesuit Society
Canadian Medical Protective Association
Canadian Medical Association/ Ontario Medical Association
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, RAC 3 member-at-large, 2001-2005
Royal College and Family Practice College colloquium on Generalist-consultant relationships, Jan 2006
American Diabetes Association
Canadian Diabetes Association, professional section
Canadian Society for Endocrinology and Metabolism
Endocrine Society
Ethics Committee, SMGH
Joint Research Ethics Committee, SMGH & GRH, 1995-1999

Presentations

Numerous presentations on diabetes and thyroid disease to lay and medical groups, sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and by lay support groups. 1979-2006
Spirituality of Diabetes: for parish groups, Kitchener, and for presentation at the conference, Spirituality and Health, University of Calgary, May, 2004.
Ethics and Spirituality, a four-part series on the topic of covenant and professionalism for health care professionals held in the community room of various local grocery stores. 2004
Spirituality in Health Care International Conference, University of Toronto, 2002, “Objectivity and the Personal Relationship.”
Student Essay Contest winner, annual meeting of the Canadian Theological Society, 2001, “Zossima’s Response: Towards Transformative Suffering,” a study based on Dostojevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov
Taught anatomy to nursing students and endocrinology seminars to medical students, 1970’s
Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals in endocrinology and metabolism, 1970-1976, during medical training.