Our members fall within four categories:
- Regular members, who have voting rights and researcher status according to the criteria of the FRQ. There are currently 78 professor-researchers from 12 universities: Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, Université du Québec à Montréal, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Université Laval, McGill University, Concordia University, and the University of Ottawa.
- Partner members, who include researchers collaborating in the Network’s activities, including those who do not meet the criteria for regular membership. This category also includes other individuals with an interest in PEOLC research, such as decision-makers from PEOLC ecosystem organizations, healthcare and social services professionals, community stakeholders, research staff, as well as volunteers and citizens. The RQSPAL has 95 partner members.
- Student members, a category that includes all graduate students and trainees (master’s, doctoral, postdoctoral) enrolled full-time, supervised by regular members, and who have completed the registration form. There are nearly 150 students.
- Honorary members who are researchers that have made remarkable contributions to the development of PEOLC during their careers and individuals who have distinguished themselves through notable engagement in the field of care and services, education, or management in PEOLC, thereby indirectly contributing to the advancement of PEOLC research.
Director : Dr Pierre Gagnon, M.D., psychiatrist, Director of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the Faculty of Medicine of Université Laval
Co-director of the RQSPAL : Diane Tapp, R. N., Ph.D., Professor at the Faculty of Nursing at Université Laval, scientific director of the Institut de soins palliatifs et de fin de vie Michel Sarrazin – Université Laval
Coordinator : François Tardif, MSc, MAP
Strategic Axes Leaders :
- Axis 1: Chantal Verdon, R.N., Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec en Outaouais, and Jean-Marc Barreau, Ph.D., D.Th., Assistant Professor at the Institute of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Université de Montréal
- Axis 2: Josée Chénard, T.S., Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Social Work, Université du Québec en Outaouais, and Marianne Olivier-D’Avignon, Ph.D., Professor at the School of Social Work and Criminology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Université Laval
- Axis 3: Melissa Henry, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University
- Axis 4: Émilie Allard, R.N., Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Nursing, Université de Montréal, and Gabrielle Fortin, T.S., Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work and Criminology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Université Laval
Regular members : 78 professors-researchers from 12 universities: Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, Université du Québec à Montréal, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Université Laval, McGill University, Concordia University and Université d’Ottawa
Partner members : 95 clinicians, administrators et research professionals
Student Members : more than 150 students
Administrative Team
François Tardif
Executive Director
francois.tardif@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
François was appointed Executive Director of RQSPAL upon its creation in 2017, earning him the second prize as Research Professional of the Year in Quebec by the FRQS for his monumental work. Before becoming a pillar within the RQSPAL team, he played a key role as Scientific Coordinator for the Michel-Sarrazin Research Team in Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (ERMOS) starting in 2003. Maison Michel-Sarrazin recognized his 20 years of involvement in palliative and end-of-life care in the fall of 2023 by awarding him a mark of recognition.
Estelle Houguet
Research Axis Coordinator
estelle.houguet@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
Estelle views end-of-life palliative care as the essence that pays tribute to beings and contributes to the meaning of life. Specialized in Psychosocial Risks at Work, she completed her master’s thesis in industrial relations on the well-being of caregivers in palliative care homes. With 4 years of experience in university research and 2 years in applied research, her experiences have allowed her to develop her project management skills and work group support. She joined RQSPAL in May 2024, where she holds the position of Research Axis Coordinator.
Joanie Le Moignan
Assistant Director
joanie.lemoignan@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
After a master’s degree in biogeosciences of the environment, Joanie chose the field of palliative care to start her professional career. First with the ERMOS team, then with RQSPAL from its creation in 2017, she has accumulated expertise now indispensable in organizational management, and her passion for palliative care has only grown since she left school. Playing a central role within RQSPAL, her work allows our network to continue to develop new projects.
Laurie Plamondon
Research Professional and Head of Scientific Activities
laurie.plamondon@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
Laurie has been interested in palliative and end-of-life care (SPFV) for over 10 years. Her personal, professional, and academic experiences have cultivated her desire to increase her knowledge and improve the quality of care. Graduating from the Bachelor of Nursing program at Laval University in 2017, she then decided to pursue a master’s degree. She is particularly interested in SPFV in long-term care settings. She has held the position of Head of Scientific Activities at RQSPAL since May 2024.
Alex Cornellier
Assistant Director and Graphic Designer
alex.cornellier@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
Fascinated by the human issues permeating every aspect of palliative and end-of-life care, Alex joined the RQSPAL team in December 2020, studying at that time for a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Laval University. Having worked with the Network for over three years, he supports the management in various tasks related to communications and graphic design and is about to begin a bachelor’s degree in sexology in the fall of 2024.
Rébecca Meyer
Research Assistant
rebecca.meyer@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
Passionate about the physical and psychological health of individuals, Rébecca is studying for a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Laval University. She is interested in everything related to family health. Regarding palliative and end-of-life care, she is particularly curious about the grief process and the suffering related to the loss of a loved one. Rébecca joined the team in January 2024, and her main function is to support the RQSPAL Student Committee in their various projects.
Thomas Prévèreau
Research Assistant and Communications Manager
thomas.prevereau@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
In charge of social media and the bi-monthly newsletter since January 2024, Thomas joined the RQSPAL team in the fall of 2023, during which he successfully managed various internal projects. In addition to his curiosity for palliative and end-of-life care, this bachelor’s student in psychology at the University is interested in gerontology and community psychology.
Marie J. Tremblay
Research Assistant
marie-joelle.tremblay@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
A bachelor’s student in psychology, Marie is fascinated by the quest for meaning, the grieving process, and the treatments offered to people experiencing end-of-life existential distress. Motivated by the desire to provide quality care to people facing these issues in her future psychology practice, she is interested in all research in this field. Since May 2024, she has joined RQSPAL as a research assistant.
