Our Team – Birchwood Circle of Care

Meet our Team

Veronique Boisvert

Clinic Owner & Registered Speech Language Pathologist

Veronique Boisvert offers assessments and therapy both in English and in French. Veronique believes in a functional approach to therapy and finds parent coaching to be an important aspect of therapy. She specializes in functional communication, complex communication needs, social communication, apraxia and Autism.

Jolene Bugeaud

Business Manager

Jolene joined our office admin staff in September 2025 and has since accepted the position as the Business Manager. Working hand in hand with our Owner, Jolene is responsible for the day to day operation of the business.

Jean Pickersgill

Registered Speech Language Pathologist

Jean Bae has been a resident in Fort McMurray, AB since 2007. She is passionate to provide speech and language services to a community she loves. Jean believes in the importance of early intervention and parent coaching within her practice. She has experience in speech disorders, functional communication, social communication and pre-school stuttering (trained in the Lidcombe program).

Krysta Villeneuve

Recreational Therapist

Linda Ward

Counselling Therapist

Linda is a Behaviour Consultant and Psychotherapist, specializing in working with children and adolescents. With a wealth of experience, she is excited to bring her expertise to Fort McMurray. Linda tailors her approach to address each client's unique needs, working closely with families to create personalized strategies that foster strengths and encourage positive growth.

Originally from Edmonton, AB, Linda began her career as a Nurse before embarking on a transformative mission journey to Nigeria, West Africa. There, she met her husband, an Englishman, and after 13 years abroad, they settled in Northern Ireland. Now, with her children grown and living in Canada, Linda has joined Birchwood Circle of Care, eager to offer her knowledge and global perspective to support families in her new community.

With seven years of experience as a therapist in both school and community settings, Linda values cultural sensitivity and awareness. Her diverse background drives her commitment to understanding the unique challenges faced by her clients. Linda is thrilled to apply her expertise, compassion, and life experience to make a meaningful impact on children, adolescents, and their families.

Kerry Wynn

Occupational Therapist

Kerry Wynn lives in Edmonton with her husband, two boys, and two dogs. Kerry is an Occupational Therapist (OT) who has practiced as an OT for 28 years, working with children from birth to 18 years in various urban and rural locations in Edmonton & Northern Alberta including Hospitals, Schools, Homes, and other community centers.

Kerry specializes in medical navigation, feeding, and swallowing, child development, equipment needs, adapting home and equipment, parent support & coaching, and routine-based intervention, including supporting learning strategies and success during everyday routines. Kerry discusses with the family and observes the child in their everyday routines to better understand the needs of the child.

Audrea Wuetherick

Occupational Therapist (OT)

Andrea is an Occupational Therapist (OT) who has practiced exclusively with children, youth, and their families for over 20 years. Andrea specializes in routine-based intervention, sensory processing, and emotional regulation, and supporting everyday activities such as feeding, toileting, other daily routines and activities, and play.

Karla Power

Triple P Instructor

Karla is a teacher with FMPSD and a mother of 2 boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Karla is a community advocate for Inclusion and enjoys helping other parents navigate their journey, while feeling connected to others. Karla believes that we are stronger when we share our stories and help one another.

Karla will be facilitating the Triple P program at Birchwood Circle of Care.

Shelby Chaytor

Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

Shelby is excited to join our team this year as a Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant. Originally from Newfoundland she moved to Fort McMurray in 2018 where she worked with children as an Educational Assistant for 9 years. Working in various classroom environments such as independent living programs, early entry programs and privatized programs, she found herself wanting to learn more about speech and language therapy. She has completed some training in the past years to become a Speech and Language Assistant. In her downtime she enjoys reading anything written by Stephen King or watching movies based on his books. She is incredibly excited to begin her SLPA journey with Birchwood Circle of Care and is looking forward to this new role!

Kylie Umali

Occupational Therapist Assistant

Kylie recently made the move to Fort McMurray to be closer to family and kick off an exciting new chapter in her career. After earning her two-year diploma in Personal Fitness Training from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, she is now combining her love for health, wellness, and community care to make a real impact (when she is not busy reading or looking after her growing collection of plants).
Before moving to Canada, Kylie worked as an Occupational Therapist in the Philippines, where she supported kids, older adults, and families. Her approach has always been about building people up: helping them feel confident in their abilities, encouraging independence, and making daily life a little more fun and accessible. She is currently working on getting her Canadian OT license and is excited to get back to doing
what she loves most. Known as a “ray of sunshine" by her colleagues, Kylie brings warmth, positivity, and a can-do attitude wherever she goes, uplifting others one day at a time.

Shelby Dawdy

Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

Shelby is our new Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant. Originally from Ontario, she has over six years of experience working with children. Last fall, she completed her final placement for her Autism and Behavioural diploma at Birchwood Circle of Care. Shelby is excited to be back in Fort McMurray, which she considers her second home. She is eager to continue her education and plans to pursue a master's degree to become a Speech and Language Pathologist, driven by her passion for supporting children of all abilities.

Kimberly Hourihan

Receptionist/Administration

Kim moved to Fort McMurray with her husband from New Brunswick in 2010. She has 5 children & 8 grandchildren. Coming to Fort McMurray on the 5-year plan they loved it so much they stayed. Her career has included Office Management, Marketing, and Team Management. Kim spends her spare time biking the trails, watching her grandchildren play sports, gardening and at her property in Boyle with her family.

Being in the role of Administration Kim will be scheduling, taking phone calls, receiving payments, and working hand in hand with the owner on various tasks.

Savanah Rever

Receptionist/Administration

Savanah recently relocated to Fort McMurray from Halifax, Nova Scotia. She attended Dalhousie University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Immunology, and Neuroscience. Savanah is passionate about helping others and is dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
She has two cats, Billy and Aura, and five younger siblings. In her free time, Savanah enjoys outdoor activities and crafting.

Being in the role of Administration, Savanah will be taking calls, receiving payments, and working with the owner on various tasks.

Alicia Newman

Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

Alicia is a new Speech and Language Pathology Assistant here at Birchwood. Alicia has been a resident of Fort McMurray since 2011 and resides here with her husband, daughter, and three pets.

Alicia brings with her a strong background in supporting students with complex needs, learning disabilities and various diagnoses within the public elementary school system. Alicia holds an Educational Assistant Diploma and spent four years working in the public school system.

Currently, she is furthering her professional development by pursuing a degree in Child and Youth Counselling studies online. Alicia is passionate about working with youth and is dedicated to enhancing her expertise and taking continuous learning and training opportunities.

Alicia has been enjoying building new relationships with students and staff in her new role in the Indigenous communities surrounding Wood Buffalo. She is looking forward to seeing what the future holds for her with Birchwood circle of care!

Jeaphie Cochrane

Educational Assistant

Jeaphie is an Educational Assistant at Birchwood Circle of Care and a graduate of the Recreational Therapy Aide program at Aquinas College. She brings more than seven years of one-to-one experience supporting a child on the autism spectrum, work that shaped the patient and play-based approach she brings to the children she sees today.

Jeaphie lives in Fort McMurray with her husband and their two children. She is excited to be part of the Birchwood team and to keep learning alongside the families she works with.

Amanda Hall

Educational Assistant

Amanda is from Alberta and has been living in Fort McMurray for over 10 years. She has worked in daycare and school settings over the last 5 years. She has her early childhood level 2 from MacEwan University where she studied both Reggio Emilia and Montessori educational philosophies. She is passionate about learning through play. Amanda enjoys discovering unique ways to connect with children that in turn helps children connect with the world around them.

Contact us

Our Address

8106 Fraser Avenue, Unit 41
Fort McMurray, AB
T9H 1W6

Phone & E-mail

780-607-8376

birchwoodcoc@gmail.com

Business Hours

8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
7 days a week