- Home
- About
- Applied Research and Innovation
- FARMh
The project is an interdisciplinary team with researchers from Saskatchewan Polytechnic,
University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba, University of Regina, and Saskatchewan
Health Authority.
Our researcher team is made up of farmers/ranchers, nurses, nurse practitioners, an
online therapy business owner, a social worker, a psychotherapist, a rural massage
therapist/acupuncturist, a rural physician and executive leader, a rural suicide interventionist,
a biostatistician, and undergraduate student research assistants. Everyone on the
team has a rural or farming background.
Team
Dr. Michelle Pavloff
Registered nurse and rural health researcher
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Biography
×Dr. Michelle Pavloff
Dr. Michelle Pavloff is a registered nurse and rural health researcher. She is currently
the research chair of rural health at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Michelle holds a bachelor
of science in nursing, a master of nursing degree and a PhD. She teaches in the Saskatchewan
Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Michelle is the principal investigator
of the FARMh Initiative. Her areas of research include patient-oriented research,
rural nursing, rural youth mental health, and farmer/rancher mental health. She is
the former president of the Canadian Association for Rural and Remote Nursing. She
resides with her family on a ranch in rural Saskatchewan.
Sharalee Laventure
Strategic marketing specialist
Cargill
Biography
×Sharalee Laventure
Sharalee Laventure was born and raised on a mixed farm west of Biggar in a small community
called Duperow. She married a farmer and moved north of Biggar to raise her family.
She moved to Saskatoon in 2006 and has worked various management jobs including her
current position with Cargill as the strategic marketing specialist for Saskatchewan.
In 2015, her youngest brother lost his mental health battle and died by suicide. She
needed to find something positive that would give the grief a place to settle and
joining the FARMh Initiative has her looking forward to making a difference in agriculture
producers’ lives with mental health supports designed by them.
Justine Lustig
Cattle rancher
Biography
×Justine Lustig
Justine Lustig is a cattle rancher with a focus on regenerative agriculture. She grew
up on a grain farm and loves being a part of food production on the prairies. She
is interested in sharing the perspective of farm culture and the importance of mental
health support for folks who live in rural areas.
Cyle Stewart
Rancher
Biography
×Cyle Stewart
Cyle Stewart ranches in southwest Saskatchewan with his wife Erika, their three daughters,
and Erika's parents. The ranch is a fourth-generation cow/calf and backgrounding outfit.
Cyle attended college in Montana on a bull riding scholarship and rode bulls professionally
until a series of head injuries forced an early retirement. Currently, Cyle ranches
full-time, is a member of the Herbert Ranch Rodeo Committee, and enjoys working at
home with his family.
Cyle finds great pride in improving their herd's genetics and is always looking for
learning opportunities to improve their operation and become more efficient. With
prior experience in sports-related head injuries and knowledge of present-day ranching
challenges, Cyle hopes to bring a versatile and insightful perspective to the discussions.
Vida Todd
Retired from the healthcare industry
Biography
×Vida Todd
Vida Todd recently retired from the healthcare industry after nearly 47 years. Her
childhood was experienced in a small mixed farming atmosphere with cattle, horses
and grain. She has personal experience with depression in her own family and consequently
wants to help support the mental health needs of everyone she can. As a single mother
of two sons, she feels it is important to understand mental health issues and find
effective coping strategies.
Elsie Duff RN, NP, PhD
Nurse practitioner and assistant professor
University of Manitoba
Biography
×Elsie Duff RN, NP, PhD
Elsie Duff RN, NP, PhD grew up on a small family mixed farm in southwest Manitoba
that included various types of livestock with cattle as the main product. She is a
nurse practitioner and assistant professor at the University of Manitoba. She began
nursing in small farming communities and has continued to nurse in rural or remote
Manitoba throughout her career. Growing up on a farm, working rurally, and her nursing
research experiences have helped her contribute to this research.
Dr. Pamela Farthing RN, BA, MSc, PhD
Faculty
Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Saskatchewan
Polytechnic
Biography
×Dr. Pamela Farthing RN, BA, MSc, PhD
Dr. Pamela Farthing RN, BA, MSc, PhD is faculty in the Saskatchewan Collaborative
Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. As an RN in Saskatchewan
for over 25 years, she has practiced in long-term care, rural nursing, and neonatal
intensive care. She holds a bachelor of arts in psychology, a master of science in
medicine (Community Health and Epidemiology), and a PhD in nursing from the University
of Saskatchewan, as well as a diploma in nursing from Saskatchewan Polytechnic (then
SIAST), and specialized graduate training in Public Health and the Agricultural Rural
Ecosystem. Her research experience includes type one diabetes, rural advanced nursing
education, rural mental health, pediatric respiratory epidemiology, informatics, and
diabetes care.
Cynthia Beck
Master’s student
Clinical psychology program at the University of Regina
Biography
×Cynthia Beck
Cynthia Beck is a master’s student in the clinical psychology program at the University
of Regina. She worked as a research assistant in the Online Therapy Unit and provides
suicide intervention response services to southeast Saskatchewan. Cynthia and her
husband, Wade, along with their two children, farm in partnership with Wade’s family.
The Becks operate a mixed farming operation of cattle and grain near Milestone, Saskatchewan.
Kathy Disiewich RN, BSN, MSN/ED
Registered nurse and instructor
Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Biography
×Kathy Disiewich RN, BSN, MSN/ED
Kathy Disiewich RN, BSN, MSN/ED is a registered nurse and currently teaches undergraduate
nursing students in the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing,
Leslie and Irene Dubé School of Nursing at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon.
In her more than 33 years of nursing, she has worked in numerous areas, including
in a rural setting. She holds a bachelor of science in nursing from the University
of Victoria and a master of science in nursing specializing in healthcare education
from the University of Phoenix, and a diploma in nursing from Sask Polytech (formerly
Kelsey Institute of Applied Arts and Technology). She is currently enrolled in the
educational doctorate in Educational Administration program at the University of Saskatchewan.
Research interests include patient-oriented research, rural nursing, holistic assessment,
teaching and learning, and evidence-based practice. She grew up on a small farm in
the Prince Albert area.
Dr. Mary Ellen Labrecque NP PhD
Registered nurse practitioner and a rural nursing researcher
Biography
×Dr. Mary Ellen Labrecque NP PhD
Dr. Mary Ellen Labrecque NP PhD, is a registered nurse practitioner and a rural nursing
researcher. She is a faculty member in the College of Nursing, is the associate dean
Academic and assistant professor. Mary Ellen’s research interests include rural and
remote nursing practice, advanced practice nursing, and the delivery of primary health
care that addresses the unique determinants of health of populations. She has been
involved in numerous local, provincial, national, and international committees with
a focus on advanced practice nursing. Her professional nursing practice, with over
30 years of experience, has included acute, community, industrial, and tertiary care
in urban, rural, and northern communities.
Alecia Weinheimer
Farmer
Biography
×Alecia Weinheimer
Alecia Weinheimer grew up on a mixed farm in East Saskatchewan. She attended the University
of Regina where she earned her bachelor’s degree in human justice. She has been working
with families and youth assessing their needs while offering support and resources
to assist them. Alecia is actively farming with her spouse on a third-generation mixed
farm. Alecia loves being part of food production and education and joined the FARMh
Initiative because she believes more mental health support is required for rural families.
She looks forward to making a difference in agriculture producers’ lives.
Dr. Kevin Wasko
Practicing emergency physician
Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, Ontario
Biography
×Dr. Kevin Wasko
Dr. Kevin Wasko is a practicing emergency physician with Trillium Health Partners
in Mississauga, Ontario. He was previously the physician executive for Integrated
Rural Health with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and was jointly responsible for
the delivery of healthcare services across rural Saskatchewan.
Kevin grew up on a cattle ranch near Eastend, Saskatchewan. He lived and worked in
Swift Current, Saskatchewan from 2011 to 2022, initially moving there to pursue a
family medicine residency in the newly-created Swift Current training program. He
then practiced full-scope family medicine in the city prior to taking on the role
of physician executive in 2017.
Kevin was the physician co-lead on the Saskatchewan Health System transition team
in 2017, leading work in the areas of physician engagement, medical governance, and
the academic mandate when a new provincial health authority was launched. He is an
assistant professor with the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine, was
an Action Canada fellow through the Public Policy Forum in 21/22, and is a surveyor
with Accreditation Canada, evaluating Canadian health systems against recognized national
standards for quality patient care delivery.
Kevin is a graduate of the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine. He
holds a bachelor of arts in political science from Dalhousie University, a master
of arts in political science from the University of Calgary, a certificate of added
competence in emergency medicine, and has achieved the Canadian Certified Physician
Executive credential.
Dr. Michael Szafron, PhD
Associate professor
School of Public Health at the University of Saskatchewan
Biography
×Dr. Michael Szafron, PhD
Dr. Michael Szafron is an associate professor in the School of Public Health at the
University of Saskatchewan. He holds a PhD from the University of Saskatchewan from
the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Michael’s expertise includes biostatistics,
survey design, and analytical epidemiology. One of his research passions involves
exploring the influence mental health has on various health outcomes for different
populations including farmers and ranchers. The mental health and well-being of farmers
and ranchers is of particular interest to Michael as he grew up on a mixed-farm in
rural Saskatchewan and witnessed the lack of mental health support in rural Saskatchewan.
Michael welcomes the opportunity to be part of this team and its work supporting the
mental health of farmers and ranchers in rural areas.
Fred Entz
Registered nurse
Biography
×Fred Entz
Fred Entz is a registered nurse working in Saskatoon in the field of cancer care.
Fred grew up in southwest Saskatchewan in a small farming community. Growing up in
the country and continuing to stay connected to the rural way of life has been important
for Fred and his family. Although he now lives and works in Saskatoon, he takes every
chance he gets to go to the family farm to stay connected to the heartbeat of Saskatchewan,
the agriculture sector.
Fred’s interest and passion for conducting research related to farming, including
the peer-to-peer farmer’s support network, comes from his early nursing career when
he worked as a registered nurse in a rural community. The barriers and stigma faced
by farmers and their families as they seek to access healthcare, especially related
to mental health challenges, are significant. Fred hopes that a peer support network
can support farmers and their families in real time. The reality is that without healthy
farming families, Saskatchewan people (and indeed, the entire world) stands to lose
much of what we need to survive. The time to act is now, and Fred considers it an
honour to work alongside farming families in doing this important work.
Brandi Heuchert RMT DAc BA(Hons)
Registered massage therapist
Biography
×Brandi Heuchert RMT DAc BA(Hons)
Brandi Heuchert RMT DAc BA(Hons) is a registered massage therapist who has spent most
of her career serving rural Saskatchewan communities. She spent her junior high and
high school years on a mixed farm close to Melville and after graduation moved for
education and to raise her family. Brandi currently resides in Perdue, focusing her
massage and medical acupuncture practice on serving the people in west central Saskatchewan.
Brandi sees the opportunity for rural massage therapists to better serve the mental
health needs of their clients through accessible treatment for anxiety, depression,
and non-pharmaceutical pain management.
Courtney Andrews
Student researcher
Biography
×Courtney Andrews
Courtney Andrews is a student research assistant working on the FARMh Initiative.
She is born and raised in Saskatchewan, during her life she has recognized the need
to have accessible mental health services across the province. Courtney has become
an advocate for destigmatizing mental health by improving how mental health is viewed
in rural and agricultural communities. She is currently in her final year of study
at the University of Saskatchewan in the College of Arts and Science, majoring in
English with a minor in sociology.
Joelle Glassford
Student
Biography
×Joelle Glassford
Joelle Glassford is currently in her second year of Veterinary Technology at Saskatchewan
Polytechnic. Joelle is from a small town in rural Saskatchewan and, growing up surrounded
by farmers, Joelle learned to appreciate the important role these individuals and
their families play in society. As Joelle plans on becoming a future member of the
agriculture industry, she is familiar with some of the stressors that accompany the
jobs of farmers and ranchers and she wants to do her part to help find a healthy outlet
for farmers that are struggling with mental health issues.
Katherine Little
Student
Biography
×Katherine Little
Katherine Little is currently in her fourth year of nursing in the Saskatchewan Collaborative
Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Growing up in
a rural community and coming from a multigenerational family farm in west central
Saskatchewan, Katherine understands how stressful and emotionally taxing the farming
occupation can be, and how very few resources there are available for farmers and
their families. As she continues her nursing studies, she continues to witness how
important mental health education is, and how crucial it is to promote mental health
for those around us.
Allison Taylor
Support worker
Women Farmers
Biography
×Allison Taylor
Allison Taylor is a support worker for Women Farmers. She has spent the last ten years
involved in the organic vegetable and small mixed farming sector in many different
“farm roles” including operating her own farm business, farming together with others
as well as being a farmworker. After experiencing a mental health breakdown in a rural
setting, she realized her struggles were not hers alone, and that better mental health
supports were needed for all members of the farm and within rural communities. She
recognizes the challenges that come when faced with stressors on the farm and the
interconnectedness of livelihood and lifestyle within agriculture and local food.
Allison is currently working towards completing an undergraduate degree in sociology
and psychology as a mature student at the University of Regina to better serve her
community. Her hope is that by fostering resiliency and support in mental and physical
health together, the long-term future of farming can become one which is grounded
in deep appreciation for the earth and each other.
