Our Story
The Ressam Story
In the summer of 2011, a woman fondly nicknamed Ressam was presented with one of the biggest challenges of her life; an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. For the next 6 years, she would battle the unforgiving disease before peacefully passing in August of 2017. Following her death, Ressam’s son, Dr. Al-Mutawaly, decided that families who were struggling with the same challenges needed a place that could not only support and ensure the safety of their loved ones, but also provide groundbreaking innovation and research that could overpower the disease. Through that passion and determination, Ressam Gardens was born, and has been the center of countless families’ hopes.
Meet the Team
President and Interim Manager
Dr. Nafia Al-Mutawaly
After earning my bachelor engineering degree 1982, I started my career working for numerous industries. I received my master’s and Ph.D. from Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at McMaster University in 1998 and 2003, respectively. I joined Mohawk College in 1998 as a professor, and McMaster University in 2003 as an Associate professor at the departments of Medicine and Electrical Engineering. In 2007, I was assigned the Chair position in Energy Engineering Technologies at McMaster University. In 2013 I was awarded Canada Industry Research Chair for Colleges (IRCC). In 2016 I decided to proceed with an early retirement from academia. In 2015 my professional interests as a biomedical engineer shifted to the healthcare industry, with the focus on Dementia and the improvement of senior living. Such a change was triggered by witnessing my mother’s challenges with Alzheimer’s and the limited support toward the disease. My findings reinforced my belief that Canada’s current healthcare system is in desperate need of restructuring, as has been underscored by the seniors in the long-term care crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a Founder and President of Ressam Gardens, and with the support of many partnerships, I have been successful in introducing innovation to the memory care/retirement home industry. Such partnerships include McMaster Institute of Research on Ageing (MIRA), McMaster University School of Engineering Practices, McMaster Institute for Transportations and Logistics, city of Hamilton, and the Alzheimer’s Society (of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton, Halton (ASBHNHH)). These partnerships have highlighted the need for modern technological interventions, specifically in memory care. It is my dream that Ressam Gardens will be the model for future memory care facilities, not only in Canada but around the world!
Clinical Director
Lismi Kallan
Life Enrichment Manager
Sabrina Logan
Sabrina brings almost a decade of experience working with the senior population in recreation and leisure, to Ressam Gardens. Her roles as a Recreation Therapist and Director of Programs and Support Services give her the knowledge to bring success to our community, while her passion for person-centered care comes through in all the work that she does to support individuals living with dementia. Her specialties in non-pharmacological interventions, Gentle Persuasive Approaches, fall-prevention exercise, and meaningful activities bring valuable perspectives to our team here at Ressam Gardens.
Maintenance Manager
Husam Hameed
For the past decade Husam has been working as a maintenance manager for several properties, including many large facilities. His three university degrees in physics helped him tremendously to deal with all the aspects of building maintenance, giving him unparalleled knowledge in the structural, mechanical, electrical, and information technology (IT) elements of the job. The latter was a critical skill to handle the modern technology, computers, networking, and security systems of the ever-shifting landscape we see in healthcare.
Conducting his daily duties at Ressam Gardens allows Husam to be close to the residents, where he enjoys talking and joking with them. Such warm social interactions help him to better understand the residents’ needs and have motivated him to provide them with the best service that can be found anywhere.
When not at work, Husam assumes a volunteer role of an administrator and treasurer of a charitable organization for the past sixteen years. Furthermore, Husam assists new immigrants to settle in his community.
Vision Statement
To build and manage a Retirement Home that:
- Establishes a vibrant and expanding community
- Resembles a boutique facility that provides a homely feeling environment
- Alleviates loneliness of seniors and encouraging them to feel at home
- Implements the highest safety procedures and latest technological advancements of Smart Homes
Mission Statement
To provide a state of the art memory care facility, integrated within a residential neighbourhood, which includes: Smart home devices, on-site medical facilities and highly specialized memory care treatment.
Value Statement
- Personal vision and mission devoted commitment
- Compassion
- Respect
- Patience and dedication
- Nonjudgmental service
- Vibrant service with extended individualized accommodation