About Sunset Lodge
Who we are
At Sunset Lodge, we take pride in providing excellent care to the residents that have been entrusted to us. Located on the beautiful Gorge waterway, our park like grounds and lovely therapeutic garden with views of the waterway are enjoyed year round by our residents and their guests.
Built in 1979, Sunset Lodge is divided into 3 nursing floors. The building is staffed 24 hours a day by a Registered Nurse and Residential Care Aides (RCA’s). A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is also on every floor during the day and evening shifts. Each resident is provided with a comprehensive individualized care plan based on their needs and requirements. Their family member or significant other are integral in the development of their specialized care goals.
It is the uniqueness of each resident and the caring dynamic of the staff that comprises the culture of Sunset Lodge. We believe that for everything there is a season – and this season is one worth embracing and celebrating!
For the safety and security of our residents and staff, motorized wheelchairs and scooters are not permitted inside or on the grounds of Sunset Lodge.
Our history
Our team
Our goal at Sunset Lodge is to provide 24 hour quality care to our residents where individuality, compassion, dignity and respect are key ingredients to a safe, holistic, home like care environment. Our Team consisting of over 100 Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Resident Care Aides, and Activity Aides who strive to provide each resident with a comprehensive individualized care plan based on their needs and requirements as well as over 50 support services staff. Family members are also an integral part in the development of specialized care goals.
This team is complemented by an experienced interdisciplinary group led by the Executive Director and includes our Director of Care, Clinical Care Coordinator, Social Worker, Spiritual Care, Dietician, Recreation Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Music Therapist, Pharmacist and Medical Director.
It is the uniqueness of each resident and the caring dynamic of the staff that comprises the culture of Sunset Lodge. We believe that for everything there is a season—and this season is one worth embracing and celebrating!
We are dedicated to ensuring each resident receives person centered care and currently have 4 trainers on site to facilitate workshops in GPA or Gentle Persuasive Approach to ensure staff are equipped with the tools to provide the best care possible.
Gregory Kuhn is the Executive Director of Sunset Lodge, where he is proud to lead a passionate, dedicated team focused on creating a warm, engaging environment for residents, families, and staff. Prior to joining the Sunset Lodge team, Greg served as Director of Philanthropy and Communications at Mount St. Mary Hospital, supporting resident-centred long-term and palliative care programs, through relationship-building, storytelling, and community support.
Before moving into healthcare, Greg served for 22 years in the Royal Canadian Navy, an experience that shaped his commitment to servant leadership, teamwork, resilience, and putting people first — values that continue to influence his work today.
When not at work, you will find him cheering on the Seattle Seahawks, experimenting in the kitchen, or unwinding with a good book and cup of coffee.
Katie enjoys spending time with her family, watching her sons play baseball and pursing her passion for photography.
Sinisha transitioned to the long-term care sector following a successful 30-year career in the global hospitality industry. His extensive background includes leadership roles with major brands such as Hyatt International, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and Choice Hotels, as well as serving as Director of Sales and Marketing for the Hotel Grand Pacific and Victoria Conference Centre.
Three years ago, Sinisha joined Sunset Lodge with the goal of applying his diverse experience toward a meaningful impact in the community by helping the front-line team provide the best care possible for our residents. For Sinisha, the true joy of his work comes from the daily connections he makes with residents and the shared sense of purpose and belonging within the Leadership Team.
A resident of Victoria, Sinisha is a keen student of history and politics and an avid tennis player. He enjoys music, literature, and spending time with his family, including his wife, two children, and his mother-in-law.
Elena oversees the physical environment at Sunset Lodge, ensuring it remains a safe, secure, and high-functioning home for both residents and staff. Her broad portfolio includes managing building maintenance, safety systems, housekeeping, laundry, and kitchen services, as well as coordinating capital projects and payroll.
Elena’s journey with Sunset Lodge began as a Resident Care Aide (RCA), a transition into healthcare following her earlier career as an ESL teacher and technical translator. Driven by a passion for community care, she pursued a degree in Health Service Administration from Vancouver Island University. Her unique trajectory—from frontline care to leadership roles in HR and scheduling—has made her an inspiring facilitator and a deeply knowledgeable professional.
A Victoria resident since 2000, Elena is a global traveler who enjoys cooking, reading, and exploring the world with her husband and their two grown children.
Patti Pellizzaro is the Director of Programs at Sunset Lodge and is responsible for the management of the Activity Department and the Adult Day Programs. She has many years of experience in healthcare, mostly in nursing as an LPN in Acute Care at RJH. Her years of health care experience in Victoria, also includes roles in Medical Imaging and as a Nursing Scheduler at VGH. Patti feels a sense of appreciation, pride, and pleasure when getting to know each resident/client and learning their life histories.
She is proud of the wonderful group of activity staff members at Sunset Lodge that make each day pleasurable for the residents and clients at Sunset Lodge. Patti is married with three grown children and five very energetic grandchildren. When not traveling, she enjoys time at home with her family, with her rescue animals, and in her garden.
As the Adult Day Program Coordinator at Sunset Lodge, Joe Sharkey oversees three essential community programs: High Point Church, The Citadel Church, and the Sunset Lodge home site. Joe has been a cornerstone of the Sunset Lodge team for 18 years, and his passion for the work hasn't faded one bit.
Joe finds deep satisfaction in knowing that clients are enjoying vibrant, engaging programs led by his talented and dedicated staff. For him, the best part of any day is meeting new clients and their families and welcoming them into the community.
At home, Joe is a busy father to three active children under 15 who certainly keep him on his toes. When he isn't at work, he focuses on making memories with his family and staying active at the gym. While family life keeps him grounded for now, he still daydreams about eventually hitting the slopes at Mt. Washington to rediscover his love for snowboarding.
Lea Refol is a Senior Accountant at Sunset Lodge with a diverse background in finance, information technology, and education. She holds two bachelor’s degrees—a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Information Systems Technology—as well as two master’s degrees—a Master of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Arts in Computer Education. Reflecting her commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, she has also completed advanced leadership programs, including LEADS and Emerging Leaders.
Her career journey spans roles as a Computer Programmer, Instructor, Dean of College, Business Analyst, Scheduler, Senior Customer Service professional, and Senior Accountant, with hands-on experience in payroll management. Lea thrives on acquiring new knowledge and developing skills that enhance her ability to support her organization, clients, and colleagues. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, listening to inspirational music, and spending quality time with her husband and daughter.
Paola González is the HR Coordinator – Operations Support at Sunset Lodge, where she supports people and processes with care, intention, and a strong sense of authenticity. She enjoys finding solutions, building meaningful connections, and creating welcoming experiences that help staff feel supported from their very first day. Guided by the mission and values of The Salvation Army, Paola believes that true impact comes from serving others with integrity, empathy, and respect. She embraces the idea that happiness is a journey, not a destination, and strives to contribute to a positive and supportive workplace where people feel valued, heard, and encouraged to grow.
Outside of work, Paola enjoys exploring different places to enjoy food, spending time in peaceful settings with beautiful views and being around pets. Music has always been part of her life through her family, and she loves listening to a wide variety of styles that inspire and energize her.
Tracy Koebel has been working as the social worker at Sunset Lodge since December 2022. She holds a social work degree from the University of British Columbia and is a registered professional with the College of Social Workers. Tracy has many years of experience working in community roles, acute care and primarily in long term care. She is responsible for social work services for residents and their family members including facilitation of admissions, conducting assessments/evaluations, advocacy, and practical assistance.
Tracy also provides supportive counselling pertaining to issues such as adjustment to facility care, financial concerns, family relationship challenges and coping with loss. She facilitates the adult day program family support group as well as co-facilitating the family information meetings. Tracy deeply values her opportunity to develop respectful therapeutic relationships with the residents and families she works with. Tracy is a member of the interdisciplinary care team, focused on enhancing residents’ quality of life with a focus on person-centred care. Tracy is married with a grown son and daughter as well as one very special granddaughter. Tracy enjoys singing in a community choir as well outdoor pursuits such as hiking, traveling, reading, and boating.
Originally from Cape Town, South Africa married Denise from Vancouver, Canada. They now have four daughters and two grandchildren, all in Victoria BC and love the time they get to spend together in “paradise”, often celebrating birthdays and holidays together.
Cecil has a background in Naval Telecommunications and Retail Computer Management, called to serve in evangelism, missions and chaplaincy.Serving the Baptist Union in missions, outreaches and prison ministry, Cecil, Denise, and their family moved to Victoria in 2007.
Cecil joined Sunset Lodge more than 3 years ago from his role as next-steps Pastor at the Mustard Seed, following his service for six years as the Port Chaplain at Ogden Point for the Victoria Lighthouse Ministry to Seafarers, and has served as a volunteer Chaplain for the Royal Canadian Legion for many years. Learning the very high level of care, compassion and serving in the VIHA and TSA cultures and mission has been rewarding and encouraging challenge, with a call to prayer and bible study.
Sunday Worship Services at Sunset Lodge have been a high point in service, with a caring walk alongside many as they reach sunset milestones.
Organizational structure
Sunset Lodge operates as part of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. Oversight is provided by the Governing Council of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda, with leadership aligned through Divisional Headquarters.
At the local level, Sunset Lodge is led by the Executive Director, who oversees the site’s leadership team. This team includes roles responsible for care services, programs, operations, administration, spiritual care, and human resources, along with frontline staff and volunteers who support residents day to day.
Majors John and Jane Doe
Our staff
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Our commitment to our residents
Every Resident at Sunset Lodge will:
- Be treated with courtesy and respect and in a way that fully recognizes the resident’s dignity and individuality and to be properly sheltered, fed, clothed, groomed and cared for in a manner consistent with their needs.
- Be given a safe and clean environment.
- Be able to keep and display, in their room, personal possessions, pictures and furnishings in keeping with safety requirements and other residents’ rights.
- Be encouraged to form friendships, to enjoy relationships and to participate in Resident’s Council.
- Be encouraged to pursue social, cultural, spiritual, intellectual, physical and other interests to develop their potential.
- Be informed, in writing, of any law, rule, or policy directly affecting the resident of the home and the process for initiating complaints.
- Be afforded privacy; in treatment, in confidentiality of medical records, and when receiving visitors and concerning personal mail.
- Be informed of their medical condition, treatment and proposed course of treatment, and has the right to give or refuse consent to treatment and to be informed of the consequences of giving or refusing consent.
- Participate fully in decision-making involving their care, including obtaining and independent medical opinion.
- Be able to designate a person to receive information concerning any transfer or change in medical condition, and to have that person so informed.
To the extent possible, the resident will be responsible for their actions and for consequences resulting from them.
Accreditation
Sunset Lodge is accredited by both the Salvation Army and Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is a rigorous and comprehensive independent review of all aspects of care, administration and governance. This is an ongoing investment that we make to continually improve our high standards of care.
Accreditation involves all members of the organization, from our board of directors, to frontline staff, as well as members of the community including residents and families, and our community partners. It allows us to understand how to make better use of our resources, increase efficiency, enhance quality and safety, and reduce risk.
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