Leadership & board of directors
Olya Vovnysh, MHA, CHE, CHRP Chief Executive Officer
Kvitka Lopushanski, Director of Operations/ Administrator of Ivan Franko Senior Residence
Kvitka Lopushanski, Director of Operations/ Administrator of Ivan Franko Senior Residence
"Love lives at Ivan Franko Homes. Everyday our dedicated staff are making a difference in this world by providing exceptional care and sharing their love with our residents, who are a true treasure of our community. Our residents have so much to offer, each of them have their own unique stories and lifelong wisdom. Caring for them is a privilege, as caring about another person is life's greatest value and is very rewarding.
It is an honour to lead such an amazing and caring team of people and work for the good of the residents and staff." She holds a Master's degree in Health Administration from Toronto Metropolitan University and is a Certified Health Executive and Human Resources professional. She is a member in good standing with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
Olya Vovnysh joined
Ivan Franko Homes in 2011.
Kvitka Lopushanski, Director of Operations/ Administrator of Ivan Franko Senior Residence
Kvitka Lopushanski, Director of Operations/ Administrator of Ivan Franko Senior Residence
Kvitka Lopushanski, Director of Operations/ Administrator of Ivan Franko Senior Residence
“There are two things of great importance that we can do to others without hoping to be rewarded, but only in response to the call of our hearts: raising children and taking care of our elderly. By doing the first, we invest in our future. The second tests us to demonstrate how humane we are. It is my great pleasure and responsibility to serve as a team leader of Ivan Franko Homes, be involved in the lives of our elderly Ukrainian Canadians and help them live out the last years of their lives with dignity, respect, high quality professional care, services and,
most of all, love.”
Kvitka Lopushanski joined
Ivan Franko Homes in 2010.
George Horhota, Board President
Larissa Tkachenko, Vice President
Larissa Tkachenko, Vice President
“I believe that the true measure of a community is how well it respects and supports its elderly. Ivan Franko Homes provides a loving and caring environment for Ukrainian seniors. After a lifetime of contributing to our community, overcoming challenges and raising families, our seniors deserve nothing less than the best.”
George Horhota joined Ivan Franko Home’s Board of Directors in 2012.
Larissa Tkachenko, Vice President
Larissa Tkachenko, Vice President
Larissa Tkachenko, Vice President
“Each time I visit the Ivan Franko Homes, I feel their warmth, respect and українська гостинність, and see the commitment and devotion of our Executive Director, Administrators and staff. I am so grateful that our UkrainianCanadian seniors are able to enjoy the very best of care and comfort in absolutely beautiful settings and in a truly traditional Ukrainian cultural environment. I am privileged to serve on the Board and be part of the team that ensures the physical, moral and spiritual well-being of our seniors.”
Larissa Tkachenko joined Ivan Franko Home’s Board of Directors in 2014.
Yuri Chumak, Secretary
Larissa Tkachenko, Vice President
Ihor Perehinec, Treasurer
“The management and staff of Ivan Franko Homes embrace the values of innovation, integrity, respect and provide a family-friendly and holistic approach to delivering health care. I admire the history and heritage of Ivan Franko Homes, founded by Dr. Pasternak, a devoted Ukrainian patriot and administrator of considerable distinction.”
Yuri Chumak joined Ivan Franko Home’s Board of Directors in 2016.
Ihor Perehinec, Treasurer
Walentyna Rodak, Board Member
Ihor Perehinec, Treasurer
"It is my belief that as a community, it is our responsibility to provide our seniors with the utmost care and comfort in a cultural environment that they can best relate to. Ivan Franko Homes provides that opportunity with our Ukrainian traditions, common language, and most of all, within a recognized Ukrainian setting. Our elders have worked hard throughout their lives contributing so much to our community. They now deserve the best. I am proud and privileged to serve on the Board and work together with my fellow Board members, Administration and staff to make Ivan Franko Homes truly an exceptional place of care and comfort for our Ukrainian-Canadian seniors."
Ihor Perehinec joined Ivan Franko Home’s Board of Directors in 2016.
Raya Shadursky, Board Member
Walentyna Rodak, Board Member
Walentyna Rodak, Board Member
“Ivan Franko Homes provide hope for our seniors and upcoming ‘new’ seniors with care, understanding & support in their ‘golden years’. After years of raising families, building community life & maintaining Ukrainian culture & language, Ivan Franko is a centre of solace providing comfort - a home away from home for its residents.”
Raya Shadursky joined Ivan Franko Home's Board of Directors in 2014.
Walentyna Rodak, Board Member
Walentyna Rodak, Board Member
Walentyna Rodak, Board Member
“Ivan Franko Homes offer an exceptional environment of care and comfort for our Ukrainian Canadian seniors, along with cultural recreation. The Homes, with their dedicated Executive Director, administrators and staff, truly form a wonderful
and special team.”
Walentyna Rodak joined Ivan Franko Home’s Board of Directors in 2004.
Dr. Lesia Babiak, Board Member
Christine Swystun Witowych, Board Member
Dr. George Huculak, Board Member
“My family’s personal experience during our mother’s residence, care and eventual passing at Ivan Franko Homes confirms that the staff is amazing. They really care about residents and support families. The PSWs are incredible, the nurses, the kitchen staff, the office staff… Each came in offering their support and help and shared some of their stories about our mother, as did her friends from up and down the hall. IFH is already a lovely ‘selo’ setting. It’s a special place. IFH, thank you for all that you do!”
Dr. Lesia Babiak joined Ivan Franko Home's Board of Directors in 2017.
Dr. George Huculak, Board Member
Christine Swystun Witowych, Board Member
Dr. George Huculak, Board Member
“Our Seniors have so much to give, teach and share with us. They deserve to be in a place where they can be the best version of themselves - physically, emotionally and spiritually. I'm inspired by the depth of commitment and warmth with which the team at IFH treat the residents and plans for the future. Our seniors deserve the very best of our efforts and resources. I appreciate being a part of this wonderful story and look forward to, together with my other Board members, help to continue this tradition
of excellence.”
Dr. George Huculak joined Ivan Franko Home's Board in 2017.
Christine Swystun Witowych, Board Member
Christine Swystun Witowych, Board Member
Christine Swystun Witowych, Board Member
“I believe that family is who is there to help when you need it most. IFH Staff and Administrators are there daily, as extended family members, providing the best possible quality of life for Seniors. It’s a special team, joyfully creating a warm, home-like environment. They are committed to outstanding care in the best of times; but during the Covid-19 pandemic, they became heroes continuing to provide personalized, holistic care. It’s a privilege to serve on the Board, and together with my fellow Board members, to help continue making IFH an exceptional home for our Seniors.”
Christine Witowych joined Ivan Franko Home’s Board of Directors in 2022.
Bob Kushnir, Board Member
Bob Kushnir, Board Member
Christine Swystun Witowych, Board Member
Architect Extraordinaire, providing guidance on our Building Committee.
Bob Kushnir joined Ivan Franko Home's Board of Directors in 2016.
Board of directors legacy
Mykola Moros ( 20/12/1945 - 24/09/2021)
In Memory of Mykola Moros
( 20 Dec. 1945 – 24 Sept. 2021 )
Mykola Moros, our colleague and friend,
passed away on September 24 at the age of 75.
In July of 2009 Mykola officially became a member of the Board of Directors of
Ivan Franko Homes, with thanks to Oleksander Charchenko.
Let us take a moment to pause and honour Mykola.
A few reflections about Mykola and his contribution to our Ukrainian community
- by profession he was an engineer but very passionate about Ukrainian culture and
sponsored many musical and literary programs in Ukraine and in his hometown of Toronto
- Mykola was a long-time dedicated member of ODUM and for many years was president of
ODUM Canada - US (1988 – 1996)
- he founded the Kobza International Corporation, a Joint Ukrainian-Canadian Enterprise
(Dec. 1988 – 1996) and under the auspices of the firm sponsored the musical festival
“Chervona Ruta” in Chernivtsi, Ukraine in Sept. of 1989 and financially supported the
Ukrainian Canadian performers of the festival.
- he produced award winning films and presented them at the Science Centre in Toronto
- he set up a recording studio in Kyiv and produced audio-cassets of well known
Ukrainian performers which he sponsored to Canada and hosted at his EL Dorado
Apartment on Lakeshore Blvd. ; artists such as Nina Matvienko and the group “Zoloti Kliuchi”,
bandurist Halyna Menkush and kobza player Vasyl Nechepa to name a few
( I had two bandura ensembles at that time and Mykola made sure that the students
had an opportunity to meet and greet these artists and listen to their music first hand)
- his company also had a printing shop and one of the first productions was -
Практичний словник синонімів української мови, which was presented at St. Vladimir
Institute in 1994. The author, dissident Sviatoslav Karavansky, was present for the
opening ceremony and the signing of his book. I had the privilege of meeting him.
More details about Mykola’s work can be found on the internet by googling СП Кобза і.е.
Спільне підприємство Кобза (Українсько-канадське спільне підприємство «Кобза»).
To finish off my short reflections about Mykola’s active life,
I’d like to share with you a personal story that took place over 30 years ago,
about an essay contest for Ukrainian students at the University of Toronto.
The topic of the essay was - “Should Ukrainian students go to Ukraine and why”.
The prize - a three week trip to Ukraine (all expenses paid) to meet Ukrainian
students in Kyiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Odessa, Lviv. Sponsor - unknown.
It turned out to be Mykola Moros.
The winners were: Greg Blysniuk (current President of St. Volodymyr Cathedral Church
Council), Alex Ochrym (current member of St. Volodymyr Cathedral Church Council),
Nestor Gula from Plast and Oksana Rodak, my daughter (current co-Artistic Director and
conductor of the Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America).
They were all good students and fluent in Ukrainian.
Result of the trip - Oksana fell in love with the country and the people;
went back to Ukraine to study at the Kyiv Conservatory and later resided in the capital
for a number of years with her Ukrainian American husband
who worked for the US - Ukraine Foundation.
That was what Mykola did to one student in 1989 before
he became a well- known businessman.
Mykola will always be remembered for his optimism, generosity and positive influence
on the Ukrainian Canadian youth.
May he rest in peace !
Walentina Rodak,
Long-time friend of Mykola Moros and
Director of Ivan Franko Homes
Presented on Oct. 13, 2021 during the Ivan Franko Homes Board of Directors Meeting
Members in action
Minister Makes Announcement at Ivan Franko Home in Toronto
The Minister of Long-Term Care, Paul Calandra, visited Ivan Franko Home in Toronto to announce a new program to recruit and retain 225 additional nurse practitioners in the long-term care sector.