Our Team

Meet the Lanark Lifestyles Team

The Lanark Lifestyles staff is committed to providing excellent care and a respectful and welcoming environment for our residents.

Dr. Neel Chadha, MD, CCFP

Dr. Neel Chadha, MD, CCFP

Co-Owner, Physician

Dr. Neel Chadha is a dedicated family physician who specializes in senior care. He has extensive knowledge of ailments affecting the senior population, including dementia, arthritis, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Dr. Chadha completed medical school in Calgary and carried out his family medicine residency training in Perth and Ottawa. Early in his career, he gained experience working in eight retirement homes and two long-term care homes. He also worked at five hospitals, including the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital.

As a child of immigrants, Dr. Chadha feels grateful for the freedoms, opportunities and lifestyles, Canada has to offer and to the generations of people who worked tirelessly to achieve them. His passion for helping seniors led him on the path to improving the standard of care—and the lifestyles—offered in retirement homes.

Wit Lewandowski, BSc. Pharm. BCGP

Wit Lewandowski, BSc. Pharm. BCGP

Co-Owner, Pharmacist

Wit Lewandowski is a registered pharmacist who graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) from the University of Toronto, College of Pharmacy. He owned and operated Rideau Pharmacy in downtown Ottawa for over 25 years before selling it to focus on the retirement home sector. In order to stay current with developments in the pharmaceutical field, particularly in the area of senior care, he continues to work as a pharmacist on a part-time basis.

Wit has successfully developed and operated three other full-service retirement homes: Rideau Gardens, a 121-unit, in Ottawa, Quinte Gardens, a 239-unit, in Belleville and Hazeldean Gardens, a 172-unit, in Stittsville.

Wit has always been passionate about senior care and is one of the few pharmacists in the country with the professional designation of Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (BCGP). Wit is also passionate about mentorship and Dr. Neel Chadha credits him with being a “superb mentor” throughout the project.

Shauna Vaillancourt

Shauna Vaillancourt

Executive Director

Shauna joined the tightknit Lanark Lifestyles team before we opened our doors and has over 20 years experience in various aspects of retirement residences. Having worked for both large corporations and small companies, she knew that a smaller, local company was where she wanted to be. Lanark Lifestyles shares her vision that our seniors deserve a home where Residents come first.

Shauna has always been drawn to working with seniors which she discovered when, as a teenager, she volunteered as a Candy Striper at a long-term care home.

Although born and raised in Sarnia, Shauna moved to Ottawa in 1998 and has lived in Carleton Place, since 2003. In her spare time, you can find Shauna taxiing her two teenagers around and spending a lot of time in local hockey arenas.

Amanda Gordon

Amanda Gordon

Senior Living Advisor

Amanda is a seasoned expert in the field of retirement living having spent many years working for one of the big corporate retirement living companies. While Amanda enjoyed working for the company, commuting into the city for hours a day was getting to be too much.

 Amanda joined Lanark Lifestyles before we opened and is dedicated to working with other community stakeholders to make sure that all the seniors in Perth and the surrounding areas are supported. Amanda’s forte is full continuum of care buildings like Lanark Lifestyles and is happy to speak to anyone about the variety of care options we offer.

 Amanda, her husband and their beloved dog, Barlow, live on a little hobby farm in McDonald’s Corners. Barlow comes to work with Amanda everyday and is a well-loved (and spoiled) fixture at the home.

Hayley Stewart, RPN

Hayley Stewart, RPN

Director of Care

Hayley, a registered practical nurse, has worked in geriatrics for over eight years, and has recently been promoted to Director of Care at Lanark Lifestyles.

After graduating, Hayley knew she wanted to work with seniors and developed a passion and commitment to ensuring our senior population received quality services, including exceptional care.

Hayley and her care team will work tirelessly to make a positive impact in the lives of seniors at Lanark Lifestyles, and within our community.

Living just outside of Perth with her many animals, Hayley is thrilled to be a part of the Lanark Lifestyles team and strives to provide our seniors and their families with the quality care and services that are in line with her resident centred philosophy.

Lexi Bowes

Lexi Bowes

Life Enrichment Manager

Lexi was born and raised in Perth and has raised her two beautiful daughters here in her hometown. Lexi knew from a young age that she wanted to work with the elderly, and when she visited her grandparents at seniors’ residences, she knew that would be a great fit for her. 

Lexi studied at St. Lawrence College in Cornwall, and right after graduating, went to work at Fairview Manor in Almonte, where she stayed for almost 20 years. In search of a change that would bring her closer to home for her family, she was offered a reception position at Lanark lifestyles. Within months, she took on the role of Reception Supervisor, and then was eventually offered the Life Enrichment Coordinator position.

Lexi loves bringing smiles to all the residents with a dynamic activity program and endeavours to continue enriching their lives at Lanark Lifestyles for years to come.

Sarah Davies

Sarah Davies

Food Services Manager

Sarah comes to Lanark Lifestyles with over 17 years’ experience in various aspects of the food service industry, including six years working in retirement residences. She graduated with honours from her Culinary Management program at Algonquin College, and was awarded for overall excellence in her program.

She has a strong passion for farm to table cooking and local flavours and has worked in many local Perth restaurants before she began her career in the Ottawa retirement industry. She is now enjoying being back in Perth doing what she loves in a community she is passionate about.

Diamond Uriarte

Diamond Uriarte

Environmental Services Manager

Diamond is originally from the Philippines but in 1987 he immigrated to Rhode Island USA where he obtained his Degree in Architectural Drafting Technology before moving to Canada in 1992.

After settling in Ottawa, Diamond was employed with the YMCA-YWCA for 27 years, ending his stint at the Y as the Coordinator of Facility and Physical Plant Operation. Diamond managed the housekeeping and maintenance departments for all areas of the building including shelter floors, offices, health and wellness, childcare, and pool areas.

Diamond is an original employee and opened Lanark Lifestyles. He knows every corner of the building and will often be found working with his sidekick, Abu.

In his spare time, Diamond enjoys woodworking and carpentry but can also often be found fishing or boating in the nice weather and cheering on his favourite teams in hockey (Go SENS Go!) and soccer. 

Find Out More

Want to inquire about Lanark Lifestyles Retirement Residence or our Luxury Senior Apartments? Contact us today, and we will reply as soon as possible.