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
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
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
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.
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.
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.