Tea, Jazz, and Joy at Park Place

Contributed by Melissa Laroche, APN Geriatrics

At QCH, we know that health isn’t just about medicine—it’s about moments of joy, connection, and community. That’s exactly what came to life recently at Park Place, where the Geriatric team, QCH’s Park Place team, and the Park Place Retirement Home partnered to host a special afternoon for patients and families.

The event held on Friday, August 29, was filled with sunshine, treats, and live jazz music courtesy of The Dominant Seven Jazz Combo, an incredible group of students from a local high school. Their energy and talent set the stage for an afternoon that was as uplifting as it was memorable.

For our patients, this wasn’t just tea and music. It was a chance to step outside of routine, connect with loved ones, and feel joy in the moment. For families, it meant shared experiences and lasting memories. And for our staff and volunteers, it was a reminder of why we do what we do, to create meaningful experiences that truly matter.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity and heart of so many who gave their time and skills. A big thank you to the committee who made it happen: Hannah Duke (Social Worker), Chelsea Seary-Lalonde (Clinical Manager), Mary Ann Coffie (Care Facilitator), Sarah King (Speech-Language Pathologist), Melissa Laroche (Advanced Practice Nurse, Geriatrics), Tiegisti Belway and Ibrahim Hadi (Behaviour Therapists), Julia Forsyth (BSO RN), Stephanie Neville (Recreational Therapist), and Elina Thelen (General Manager, Park Place).

Together, we created more than an event, we created moments of joy that patients and families will carry with them long after the last note of music faded.

It’s a beautiful reminder that care isn’t only about treatment, but also about connection, community, and the simple happiness of being together.