Being a patient in a palliative care hospital setting typically signals end-of-life treatments, pain management and an uncertain future.
Because of that, visiting a loved one in palliative care is an emotional time, an experience Sofia Fowler experienced firsthand during her grandfather’s final months.
He had terminal cancer and received compassionate care at Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), where Fowler would visit him and often marvel at the level of care and attention he received from staff.
Sadly, he passed away in the summer of 2020 - but four years later, the St. Clair College Esthetician student had a chance to honour her Abuelito’s memory, while also giving back.
Fowler was among a group of students hand-picked to work in a pilot project with the Transition to Betterness Mobile Spa.
"Their kindness left a lasting impact on my family and me. When presented with the opportunity to volunteer as an Esthetician at HDGH, I knew it would be a meaningful way to honor my grandfather’s memory and express gratitude for the care he received," said Fowler.
The T2B Mobile Spa is a collaboration between Transition to Betterness and St. Clair College’s Esthetician and Hair Styling programs. The service provides compassionate care to palliative patients through professional hairdressing and aesthetic services, including hair trims, manicures, pedicures, massages, and gentle shaves.
"The T2B Mobile Spa is a heartwarming extension of our mission, offering a gentle embrace of comfort to those on their palliative journey," said Amber Hunter, the former executive director of Transition to Betterness who helped launch the program. "We are grateful for the support and collaboration of St. Clair College and our incredible partnership with The Stephanie and Barry Zekelman Foundation."
The service was provided free to patients thanks to a generous donation from the Stephanie and Barry Zekelman Foundation.
Fowler and others operated the Mobile Spa "comfort cart" through the hallways of the hospital’s palliative wing every Friday from May to August 2024, helping patients maintain their dignity and comfort during a challenging time.
Not only did Fowler and her fellow students gain great on-the-job experience, but they also found the work incredibly rewarding.
"I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to connect with patients and families in the palliative care unit," said Fowler. "Providing spa services was meaningful, but even more so was the chance to listen to their stories, laugh together, and simply be there for them. Each challenge has led to growth and improvement."
Janice Vandehogen, an Esthetician program technologist, said Fowler performed industry competencies, but also received extensive training to work in a medical setting and gained attributes like critical thinking, time management and coping skills.
"Among other things, it restores dignity in patients. Just because you’re lying in a hospital bed, you want to feel you’re still alive," said Vandehogen.
"This meaningful community partnership with St Clair College and T2B has provided students the experience of a lifetime," said Vandehogen. "To see students thrive outside the lab in the community and beyond in a kind way makes me feel very hopeful for all our futures."
"The St. Clair College Esthetician Program's collaboration with the Transition to Betterness Mobile Spa enhances our students' skills and extends St. Clair College's impact beyond the classroom," said Stephanie DeFranceschi, the Chair of the School of Health Sciences. "By providing compassionate care to patients in the palliative setting, our students make a meaningful difference in the wider community, embodying the true spirit of service and healing."
The most important feedback came from the families of patients Fowler assisted during a challenging time.
"The Mobile Spa made my father feel so special and cared for after his manicure and pedicure," said Michelle Swintak. "If was beautiful to see him living with dignity while in such a vulnerable state since he was not able to have access to the regular services he was used to."
It’s service that also caught the eye of doctors in the palliative care unit, who recognize the importance of what Vandehogen calls "a little ray of sunshine on your darkest days."
"The addition of the comfort spa to our palliative unit has been an extremely welcomed service that has had a wonderful impact on our patients during their journey," said Dr. Nicole Freeman, a palliative care doctor at Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare.
"We continue to be so appreciative of the support and services T2B offers to our patients and families daily," Dr. Freeman said.
St. Clair College is eager to continue offering the T2B Mobile Spa comfort care again from January to August 2025, and will be taking applications from the next batch of students through the work study "giving back" program in the coming months.
