St. John’s, NL — The Heather Cutler Foundation’s Founder and Executive Director Christopher Cutler, volunteer Rayah Vokey, and NL Health Services Social Worker Julia Parsons are presenting CareCircle Connect NL today at the NL Health Innovation Summit 2025, after the project was named one of the top three finalists in the Cancer Care Track.
Developed through collaboration between The Heather Cutler Foundation and NL Health Services, CareCircle Connect NL aims to bridge critical gaps in rural and psychosocial cancer care by combining compassionate community engagement with innovative health solutions.
“Our goal is to reimagine how we connect cancer patients, families, and care teams—especially in rural Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Christopher Cutler, Founder and Executive Director of The Heather Cutler Foundation. “This proposal represents what happens when empathy meets evidence, and local expertise drives national impact.”
Julia Parsons, a registered social worker with NL Health Services specializing in Mental Health and Addictions, developed and submitted the proposal. Currently completing her Master of Social Work, Julia’s academic focus is on young adults affected by cancer—an area inspired by her own experience supporting her fiancé through treatment.
Joining her on stage is Rayah Vokey, a Behavioural Neuroscience Honours Student at Memorial University of Newfoundland and active volunteer with The Heather Cutler Foundation. Raised in Clarenville, Rayah’s early experience in rural health settings has inspired her goal to become a physician dedicated to underserved communities.
“This initiative shows how local collaboration can lead to meaningful, scalable innovation in cancer care,” said Julia Parsons. “It’s about making psychosocial support more accessible, personal, and connected—no matter where someone lives.”
The NL Health Innovation Summit, held from November 3–6, convenes health leaders, innovators, and community organizations from across the province to showcase breakthrough solutions advancing patient care and system transformation.
CareCircle Connect NL reflects the shared vision of The Heather Cutler Foundation and NL Health Services: to create equitable, compassionate, and community-centered models of care that strengthen cancer support systems both in Newfoundland and Labrador and nationwide.
💻 Learn more and register for the Summit here.
📅 Date: November 5, 2025
📍 Event: NL Health Innovation Summit 2025
Together, we’re shaping the future of equitable cancer care — in Newfoundland and Labrador, and across Canada.
