We Remember: Joanne Ogden
April 15, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the unexpected passing of our colleague and valued Riverside team member, Joanne Ogden, on April 13, 2026.
Joanne’s journey with Riverside came full circle. She began her nursing career with us in 1985 in the Intensive Care Unit at La Verendrye General Hospital, where she dedicated 20 years to providing exceptional, compassionate care. A highly respected Registered Nurse, she was known for her clinical excellence, compassion, and unwavering commitment to her patients and colleagues.
Her work later expanded into community and Indigenous health, where she helped establish at-home care programming and served as a Community Health Nurse and Health Program Supervisor, working closely with local First Nations communities. Her leadership and advocacy in this space were recognized nationally, including an award from Health Canada’s 2017 Award of Excellence in Nursing. Over the course of her career, Joanne worked across acute care, intensive care, community health, home care, palliative care, and Indigenous health services throughout Ontario and Manitoba, always championing culturally respectful, equitable, and holistic care.
While her work took her beyond Riverside for a time, her connection to the organization never faded.
Joanne returned in a governance role as a member of the Board of Directors, including three years as Chair, during which she helped guide Riverside through significant investments, organizational change, and the challenges of COVID-19. In 2023, she rejoined Riverside in a Senior Leadership role as Quality Assurance Auditor, continuing her passion for improving patient outcomes through education, collaboration, and innovation. She also served as Riverside’s Ontario Health Team Executive Lead, where she was a respected voice and strong advocate at the partner table. Her journey - beginning and ending with Riverside - is one we are proud to have been part of, even if only a small chapter in her remarkable story.
Joanne’s commitment to helping others extended far beyond her profession. She was deeply involved with her local Lions Club and served in executive roles with Lions Clubs International, including as an International Director - an achievement that reflects both her leadership and her unwavering spirit of service. She gave generously of her time, including through international volunteer work, and was always eager to share those experiences with her colleagues through heartfelt stories.
Joanne had a larger-than-life heart, an infectious laugh, and a remarkable ability to lift those around her. She brought warmth, humour, and humanity into every space she entered (often wearing sandals, no matter the season). At Riverside, she will be remembered most for who she was: warm, thoughtful, and deeply caring. Joanne made people feel heard, supported, and valued, leaving a lasting impact through her leadership, mentorship, and everyday kindness.
Joanne's dedication to health care, her commitment to people, and her unwavering compassion leave a lasting legacy across our organization and the communities she served.
We continue to hold Joanne’s family in our thoughts. Riverside has lost a valued team member and respected leader - but more importantly, a family has lost a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and so many have lost a truly great friend.