Christine Hennigar is photographed sitting outside of Geaganano Residence. She’s smiling directly into the camera while holding a clipboard. She has light blonde, wavy hair, blue eyes and is wearing a navy blue top with an army green jacket.
At Geaganano Residence, a place that means “our home” in Cree, Christine Hennigar welcomes patients and families travelling from remote James Bay and Hudson Bay communities with warmth, calm and care.

The health specialist role with Ininew Patient Services (IPS) may be newer, but it’s clear Christine Hennigar was made for it.

With her warm smile, friendly presence and signature dry wit — not to mention 40 years of health-care experience (yes, 40!) — she brings deep knowledge, empathy and calm confidence to her work supporting Indigenous patients far from home.

Based at Geaganano Residence in downtown Kingston, which means “our home” in Cree, Hennigar creates a welcoming, culturally safe environment for patients and families travelling from remote James Bay and Hudson Bay communities to receive care at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC).

“My role is about helping our guests feel safe, supported and understood,” she explains.

“We do everything we can to make their stay comfortable. From explaining what to expect during their care to making sure they have what they need before heading home.”

Christine Hennigar is crouched down, speaking with a guest in a wheelchair. They’re photographed outside of Geaganano Residence.
Featured

💛 Heart of Geaganano🏡

Hennigar and the IPS team bring their strengths together every day, providing culturally responsive, people-centred care that truly makes a difference.
Christine Hennigar is seated, while an IPS colleague stands behind her. They’re looking down at documents.
Featured

💛 Heart of Geaganano🏡

Hennigar and the IPS team bring their strengths together every day, providing culturally responsive, people-centred care that truly makes a difference.
Christine Hennigar is crouched down while a guest sits across from her. She’s looking down at the guest’s wrist, which has traditional beaded bracelets.
Featured

💛 Heart of Geaganano🏡

Hennigar and the IPS team bring their strengths together every day, providing culturally responsive, people-centred care that truly makes a difference.
Christine Hennigar is photographed standing outside of Geaganano Residence. She’s smiling directly into the camera. She has light blonde, wavy hair, blue eyes and is wearing a navy blue top with an army green jacket.
Featured

💛 Heart of Geaganano🏡

Hennigar and the IPS team bring their strengths together every day, providing culturally responsive, people-centred care that truly makes a difference.

A registered nurse who’s been with KHSC for two decades, Hennigar is known for her compassion, dedication and deep commitment to the people she cares for.

She’s been bringing that same warmth and experience to the IPS team for nearly three years.

“I’ve never been someone who backs down from a challenge,” she grins.

That same spirit drives her work today.

Hennigar conducts daily wellness checks, guides complex discharges and connects with KHSC teams and northern health-care partners to make sure individuals’ journeys home are smooth, safe and culturally respectful.

“Many of our guests are far from their families,” she says. “I help build those connections so they always feel supported every step of the way.”

Christine Hennigar is smiling, talking to a guest at Geaganano Residence. She has light blonde, wavy hair, blue eyes and is wearing a navy blue top with an army green jacket. She’s holding a clipboard.
Featured

✨ Building connections 🤝

From the moment guests arrive at Geaganano Residence, Hennigar is there to welcome them with warmth, understanding and care. Each smile, conversation and shared moment helps build connections that make every journey feel supported and safe.
Christine Hennigar is working at her desk, looking at computer screen. She has light blonde, wavy hair, blue eyes and is wearing a navy blue top with an army green jacket.
Featured

✨ Building connections 🤝

From the moment guests arrive at Geaganano Residence, Hennigar is there to welcome them with warmth, understanding and care. Each smile, conversation and shared moment helps build connections that make every journey feel supported and safe.
Christine Hennigar is smiling directly into the camera while standing in the middle of the dining room. She has flags all around her.
Featured

✨ Building connections 🤝

From the moment guests arrive at Geaganano Residence, Hennigar is there to welcome them with warmth, understanding and care. Each smile, conversation and shared moment helps build connections that make every journey feel supported and safe.

For Hennigar, the most rewarding part of the job is listening and learning from the people she serves.

“Hearing the stories and teachings of our Indigenous guests and Elders has been such a gift. They’ve taught me so much about strength, compassion and community.”

She adds she’s lucky to work with a dynamic, supportive team at IPS, where everyone’s strengths come together to provide culturally responsive, people-centred care that really matters.

“I’m proud of what we do. Every day, we help our guests feel honoured, respected and empowered — and that’s what makes Geaganano truly our home.”

This is the place where people are transforming care.

Thousands of different people come together and make KHSC a great place to work. We're a team on a mission to transform care, together.
Learn more