2020 CASE MANAGER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE

Nicole Galeotalanza

Nominated For: CASE MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Nicole is the owner and director of Tri-Star Health Management Group Inc. She has been working with families and supporting individuals with traumatic injuries since 2002 and started her case management practice in 2007. Nicole’s academic and professional journey is a true testament to her commitment, passion, and dedication to supporting others. In 2001, Nicole graduated with a Bachelor of Science, with Honours in Athletic Therapy, from Concordia University, in Montreal, Quebec. She later completed the Case Management Certificate program from McMaster University, in 2009. In 2013, Nicole successfully completed the Life Care Planning Pre-Certification Program, through the University of Florida, and was certified as a Canadian Certified Life Care Planner through the International Commission of Health Care Certification (ICHCC). More recently, and in addition to her current Case Management and Life-Care Planning practice, Nicole embarked on a new journey, and in 2021, became a Certified Professional Life Coach & Certified Happiness Coach, focusing on mental wellness. Nicole is a member in good standing with the Ontario Kinesiology Association, the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario, and the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals. She is firmly committed to lifelong learning and continues to attend and participate in various educational conferences and seminars to remain up to date with current research and advancements in the field of rehabilitation.

Using a person-centered and strengths-based approach, Nicole works collaboratively with her clients to identify their unique needs. She supports them to determine their own individualized path of recovery by optimizing care, autonomy, independence, and allocation of resources to achieve a self-determined life. She also recognizes the value and importance of collaborating with an experienced interdisciplinary rehabilitation team in order to maximize a client’s growth and recovery. Through a trauma-informed and empowerment lens, Nicole works to ensure her clients regain control of their own destiny, goals, and structures in their life, by valuing and building on the multiple capacities, resilience, skills, internal and external resources, coping abilities, and the inherent worth of each client she supports.

Nicole’s practice is grounded in the belief that people can and do overcome the barriers and obstacles that confront them and strives to foster hope, which she believes to be the catalyst of the recovery process. Whether in her practice in the field of rehabilitation, case management, or within her private coaching practice, Nicole’s integrity, strong advocacy, and her “leave no stone unturned” approach fosters genuine care and builds trust within her professional relationships. It is through this cultivation of care and established trust that the families and individuals she supports are able to achieve personal progress, sustainable growth and create transformative change in their lives.

Today, Nicole continues to maintain an active case management practice, managing rehabilitation services for individuals with various catastrophic injuries, including, but not limited to, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Chronic Pain, Psychiatric Disorders, Substance Use, and Amputation for both children and adults.

Nicole is proud to be a co-chair on the sponsorship subcommittee for the Toronto ABI Network Conference. She also is a supporter of BIST and OBIA events and was a fierce competitor in the Haunted Hot Wing Challenge last Halloween.

Once again, Nicole is truly honoured to be nominated for Case Manager of the Year for the fifth time!