TCU celebrates Pat Buckley “in style”

UBC Hospital’s Transitional Care Unit (TCU) knows how to celebrate in style.

In the spirit of the season, they threw an Ugly Christmas Sweater party in Pat Buckley’s honour. After more than 34 years of service, Pat is retiring from Vancouver Coastal Health.

Pat’s history predates UBCH — she was hired as the hospital’s very first clinical dietitian the month prior to the hospital opening its doors.

Since then, Pat has worked in the ICU, Medicine, Surgery, Swallowing Clinic, GI, Psychiatry, Administration, Residential Care, TCU (of course!) — and every UBCH unit that has ever had a dietitian. Pat also worked as a research dietitian during this time and is a clinical instructor at UBC, teaching and mentoring many dietetic students.

Pat’s dedication to her career is also evident in her active membership on the hospital Nutrition Committee , Clinical Nutrition Practice Council, the Provincial Enteral and Parental Advisory Committee, as well as numerous other groups.

As a fitting reward, Pat won the “Just too Pretty” award for her sweater. Pat has always joked that she would be the last one out to turn off the lights. Given that her retirement plans include volunteering on the UBCH campus, she may just do that.