Nancy Desrosiers

Job Title
Executive Director, Quality & Patient Safety, Infection Control, & Community Engagement

Department/Location
Quality and Patient Safety

How long have you worked at VCH?
Started August 17, 2015.

Tell us what you do at VCH in one or two sentences:
As the Quality & Patient Safety, Infection Control and Community Engagement Executive Director, I am responsible and accountable for leading, directing, and developing Clinical Quality and Patient Safety programs, strategies and initiatives for VCH. My respective teams and I provide oversight on clinical standards of care, quality improvement, change management, infection prevention and control, human factors engineering, surgical quality, data analytics and epidemiology, engagement, and accreditation.

What’s your favourite thing about your work?
Its variability and its challenges. All three programs have very different needs and requirements, however they all intersect. As a current Accreditation Canada Surveyor and being a nurse by background, incorporating Quality & Patient Safety, Infection Control and engaging clients in the care we provide is something we do in all aspects of our work. My mantra is “every day, we just do it,” (not that I want to compete with Nike)” So what gets me up in the morning? – is being able to have a holistic approach and know we are making a positive impact on the clients that we serve across all communities of care.

How does your work contribute to the VCH True North goals?
I’ve always been keen on creating new ways to enhance safety and strive for clinical excellence through standards of care for the patients that we serve; Having a “people first mind set” and to design programs that can be applicable and functional across the communities of care. In order to get better perspective on how to achieve those goals, our team must work closely with point of care staff, physicians, patients,community partners, and external stakeholders. Staying current with legislations, best practice and standards of care ensures we align with our True North Goals.

One thing we might be surprised to learn about you:
I survived a commercial plane crash when I was 12 years old.

Three things you always have in your fridge:
Not much, I have two teenagers! You would currently find jumbo olives, my Quebec maple syrup and locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

Who or what inspires you?
While I was completing my master’s at Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, I had the privilege to meet, leverage and work closely with a fabulous professor. I was fortunate enough to have her not only for my Management Consulting course, but also as a team mentor and supervisor for our international business consulting project in Lima, Peru. She worked diligently to ensure that our team reached our goals, challenged us beyond belief, remained available day and night, as well as coaching us with her wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field. I give thanks to Professor Dr. Dana Hyde for inspiring me for reaching my professional career goal and being at VCH with all of you in beautiful BC.

Most healthy habit:
I moved from Ontario and brought my 12 year old American Bulldog, Fiona. My new healthy habit has been to take her out for walks and training her to walk with a leash. Attempting the Grouse Grind is also a new healthy habit we are exploring.

Favourite vacation spot:
Jamaica with the kids. For the last four years, my girls have opted to have a family Christmas trip instead of gifts under the Christmas tree. This tradition has been in place for the last four years, so they are curious to see where we will all end up this year!