Sarah Beck

Job Title
Public Health Nurse

Department/Location
Evergreen Community Health Centre

How long have you worked at VCH?
2 years

Tell us what you do at VCH in one or two sentences:
I work as a Registered Nurse for VCH’s Maternal-Newborn (prenatal to age-5) program at Evergreen Community Health Centre. We have a huge scope and do everything from home visits for breastfeeding or jaundice assessments to immunization clinics, screening, and community outreach.
Editor’s note: Sarah is involved in the staff flu campaign. Keep an eye out for her in posters in your unit! For info on the flu visit www.vch.ca/staff-flu.

What’s your favourite thing about your work?
I was part of a large interdisciplinary team working with a very unique and complex client. The case was very new to most of us and so we ended up publishing an article so that others could learn from the care we provided. It was a very interesting process and I learned a lot!

Which True North goal does your work contribute to the most?
Promote better health for our communities

One thing we might be surprised to learn about you:
I speak Spanish and French and have lived in 4 countries (and more than 10 cities!).

Three things you always have in your fridge:
Cucumbers (who doesn’t?)
Milk or cream (hello fellow coffee lovers)
Eggs (omelettes, anyone?)

Who or what inspires you?
I’m grateful to have lots of positive role models in my life – and have a great team who inspire me every day at work! Outside of work, my Dad has always been someone I look up to. He’s probably more fit than I am (an only slightly embarrassing fact), he does amazing work for UNICEF in Latin America, and is always up for fun and crazy adventures.

Most healthy habit:
I swim, cycle, and run (mostly for fun). I also (try to) eat healthy foods (while caving to my sweet tooth here and there for good measure). I’m constantly striving for balance.

Favourite vacation spot:
This is tough. Living in Vancouver means that we have so many great options for weekend getaways which I love doing. Outside of Canada though, I’m passionate about continuing to explore Latin America and would gladly travel to pretty much anywhere in that region!