Be inspired: Vancouver’s People First award recipients
Monica McAlduff stepped up to lead the resdesign of clinical services at the Burnaby Centre.
Monica McAlduff: a leader willing to take a risk
“Monica McAlduff is truly a leader within VCH,” says Laura Case, director, mental health and addictions. “In the spirit of People First, she agreed to take on a portfolio because she believed in what the team and the program at Burnaby Centre could offer clients.”
The Burnaby Centre is a 100-bed provincial tertiary program offering specialized services to clients with both mental illness and addiction. Monica assumed responsibility for the centre’s operations less than one year ago. Since her arrival — and with support from a committed and adaptable clinical team — the patient services manager redesigned the centre’s clinical services, all of which now exceed best practice standards of rehabilitation for clients with complex concurrent disorders.
“Monica exemplifies our vision and values,” adds Laura. “Because she took a risk and stepped up to a very challenging role, the Burnaby Centre now helps hundreds of clients a year to successfully embrace their recovery journey.”
Daniel Scarborough was a sea of calm during one heart-wrenching night on the VGH Spine Unit.
Daniel Scarborough and Tammy Cho: professionals at a time of heartbreak
In health care, we come to expect the unexpected. But when a VGH patient on the Spine Unit took their own life, the shock and pain reverberated through the team. That heart-wrenching night Daniel Scarborough and Tammy Cho were on shift, and, together, they went above and beyond to provide exceptional support to staff and the patient’s family.
As site supervisor, Daniel assisted with the initial situation response, but it’s what happened next that makes his contribution stand out. Daniel chose to stay on the floor. He reached out to the manager and clinician on the unit, provided guidance to staff and assisted with debriefing.
Tammy Cho didn’t think twice about serving as translator for grieving family and staff.
Tammy was called in — outside of the scope of her role as patient care supervisor — to assist with translation between care staff, physicians and the patient’s family members. She remained on the unit for hours, assisting with translation during this extremely sensitive and difficult situation.
“I’m always proud of the work done by the patient flow and access team: their ability to juggle multiple priorities, to focus on quality and access for patients and to provide much-needed after-hours leadership support for allstaff at VGH,” says Michelle de Moor, director, ED, ICU, BPTU & patient flow.
“In this case, Daniel and Tammy demonstrated remarkable professionalism. I was very impressed by their ability to put aside their own emotional reaction to the situation and provide the support staff, family and physicians needed.”
Steven Sells improves the quality of life for ICU patients in ways they remember long after discharge.
Steven Sells: a nurse who lifts patient, family and staff spirits
In a VGH & UBCH Hospital Foundation video featuring Steve Howe, the former VGH ICU patient remembers Steven Sells well.
“There were a lot of good nurses,” he says, “but then there was a great nurse named Steve.”
Thirteen years in the ICU and two tours as an army nurse in Afghanistan haven’t hardened this RN. Steven is recognized for providing excellent patient care and family support while demonstrating exemplary teamwork. But it’s how he goes above and beyond for patients, families and coworkers that makes people take note.
For Steve Howe — who underwent 78 surgeries —Steven made special arrangements to take him outside and feel the sun on his face again. For visiting families, Steven’s called the airport to help them clear Customs faster. For an injured coworker, he’s delivered an entire beef Wellington meal.
“For as long as I can remember, Steven has consistently taken the time to ensure everyone around him is supported to the best of his ability,” says Kate Burrage, ICU dietician.
Asked how he inspires his colleagues, Hilary Onno, ICU social worker, summed it best: “He makes me want to be better.”
UBCH OR and Dental Clinic Patient Services Team: advocates for best patient care
Left to right: Jan Patenaude, Irena Tabachnicor, Sandy Strelioff, Kathy Bailey and Diane Wiebe. Not pictured: Dr. Fonseca, Jaki Adamson, Nina Luczenczyn and all certified dental assistants.
UBCH OR Patient Services Managers Sandy Strelioff and Diane Wiebe aren’t ones to back away from a challenge — especially when it comes to patient care. So when they faced the question about how to improve access to dental care for developmentally delayed clients, they got down to work.
Because clients with developmental delay become too agitated to receive even basic dental care, including cleaning and X-rays, without general anaesthetic, they can face waits of more than two years for access to the OR. But, not anymore.
“By focusing on the needs of the clients — rather than focusing on which service or cost centre is responsible — Diane and Sandy have helped close a gap in service and significantly improve access to care,” explains Cori Ross, director, ambulatory care.
Now, a weekly dental triage clinic sees up to five clients a day. And, thanks to the support of their teams and Anaesthesiology, additional tests and procedures are conducted for some of these clients while they’re under general anaesthetic, eliminating the need for the patient to undergo general anaesthetic a second time.