G.F. Strong occupational therapist honoured as BC’s Health Care Hero
A hero is someone who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities. GF Strong Occupational Therapist Dianna Mah-Jones has all of those characteristics and then some. Already a VCH Hero, Dianna was named the Provincial Health Care Hero for 2017 at the BC Health Care awards in Vancouver on June 26th.
Dianna Mah-Jones standing outside of GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.
Improving lives at G.F. Strong
Dianna Mah-Jones has worked at G.F. Strong for the past 26-years in various capacities, including Director of Occupational Therapy. She has been a front-line clinician on the Spine Program for 11 years. Her colleagues describe her as the “heart” of the in-patient team at G.F. Strong. Her work as an occupational therapist is characterized by passion, commitment and caring.
Thinking outside the box
Dianna has devoted her career to adult physical rehabilitation. Her ability to think outside the box has led her to design a number of devices to help people function better. For example, when a GF Strong patient with muscular dystrophy couldn’t see past the rigid collar she had to wear to hold her head upright, Dianna designed a new inexpensive collar using a latex balloon. The “Lidia Collar,” comes in various colours to match an individual’s wardrobe.
The wooden feeding tower that Dianna Mah-Jones created.
When another client set a goal of being able to look after his personal needs, including feeding himself, Dianna came through with a wooden feeding tower with pulleys and a lever that he could operate in the standing position. The man was able to feed himself after six months of relying on others. Dianna and her device will travel to Denver in September for a presentation at the annual conference of the American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals.
“Her commitment and passion for work has never diminished.”
Theresa Mackie & Susan Louie, Occupational therapist, G.F. Strong
“We have worked with Dianna for almost 2 decades and have always been continually amazed by her innovative abilities, creative flair, and boundless energy across all facets of her practice as an occupational therapist. Her commitment and passion for her work has never diminished in all the years we’ve known her.”
“Her positive attitude is infectious and she is an inspiring role model for all health care providers. She absolutely goes the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of her patients and colleagues.”
Congratulations Dianna!
More VCH winners
VCH is proud to boast more HEABC award winners in our midst. Read this article about the other winners as well as an article about the Cardiac Surgery Quality Improvement Team.