Anne Merrett-hiley

Job Title
Coordinator VCH Eating Disorders Program

Department/Location
VCH Eating Disorders Program

How long have you worked at VCH?
4 years

Tell us what you do at VCH in one or two sentences:
I am the coordinator of a community based outpatient program that offers multidiciplinary treatment to individuals with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa and their loved ones. The program is available to children, youth and adults who live in Vancouver and adults who live on the North Shore.

What’s your favourite thing about your work?
Working in an environment where my beliefs and values about health at every size are respected, valued and integrated into the services offered both at a clinical and systems level.
Clincially, this perspective validates the lived experiences of our clients, many of whom have been bullied because of their weight.

From a systems level I had the privilege of being part of a working group that included Public Health staff from across VCH to address obesity and prevent eating disorders by addressing weight bias and promoting positive body image. The result of this was a VCH Healthy Weights Key Message document that encourages staff to participate in changing the conversation about weight to a conversation about overall health and well-being. One of the tools to help people begin to look at the issue of weight bias and stigma is the online resource BalancedView. BalancedView is an evidence-informed resource is designed to reduce weight bias and stigma among medical, mental health, allied health and public health professionals. It is an incredible resource that consists of 5 online modules, is interactive and takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete.

I am so proud to be part of an organization that acknowledges the adverse health outcomes of weight bias and promotes a focus on health, not weight as this is instrumental in the prevention of disordered eating.

How does your work contribute to the VCH True North goals?
Given that weight stigma exists and we know that it contributes to adverse health outcomes, by promoting a focus on health enhancing behaviours, not weight we are providing the best care and promoting better health for our communities.

Additionally, as a result of the VCH Healthy Weights document Public Health Prevention staff will now be supported to take this weight bias online education course during staff time ensuring the development of the best workforce.

One thing we might be surprised to learn about you:
I am training to be a slow fat Triathlete…living proof that one can be healthy at any size!

Three things you always have in your fridge:
A wide range of condiments (I love to cook), cream (I cannot have coffee without this) and sparkling water (the bubbles make me smile).

Who or what inspires you?
I surround myself with inspiring people. At the top of my list are my son and my wife. My dedicated team of creative health care professionals is a constant inspiration to me. Finally, I am always in awe of the courage I see in our clients.

Most healthy habit:
Giving up dieting, learning to accept my body and treat it well regardless of my size.

Favourite vacation spot:
Weekend getaways to Victoria with my family. We stay in a rambling old home by the ocean and have many wonderful adventures!