Sally Kupp

Job Title
Clinical Educator, Illicit Drug Overdose Response

Department/Location
Prevention

How long have you worked at VCH?
3.5 years

Tell us what you do at VCH in one or two sentences:
I started working with VCH in 2013 at Lions Gate Hospital with the amazing team in the emergency department.

I then worked part time at InSite, where I took on an expanded role doing overdose prevention and naloxone training in VCH. Now I work as the clinical educator on the Overdose Emergency Response team where I help coordinate naloxone training for VCH and community sites, work with professional practice on policies, help develop an online course for naloxone, and assist in supporting a resiliency workshop for front line staff.

What’s your favourite thing about your work?
My favourite memory while working for VCH is the project I helped support with the peer staff at InSite. I first trained the peers in preventing overdoses and administering naloxone, then I trained them to train clients and their peers at risk of an opiate overdose. As I sat at the coffee table in the chill lounge after one of the peers gave the naloxone training, the client they had trained said to me “that was such great training, and the first time where I felt like I remembered all the steps to respond to an overdose! I feel like I have the power to help my friends survive.”

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 lived in a mud hut in thirty degree plus heat for nine months in South Sudan working for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) before starting work at Lions Gate. After working with limited staff and resources in a remote location with ongoing civil war, I knew I wanted to expand on my nursing expertise and learn more about emergency care.

Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by the front-line nurses at InSite. They are resilient, empathetic, and compassionate in the face of trauma and adversity. Their commitment to providing the best care puts the clients first, and is the definition of VCH’s values.

Most healthy habit:
I love mountain biking in the forests of the North Shore. I used to ride steep rock, and do jumps and drops, but I tend to keep my tires closer to the dirt these days.

Favourite vacation spot:
Luang Prabang in Laos, and the beaches of San Pancho in Mexico.