Posted on: February 15, 2022
Courage and Compassion: B.C. Healthcare Heroes, showcasing more than 20 portraits and stories of B.C. healthcare workers – including 10 from Island Health – is now open at the Gage Gallery in Victoria for one week only.
Working with Island Health's Communications team, artist Shannon Holms invited healthcare workers to provide an on-the-job photo and story about their experiences on the frontlines during the first wave of the pandemic in exchange for a FREE image. The concept behind the project is to celebrate and honour the sacrifices that healthcare workers are making during the pandemic.
Here are some examples:
Leanne Robertson, Long Term Care Nurse
Regional Chair for South Islands BC Nurses Union
I have worked for Island Health for more than 25 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse in long-term care and recently became the Regional Chair for South Islands BC Nurses Union supporting 4,700 nurses.
I have to tell you that all health care workers are suffering and mental health issues for nurses have never been higher. A psychological health and safety workplace study done by UBC in 2020 found that more than 50 percent of nurses have reported higher levels of burnout.
The BC Centre for Disease Control statistics show, as of June 2020, 136 nurses had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and account for 20 percent of coronavirus cases among B.C. healthcare workers. WorkSafeBC statistics show that all industries that have registered COVID-19 claims, 65 percent are from acute and long-term facilities. And nurses represent 28 percent of the applications for compensation.
The biggest victory was to keep the Priory Long Term Care Facility in Langford (a 300-bed facility) COVID-free. I am very proud of the team, providing our residents with the best care. They are the kindest, most caring staff and I am honoured to be part of the team.
Artist's Note: The gold chrysanthemums on Leanne's shirt symbolize long life. This flower is associated with longevity. And longevity is what her care, along with her healthcare colleagues, ensured for those senior citizens in the Priory in Langford.
Sarah A. Smith, BScOT, Occupational Therapist
Life can change in a day. When the COVID 19 pandemic struck Island Health a year ago in March 2020, the Mood Disorders inpatient psychiatric unit at Royal Jubilee Hospital, which I work on as an Occupational Therapist, changed overnight. The model for inpatient psychiatric care shifted to support the unknown medical system demands of COVID 19, ensuring that patient and staff physical health and safety was a priority.
The Mood Disorders unit then became the admissions unit for all adult acute psychiatric admissions in Victoria. Individuals with mental health concerns and in crisis come to us in their most vulnerable state. Then you add the unknown of a global pandemic, and not being able to see your loved ones, or leave your room, or engage in any therapeutic activities during your stay. It is hard, it is real. They are experts of their own journey, and need someone to listen to their story.
A year has passed, and now more than ever, Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) services, and specifically acute inpatient services, are seeing the seams of all community members' well-being and mental health unravelling at an exponential speed. The mental health side of health care often gets overlooked.
Inpatient acute psychiatric services, and outpatient mental health and substance use services play a vital role in collaboratively supporting individuals, family members and the community at large to ensure adequate treatment, recovery and wellness education to support a successful hospital discharge. The demand for MHSU services is greater than ever, with patient services being challenged, decreased, and workloads increasing at this time.
All Island Health staff and services that make up the dynamic and committed interdisciplinary Mental Health and Substance Use treatment teams have often been the unseen front-line heroes. Now more than ever, those and the individuals they support deserve such recognition.
Mental Health Matters. Let's talk.
Jodi Meacher, RN, Home Support Coordinator and Home Care Nurse
I've been in healthcare for twenty years. Currently, I work with clients living at home who need wound care, palliative care, or assistance with daily living activities.
I have seen the pandemic affect people in many ways. People are lonely, as there are no family or friends for them to socialize with. Some people are getting sicker as they avoid going to hospitals or clinics for fear of getting exposed to the virus. At the beginning of the pandemic this resulted in people dying unexpectedly or becoming very sick as they avoided going to hospitals or medical clinics.
Some people stayed clear of me in the beginning of the pandemic because they knew I was “out in the field" and they felt I was a high Covid-19 risk. Having a job that I went to an office meant that my children were on their own at home. My children were engaged in remote learning for four months which was not a simple process.
This meant after working all day, I had to assist them with their math homework and their education suffered. Home schooling does not work for all children or all families. The social connection and the expertise of the teachers, administrators and school staff are recognized and so important!
I also miss my mom and dad. Having “zoom" conversations or speaker phone discussions are not the same as giving them a hug or having dinner together. Also working in healthcare increases my risk level in contracting the virus and I do not want to expose them to that increased risk. A lot of my friends are in healthcare so regular phone calls or text debriefs were helpful and supportive.
While working during the pandemic, I faced constant change as well as increased stress and worry for clients, staff and my family. However, I will always be grateful for secure employment in healthcare during this pandemic.
Everyone has experienced this year differently with a higher level of stress in our day-to-day lives. My wish is for everyone to stay safe and follow the Public Health Orders while we get through this together.
Artist's Note: I painted gold Jasmin flowers around Jodi. Jasmin flowers symbolize the power of healing which is what Jodi is offering her patients during the pandemic.
Shannon Holms worked for 30 years as a Director and Executive Director for the B.C. government. Her last job was with the Ministry of Health as the Director of Patient and Community Engagement. In addition to painting and writing, she has won awards for her work in communications and engagement: The Silver and Bronze Quill Awards from the International Association of Business Communicators and the Canadian Award for engagement from the International Association of Public Participation. Her paintings are held in private collections in Canada, the United States and Japan.
See the CHEK News Upside.
See her story in the Victoria Times Colonist.
The Gage Gallery, located at 19 Bastion Square, can be visited from Tuesday to Saturday 11 am to 5 pm and on Sunday 12 noon to 4 pm.