As we enter 2021, healthcare workers are still on the frontlines day and night to protect our communities. This hasn't changed. Over last few weeks, we got to know some of the healthcare heroes in our Blume community. We're honoured to share who they are as people behind the mask—literally. The best parts of their job, the most memorable moments, who they are for their friends, with their families and in their work.
Meet Kendra from Ohio
- What does self care mean to you? I de-stress, I try to be as kind to myself as I am to everyone else. It is one of the best gifts I give myself. I take some time, relax, light some candles, take a bath, and do what my mind and body needs.
- Best piece of advice you've received? The way someone treats you is a reflection of how they feel about themselves. Be kind to one another, you may be the only bright light in their life at that moment.
- Best part of the day? Morning. I love coming off of working a night shift and seeing the sunrise as I’m coming home, knowing that this is a new start. It gives me hope.
- Most inspiring thing you've witnessed this pandemic? People have each other’s backs. My coworkers have supported one another and been there for each other. My city rallied behind frontline workers and donated money to local small businesses and restaurants that then in turn feed hospital workers. They wrote us kind and hopeful words expressing how appreciative they are for us.
- What do you love most about what you do? I love being there for my people. I love being able to help my coworkers, I love supporting my kiddos at the hospital, I love showing them just how much I care about them.
- What brings you joy recently? My dogs. They make me smile and laugh every single day, regardless of how hard of a day it is.
- What or who inspires you? All of the strong women in my life. I have been blessed to have been surrounded and loved by so many incredible women who teach me every single day and push me to be a better more loving person.
- Any advice you'd like to share with other healthcare/essential service workers? Don’t be afraid to lean on one another and cry. Don’t be afraid to show your emotions. It’s okay. You’re human. Let people know you’re human. Know that what you are doing is making a difference and you are a part of history. You are so loved and appreciated.
Meet Destiny from Toronto
- What does self care mean to you? Self care means taking a time to think about my own wellbeing and what I can do to achieve that. I practice self care through working out/doing yoga, indulging in ice cream (A LOT), having a bath, and FaceTiming friends!
- Best piece of advice you've received? The importance of feeling your feelings. Sometimes it can be difficult, especially as a health care provider dealing with families and patients who are at some of their worst moments. I used to think that I wasn't supposed to be saddened by these situations because it was "part of the job." But I was reminded that these emotions help you connect with patients and their families, to build a stronger therapeutic relationship. It also makes you human and ultimately better at doing the job we're doing.
- Best part of the day? Definitely the end of the shift when you've spent a whole day getting to know a patient and their family and you go in to say goodbye and the little kiddo who was afraid of you all day gives you a high five or hug! Also coming home and washing all of the sweat off of my face from wearing a mask + face shield for 12hrs (it's so refreshing)!
- Most inspiring thing you've witnessed this pandemic? The strength exhibited by my patients and their families (and I'm sure that of everyone coping with the pandemic).
- What do you love most about what you do? Building connections and relationships with patients and their families. I work with some incredible families and getting to know them and support them and watch them get better is seriously the coolest thing!
- What brings you joy recently? I've found a lot of joy in decorating my house and my nursing unit and being able to spend time (virtually) with friends and family.
- What or who inspires you? My patients: they're the definition of strength and resilience.
- Any advice you'd like to share with other healthcare/essential service workers? Never stop feeling your feelings. Always find one fun thing to do at work and always get coffee for a friend - especially on night shifts!
Meet Lorina from Victoria
- What does self care mean to you? Self care means taking the time to look after yourself. It is super important to look after your mind, body and soul.
- Best piece of advice you've received? Be patient with yourself.
- Best part of the day? To be with caring individuals who works really hard to strive to provide the best care possible to our patients. To also being with my family at the end of the day.
- Most inspiring thing you've witnessed this pandemic? Everyone working hard and together as a team. Getting such amazing community support with the community cheering us on.
- What do you love most about what you do? Getting to know my patients really well and feeling that I am making a difference either big or small.
- What brings you joy recently? My children, family and the time spent together.
- What or who inspires you? My children inspires me to work hard but also to have fun.
- Any advice you'd like to share with other healthcare/essential service workers? Remind yourself everyday that you are doing a great job, you are doing the best you can. It is easy to forget that we are humans too and you matter also and just as important as anyone else. Always remember to breathe and take it day by day. And from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, thank you so much.
Meet Ashley from Oregon
- What does self care mean to you? Prioritizing my mental, social and physical health. I enjoy challenging myself to be better, eat better and think better, while still giving myself grace to learn from my mistakes. I practice self care thru daily workouts, healthy eating, staying connected with my family and friends, and making time for my passions (skin care and cooking) and hobbies (rock painting).
- Best piece of advice you've received? The value of a strong work ethic, always keeping your word, and to be humble. Thanks Mom and Dad for the good advice!
- Best part of the day? The evening! It's my self care time to workout, soak in the tub, get creative in the kitchen and share a meal and catch up with my husband!
- Most inspiring thing you've witnessed this pandemic? How quickly local communities were able to set up assistance for those in need. Local restaurants offered meals to anyone facing food insecurity. Friends and families gathered pantry staples, clothes and other necessities to make care packages to donate. Neighbors checking in on one another and offered to go to the grocery store on their behalf to prevent exposure for those in higher risk groups.
- What do you love most about what you do? Working as a team with other nurses and doctors during a procedure and being able to see the immediate impact on the patient's condition as the direct result of the endoscopic intervention.
- What brings you joy recently? Hearing my husband's unbridled laughter while watching The Office. It's his first time watching and it brings me joy to see how much he's loving it!
- What or who inspires you? My family.
- Any advice you'd like to share with other healthcare/essential service workers? I want to send a great big THANK YOU to each and everyone of you! It's truly a team effort. We can do this!
Meet Donna from New York
- What does self care mean to you? Self care means take the time for a morning and evening skincare regimen
- Best piece of advice you've received? Be kind to everyone, you never know what someone is going through.
- Best part of the day? Early evening right before the sun sets.
- Most inspiring thing you've witnessed this pandemic? A mother my age recovering from COVID after being on a ventilator and hospitalized for over three months able to go to rehab and then finally home.
- What do you love most about what you do? I love helping people breath better.
- What brings you joy recently? Recently getting a puppy!
- What or who inspires you? My daughter inspires me. She is 24 and I learn from her everyday!
- Any advice you'd like to share with other healthcare/essential service workers? This too shall pass. It won’t be easy but we will be stronger from it. Most importantly we will learn from it.
Meet Claire from New York
- What does self care mean to you? Self care means taking the time to rest and recover and creating a comfortable space - reading, cooking, cleaning
- Best piece of advice you've received? Be patient with yourself
- Best part of the day? Winding down in the evenings and getting ready to tackle the next day.
- Most inspiring thing you've witnessed this pandemic? The parents of our patients who are really alone in this situation. They aren't able to have the support that they typically would be provided with having a child in the NICU. They're really doing this alone and they've been so strong.
- What do you love most about what you do? Getting to see a baby 'graduate' out of the NICU and go home with their parents is such a lovely feeling. It really shows you how strong these tiny little babies are.
- What brings you joy recently? Spending time at home. At first it was really hard to be home so much but now it feels so calming and peaceful. When this all ends I still think I'll hold onto the love of being home
- What or who inspires you? My mother - she is a breast cancer survivor who really inspired me to become a nurse
- Any advice you'd like to share with other healthcare/essential service workers? We'll get through this - one day at a time!
Meet Jasmin from Winnipeg
- What does self care mean to you? Self care is extremely important to me, it means taking the time to take care of yourself and do things that make you happy. Working in health care can get quite busy and stressful at times but I am a strong believer in treating myself. I love treating myself to cheat dessert once in a while but also making sure I exercise at least 4 times a week (balance is key).
- Best piece of advice you've received? Learning is lifelong. Try to learn something new everyday.
- Best part of the day? My favourite part of the day is playing with my puppy! it's so fun and de-stressing
- Most inspiring thing you've witnessed this pandemic? The amount of support everyone in the community has given to our hospitals in the city. There are many businesses and communities showing their support for us health care workers and is honestly so good to see.
- What do you love most about what you do? I love seeing my patients stabilize and recover enough to be able to go home (or where they came from)
- What brings you joy recently? My husky puppy brings me the most joy recently! I get so excited on my way home from work to come home and play/cuddle with her
- What or who inspires you? My coworkers inspire me everyday! They are all my mentors, being a new nurse who just started during the start of the pandemic my coworkers have all helped me and formed me into the nurse I am today. I am constantly learning from them and I am so thankful I work with these amazing people
- Any advice you'd like to share with other healthcare/essential service workers? The only piece of advice I'd like to share is to make sure you practice self care especially during this pandemic. Always take those few extra seconds for yourself to do things you love to do and find joy in.
Meet Erica from Vancouver
- What does self care mean to you? Self care means taking some time for yourself to make sure you are happy and healthy.
- Best part of the day? Coming home to my fiancé and dog!
- Most inspiring thing you've witnessed this pandemic? How frontline healthcare workers have all stepped up in their individual professions to try to keep everyone safe and healthy
- What do you love most about what you do? Being able to create a positive experience for my patients during a very scary time of their lives
- What brings you joy recently? Going for walks with my fiancé and dog along a beach!
- What or who inspires you? My fiancé, my family, my friends, and my patients.
Meet Amanda from Coquitlam
- What does self care mean to you? Self care means exercise, healthy eating, meditation.
- Best piece of advice you've received? Take each moment as it comes!
- Best part of the day? Relaxing in the evening with my partner.
- Most inspiring thing you've witnessed this pandemic? The support from the community.
- What do you love most about what you do? The relationships that I build with the patients and the change I see in their oral health.
- What brings you joy recently? Reading a good book.
- What or who inspires you? My friends inspire me. Each one has their own challenges and faces them in their own unique ways
- Any advice you'd like to share with other healthcare/essential service workers? Take each day as it comes.
Meet Harbir from Maple Ridge
- What does self care mean to you? Self care is taking time to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. I like to listen to music, lift weights at the gym, go to happy hour and have quiet time at home.
- Best piece of advice you've received? Have compassion for yourself. If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of others.
- Best part of the day? My morning coffee.
- Most inspiring thing you've witnessed this pandemic?
- What do you love most about what you do? Making a difference in people's lives. Offering comfort at a time of illness.
- What brings you joy recently?
- What or who inspires you?
- Any advice you'd like to share with other healthcare/essential service workers? Hang in there!
Meet Lillian from Oklahoma
- What does self care mean to you? Holding yourself accountable in ensuring that you are mentally and physically equipped. Self care is practicing self-awareness by understanding when your mind and body are in need of renewed energy, making adjustments accordingly to present yourself with opportunities to prioritize wellness. I find joy in expression through painting and writing. Also comfort in lighting candles, warm baths, and nourishing my skin with my favorite skin care products.
- Best piece of advice you've received? The best piece of advice I have ever received is to be confident in my abilities, because I am worthy of every opportunity.
- Best part of the day? My favorite part of the day is the end of the day because it allows me to deeply reflect on all of the victories whether big or small, and the places where improvements can be also made.
- Most inspiring thing you've witnessed this pandemic? The resilience of our healthcare professionals and the human population. Despite all of the hardships our country is facing, I can see positive light in the way individuals are working to be more compassionate and empathetic towards one another.
- What do you love most about what you do? I love that I get the honor to provide essential services to children with Autism, and I love getting to see their smiles and their joy shine so radiantly! I have learned so much working with children as a Registered Behavior Technician and cannot wait to continue to learn and grow within my profession.
- What brings you joy recently? Spending time with my new Labradoodle named Grey! He is about 3 months old and his snuggles are the best!
- What or who inspires you? My boyfriend Braden inspires me. He is a Registered Nurse working during these crazy unprecedented times, and his compassion and care for his patients and those around him are inspiring to me. Braden has such a huge heart for his field, it is more than a career to him and that speaks volumes to his character.
- Any advice you'd like to share with other healthcare/essential service workers? My advice to healthcare providers/essential service workers is to continue being kind, compassionate, and empathetic in all you do. The world needs it. Also, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, so don't give up!
