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Each month, we will introduce you to two members of the Family Centred Care Council and NICU Family Advisory Care Team. This month we feature two FACT members,
Laura Townsend, Family Member and Karen Long, Social Worker.
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MEMBERSHIP CORNER -
LAURA TOWNSEND
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 | | NICU FACT Family Member, Laura Townsend & Family |
What brought you to the NICU FACT?
My husband, Phil & I became the proud parents of identical triplet girls, Ruby, Gwen & Ella in March 2005. Despite me carrying them until 33 1/2 weeks, we spent 4 weeks at the RAH NICU. A couple years ago, I was working with Helen Chan, Chaplain at the Stollery Hospital and fellow multiple mom, to establish a weekly parent group & she told me about FACT.
What is the one thing you would like network members to know about you?
Only one thing?!?! I love to run...far. I'm currently training for a 50km run in February & my second half ironman in July. I accomplish so much during my training runs. If I'm with someone, we have some amazing conversations and if I'm solo, it's a great time to do a lot of thinking and re-energize. Since I've become a mom, I've really found my "stride". My kids have really given me the focus as I know I'm really limited with my time, so I really want to make the most of it.
What is something that the FACT has done (past or present) that you are excited about?
The people. Everyone has truly been welcoming, inspiring and awesome to work alongside to discuss ideas and make changes happen so our hospital system is better for families and their children. I was telling a friend about working with FACT and she said, "It must feel great to be a part of the Stollery". I told her, "It DOES feel great because I feel wanted and listened to, not by just the other volunteers, but by the professionals working in the hospital. They really want what's best for the patients and their families". Just that short little conversation really says it all. It IS exciting to be part of this!
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MEMBERSHIP CORNER -
KAREN LONG
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 | | NICU FACT Member Karen Long (Social Work) |
What brought you to the NICU FACT?
Social work in the NICU is all about working WITH families - mothers, fathers, grandparents, siblings and so forth. FACT is a wonderful model of how family centered care can and should work. I love the mix of family members and staff of various backgrounds and how we come together with a common vision and passion. I feel very privileged to be able to take part in this amazing group. Every month I learn something new and each meeting I am challenged to dig deep. It is exciting to see and be a part of such a dynamic group of people
What is the one thing you would like network members to know about you?
I am a mother of 4 beautiful girls (now young women) and one wonderful granddaughter. I have spent much of my adult life, both professionally and personally living and working with families, particularly around childbirth and parenting experiences. When I told my family and friends about the position I was applying to in the NICU almost 6 years ago there I experienced unanimous support. My husband, children, friends and colleagues all exclaimed that this position was made for me and I for it. I have never looked back!
What is something that the FACT has done (past or present) that you are excited about?
Probably my favorite project thus far is the beautiful hallway back entry to the unit. I'll admit that this is partly selfish as I smile warmly each and every time I walk through that passage (often several times each day). I love the welcome messages and when I bring families through of different cultural backgrounds it is amazing and heart warming to see them read the messages and find the one that is written in their native language. The art work is fabulous and each time I walk through I seem to see something different and new. I also remember the excitement of the opening day when the school children and their families came to the unit. The energy in the room was just bursting. What a wonderful way for FACT, our NICU and the community to join together!I am so proud of the amount of presentations we are doing collaboratively. Staff truly begin to understand the family perspective when they can hear it firsthand. It is so inspiring to hear from families that our work makes a difference and that we are good at what we do. Sometimes we learn things can be done differently but we also take home the message that so much of what we do means the world to families. It is exciting to work together and learn from each other.
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NEW! ONLINE FCC NETWORK MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
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Do you know anyone who would be interested in being part of the FCC Network? We've made it easier than ever to join!
Forward this primer by clicking:
Interested members can apply online or on their Smartphones or tablets by clicking on the following link:
Or by scanning the bar code above!
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FCC NETWORK HOLIDAY PARTY
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FCC Network Families and Stollery Staff got together to celebrate another great year for Family Centred Care at the Stollery!
It was a great afternoon filled with great food and many fun activities such as gift wrapping (and unwrapping!), letters to Santa, photo frame painting and the popular Family Photo Booth! Many bundled up for toboggan rides down the nearby hill.
A BIG THANKS to
Heather Mattson McCrady (Manager, Family Centred Care), Lynett Kane (Supervisor, Social Work) and Dianne Tuterra (Child Life Team Lead) for all of the work you put into this great family event!
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The Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence (ARCHE) wants to know what's important to parents when your child has a respiratory infection. You are invited to take part in the OUTCH survey ("Outcomes in Child Health") and you could win an iPad Mini, Kobo Touch or a Nike+ Fuel Band!
You can complete the survey at www.outchsurvey.ca.
For more information, check out the OUTCH website at:
www.outch-study.com or:
 
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CELEBRATING OUR CHAMPIONS!
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 | Heather Mattson McCrady (Manager, Family Centred Care) with Emergency Department FCC Champions, Geri St. Jean (Clinical Nurse Educator), Karen Latoszek (Patient Care Manager)
and Sharon Drury (Unit Manager) |
When word got out that the Stollery Children's Hospital was placing whiteboards throughout the inpatient units, Sharon Drury (Unit Manager) contacted Family Centred Care to see how these can be included in the newly opened pediatric Emergency Department. This began a great relationship between the Emergency Department and Family Centred Care.
Sharon and Geri St. Jean (Clinical Nurse Educator) modeled FCC values by collaborating with their own teams to design a board that was appropriate for the ED space while keeping consistent with the model used throughout the hospital. Together, they inspired their team to adopt the whiteboards in a big way.
We are also excited to acknowledge Karen Latoszek (Patient Care Manager) for her leadership in embracing the whiteboards and many other Family Centred Care practices while introducing this climate to the adult side of the Emergency Department.
The Emergency Department is often the patient and family's first introduction to the Stollery and is a great first introduction to Family Centred Care at the Stollery.
Do you know a person or team who should be recognized as champions?
A "Champion" can be best described by one or more of the following statements:
- Have been directly involved in the development of the Family Centred Care Network and/or its initiatives
- They will have demonstrated the principles of Family Centred Care in their own practice and through their own modeling and leadership, have influenced others to be family centred in how they carry out their duties
- Have provided a significant contribution to a project or event that helps promote and carry out the philosophies of Family Centred Care at the Stollery
If this describes anyone you know, please send a brief description as to why you feel they should be recognized to:
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NEW LANGUAGE LINE TO HELP COMMUNICATION AMONG PATIENTS, FAMILIES and STAFF
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The Stollery has introduced a new Language Line Service for all Stollery Units and Clinics. This telephone service is available at any time, day or night, with an interpreter on the line usually within 60 seconds; On demand 24/7, over 200 languages available.
Use of a trained third-party interpreter is always preferable to use of either a family member or other staff member because:
Family members...
- May not speak English well;
- May not speak the second language well;
- May not be familiar with medical terminology in either or both languages;
- May be limited by cultural constraints or family considerations from interpreting the medical team's information directly or completely (e.g. information relating to the possibility of imminent death; a male family member interpreting information to/for a female patient);
Staff members...
- May not speak the second language or English well;
- May not be familiar with medical terminology in either or both languages;
- May know the patient/family outside the hospital and feel constrained because of that prior relationship;
- My have time or other work-related constraints as the staff member has been drawn away from her/his usual work in order to assist with interpretation.
For more information, please contact Sarah Kane-Poitras, Patient Care Manager, at 780-407-2867.
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SHARE YOUR STORY FOR THE STOLLERY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION CORUS RADIOTHON!
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The Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation is looking at expanding our Radiothon family. Radiothon is an annual fundraiser for the Foundation, this year on January 22 and 23 in the hospital lobby. If you would like to share your story, or if you have any questions, please contact Nicki at 780-989-7490 or email nicki.wohland@stollerykids.com
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