Nurse Practitioner (NP) week, celebrated annually across Canada and internationally, is a way to recognize and raise awareness of the vital role NPs play in our health care system. This year, NP week is November 7th to 13th. Throughout this particular week, take a moment to express your gratitude for an NP who has made a positive difference in your life!
NPs are highly respected, valuable members of our health care teams, and play a crucial role in delivering services across the health authority. NPs have been members of the VCH Medical Staff since 2018 and belong to the Regional Department of Nurse Practitioners. VCH started with only five NPs—this number has grown to over 130 NPs working across a variety of practice settings, including acute care, primary care, long-term care, and ambulatory care in both rural and urban areas. Today, we also have NPs in prominent senior leadership positions within VCH.
“Nurse practitioners play a critical role in providing care to our patients and clients across Vancouver Coastal health," says Vivian Eliopoulos, VCH President and CEO. “Their focus on disease prevention and maintaining health is more important than ever as we deal with the physical and psychological challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As a registered nurse myself, I understand the demands and challenges for nurse practitioners today, and want to express a heartfelt thank you for meeting the needs of our communities across the spectrum acute, long term care, community and as primary care providers."
Managing through the pandemic
The importance of NP-delivered care became increasingly evident throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In areas such as long-term care, which has been especially hard hit by the pandemic, NPs have gone above and beyond what is required of them and continue to provide high-quality, compassionate care for their frail and vulnerable residents.
The unwavering commitment and grace of these individuals has remained, despite the challenging conditions they have faced.
Dr. Jennifer Beaveridge says that, “Amanda Crockett, Leanne Parks, Candy Gubbels, and Emily Clark make up the core team of NPs that work specifically in long term care settings as the most responsible provider (MRP) to a panel of patients. During the pandemic these NPs truly shone and worked tirelessly to ensure their patients received care, families remained connected, and were always there to help other providers, teams and patients. They went above and beyond and deserve a major kudos."
Two other practice areas of NPs which must be mentioned the Urgent Primary Care Centre (UPCCs), and the NPs working on the Patient Support Stabilization (PSS) and Quick Response Teams (QRT).
“The NPs at the UPCCs and PSS/QRT teams have worked so hard and have been incredibly dedicated to patient care during the pandemic and the heat waves, all while working in new settings with new models of care during staffing shortages," says Jennifer.
NPs in leadership roles
Clinical and professional leadership is an accepted component of the NP role; however, this past year has seen NPs formally step in to key VCH leadership roles.
In June 2021, Jennifer was announced as one of the new Chairs of the Health Authority Medical Advisory Committee (HAMAC), which oversees the work of medical staff, quality of care, and the development of medical staff human resource plans. This makes her the first non-physician, and one of the first women ever to hold this position at VCH.
Additionally, Angela Remocker became the new Urgent Primary Care Centre (UPCC) Medical Director for Vancouver Community. This role will foster collaborative working relationships that support the clinical practice and ongoing development of UPCC physicians, nurse practitioners, and VCH staff, with an emphasis on providing team-based urgent and primary care within a community setting.
Yandi Kwa, the new permanent Three Bridges Medical Coordinator, is leading both Nurse Practitioners and physicians at a local Vancouver owned and operated primary care clinic. Through Yandi's leadership, NPs and physician practices are optimized, ensuring patients receive low-barrier high-quality care.
Leading the Department of Nurse Practitioners is Jennifer Buck, the new Regional Head, and Michelle Sims, Associate Regional Head, Department of Nurse Practitioners.
“Both Jen and Michelle have truly stepped up and showed their commitment to patients, quality care and NPs these past two years," says Jennifer. “I have never been so proud to work with such amazing leaders. They never say 'no', instead they approach with complex situations with curiosity and quickly finds ways to support and find solutions. There roles ensure NPs are fully optimized to the top of their scope, implemented in sustainable positions, and ensuring safe quality practice."
Congratulations to all of our new NP leaders! Your unique ideas, experiences, and perspectives will only serve to make VCH a better, more caring organization.
Gratitude for all the NPs at VCH
With a spotlight on NPs this week, we have an opportunity to show our hardworking NPs how much we value and appreciate them for the difference they make in the lives of patients, clients, and families, and for the leadership they have demonstrated over the past year. VCH is incredibly proud of and thankful for all our NPs and their dedication to providing exceptional patient care.
A message from Dr. Dean Chittock VP Medicine, Quality & Safety and Dr. Chad Kim Sing Associate VP Medicine, Quality & Safety
We want to thank Nurse Practitioners throughout VCH for your selfless service everyday particularly over the past 22 months helping to support our provincial and regional COVID-19 response and recovery efforts in addition to continuing to do your regular work. You should be proud of what you have accomplished in collaboration with your colleagues to ensure that high quality of care and service continues to be delivered to our clients and patients, in a time of so many unknowns and competing pressures. We know this comes at a cost. We know that you are tired, and have been asked to continue to work more, work differently, and provide services in ways not familiar to you prior to this pandemic. We thank you for your ongoing professionalism, dedication and leadership, both at the frontline and in administration. VCH is lucky to have you!
