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Never has there been a more appropriate time to celebrate the Year of the Nurse than now, amid the COVID-19 situation. The World Health Organization has designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse. In honour of the Year of the Nurse, we will feature a member of our fabulous nursing team at Bethell Hospice each month.
December — Margaret Paan, RN
Our featured Bethell Hospice nurse for December, in honour of the World Health Organization’s Year of the Nurse, is Margaret Paan. Margaret is not only Bethell Hospice’s Executive Director, but also a Registered Nurse:
“I have always been proud to be a nurse, a profession that demands equally of the head and the heart, blending both art and science. When I decided to enter nursing many years ago, my mother, who is also a nurse, said to me that I must always treat my patients as I would want someone to care for my own grandmother ‘Oma’, and this has always grounded my practice. At Bethell Hospice, our team cares for our residents, clients and families as we would want our own families to be cared for. I feel honoured to be part of this amazing team, and contribute to the excellent hospice palliative care of those we serve.”
November – Trudy Mulder-Hall, RN
“I love working at Bethell Hospice because of the focus on ‘what matters most’ to those that are living their last days of life on this earth. I am honoured and humbled to be part of the residents’ and families’ journeys during this time, and to work with such an amazing team of clinicians, staff, volunteers and leadership. We learn something every day, and feel we really do ‘make a difference’. Thank you to Bethell Hospice, and the communities that support us all.”
October – Dorothy Rankin , RN
“I have been a Registered Nurse at Bethell Hospice for the last nine years in a number of clinical roles. Together, our team has provided excellent person-centered palliative care to our clients. Throughout my nursing career, I have always recognized the value of, and been an advocate for, excellence in palliative care — both to achieve the clients’ goals and wishes for care, and for my own personal desire to provide the best care possible.”
September – Suhkdeep Thiara , RN
“I am honoured to be part of Bethell Hospice, where I have learned and gained so much, both personally and professionally. I love working with those at end of life, and being part of their journey where it really matters. Bethell Hospice has changed my perception about nursing. I love being present with residents and their families in their emotional life and provide support. Bethell is a place where empathy, sympathy and passion are always present.”
August – Bimala Adhikan, RN
“I am honoured to be surrounded and supported by an exceptional management team, wonderful volunteers and, of course, my beautiful colleagues. It has been an amazing experience working as an RN at Bethell with residents experiencing life & death. I am humbled and inspired by our residents, who continue to love and live while facing the end of their life. Our Bethell Team is devoted to making our residents’ lives better, with the highest compassionate care, love, and dignity. Our hospice is serving the best of care to our residents to offer them a painless & peaceful ending, even in this pandemic situation. I am blessed to be a part of such an amazing place with our residents, their families, our volunteers, and my beautiful co-workers.”
July – Aliya Hassam, RN
“There is so much inner peace that comes from working at Bethell. Not only are we able to gain tangible satisfaction from the compassionate care that we provide, we also continue to always be challenged holistically. The relationships we are able to build here with our colleagues, our residents, as well as with resident families, provide an entirely new meaning to trust and empathy. I am honoured to be a part of this family, having the opportunity to not only influence others, but to be influenced in return. It is a blessing to be here. “
June – Tiffany Stewart, RPN
“Palliative care is special to me, as I feel it is such an honour and a privilege to be part of a resident and their family’s journey. Even in this difficult time, our team continues to come up with creative ideas to ensure everyone’s needs are met. Bethell Hospice is an amazing place, and I am so happy to be a part of the family.”
May – Amita Patel, RN
“I feel very lucky to be a member of the Bethell Hospice family. Every shift I work, I get to witness the passion for end-of-life care expressed by my fellow team members. During our new, unpredictable ‘normal’, we continue to provide care with love and kindness to our residents and families. Proudly, we can say we uphold the values and mission of Bethell Hospice.”
April — Connie McLellan, RPN
“At Bethell Hospice, my role and my soul are aligned. I get to care deeply. I get to be involved, and I get to help. That’s what brought me here.”
March — Michele Keeler, RPN
“Bethell Hospice changed my life, and my family’s life. I’m so privileged to be here as a nurse now. I came here 2 ½ -3 years ago with my Mum. Our family was affected by the care given to us by the wonderful nurses at Bethell and, in turn, it really made me think about what I did for a living and wanted to give that back to people who were walking in the same shoes that I had walked.”
February — Donna Spence, RPN
“It’s an amazing opportunity to help people with their end-of-life care and their final journey. I think that working in this line of work is not something we generally choose — it choses us. It takes a special kind of person, and Bethell Hospice is a special kind of place.”
January — Joyce Buisman, RN
“Working here at Bethell, it’s a real honour to walk alongside our residents and their families in this difficult time in their life. I just find it such a privilege and honour to be part of that, and to make a difference in their lives.”