On the Other Side of Patient Experience
While in nursing school, Brittany Grolle always knew she wanted to work at the Q and chose our hospital for all her clinical rotations. She welcomed the connections with nurses, interdisciplinary team members, and nurse managers. At the time, she never would have imagined that she would reach for the comfort and expertise of her colleagues to support her family during a crisis. Last December, Brittany’s dad, Alex Sinclair, suffered a hemorrhagic stroke.
Her family’s experience was so exceptional that Brittany felt compelled to share her story. She shared many highlights of those who made a difference during her family’s challenging time.
I would like to thank the entire interdisciplinary team on D3 and the ED for your exemplary care of my dad. I love him so much, and having everyone’s support has meant the absolute world to me.”
Brittany Grolle and her father, Alex Sinclair
"I am so proud to be a nurse at this hospital. It was different for me being on the patient side. I could not have asked for a better patient experience for my dad and family."
Brittany and her family are very thankful for the nurses and care facilitators for their compassion and understanding, as well as the many interdisciplinary team members who contributed their expertise and support to her dad’s recovery.
“We were all so grateful for Dr. Rutherford’ and Dr. Zanelli's “healthy handoff” to my dad’s family physician – such an important and valuable step! You worked closely with my Dad's Neurologist Specialist to come up with a plan of action that would best benefit him. Team QCH really demonstrated exemplary collaboration and respect.”
Even in a time of limited resources, staff across the Q are compassionate and caring, treating every patient like their own family.
Special thanks to:
Nurse Judy in triage who gently reassured our dad to use his white board and marker.
Kiser, a security guard who brought warm blankets to us in OBs.
Dr. Nowodworski and Dr. Remfry who assessed dad in ED that day and showed extraordinary kindness and listened carefully as I explained what was happening with my dad after his stroke.
Thom, the porter who made sure everything was set up for my dad’s return to his room after ultrasound.
To the many nurses who cared for my dad, including Aishwarya, Chelsea, Vanessa, Sunny, and Joanne. Thank you all for your gentle bedside manner; your compassionate care made all the difference to my family.
Alana Waumsley, Nurse Manager on D3, thank you for thoughtful check-ins with me throughout the week.
Hayley Dodunski, Care Facilitator, for your compassion and understanding to my family.
Emily Duquette (Nurse Educator - D3), Kim Schrader (D3 lead and my manager), Robin Denis and Melissa Trafford for their generous and caring support.
Julianna Ha Clinical Nurse Specialist Geriatrics. Your guidance to my sister and I was not only educational and informative, but came directly from the heart.
Karen, Dietician, for your brilliant menu plan.
Angela from SLP for your insight and resources on posterior strokes.
Natasha Day you were also so instrumental in dad’s recovery.