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Aboriginal Health Nurses

Here are some ways we may be able to assist you when you or a family/friend are in the hospital:

  • Assist you and your family for your cultural / spiritual practice and/or needs
  • Assist with your health and wellness plan
  • Advocate on your behalf while in hospital
  • Assist with a parking pass for one family member (only where parking fees are associated)
  • Explain health care issues or concerns
  • Provide support by listening about what is happening to you or your family member
  • Assist in locating affordable accommodation
  • Provide assistance an information as needed when you contact outside agencies - community, federal and/or provincial governments
  • Provide assistance and direction if you have a complaint about services or treatment while in hospital
  • Follow up when things could have been done better
  • Help find answers to your questions and assist in addressing your concerns
  • With your approval - keep your family and caregivers up to date
  • Refer you to available community service for continuity of care

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Victoria General Hospital / Royal Jubilee Hospital and Eric Martin Pavillion (VGH / RJH / EMP)

Monique Pat, RPN
PHONE (250) 519-1905   CELL  (250) 480-8333                            Email  monique.pat@viha.ca

Greetings, My name is Monique Pat (nee Taylor). I am from the 'Namgis and T'Souke First Nations.  I graduated from a private college as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)  in May/08.

I believe in traditional ways and have been fortunate to grow up knowing my Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka'wakw cultures.  I hope to one day learn one of my languages because the elders say that the language is the key to the culture. I am family orientated, and know I am who I am because of my family.

If you are interested in becoming a Registerd Psychiatric Nurse - please do not hesitate to visit - Stenberg College's website at:   http://www.crpnbc.ca/home_header.png

Nancy Jacques, RN  
PHONE (250) 370-8847  CELL  (250) 978-6022                            Email nancy.jacques@viha.ca 

My name is Nancy Jacques and first I would like to thank the Coast Salish Nation for allowing me to live and work on their territory.

I come from English, Irish and Scottish ancestry. I graduated as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Ontario and later moved to BC with my young family in 1981.

After living in Victoria we moved to the north island where I began my nursing career with the first nation people.  For 5 years I worked as a Home Care Nurse for the Kwakiutl Nation and worked for the 'Namgis Nation as a Community Health Nurse for 9 years. The Elders from the Kwakwaka'wakw  taught me their traditional ways and culture and I am continue to learn other aboriginal cultures as I work in my current position here in Victoria.

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Port Hardy / Port McNeill / Cormorant Island Community Health Centre  (PHH, PMH, CICHC - Alert Bay)

Caroline Kennard, RN  
PHONE (250) 949-3440  CELL  (250) 230-0335                           Email caroline.kennard@viha.ca

Gilakasla Kwakwaka'wakw for allowing us to be here in your territory.

My name is Caroline Kennard, I am a Registered Nurse working for First Nations as their liaison nurse in Port Hardy, Port McNeill, and Cormorant Island Community Health Centre (Alert Bay) Hospitals.

I grew up in England and came to Canada for a holidays over 30 years ago.  I did my nursing training in Victoria and graduated from The University of Victoria in 1992.  I worked in the old St. George's hospital in Alert Bay for one summer.  I have done Home Nursing Care in Victoria for many years with some breaks to work in New Mexico and California.  I spent a year as the Elders' Nurse and Diabetes nurse in Bella Bella.

For the last three years, I have been in northern Vancouver Island.  I love the area and believe passionately in supporting aboriginal health by building relationships and listening to communities and their elders.

I hope people will ask for me if they, or their loved ones are in the hospitals in northern Vancouver Island.

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Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH)

Lorraine Harry, BScN, LPN
PHONE (250) 753-6578    CELL  (250) 741-4234                            Email lorraine.harry@viha.ca

Hello, my name is Lorraine Harry (nee Pallen).  I am from the Homalco and Sliammon First Nation community.  I graduated from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing in June 1998 and have been a Licensed Practice Nurse since 1991.  I am a mother of 4 adult children and 2 wonderful granddaughters. 

As a Coast Salish individual I have some knowledge and understanding of the traditionals beliefs and values practiced.  I speak and understand the language fairly well.  Having lived and worked in first nation communitites and am familiar with the services and resources available for first nation individuals. 

As the aboriginal liaison nurse I can advocate on your behalf to help smooth the transition back into community and to ensure optimal care flows from the hospital to your home. 

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Campbell River Hospital (CRH)

Sandy Murphy, RN, BScN, MHS(c)
PHONE
 (250) 850-2602  CELL  (250) 830-8865                            Email sandy.murphy@viha.ca

Gilakasla, my name is Sandy.  I am a registered nurse, and my office is located in the Sunshine Wellness Centre at the Campbell River Hospital.  Office hours are from Monday - Thursday - 8:00 - 3:43pm.  I am passioante about traditional ways of healing and wellness and can help support you and your family during your hospital stay.  I have been adopted by a family from the Nuu-Chah-Nulth region and am grateful for their open hearts and teachings.

My interests include:  cultural compentence / safety; community based research; chronic disease management; primary health care; newborns and moms and most of all Elders from all nations.  I look forward to conneting with you together we can create a health and wellness plan that suits you and your family. 

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Cowichan District Hospital (CDH)  Duncan

Helen Dunlop, RN
PHONE (250) 746-6184  CELL  (250) 709-8204                            Email Helen.Dunlop@cowichantribes.com

'Uy' Skewyul/ Hello Everyone,

My name is Helen Dunlop and I am a Registered Nurse.  I was born and raised on a farm in eastern Ontario.  I am the 10th of 14 children born to my Irish mother and my Scottish father.  My celtic roots run very deep.  I completed my initial nurses' training in Cornwall and later in Toronto.  My maternal grandmother, mother, numerous aunts, cousins and my 5 sisters are all nurses.  I am a natural born advocate and I come by my profession honestly!

My nursing experience spans three decades and I have had the good fortune of working in a variety of medical settings including:  neonatal, pediatric, adult ICU, med/surgery, oncology, dermatology, palliative / long term care, private and registry nursing as well as northern nursing and instructing nursing students.  I have worked and travelled extensively in Canada, the USA, Central America and Europe.

I am married and have 3 beautiful daughters and we all moved to BC in the summer of 2000.  I consider myself a 'life-long learner' and I am very grateful to the people of the Hul'qumi'num Territory as they have accepted me and my family into their community to work and live amongst them.  I was raised to respect people of all races, especially the Elders.  Those lessons I learned as a child have not been forgotten, and I look forward to serving the Coast Salish peopl with pride and integrity to improve their health and advocate for their rights.

I currently work out of the Cowichan District Hospital and have an office at the Cowichan Tribes Health Centre in Duncan.  My hours of work are:  Monday - Friday 8:30 - 4:30.  I can be reached at 250-746-6184 ext. 321 or my cell at 709-8204.

Hyu ch q'u - Thank you

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West Coast General Hopsital (WCGH) Port Alberni

Pearl Dorward, BN
PHONE
 (250) 723-2135 Ext. 48109 CELL  (250) - 735-0438          Email  pearl.dorward@viha.ca