We Are IH: Kelowna nurse delivers daily smiles to patients

Laura-Lee has been a registered nurse for the past 40 years and has worked at IH for over 26 of those years. She knew from a young age that she wanted to work in health care, and at 13 years old she got her first volunteer position in the hospital as a candy striper. For the past 10 years, she has been a patient care coordinator at Kelowna General Hospital. What she loves about this role is that even though it is a leadership position, she gets to provide bedside care to children and their families.

Before working with IH, Laura-Lee worked in Saudi Arabia for five years as a pediatric nurse.

Laura-Lee takes great pride and joy in being the rainbow on someone’s cloudy day. She shows up in life as her true authentic self, which allows her to provide a caring and nurturing environment for her patients. She is inspired by her ability to make someone’s hardest moment a little bit easier.

As a patient care coordinator at IH, Laura-Lee has been able to lead, mentor, and inspire others. She is looking forward to the last chapter of her career, which she feels will be the best yet. Inspired by the multidisciplinary team that she works with, Laura-Lee describes her team as the most extraordinary, fun, and inspirational nurses.

Laura-Lee is currently studying to be an end-of-life doula, where she can continue to help patients through their toughest times.

"My proudest moment at IH came during a Code Orange in the emergency department,” Laura-Lee says “I was supporting a mother who was consumed with worry for her injured husband and children. When she said to me, 'my whole-body hurts,' I asked her if her eyelashes hurt. She smiled and replied, 'no.'

“This small moment helped her shift her focus and reduce her anxiety. I was able to wheel her into the trauma room, allowing her to be with her husband. It’s moments like this that remind me why I love being a nurse and making a difference.”

Something unique about Laura-Lee is that she is ordained as a minister. She has had the honour of performing marriage ceremonies for her colleagues and sharing in their joy.

Outside of work, Laura-Lee spends her time in the outdoors where she enjoys swimming, kayaking, walking, e-biking, and skiing at Big White on a snowy day. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, doing things such as watching the sunset from their deck, and going to car shows. Other than this, Laura-Lee enjoys binging shows on Netflix, and eating really good chocolate.

Philosophically, Laura-Lee is looking forward to becoming the highest version of herself; practically, she is looking forward to the lake warming up!

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