St. Boniface Hospital Endocrinology Team
Sometimes, a few kind words make all the difference.
That was certainly the case for the endocrinology team at St. Boniface Hospital, who were delighted to be nominated for recognition as "Health Care Heroes" by a local mom who appreciates the outstanding service they provide.
The endocrinology program provides collaborative, interdisciplinary care to people living with diabetes and other endocrine disorders. The team includes endocrinologists, clinical nurses, clinical dietitians, a physician's assistant, clerks and a secretary.
Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the team has altered the way it delivers care by reducing the volume of patients seen in their outpatient clinic and conducting more virtual and telephone appointments - an adjustment staff admit has been difficult, given their preference for face-to-face communication.
Yet, as the mom who nominated them points out, the team is still managing to do a first-class job, even while adjusting to pandemic-related protocols.
"I cannot say enough about their professionalism, their ability to give information at just the right time and their follow up," the mom (who asked to remain anonymous) said. "[They are] willing to hold telephone appointments quickly when the need arises, having very fast response times when called by community patients or their family members who are responsible for the patient. They are patient and understanding of the everyday stresses and complications that life in this ‘different' time brings."
Speaking on behalf of the team, Clinical Dietitian Laura Dale says, "The work our team does is important because managing a long-term condition like diabetes requires a great deal of self-management and support. It is very rewarding to see patients gain self-confidence in taking charge of their diabetes management and see the positive health outcomes (e.g. improved lab results, decreased symptoms, reduced risk of complications, etc.) as a result. Ultimately, we are in the business of caring for people. We may not be able to cure diabetes, but we can help people to live well with their disease."