Coleen graduated from Humber College in 1982 and was hired at Dufferin Area Hospital shortly thereafter.
Over the years Coleen has worked on the Surgical, Medical, Pediatrics, and Continuing Care Units until finally calling E-Wing home.
“I work with a wonderful team from various disciplines. We work very hard together to support and help Slow Stream Rehab, Palliative Care and Continuing Care patients. We care for our patients and their outcomes, this is what makes E-Wing unique,” said Coleen.
As part of her ongoing education, Coleen has taken many courses over the years including Coronary Care 1, the Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative, Care Core and Enhanced Programs, Wound Care Level 1, 2 & 3 and Occupational Health & Safety Programs 1 & 2. Coleen has also been an avid volunteer on the hospital’s Occupational Health & Safety Committee and Ethics Committee.
When asked what her favorite memory at HHCC has been, Coleen said, “It is difficult to pick just one memory, I have had so many. Growing up in Orangeville and knowing so many people from the area over the years, it’s comforting to me to know I was there to help support decisions, deal with grief and provide a comfort to friends, familiar faces and the people of my community. It has made me feel proud.”
Coleen went on to share, “An experience that impacted me greatly was with a patient who was dying. We would chat and she would share stories with me about her life, in a short time we became close and talked about life and death. I listened to her words and supported her decisions, near the end of her life she thanked me for being her nurse and taking the time out of my busy schedule to listen to her. She made me cry, she made it sound like I did something so wonderful. I was just being me - a nurse listening and providing loving support.”
Coleen will be retiring on March 28 after nearly forty years with our hospital. She looks forward to the next stage in her life which will include spending quality time with her grown children and husband who have been so caring and supportive over the years.
Thank you, Coleen, for your years of service and dedication to our hospital and community. Dufferin-Caledon is richer because of nurses like you.