Happy National Nurses Week

HAPPY NATIONAL NURSES WEEK, KENSINGTON!

John Yip President & CEO Kensington Health

LETTER FROM THE CEO

May 11 to May 17 is National Nurses Week! This, and every week, we celebrate your many contributions to our community!

THANK YOU FROM JOHN & CORINNE Every year, for National Nurses Week, Kensington proudly celebrates our incredible team of Nurse Practitioners, Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses who tirelessly care for our residents and patients. Whether they provide important medical care or emotional support as part of our care teams, nurses have always been an important part of the Kensington family.

And COVID-19 has highlighted just how special you are. Our nurses have met the challenge head on with professionalism, compassion and empathy. I am humbled by your commitment to the people we serve.

To the nurses of Kensington, thank you. And our community thanks you, too. This is just a small sample of the notes they’ve submitted to show their gratitude in this difficult time. I hope that you enjoy them.

We’re in this together.

John Yip President and CEO, Kensington Health

When I say superhero, Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman come to mind. Otherwise mild-mannered citizens, disguised and tricked out with accessories, giving them extraordinary superpowers to save the city’s most vulnerable.

Swap the cape for medical scrubs, gloves and a different kind of mask, and sub the gadgetry arsenal for iPads and other virtual tech, and you’ve described nursing staff at Kensington - overseeing resident wellness despite threats to their universe, maintaining stability and protecting the public.

I’m not the only one who’s noticed similarities, so has the community - raising $266,000 to support nurses and the entire league of extraordinary frontline staff. Cape or not, you’re a marvel!

Corinne Rusch-Drutz, PhD CEO, Kensington Health Foundation

SHOUT OUTS FROM OUR COMMUNITY I’ve always been proud and impressed by the commitment of our nurses in providing exemplary care to our residents and supporting our families. It’s a hard but fulfilling job. However, since March of this year, we’ve been attacked by an insidious virus. The entire staff lead by our nursing team have stood up and protected the residents; kept them safe and helped them through periods of fear, loneliness, depression and confusion, supported families through difficult time of separation from loved ones and friends. Finally, our nurses have supported team members, residents, families while continuing to providing exceptional palliative care during the current pandemic we’re experiencing. Thank you for everything thing you do. You’re the best.

Bill O’Neill, Vice-President of Residential and Community Care In honor of Nurses Week, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude for all of your hard work, presence, caring for Kensington residents selflessly and at the same time facing challenges with the COVID pandemic. Thank you for working long hours, bringing comfort and tons of smiles every day when walking through Kensington doors. Because of your passion, kindness and dedication our residents and their families feel safe and supported. We are proud of your efforts, your professionalism and for finding strength to support each other during these very unique times. Because of you, Kensington Gardens is a place residents feel loved and call it home. You are all amazing!! Thank you for everything. Happy Nursing Week.

Anna Slawski and Nicoleta Paraschiv, Directors of Care at Kensington Gardens Thank you so very much for the love and care you show every day to our dear residents. Both of my parents, who are residents at KG, are also extremely appreciative of the hard work, dedication and self-sacrifice extended by all staff of KG. Most notably in these extraordinary and challenging times, your work is very much appreciated.

God bless!

Diane, Family Member Our eternal gratitude to all of you for watching over our special lady (mom, Lai) especially during the pandemic, and for always going beyond the call of duty. Tesh, Erica, Tenzien And Amanuel— you are all amazing nurses who handle our concerns handily with flair and a good sense of humour. Thank you for all you do!

Kudos to Tseling, Betty, Marisa, Annie.

Helen, Family Member Words cannot express my gratitude for the love and care and respect with which you care for not only my parents but for all the other residents!

Gardens Family

Many more notes of gratitude have been submitted to honour Kensington's nurses and the entire team. To read them all, please visit www.kensingtonhealth.org/staff-updates (password: kensington2020)