Spreading the word

When Kim Morgan began her career 18- years ago as a Registered Nurse at the Brantford General Hospital she provided one-on-one care for patients in the coronary care unit. 

“That was back in the days of Dorothy Kott,” Kim said reflecting on her career. “I worked at McMaster Hospital for a year and a half and then returned to the BGH in 1997. It has been a wonderful experience.” 

Today, Kim is working hard studying for her Bachelor of Science degree, “I am about half done- there is light at the end of the tunnel,” she smiled. But since October of 2006 instead of caring directly for patients with heart disease Kim is now the stroke clinician for the hospital district stroke program.

“I provide education to our staff throughout the Brant Community Healthcare System and the hospitals in Simcoe, Hagersville and Dunville. We also partner with many community providers including the health unit and the community care access centre. My job is to assist implementing best practice guidelines- 19 in all- in stroke care. This includes everything from health promotion, in- hospital care, rehabilitation, to integrating patients back to the community. I enjoy the education aspect- spreading the word- but I do miss the days of caring directly for patients. It is a totally different way of caring and helping patients.”     

Ask Kim what she recommends we all do to prevent heart disease and one thing she quickly mentions is exercise. “Physical exercise and maintaining a healthy weight prevents cardiac disease, stroke and other chronic diseases. Walking is a terrific way to add physical activity to your day and lose weight. It refreshes the mind, reduces fatigue and increases energy. 10,000 steps a day will burn between 2,000 and 3,500 calories a week.”   

Each year the hospital organizes an event in February to celebrate heart and stroke month. Last year it was a cholesterol and blood pressure clinic for staff. This year, to emphasize the value of walking Kim and Anne Campbell, district stroke coordinator, organized a step challenge on Valentine’s Day for staff at the BGH, the Willett, Norfolk General, West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville and Haldimand War Memorial Hospital in Dunville. The health unit provided a couple of hundred pedometers for all the participants and when the big day arrived stroke clinic staff met with everyone at the start of their shift and provided granola bars, water and some healthy living information. Everyone strapped on their pedometer and away they went about their daily duties. At the end of their shift they reported back and submitted their pedometer.

“Many people were well over the 10,000 step goal,” Kim said. “A few even surpassed 15,000 steps as they went about their jobs.” 

Staff members Shane Kelloway, Sue Shellington and Linda Cameron were three of the top steppers. Shane joked, “I expected that I would be one of the top steppers because my job as an environmental service aide means I am constantly walking throughout the entire hospital.” It was a typical workday for Shane who took over 15,000 steps. 

What’s next? 

“June is Heart and Stroke month so we plan on doing another step challenge,” Kim said. “We are going to attempt to get more people from across the entire organization and include some of the nurses that work 12- hour shifts and do a lot of walking. Who knows maybe we’ll surpass the 353,077 steps employees walked in February.”

Gary Chalk is senior executive director- public affairs & development for the Brant Community Healthcare System. Brantford General is a regional health centre providing primary care, emergency and specialized services. The Willett, Paris, is a multi- service health centre providing urgent care, primary and community outreach programs.