“I had happy tears at times seeing how these challenges brought out resourcefulness, flexibility and the most compassionate parts of us all.”

"My day job is client partner in Leadership and Organization Development. My focus is on culture transformation and employee well-being across the region. I was redeployed as a screener during COVID-19, based at Peace Arch Hospital. My job was to meet each visitor and screen to make sure they were well and permitted to be there with the restrictions in place. My training in conflict resolution primed me well for this. At times, you could feel the pressure, tension and emotion from visitors and staff alike. This made me realize just how important our team’s work to provide resources to promote employee wellness and reduce stress really is.

As a corporate professional, I learned so much being in this environment. Donning PPE was a new experience. Showing up and being there in the thick of it to help was humbling. Getting a sense of what it is like in a hospital setting and challenges faced there, gave me some valuable take-aways to bring back to my day job, too. These lessons will help inform my employee wellness presentations going forward. I have more empathy now. COVID-19 anxiety is real, but when you find how you can contribute, help others and feel like you are a part of the solution – it’s an effective coping strategy. I had happy tears at times seeing how these challenges brought out resourcefulness, flexibility and the most compassionate parts of us all."