The Nurse is Never Too Far from the Director…
In each issue of the newsletter, we spotlight a member of our organization. This month, we’d like to introduce you to Isabelle Caron, the new Director of the Support for Elderly Autonomy Program Directorate—Long-Term Care. A director for whom quality and the improvement of care is always front and centre!
Ms. Caron, let me begin by welcoming you to the Montréal West Island CIUSSS family! Can you tell us about your academic path and what led you to the health and social services network?
“I graduated with a diploma of college studies (DEC) in Universal Sciences from Cégep de Sainte-Foy in 1993. Three years later, I obtained a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Université Laval. Then, in 2006, I completed a master’s in nursing at the Université de Montréal.
During the course of my studies, I had the chance to learn about several facets of the health and social services network, including advanced practice nursing, clinical programs development, health care management and health research development.”
Talk to us about your previous jobs.
“I should start by saying that when I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in 1996, the employment landscape was quite different. There was no labour shortage like there is today. In fact, it was quite the opposite as there was a surplus of nurses. Incredible but true! As a result, I decided to move to Montréal to take a job as an on-call internal medicine nurse at the Jewish General Hospital. I worked a few shifts, from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm. Thankfully, my employment status improved within a few months of being hired!
About two years after moving to Montréal, I was hired as a full-time head nurse at the Jewish. In the years that followed, I had the opportunity to work in several departments including Medicine, Neurology and Oncology. In 2006, I was appointed Director of Nursing—Medicine, Geriatrics, Mental Health, Palliative Care and Infection Control.
I was on parental leave from 2011 to 2015, and when I came back, the health and social services network had undergone a major reform. I became Associate Nursing Coordinator, then Clinical-Administrative Nursing Coordinator at the CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. And then, from 2018 to 2022, I held the role of Associate Director of Nursing, Physical Health at the same institution.”
At the beginning of the pandemic, the Jewish General Hospital was quickly identified as a designated centre. Can you give us a brief overview of the important role you played?
“Because the hospital had a brand new infrastructure with private rooms and a pandemic unit, it was immediately chosen to take in the first COVID-19 patients. The Jewish General Hospital was among the first two designated hospitals in Québec. Since I had developed expertise in pandemic management back in 2009 as a result of the H1N1 influenza outbreak as co-chair of the H1N1 Management Committee, I contributed to, guided and supported the hospital’s pandemic preparedness simulations.
When the pandemic struck the residential and long-term care centres, I left my position to go help the teams working in our public and private CHSLDs. I jointly oversaw the management of the pandemic in these settings across the territory covered by the CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.”
Can you share your vision with respect to seniors’ residences?
Placing seniors, who are often very vulnerable, in residential care should be a social project. While residents as well as their loved ones must feel at home in these types of settings, residents must also have access to high quality care. Each resident is a unique individual and has their own life story. The teams must get to know them on a personal level and show them kindness and compassion.
Our seniors’ residences should be vibrant spaces that encourage the active participation of loved ones and the community at large. It should be said that those who work in seniors’ residences care deeply about supporting and caring for the elderly. The passion they have for their work should be infectious and should result in interactions that are kind, respectful and stimulating for our residents.
I see myself more as a team leader than a director. That means that I have to make sure that our teams are engaged and committed. That’s why I enjoy watching employees and managers reach their full potential, be bold and show their capacity to innovate.
There is no doubt in my mind that we have to constantly strive to do better for our seniors.”
Ms. Caron kindly agreed to share some aspects of her personal life with us…
What area are you from?
“I was born in New Brunswick, but my family later moved to Dégelis, a small town in Québec near the New Brunswick border.”
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your family?
“My husband and I have been married for 24 years. We are the proud parents of three children: Benjamin, 22, Nathan, 19, and our youngest, Marianne, who is 12.
I’m not one to take myself too seriously. In fact, I like to use humour to defuse tension.”
When it comes to relaxing, what do you like to do?
“Whatever gets me outside! Running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and Zumba are just some of the activities I enjoy. At the height of the pandemic, when the public health measures were in effect and small, physically distanced gatherings were allowed, I actually hired a Zumba instructor to give classes outside twice a week near my house. This way, my neighbours could also work out to upbeat music on their own properties during this challenging time.
To be your best at work, you need to be able to recharge your batteries and be in good health, both physically and mentally.”
Do you have a hidden talent?
“I love to cook. I will also admit that I’m a total kitchen equipment and gadget junkie!”
How would you define yourself?
“I would humbly describe myself as a builder. I’m an ideas person. I really enjoy building alongside teams that are engaged.”
“While my responsibilities may have evolved over the years, my training as a nurse is never far from the surface. When I implement various initiatives for the benefit of the population, I draw inspiration from the reality that is taking place on the ground,” explains Isabelle Caron.