Listening and Taking Action
Stephanie’s Story
For Barbara Kok, it isn’t just her patients who she cares about. According to Barbara, when you work in Oncology, you and your team become a family who looks out for each other. So in January when Stephanie Duthie, a Program Clerical Support worker, came in feeling unwell, Barbara knew something was wrong.
Stephanie thought her pain and trouble breathing was only a pulled muscle, and tried to work through her discomfort. But Barbara knew better. Immediately she sent her straight down to the Emergency Department to get checked out.
Barbara’s intuition was right, the pain in Stephanie’s chest was more than just a pulled muscle. Stephanie was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, a blockage in an artery of her lung, which can turn deadly if left untreated. Because of Barbara’s caring and quick thinking, Stephanie received the care she needed, and she credits Barbara with saving her life.
“In a world of Spiderman, Superman, Wonder Woman and all those awesome guys, it’s amazing to know that some superheroes wear scrubs, or in Barb’s case, really snazzy business attire.
Stephanie Duthie
For Barbara, caring for others is second nature. She has been an Oncology RN for over 20 years, and joined the team in 2012, after returning to Canada from the United States to be closer to her family. Barbara was drawn to the Regional Cancer Program because she wanted to work at her community’s hospital. As a nurse working in the Chemotherapy Suite, she delivers chemotherapy drugs to her patients, and helps them to manage their symptoms through the cancer treatment. Her compassionate care helps to keep them as comfortable as possible.
Because of nurses like Barbara, Southlake is a family away from home, where everyone is treated with compassion.
