Essential Alumni

 

After finishing medical school and residency in 2001, I worked in a number of emergency departments in Ontario and even a few in New Zealand. Stratford, Ontario seemed a good fit for me and my wife, and we decided to give it a trial for a few years back in 2003. We are still here today.

 

I am presently the medical program director of emergency medicine for a 4-site hospital alliance based in Stratford. Life changed a few months ago as we watched COVID-19 spread across the globe. Pandemic planning began here in early February as we saw the number of cases in Ontario increase and knew it was only a matter of time before we saw them locally. As we knew very little about this virus, decisions about what type of symptoms to watch for, who to test and what type of personal protective equipment (PPE) was needed changed on a weekly, if not daily, basis. Fears of the lack of PPE for front line workers were real but luckily have not become our reality.  

 

The once simple process of going to work has become more complex. I am screened at the hospital entrance, and I am required to answer a number of questions and have my temperature taken. I am then required to wear a mask for the entire time I am in the hospital and wear gloves for all patient encounters. For most of March and April we had daily “protected intubation” simulations to ensure we all knew what to do and how to keep ourselves safe when a possible COVID-19 patient arrived needing resuscitation.

 

About 70% of the patients I now see have screened positive at triage for symptoms of COVID-19 and full gown, mask, visor and gloves are required each time I enter their room. Hand washing, always a requirement in the ED, has become a major time commitment, and I have hand sanitizer or soap on my hands no less than 100 times a shift. Before heading home, I shower and change my clothes and immediately wash my scrubs once at home. My wife, a family doctor, and my two daughters have been very supportive with my long absences and never-ending conference calls.

 

What has been heart-warming is the continued outpouring of support for the frontline workers – I cannot tell you how much that is appreciated by all of us. These difficult times have brought us all together, and it is amazing to watch as our society moves to a virtual world, with places like Shawnigan leading the way. Our collective efforts have not gone unnoticed as the curve has flattened and is now on its way down. If we can keep this up, we may see the slow return to “normal” in the months ahead. Fingers crossed.