Alumnae join Health Team

Shawnigan graduates Sydney Hamm ’12 (Strathcona) and Taylor Hamm ’14 (Strathcona) have returned to campus in their professional capacity as nurses to join this year’s newly expanded Health Centre care team.

“I was delighted when Sydney and Taylor told me they were interested in joining the team here at Shawnigan. This opportunity will be a win-win for the School and for them professionally,” says Director of Health Heather Craib. “Our medical team is excited to welcome them on board and grateful for the added support and expertise during this very challenging time. Their role will include working with the Quarantine Team to support international students who are completing their 14-day self-isolation on campus, assisting in the Health Centre as we prepare to welcome students back in September, and, most importantly, they will be conducting COVID-19 screening, and testing and monitoring any students who become ill over the course of the year. A big job but our team is ready to work with Sydney and Taylor to ensure a safe and healthy year at Shawnigan.”

Since graduating from university, Sydney has worked in Vernon, Trail and Nelson on pediatric and labour and delivery units and also in rural hospitals in medical/emergency departments. Taylor began her nursing career working in general medicine units and in long term care. Both women bring a wealth of expertise in nursing and knowledge about life at Shawnigan to their new roles at the School.

“We are really excited to gain some new experiences in different areas of nursing in a totally unique setting,” shares Sydney. “We loved our Shawnigan experience while we were students, and we are really excited to be back and to experience Shawnigan as staff members! Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic is something that is new to everyone and we are all learning how to adapt. Being able to work as a team to problem solve and figure things out is going to make each day so interesting. We are really excited to be here and really grateful for this opportunity. We are really looking forward to it and hope to help make this year go as smoothly as possible.”

For Taylor, being able to nurse alongside her sister and having a positive impact on the students’ lives are a couple of the things she is most looking forward to about their return to Shawnigan.

“I am so excited to be back on campus,” says Taylor. “We are hopeful that all the proper procedures we are putting in place will be effective and allow us to be able to help out in the clinic, the immunization clinic, and help even do some coaching. We are just going to be adaptable. We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone--students, parents, staff, and teachers--but the students (and everyone on campus) are in really good hands. There’s a great team here that has been working tremendously hard over the summer to make the campus and facilities as safe as possible and be prepared for anything that might come up this year. We definitely have the right team members to give our students the care they need and deserve, for whatever situation arises.” 

For more information about how Shawnigan is preparing for a safe return to campus, please visit the School's COVID-19 information page.