Working together

QEH social worker, who promotes a team approach in helping families in the pediatric unit, gets nod for prestigious Dr. J.H. O’Hanley Award

Kimberly Hagan is always willing to take the time and make the effort to seek out the best solutions for sick children and their parents.

“We have children in the bed, but really it’s the whole family that we end up treating,’’ notes Hagan, the lone social worker for the pediatric unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown.

“I think it’s a matter of really not going in with your own agenda. You need to travel down the road together to see what people need.’’

For years, Hagan has been journeying with families that face financial, emotional and other turmoil dealing with an ill child. Each month, on average, she deals with 25 to 40 sick children and the children’s families.

Her consistently compassionate and resourceful approach that began back in the summer of 1994 when Hagan started as a social worker at the QEH has been recognized in top fashion.

The Charlottetown mother of two was recently presented the Dr. J.H. O’Hanley Award of Excellence, which is awarded each year to an individual or organization that has made an exceptional contribution to the care of children on Prince Edward Island and demonstrated outstanding dedication and loyal service.

Kerry Moore, manager of the social work department at the QEH, praised Hagan for being both thorough and engaging when dealing with a host of issues with her clients.

“In her work with Kimberly Hagan, a social worker in the pediatrics unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown, is a welcoming and caring resource for parents facing financial, emotional and other struggles dealing with their sick children. and children of all ages,’’ notes Moore, “she demonstrates a holistic approach to their care and she has an effective and rather remarkable ability to establish a positive rapport with parents who are dealing with the strain of parenting a very sick or injured child.’’

Moore adds Hagan is adept at recognizing and addressing the emotional and psychological needs of patients and their families. “Her ability to reduce conflict and calm the waters with parents who have child protection involvement is greatly appreciated by staff, physicians and parents,’’ he says.

“She is a very effective advocate for child and families in need of community services and she has established a very good working relationship with those services which directly benefits the children and families we serve.’’

Hagan considers it a privilege to have people allow her into a part of their life that is encumbered with much pain, stress and anguish.

“That is what social work is – finding ways to make things better,’’ she explains.

Hagan says being a social worker at the QEH where so much hardship is observed offers important perspective.

“This job teaches you not to get caught up in the little things in life,’’ she says.

“You see the world very differently…you are grateful for what you have.’’

Hagan is also grateful to have been given the nod as the latest recipient of the O’Hanley award.

However, she is quick to share the prestigious recognition with many others.

She humbly notes that she is simply part of a health team that includes, among others, pediatricians, nurses and counsellors.

“None of us can do our work without the other,’’ she says.

“(The award is) quite an honour…it’s a good accomplishment for social work.’’