| Written by Sara Loftson, The Catholic Register,
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Views : 1399  |
 TORONTO - Gone are the days when Saint Elizabeth Health Care nurses took the streetcar to home care appointments. Today they are equipped with GPS units to help them navigate their cars.
Much has changed since the founding of Saint Elizabeth Health Care 100 years ago, but not their calling: the nurses are still providing home care to the people of Ontario.
“We’ve tried to be very true to our values, clear about our mission and make sure we keep the importance of clients and families at the centre of what we do,” said Shirlee Sharkey, Saint Elizabeth Health Care president and CEO.
Saint Elizabeth Visiting Nurses’ Association of Ontario started at the request of Toronto Archbishop Fergus Patrick McEvay with a staff of only four nurses.
In the beginning nurses provided mostly prenatal and pediatric care. During the Second World War, Saint Elizabeth Health Care contributed to the war effort by providing maternity care, assisting in the wartime day nurseries and offering food and shelter to those in need.
It has since changed its name to Saint Elizabeth Health Care in 1998, expanded to 3,700 staff members who deliver three million home care visits annually in 20 municipalities across Ontario.
“We hope in a very small way we are living the life of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. We hope we are carrying on that legacy,” said Sharkey. “Our Catholic roots are fundamental to everything we do.”
Saint Elizabeth Health Care is named after the 13th century saint, an aristocrat who dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick over the objections of her family.
Looking to the future, next fall Sharkey said the organization plans to release a new vision statement.
“We have a vision to be a phenomenal knowledge and care giver organization.”
Saint Elizabeth Health Care is also currently implementing a new technology, thin, lightweight, portable computers called wireless tablets that allow nurses to record patient information and share information with the client and family.
“Many people have been talking about portable laps, but we are really implementing (them)... but the hard work is implementing them and making sure they work for the staff,” said Sharkey.
“From a technological perspective you could say that everything has changed, but what it is that we really do, nothing has changed. We have to ensure that (technology) enables that kind of connection and relationship that people are looking for.”
This year the agency will host a 100th anniversary conference called “Forging ahead evidence to innovation” in March, the Imagination Ball gala on Oct. 4 and its annual feast day celebration with a special 100th anniversary Mass at St. Paul’s Basilica on Nov. 17.
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