Images of open doors hold special meaning for Dr. Phillip Cooper, who recently started a new role as palliative care physician in south western Nova Scotia. Framed photos of ancient stone entranceways on his office wall at Yarmouth Regional Hospital are a reminder that we are all on a journey, including those who are nearing end-of-life and their families.

Many people associate, “palliative care” with “end-of-life care,” but that’s only one aspect. Pain and symptom management also play a vital part.

Pain and symptom management is provided to all palliative care patients including those managing a life-limiting illness. A life-limiting illness could be a chronic disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or conditions like cancer, ALS, stroke, heart failure and more. Even though a life-limiting disease is progressive, patients can lead active lives for many years after diagnosis.

When registered nurse Vivian Mancini retired from the QEII Emergency and Trauma Centre, she knew she wanted to transition to volunteering, but wasn't sure where. 

She recalls her discussion with Volunteer Services fondly, "I said, 'I know what I don't want. And so, perhaps you can tell me what else there is available.'"

From natural disasters to all other incidents and events, Nova Scotia Health’s emergency preparedness team plays a vital role in ensuring patients, families and staff are safe at its facilities and the impacts to health system services are minimal.

Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland Rick McSpadden, Nova Scotia Health emergency preparedness manager Eastern Zone, now calls Cape Breton, Nova Scotia home.

To celebrate Nurses’ Week, we asked nurses to share their stories of motivation and aspiration and how they’d like to shape the future of nursing at Nova Scotia Health.

Elizabeth Wilcox, Nurse Mentor

My name is Elizabeth Wilcox. I have been a nurse mentor with Nova Scotia Health for the past 2 years. 

To celebrate Nurses’ Week, we asked nurses to share their stories of motivation and aspiration and how they’d like to shape the future of nursing at Nova Scotia Health. 

In palliative care, both the patient and their loved one’s needs are at the centre of the care team’s approach. 

"We approach what our client may need through a family-centered lens. It's not just about supporting the individual; it's about supporting the entire family unit as they navigate through difficult times."

From facilitating family meetings and grief counselling to coordinating transportation and supporting patients with income and employment paperwork, Koneczny provides comprehensive care.  

Jocelyne Tranquilla didn’t necessarily plan to work as the Bereavement Coordinator of the Palliative Care Service in Central Zone. In fact, she muses that she “hates hospitals,” but it was through her natural career journey as a social worker where she often found herself working with clients, patients and loved ones at the intersection of grief and loss.

I spent seven years working at the [Nova Scotia Arthritis Care and] Rehabilitation Centre, and in homeless shelters,” said Tranquilla, “where grief and loss might not be what we're talking about, but what they're very present.”

To celebrate Nurses’ Week, we asked nurses to share their stories of motivation and aspiration and how they’d like to shape the future of nursing at Nova Scotia Health.

To celebrate Nurses’ Week, we asked nurses to share their stories of motivation and aspiration and how they’d like to shape the future of nursing at Nova Scotia Health. 

Samantha (Sam) Gould, Registered Nurse
QEII Halifax Infirmary, Unit 5.2 Med/Surg/Neuro/Trauma ICU

My journey to nursing began on a whim. My grandmother was a nurse, and I thought maybe I’d make a good one, too. I applied to the University of New Brunswick (UNB)and was accepted.