Heather Symons, Clinical Operations Manager

 

Get to know Heather Symons, Clinical Operations Manager Medical Daycare, Ambulatory Care, Oncology, Social Work and Porters

 

I grew up on the west coast of Newfoundland in a community on the Bay of Islands. My family had an appreciation for all things nature and truly embodied the outdoor spirit, therefore my childhood was spent either camping, hiking through forests and snowmobiling or cross-country skiing in the winter.

Other than a short thought about becoming a Marine Biologist, I was always drawn to healthcare and I felt becoming a nurse was a path that would be a great career. I earned my degree in Nursing from Memorial University of Newfoundland and moved to BC shortly after. I spent my early years in BC at the Royal Columbian Hospital in Acute Medicine, moving on to ICU, later taking a turn as an Acute Medicine CNE.

Along the way, I found a passion for quality improvement. This led me here, to Ridge Meadows Hospital where I spent five years with the surgical program as a surgical clinical reviewer with ACS NSQIP (National Surgical Quality Improvement Program). During this time, I worked with our amazing surgical team to help lead surgical initiatives where we had great opportunities and displayed impressive teamwork along the way.

Recently I shifted focus and took a management position with a portfolio of Community Outpatient Clinics. This includes Medical Daycare, Ambulatory Daycare, Oncology, Social Work, and Porters. I am also the manager lead for the Lean, Clean & Green initiative that allows me to help lead a project that involves a multidisciplinary team and will help improve our infection control, economic and ecological footprint.

I feel very privileged to be able to live and work in this community and contribute to our incredible team. I began my career in a small hospital and to be able to come full circle to return to a community hospital feels like returning home.