Jennifer Belen
Louis Brier Home and Hospital
It is with great pleasure and honor that I write this email in support of Jennifer Belen’s nomination for the “Nursing Hero Award.”
Jennifer Belen is a Registered Nurse at Louis Brier Home and Hospital, a 215-bed long term care facility located in Vancouver, BC. I have worked alongside her since I was hired as an Infection Control Practitioner, more than 4 years ago. We both belong to the Interprofessional Team, seeing each other during our daily huddles. Jennifer has been with Louis Brier for 19 years, started as a unit nurse and later promoted as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). Jennifer moved to Canada from the Philippines in 2002. It took her a year to complete the requirements of the Canadian Board of Nurses examination. Despite the attractive opportunities that the acute care hospitals offer, Jennifer chose to stay in long term care, taking care of the residents who can be more vulnerable, frail and with high needs.
When the pandemic was declared in March 2020, the situation was particularly “chaotic” as the first COVID-19 outbreak in a long term care facility in BC was declared, and the first death reported in BC being a resident of that facility. The first case of community transmission (not related to travel) was reported to be a healthcare worker form a long term care facility. This was followed by series of orders and restrictions being placed by the Ministry of Health. All healthcare workers in the long term care sector were made to choose to work only in one facility, from two-three facilities for some employees. All of these restrictions, uncertainties, and “unknowns” about the novel disease have brought fear and anxiety to all of our fellow employees, to a level that has never been experienced before. Staff were afraid to bring the virus to the vulnerable residents, at the same time, they were also afraid to be bringing it back to their homes. With this level of psychological turmoil experienced by our staff, the role of the Clinical Nurse Leader (supervising majority of the employees) was very crucial. Despite of all these, Jennifer has shown strength and resilience by being there for her team whenever they need her, doing regular rounds and huddles to answer questions and deliver whatever support they need, assuring her team that they will weather the storm together, and always reminding them of the very essence of resident and family-centered care. She doesn’t ask from them what she cannot give herself….she is their role model and also their mentor. She was always responsive to and available for them.
She has the uncanny ability to show vulnerability yet display courage, strength and resilience. Jennifer is fair with her dealings…not being afraid to speak up if something is not right but at the same time not withholding acknowledgement and recognition to those whom she thinks deserve them.
After long hours at work, she would go home to her family and still manage to follow up on her teenage daughter’s school needs and activities. She would spend quality time with her family, knowing that sometimes she would fall short because she is called to work on her days off when the facility is short of staff, such as when there is a COVID-19 outbreak.
Jennifer is not just well loved by her colleagues but also by the residents and their families. Her calm demeanor and compassion make our residents and their families comfortable to approach her. They trust that whenever they raise their concerns, Jennifer will always take time to address them. Jennifer has been instrumental in attaining almost 100 per cent COVID-19 vaccination rate of our residents by taking the time to provide them education for their informed decision. She was involved as a vaccinator in numerous in-house vaccination clinics we conducted onsite. She has been a huge contributor in various quality improvement projects such as the Physician Neighborhood Project, 5S in Nursing Units, Clinical Systems Transformation, to name a few.
In 2020, Jennifer received the “Florence Nightingale Award” highest award for Nurses in our organization. This year, she received the “Mission Vision Values Advocate Award.” These awards were earned through peer nominations. Through her loyalty and commitment to the organization, she was given a “Long Service Award” in 2018 for her 15 years of service. Well-deserved accolades and validation of her dedication, professionalism, quality of service, and stability amidst the challenges.
When asked about what brings her fulfillment as a nurse, Jennifer said, “being able to help and make a difference in other people’s lives and build a trusting relationship with residents and families. Ultimately being able to provide comfort, care, kindness and respect to our residents.”
Jennifer also says that the pandemic has taught her to always be prepared because life takes us in different directions and to live the moment day by day. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect in our lives for us to be happy. Appreciate what we have and always be grateful. Give love and kindness to others.
Almost two years have passed since the pandemic started and everything still seems very uncertain. What I am certain of is that Jennifer will continue to play an important role in our journey towards excellence in giving exemplary care to our residents and families and in spreading positivity to our nurses, care aides, and everyone she meets. I am also certain that she will always take extra steps to pass by my office and ask me how I am doing or take extra time to listen to me as she does to anybody who needs it.
I believe that Jennifer Belen, RN, deserves to receive the “Nursing Hero Award” because she brings it to life, without any expectations in return. This letter of support is my way of showing her my gratitude and acknowledging her hard work and dedication to our residents, families, and staff of Louis Brier Home and Hospital as we all strive to be the centre of excellence in seniors care.
Nominated by:
Lunadel Daclan, CIC
Manager, Quality & Risk and Infection Prevention & Control
Louis Brier Home & Hospital and Weinberg Residence