Honorable Mention

Jacqueline Cooper, University Health Network

Jacqueline Cooper has received nominations from several of her colleagues, UHN leadership and patient partners. Her work ethic and dedication to patients and colleagues are remembered in several of the testimonials below.

“Jacqueline Cooper is a seasoned nurse and leader who puts the needs of patients first.”

She started her training as a nurse in the United Kingdom and came to Canada in 1986. From front line nursing in critical care, to becoming a dialysis nurse and eventually a manager for nephrology, Jacqui is the first to lead innovation. In her career, she has worn many hats, including staff nurse, charge nurse, educator and manager. As a leader, she is a strong advocate for patients as staff and always supported her team.

Jacqui was instrumental in helping move dialysis from the hospital to the home, making it possible for people to have dialysis in their own private space! Jacqui’s motto is “nothing is impossible.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, when patients undergoing dialysis where one of the most vulnerable populations and home dialysis became a preferred choice for many, Jacqui and the Home Dialysis team rose to the occasion.

There are countless stories about how her passion motivates her team to help patients on dialysis live their lives to the fullest. Some examples include patients being able go camping in the wilderness – which may seem impossible to many who are on dialysis – this was made possible with the help of the dedicated team of clinicians in the Home Dialysis team at UHN!

Most recently, Jacqui has led the work around Access to Kidney Transplant (AKT) for those living with kidney disease, working with patient partners like Len Hodder.

Without nurses and nurse leaders like Jacqui Cooper, people with kidney replacement therapy could not live the same full life that they do now!”- Joanne Zee, Senior Clinical Director, Ajmera Transplant Centre, Nephrology, Endocrinology & Hepatology, UHN

“As a member of the Transplant Ambassador Program (TAP), our aim is to help those who need a kidney transplant achieve that goal. Jacqui has been instrumental in connecting the members of the TAP team with both UHN staff, as well as the patients in the dialysis units. We have had many wonderful peer-to-peer conversations with patients thanks to the help of Jacqui and her team.” – Len Hodder, UHN Transplant Ambassador and Centre for Living Organ Donation Volunteer

“Jacqui Cooper’s portfolio as a Nurse Manager encompasses both nephrology and endocrine patients, all impacted by chronic disease. Her experience, knowledge and expertise needed to care for and support patients is apparent in her daily interactions with both patients and staff. When there is a difficult situation, she guides and supports staff to help patients overcome challenges and setbacks.

Jacqui always demonstrates the goal of patients as partners and displays this in her work with patients and staff. This was obvious when Jacqui helped accommodate a patient that would normally not be considered a home dialysis candidate. She worked with the patient, the patient’s family, and the nephrology team to help find the best fit for the patient. This allowed staff to use creative thinking to best accommodate the patient while providing safe, supportive, patient centred care. This specific case not only involved nephrology but the palliative care team as well. Jacqui is key in pulling together and leveraging different programs across UHN and the health system and bringing teams together. She is always open to suggestions and ideas, which permits UHN staff to provide exemplary patient care in the province of Ontario, where nephrology has the highest home dialysis rates. UHN is recognized by the Ontario Renal Network.

Not only does Jacqui have a strong nephrology background, but her previous roles as a critical care nurse, charge nurse and dialysis nurse makes her a positive role model to staff who encourages professional growth. She continually updates staff on educational and professional opportunities that provide them the opportunity expand and develop their professional roles, such as CNA certification in nephrology, leadership programs, publications, diabetes education and home dialysis rounds. Jacqui mentors many different nurses from novice to advanced, as her expertise in nephrology is so vast. Nurses who are new to home dialysis or clinics are supported and guided by Jacqui, especially when new or difficult situations arise. As many of our patients are medically complex, Jacqui is able to support and empower her nursing team thus enabling them to provide safe and effective nursing care.

Jacqui deserves this recognition as a Nursing Hero, as her commitment and compassion to providing exemplary nurse care is outstanding and evident in her daily interactions with staff, colleagues and patients. She is a well-respected member of the nephrology community and is known for her outstanding partnerships with different UHN programs and teams. Her supportive and caring personality allows her nursing staff to feel empowered and mentored by a strong nursing leader. It is obvious that her nursing leadership has supported and developed the growth of her staff by the success of her programs within her portfolio.” – Janice Ritchie, Clinical Coordinator, MultiCare Kidney Clinics, Toronto General Hospital, UHN