Nicanor (Nic) Molina
West Park Healthcare Centre
West Park Healthcare Centre is known for the provision of excellent post-acute care across our offering of specialized rehabilitation and complex continuing care services and our success is in large part, owed to dedicated clinical professionals like Nicanor (Nic) Molina, RN. Members of the West Park community regularly sing Nic’s praises because of his substantial contributions across the Centre, but what makes Nic unique is that he seems to be able to support those around him in ways that leave them feeling just how much he genuinely cares.
Nic’s 12 years at West Park have been predominantly dedicated to the care of patients on our Muskuloskeletal Rehabilitation Unit. Over the course of his tenure he has developed a reputation as a clinician who provides excellent patient care, is a reliable colleague and mentor and expresses excitement about participating in initiatives that will have a significant and lasting impact on patients and the organization.
From a patient care perspective, Nic is described patient-centred, working to understand the physical, emotional and cognitive needs of patients and truly listening. In fact, staff across his home unit, are often asked by patients, when he’ll be working next. He is someone that they genuinely look forward to seeing on a daily basis, and fundamentally trust.
Nursing students (and new staff) who have the opportunity to be mentored by Nic express sincere gratitude for his openness, leadership, approach to patient care, and his willingness to provide guidance. The example he sets has a long-lasting impact on those who have the opportunity to learn from him.
The reputation he has established across the organization is what often leads him to be approached to contribute to important projects. Over the last number of years he has been involved in user groups that provide input into the design of the new hospital (opening in 2023), he’s been a super-user helping to lead the implementation of automatic medication dispensing units, he’s a member of the Safe Medication Practice Committee and has been a member of West Park’s Best Practice Implementation Committee since its inception. While all of this, in addition to his role on the unit seems like more than one person could possibly take on, he also contributed to the COVID-19 response by vaccinating staff and members of the public at our vaccine clinic.
By all accounts, Nic has a desire to contribute to any aspect of our clinical (and non-clinical) operations that will improve the care and services that patients receive. On behalf of everyone at West Park, we submit our official nomination for the 2022 Nursing Hero Award.
Sincerely,
The staff and patients of West Park Healthcare Centre
Judith Mulder. Recently discharged patient, MSK Rehabilitation
Judith recently submitted an ‘Applause Card’ after he went above and beyond his responsibilities to assist the patient. The comment Judith stated, “Nick is # 1 in every way that demonstrates excellence, respect, trust, collaboration, and accountability [West Park’s core values]. He is a very kind and empathetic caregiver.”
Nomination by Leona Skilling-Di Stasi, Service Manager, MSK Rehabilitation
Nic is a knowledgeable, accomplished and compassionate Registered Nurse who unfailingly demonstrates respect and professionalism in the care of our patients at West Park. He promotes Patient Centered Care and for this his patients admire him.
Nic continually participates and seeks opportunities to advance the nursing profession by coaching and mentoring colleagues and students to achieve their goals and promote the nursing profession. He possess’ strong problem solving and critical thinking skills, a trait that makes him a natural leader and positive role model. Nic has taken part in many West Park initiatives, most recently collaborating with Campus Development and Pharmacy and regularly shares his excitement of new technology with his colleagues. Lastly he gives selflessly as he shares his gifts with all!
Nomination by Priya Muthukumarasamy, RN, BScN, MN, Clinical Nurse Educator, Professional Practice
Nic supports his colleagues and patients in multiple ways. He is a strong communicator and is able to collaborate effectively to create positive change on the unit. For example, during the ADU implementation Nic worked with Professional Practice to become a superuser for his unit. He was able to communicate and advocate for better workflow processes and troubleshoot problems on multiple units. Not only is Nic an incredible team player, he also provides excellent care for our patients. I am lucky to be able to work with him on MSK!
Nomination by Brie Dalton, Recent RN student mentored by Nic
He is such a great educator and embodies what it means to be a Nursing Hero. Nic takes time to show you new skills and ensures you understand the rationale to each practice. During my time learning from Nic he has thought me great patient communication skills, practical nursing skills and what it means to be empathic. Nic makes you feel so comfortable asking questions and is a very supportive team leader. Nic is an inspiration to all around him and creates such a positive nursing environment.
Nomination by Lisa Dalton, Physiotherapist, MSK Rehabilitation
Nic is kind and compassionate towards his patients. He demonstrates excellent clinical skills and professionalism. Nic is the first to volunteer to participate in Rounds or in meetings pertaining to Best Practice, Campus Redevelopment, etc. He readily and patiently teaches nursing students. He is always eager to assist if challenging patient issues arise. Nic is a pleasure to work with and we are very fortunate to have him on 3EA! Great job, Nic!
Nomination by Trish Mizzau, Patient Flow Coordinator
It’s not hard to find people with positive things to say about Nic and his passion for Nursing and West Park. Simply put, he is involved in more initiatives than almost anyone, cares deeply for his patients and is a constant support system for his colleagues. He is focussed, compassionate and knowledgeable but somehow finds the time to ensure he asks you how your day is and is never too busy to lend a hand. I trust him implicitly and am thankful that he has always made himself available for me to ask him questions and bounce ideas off of him. His radiates positivity to the point that I can’t recall ever having seen him in a bad mood.
Nomination by Gulzar Karmali, Manager IPAC and Pharmacy
I’ve always enjoyed working with Nic but the implementation of our Automatic Dispensing Unit this year was definitely a highlight. As an implementation super-user Nic was a support to our Pharmacy team and nursing staff to become comfortable with the technology and processes. Conversely, Nic was known to bring honest and valuable feedback from the unit to the implementation leads. By acting in this role it allowed positive changes to take place quickly and improve implementation. In this way, Nic was, as he always is, a positive voice for change.
Nomination by Martha Harvey, RN, Director, Operational Readiness
As we build our new hospital, input from our stakeholders is crucially important and we call upon nurses, physicians, allied health staff, support staff and patients. Over the course of the last number of years, one of the individuals who has been eager to lend his experience and insight into the process has been Nic Molina.
One of the wonderful things about Nic is that he has become a ‘go to’ person who can be relied upon to bring his clinical experience to advocate for clinicians and patients, offering his expertise to address nursing-specific questions and challenges. He’s been a significant contributor, helping to plan the details of the patient unit from a design and organization perspective and that has translated in the physical mock ups.
Even with the important contributions that Nic has made and continues to make, he remains kind-spirited, pleasant, unassuming, responsive, always makes time for others. He simply wants to make a difference.
Nomination by Angela Dowd, Director Professional Practice and Clinical Education
Nic has been a key member of our Safe Medication Practice Committee. During the past year, we implemented automated dispensing units on all of our clinical units. Nic provided important front line perspective and feedback regarding the nurses’ experience of medication administration within the organization that helped to shape our approach to planning and implementation of the ADUs. Nic is a strong passionate nurse whose integrity is second to none. His role as advocate both for his patients as well as his nursing colleagues is apparent in his actions, feedback and participation in organizational initiatives. The implementation of the ADUs occurred during the fall wave of COVD-19 and Nic went above and beyond to support his fellow colleagues to learn the new technology. Nic worked additional shifts and made himself available to the nurses across the hospital to address any learning needs or provide just-in-time support.
Nic has also been a member of our Best Practice Implementation committee since its inception. The focus of the committee is to implement RNAO Best Practice Standards across all services. Our focus this past year is on Person and Family Centered Care and Falls Prevention. Nic’s patient centered approach to care is apparent in his ability to seek understanding with his patients that helps to inform his approach to care. Nic has provided invaluable front line perspective to our commitment to and the implementation of RNAO best practices. Nic’s truth telling and transparency provides a valuable lens through which our organization can view the reality of nursing care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nic actions takes courage, strength and integrity, he is truly a nursing hero.
Joanna Johnston, Occupational Therapist, MSK Rehabilitation
I’ve worked with Nic on 3EA for many years; he is an incredible RN. In addition to being highly skilled, he is extremely compassionate, empathetic and always focused on patient centered care. Patient feedback is consistently overwhelmingly positive. He exudes positive energy that puts patients, family members and staff at ease. He is always extremely collaborative, encouraging and focused on fostering a cohesive team environment. He is a joy to work with!
