Social Worker's Support Helps in Finding a "Path Forward" Following Family Member's Illness

When Lakeridge Health team member Lisa Vella’s beloved aunt was admitted to the Oshawa Hospital with cardiac and respiratory issues last November, many difficult decisions and discussions followed.

After experiencing multiple breathing issues that required several admissions to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), her physicians determined that she needed a mitral valve replacement for one of her heart’s four valves. However, due to her condition, it was uncertain if she would be a candidate for the procedure.

“My aunt had decided that she wanted our family to have a meeting with her physician,” said Lisa, who works as a Senior Project Lead in the Finance Department. “To say that my family was nervous about this meeting would be an understatement.”

That’s when Lisa and her family were introduced to Social Worker, Jana Mason. Jana arranged and helped facilitate the discussion to ensure a clear understanding as to the wishes of Lisa’s aunt.

“Jana was absolutely amazing,” explained Lisa. “She was able to ask questions that we, as her emotional family, didn’t think of and it was clear that she had my aunt’s best wishes at heart. She was calm, reassuring, and we never felt rushed or compelled to make quick decisions.”

After a lengthy discussion, Lisa’s aunt decided that she wanted to go ahead with the necessary assessments and testing required to determine if she was a viable candidate for the mitral valve replacement. Jana was then able to proceed with arranging the next steps to honour her wishes.

“My family is immensely grateful to Jana for her compassion, care, and guidance in helping us choose a path forward,” shared Lisa. “I have worked for Lakeridge Health for more than 30 years and have always had immense pride in my co-workers, and their dedication to our patients. But to be on the other side as the family member of a patient has provided me with a whole new appreciation of the depth of emotion and caring of the Lakeridge Health team.”