Celebrating our COVID All-Stars: The Hospitalist Leaders and Team

Each member of our medical community has pulled together at this challenging time.  We’re delighted to share some inspiring stories of leadership, professionalism, and collegiality, as we introduce you to our peer-nominated COVID All-Stars.

Dr. Rikus De Lange and Dr. Chloe Lemire-Elmore have been recognized by Dr. Matt Billinghurst as being thoughtful, dedicated, and strong leaders through  pandemic preparations at RJH and VGH.  While working their regular shifts, the Hospitalist leaders provided regular and reliable updates to the Department on status, screening, PPE, treatments, and any other COVID-related topic.  They have served as ‘point people,’ have organized and participated in educational rounds and information sharing, and have been involved in simulations.

But it’s not just the leaders who are making a difference:  The Hospitalist team as a whole has made, and continues to make, remarkable contributions to COVID preparations and care.  As described by Dr. Brian Mc Ardle at the South Island MSA/Island Health Townhall on Friday, May 1, RJH 5N, the Clinical Teaching Unit, was transformed into the COVID ward, with half the beds (18) set aside for suspected COVID patients, and the other half (18) for confirmed cases.  A structure was set up with a hospitalist and an internal medicine physician on the ward at all times, plus dedicated CTU nursing staff.

We are grateful for the teamwork of our Hospitalist colleagues!