WHGH dedicates palliative care room in memory of a beloved and well-respected nurse

(WHGH) Wednesday, May 25, 2022 – During a week dedicated to celebrating nurses, a palliative care room on the Inpatient Unit (IPU) at West Haldimand General Hospital (WHGH) has been named in memory of a much loved and well-respected nurse.

The official opening of the Snowy Owl Room was held at the hospital on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in the presence of Kelly Currie’s family who joined the ceremony by Zoom and Kelly’s close WHGH friends.

Nurse Kelly Currie from Grand Falls, Newfoundland, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, July 30, 2020. Kelly was 52.

She had been a nurse for 31 years and was very well known and respected. Kelly worked at various hospitals over her career, including the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Center, Dartmouth General Hospital, Norfolk General Hospital, and lastly, West Haldimand General Hospital, where she served as a Director of Inpatient Care and Clinical Educator.

Kelly’s colleagues wanted to do something in her memory and decided on naming the IPU’s palliative care suite – a space designed to provide patients and their families with a serene and comforting space as they navigate their end-of-life journey – in her memory.

“Today, we are here to celebrate the legacy of our friend and our colleague, Kelly Currie,” said Kim Mullins, Interim President & CEO. “Kelly and her team had a vision of delivering compassionate, skilled, palliative care – an atmosphere that would be serene and comfortable. Kelly was passionate about nursing, and she knew the importance of holistic care. Kelly had an unforgettable influence on many, and her legacy of nursing leadership will be felt for generations to come. On behalf of the Inpatient Unit, her colleagues, and friends, we lovingly dedicate our palliative care room as the Snowy Owl Room in the memory of Kelly.”

Kelly was a life-long member of the Girl Guides of Canada, beginning at the age of eight. She was the dedicated leader of Sparks, Brownies where she chose her name of Snowy Owl.

“One of my favourite things about Kelly was how much she cared about her staff. When Kelly asked me for things, the request was almost always something that would make life easier for one of her staff. She was a fantastic leader to work with because she was always so focused on her team,” said Melissa Duguid, WHGH Human Resource Manager and a friend of Kelly.

Nurse honoured with the Kelly Currie Nursing Excellence Award

At the official dedication ceremony, Interim President & CEO Kim Mullins presented Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Darlene Kuhn with the first-ever Kelly Currie Nursing Excellence Award.

An RPN at WHGH for 16-years, Darlene stood in shock as she was notified of her award during the ceremony that was nominated by her colleagues.

“This person (Darlene) exemplifies what it means to be a nurse,” said Mullins. “She has dedicated her career to caring for the most vulnerable while advocating for dignified quality of care. Working for several years on the IPU, under the leadership of Kelly Currie, who mentioned Darlene on several occasions for her kindness, compassion for skilled and caring for complex patients. Darlene also took the lead on improving end-of-life care and has a passion for ensuring families and patients have a peaceful place, where they receive top-notch care during the most difficult time of their lives.”

The Kelly Currie Nursing Excellence Award celebrates a nurse that demonstrates core behaviors and values that include role modeling, inspiring others, creativity, fostering accountability, creating a spirit of community, showing passion and commitment to improving the quality of care, and leading by example.

(Darlene (middle) with her WHGH team)

Darlene says she was overwhelmed with emotion when she received the award.

“The Kelly Currie Nursing Excellence Award meant a great deal to me. “Kelly was a great clinical manager and always took time for staff, patients and families. This showed when it came to preparing the palliative care room. We went and looked at different palliative care rooms and discussed what we liked and what we did not and what we needed in ours to make it special. Kelly always sent special cards to us at Christmas and During National Nurses Week that was made just for us …amazing the time she took to do this for each of us. I could only wish to be the nurse that Kelly was.”

Darlene, an RPN on the IPU, has spent the last year and a half playing a critical role in keeping the COVID-19 Assessment Centre up and running by providing testing, education, and further guidance to individuals who have concerns about COVID-19.

A plaque has been placed in the Snowy Owl Room, along with a beautiful picture of an owl, so that Kelly will never be forgotten.