Logistics and Nutrition Assistant Carole Jenkins poses with patient Eck Gow at a Hawaiian themed party she put together on her day off.For one afternoon, patients were transported to a Hawaiian luau without ever having to leave the hospital.
Colourful decorations, tropical treats, music and plenty of smiles filled the dining room on the Complex Medical Management and Palliative Care unit (Heritage 2) at Providence Care Hospital.
The reason? Logistics and Nutrition Assistant Carole Jenkins wanted to do something special for the patients she serves every day.
“I’ve worked here for two years and I consider everyone here extended family,” says Carole. “A lot of people don’t get to leave the unit very often, so this is a way to bring a little bit of summer to them.”
Logistics and Nutrition Assistant Carole Jenkins helps a patient with their food during the Hawaiian themed party she put together on her day off.Carole spent her day off bringing the event to life, working alongside members of the Food and Nutrition team to make sure everyone could participate. Inspired by patient Eck Gow’s love of piña coladas, the team created a Hawaiian-themed menu with approved options for all dietary needs, including thoughtfully prepared pureed versions made in the Providence Care Hospital kitchen.
Some of the approved food prepared at Providence Care Hospital by Carole’s Logistics and Nutrition team for the Hawaiian themed party.“Eck was talking one day about how much he loves piña coladas,” says Carole. “We picked a date and decided to make it happen.”
Adding to the festivities was patient, photographer and Providence Care Experience Partner Ryan Fitzgibbon, who spent the afternoon taking keepsake photos for fellow patients.
“My role today is to have fun with my peers and take some snapshots so people have a memory to keep,” says Ryan. “This organization has done so much for me. If there’s even a little thing I can do to help, I’m willing to do it.”
Photographer, Experience Partner and patient Ryan Fitzgibbon captures a photo of a staff member and a volunteer at the event.The word aloha translates to love, compassion and kindness, a fitting theme for an event inspired by Carole’s desire to brighten the days of others.
“If I was in hospital, I would really enjoy it if somebody did this for me,” says Carole. “Everyone deserves a chance to have a little fun.”
Judging by the smiles around Heritage 2, especially from Eck when he finally got his alcohol-free piña colada from the slushie machine, Carole’s day off was time well spent.
Patient Eck Gow poses with his drink at a Hawaiian themed party Carole Jenkins put together on her day off for patients.
