November 14, 2017
Sandy Isaac was a devoted volunteer with an enduring commitment to patient and family centred care in the North Zone.
Story by Erika Dart | Photo by Orvel Isaac
Sandy Isaac was a devoted volunteer with an enduring commitment to patient and family centred care in the North Zone.
A trophy has been named for a very special healthcare advocate and volunteer in Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) North Zone.
The Sandy Isaac North Zone Patient and Family Centred Care Champion Trophy was created to honour Sandy and her enduring dedication and hard work.
“The trophy was named after Sandy as a testament to her compassion and passion for patient and family centred care,” says Sandra Herritt, AHS Senior Operating Officer, who worked with Sandy over the years. “She was a thoughtful, caring and kind individual. Her wisdom and her advocacy for patients and families was admirable.”
Sandy, a resident of Rycroft since 1971, had a long history of volunteering in healthcare and was a member of the North Zone Person Centred Care Steering Committee from its inception in 2014. Sadly, she passed away in February.
“She always wanted to help people,” says her husband Orvel Isaac. “It was very important to her.”
He says the news that Sandy would have this trophy named after her was nice to hear. “I was really touched by that,” says Orvel. “I think it’s an honour for her and I think that she deserves it.”
Patient and Family Centred Care is an important part of the work AHS does. Among other things, it means striving to ensure that patients and families are full partners in care and to create a supportive and respectful environment for patients, families and providers to promote wellness and teamwork.
The North Zone Person Centred Care Steering Committee meets regularly to collaborate with the focus on ensuring that the healthcare provided in the North Zone has a culture of compassion, caring and collaboration and ensuring that this occurs in every AHS healthcare encounter.
Sandy was an important part of that, says Sandra, and was a passionate advocate for patients.
“Sandy’s spirit will live on in our work and our continued journey toward optimizing patient and family centered care across the zone and province wide,” Sandra says. “She is fondly remembered and greatly missed.”
The trophy itself will be awarded annually to a North Zone AHS staff member, physician or volunteer who deserves recognition for great work on patient and family centred care.
