From the Frontlines with Krystal Mack, Providence Manor

Welcome to From the Frontlines, a special Healthcare Change Makers mini-series. Healthcare providers and support staff have been on the frontlines, fighting for Canadians since the start of this pandemic. In this series we're handing the microphone over to some of those amazing individuals.    Today, Philip De Souza, Director of Communications and Marketing at HIROC, speaks with Krystal Mack, Administrator of Providence Manor – a 243-bed long-term care facility in Kingston, Ontario.   As part of the Providence Care Corporation, Krystal and her team leverage community connections to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the home. When faced with the challenging nature of the pandemic, this emphasis on partnership has only increased in Kingston.   In this episode Krystal shares some of the programs and initiatives on the go at Providence Manor to ensure patient experience and the safety of staff and residents continue to come first.   Krystal has been amazed by the dedicated nature of the staff who, when faced with what turned out to be a false COVID-19 positive at the home, stepped up and put patients first. This, Krystal says, is not an act of heroism because it's not a one-time thing. This dedication is something Krystal is blessed to be a part of on a daily basis through her work.   Key Takeaways: [1:05] Krystal tells us about Providence Manor and her role in the home [2:36] The dedication and spirit of Cathy Szabo, CEO of Providence Care [3:23] A focus on mental health of the residents and the staff in such trying times through ethics rounds, recreation programs, and more [6:19] Moved by the dedication of her team, the pandemic has magnified Krystal's view of how the staff live their mission [7:33] When asked about "healthcare heroes", Krystal says this is more than a one-time act of heroics [9:19] When Providence Manor had one case of a false positive for COVID-19, Krystal admires her staff who stepped up, put their heads down and did the work [10:45] Working with community partners in the Kingston region   Mentioned in this Episode: Providence Manor Providence Care Cathy Szabo KFL&A Public Health   Access more interviews with healthcare leaders at HIROC.com/podcast Follow us on Twitter, and listen on iTunes. Email us at [email protected].