Meet Chantelle—passionate about learning, leading and being a team player.
Q: What is your area of interest?
A: I am interested in the unintended consequences that technology can have with regard to patient safety. I think the technological advancements we are seeing in health care are very exciting and have a lot of potential to improve health care services. At the same time, the rapid influx of technology also poses many challenges and possible risks to both clinicians and patients. The health care system is large and complex, and it is difficult to anticipate all the potential consequences related to continuous technological developments. One of my goals is to mitigate technology-related adverse events.
Q: What led you to become involved in research?
A: My path into research has been somewhat accidental – I began my career as a nurse, working in a number of different practice areas providing bedside care. Completing my masters led me down a path of supporting clinical nursing practice and from there I branched off into several different areas, including interdisciplinary practice, clinical education and quality improvement. I was involved in different research projects, one of which was the VCH Research Challenge. This project gave me the opportunity to approach practice from a research perspective, as well as to gain experience leading a research study, with support from my research mentor, Dr. Leanne Currie. My experience with that project inspired me to pursue my PhD in nursing, and now here I am in the thick of it.
Q: What is the best part of your research job?
A: The best part is being embedded right within the health care system. I get to connect directly with so many people who are passionate about providing the best care for patients and clients. I also get to see the challenges and questions they encounter, as well as the opportunities for research to support practice. I learn so much each day, and I get to try to help others by sharing my knowledge.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: It may seem cliché, but I have to say my academic supervisor, Dr. Leanne Currie. Not only has she led an inspiring academic career, she has also developed very strong relationships with health care leaders and clinicians across the province. She is committed to high quality care for patients, supporting health care providers and making research more accessible.
Q: What do you like to do for fun in your free time?
A: I love to travel. I have a map at home with pins placed in all the countries that I’ve visited, and I have a long list of countries I hope to visit in the near future. My last trip was to Eastern Europe and the next destination is currently up for debate.
Q: What is one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
A: People are often surprised to learn that I play hockey. I am small, and certainly don’t fit the typical rough and tough hockey player profile. I am quick to note that there is a big difference between playing hockey and playing hockey well. I started playing as a kid, and I really haven’t gotten any better since then. But for me, it’s more about getting together with a bunch of great teammates and having a good time. We just happen to put on hockey gear and skate around at the same time.
