Melodie Jansen receives the 2018 Human Touch Award
Congratulations to Melodie Jansen, Living Donor Coordinator for St. Joe’s Kidney Paired Donation Program, who has recently been awarded the Human Touch Award in Kidney Care Systems.
Melodie’s advocacy for her patients is demonstrated through her dedication and compassion, which ultimately resulted in the successful implementation of a shipping policy for kidneys.
“As living donor coordinator and lead for St. Joseph’s Kidney Paired Donation Program, Melodie is more than an advocate for her patients. She is a familiar and comforting presence when they arrive for their transplants.
Melodie has been integral to improving processes at St. Joseph’s, and her dedication and hard work resulted in the successful implementation of a shipping policy for kidneys. She has proven herself a leader in living donation, presenting to multidisciplinary teams and educating her colleagues both formally and informally.
Melodie also creates long-lasting bonds with her kidney paired donation patients, ensuring they have the best experience possible during a very difficult and overwhelming time. She gets to know her patients prior to their arrival at St. Joseph’s, communicating by phone and e-mail. She goes above and beyond; assisting them with finding accommodation and financial support and sometimes spending late evenings and weekends at the hospital to ensure the transplant process goes as well as possible. Her commitment embodies what it means to be patient-centred.”
What are the human touch awards?
Presented by Cancer Care Ontario through the Ontario Renal Network, he Human Touch Awards recognize exemplary and compassionate patient care by healthcare professionals, providers and volunteers in the kidney and cancer care systems.