Community Spotlight, Meet Kate!
Let us introduce you to Kate. A Registered Respiratory Therapist with acute and primary care experience. She is a reader, a runner, and a fitness instructor at Poplar Pulmonary Wellness. Kate is an inspiration and sets a fabulous example of living a fit and full lifestyle. Let’s get to know her a little bit better.
Poplar: Tell us a little bit about yourself, Kate. We’d like to get to know you better.
Kate: I grew up in Tsawwassen with my parents and younger sister. My dad was a dentist and my mom was a dental hygienist before going back to school to become a counselor. We were fortunate to be able to travel as a family and one of the most memorable trips for me was taking the summer to drive across Canada (and back!) in an RV. Another was a trip with extended family to explore our roots in Croatia. I was active in sports from an early age and tried out several including soccer, basketball, softball, tennis, track and swimming. I balanced those out with piano lessons and my keen interest in reading. As an adult, I discovered a love of running and have participated in numerous 10Ks, a handful of half marathons and even a full marathon. Running has been beneficial in supporting my mental health and keeping me fit to play in my local women's soccer league. I'm still an avid reader and, as a personal challenge, once read 80 books in a year!
Currently, Squamish is my home and has been for the past 11 years. I have a 7 year old son named Jasper and he is the joy of my life. Something you may not yet know about me is that about a year ago I found the courage to start living my life more authentically and came out as gay. It has been challenging at times but something I've learned is that being true to myself makes it possible to form more genuine connections with those around me. So I share this with you hoping it furthers my ability to truly connect with you and because so many of you have set an example of being open and vulnerable with me.
Poplar: How did you become interested in Respiratory Therapy?
Kate: I knew early on that I would work in a job where I could help other people and wanted to combine that with my fascination with the human body. I explored several avenues including dentistry, optometry, physiotherapy and nursing but none of them stuck. I also knew I wanted to be in a specialized profession and when a nurse friend of my mom's told me about respiratory therapy, I applied and went for it without really knowing what I was getting into. Whether due to luck or intuition, that quick decision has led me into a profession I love and am proud to be a part of. I spent 8 years working in acute care at Vancouver General Hospital and have since transitioned into patient education. I split my time between an outpatient clinic at VGH and Poplar, teaching and supporting all of you!
Poplar: What do you enjoy the most about your profession?
Kate: What I love most about being a Respiratory Therapist is the connections it has led me to make. This includes connecting with other committed RTs, connecting with other parts of the interdisciplinary team in the best interest of patient care, and connecting with patients from all walks of life. In my current roles, I especially enjoy having the time to talk with patients or clients about their concerns and ensuring they feel heard in the process.
Poplar: You work in a “caring profession”, how do you know when you’ve made a difference in someone’s care or influenced their life for the better?
Kate: I can tell that I've made a difference when I see or hear that the advice/information I've given a patient has made an improvement to their quality of life. For example, when teaching a patient to effectively clear their sputum helps them breathe easier and improve their exercise tolerance. Or the smile on a patient's face when I help facilitate time outside for the first time in weeks while they are still dependent on a ventilator.
Poplar: Do you have any words of wisdom for those living with chronic lung conditions? What advice do you have to share?
Kate: I don't know about wisdom but advice I can give! First, listen to your body: know your limits and play within them (just like gambling haha). And I mean play! Having a chronic lung condition doesn't mean you have to stop doing the things that bring you joy. Second, keep moving! It doesn't need to be a lot, even small amounts can improve your lung function and quality of life. And third, educate yourself about your condition and ask questions so you can advocate better for yourself. No one is in a better position to stand up for you than you!
Poplar: Thank you, Kate! You offer an inspiring perspective and we are grateful for your open and honest approach to life! Any final words to end with?
Kate: I'll end by saying how pleased I am to be on Team Poplar and I'm happy to continue to be part of this growing community!