These fellows are working with VHA’s Research and Innovation Team to help design and lead a quality improvement project to support PSWs in peer-to-peer information sharing to improve client care. Fellows will work to understand current peer-to-peer communication strategies and develop ways to promote better communication.

To learn more about the Champions of Change Interprofessional Fellowship Program, please contact VHA Research at researchhelp@vha.ca and stay tuned for project news from our winners!

Claudia Cheng is an RN with the palliative care team in Central Region. Previously, she held a coordinator position where she heard consistent praise about the high quality of care provided by VHA staff. Claudia is looking forward to meeting the people behind the excellent care across the organization, listening to VHA staff, and learning how to improve peer-to-peer information sharing. She hopes to facilitate change that will ultimately improve the quality of client care and create a more enjoyable working experience for frontline staff.

Maria Maila Casido has been a PSW with VHA since 2018. She is a Client Choice Nominee who brings 8 years of experience in community and facility settings. Maria is passionate about caring for clients with dementia and those requiring palliative care and has completed additional training to enhance her skills. She has a background in education and loves learning, sharing, and teaching. Maria brings compassion, patience, and strong communication skills to every aspect of her caregiving practice.

Tanan Karro is a PSW coach who has been with VHA for 15 years. Tanan has received her certificate in the Fundamentals of Palliative Care and has developed expertise in emotional intelligence in palliative care. She has shared this expertise through delivering emotional intelligence education to VHA PS teams, helping to create and test educational resources, and presenting a poster at VHA’s first interprofessional symposium. She is also involved in projects related to PS skill self-assessments, and the delivery of PS fall emergency education. Tanan is excited about bringing her past and present experiences together to contribute to VHA objectives in a meaningful and measurable way to benefit client experiences and the work-life experience of staff.