PVN Volunteer ID Badges Are Here!

You asked, we listened: our patient partners requested identification badges to use at engagement opportunities, and they're nearly ready! We would love for you to share a recent headshot with us to make this happen.

This is more than just an excuse for you to send us your best selfie; we are using these pictures to help build relationships across PVN in two ways.

First, we can use these photos for your very own PVN-branded badge to identify yourself to health care partners at engagements.

Send us your head shot for your very own PVN volunteer ID badge!

Second, your engagement leader can use the photo to put your face to your name right away, which is a great way to start what will be a central partnership during your time with PVN.

Sending in your picture is completely optional and as always, we will never share your personal information or picture with anyone without your permission. Our ideal photo will look similar to a passport photo (though we'd like to see smiling faces!). Badges without a photo will also be available.

Upload your photo here.

Patient Partner Perspectives on the IAP2 Conference:
7 Key Points for Patient Engagement

PVN recently sponsored three patient partners to attend the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) conference in Victoria.

We asked the patient partners and engagement leaders who went to give us their top takeaways from the event that PVN members could use in their next engagement opportunities.

PVN patient partners and engagement leaders at the IAP2 Conference in Victoria

With so many fantastic talks from all of the presenters at the conference, it was hard to narrow all the learning down into just seven points! Thank you to our patient partners for generously sharing these ideas with us.

Read the blog post.

New "What Matters to You?" Resources!

New "What Matters to You?" translated resources

We have new resources available, including translated materials!

On September 26, we held our latest "What Matters to You?" webinar on how to embed this important question into everyday practice. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend! There were so many insightful comments and questions.

With the expertise of our four guest speakers and BC Patient Safety & Quality Council staff, this webinar was chock full of practical tips for continuing to champion the "What Matters to You?" initiative in health care facilities across the province.

Don't worry if you weren't able to tune in to the webinar live — we've got you covered! The webinar recording and slides are now available online.

Watch the webinar recording.

During the webinar, we also introduced our newest "What Matters to You?" resources: translated posters and buttons! These materials reflect the variety of languages spoken across BC and the importance of cultural safety in health care.

Download these resources.

Who Is BC's Everyday Champion? You Decide!

As part of its annual Quality Awards program, the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council celebrates an Everyday Champion who shows a passion and commitment for improving quality of care, even though their role does not necessarily include quality improvement activities or leadership responsibilities. Voting for this award is now open!

Read about the four candidates’ work, then fill out the online form to make your choice for Everyday Champion — the winner will receive a $2,500 sponsorship to support their work.

Vote once per day until October 25.

In Memoriam: Remembering Sandra Dawson

It is with sadness that we share the news that Sandra Dawson, a PVN Patient Partner, passed away last week from cancer.

Sandra was a writer and mental health advocate; she created the Unsuicide Directory for online and mobile crisis supports. In 2017, she received a Governor General's Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers for her suicide prevention work over the past decade.

Remembering PVN Patient Partner Sandra Dawson

In addition to this advocacy, Sandra was active in patient engagement, working on projects with both Vancouver Coastal Health and PVN. Her talents as a writer helped her create tools and resources for staff and patients, and make materials more user-friendly.

Her partner wrote a beautiful tribute, detailing all of Sandra's accomplishments in her 51 years. Sandra will be missed by many.

Read the tribute to Sandra.

Patient Partner Orientation Session — Webinar
October 23 | Online

Patient Partner Orientation Session — Webinar
November 6 | Online

Fraser Health Patient Experience Conference
November 6 - 9 | Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, Surrey

See all the events in our calendar.

Questions or Suggestions?

Your feedback is very important to us. What kinds of volunteer opportunities are you interested in? What else would you like to see in our newsletters?

Send us an email, phone 604.668.8240 or 1.877.282.1919, or connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.

PVN is guided by patient and health care partners and administered by the: