Compassionate. Patient-centred. Collaborative. From May 12 to 18, we celebrate National Nursing Week by highlighting some nurses helping us design and prepare for the new St. Paul’s Hospital.
Growing up in Calgary, Stef MacLeod had dreams of becoming a doctor or a flight attendant. She loved science and human biology—and the idea of helping others. But it wasn’t until her teens when she set her sights on becoming a nurse.
“When I was in high school, my father battled with bipolar disorder,” Stef recalls. “I had to help my parents navigate the health care system early on. My interactions with people in the hospital confirmed my desire to be a nurse.”
That desire led her to pursue nursing studies at the University of Calgary. It was there when she first learned about Providence Health Care.
“I had just completed my final practicum in a cardiac ICU,” says Stef. “A cardiac fellow told me about St. Paul’s Heart Centre and its reputation for innovation and world-renowned cardiac care. I became hooked on the idea.”
Bringing frontline experience to the project
A year after graduation, Stef realized her dream and joined the St. Paul’s Heart Centre as a Registered Nurse (RN) in 2006. Since then, she has enjoyed a varied career, working as a Clinical Nurse Leader, Patient Care Manager, and now on the New St. Paul’s Hospital Project Transition Team.
“I think my experience as a nurse in our organization has been invaluable for the project work I’ve been doing,” explains Stef. “The new hospital is the biggest change this organization will undergo, and we need to all start thinking creatively and addressing how we will support everyone to opening day.”
Stef is one of several nurses working on the project who are using their frontline experience to help transition Providence to the new building, specifically the technology and equipment the staff will use and how they’ll work in their new spaces. Once construction completes in 2026, the building will be commissioned, then training and orientation will be provided on the new spaces, technology, and equipment so everyone is ready for opening day in 2027.
For RN Charmaine Viaje, working on the project’s IT team has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“When I found out the new St. Paul’s Hospital aims to implement technologically advanced solutions, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” says Charmaine. “I vividly remember when I was a nurse, how many steps I had to take just to retrieve an item or piece of information—things that could have been more efficient with the right tools in place.”
She adds, “These experiences gave me valuable insight into the level of effort and planning required to implement change effectively, with strategy, logistics, and a human-centric approach. By embracing new technology in the hospital, staff can streamline workflows, reduce administrative burden, and improve communication, which will ultimately enable staff to focus more on patient care and improving the patient experience.”
Finding balance and fulfilment
While Stef’s and Charmaine’s days may be busy with planning for the new hospital, these nurses still take time to find moments of calm.
“Moving my body, getting fresh air, and – if I’m lucky – soaking up some sunshine always boosts my mood,” shares Charmaine. “Shout out to my dog, Theo, for keeping me accountable with our daily walks!”
For Stef, it’s all about connecting with others. “Having at least one ‘best friend’ at work is essential,” says Stef. “I’ve always relied on my colleagues to support me during hard times. I seek them out and try to be there for them when they need me too.”
After nearly 20 years at Providence, Stef’s passion for nursing and health care still burns brights.
“I love supporting people to do great work. I also love being creative, finding patterns within complex systems, and challenging others to think differently in health care.”
Story by Justine Ma, Providence Health Care
