A hospital stay can change more than a person’s health.
For many individuals and families, it can raise important questions around housing, including concerns about living safely and independently after discharge, as well as financial supports, caregiving responsibilities, and accessing community resources. Whether someone is coping with a new diagnosis, navigating a housing crisis, or helping a loved one through recovery, the challenges they’re facing often extend beyond the hospital room.
At Providence Health Care (PHC), social workers help patients and families navigate those realities, providing valuable guidance, advocacy, and support during some of life’s most complex moments.
Meet Siobhan Gallagher, a Social Work Practice Educator whose career has taken her from student intern to clinician, mentor, and now educator. Today, she supports new and developing social workers as they build confidence, strengthen their skills, and grow in their practice.
From student to social worker
Siobhan’s connection with Providence Health Care began as a social work student, years before she joined the organization as an employee.
After completing her Bachelor of Social Work and working with the McLaren Housing Society of BC, she returned to school to pursue her Master of Social Work. She then joined Providence’s Social Work Internship Program, completing her practicum placements within the organization.
When it came time to launch the next stage of her career, Providence stood out for several reasons.
“I was looking for a Social Work department that amplifies the profession and exemplifies strong social work practice,” she says. “I liked that PHC was a smaller health authority with a commitment to providing care to people facing structural inequities.”
Just as importantly, she was looking for a team that would help her grow professionally.
“I wanted to work for a team that would provide me with strong clinical guidance and consultation and support my career growth.”
No two careers look the same
One of the things Siobhan values most about social work at Providence is the opportunity to explore different areas of practice.
She began in the Medicine department, where she spent nearly five years supporting patients facing a wide range of physical health and social challenges. The role allowed her to develop as a social work generalist, working alongside interdisciplinary teams in a hospital care setting.
From there, she helped launch Providence’s Hospital at Home program before moving into palliative social work at May’s Place Hospice. Most recently, she stepped into her current role as Social Work Practice Educator.
Her journey reflects the many paths available to social workers within the organization, which includes opportunities in community-based programs, acute care, palliative care, and emerging models of care.
A place to learn and grow
From workshops and conferences to supplementary training opportunities, Siobhan credits Providence with supporting social workers as they continue learning and developing throughout their careers.
“PHC has been supporting my professional development and growth from when I was a master’s student,” she says. “I was encouraged to try different roles and get experience in different areas.”
That support, she says, extends beyond formal professional development opportunities and into the day-to-day culture fostered by leadership.
“Leadership is always asking, ‘How can we support you to do this work?'” Siobhan says. “That is appreciated.”
That culture of support has shaped Siobhan’s experience throughout her time in the organization. In her current role, she now extends the same support to other social workers as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of practice.
The people make the difference
Ask Siobhan about what has kept her in the organization over the years, and the answer comes quickly: “The people.”
She believes Providence attracts clinicians who are deeply committed to their patients and to one another.
“PHC seems to attract clinicians with a ‘special something’. The work we do is challenging on multiple levels, but being on a team that faces these challenges together makes the wins that much more meaningful and rewarding.”
Supporting the next generation
These days, much of Siobhan’s work is focused on guiding new and developing social workers as they navigate the complexities of practice.
“I now get to provide elbow-to-elbow support, consultation and education to new grads,” she says.
Siobhan recently saw the value of that support when a Medicine social worker consulted with her about a patient with significant psychosocial and health challenges. The patient’s care team was facing a particularly complex situation and was uncertain about the most appropriate path forward. Drawing on her experience, Siobhan suggested several consultations and assessments that helped inform the team’s decision-making.
The social worker later reported back that the recommendations had been instrumental in helping the team determine a path forward.
“I was proud that the social worker and I could really demonstrate the potential of our contributions to our patients and teams.”
Looking ahead to the new St. Paul’s Hospital
As Providence Health Care prepares for the opening of the new St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH) in early 2027, Siobhan is optimistic about what lies ahead for patients, families and the future of social work.
“I’m excited to be at the new SPH and to continue to work towards providing exemplary patient- and family-centred care to all British Columbians.”
The new St. Paul’s Hospital is more than just a new site. It represents a chance to reimagine how patients and families experience care, with spaces and services designed to better support the needs of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.
New features, such as single-patient rooms with space for a loved one to stay overnight, are designed to help people feel more comfortable and supported as they recover. As part of a larger integrated health campus, the new hospital will bring acute, primary and community care closer together, helping people access services more seamlessly.
For social workers, it represents an opportunity to be part of a once-in-a-generation transformation in health care, working within a new environment designed for better care delivery, collaboration, and innovation.
Meaningful work, lasting impact
For anyone considering a career in social work, Siobhan’s advice is straightforward: “I would encourage any clinician to consider joining PHC.” She notes that “people have long, interesting careers here” and that, for many, the work is deeply meaningful.
With opportunities available now and the opening of the new St. Paul’s Hospital on the horizon, there has never been a more exciting time to explore a career in social work at Providence Health Care.
Interested in joining Providence’s Social Work team?
Click here to explore opportunities and be part of the next chapter of care at the new St. Paul’s Hospital.
Story by Justine Cuenco, Digital Recruitment Marketing Specialist
