Shauna Hill of the Columbia Gastroenterology clinic is a trailblazing nurse in New Westminster, B.C., who has earned the 2024 Outstanding IBD Nurse of the Year Award from Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.
She is our seventh winner of the award that recognizes exceptional contributions to care. In Shauna’s case, it is because she goes the extra mile to support her patients.
Shauna is one of B.C.’s first nurses to take a focused interest in Crohn’s and colitis. She has provided specialized care for 1,600 people with Crohn’s or colitis over the past 13 years, caring for adults in nearby cities as well as those who live in remote regions of B.C. who have little or no access to specialized care nearby.
“I’ve had diverse experiences over my 30 years as a registered nurse, including medical, surgical, immunology and transplantation, clinical trials, pharmaceuticals and teaching,” she says. “The most rewarding experience is as an IBD Nurse Specialist where I work within a clinical team dedicated to helping patients manage, treat and prevent these complicated diseases.”
Shauna has helped define the role of an IBD Nurse by empowering people to help themselves achieve a high quality of life. Along with clinical support, she is a mentor who educates each one about their disease, counsels on medications, and provides emotional support they may or may not realize they need.
Shauna says the best part of her role is developing long-term, trusting relationships with patients and families. She regularly goes above and beyond, working to ensure they receive the best care possible.
“It’s so important to provide up-to-date, reliable information on the disease someone lives with, as well as the treatments and tests available in a way that shows empathy and understanding,” Shauna says.
“Whether it’s over the phone or through email, I want to ensure they have the discussions and explanations they need following a diagnosis, a procedure, or a visit with the gastroenterologist. They often need time to breathe and digest information. Following up can be a vital part of care that puts them on the best path.”
Shauna also stays on top of the latest developments in care in B.C., developing patient-friendly resources on therapies to educate patients and be engaged on their care team. For instance, Shauna helped patients transition during what could have been a stressful and confusing time when B.C. switched from originator drugs to biosimilar versions several years ago.