Passionate and dedicated Registered Nurse and Wound Ostomy Clinician Kathy Neufeld spent her career advocating for patient care, mentoring staff and expanding Surrey Memorial Hospital’s Wound Care Program.
Her unwavering compassion and courage to drive positive change leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to impact how we provide care at Fraser Health for years to come.
For nearly four decades, Kathy Neufeld dedicated her life to the service of others as a compassionate and skilled registered nurse and wound ostomy clinician at Surrey Memorial Hospital. Over the years, Kathy became a beloved figure in the hospital, known for her unrelenting energy and unwavering passion for outstanding patient care.
Lovingly described by her colleagues as a ‘worker bee’, many will remember her determined walk through the hospital hallways, arms full of wound care supplies and a smile on her face.
“We deeply miss her expertise, especially in wound care,” says Lisa Goard, wound care clinician. “We learned so much from her - her skills and techniques were invaluable.”
Watch Kathy’s legacy of compassion and innovation in wound care at Fraser Health:
Her achievements are countless. An enthusiastic educator, Kathy taught over a thousand nurses, conducted over a hundred education sessions and played a key role in developing the Regional Wound Education Modules.
“She was like the Energizer Bunny – it was hard to keep up with her. She loved to teach and was always eager to share the challenges and possibilities she came across in her work,” reflects Lisa.
Kathy’s career is marked by her relentless pursuit of excellence in patient care. She was instrumental in advocating for and enhancing the Wound Care Program at Surrey Memorial Hospital, a program that she nurtured and expanded to include a dedicated team of professionals.
“She was dedicated to caring for people. If a patient had a particularly difficult wound, Kathy would heal it. She worked hard to ensure patients got the care they needed,” says Laura-Jean Devries, wound care clinician.
Known for her pursuit of knowledge and commitment to fostering positive change, Kathy was a lifelong learner who continually explored new techniques to enhance patient care.
“She was a force – a force with so much passion and energy. Everyone knew that when you worked with Kathy, you learned something every single day,” shares Alexandra Bevilacqua, wound care clinician. “She left us all better nurses, better clinicians, better people.”
Beyond her professional achievements, Kathy was a mentor and friend to many. She took new staff under her wing, sharing her knowledge and experience with patience and generosity. Upon receiving her metastatic pancreatic cancer diagnosis, she faced concerns about the impact on her team and patients. Even when in hospital, she continued mentoring staff from her hospital bedside.
“She gave so much of herself to her role. Her work was her passion, and she had high expectations of herself and everyone around her. Her commitment was inspiring to be around,” remarks Heidi Davis, wound care clinician.
As we remember Kathy, we celebrate a life well-lived and a career that touched countless lives. Her legacy of compassion, dedication and kindness will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her work improving wound care and the patient experience will resonate for generations, creating a lasting impact that will remain a guiding force at Fraser Health.
“She was incredibly honoured and humbled to receive the award,” shares Seema Bhullar, clinical operations manager of the Surgical Program at Surrey Memorial Hospital. “I don’t think Kathy really understood how much she meant to her colleagues, her community. For her to be nominated and to win is something that was so incredibly special.”
In loving memoriam, Kathy Neufeld is a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award.
