"I’ve witnessed and experienced violence too – I was a new graduate caring for a patient with dementia – it was scary; I didn’t know what to do. If only I’d known then what I know now."
“My mom was a nurse for more than 40 years: I was inspired by her compassion for patients and staff. So I completed psychiatric nurse training at Douglas College in 1991 then worked in adult and adolescent psychiatry, long term care and youth treatment programs.
I became clinical coordinator for Surrey Memorial Hospital’s Adolescent Psychiatry program in 2001. Later, I joined Workplace Health as a violence prevention specialist, then leader. Health care workers account for 57 per cent of workplace injury claims. I’ve witnessed and experienced violence too – I was a new graduate caring for a patient with dementia – it was scary; I didn’t know what to do. If only I’d known then what I know now. I helped develop the Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum and Fraser Health’s ALERT program to help advise staff of a patient’s potential for aggression.
I’m a mom of three and my 11-year-old daughter's taxi service: she’s got a busy competitive dance schedule. I recently got my red belt in karate, I have my motorcycle license, and I’m eyeing a new motorcycle. I love music – I studied piano and won a violin scholarship – and musical theatre – I’ve seen Miss Saigon and Phantom of the Opera three times!”
-- Sheile Mercado-Mallari, Client Partner, Violence Prevention
Read more Humans of Fraser Health stories: fraserhealth.ca/HumansofFraserHealth