Judy

Registered Nurse

What was your professional experience prior to joining adveva and how long have you been with the Program?

I worked as an RN in an Operating Room. I joined adveva in April 2006.

What do you like most about your role with adveva?

I enjoy working with patients and providing them with lifestyle and wellness advice.

What is one of your most memorable stories from your experience with adveva?

I enjoy training patients in their homes and sharing tips and tricks on therapy devices.

Has MS affected your life in any way beyond the help you provide through adveva?

I have a friend who has MS. She has a very positive outlook on life and is doing very well on therapy.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy music concerts and sporting events. I am a Toronto Football Club (soccer) fan!

What would you like a patient to know when they first meet you or learn about you?

I truly believe a nurse’s role is about empowering patients to take control of their health.

If you get, give. If you learn, teach. – Maya Angelou

Suzy

Registered Nurse

What was your professional experience prior to joining adveva and how long have you been with the Program?

I’ve been a nurse for over 20 years and worked in almost every department within the hospital setting, however the majority of my experience was in the emergency department. I joined the adveva team in February 2016. I know the exact date because it was (and still is) such a privilege to be part of such a remarkable team that offers an excellent patient support program.

What do you like most about your role with adveva?

I love the fact that I get to utilize every aspect of my nursing profession: I am an educator, facilitator, trainer, listener and supporter, to name a few. I have the privilege of getting to know my patients well and being part of the adveva program gives me flexibility to adjust my services to my patients’ needs.

What is one of your most memorable stories from your experience with adveva?

I speak 3 languages: French, English and Portuguese. During my first week as an adveva nurse, I was speaking to a patient who was having difficulties with his English. He spoke minimal English and was a new Canadian who emigrated from Portugal. He was so surprised and thankful when I offered to help him by speaking to him in Portuguese! It was very gratifying to me that I was able to help him since my parents are also Portuguese emigrants.

Has MS affected your life in any way beyond the help you provide through adveva?

While working in the Emergency department, I would encounter patients who were diagnosed with MS and I always wanted to be part of their journey to help them out in any way I could; but I would never see them again. Being part of the adveva program gives me that opportunity to help and support my patients and their families with their diagnosis of MS.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I try to stay active and my 2 kids (middle school) help me with that part. I love to jog in the summer, and I try to go to the gym 2 to 3 times a week. I also love to read books and I can’t say no to a good series on Netflix!

What would you like a patient to know when they first meet you or learn about you?

My favorite quote is from Donna Cardillo: nurse, author and keynote speaker:

“When I think about all the patients and their loved ones that I have worked with over the years, I know most of them don’t remember me nor I them, but I do know that I gave a little piece of myself to each of them and they to me and those threads make up the beautiful tapestry in my mind that is my career in nursing.”

I try to give my all to my patients, and I have found that I have learned so much from them in return.

Patrick

Registered Nurse

What was your professional experience prior to joining adveva and how long have you been with the Program?

I joined the team after spending 20 years at Canadian Blood Services. Prior to that, I was both a hospital and community nurse who worked primarily in Psychiatry and Infectious Diseases.

What do you like most about your role with adveva?

I enjoy getting to know and interacting with both the clientele and my colleagues. 

What is one of your most memorable stories from your experience with adveva?

I have had some really good conversations with people. I am seeing how a strong rapport can develop over the phone once I’ve spoken with people several times.

Has MS affected your life in any way beyond the help you provide through adveva?

I took neurology classes in nursing school and I really enjoyed them and liked the teacher. A few years later that same teacher was diagnosed with MS and that stuck with me.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I have recently started travelling and can’t get enough of it. I like to read and watch Netflix. I am a dog lover and have several dogs in my life that I walk and spend time with. I enjoy the theatre and other live events. I am a big people watcher and live in a city that offers a lot of variety on that front!

What would you like a patient to know when they first meet you or learn about you?

I will always do my best to support and advise you about your health and well-being. I will try to make our interactions as pleasant and informative as possible. 

Naomi

Registered Nurse

What was your professional experience prior to joining adveva and how long have you been with the Program?

Prior to joining adveva I worked in several different hospital units in the areas of cardiology and psychiatry. I have been doing nurse visits for adveva since 2015, and was thrilled to have the opportunity to join the adveva team on a full-time capacity in early 2018.

What do you like most about your role with adveva?

With most of my nursing career so far being spent in hospital, most of my patients I’ve only taken care of for a brief period, then they go home and I often do not see them again. I am enjoying being able to provide long-term support for my patients through the adveva program. I also really enjoy going out to my patients’ homes to do medication and device teaching.

What is one of your most memorable stories from your experience with adveva?

What is very memorable to me is when my patients have expressed feeling relieved and empowered following teaching about treatment, when they initially felt a bit overwhelmed.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family. I also like to curl up indoors with a good book and my dog Bow in my lap (despite being 50lbs she is certain she belongs there). I like to draw, paint and participate in anything arts-related.

What would you like a patient to know when they first meet you or learn about you?

That I care to listen to your experience and provide whatever support I can. “As a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul and body of our patients, their families and ourselves. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Shavon

Registered Nurse

What was your professional experience prior to joining adveva and how long have you been with the Program?

After high school I joined the Canadian Armed Forces as an army reservist.  During my eight years in the army I took advantage of numerous scholarships and educational programs and graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2004.  Upon graduation I moved to New Brunswick where I took numerous nursing jobs, with the majority of my career being spent in emergency medicine, mental health, and clinical trials.  I have also been lucky enough to hold various teaching contracts at the University of New Brunswick, as a clinical nursing instructor.  My love of teaching, mixed with my clinical trial experience, lead me to apply for, and accept a patient support nurse position at EMD Serono in September of 2020.      

What do you like most about your role with adveva?

I love the patient support role that I currently hold.  This position allows me to draw from all my clinical experiences.  The position also allows me to work independently, while being a valued member of a team.  

What is one of your most memorable stories from your experience with adveva?

My most memorable stories would be laughing in team rounds!  I have never worked with such a great team who truly care for each other and who want to see each other succeed, all while having fun and sharing a good laugh.     

Has MS affected your life in any way beyond the help you provide through adveva?

When I worked within mental health, I had the privilege of looking after a young patient who was suffering from MS.  During the time I cared for this patient, I gained insight into the illness.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

As a mom of a young teen, I don’t have much spare time. When I find a minute, I love to read Stephen King novels, read jokes on the internet and practice judo. 

What would you like a patient to know when they first meet you or learn about you?

I would like the patient to know that I am there to support them, not only during their time in the adveva program.  I love hearing life stories and find inspiration in my patient’s sharing of their journey.  Being from the East Coast of Canada, I love to talk, but I also love to listen.    

Aline

Registered Nurse

What was your professional experience prior to joining adveva and how long have you been with the Program?

I started to work in France in the legal field with the intention of fighting for the right causes. Then when I came to Canada 8 years ago, I decided to change to a job that would allow me to directly help and support people in need. I therefore worked as a nurse in different hospitals in Montreal. The last department I worked for was intended for in-patients with life-long diseases. I learned about their daily lives, difficulties and concerns, and achievements. For the past 3 years, I have worked in disability management to help ease the impact of the disease on all aspects of patients’ lives.  

What do you like most about your role with adveva?

I like the diversity of the role: acting as a nurse but also as an educator and a case manager. It is a role with great interaction, working closely with patients and MS clinics.

What is one of your most memorable stories from your experience with adveva?

Since I have been with adveva, I’ve found that I work with those that share the same passion, commitment and devotion toward the patients as I do. I am very happy and proud to be part of this team.

Has MS affected your life in any way beyond the help you provide through adveva?

When I worked as a disability manager, I realized how diseases, such as MS, could impact patients and how difficult it could be for them to get all the support they need. And it is even worse for some vulnerable people whose situation is out of the system and very precarious. I volunteer at the organization Doctors of the World to support and help these people to get access to the healthcare they deserve.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love travelling to discover new landscapes, cultures, and philosophies of life. The world we live in is so rich in variety and I have always been amazed by local people and travelers I’ve met along the way who have always been happy to share their daily life and stories.

I also like spending time in the outdoors, especially hiking in the mountains and camping. Connecting with nature is my relaxing time: it allows me to focus and forget about my concerns.

What would you like a patient to know when they first meet you or learn about you?

Each patient is unique and has their own life and disease experience. I will always take the time to listen to everyone to better understand their condition and situation, so I can help them through their journey. I will always make sure that every single patient receives attention and care.  

Yannick

Registered Nurse

What was your professional experience prior to joining adveva and how long have you been with the Program?

I joined the Program after 8 years in nursing. My experience includes Psychiatry (Emergency and inpatients care), chronic illness, disability. I’ve been a single point of contact for another Multiple-Sclerosis (MS) patient support program for a few years and I am certified by the IOMSN as an MS Nurse.

What do you like most about your role with adveva?

Having the opportunity to provide support and guidance to the adveva patients with my colleagues.

What is one of your most memorable stories from your experience with adveva?

As I’ve gotten to know my colleagues, I realize they are sharing the same values and principles which are important to me as a nurse.

Has MS affected your life in any way beyond the help you provide through adveva?

From participating in a Family MS Convention in Quebec City a few years ago, it is so important for me to get involved in any way I can to bring support to patients, raise funds for research on MS through MS Bike or MS Bike and to continuously improve my skills in and knowledge of MS.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love travelling in the Maritimes with my family on my vacations. I have a true passion for Scotland and I like to read and collect anything related to the second world war history. In the summer I like to walk with my dog ‘’Solo’’ (I am also a huge fan of Star Wars) and do long bike rides with my son. 

What would you like a patient to know when they first meet you or learn about you?

I am there for you, and I will provide you with all the support you might need within the adveva program.