Jessica Machado
Excellence in Leadership and Advocacy Award recipient profile
Jessica Machado is a registered nurse at Vancouver General Hospital. She has 10 years of nursing experience and serves as the occupational health and safety representative for BCNU’s Central Vancouver region.
BCNU Central Vancouver regional council member Gerald Dyer says he was honoured to nominate Machado, who is the first recipient of the Concurrent Disorders and Complex Pain Nursing Fellowship, created through the VCH Integrated Mental Health, Addiction, Pain, and Prevention Research Program (IMAPP). “Jessica leads with compassion, innovation and an unwavering commitment to trauma-informed, patient-centred care,” Dyer says. “She is helping to build a ground breaking fellowship program that empowers health-care workers through mentorship, curriculum development and evidence-based practice. Whether in clinical practice, union leadership or social justice advocacy, Jessica exemplifies humility, courage and BCNU’s core values while letting others thrive.”
Among Machado’s supporters is emergency department RN and clinical nurse specialist Lara Gurney. “Jess has been a consistent advocate for patients who use substances and was instrumental in introducing harm reduction supplies into the VGH emergency department. Her deep knowledge of substance use, current policies and standards is invaluable. She exemplifies leading with purpose, knowledge and heart.”
Congratulations Jessica!