It’s an impressive title – Marla Bjorgan, everyday champion.
Bjorgan, a Salmon Arm public health nurse, earned the accolade from the BC Patient Safety and Quality Council, as part of their BC Quality Awards program which celebrates extraordinary work in the health system.
After being nominated, Bjorgan earned the title by garnering the most number of online votes.
Described as creative, meticulous, caring, organized and inspiring, when Bjorgan took over the harm reduction portfolio, there were only basic resources available for both clients and nurses.
Bjorgan created a list of resources and programs, also adding a photo menu of harm reduction options for clients with lower literacy skills. She also developed a resource binder for staff and community providers in the North Okanagan.
In the quality awards presentation, it notes, “Marla has been a master at engaging her local community to increase access to safer injection, inhalation and sex supplies – and in doing so she has shown how using a community development process has the ability to change the health outcomes of a population at risk.”
From supporting families with newborn babies to her work in the immunization program, Bjorgan was also recognized for striving to provide the best care possible.
“Marla is also known in her community as the nurse with the remote-controlled bubble machine that she uses to soothe the many toddlers and children who come to her for immunizations,” states the presentation.
Winners are awarded a $2,500 sponsorship to help support or disseminate learning from their projects and will be presented with a plaque in a ceremony on Feb. 18, 2015.