Geelong’s COVID-19 vaccination program – a monumental logistical exercise unprecedented in the city’s history – is underway. Barwon Health associate nursing unit manager and Canadian expat Angela Hayes talks to Luke Voogt about protecting people and helping them “return to a new sense of normal”.
Tell us about you…
My husband grew up in Geelong and his family lives here still.
Five years ago, I packed up my life into five suitcases and moved over from British Columbia, Canada, to start a new life with my husband here in Geelong. I have been working at Barwon Health since.
What is your role in COVID-19 immunisation?
I’m an associate nursing unit manager for regional outreach sites. This role includes supporting those sites with clinical governance as we start to immunise people considered to be in the vulnerable and high-risk categories. This includes aged care residents and front-line workers.
Although I worked with immunisation programs in Canada, this particular roll out is like no other because of its large scale.
Before this role, I was a clinical nurse specialist with the acute dialysis unit at University Hospital Geelong.
Working with clients with chronic health conditions, who are often older, has really stressed the importance of this COVID-19 vaccine and its role in keeping our clients healthy.
How does it feel making a difference by immunising people to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
This year and last year have been extremely hard for many people. Being part of this vaccination roll out has been extremely rewarding knowing that we are helping people return to a new sense of normal that includes ongoing health, visiting loved ones, travelling and returning to work.
Our team includes people from a variety of areas including nursing, pharmacy, IT and administration. Our entire team is amazing and have banded together as we work towards rapidly rolling out a vaccination program to as many people as we can. Everyone works so incredibly well together to get a mammoth task completed. I am beyond proud to be part of this team.
What are your favourite things to do locally?
My husband and I, along with our two dogs, live on the Bellarine Peninsula.
We love taking advantage of the local wineries, beaches and golf courses. A few of our favourites include Curlewis Golf Club, Jack Rabbit Vineyard and Oneday Estate winery.
How are you coping with COVID-19?
My family is in Canada, so the inability to travel has meant that I have not had the opportunity to see my family and friends for a couple of years. This has been quite hard to process at times and I’m very much looking forward to the day I can catch that first international flight and give my family long overdue hugs.
What’s something about you that people might not know?
I recently received my Australian citizenship. I’m very proud to be officially part of this wonderful country that has pulled together in epic ways during this global crisis.
