Sherlock Holmes or social worker? You decide.
Jeremy Rowe: Social Worker, Inpatient Psychiatry (Unit 25), Peter Lougheed Centre
Jeremy is considered not only a model colleague, but also an outstanding social worker by his teammates. He is deeply loved not only by Unit 25, but all of Peter Lougheed Psychiatry. He is extremely caring and empathetic, while always maintaining his professionalism. Jeremy works very hard and performs stressful work with grace. This is what makes Jeremy a Hero in Health!
The Heroes in Health initiative encourages patients and their families to give back in thanks for the extraordinary care they’ve received. To donate and nominate your health hero, go here.
Jeremy Rowe is no stranger to sleuthing. As a social worker at the Peter Lougheed Centre inpatient psychiatric unit, Jeremy spends most of the day doing what he loves most: working directly with his patients. His role involves engaging with clients, advocating for them, and, perhaps surprisingly, doing detective work.
Not every person is lucky enough to show up at the hospital with a paper trail, let alone a digital trail, of medical records. Some don’t even arrive with ID.
It’s not uncommon for Jeremy to meet a patient whose only possessions are the clothes on their back.
“The biggest myth about social work is that it involves child welfare,” explains Jeremy. “That’s untrue. We advocate for people of all ages. In my role, I assist adults navigating sticky situations every day. Many come to us with nothing—some can’t even tell us their name!”
When someone is admitted to the inpatient unit with a mental illness, Jeremy’s first job is to find out everything he can about them. Some patients arrive with no medical record, no name, and no ability to share their name.
“That’s where the detective skills come in,” smiles Jeremy. “A huge part of my job is to get as much background information on a client as possible.”
Jeremy researches a patient’s medical history, cold calls small town health care facilities searching for records, looks for family members, and does whatever else he can to figure out what brought them to the unit.
“The more we know, the more we can help,” emphasizes Jeremy.
Not having government-issued photo ID or a healthcare card makes it extremely difficult for those needing medical care to navigate the system. Add a mental illness to the equation and it makes receiving adequate care challenging.
“When a patient arrives in hospital, it’s a social worker’s job to help them navigate the system so they get the best care possible,” explains Jeremy. “We help them get proper medical care, secure housing and financial aid, and, in some cases, track down their identities and medical records.”
In 2014, Alberta Health Services recognized the need to offer more help to at-risk Albertans without identification receive adequate healthcare. They went about creating the AHS ID Program, an initiative that trains health providers to assist clients in obtaining IDs.
Jeremy volunteered to become an AHS ID Certifier, a healthcare professional trained to assist clients in acute care settings. One of the detective tools he’s given as a certifier is the clearance to order birth certificates and other types of records.
Jeremy has identified and acquired ID for countless at-risk patients. His tactics: research, a lot of perseverance and, sometimes, a little bit of luck. His determination and skill have not gone unnoticed by his peers. He was recently nominated for and awarded one of the inaugural Heroes in Health Ambassadorships at PLC. His exceptional investigative work and patient care record were top reasons for the honour.
“Jeremy goes above and beyond for the patients at Peter Lougheed Centre,” says his nominator and colleague, Anna Swanson. “He spends time with them to set them up for success in the community.”
Jeremy talks to his patients, and genuinely hears their concerns and tries to find resources to help them. He is creative in his approach to social work with vulnerable populations. For example, he recently had a patient that didn’t speak English. He found a cab driver that spoke her language so she would feel comfortable and safe traveling the hospital.
When asked what the award means to him, Jeremy stays humble:
“I’m very thankful the work is recognized. Everyone who is admitted to our inpatient unit is here because they need and want help,” Jemery emphasizes. “As a social worker, I feel as though I make a difference every day and that keeps me going.”
Jeremy, we’re proud to call you a Hero in Health, and to have you as part of our extended family.
The Heroes in Health initiative through Calgary Health Foundation encourages patients and their families to give back in thanks for the extraordinary care they’ve received.
