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Jack Ireland

Volunteer, Patient Partnership Program at University Health Network

Jack R Ireland is a seasoned professional with a background in corporate sales and call center management. He has experience working with renowned organizations such as Rogers Communications Inc. and Freelance. Currently, Jack volunteers in the Patient Partnership Program at the University Health Network in Toronto, which encompasses several prestigious hospitals including Princess Margaret and Toronto General.

Highlights

Aug 4 · linkedin

#hybridwork. I have been working, volunteering from home since March 2020. I work as a patient advocate In a large Local Health Integrated Network. Before March 2020 I met in person with hospital committees in several sites. Travel to and from these meetings involved using public transit or driving to sites not on the subway line. Preparation for meetings include research, reading material sent out by the committees, formulating responses and questions in most cases and meal preparation while in these committees meetings; I am tube fed which means I cannot eat nor swallow everything. I have dysphasia. Travel to and from these meetings consumes 2 hours. The meetings are between 1 and three hours in length. Prep usually consumes an additional two hours.

While working from home I save four hours from each committee meeting, I hear and can be heard more clearly during video meetings, I can “see” and hear other participants more clearly. I am comfortable not to mention I have a bathroom close by. Did I mention I travel by public transportation? There is an added pressure to carry a map of available washrooms or use an app to locate washrooms on my route. A liquid diet takes no prisoners.

I prefer a hybrid work environment where I am limited to 20% face to face meetings while devoting 80% to on line meetings. Online meetings have evolved, technology has evolved and the quotients are effective, convenient and time saving.

I am retired from the corporate community. I am consistently out of my comfort zone while learning a great new healthcare skill set and being of service to the healthcare community.

Jack Ireland Patient Partner at the University Health Network in Toronto

Aug 8 · linkedin

Related Questions

What inspired Jack Ireland to become a patient partner at UHN?
How has Jack's personal experience with stroke and cancer influenced his work in the Patient Partnership Program?
What are some specific challenges Jack has faced in his role as a patient partner?
How does Jack contribute to the Synapse project at UHN?
What impact has Jack made on patient engagement at UHN?
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Location

Toronto, Ontario, Canada