Judith Elson

By: Judith Elson, RN – General Internal Medicine and Unit Coordinator.

‍

For over 30 years, I’ve dedicated my career to the Scarborough Health Network Foundation, specifically at the General Internal Medicine Clinic at Centenary. When people ask me why I love my job so much, the answer is simple: I love being a nurse. Caring for people brings me immense joy, and my goal is to ensure that they leave feeling much better than when they arrived.

I was born in England and completed my schooling there before moving to Jamaica for further education. Eventually, I settled in Canada, when my parents bought their first house and Scarborough became my home. I know this community like the back of my hand; it’s where I grew up and my father still lives. I’ve seen remarkable changes over the years, and the increase in diversity has enriched my life and broadened my understanding of different cultures.

At SHN, we speak over 20 languages and have an interpreter line connecting us to our patients’ unique backgrounds. It’s fantastic to see the many cultures that come through our doors. We actively encourage families to participate in the care of their loved ones, creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels involved.

In the internal medicine clinic, we cater to a variety of specialties. We see patients with neurology and infectious diseases and those requiring various procedures. On any given day, we treat 20 to 50 patients. The main purpose of our clinic is to prevent these patients from needing to go to the emergency department so they can be treated by our internists and then referred back to their family doctors.

As the unit coordinator, I take immense pride in my role. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about seeing a patient come in feeling unwell and witnessing their return to health through our care. It reinforces my commitment to nursing and the community.

The multicultural aspect of Scarborough significantly impacts my work. Each patient brings a unique history; sometimes, their backgrounds can influence their health conditions. We often see diseases that are more prevalent in certain populations, which allows us to adapt our care to meet the specific needs of our community.

I genuinely enjoy working with my colleagues—our physicians and staff form an exceptional team. Together, we strive to provide the best care possible, embracing the diversity of our patients. It’s wonderful to be part of SHN, where every day is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

‍

Judith Elson is one of the new faces of our Love, Scarborough campaign.