Celebrating 20 Years of Care | Learn More
Over a 26–year career in healthcare, Stephanie Poirier has made her mark. She began as a registered nurse and moved into various leadership positions focused on improving patient safety. Today, she is responsible for enhancing patient safety and leading the quality improvement program at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Stephanie deeply values the personal connections that come from working with children and their families.
During her time at CHEO — and with RNCH just a stone’s throw away — Stephanie heard stories from staff that touched her heart. “I had worked with Megan [Wright] in the emergency department, and another colleague had come here [to RNCH] as a manager,” she recalls. “They told me how amazing Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice was, how joyful it felt to work there — completely dispelling the myth that it was a sad or gloomy place.”
Their words stayed with her. “I thought I wanted to be part of that vibe, to experience what they’re describing,” she says, “So when a position opened at RNCH, it felt like a sign.”
From her very first day in 2023, Stephanie immediately felt connected to the heartbeat of the hospice. “You get to know all the children and families,” she says. “That part had been missing for me before. I’ve always loved bedside care, and here I still get to be part of it.”
Her workdays are often filled with meetings and reports, but she always tries to carve out a few minutes to visit the children upstairs. “Even on the busiest days, I try to make a point to go up and say hello,” she smiles, “that’s the best part of the day by far.”
No two days are the same. “You might walk in and see a mini horse or a mermaid on the patio,” she laughs, “How many people can say that’s part of their job?” Some of Stephanie’s favourite memories are simple, but deeply meaningful.
One early moment that stuck with her was sitting with a child who was feeling agitated. “I got to snuggle with them while we listened to music,” she says softly. “It was so special. I thought, ‘I can’t believe this is someone’s day-to-day work, to bring comfort like that.”
Other memories are pure joy: princess parties, children’s fashion shows, spontaneous creativity filling the halls. “Watching the kids bring their ideas to life and cheering them on is such a gift,” she says.
A friend once told her that working here makes you a better person. “At the time I thought that sounded too big,” she admits, “but now I get it. You really do see things different here. You learn what matters most.” Reflecting on her journey, Stephanie’s eyes brighten with gratitude: “every day I think, how is this my job? This is fantastic.”