X-ray Technician / Nurse Vanessa Vandenburgh
Our Frontline Worker This Week is…
By Malisa Playter-Harry
Nurse Vanessa Vandenburgh
A passionate Front Line Worker.
Kaieteur News – It’s been just over a year since COVID-19 made its way to Guyana, and since then, different sectors have been affected in ways many of us might not have imagined. For one, the healthcare system, and by extended health workers, have been overwhelmed with the large number of cases they have been dealing with.
While the provision of health care has always been a risky business, some novel diabolical fear factors came with the novel COVID-19 – it is easily transmitted and can cause a fatal blow to an impaired immune system.
Furthermore, healthcare providers struggling on the frontline have literally risked themselves to save the lives of others. But we can assume that the job of a doctor, nurse, laboratory technician, hospital porter, security guard or even porter, for that matter, is quite easy. With such an assumption, one might become cocky enough to make a judgment on the work these health workers do and even suggest that “I could do a better job.” But do we really know what it takes to become a frontline healthcare professional? Unless you are acting in such a capacity, it may be safe to say that you do not.
Today, we include a nurse who has worked tirelessly in the Radiology Department at New Amsterdam Hospital for the past 25 years and despite the negatives that come with the job, this nurse has managed to achieve her job in a most professional manner.
PASSIONATE
Forty-four-year-old Nurse Vanessa Vandenburgh, of Lot 694 Forthlands Ordnance, East Canje, Berbice, began her journey in the health sector during a work study period at New Amsterdam Hospital and at that time, the Department Radiology in action. The administrator at the time, she said, had encouraged her to apply for X-ray Technician Training. Without thinking twice, Nurse Vandenburgh said she jumped at the opportunity “and here I am, 25 years later, with the same passion for my job as the day I applied for it.”
Before becoming successful in her field of work, Nurse Vandenburgh attended All Saints Primary School in New Amsterdam and then went on to attend the Berbice Educational Institute. She graduated in the year 1994. She then pursued her desire to work in the medical field and went on to do the work study program at New Amsterdam Hospital. As noted above, he was encouraged to undertake the X-ray Technician Training Program, which he completed in 1997. He was appointed Superintendent of the Radiology Department on March 1, 2015. He was also trained to become a CT Technician in December February 2020 and boasted of her studies online in a COVID-19 course with Coursera.
THIS IS IMPORTANT
Vandenburgh is currently head of the Radiology Department of New Amsterdam Hospital and the role he played during the pandemic is extremely important. She is currently the lone technician assigned to the COVID-19 Region Six Task Force and her responsibilities include performing x-rays on suspected COVID-19 cases. The x-rays are made to assist in the diagnosis of patients. Essentially, what he or she does allows the doctor to see the patient’s lung condition after which a complete diagnosis can be made.
Satisfied with what she does on a daily basis, Nurse Vandenburgh said she made the courageous decision to volunteer on the task force, pointing out that, although initially frightening, she realized it was one of the most important things was security. “As time went by, I became very comfortable and confident with my duties,” he said. The career-driven health professional noted that one of the challenges that came with her job during the pandemic was the lack of cooperation from some suspected COVID-19 patients.
For her, it is encouraging that she can help doctors diagnose a patient by providing them with “clear and timely” radiographs. Its role during the COVID-19 pandemic has been quiet, but one that nevertheless deserves recognition.
But the modest Vandenburgh Nurse is fully aware that she has only been doing her work “by the grace of God” and with the support of her active colleagues. Her faith has also kept her going to be the mother of her two beautiful daughters, even as she tries to ensure that she remains healthy and active enough to and fight to eliminate COVID-19.
To do your part, Nurse Vandenburgh reminded, that it is still important to follow all COVID-19 guidelines including: wearing face masks properly, social isolation and exercising very hygienic measures.
As we continue to salute the many frontline workers across the country and the world for their commitment to fighting, it gives us the opportunity to be more appreciative of the work they do. While there may be days when they can’t muster the energy to give a patient a smile, these health professionals, like Vandenburgh Nurse, still have to be appreciated.