2023 HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE

Stacey Harnden

Nominated For: HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR

Stacey is honored to be nominated for the 2023 Hospital Social Worker of the Year Award through the Ontario Brain Injury association.

Stacey has worked at St. Michael’s Hospital in the Trauma and Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit since 2018. St Michael’s Hospital is a level 1 trauma center that sees complex and critical care patients from all over the Ontario. In her role Stacey supports patients and their families in the immediate aftermath, and in the time following, accidents or injuries resulting in a traumatic brain injury. Stacey works with patients and families in the time following these life changing diagnoses to provide ongoing emotional support, crisis/adjustment counseling, resource education and information, referrals/linkages to community programs, end of life support, grief counseling and general support in navigating our complex health care system.

Stacey anchors her work in providing a strength based and patient/family centered approach to support individuals in navigating their new normal and is inspired in the strength and resilience her patients and their families demonstrate every day. Stacey loves and feels great satisfaction in helping patients and their families and feels incredibly grateful to work with such a hardworking, dedicated and supportive team of clinicians, nurses and other health disciplines every day.

Prior to working at St. Michaels Stacey worked at Victim Services Toronto for 7 years, supporting individuals and families who had been innocent victims of crime or tragic circumstances. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from York University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Windsor.