Everyone’s heard the saying, “for every single pot there is a lid.”  In my case, I found my perfect match at work at Eastern Health, and I haven’t looked back since!

My name is Jillian Farewell, I am a community health nurse with Eastern Health and this Valentine’s Day I want to share with you how lucky-in-love I am on more than one level. Here’s how my love story goes…

Jillian Farewell, community health nurse

I remember it vividly; it was early spring in 2011 when one of my nursing colleagues introduced me to Lance Quirke – the man who I was going to marry! At the time, I was working under a preceptor at the Intensive Care Unit of the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre (BPHCC) while I was studying for my Bachelor of Nursing at the Centre for Nursing Studies. I was well on my way to becoming a registered nurse the following year. At that time, Lance was working in his current capacity as a clinical pharmacist where his focus was, and continues to be, on patient medication education and toxicity management.

When we first started talking, both of us realized very quickly that we shared the same three passions: a desire to help people; a passion for a career in health care; and a longing for higher education. We were practically a match made in heaven!

Eastern Health employees, Jillian Farewell and Lance Quirke, met at work

After Cupid’s arrow struck, we would chat for hours about what drew me to a career in nursing, and why Lance loved working closely with cancer patients to inform them about their chemotherapy medications. Lance was a true inspiration to listen to, but to him, patients living with cancer were his motivation for being the best possible health-care provider he could.

For the Love of Education

Like me, Lance dreamt of having a career in health care since he was young. He graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 2006. Prior to his current role as a clinical pharmacist, Lance worked as a community pharmacist where he learned the value in building relationships with patients. He would get to know his patients on a first-name basis, which made his job enjoyable and the patients more comfortable when they reached out for advice or an opinion.

As we continued following our career paths over the years, we encouraged each other to continue studying. Since the beginning, we both believed in the benefits continuing education brings not only to ourselves, but most importantly, to the patients and clients we serve each day.

While dating, I remember that much of our discussions surrounded Lance’s desire of pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree, which he proudly received in 2015. As for myself, after graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing Degree (Collaborative) Program in 2012, I pursued my dreams of continuing higher education and received a Master’s Degree in Nursing in 2016.

Jillian Farewell BN, RN, MN & Dr. Lance Quirke, BSc Pharm, PharmD

For the Love of Patient Care

As rewarding as it’s been to achieve our educational goals, I can honestly say that it was our true love for patient care that bonded us together.

For three years (2012-15), I worked as a registered nurse in a variety of settings at the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre (BPHCC). While working in the BPHCC, I was fortunate enough to have many meaningful encounters with patients and family members who valued my comfort and presence. My love for taking care of patients in hospital very quickly transformed into a deep passion for caring for clients who live in the community.

In 2015, I accepted a position as a community health nurse with the Personal Care Home program, where I began co-monitoring the residents of three privately owned and operated residential homes that are licensed by Eastern Health.

As a community health nurse, I have been able to take a proactive stance in meeting the needs of senior citizens in the eastern region of Newfoundland and Labrador. In my current role, I work to assist residents, home owners and operators and staff employed by the personal care homes in creating a safe and supportive living environment for the residents. What makes my role so rewarding is knowing that my work is improving the health and well-being of the seniors in these homes.

Lance Quirke, clinical pharmacist

Through our budding relationship, Lance and I both feel that we have been able to achieve a much deeper understanding not only just about our individual roles, but also the roles of other hospital employees and staff.  Through our experiences working on multidisciplinary teams, we have learned that the key to the heart of quality patient care is working together in a collaborative environment.

Our Happily Ever After

As with any Valentine’s Day story, there must be a happy ending, right? Well, after several years of dating, studying, and growing together as health-care professionals, my Prince Charming and I got married on September 30, 2016!

Who knew that a pharmacist, a nurse, a passion for education and helping people would be the special ingredients for delivering quality patient care? It is our hope that we will continue living happily ever after, and continue to inspire each other and to find love in everything that we do at Eastern Health.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Jillian Farewell and Lance Quirke on their wedding day, September 30, 2016

This story was written by Jillian Farewell, public health nurse at Eastern Health.