Sonia Thorn takes her work to heart

Melville Cooke, freelance reporter

Sonia Thorn, RN.

WESTERN BUREAU: SONIA THORN, to use a sanitised Jamaican expression, takes her work to heart. Literally. The Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland-born nurse has been caring for cardiac patients more than quarter of a century, her career at the St. Johns Regional Hospital, New Bruswick, Canada, spanning from pounds and pence past the Reggae Boys World Cup qualification in the land of her birth.

Her sterling efforts have not gone unrecognised.

"As a result of my work and commitment to the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) education programme, I was awarded the year 2000 Health Promotion Award by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick," Mrs. Thorn said.

It is a fitting milestone in a lifelong dream that has become reality.

"From as far back as I can remember I wanted to be nurse. I am not sure if it was the lovely stiff white caps and uniforms ­ or the romantic novels I read as a teenager!" Mrs. Thorn said."

However, reaching her goal was not as simple as turning the pages of a Mills and Boon novel, daydreaming and waking to the swish of her starched uniform as she did her rounds. Sonia Thorn not only worked hard; she also sought out opportunities and created openings for herself.

Daughter of noted lawyer, Munair Hamaty, the then Sonia Hamaty attended the Immaculate Conception High School in St. Andrew, graduating in 1959. She then went to work in her father's office for three years, commencing nursing studies at Charing Cross Hospital, London, England,
in 1962.

She went on to do post-graduate work in Medical Nursing and Emergency Care, graduating in 1965.

If the romance novels had held true, then Sonia would have met a temperamental doctor and they would have quarrelled constantly in the pressure cooker of the office, only to realise
they loved each other in a blinding flash of revelation during an emergency situation.

Sonia Hamaty married David Thorn, an analytical chemist, in 1966 and the couple migrated to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, where they still live.

"We have three children, all active in their professional careers," Mrs. Thorn said.

From 1968 Mrs. Thorn has worked at the Saint John Regional Hospital.

"It is the largest, fully computerised hospital in New Brunswick, providing a complete range of services. The Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) opened in 1970 and I was among the first group of nurses to take the required courses to work there. I have had over 25 years of experience, nursing patients suffering from acute heart attacks and other heart ailments in the Intensive Care and Recovery Units," Mrs. Thorn said.

The job has also taken her off the ground.

"Part of my work involved the transport of critically ill patients requiring urgent surgery via rescue helicopter to Halifax, Nova Scotia. This gave me valuable experience working with minimum medical equipment, space and resources. Since 1991 New Brunswick has had its own Heart Surgery Centre, also a fully staffed and equipped air ambulance," Mrs. Thorn said.

Naturally, there have been changes in treatment methods over the years, changes which have not only helped patients but also stimulated her.

"I have witnessed the advancement of science and technology which has made patient care much more complex. The challenge of keeping pace with change, and the variety in my work life has held my interest over the years," Mrs. Thorn said.

It was only a matter of time before the student who became the professional became the teacher.

"My teaching experience began in 1980, when I became involved with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick, whose mandate was to improve pre-hospital emergency care in the Province. Instructors were trained to teach Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to the general public and to update medical personnel. I took the necessary courses, and taught within the hospital and community. This led to other teaching responsibilities within the Staff Education Department, including assisting with the Cardiac Intensive Care Course," Mrs. Thorn said.

And that eventually led to the award for her Health Promotion Award for her outstanding effort.

"I served on the New Brunswick Executive Committee of the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses as Public Education Chairperson for two years. This involved the promotion of cardiovascular health and wellness in New Brunswick. As a result of my work, and commitment to the CPR education programme, I was awarded the year 2000 Health Promotion Award by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick," Mrs. Thorn said.

"At present I work on the Cardiac Health and Wellness Team. My job involves counselling patients and their family prior to discharge from the CCU. I make appropriate referrals to either community or hospital-based exercise and educational programmes, the goal being a speedy return to good health. The pace is slower and the work enjoyable," she continued.

And what have 33 years in health care taught her?

"I continue to enjoy my work, my patients and my co-workers. As I reflect on my years as a nurse, the realisation is that caring for the sick is indeed a privilege and a humbling experience. Throughout my career I have had the love and support of all members of my family," Sonia Thorn said.

- Contributed

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