Yolène Louis-Charles: A Talented and Model Nurse-Technician

By Abdel Alexis, Director of Human Resources, Hôpital Sacré Coeur

In the gallery of model employees who have marked the history of Höpital Sacré Coeur in Milot, stands Yolène Louis-Charles. Louis-Charles began her career at HSC as a nurse in January 2004. Since then she has contributed her talents to almost all the service areas: operating room, pediatrics, medicine, surgery, and obstetrics, among other clinics. Wise, quietly courageous, dedicated and motivated, her usual collaborative approach and expertise in nursing administration repeatedly earned her congratulations by top hospital administrators. During major hospital events, such as World Diabetes Day, Yolène could always be counted on for her willingness to participate with enthusiasm, foster staff collaboration and inspire others with her obvious desire to conscientiously serve patients. Her only motivation, she said, is to serve the patients of the hospital.

Yolène’s determination to contribute to the overall achievement of the hospital’s mission and her passion to develop focused management of the institution led to her decision in 2010 to enter into a training program on techniques of sonography echocardiography with American experts. At that time, the equipment was available at Höpital Sacré Coeur, but no staff were trained and qualified to perform sonography, ultrasound and echocardiography exams. Many patients seen at the hospital required such examinations and were forced to go elsewhere to get them and then return to HSC so their situation could be monitored. This lack of expertise often raised murmurs in patients, even occasioned dissatisfaction and consequently decreased attendance at the hospital, including that of clinical obstetrics and gynecology.

Yolène noticed this critical gap in service and set about to correct the situation. She took her first steps in mastering obstetric sonography techniques under the direction of American volunteer, Dr. George. A few months later, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Clinical Professor, Dr. William E. Battle, organized a training and teaching program in echocardiography techniques, particularly cardiac ultrasound. Battle, accompanied by a U.S. technician, routinely visited HSC for intensive teaching sessions. Yolène became the star pupil.

Since this initial training, Yolène, the widowed mother of two children, has received additional training skills with the support of several international experts; such as, Dr. Carl Turissini, Dr. George Marsh, and Dr. Steve Pedron, to name a few.

The quickness with which Yolène has attained a high level of competency in her new field of practice is remarkable. Today, thanks to her successful training, she carries out, on behalf of the hospital, almost all echocardiography, ultrasound, and sonography examinations needed by patients. The creative imitative, dedication and personal sacrifice of one nurse has benefited countless patients and the quality of care offered by the hospital.

Now, with the onsite presence of HSC Staff cardiologist, Dr. Jean Pierre Brisma, echocardiography examinations receive immediate interpretation. Urgent medical conditions garner an immediate response.

An obviously exemplary employee, this native of Trou du Nord has never spared her time to work and serve the hospital. She routinely works after hours, during weekends and on holidays giving voluntary help to nurses in different units or performing electrocardiogram tests at the bedsides of those in need. She always places first and foremost, the service of the institution during periods of preoperative consultations on Saturdays and Sundays by foreign volunteers, who often need her technical expertise. Without doubt, Yolène Louis-Charles is part of an elite group of employees that Höpital Sacré Coeur can leverage to achieve its vision and fulfill its mission.