She’s a community leader, a role model and the Director of Long-Term Care for the County of Renfrew. Shelley Sheedy has worked with seniors in our community for over 25-years starting as a Resident Care Coordinator for Miramichi Lodge. Sheedy says she was born and raised in Renfrew County, studied nursing and worked at the Ottawa Civic before returning to the Valley to work in long-term care.
Sheedy says in her time with the county, she’s seen both Bonnechere Manor and Miracmichi Lodge rebuilt and was directly involved in the redevelopment of the long-term care home on the waterfront in the City of Pembroke.
She adds the type of care residents are receiving today is more complex than even five years ago. Sheedy credits the staff and management at both homes who have risen to the challenge and continue to provide excellent care.
Sheedy says one of the biggest challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic has been the restrictions on visitors allowed. She adds previously homes were open to families 24/7 so this has been a big change for everyone. Sheedy adds all the precautions taken have been for the greater good as there hasn’t been any major outbreaks at long-term care facilities in Renfrew County like there has been in Ottawa and Lanark County. Sheedy says they were proactive and restricted employees to one workplace before the provincial orders were put in place and she adds another unpopular decision was to close the homes to community admissions before testing was at full capacity.
When she’s not working, Sheedy says she enjoys spending time with family, friends and looks forward to being able to travel again. For the time being she says they will be taking advantage of “stay-cations” and enjoy what the County of Renfrew has to offer. Sheedy is also involved with both the Bonnechere Manor and Miramichi Lodge foundations and supports the great events they host.
Sheedy says her biggest accomplishments include her two kids, working in long-term care and also receiving exemplary status with Accreditation Canada at Bonnechere Manor and Miramichi Lodge.
There’s a lot of working pieces to make a long-term care home run smoothly. Sheedy says it wouldn’t be possible without the staff, management, elected officials and other experts at the County of Renfrew with the paramedics, housing, economic development, public works, IT and HR departments.
Sheedy says she has worked with a lot of influential women over her career and some great male role models as well. She adds her parents instilled the values of education and work ethic says her husband is her biggest cheerleader. Sheedy hopes she can be a positive influence on the next generation of women and leadership.
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