Editorials

Mary Lean QSM

                                                                                       
 By Gael van Harselaar

When it comes to patient care, Mary Lean is a nurse of the 'old school' - professional and caring.  She passes serenely through the corridors of the old Services Convalescent Hospital, radiating a warm compassion to those who surround her. Her love of  nursing  is plain to see, and when she smiles, her humour is infectious.  The patients all love Mary Lean.  She is a modern day ' lady with the lamp'.

Mary Lean, Senior Rheumatology Nurse Co-ordinator in patient rehabilitation at QEH has recently been awarded the QSM for Public Service, for her work among the arthritic at QE.

Mary Lean began work at QE in 1969, and is now its longest serving member. For decades she has been an integral part of the team of professionals who make a significant difference to the lives of thousands of arthritis patients who pass through Queen Elizabeth Hospital . She is President of the New Zealand Health Professionals in Rheumatology and is the staff representative and secretary of the QE Hospital Community Trust.

Mary was born in the Waikato and completed her nursing training at Waikato Hospital in 1966.  Like many nurses, Mary went away on her OE, and during this time, worked privately at St Johns Nursing Agency in London in between dashing all over the Continent on holidays. Jobs were never hard to come by in those days as New Zealand nurses were highly regarded overseas. 

Returning home in Christmas of 1968, Mary travelled to Rotorua, where she met with the Matron of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Rei Preston-Thomas. She was immediately impressed with the Matron's professional approach, and vividly remembers walking down the corridors of Queen Elizabeth Hospital for the first time with Matron, who told her that Queen Elizabeth Hospital was not the place where a young nurse would stay, but that the knowledge she would gain at the hospital would be invaluable in her career.

Mary was offered a position as Staff Nurse in Ward 3. In those days, Ward 3 was the female ward, housing both surgical and rheumatology patients. In 1972, Mary Lean was promoted to Charge Nurse of the Ward, and after Matron retired Mary went on to become Acting Nurse Manager, Professional Nurse Advisor and then Senior Rheumatology Nurse Co-ordinator. 

Rei Preston-Thomas was to be the last Matron or Principal Nurse at the hospital, her retirement coming about during an era of change in the political arena, in the structure of senior nurses, and in 1993, the passing of Queen Elizabeth Hospital into private hands. Over the decades Mary has shown a great capacity to cope with all of these changes.  She recalls that the worst change for her was the abolition of hats as part of the uniform. "I loved my hat" she says.  "I felt naked without it".  

Rei Preston-Thomas had been an inspiration and strong role model to those who nursed at QE, and her 'old school' principles of excellent patient care remain one of the highest priorities for Mary Lean.  "I tell my patients that I am their troubleshooter" she says - "I will make sure that everything goes well for them while they are at QE".  For patients this level of care and consideration is often a major factor influencing their rehabilitation.  Returning patients love to see the same, familiar faces and it is seldom that Mary Lean is not present to greet them. After 37 years service at QE Health, she can still count her total number of sick days off on one hand.

Mary Lean is very humble in achieving her QSM. "There are a lot of very good practicing nurses" she says. "I haven't gone out and done spectacular things, but it is very rewarding to know that good nursing is valued".

Nurses are often the quiet achievers and it is difficult to estimate just how many lives have been enhanced by the excellent care of nurses like Mary Lean.

The position as Senior Rheumatology Nurse Co-ordinator makes the most of her many skills, combining management with 'hands on' patient care. In addition to practising as a specialist rheumatology nurse, Mary Lean also runs clinics for patients and manages the inpatient programmes for the rheumatology patients. These highly individualized rehabilitation programmes are usually three weeks long, and include spa treatments, specialist appointments, clinics and education classes. Staff and families frequently see a dramatic progress in the patients well-being throughout the programme, and most patients leave QE Health with a new spring in their step.

"My philosophy is like that of a bridge" Mary says.  "We are on one side, and the patient is on the other.  We cross half way and then encourage the patients to come across to the middle on their own.  In a practical sense, we aim to achieve this by creating the right learning environment, and giving patients as much information as we can.  Then it is up to each individual to make the most of that information so that they can best manage their condition when they leave QE.

Since Mary Lean started nursing, modern technology has made a dramatic difference in arthritis nursing, joint replacement surgeries and medication. As technology progresses, so too does Mary Lean believe in keeping up to date and she attends the Australasian Rheumatology Meetings and the National Meeting every year. 

There is no doubt that Mary Lean's dedication and contribution to nursing over the years has been significant.  She is the third person from QE to be recognized with an Honour.  Former Matron Miss Rei Preston-Thomas received the QSM in the mid 1980s, and orthotist Jack Paraha was awarded the QSM in 1996.

Mary Lean's presence at QE seems as eternal as the racy purple MG she has been driving  since 1974.   Her first love of nursing has always been in the medical field, and her role today has brought her back into that genre.  That makes it very difficult for Mary to even consider retirement at this point in time.

I love my job" Mary says. "And I'm not planning to hang up my hat just yet. But when I do, it will be on the hook at QE Health. I couldn't imagine working anywhere else".