“When I was in grade one I came home from school and announced to my mother that I was going to be nurse. And that was it.”
Now a registered nurse for 22 years, Melanie Matta has kept her word and built an evolving and satisfying 20-year career at the Ottawa Heart Institute.
Following years of nursing roles on the cardiology and surgery floors and day unit, Melanie applied to the Institute’s Division of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention in 2022, based on her enjoyment of encouraging patients, teaching, and promoting heart health.
Serving people who have had a recent heart event, hospital admission for a heart-related problem, or diagnosis of heart disease, the OHI’s cardiovascular rehabilitation program is offered both virtually and onsite. This essential patient care component provides the tools needed for people to successfully slow disease progression, reduce the risk of another cardiac event, and manage their own care long term. Through the promotion of healthy changes in behaviour and fitness, patients using the program can add high-quality years to their lifespan.
Onsite cardiac rehabilitation takes place in a bright and airy space featuring exercise equipment and a walking track. Additional motivation comes from blasts of ABBA, and other playlists of upbeat music. As patient ages can range from 19 to 98, Melanie and staff are happy to play DJ and welcome requests. “Our biggest goals are to put heart disease out of business and reduce the risk of a return visit to hospital. We work as a multidisciplinary team, including physiotherapists, dieticians and psychologists, to offer assessments, resources, monitoring, emotional support and prescriptions for exercise. A big focus is placed on patient education, encouraging self-management of a person’s cardiac health.”
Asked to describe the best part of her work Melanie points to the patients, “They are so happy to be getting a second lease in life and very motivated to change their lifestyle. Some want to recover to see their grandkids, others want to play golf, run, travel, work and stay independent. Everyone has their reason.
It makes me happy to see people feeling stronger, more confident and smiling. Our patients are special and extremely appreciative. Sometimes what I think is the smallest gesture makes a big impact and world of difference. I love it when someone is down and you can make them laugh. In university I tore out a page from a magazine that said, ‘Laughter is the best medicine.’ and I still believe this to be true. I want our patients to live their best heart healthy life but to never forget to have fun.”
Initially drawn to nursing as a fit with her innate enjoyment of helping others, Melanie adds today that, “Nursing is also a rewarding and challenging career where you can make change.”
As the recent recipient of the prestigious Heather Sherrard nursing chair award, Melanie and a team were able to develop a project titled “Meeting Patient’s Needs by Adding a Functional Chair Class to the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Programs,”. The class, now up and running, was designed to expand access to rehabilitation and improve the lives and independence of frail cardiac patients with medical complexities.
Referring to the Heart Institute’s staff as, “a small family” Melanie also credits an inspiring culture and warm atmosphere for over two decades of fulfillment. “I get to see patients who recover quickly because of advancements in cardiac care and medications. There are now many new and less invasive procedures available resulting in less time in hospital, and a reduced risk of complications and infections. This means that our rehab patients get to return to their lives and what they love to do.”
When you support the Heart Institute you support nurses like Melanie and the patients she works with daily.
