Community Health Champions: Meet Jaqueline Murdoch

Community Health Champions: Meet Jaqueline Murdoch

Read the interview with one our amazing volunteers who has dedicate so much of her time in helping and educating the community! It is a great honour to have Jaqueline Murdock on our team and to be able to sit down with her for an interview!

1.    Tell me about yourself:

I have a university degree in math (B.Math.) majoring in applied analysis and computer science from the University of Waterloo. The challenge at the time was to override gender biases since even the guidance counsellor said that women don’t go into Math and Sciences. I proved them wrong 😉

I was blessed to be involved in various industries throughout my career, with the Bank of Canada, Air Canada, Toronto Police, among others. At Toronto Police I headed up the Request for Proposal and implementation of the new Computer Aided Dispatch system, an integral part of the new 911 system, a very complex and successful project culminating in the launch of the system at a new location, back in the 1990’s.  My last full-time job was from 2001 to 2009, at which time I was a project manager in the IT department at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. I was headhunted, because of my airline experience, for project managing of the Common Use Passenger Processing systems, i.e., network, equipment and software for the airlines that were designated to use the New Terminal One.  These two projects, at Toronto Police and at the GTAA, were “chances of a lifetime”, and I was very pleased to be a part of their development and implementation.
When I left full time employment (retired), I embarked on a new career in fitness and health promotion, becoming certified as a personal trainer, fitness instructor, Urban Poling instructor and health promotion, with a continued interest in learning anatomy and better movement patterns. I am enjoying teaching older adults in best movements and recreational activities. I am also a volunteer educator with Osteoporosis Canada.

2.    How long have you been affiliated with Stonegate CHC?

I became a patient in the medical clinic in 2009, 15 years ago. I joined the Stonegate CHC’s Board later that year, in order to better understand the decision-making processes, and to contribute my knowledge to this group.

3.    What made you want to donate your time and experience to this organization?

I’m I love with the concept of the Community Health Centre (CHC), and its proactive rather than solely reactive approach to medicine, health and well-being. The team at the Centre is truly amazing, and I feel privileged to work with these talented and committed people.
I wish CHC’s were more prevalent throughout the country. It’s a shame that more people don’t have this kind of access. I say to my doctor every time I see him, that I’m just so grateful for his support and the support of the staff at the Centre. What they’re doing here and how you’re doing it – these people could make a much higher salary going elsewhere, but they’ve chosen to be in this community that really needs them and caring for their needs. And they can’t do it on their own. I feel that volunteers from the community can add value to this mix, which is what I’m striving to do.

4.    How do you feel about being part of this community?

In Canada there are so many people who volunteer their time, endless number of hours, and time is precious. It’s a giving back to the community, which I think is very important. The community has given me so much in so many ways over the years, and I feel that it’s my way of saying, okay, how can I help the next group of people who might need some education or understanding, or just need a helping hand, a kind word recognizing who they are.
There’s so much we can do. Every little task, each person you interact with, if we can make their day a little bit better or give them something to motivate them, then we have done our job. In other words, give them the tools they need to maintain or improve their health. Health has many aspects in terms of spirit, mental health, physical health, etc. – all these varied facets need to be addressed.

5.    What have you gained from volunteering your time at Stonegate?

Volunteering is a great way to get to know people. I think we must all be humble to recognize that we don’t know everything. And someone else can give you a different viewpoint, which may change your approach and your attitude, and how you see the world.
I like to be a role model, not only to my children, but also to people who follow me in my teachings. So it’s all worthwhile. If I can motivate people to take steps towards better health, then I hope I can do this for the rest of my life.

6.    Would you encourage others to become Community Health Champions? Why?

Yes. Full stop. As volunteers, we can supplement the staff, to meet the needs of many more people in the community. Essentially, we’re partnering with the staff, to extend their reach to more people and in different ways. It’s a fulfilling occupation, and an opportunity not to be missed.