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After 47 years of nursing Sister Heather Kinnear, Operational Manager at Hermanus CDC, waved goodbye to the communities of Zwelihle, Mount Pleasant and the broader Hermanus area as she retired.
Throughout her career she had dedicated herself to serving the community and ensuring they received quality health service.
She started her nursing career in 1977 at the Tygerberg Nursing College, afterwards moving to Walvis Bay, Namibia in 1986.
Between 1990 and 2008 Kinnear gained experience in various aspects of health care at Caledon Hospital, Riviersonderend Clinic and then Hermanus Hospital.
In April 2008 she permanently joined the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness Department as a professional nurse at the Overstrand Mobile Clinic, and in April 2016 she was appointed Operational Manager at Hermanus CDC.
Building relationships
Marlene Samuels, Primary Health Care manager in the Overstrand, said Kinnear was instrumental in building relationships with political leaders and NGOs in the community, something that served as a great advantage during the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said: “During the Covid-19 pandemic Sr Kinnear ensured the ward councillors spread the message of social distancing and assisted with the tracing of clients.
“She served her community with a dedicated passion for care and with excellence. We will always remember Sr Kinnear for her ‘swift walk’ and always being on a mission.”
Many will also remember Kinnear as the nurse who stood outside the facility early each morning with a loudhailer ensuring patients were in the correct queues and prioritising those in need.
“Being the Operational Manager at Hermanus CDC was an honour,” she said. “I enjoyed serving the communities of Zwelihle, Mount Pleasant and Hermanus. In my time as Operational Manager I believed in communicating with the patients, informing them of waiting times, prioritisation and the process of complaints and compliments.
“That was how I earned their trust and respect. I felt it was my duty to inform the patients and make them feel welcome and cared for.”
Kinnear’s plans for her retirement include taking care of herself and her family, resting and spending time in her garden.
Joining a NGO
She, however, felt she still had a lot more to give and planned on joining an NGO focused on youth and adolescent healthcare.
The Western Cape Government Health and Wellness Department thanked Kinnear for her longstanding and dedicated service to the health system. “We wish her all the best with retirement and sincerely hope she will enjoy many more healthy and joyous years.”
