Dr. Irene Tuttle wins hearts, minds, and the Ontario Long-Term Care Clinicians (OLTCC) Physician of the Year Award

It’s clear from the moment you meet Dr. Irene Tuttle, Medical Director at Extendicare Hamilton, there is something special about her.

“Where people live is important,” she says, “Making sure our residents get to live in a home and are part of a place with a happy atmosphere is important – we must always remember that our residents live here. This is their home and that matters. Each resident is important. Every person that chooses to work here is important. We spend a lot of time here together and the way we all treat each other makes a difference.”

Dr. Tuttle has been recognized as the 2024 Ontario Long-Term Care Clinicians (OLTCC) Physician of the Year. Each year, the award is presented to a “physician who demonstrates exemplary patient care”, vision, knowledge and passion to improve quality in long-term care.

Her dedication to the residents and the team at Extendicare Hamilton led to more than 15 people coming together to nominate Dr. Tuttle for the OLTCC Physician of the Year Award.

Dr. Tuttle: Clinical care and expertise in action

Dr. Tuttle’s fifty years of medical achievement include serving as the Medical Director at Extendicare Hamilton since its doors opened in 1999, her role as Medical Director of the Chronic Care Unit and Alternative Level of Care Unit at Henderson Hospital for 10 years, in addition to being a former Chair of the Alzheimer’s Society of Hamilton. Her extensive clinical expertise, contributions and focus on palliative, dementia, and Alzheimer’s care highlight Dr. Tuttle’s deep dedication to her residents, patients, their families, and the community.

Dr. Tuttle pushed to have a Snoezelen Room (multi-sensory environment) and dedicated recreation staff and music therapy in the Memory Care Community at the home. She regularly works with team members to develop personalize care plans to help ease responsive behaviours, and has brought a laser focus to the patient’s overall well-being.

“Throughout her tenure Dr. Tuttle has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the well-being of her residents, displaying a level of empathy and compassion that has profoundly impacted the lives of those she serves,” says Dr. Matthew Morgan, Chief Medical Officer at Extendicare. “Residents and families often speak of how she makes them feel special and cared for.”

Nominations from residents, families, and team members for Dr. Tuttle as OLTCC Physician of the Year

The nomination included additional letters of support from physicians who work with Dr. Tuttle, the Alzheimer Society Brant Haldiman Norfolk Hamilton Halton, as well as several residents, family members, and team members of Extendicare Hamilton.

“Dr. Tuttle makes me feel so special,” says Jane, a resident who lives at the home. “She’s been my doctor for a very long time. She’s smart and always helping me.”

“Dr. Tuttle was my sister’s doctor,” says Gilda, whose loved one lived at the home. “We found Dr. Tuttle to be a dedicated, warm, gentle, caring and compassionate person with a calmness that made us all feel at ease.”

Team members feel the same way. “Dr. Tuttle is the doctor everyone dreams of having,” says Jennifer who works at the home.

"Dr. Tuttle is brilliant and compassionate,” adds Gloria, who also works at the home. “She is the driving force on providing innovative, and quality care to our residents.”

Pilar, the Home Administrator at Extendicare Hamilton is especially proud, “We are incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Tuttle as our Medical Director. Her dedication to resident care and her commitment to engaging meaningfully with residents and staff have profoundly enriched our team. She is a true leader, a great mentor, and a valued member of our team. We are grateful every day for her presence and unwavering dedication.”

Recently, at a special celebration in honour of Dr. Tuttle at Extendicare Hamilton, it was easy to see how cherished she is. A crowd of residents came together to toast her award, each with a kind word and smile for her.

As we toured the home with Dr. Tuttle, nearly every team member stopped to say hello, congratulations or give the doctor a hug.

When asked what being recognized as the OLTCC’s Physician of the Year means to her, Dr. Tuttle speaks warmly about care, connections, and how the work itself is the reward.

“I spend a lot of time with people,” says Dr. Tuttle with a smile. “Talking to them and getting to know them is wonderful and I enjoy it. We work together to problem solve and to maximize what residents can do. Together we make residents the best they can be.”