World Antimicrobial Awareness Week: Meet Tracey Tooke, champion for safe and effective antimicrobial use

With more than 31 years in nursing, Tracey Tooke brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and leadership to her role as a clinical nurse educator, supporting emergency care at Valley Regional Hospital. 

Tracey’s nursing journey began as a licensed practical nurse before earning her bachelor of science in nursing. Over the years, she has worn many hats, each one reinforcing her passion for patient safety and high-quality care. 

As an advocate for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), Tracey promotes the responsible use of antibiotics and other antimicrobials to prevent resistance and ensure these life-saving medications remain effective for future generations. 

 “With the rise of drug-resistant infections, we risk losing the ability to effectively treat common illnesses. Patients with resistant infections often have longer hospital stays and fewer treatment options. Protecting these medications protects our patients.”

For Tracey, AMS is not just a professional responsibility, it is a personal mission.

“I want to protect our most vulnerable. Babies, people undergoing chemotherapy, the elderly. I want to make sure effective treatments remain available for them, and for my loved ones too.”

Nurses play a key part in AMS every day.

“We have a much larger role than we often think,” she explains. “From ensuring cultures are collected properly, to promoting daily reassessment of antibiotic use, to discussing IV to oral step-downs with physicians. Nurses are vital in ensuring the right drug is used at the right time.”

She also highlights the importance of patient education and helping patients understand why it’s important to finish their antibiotics, what’s an expected side effect versus an allergy, and why antibiotics don’t work for viruses. She said these conversations are essential.

Tracey emphasized that AMS requires all hands on deck at Nova Scotia Health.

“It’s about creating a safe space where everyone—nurses, physicians, and pharmacists—can question, share ideas, and collaborate. We all bring different perspectives, but we share the same goal: treating patients effectively while protecting antimicrobials for future generations.”

Her advice to Nova Scotians is simple but powerful:

“Prevention is the best medicine. Wash your hands often. Stay home if you’re sick or wear a mask if you can’t. Stay up to date on your vaccines. If you’re prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed and complete the course. Don’t share or save old prescriptions and remember antibiotics don’t work for colds or other viral infections. Your pharmacist is a great resource if you have questions or concerns.”

Thank you, Tracey, for your commitment to protecting patients and promoting safe antimicrobial use at Nova Scotia Health!

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is an annual global campaign held from Nov. 18–24 to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and promote the responsible use of antimicrobials. This initiative is part of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microbes develop the ability to resist the medications that once effectively treated them, making infections harder to cure and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death.

Nova Scotia Health is dedicated to promoting the safe and effective use of antimicrobials and supporting efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance through education, awareness, and stewardship initiatives.

Photo of Tracey Tooke.