Celebrating decades of dedication at Michael Garron Hospital’s Long Service Award Ceremony

"I started working here on a very short contract. They just needed someone to come help with a job for three or four days. I finished it and I thought, ‘that’s it.’ But then that next week I got a phone call to come back to work. I guess they liked me. 

Over the years, I have worked in many different jobs. I started off in the laundry department. I have been a porter and sterilizer operator. I’ve worked in shipping and receiving and maintenance. 

I have met many people and made many friends here. I enjoy my job and I want to continue working for as long as I can.” 

“I started at MGH as a volunteer and from there I felt like I had found my calling in healthcare. I began as a personal support worker and after working in that role, I felt I needed to do more because I truly love looking after patients. 

That led me to become a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) and while working as an RPN I also had the opportunity to teach students, which is another passion of mine as a nurse educator. Most recently, I completed and passed my Registered Nurse (RN) board exam. 

I’ve stayed at MGH for over 10 years because of the culture and the incredible support from my managers, especially as a single mom pursuing my education. What makes this work so meaningful is connecting with patients and their families and knowing I can make a difference in their lives.” 

“I started working here 40 years ago. I was interested in working here because I like that it is a tight-knit, community hospital. And my kids were born here! 

When I think back to the past 40 years at MGH, so much has changed. I think the care has actually improved. Over the years, the hospital has become more integrated with home care organizations and takes a lead role in connecting patients with community supports. This helps both patients and their families navigate the system after leaving the hospital.  

What’s kept me here over the years is the people. I enjoy meeting patients and their families and of course connecting with my colleagues.” 

“I started at MGH as an RPN with the Float Pool working across several departments. My wife, who was a student at MGH, said incredible things about the hospital and I knew this was the place I wanted to be. I kept applying and one day, I decided to tweet a picture of MGH with a caption ‘I’d love to work here someday.’ That tweet led me to be introduced to the head of the Stavro Emergency Department which eventually led me to my first job...here I am ten years later! 

One of my most impactful memories at MGH is administering COVID-19 vaccines across 37 long-term care homes and congregate living settings. People were cheering and celebrating when we arrived. That was a life-changing event for me. I still think about that every week – it felt like some of the most important work I'd ever get to do. That experience and the people who work here are my favourite parts about working at MGH.”

“I’m an RN working in the Child and Youth Mental Health department and I’m grateful every day that I chose this path. 

I joined when the program was first starting and it’s been incredibly meaningful to help build it and watch it grow over the years. 

What stands out most to me is the understanding environment, both in terms of the colleagues I work with and the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of the patients we serve. 

Every day I feel thankful that I made the decision to be in this role because it has helped fulfill my desires and ambitions.” 

“I was working in the private sector when I made the switch to working at MGH. I joined in the year 2000, after all the commotion around the Y2K bug was ending. 

I was hired as a systems administrator and I worked in various roles before becoming a manager and now a director on the team.  

It’s never boring working in IT. The industry is always evolving with advancements that help improve patient care outcomes.  There are always new and exciting things to focus on.  

IT is involved in many projects with teams across the hospital, so you are always meeting and collaborating with new people. 

There is a culture of support here at MGH – the camaraderie and collaboration that is felt throughout the organization is unique. I feel supported here and I am always learning and growing. That’s why these 25 years have gone by so quickly.” 

“I had just graduated from school as a medical laboratory technologist when a job came up at MGH and I was excited to take it.  

There have been many opportunities for growth in my role.  After a few years in this role, I became the Lab's preanalytical supervisor. Six years after that, I came into a slightly modified role. It was half as Lab supervisor and half part of the Operational Excellence Team. As part of that role, I worked on projects that were not strictly related to the Lab, like workplace violence prevention initiatives. Last year, I became the lab quality manager. Between all of that, I’ve also had personal growth with two maternity leaves. 

As my roles have changed, I have met more and more people outside of the lab. Over the years, I have thought about finding a job that is closer to where I live, but I like the atmosphere here and I like the people. The people really make it fun to work here.”