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As a full-service community teaching hospital, Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) is committed to fostering learning at every level by providing meaningful, hands-on experiences for students in a supportive and inclusive environment. This year, 20 students from various high school through to post-secondary institutions had the opportunity to learn alongside our dedicated professionals.
MGH welcomed students across several departments including Quality and Patient Safety, Maintenance, Diagnostic Imaging and Outpatient Mental Health. Whether through summer placements or co-op programs, these individuals gained valuable insight into the healthcare system while developing practical skills that will support their future studies and careers.
As some students have wrapped up their placements and others are nearing the end, we caught up with a few of them to hear about their time at MGH and their experiences contributing to projects that help us deliver high-quality patient care.
Forrest Mayer
PhD in Industrial Engineering at University of Toronto
Describe yourself in three words.
Compassionate, analytical and thorough.
What department are you working in this summer? Can you tell us a little bit about your role and the kind of work you are doing?
I’m working in Mental Health where I’m supporting the department with data analytics and operational needs. Day-to-day, I’m working with data and reporting processes. Right now, there’s a lot of information being collected, but not many ways to clearly visualize or present it. My job is to help turn that data into something easier to understand and use, so it can help inform leadership decisions.
What drew you to MGH and this unit in particular?
In the first year of my master’s program, I took a course called Human Factors in Healthcare. This course consisted of a project that was based at MGH which led me to reach out to the department director as I was interested in continuing that type of work.
What’s been your favourite part of the experience?
My favourite part of this experience has been working with providers like social workers, nurses, doctors and peer support workers in clinics where I’ve learned about the challenges they experience. I’ve had the opportunity to help identify ways to improve things so they can focus on patient care. It’s been rewarding to learn how mental health services are structured and delivered.
What’s one thing you learned or had the opportunity to participate in that you didn’t expect?
I attended a learning session, called Grand Rounds, where I learnt about the Safewards model that aims to improve safety and patient experience in mental health units. I didn’t know this type of education was offered for people who aren’t working directly with patients. It was interesting to learn how much education happens behind the scenes.
Ingrid MacDonald
Kinesiology at Queens University
Describe yourself in three words.
Hard-working, caring and eager to learn.
What department are you working in this summer? Can you tell us a little bit about your role and the kind of work you are doing?
This summer, I’m working in Diagnostic Imaging but more specifically Cardiac Diagnostic Imaging. A large part of my work involves calling patients before their procedures to walk them through preparation. For example, a week before a test I’ll call a patient regarding their medications or diet restrictions they need to follow to prepare for their test.
I also help patients check in, ensure their medical records are in order and assist with transporting them between different areas of the hospital for multi-stage tests. Often, tests will start within my unit but continue in a different area. My job is to assist patients reach each stage, whether it’s by assisting them in a wheelchair or walking them over.
I’ve also had the unique opportunity to observe procedures first-hand, with patient consent, which has been an incredible learning experience. I love that my role is diverse, allowing me to interact with patients in different ways while also learning about the behind-the-scenes work that makes these tests possible.
What drew you to MGH and this department in particular?
This opportunity has been a full circle moment for me. My mom, brother and I were all born here at MGH and I really love and value giving back to my community because it has given me so many opportunities. I volunteered here in grade 12 as a floater, helping in different areas like emergency and palliative care and I really enjoyed it. My family’s experiences here have always been filled with kindness and great care, which inspires me to contribute in return. I was drawn to this opportunity because I wanted to further help my community and this particular area stood out to me because it offers valuable hands-on experience and the chance to connect directly with patients.
What’s your experience been working at MGH?
My experience at MGH has been absolutely amazing. I’ve had access to countless learning opportunities and met people from across the hospital, building connections that will be valuable for years to come. My goal is to become a doctor and I hope to work here as a full-time healthcare professional in the future.
What’s been the most surprising part of the experience?
The most surprising part has definitely been the opportunity to observe a variety of different tests. At first, I thought I might only get to see one, but I was able to see multiple types, which was exciting. One type of test I observed was a stress test, where patients either walk on a treadmill or bike while their heart rate is monitored. I also had the chance to sit in on consultations with doctors, which was really eye-opening since you don’t get that kind of experience in school.
Beyond the tests, I was really touched by the patients themselves. Many come in nervous or alone because their families can’t be with them and having a brief chat can help brighten their day. I’ve even had patients tell me “You made my day,” which feels really rewarding. The majority of patients are older and come by themselves and seeing their gratitude really sticks with me. It reminded me how important compassion is in healthcare, alongside medical work.
Zack Wilson
Toronto District School Board Steps to Construction, Forest Hill Collegiate Institute
Describe yourself in three words.
Happy, determined and respectful.
What department are you working in this summer? Can you tell us a little bit about your role and the kind of work you are doing?
I’m working with the Maintenance team, where I’ve had the opportunity to learn from a variety of skilled trades. I’ve been working alongside electricians, plumbers and individuals who specialize in carpentry and painting. I also had the chance to shadow mechanical and power plant engineers, which was eye-opening. They demonstrated how the boilers, heaters and other systems work, which is what keeps the hospital running smoothly, comfortable and safe for everyone who works and receives care here.
What are your academic and career aspirations?
My plan is to become an electrician. I took this program as a way to explore the field before fully committing to it. I didn’t want to jump in blindly, so this felt like the perfect opportunity to get real-world experience and see if it was the right fit. It’s also been a great way to learn and explore other trades and understand how they work together.
What's been the most surprising part of the experience?
Coming into this opportunity, I didn’t fully understand the level of expertise and professionalism involved in the trades. There’s often stigma attached to the industry, where skilled tradespeople are unfairly seen as less educated or less professional. But the reality is, many of them undergo rigorous training and tests to ensure safety and quality on the job.
Working alongside the Maintenance team has really opened my eyes. I’ve come to see them not as a separate group, but simply as people doing essential, highly skilled work. It’s also made me aware of the subtle biases that can exist, both in how I used to think and in how others may still perceive them. It’s a reminder of the importance of staying open-minded and respecting the diverse roles that keep our communities running.
What’s your experience been like working at MGH?
I’ve had a fantastic experience! I’ve learned so much more than just electrical work. I have gained practical life skills that will help me at home and while living on my own. I’ve learned to fix sinks, toilets and showers, how to wire lights and how mechanical doors work using magnets and power systems. I’ve also learned how to put circuit systems together, like a three-way circuit. This hands-on experience has been eye-opening and I’ve grown a lot from it.
Man Hei (Sally) Tsoi
eHealth graduate program at McMaster University
Describe yourself in three words.
Curious, persistent and compassionate.
What are your academic and career aspirations?
My goal is to work in healthcare environments where I can contribute to meaningful process improvements that benefit both staff and patients. I’m passionate about projects that enhance systems and workflows, ultimately making care safer and more efficient. I hope to combine my knowledge of health sciences, management and technology to drive innovation in healthcare delivery.
What department are you working in this summer? Can you tell us a little bit about your role and the kind of work you are doing?
I’m working with the Quality and Patient Safety team, who focus on improving patient safety. My main project is optimizing the hospital’s incident reporting system. I’m working on ways to make the forms easier for staff to complete, streamline the workflow from submission to review and identify process improvements that can be implemented across the hospital.
How do you think this experience benefits you?
This experience is giving me insight into how a hospital works, from workflows, the processes and how different teams interact. I’m also learning how to collaborate with people who have different work styles, which is valuable for any career.
I’ve also been able to walk through different departments and see things firsthand, which has deepened my understanding of the environment I want to work in.
What has been the most surprising part of the experience?
I didn’t realize how complex hospital systems are until I started. There are so many different processes and people involved. I’ve been able to speak with both frontline staff and leadership, which has given me a much broader perspective.
For the project I’m working on, I also have a lot of freedom to explore different angles, which I wasn’t expecting. I’ve never worked in a hospital before so having that level of trust and independence has been exciting.
