MGH campus transformation
MGH’s campus transformation continues with major renovation work. Patients and visitors can expect to experience noise, hallway closures and detours around the hospital. Learn more about our campus transformation.
MGH’s campus transformation continues with major renovation work. Patients and visitors can expect to experience noise, hallway closures and detours around the hospital. Learn more about our campus transformation.
My name is Rachel Travell and I am a Social Worker in the Outpatient Oncology Clinic. I have been working at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) for over four years now.
I started my career at MGH as a Master of Social Work student in the Cardiac Integrated Unit. During my eight-month student placement, I was particularly taken by MGH’s collaborative culture. Regardless of your title, everyone had a valued role in providing optimal patient care. I always felt like I had a voice in advocating for the patient.
Social workers utilize the person-in-environment perspective to guide our practice. We seek to understand the environment in which an individual is situated, such as the people around them and the community they live in, to intervene effectively. I was encouraged when I witnessed MGH embrace this perspective.
I have participated in patient rounds and family meetings where community care partners, agencies and informal caregivers of the patient were all invited to the circle of care. This was really encouraging to see that MGH values having the patient’s community at the table.
The marriage of hospital and community here was one of many reasons I was eager to start my social work career at MGH.
I completed my Master of Social Work degree with a specialization in Gerontology. While this degree made me well-equipped to support the older adult population, I had an opportunity to further my learning when I accepted the Oncology Social Worker position at MGH.
Through the hospital’s Tuition Assistance Program, I was able to enrich my learning and become certified in Interprofessional Psychosocial Oncology and Interprofessional Education in Palliative and End-of-Life Care.
MGH also supported my training in the Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) modality, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
I have attended education conferences about palliative care and young adult cancer care, as well as learned more about the legal and economic systems that our patients interact with. These opportunities enable me to incorporate evidence-based interventions into my practice.
I have had the opportunity to participate in a number of quality improvement projects. Most notably, as a result of a generous donation, I was able to work with leaders in the Oncology Clinic and the Michael Garron Hospital Foundation to establish a financial assistance fund for MGH patients with a cancer diagnosis.
The trajectory of my social work career at MGH would look very different if not for the mentorship of my social work colleagues here. Many of their decades-long careers have unfolded at MGH, which makes them an invaluable resource for clinical consultation, peer support and professional development.
2017: I began my Master of Social Work (MSW) student placement in the Cardiac Integrated Unit. I was eager to supplement my learning about the complex biopsychosocial needs of older adults.
2018: After completing my MSW, I formally joined MGH as a Transition Navigator in the Cardiac Integrated Unit. I conducted comprehensive assessments of complex and vulnerable patients to facilitate a discharge plan back to the community.
2019 to present: I now work as an Oncology Social Worker in the Outpatient Oncology Clinic where I support patients and families as they cope with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. As part of this position, I also took on the role of MGH’s Psychosocial Oncology Program Lead.
2021 to present: I am also an Adjunct Lecturer in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) at the University of Toronto. I provide field education to MSW students and have engaged in research with the FIFSW.
In my role as an Oncology Social Worker, I help patients, families, and caregivers deal with the experience of facing cancer.
There is an assumption that work in cancer care is bleak. However, bearing witness to the resilience and capacity of the human spirit in the face of critical illness has given my career renewed purpose.
I have been moved by the strength of a young mother who was going through a marital separation while coping with advanced disease.
I was inspired by the forgiveness of a son who put his life on hold to provide end-of-life care for his mother, with whom he was only recently reunited.
I was touched by the perspective of a patient who shared her gratitude for her cancer diagnosis which helped her reconnect with her children.
I take great pride in creating a safe space for patients, families and their caregivers as they make sense of this significant time in their lives.
I experienced a newfound appreciation for MGH when my family and I were on the receiving end of patient care.
I didn’t trust any hospital other than MGH when my mother was facing a cardiac crisis.
My parents and I were a bundle of nerves on the day of the procedure. We were greeted with warmth at every checkpoint before the procedure, which did wonders to quell our concerns.
My dad and I were uneasy about parting ways with my mom as she entered the procedure room, but I knew she was in good hands.
To distract my dad from the flurry of worries, I suggested we go to the cafeteria for a calming cup of coffee. On our way there, my dad and I were greeted with “good morning” and “have a great day” from a number of MGH staff who were not known to me personally.
The frequency of these small, but kind gestures, spoke volumes for how we treat all those who walk through our doors.
On the other side of the gurney, my mother’s perspective was equally positive. The care and compassion provided by the cardiac team was exemplary. She wanted all her cardiac care transferred to MGH after this life-changing experience.
When the dust settled on the procedure and we were getting ready to take my mom home, I fondly remember my parents remarking what a great hospital MGH is and how proud they are that I work here.
Hi! My name is Rafeik Nessim and I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RT). I've been working at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) for three years.
I joined MGH after being referred by a friend and fellow student in my Respiratory Therapy Program at Michener Institute of Education at UHN. There were three things that stood out to me from their recommendation about MGH and motivated me to join the team: the excellent work environment, the close-knit staff and the welcoming community surrounding the hospital.
MGH is the first hospital where I worked in an acute setting like the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the Stavro Emergency Department (ED) after graduating. I have been mentored by experienced respiratory therapists in all departments and I have them to thank for the majority of the skills I have today.
MGH offers respiratory therapists the opportunity to work in different clinical settings. I was trained to work on the Helen Aird Carswell Complex Continuing Care Unit with long-term ventilated patients where I learned about chronic care. I also had the chance to be trained in the Operating Room. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to be introduced to new equipment and education through education days and simulations.
2019: My career journey started when I took on a casual position as a Registered Respiratory Therapist at MGH.
2021: I was happy to be hired as a full-time Registered Respiratory Therapist.
Over the past three years, I have had the chance to train and work across many areas in the hospital including the ICU, ED, the Provincial Prolonged-Ventilation Weaning Centre of Excellence (PWC) and briefly with the Pulmonary Function Lab and Operating Room. I have also done consultations for patients in other departments in the hospital.
My father is my greatest inspiration. He worked in healthcare as a physician, and as a child, I was able to observe how compassionate and caring he was with his patients. He built a desire in me to work in healthcare since childhood. To care and empathize with patients and see them through one of the toughest times in their lives is a great motivator for me.
I aspire to provide the best healthcare service I can and see my patients return to their loved ones and their homes. For those that don’t make it home, I aspire to help them end their journey peacefully and with dignity. My wife and my family also motivate me and support me through tough times, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
My most memorable moment at MGH is working during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Working in the ICU during this time was very emotional. Fear was one of the strongest emotions at this time. I will never forget seeing my colleagues run around the ICU, which was at full capacity, while simultaneously providing care to many patients in critical condition. The pressure and workload kept climbing, but my colleagues and I, along with the ICU, team were able to give our best to each patient.
It was memorable because of the teamwork we demonstrated and how positive that was. We were able to support our community and the patients in critical care during an extremely difficult time and help everyone get through it.