Meet Rafeik Nessim, Registered Respiratory Therapist at MGH

Tell us about yourself!

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. 

What motivated you to join MGH? 

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.

What types of learning, mentorship or professional development opportunities have you had the opportunity to pursue since joining MGH? 

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.

Can you share your career path at MGH?

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.  

What motivates or inspires you? 

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.  

If you could share one memorable moment from your time at MGH, what stands out to you? 

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.