‘From mentorship to hands-on learning’: Co-op and summer students share their growth and experience learning at MGH

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 Finance, Maintenance, Laboratory Medicine and Research and Innovation. 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. 

Last week, we introduced some of our co-op and summer students. Now it’s time to meet a few more.  

Elise Farmar 

Arts and Science at McMaster University 

Describe yourself in three words. 

Curious, compassionate and motivated. 

What department are you working in this summer? Can you tell us little bit about your role and the kind of work you are doing? 

I am working as a Research Student with Research and Innovation. The team I’ve joined plays a key role in supporting and overseeing research operations conducted at the hospital level and in collaboration with affiliated institutions. 

This summer, I’m contributing to several projects that support the growth and coordination of research efforts. As operations continue to expand, one of my primary responsibilities is to develop and execute a reporting plan for tracking research metrics, achievements and strategic goals. Currently, I am both reporting research data for internal and external audiences and building a framework to support future reporting. 

Additionally, I’ve had the unique opportunity to assist in the development of a Researcher Conflict of Interest policy. This experience has deepened my understanding of the ethical and regulatory structures that uphold responsible research and has further sparked my interest in health policy and research governance. 

What drew you to MGH and this department in particular? 

Before joining MGH, I was involved in health sciences research at the university level which fueled my interest in clinical research. I was particularly drawn to Research and Innovation at MGH because I wanted to learn how clinical research operates in a real-world healthcare setting. This role offers a unique opportunity to have a front-row view of the important research taking place at MGH and to engage with projects that support innovation and improve patient care.  

I also appreciate MGH’s role as a community hospital that prioritizes compassionate care and serves the diverse East Toronto community. Being part of this team has also strengthened my passion for patient-oriented work. 

What’s been the most surprising part of your experience? 

One of the most surprising and rewarding parts of this experience has been learning about all the important and innovative research happening at the hospital every day. Being part of the Research and Innovation team has given me a unique perspective on the depth and scope of this work, spanning areas like mental health, maternity care and infectious disease management that are all aimed at improving care for patients in the East Toronto community and beyond.  

Getting the opportunity to read publications by MGH researchers has been particularly insightful and has shown the tangible influence of clinical research on both health outcomes and our broader understanding of health and patient-oriented care. I’ve also really enjoyed learning about the collaborative work across research teams that makes this work possible. 

What has been your favourite part of the experience? 

My favourite part of this experience has been seeing how deeply embedded research and innovation are at MGH and how much momentum there is for continued growth. I feel fortunate to have joined the team at such an exciting time—with research formally recognized as a core pillar in the hospital’s new Strategic Plan, and with an MGH scientist being granted the hospital's first Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant for $1.4 million. Witnessing the excitement that these milestones sparked across the team have shown me what’s possible when an organization commits to building a strong research program. 

Theo Zachopoulos  

Toronto District School Board Steps to Construction, East York Collegiate Institute  

Describe yourself in three words. 

Funny, happy and energetic. 

What are your academic and career aspirations? 

My aspirations are to be an electrician or an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) technician. 

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’ve had the exciting opportunity to work with the Maintenance team at MGH. My role involves shadowing experienced staff and helping with small repairs and upkeep around the hospital. I’ve had the chance to work alongside electricians, plumbers, painters, structural staff and management. Some of the tasks I’ve been involved in include drop ceiling work and painting. 

What's your experience been like working at MGH? 

It’s been a really great experience. I’ve learned so much, especially from the electricians. One of my coworkers has been a great mentor. He’s taught me a lot of useful skills and helped me set up my career goals. 

What’s made this placement stand out is how hands-on it’s been. I’ve had the chance to work closely with the electricians and get involved in tasks like replacing light bulbs and plugs, disconnecting wires safely and even helping wire a ballast under supervision. 

What's been the most surprising part of the experience? 

The amount of hands-on experience I gained was the most surprising part. I didn’t expect to be trusted with so much practical work. I’ve been able to roll up my sleeves and learn by doing.  

I was also surprised by how many people it takes to keep the hospital running smoothly. I had no idea there were so many different trades involved behind the scenes. 

Matthew McCallum 

Bachelor of Commerce at the Telfer School of Business at University of Ottawa 

Describe yourself in three words. 

Kind, ambitious and outgoing.  

What department are you working in this summer? Can you tell us little bit about your role and the kind of work you are doing? 

I’m working in Financial Services. My main project involves reconciling invoices for the hospital’s ongoing reconstruction projects. This includes verifying amounts transferred out and ensuring they match our records. Occasionally, I assist with drafting cost center forms and other tasks. 

What drew you to MGH and this department in particular? 

MGH is my community hospital. My goal was to work in my field of study this summer. When I found out about the hospital’s open position, I knew this would be an amazing opportunity as I live nearby and I was familiar with the hospital since my brother volunteered here two summers ago. My experience at MGH and the work I’ve been able to contribute to has been amazing and exactly what I was looking for. 

What's been the most surprising part of the experience? 

The pace was much faster than I expected. In my previous internships, the first few weeks were slow. Here, we hit the ground running with significant projects right away. It’s been rewarding and I appreciate the opportunity to contribute meaningfully.  

What’s been your favourite part of the experience? 

Getting to know the team has been my favourite part of this experience. My manager and supervisors have been amazing with training me and helping me through any questions I have. Everyone is wonderful, friendly, engaging, willing to collaborate and genuinely invested in helping me learn. The team environment can make such a difference. That combination of a strong team and meaningful work has been my favourite part. 

I’ve also enjoyed how the Finance team have included me in things that may not pertain to me, like the financial retreat. There are some things that were above my level of learning, but I was provided the opportunity to attend certain meetings so I could listen and learn. I’m really grateful for that opportunity. Being able to learn how the hospital’s financial systems operate, how decisions are made and how the team collaborates at a strategic level has been eye-opening. 

Chloe (Hayden) Ng 

Medical Laboratory Science at Michener Institute of Education at the University Health Network 

Describe yourself in three words. 

Hard-working, detail-oriented and introverted.  

What department are you working in this summer? Can you tell us little bit about your role and the kind of work you are doing? 

I’m working in Laboratory Medicine this summer. Each day, I help technicians with quality control checks. I work with quality control specimens to make sure all the machines are running properly and that the pathology slides are being stained correctly, since everything is being used to confirm a patient’s diagnosis. This ensures that when actual patient tests are run, they’ll be accurate. 

I also help with general lab maintenance which includes ensuring we’re using products within their expiry dates and checking that there are no flags on any lot numbers. Some machines have to be cleaned and recalibrated each month. For example, to ensure the correct pipet volume is being used, we validate them yearly. We also clean and calibrate equipment to make sure it’s operating at the proper temperatures or dispensing the correct volumes monthly.  

In addition to my day-to-day work, I’m also involved in a few bigger projects. One of them is with the infectious disease team, where I’m analyzing data related to tuberculosis (TB) testing. Right now, TB tests are sent out of the hospital, which can take up to two weeks since TB is a slow-growing bacteria. But we’re exploring whether we can do this testing in-house, which could reduce patient stays and speed up care. I’ve been reviewing patient data to help assess how effective and feasible that change could be. 

What do you enjoy most about being a part of your team? 

I really enjoy the hands-on experience and mentorship. Everyone is willing to teach and explain in depth, which you can’t necessarily get from reading a textbook. I’ve learned how to handle high volumes of work, prioritize tasks and understand how different departments work together. 

What drew you to MGH and this department in particular? 

I really wanted to gain hands-on experience to see the job I’m pursuing in action. In school, we get a glimpse into this field but it’s a completely different experience to see how things work in a hospital and how each department is interconnected. I also live in the neighbourhood, so I’ve always felt connected to MGH as a community hospital. 

What's been the most surprising part of the experience? 

I was surprised how much people would put into teaching me different things. For example, in school, we don’t learn anything related to blood bank work until second year. I’m going into my second year so I haven’t learned this yet. When I was put with blood bank work here, the team spent time with me, ensured I understood what was happening, they explained the theory behind transfusions, different reactions and similar things. The amount of care and the desire to teach me was the most surprising. If I have a question, they are eager to hear it.