MGH and RNAO kicked off Nursing Week with Take Your MPP to Work virtual panel, joined by Ontario Health Minister, Christine Elliott

Sarah Downey, president and CEO of Michael Garron Hospital, emceed a special RNAO Nursing Week virtual panel event, Take your MPP to Work, with special guest Deputy Premier and Ontario Health Minister, The Honourable Christine Elliott.

Earlier today, to kick off the celebrations for National Nursing Week, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontairo (RNAO) hosted a virtual Take Your MPP to Work panel discussion with three nurses from Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) to talk about their work and nursing contributions during COVID-19.

The event was emceed by Sarah Downey, president and CEO of MGH, who welcomed special guests, the Honourable Christine Elliott, Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Doris Grinspun, CEO of RNAO and Angela Cooper Brathwaite, president of RNAO.

In her opening remarks,  Minister Elliot thanked MGH nurses for their contributions during COVID-19 saying “I want to thank you for your extraordinary hard work, dedication and the compassion that you bring to each of the patients – or residents for those of you who also stepped up to help out at our long-term care homes – for all the work that you’re doing. You are truly saving lives and you’re helping so many people return to health.”

Minister Elliott was followed by Doris and Angela, both of whom extended their acknowledgement and gratitude to the East Toronto Ontario Health Team (East Toronto Health Partners), police force, paramedics and allied health professionals who work with nurses every day.

Following their remarks, Irene Andress, vice president, patient experience, health professions and chief nursing executive, introduced panel participants Josie Barbieri-Tacoma and Heidi Janson, registered nurses at MGH and Laura Istanboulian, nurse practitioner. The panel questions were as follows:

1. (For Josie at 14:23) Can you tell us about your experience supporting a long term care home in East Toronto? What is your role and what has been your approach to leadership there?
2. (For Laura at 21:54) Can you tell us about your work in the Provincial Weaning Centre and how this has shifted during COVID-19 – particularly the role you’ve played as a liaison with family members?
3. (For Heidi at 26:42) Can you paint us a picture of what it’s like to work as a nurse in the ICU during COVID-19? How does it look different during a pandemic?
4. (For Josie at 30:34) Based on your experience working in long term care during COVID-19, do you think hospitals and the health care system should think differently about how we work with this sector? 
5. (For Laura at 35:07) I know research is a big passion of yours and you’re currently a nursing PhD student. Can you tell us about what inspired this pursuit and share what type of research you’re working on?
6. (For Heidi at 38:18) How do you stay mentally and psychologically resilient during this difficult time?

Thank you to nurses across Ontario for their dedication, compassion, expert knowledge and support across the health care system, from hospitals to long term care, primary, community, home care and more. You are all health care heroes. Happy Nursing Week!