Introducing MGH Besties: colleagues turned friends at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) who help make every day positive and memorable for themselves, their teams and the patients they support. They’re part of the thousands of people at MGH who deliver high-quality care and nurture our culture of belonging, well-being and safety.
The MGH Besties series acknowledges these important relationships throughout our hospital and highlights how our staff work together to show up every day for our patients. We know working in healthcare can be tough and we know we rely on our colleagues and teams to get through all those moments together. What gets us through the good, the unpredictable and sometimes sad moments are our relationships – the trust, dependability and honesty we have with others.
Sylvia Hunt and Susan McCormick-Warchuk, Registered Nurses (RNs) at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), met while completing their nursing training at Centennial College more than 40 years ago.
After graduating, they were both hired at MGH – then known as Toronto East General Hospital – and later worked together in the Medical Assessment Clinic where they still provide care today. They’ve been inseparable ever since.
“We've grown up together – we watched each other get married, have babies,” Susan says.
Sylvia and Susan have worked on the same nursing team at MGH for more than two decades. During this time, they’ve had the opportunity to get to know each other as colleagues and friends.
“I think that’s what makes our relationship so special,” Sylvia says. “We have different interests outside of work, but we know pretty much everything there is to know about each other. It always creates great conversations.”
Sylvia and Susan credit their strong bond to their shared philosophy at work – they always put patients first. They aim to keep an open line of communication so they can support each other when needed.
“Our team tries to bring our whole selves to work. If someone is struggling – if they didn’t sleep well the night before, for example, or if they’re feeling down – we try to be transparent about it so we can lean on one another,” Sylvia says. “The Medical Assessment Clinic is a very collaborative place to work and we truly care for our colleagues and patients.”
Sylvia and Susan’s friendship is also built on honesty and trust. They say they can tell each other anything. They’ve also moved through the trials and tribulations of life together, from the passing of loved ones to raising kids.
They even have their own inside jokes, like telling each other to “wear your nice uniform” and “remember to floss!”
Sylvia and Susan say they love coming to work at MGH because of their amazing and collaborative team and because they have each other.
“We give each other a shoulder to lean on,” Susan says. “If you’re going through something, it’s nice to know there’s someone you can always count on.”
Are you a team member at MGH and have a bestie – or know of some besties – who you think would be a great fit for this series? Let us know at @email!