Pam Jones
Pam Jones reflects on her experiences and opportunities at MGH over a 30-year career.

As MGH prepares to break ground this spring, surgical nurse Pam Jones reflects on three decades at Hospital

When Pam Jones, an experienced surgical nurse, arrived in Toronto from Jamaica in 1987, she was placed by an agency at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) – and never looked back.

Last week, Pam Jones was honoured at MGH's long service awards for an impressive career spanning three decades, including earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the age of 50, working across multiple Hospital units, and offering her insight on historical renovations that have transformed how the East Toronto hospital delivers care.

As MGH prepares to break ground on the largest construction project in its history this spring, Pam reflects on a few of the Hospital's revitalization projects through the years.

‘It was like a new beginning'

In the 1990s, Pam was involved in the planning of the Operating Room (OR) suite renovations. She remembers the anticipation and staff excitement as the new OR features were unveiled, including sensor doors and taps, larger and brighter rooms, big windows, enhanced computerization and a waiting room for family staffed by a volunteer.

“Everyone wanted to come to work here,” says Pam. “It was like a new beginning.”

While MGH has always been recognized for its quality and patient-centred care, the Hospital has been challenged in recent years by aging facilities, including spaces dating back nearly 70 years.

The new eight-storey Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre will include 215 acute care inpatient beds with 80 per cent single patient rooms with private washrooms. Clear intuitive signage with increased use of natural light, outdoor terraces and lush landscaping will create a more holistic setting for patients and families to receive care. Four levels of underground parking will make it easier for everyone to access the new campus, including improved pedestrian access, expansive vehicular drop-offs and state-of-the-art technology and equipment.

Marking a milestone in MGH's history

After 13 years working on medicine and surgery units, Pam feels especially connected to the Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic (PAC), understanding the importance of ensuring everything runs smoothly and safely for patients on the day of surgery.

“Nursing is all I have ever wanted to do,” says Pam. “Coming to North America opened up a whole new world for me. East General (MGH) became my home. I feel like I'm a contributor, a part of this organization.”

In 2008, Pam moved to Endoscopy, where she still works today. She recalls the enhancements that were made to the Endoscopy suite in 2006.

“The pain of the move was definitely worth the improved environment!” she says. “Every once in a while when I am in the Endoscopy lunchroom, I visualize what things were like in the old OR, and realize I'm sitting in the exact spot where the glass dome for the surgical viewing theatre was once located.”

With change comes new technology and Pam speaks proudly about being part of the first laparoscopic procedure performed at MGH in the 1990s, or seeing the surgical robot arrive at MGH just a few years ago.

“Every new experience and move I made was positive and gave me something new to learn,” she says. “My journey at MGH has been amazing. I've been able to pursue my passion of surgical nursing, made life-long relationships and met patients at all stages of the healthcare continuum.”

To get the latest updates on MGH's redevelopment project, visit www.tehn.ca/redevelopment.

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