Jakeecia's Career Journey at MGH

Tell us about yourself!

Hi, my name is Jakeecia Henningham and I am a Registered Practical Nurse in the Stavro Emergency Department at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH). I am approaching one year of service with the hospital!

What motivated you to join MGH?

When I decided to become a nurse I made the decision to not just chase a career but to live a passion. During my nursing school journey, I had a clinical placement at Michael Garron Hospital with an instructor that inspired me beyond words. He pushed me to be my best and fostered that passion in me that grew my love for healthcare, nursing and especially MGH on a whole.

I love the sense of community at MGH, and always want to be part of making that community a better place.

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

My clinical placement helped set the pace for me and foster my love for nursing and MGH. Along the way, I have been offered leadership roles in the COVID-19 vaccine clinic and received mentorship opportunities in my current department. Being part of the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) has allowed me to grow not only as a nurse, but also as an individual.

Can you share your career path at MGH?

I started at MGH when the COVID-19 vaccine clinics began in December 2020. While here, I was offered an opportunity to work directly with Phillip Anthony, who is Manager of the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team and Community Outreach, to develop and streamline the Toronto mobile vaccine strategy. I eventually became one of the Clinic/Mobile Leads here. After a few months, I was offered my dream role in the Stavro Emergency Department as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). I have been in this role for over six months now.

What inspires you?

My passion is to do and be someone that inspires others to be the best version of themselves. I love connecting with and helping others and I believe that there is no greater way in which I could do that than with my role here at MGH.

Above all else, I am influenced by faith in God, and everything that I do or I am goes back to that. I am motivated by those who work hard, beat the odds, rise to leadership roles and achieve outstanding accomplishments.

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

For me, it was my work in the vaccine clinics and in the community. To see how people come together in many ways, like helping get their neighbours vaccinated, or to put the needs of others before their own is inspiring. Seeing this reminds me why I do what I do.