#IamMGH – Meet Aaron Di Nardo

#IamMGH tells the stories of our people. Meet Aaron Di Nardo, Manager of Information Technology Services (ITS) at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH). 

"My work as manager of ITS spans both our Helpdesk and Infrastructure teams. Helpdesk supports our end users and day-to-day operations, while Infrastructure oversees our back-end systems and provides on-call support. I coordinate the work between these teams and collaborate with departments across the hospital to deliver IT support and technical expertise. 

When people hear “IT,” they often picture one broad umbrella, but there are several distinct teams working together under it to keep things running smoothly. A lot of what we do is proactive, whether that's preparing technology for new staff, keeping systems up to date, identifying common issues or addressing potential problems before they impact patient care and operations. Our commitment is to ensure MGH staff have the technology and support they need to care for our patients and community. 

My interest in technology goes back to childhood. I got my first computer, an Apple Macintosh, in 1991, and I was hooked. I spent months tweaking its interface, digging into its components and learning everything I could about it. I enjoyed it so much that I started running after-school training courses, teaching adults how to use this “newish” technology. 

One of my most memorable projects at MGH was supporting the upgrade of our wireless network during the hospital's redevelopment. The upgrade gave staff reliable connectivity throughout the hospital and laid out the groundwork for new clinical spaces and future digital initiatives. It had me working between both the technology and construction side of things. Some days I was wearing a hard hat and safety vest, and on others, I was behind a terminal coordinating project work or configuring equipment.  

The most rewarding part of my role has to do with problem-solving. You come to work not always knowing what issues you may face, and you have to be ready to quickly pivot and find a solution. Having a solid team with years of knowledge and expertise to lean on, and working through problems together, is what makes the work gratifying and fulfilling. There is a real sense of accomplishment that comes from working through an issue, finding a solution and getting it fixed. 

The challenges of being an IT manager are many, and they often involve addressing potential unknowns — those unexpected problems and glitches that present themselves from day-to-day. I try to see such challenges as opportunities for growth, both for myself and for the team. 

When I think of MGH's values, inclusion resonates with me most. I care about team cohesion and collaboration — respecting where each person's knowledge, expertise and background comes from and celebrating the different perspectives those bring. It opens us up to new ideas and new ways of understanding ourselves, the people around us and the world. 

Outside of work, I manage a few beehives on my property in collaboration with a beekeeper. I've always been fascinated by insects. At one point, I thought I was going to become an entomologist! I suppose it’s fitting that now, as an ITS manager, part of the job is to work out the “bugs” in our systems. When everything is running seamlessly, it's usually because of the planning, collaboration and behind-the-scenes work that my team has made possible.