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Every year, Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) opens its doors to students eager to learn, grow and gain firsthand experience in healthcare. As a full-service community teaching hospital, MGH is committed to creating meaningful learning opportunities that help students build their knowledge, develop practical skills and explore future career paths.
This year, MGH welcomed students from various high school through to post-secondary institutions where they had the opportunity to learn alongside various professionals and teams.
These students worked alongside experienced staff, gaining valuable insight into the healthcare system while making meaningful contributions to the hospital that will support their future studies and careers.
As some of our students wrap up their placements and others are nearing the end, we spoke with a few of our students about their time at the hospital and their experiences contributing to projects that help us deliver high-quality patient care.
Elizabeth McCann
Toronto District School Board Steps to Construction, Monarch Park Collegiate Institute
Describe yourself in three words.
Hardworking, positive and determined.
What department are you working in this summer? Can you tell us a little bit about your role and the kind of work you are doing?
I’m working with the Maintenance Team, primarily within the Power Plant. With the nature of my program, I’ve also had the opportunity to spend time with other departments including Biomedical Engineering and general Maintenance.
Most of my placement has focused on the skilled trades side of the hospital, which aligns with the career path I’m interested in pursuing. It’s been exciting to gain hands-on experience with HVAC, electrical, plumbing and general maintenance work, as well as learning about the hospital’s power plant systems, including the boilers and chiller systems. Every day has given me a better understanding of what it takes to keep a hospital operating safely and efficiently, and I’ve really enjoyed seeing how all of these different systems come together.
What are your academic and career aspirations?
I’m passionate about becoming a licensed electrician. After high school I hope to complete an apprenticeship in the electrical trade, earn my electrical license and eventually specialize in high-voltage systems. In the future, I’d also like to pursue an engineering degree.
What's been the most surprising part of the experience?
The most surprising part of my placement has been seeing everything that goes on behind the scenes to keep a hospital running. Before coming to MGH, I didn’t realize how many different skilled trades work together every day, from electricians and plumbers to HVAC technicians and power plant engineers. It’s been really interesting to learn how all of these systems support patient care, even though most people never see them.
What’s your experience been like working at MGH?
My experience at MGH has been really positive. Everyone has been welcoming and willing to share their knowledge and I’ve learned a lot from the people I’ve worked with. I appreciate that my colleagues take the time to explain how different systems work and answer my questions, which has helped me build both my confidence and my hands-on skills. If I had the opportunity to do this placement again, I definitely would.
Azan Alnur
Health and Disease major, specializing in Applied Genetics and Biotechnology at University of Toronto
Describe yourself in three words.
Honest, caring and lighthearted.
What unit at MGH are you working in this summer? Can you tell us a little bit about your role and the kind of work you are doing?
I'm working with the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Team, supporting the East Toronto Care Network (EastTCaN) Integrated Care Pathways. My role focuses on data analytics and quality improvement projects that help streamline processes and improve how the team works.
I've been analyzing demographic and patient data for integrated care pathways, helping organize information and looking at how it can support patient care. It's been interesting to see how data is used behind the scenes to improve healthcare delivery and make care more coordinated for patients.
What drew you to MGH and this unit in particular?
I’ve been involved with integrated care through community organizations since the pandemic, so I already had experience working on the front end with patients and community partners. I wanted to learn more about the behind the scenes work that supports integrated care and this placement has given me that opportunity.
I've also been volunteering at MGH for more than three years now, with most of my time being in the gift shop. Working here this summer felt like a natural next step.
How do you think this experience will benefit you?
This placement has given me a more complete understanding of how integrated care works and has helped fill a gap in my experience. I've also had the opportunity to learn industry standard software, such as REDCap and PowerChart, which are widely used across the healthcare industry. Developing these technical skills and gaining experience with research and data analytics will be valuable as I continue my education and pursue a career in medicine.
What’s been the most surprising part of this experience?
I was surprised by the scale of the integrated care programs and the number of patients involved in each pathway. I did not realize how much data is managed behind the scenes or how much coordination is required to support patients across different care settings. Seeing how all of that information comes together to improve patient care has been really eye-opening.
I also didn’t expect to be involved in quality improvement work, but it’s become one of the highlights of my placement. Since this team is small, I’ve had the opportunity to take on projects that help improve workflows and make processes more efficient. It has given me valuable experiences and showed me another side of healthcare that I had not considered before.
Antony Joseph
Master of Public Health at Brock University.
Describe yourself in three words.
Ambitious, curious and compassionate.
What unit at MGH are you working in this summer? Can you tell us a little bit about your role and the kind of work you are doing?
This summer, I'm working in the Adult Mental Health Outpatient Unit on H5. My role focuses on health data management and supporting the department's day-to-day operations. I work with patient reports, maintain and organize data in spreadsheets, assist with departmental projects and help prepare and distribute important clinical information. While much of my work takes place behind the scenes, I've learned how important accurate data and well-organized processes are in supporting the healthcare team and helping deliver quality patient care. Through this experience, I've gained a better understanding of how different parts of the hospital work together to support patients.
What drew you to MGH and this unit in particular?
I was drawn to MGH because of its reputation for providing compassionate, patient-centred care while creating a welcoming environment for students to learn and grow. I was particularly interested in the Adult Mental Health Outpatient Unit because mental health is such an important part of overall health, and I wanted to better understand how outpatient services support patients throughout their care journey. I was also excited about the opportunity to combine my interest in healthcare with health data management and hospital operations. This placement has shown me how many different roles work together behind the scenes to provide high-quality patient care.
What's your experience been like working at MGH?
Working at MGH has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Every day has given me the opportunity to develop new skills while gaining a deeper understanding of how a hospital operates. I've enjoyed seeing how different departments collaborate to support patient care and how every role contributes to the overall patient experience. This placement has also helped me connect concepts from my Master of Public Health program to real-world healthcare practice, making what I've learned in the classroom even more meaningful.
What has been your favourite part of the experience?
My favourite part of this experience has been learning from experienced healthcare professionals who have been so willing to share their knowledge, experiences, and support my learning. I've enjoyed taking on meaningful responsibilities and seeing how my work contributes to the department's daily operations. It's rewarding to know that the work I do helps support the team and the patients they serve. The experience has also strengthened my confidence and encouraged me to continue exploring a career in public health.
Mahisha Mathiyalagan
Graduate of Business Management: Human Resources Management Co-op at Toronto Metropolitan University
Describe yourself in three words.
Adaptable, compassionate and proactive.
What unit at MGH are you working in this summer? Can you tell us a little bit about your role and the kind of work you are doing?
This summer, I am working in Human Resources (HR) Systems and Administration at MGH, where I support the accuracy and integrity of employee data across HR systems. My role involves reviewing and validating employee records, performing data quality checks and maintaining HR information to support payroll, compliance and employee administration processes. I work with my team to resolve data discrepancies and ensure HR records align with organizational policies.
I have also gained exposure to Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) implementation by participating in Workday demonstrations and learning about employee lifecycle processes, system workflows and HR technology. Overall, my role combines analytical problem-solving, data management and process improvement to help ensure HR systems operate accurately and efficiently in support of the organization.
What drew you to MGH and this unit in particular?
I was drawn to MGH because I wanted to be part of an organization that makes a meaningful difference in people's lives and contributes to the well-being of the community. I was especially excited to join the HR Systems and Administration team because I have always been interested in learning more about Workday and how HR technology can transform the employee experience. Workday is a leading human resources information system that helps organizations manage areas such as employee data, payroll, talent management, and HR processes. Being part of MGH’s transition to Workday provides an exciting opportunity to expand my HR systems knowledge while contributing to a significant organizational initiative.
What’s been the most surprising part of this experience?
The most surprising part of this experience has been seeing how much planning and coordination goes into day-to-day HR operations. Many of the processes that seem straightforward actually involve careful organization, collaboration, and attention to detail. It has given me a new appreciation for the work that happens behind the scenes to support employees and the organization.
What’s one thing you’ve learned or had the opportunity to participate in that you didn’t expect?
One thing I did not expect was the opportunity to attend a learning session with a law firm with my department. During the session, I gained a better understanding of HR information systems and learned about recent employment law updates from legal professionals. It was a valuable experience that broadened my perspective on the HR field and highlighted the importance of staying informed about evolving industry practices and legal developments.
