‘I immediately jumped at the opportunity’: MGH’s summer students reflect on learning during the pandemic

By Lucy Lau

As a full-service community teaching hospital, Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) is accustomed to hosting residents and students in a number of education placements where they’re able to gain hands-on work experience in a supportive, inclusive environment.

With many placement programs suspended because of COVID-19, however, these past few months have looked a little different at MGH. But that doesn’t mean the hospital has put learning opportunities for aspiring healthcare professionals on the backburner.

In fact, MGH welcomed its largest cohort of summer students this year. These individuals, who are completing 10-week placements in units such as medicine health services, mental health and quality and safety, have been integral in the operation of the hospital during the pandemic, says Emily Ambos, staff learning specialist at MGH.

“We greatly benefit from having students in the hospital,” she says. “They have amazing energy and are a breath of fresh air in terms of the knowledge, innovative ideas and unique experiences they bring to the table.”

As this year’s summer students wrap up their placements at MGH, we caught up with a few of them to learn more about their time at the hospital and what it’s like to begin a new role during a pandemic.

Francesca Ferraro
Child and Youth Care Student at Ryerson University

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Describe yourself in three words.
Friendly, empathic and motivated.

What unit at MGH are you working in this summer?
I work with children and adolescents in the mental health unit.

What drew you to MGH and this unit in particular?
MGH is a teaching hospital and a place for opportunities. The hospital has a recognized child and adolescent mental health program, which is what drew me to the opportunity. I applied to work in mental health services to gain hands-on experience in a field I would like to pursue a career in.

What’s your experience been like working at MGH?
Before I began this position, I was a co-op student in the child and adolescent mental health unit. I feel proud to be part of the MGH community because it is an environment of growth and positivity. Throughout my time working at the hospital, I have had the opportunity to facilitate COVID-19-related programs for youth. Seeing them enjoy these activities is so rewarding.

What’s been your favourite part of the experience?
My favourite part of this experience is interacting with youths and my team in mental health. Even though I’m technically a “student,” my supervisor and colleagues really value my work and I have always felt part of the team. I am now certain that this is the field I want to work in.

Hakeem Lauther
Healthcare Management Student at Seneca College

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Describe yourself in three words.
Thoughtful, driven and attentive.

What unit at MGH are you working in this summer?
Information management and information technology (IT).

What drew you to MGH and this unit in particular?
MGH stood out to me because of its focus on delivering exemplary care to patients and its “paying it forward” culture of mentoring the next generation of healthcare providers. I was intrigued by information technology because of my love for tech. I was also curious about the different ways technology is used within a hospital to empower staff, key stakeholders and patients. 

What’s your experience been like working at MGH?
I have been involved with a few different projects, one of which I focused on extensively: the rolling out of new computers and medication carts with up-to-date configurations for each of the hospital’s departments.

A memorable moment of my time at MGH that didn’t involve tech was an experience I had with a patient: I was approached by someone who had recently been discharged from the hospital. This person was having a bad day and having a hard time finding the exit. As I escorted her to the exit, she mentioned that her whole mood had changed because of our interaction and that I made her day.

What’s been your favourite part of the experience?
My favourite part of this experience has been meeting and interacting with new people who have various roles in different departments within the hospital. It’s been great to hear their stories and how they ended up in the jobs they are in now. I feel like I have grown in various aspects that I didn’t expect to when I started this position.

Priyah Gopalapollai
Medical Lab Science Student at the Michener Institute of Education at UHN

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Describe yourself in three words.
Positive, independent and creative.

What unit at MGH are you working in this summer?
I am working in the laboratory department at MGH. 

What drew you to MGH and this unit in particular?
I was familiar with MGH before I started as a summer student and I’ve only ever heard good things about the hospital and its staff. I can speak from experience now when I say that MGH is filled with caring and dedicated individuals. 

I'm pursuing a career as a medical laboratory technologist (MLT) and when I saw there was a summer work position in the medical lab at MGH, I immediately jumped at the opportunity! I was excited just to step foot inside the hospital lab, let alone spend two months working on projects related to my field of study.

What’s your experience been like working at MGH?
I have had such an amazing experience working on two different projects for the lab. The first one is surrounding a new positive patient identification (PPID) technology that is going to be introduced in the near future. From the experience I've had working with the bar code ID system so far, I can tell that it's going to have such a big impact in improving patient care and the quality of PPID.

The other project that I’ve been working on involves looking at quality metrics and reports that could help improve various lab processes. I’ve interviewed different members of the unit to better understand what the current processes are in the lab and what would be helpful to them in the future. I feel incredibly lucky to have had this opportunity because I get to look behind the scenes of a hospital lab while I'm still studying, which a lot of students don't get the chance to do.

What’s been the most surprising part of the experience?
I’ve been most surprised by how much experience and knowledge I’ve gained in such a short time. I thought I was going to be spending my summer sitting at home, but I'm so thankful that I got the opportunity to meet so many people and learn so much. I’m leaving with a wealth of knowledge and experiences.

Another interesting part of this experience was navigating the hiring process and starting a new role during a pandemic. It’s been fun trying to familiarize myself with so many different people, though by only looking at their eyes. I think my communication skills have gotten better because I can’t rely on facial expressions anymore! 

Anthony Gilding
Biomedical Studies Student at Ryerson University

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Describe yourself in three words.
Ambitious, tenacious, conscientious.

What unit at MGH are you working in this summer?
Respirology and the Provincial Prolonged-Ventilation Weaning Centre of Excellence (PWC).

What drew you to MGH and this unit in particular?
I am pursuing a career as a physician-scientist and have a particular interest in community health and health as it relates to underrepresented and underserved communities. I felt that working at a community teaching hospital like MGH would provide me with the valuable insight and experience I need to make me an excellent physician.

I think respirology is a fascinating area of medicine and has many implications in community health — after all, breathing is essential to life. Through my role, I've come to understand the challenges that patients in small (and sometimes underrepresented) communities face and how MGH staff and physicians aim to address them. 

What’s your experience been like working at MGH?
This is most certainly a work experience I will never forget. I work directly with an amazing medical team comprised of respirologists (lung doctors), respiratory therapists and a nurse practitioner, which, for someone who is pursuing medicine, is an incredible experience.

I am currently working with Dr. Ian Fraser, MGH’s chief of staff and respirologist, to develop and implement a virtual care program that will allow respirology patients to conduct a comprehensive respiratory exam at home under the guidance of their respirologist over a virtual care video call. I am also working with Dr. Marcus Kargel, medical director of the division of respirology at MGH, to improve the Chest Centre’s section on the MGH website so it is more informative and patient-friendly.   

What’s been the most surprising part of the experience?
The most surprising part of this experience has been how eager MGH is to bring great ideas to fruition. Sometimes when you're working at a large institution, it can be hard to implement ideas without going through long and strenuous bureaucratic processes. At MGH, when teams are presented with a great idea that may benefit the community, they jump on it.

As a person living with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes varying degrees of hair loss, I understand the social barriers and struggles that people with visible differences face. Though MGH is already an inclusive and welcoming place to be, I had some specific ideas that I felt the hospital could implement that would further recognize individuals with visible differences and make them feel more included and supported at the hospital.

I proposed these ideas to the hospital’s organizational development team and they took the time to listen to my experiences, ask questions and gather my input. This meant a lot to me and demonstrated that MGH is committed to making the hospital inclusive for everyone. Despite being in a “student” position, I am treated as a professional and my ideas are given the same weight and consideration as any other employee at the hospital. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity and look forward to working at MGH in the future as a physician.   

Lauren Sano
Medical Sciences Student at Western University

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Describe yourself in three words.
Hardworking, self-motivated, persistent.

What unit at MGH are you working in this summer?
Quality and safety.

What drew you to MGH and this unit in particular?
I had never been exposed to the administrative side of healthcare so my goal this summer was to expand my knowledge of the different possibilities and avenues available in the field of medicine. I wanted to be placed in a unit where I could gain tangible experience that would help me decide what I would like to do when I am finished school.

What’s your experience been like working at MGH?
Working at MGH has been such a valuable and eye-opening experience. I have been so blessed to work with such an amazing and supportive team and it has inspired me to work hard, stay driven and be persistent. Working in the quality and safety unit has taught me that patient care not only involves frontline staff and primary-care providers but a myriad of people behind the scenes who work hard to make sure that patient care is the priority.

During my time at MGH, I have assisted with privacy-related projects as well as the hospital’s preparation for the on-site Accreditation survey taking place in November 2020. I have also been given the opportunity to contribute to research related to virtual care, particularly the effectiveness of video call appointments in light of COVID-19. 

What’s been the most surprising part of the experience?
The most surprising part of this experience has been discovering all the background work that is done by so many different units, all of which helps to ensure patient safety. Prior to starting this position, I thought frontline staff were the main contributors to patient care. I now know there are so many other people involved, especially those on the administrative side of healthcare. 

Michael Workentin
Kinesiology Student at Dalhousie University

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Describe yourself in three words.
Open-minded, motivated and calm.

What unit at MGH are you working in this summer?
I am working in Complex Continuing Care (CCC).

What drew you to MGH and this unit in particular?
I was working as a screener at MGH during the beginning of the pandemic when I saw this placement posted in late June. It seemed like a tremendous opportunity to get hands-on experience in a healthcare setting so I decided to apply.

I applied for the CCC in particular because I thought it had a unique scope of practice and I was interested in interacting with the long-term patients in all three units here. I thought it would be a great opportunity to make connections with patients and to see how their care is managed over time and the ways in which MGH accommodates them so their needs are taken care of.

What’s your experience been like working at MGH?
My experience at MGH has been fantastic. The staff members in the CCC unit have all been extremely nice and welcoming. Myself and another summer student, Katisha Maynard, were welcomed at floor huddles in different units and also introduced to staff who helped prepare us for work on the different floors. I’ve had the opportunity to help plan and create a walking track for patients in the rehab program, lead activities in the Memory Care Unit (MCU) and participate in physiotherapy classes. They’ve all been great experiences.

What’s been your favourite part of the experience?
My favourite part of the experience has been the numerous opportunities to interact with patients. My work has involved facilitating virtual visits and engaging patients in conversations about their interests and how their stay is going. This was always a highlight of my day. I’ve also had the opportunity to observe one-on-one physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions. And I’ve learned a lot from seeing how my supervisor and colleagues interact with patients.

Lily Wu
Recent Graduate of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto

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Describe yourself in three words. 
Enterprising, city-slicker, empath.

What unit at MGH are you working in this summer?
The hemodialysis unit within the pharmacy department.

What drew you to MGH and this unit in particular? 
I grew up and still live in the community. I was actually born at MGH (it was called East Toronto General Hospital back then) and have seen the community grow and change throughout the years.

I started as a student working in the kidney care clinic and the hemodialysis unit late last year. In this role, I was involved in drafting a grant proposal to study how educating community pharmacists and patients can improve health outcomes for people with chronic kidney disease. I saw great potential in this initiative and immediately recognized the positive impact pharmacists can have on East Toronto’s patient population.

When I received an opportunity to return to MGH as a summer student to work on an iteration of this project, it was an easy decision. I saw it as a chance to see this plan through with a team that I could trust and rely on. Revisiting the original initiative also allowed us to reflect on and re-evaluate the goals we want to achieve for our patients in the context of the pandemic.

What’s your experience been like working at MGH? 
My time at MGH has been equal parts challenging and rewarding. The project I am working on aims to improve patient care and safety through a three-pronged approach that focuses on patient education, community pharmacist education and creating an open channel of communication between community pharmacy and MGH’s hemodialysis unit.

Most of the work involves building structures and processes from the ground up and finding ways to ensure they are sustainable once the framework has been put into place. Sustainability for this project hinges on buy-in from all stakeholders, from the renal team to patients and community pharmacists, so figuring out the values and perspectives of each party to improve uptake has been one of the more unique parts of the work I am doing. 

A memorable moment of my experience so far was when a renal pharmacist on my team shared a story about a kidney care patient who was unfamiliar and not engaged with their medications. Because there was a language barrier, the renal pharmacist enlisted the help of a community pharmacist who took the time to help the patient better understand their medications and how to take them. During their next visit, the patient was more engaged and much happier with their medications.

For me, this story offered a glimpse of what can be achieved at the end of the day through the project I am working on. It also demonstrated that we’re stronger together when organizations reach out to their communities and healthcare partners to show that we are fighting for the same cause.

What’s been the most surprising part of the experience?
I’ve found an incredible sense of purpose and value in this work. Much of my experience in healthcare settings so far has involved interacting directly with patients and their families, which often results in instant, tangible gratification, but I’ve been surprised by how fulfilling I find quality improvement work.

This sort of research and planning involves many iterative cycles of preparation, so we may not see the fruits of our labour for some time. However, the gratification that comes, which is more delayed and abstract, is still very rewarding. Of course, there are moments of uncertainty about whether all our efforts may be for naught but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel and that’s enough to keep me moving forward.

I have also really enjoyed the problem-solving and creativity involved with building an initiative from scratch, and how different this has been from the skills I learned in pharmacy school. I’ve loved the unexpected opportunity to wear many different hats and to grow more comfortable navigating uncertainty in this role that is outside the realm of traditional pharmacy. 

Thushanth Sriskandarajah
Life Sciences Student at the University of Toronto Scarborough

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Describe yourself in three words.
Always enjoying challenges!

What unit at MGH are you working in this summer?
I am working in the medicine department with my “home base” being respirology (H7, B2 and the Provincial Prolonged-Ventilation Weaning Centre of Excellence [PWC]).

What drew you to MGH and this unit in particular?
I was intrigued by the uniqueness of this position because of my interest in becoming a doctor one day. I was drawn to the fact I would be working alongside medicine care teams to enhance patient care in a wide variety of units. I also saw how tight-knit and welcoming the environment is at MGH. Overall, I felt like MGH was a place where I could make a difference!

What’s your experience been like working at MGH?
Working at MGH has been amazing and rewarding in terms of both self-development and learning how patient care can be bettered. I have had the privilege to coordinate essential family visits across all the inpatient medicine units and to complete data collection for patient experience and outcome projects.

Being exposed to and involved in the decisions that care teams make has really opened my eyes to the extraordinary work that healthcare professionals do! It has helped me develop core skills required in patient care, as well as the soft skills that are essential in any job. Along with that, I have been lucky to have been trusted and supported by my colleagues, supervisors and managers to autonomously partake in the astounding care that patients receive.

What’s been your favourite part of the experience?
I think my favourite part of this experience has been being able to learn so much in such a short period of time. Even small things, like participating in unit or care team huddles, offer learning opportunities. Topics such as quality of care are discussed in such detail in these huddles that I always feel like I’m getting something out of them, whether it’s new knowledge or constructive feedback.

Everyone I’ve worked with has consistently ensured that I always understand what’s happening. If not, they make it a priority to break things down for me so I can perform my job properly. I was supported by my mentors and colleagues as needed and my learning was always cared for. I really appreciate that!