#IamMGH tells the stories of our people. In celebration of Occupational Therapy Month, meet Hanna Grover, Occupational Therapist (OT) at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH).
“I started my role at MGH in October 2021 as a new graduate. MGH really appealed to me as a place to work because I heard a lot about its community atmosphere and how supportive and close-knit the teams are. My experience so far has confirmed this – my team has gone above and beyond to help onboard and support me and other new staff.
I didn’t always know I wanted to be an OT. I previously worked in biomedical research, including in a wet lab doing cellular neuroscience. While I was working there, I realized I missed interacting with and helping people – in other words, providing care directly to patients.
I started exploring the world of healthcare more by volunteering. During these opportunities, I discovered I immediately got along with every OT I met. There was just something about these healthcare professionals I connected with, so I decided to pursue this path as a career.
As an OT, I love that we’re holistic clinicians. We focus on addressing the physical, emotional and psychosocial barriers that may prevent a patient from participating in their day-to-day activities.
For example, my job may involve helping a patient up so they can go to the bathroom while they’re in the hospital. This can be really meaningful to someone who hasn’t been able to do this for a number of reasons.
My job may also involve helping a patient sit up in a chair for lunch or introducing them to activities that keep them stimulated and engaged while they’re in hospital. Every day, there are patients with different stories that we support.
I find it really rewarding to be able to help patients during a time when they may feel their most vulnerable. I love being a friendly face that gets people up, moving and doing the activities that are meaningful and important to them. These are often things that help people feel empowered and independent, which can be so important in a hospital setting.”