Sheryl Grant stands in her unit with her hand over her heart

#IamMGH – Meet Sheryl Grant

03/28/2022

#IamMGH tells the stories of our people. Meet Sheryl Grant, Registered Nurse (RN) at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH).

“I have been working at MGH for 21 years now. My journey in healthcare began around 24 years ago when I became a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) after receiving my RPN certificate in 1998 from Humber College. I soon began working at Central Park Lodges, a community long-term care home, as their Director of Care. While working there for two years, I decided I wanted to further my education and become an RN. I received my RN certificate in 2000 and began working at MGH full-time, which I plan to do until I retire.

I chose MGH because of the significant community focus of the hospital. It has individuals from various cultural backgrounds and as a staff member, you immediately feel welcomed and accepted. Whenever I walk through the hospital, I am always greeted by someone with a smile on their face. There are many valuable opportunities for growth and professional development at this institution, which was another reason why I chose MGH for my career.

I love working at MGH because there are opportunities that allow me to continue my studies and earn additional certificates directly related to my career – all while continuing my work at the hospital. In 2011, I received my Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) certificate for Oncology and, in 2015, I completed a Bachelor of Arts and Science in nursing certificate at Ryerson University. In 2016, I achieved a Critical Nursing certificate at Durham College and, in 2018, I earned a Chemotherapy certificate at the D’Souza Institute. I’m incredibly grateful to MGH for giving staff and physicians the time and flexibility to earn these certifications. I’m grateful for all of the support and understanding I have received from my managers during my studies and from my colleagues throughout my career as an RN.

What’s truly rewarding about my role at MGH is the act of simply being able to care for those who are sick or suffering. It gives me a sense of purpose knowing that I can make a difference in somebody’s life.”

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#IamMGH – Meet Maria Sohail

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#IamMGH tells the stories of our people. Meet Maria Sohail, Child Life Intern at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH).“I started my internship at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) in January 2022 and it has been a great experience.

I always knew I wanted to work with children. I completed my undergraduate degree in Human Behaviour and Autism Behavioural Sciences and then worked for two years as a Paediatric Behaviour Therapist for children with autism. Around this time, I volunteered at a local general hospital in the Paediatrics unit under a Child Life Specialist. I supported children and their families by providing toys and ensuring they felt comfortable and safe.

While volunteering, I remember I checked in on a South Asian girl who was very shy and hid behind her mother. Her mom shared that they knew limited English so I interacted with them in their mother tongue, Urdu, which helped the child open up. The mother mentioned it was the first time that her daughter was able to play and feel normal and thanked me for that. I realized how important Child Life teams are in helping to improve a child’s hospital experience. This was a defining moment for me and it’s what led me to pursue a career as a Child Life Specialist. 

Child Life is a growing field, but Child Life Specialists sometimes have to advocate for their role and its value in a healthcare team. People generally do not see the importance of play. However, play is a universal language for children; it’s a way for them to learn, develop life skills and meet their physical, emotional and social needs. In a hospital, medical procedures may be traumatic for children. Child Life Specialists use play as a tool to explain things to children in developmental languages and to normalize their hospital experience.

At MGH, the staff and teams are very supportive and receptive to Child Life and the services they have to offer. I can feel a sense of community here with the staff, patients and visitors.

Along with fellow team members and colleagues, I have been involved in work that pushes for diversity in the Child Life Specialist field, such as advocating for toys and teaching materials that are inclusive of diverse patients. For instance, in our line of work we use cloth dolls and Barbie dolls to explain medical procedures to children, so we tend to use dolls that have different skin colours. I co-created a Facebook group that allows healthcare professionals to learn how to incorporate diversity within the tools they use in their practice. I also wrote a children’s book entitled Colours of the Rainbow, which talks about how to be anti-racist, and I have read it for MGH’s Child Life Storytime series on YouTube.

The most rewarding part of my job is when I see the difference I am making in a child’s experience at the hospital. Through our role, we provide children with support and a sense of autonomy in a space where they may not have choices and have to undergo treatment or surgeries. Child Life Specialists help make the hospital a fun and safe place for children and their families.”

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