MGH celebrating Long Service Awards for over 400 staff members

Today, Michael Garron Hospital is celebrating long service milestones for over 400 healthcare and administrative professionals working at the hospital. Long Service Award celebrations are an opportunity to recognize and thank our staff for their many contributions and for staff to reflect on their career at MGH. 

Awards are handed out every five years starting after an employee’s first five years of service.

“Though we are not able to celebrate our Long Service Awards in person this year, I hope you will take time to reflect on this accomplishment,” says MGH CEO, Sarah Downey. “The work you contribute every day forms the foundation of our hospital and enables us to achieve our vision of creating health and building community in East Toronto.”

“I am so proud of all that you have achieved and the integral role you play at MGH – especially during the global COVID-19 pandemic. I want to personally thank you for your strength, resilience and dedication to our community during a time when your compassion and exceptional support is needed most,” she adds.

One of this year’s recipients is Monica Ferneyhough, a nurse in the MGH outpatient paediatric clinic who has spent 30 years with the hospital. Monica shared her reflections on her career at MGH.

“I’m happy, I’m proud of the time I have spent here,” she says. 

Monica had her sights set on nursing from the age of eight. During her own hospital stay as a child, she says she was able to spend time with the nurses. She says her positive experience with these nurses shaped her desire to pursue nursing.

What has kept Monica at MGH for 30 years? For her, it’s the “community hospital feel,” she says.

“It‘s a much more welcoming, home-like environment,” she says. “Every unit I go into, I meet lovely people who are kind and welcoming.”

Monica’s journey as a nurse has included working in the MGH breastfeeding clinic, nursery and now the outpatient paediatric clinic among other stops. She says one of the most rewarding parts of nursing for her has been being able to take on these different opportunities and learn from them.

“I’ve been extremely fortunate to be able to hold many different roles and branch out and gain lots of experience,” Monica says. “I’ve had a lot of opportunities and I’ve made the most of them in what I feel is a very successful career.”

This was a sentiment echoed by Bonnie Gauthier, a switchboard operator who is being recognized for 15 years of service.

As a switchboard operator, her responsibilities include connecting people to the services and help they need. This includes paging staff, dispatching codes, sharing important updates with her team regarding emergency codes and procedures and more.

When asked about her MGH experience, she described it in one word: “Family.”

“It’s community. It’s heart,” she added. “It means love. It means honour. It means respect.”

Throughout her 15 years, Bonnie has built strong connections with hospital staff and cites these relationships as a meaningful part of her work.

 “I love my job,” she says. “I love the people I interact with.”

Congratulations to this year’s Long Service Award recipients!