‘Never considered working anywhere else’: MGH staff celebrate career milestones at Long Service Awards Reception

More than 300 healthcare and administrative professionals are celebrating career milestones at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), demonstrating their longstanding commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to the community. 

Individuals were recognized on July 9 at the hospital’s Long Service Awards Reception, an annual event that honours the outstanding dedication and contributions of employees who are marking significant work anniversaries – five-year periods between five and 40 years – at MGH. 

This year’s Long Service Awards Reception was the first time the event took place in-person since 2019. The event celebrated staff marking milestones reached in 2023. Staff reaching milestones this year will be celebrated at an event in 2025. 

Team members being recognized hold a variety of roles that support MGH’s interdisciplinary care teams. These include nurses, occupational therapists, environmental aides, lab technicians, unit clerks, diagnostic imaging technologists, health information professionals and more.  

“Whether you’re a newer or longstanding member of our team, every single person at this organization matters and makes a difference,” says Melanie Kohn, President and CEO at MGH. “Thank you for everything you do. MGH is special because of you, the people who work here.” 

Congratulations to all of this year’s Long Service Awards recipients at MGH! 

Meet some of our people celebrating career milestones at the hospital and learn about what makes their time here so special. Stay tuned to meet more of our Long Service Awards recipients! 

Frehiwot Gebregziabher 
Registered Nurse, Home Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Service 
20 years 

“MGH feels like my second home. I started my career here as a new grad and worked in several units in the hospital, including Complex Continuing Care, Palliative Care, Renal Care and our Cardiac Intensive Unit before applying for the Home PD Program. The staff and managers were all so nice and I bonded with them.  

I’ve never considered working anywhere else. This is my community hospital! I think it’s the environment that makes me want to stay here. It’s who I work with, how I work with them and the fact that I enjoy coming here.”   

Conrado De Lara 
Food Service Worker 
20 years 

“Working in a hospital is the best because you can help people in different ways. When we’re delivering food to patients, sometimes we see that they don’t have any loved ones present so I try my best to help them in any other way I can. At MGH, we are a family – and that includes our patients.”

Kristine Joy Cacho 
Registered Nurse, Operating Room 
5 years 

“I gave birth to my son at MGH, which inspired me to later apply for a role here. In fact, this is my first hospital nursing job in Canada since moving from the Philippines. Even during moments when our work is hard or when I’m feeling tired, I enjoy coming to work because I love my team. I can’t imagine working anywhere else because I’d miss my coworkers too much!” 

Frederick Manuyag and Christopher Balbalosa (pictured second from left and on right) 
Receiving and Stores Attendant, Materials Management Attendant/Receiver 
15 years 

“It’s great to work here because we have the opportunity to give back to the community. We’re fortunate to be friends who were hired at MGH around the same time. We started in different departments – Frederick worked in Environmental Services and Hemodialysis, for example, before moving to Materials Management. We enjoy the camaraderie at MGH – it's a big reason why we’ve stayed. Everyone is so helpful and friendly.”  

Kieu Lee 
Clinical Pharmacist 
20 years 

“I started at MGH as a Pharmacy Summer Student after my first year of school. I returned every summer and during holidays to help out when needed. During that time, I learned a lot about pharmacy and the department’s operation. When I graduated, I asked about completing my clinical internship here. Thankfully, they took me on and I soon transitioned to becoming a staff member.  

When I think about my time at MGH, what stands out the most is the relationships I’ve built over the years. My colleagues and I try to arrange social activities. Sometimes it’s fundraising for a good cause but also celebrating each other’s milestones. Working alongside individuals that I have grown with personally and professionally makes my ongoing journey at MGH even more special.” 

Brendon Lam 
Supply and Equipment Coordinator, Emergency Department 
10 years 

“I was born at MGH and my journey at the hospital continued when I became a student volunteer as a teenager. I volunteered throughout high school and university, and later coordinated the weekend volunteer program and managed The General Store, our hospital gift shop. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I began supporting the vaccine clinics that MGH was contributing to, including the day we delivered more than 10,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Thorncliffe Park. That was such a big moment! Last year, I began a new role in the Emergency Department where I work with a team to ensure we can provide safe care to everyone in East Toronto.” 

Working at Michael Garron Hospital isn’t one thing. It’s everything. Learn more about the benefits of joining our team and explore our open job opportunities.