Local Heroes

COVID-19 Leaside Heroes.
COVID-19 Leaside Heroes.

2020. The world has turned upside down.  An unfathomable pandemic has unleashed physical, emotional, and economic strain in every corner of the globe. Days of uncertainty and fear have turned into weeks, and weeks have turned into months. In our tiny corner of the earth we look for glimmers of joy and find them in a child’s painting of a rainbow or in a sidewalk-chalked message of hope. We yearn for stability and familiarity. For good health. For employment. For strength. And while we may be fraught with uncertainty, we are surrounded by signs of hope in the heroes who walk amongst us. We offer our sincerest gratitude to all who have been working tirelessly and courageously to keep us healthy, to keep us fed, and to keep us safe.

Debbie Snatenchuk, Emergency Room Nurse

Debbie Snatenchuk, Emergency Room Nurse, St. Michael’s Hospital
Debbie Snatenchuk, Emergency Room Nurse, St. Michael’s Hospital

“My ‘work family’ are all amazing – we work as a big team – doctors, nurses, cleaning staff, clerical etc. – and we all seem to have a crazy sense of humour that pulls us through – hard to put in words, but we have each other’s backs. We all have a very long and difficult road ahead of us. No one is immune, no age, sex or race – it does not discriminate! This is REAL – Stay home!!!”

Julie Waspe, Registered Nurse

Julie Waspe Registered Nurse,Professional Practice Leader - Clinical Informatics Liaison
Julie Waspe, Registered Nurse, Professional Practice Leader – Clinical Informatics Liaison

“Thank you to my family for their support and to everyone for staying home.  Every little bit helps. My advice is to stay calm and remember to not get captivated by all the challenges, take time to remember the good things too. We’re in this together.”

Jenny Ng, Clinical Pharmacist

Jenny Ng Clinical Pharmacist, Nephrology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Jenny Ng, Clinical Pharmacist, Nephrology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

“COVID-19 has certainly changed how healthcare is delivered but as health-care professionals we are happy that we can be there to guide and support our patients. Through these changing times it has been heartwarming to witness the kindness and thoughtfulness of friends and neighbours, resilience of our patients, dedication of our team members, and the understanding from our families. We are all in this together – stay positive, stay strong and stay safe!”

Dr. John F. Flannery

Dr. John F. Flannery, Physical Medicine & Rehab,Associate Professor, U of T Medical Director, Musculoskeletal & Multisystem Rehab Program, Toronto
Dr. John F. Flannery, Physical Medicine & Rehab, Associate Professor, U of T Medical Director, Musculoskeletal & Multisystem Rehab Program, Toronto

“During emergency situations, like the COVID 19 pandemic, Rehab’s initial role is supportive by helping acute care facilities decant their relatively stable patients in order to enable increased capacity by keeping medical beds free for those acutely ill. In the second phase, the Rehab team will be assisting the fortunate survivors regain function from damage due to their prolonged ventilation.”

Celine McMahon, Freshii Leaside & Danforth

Celine McMahon Co-owner, Freshii Leaside & Danforth
Celine McMahon, Co-owner, Freshii Leaside & Danforth

“So far, Freshii Leaside and Danforth have raised over 200 meals to be donated! We dropped our first delivery to St. Mike’s Hospital with about 50 meals plus snacks. My husband and I (co-owners) said we have to somehow find a positive in all this negativity. It has been so nice to see our communities coming together to help during these uncertain times.”

Dr. David Shergold

Dr. David Shergold Emergency Physician, Humber River Hospital, Staff Physician, Sunnybrook Veterans’ Centre
Dr. David Shergold, Emergency Physician, Humber River Hospital, Staff Physician, Sunnybrook Veterans’ Centre

“Working with wonderful teams at Sunnybrook Veterans’ Centre, Humber River Hospital ER, and at the Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf…together caring for others and one another! Always inspired by my family, Elizabeth and our 3 sons…and our 3 dogs!!

Forgot to give you a quote that I find especially meaningful during these times. It comes from my favourite movie…Can you guess it? ‘There’s no place like home.’”

Marisa Battistella, Clinical Pharmacist

Marisa Battistella, Clinical Pharmacist, Hemodialysis Unit, Toronto General Hospital, UHN, Associate Professor, U of T
Marisa Battistella, Clinical Pharmacist, Hemodialysis Unit, Toronto General Hospital, UHN, Associate Professor, U of T

“It is heart-warming to see the compassion and empathy frontline workers continue to have for the patients but also amongst each other. Between drivers who get patients to dialysis, cleaning staff, social workers, dietitians, dialysis technologists, nurses, pharmacists, doctors – all working together to do our jobs to ensure patients are taken care of and are safe; but also keeping each other safe. I have so much appreciation and gratitude for all frontline workers. With unity and teamwork (at a social distance) we got this!”

Dr. Joao Rezende-Neto

Dr. Joao Rezende-Neto Trauma Surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital and Professor at U of T.
Dr. Joao Rezende-Neto, Trauma Surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital and Professor at U of T

“The term ‘exponential growth’ has been heard almost daily during this COVID-19 pandemic. During these difficult times, we need to rethink our way of life and our interconnection with the planet. When this is over, I hope we focus on ‘exponential growth’ of compassion, generosity, patience, and simplicity.”

Angela Leahey, Nurse

Angela Leahey Nurse, Manager, Ambulatory Oncology Clinic, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Angela Leahey, Nurse, Manager, Ambulatory Oncology Clinic, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

“Our main goal during COVID-19 has been to ensure that our staff and patients are safe. Thorough screening, assessment, and testing of those cancer patients with upper respiratory symptoms are of key importance. The teamwork and drive toward this common goal has been stellar and we’re proud of how quickly we responded to the need.”

Carla Findlater, Clinical Pharmacist

Carla Findlater Clinical Pharmacist, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Carla Findlater, Clinical Pharmacist, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

“My words of wisdom: As I am often reminded by a good friend, find JOY in the little things each day. Remember  everyone has their own anxieties and concerns right now, so be patient with others and we will all get through this crazy time together. Stay well!”

Adam Hume & Dayna Giesler, Paramedic & New Mother

ADAM HUME & DaYna GIESLER Paramedic & New Mother
Adam Hume & Dayna Giesler, Paramedic & New Mother

With Adam’s job as a York Region paramedic, and Dayna home with a newish baby, they could say their family is already contributing to our broader community. But as soon as the ‘Stay at Home’ message went out, there were notices in the building from them offering to help where needed – and they have followed through!

Jessica Slotnick, Social Worker

Jessica Slotnick Social Worker, Street Health
Jessica Slotnick, 
Social Worker, Street Health

“I’m a frontline social worker and provide case management support to homeless folks who suffer from mental health and/or addiction issues. Although our services have changed as a result of this pandemic, we still continue to provide emergency nursing care, harm reduction support and operate our overdose prevention site. The government is telling people to stay home to be safe, and unfortunately this isn’t a reality for the people we see every day.”

Tammy Nivet, Store Manager, Bayview valu-mart

Tammy Nivet, Store Manager, Bayview valu-mart
Tammy Nivet, Store Manager, Bayview valu-mart

“A big thank you to my team here at the store as this is very stressful for all of us, to all the frontline workers who are out there every day fighting to keep everything going for the public, and also to all the essential businesses that are still going out there!!”

Olivia & Rachael Feather, Olde Yorke Fish & Chips

Olivia & Rachael Feather Owners, Olde Yorke Fish & Chips
Olivia & Rachael Feather, Owners, Olde Yorke Fish & Chips

“On what would have been our 23rd anniversary we closed our dining room as mandated by the city. Many of our employees have been with us for years. Closing and staying at home ensured we could all be safe. The following week we donated 2 car loads full of fruit, produce, dairy, and beverages to a local women’s shelter and over 40 bags of potatoes to Second Harvest. We also donated takeout packaging to a local nursing home as they are no longer serving meals on plates. For 15 years I worked as an RN. I worked during SARS, which was difficult, but this is a particularly worrisome time for all people who continue to provide face to face service no matter what their profession. Equal is the worry for small businesses, many of which will simply not survive. Together, as a community we will keep doing what we need to do and support each other in any way we can.

George Lovence, UPS Delivery Driver

GEORGE LOVENCE UPS Delivery Driver
George Lovence, UPS Delivery Driver

Thanks George for delivering parcels with a smile during COVID-19 and in Leaside for 25 years!

Jim Aguanno, Store Manager, Sobeys

Jim Aguanno, Store Manager, Sobeys on Laird
Jim Aguanno, Store Manager, Sobeys on Laird

“We are very proud to serve our community and we are very proud of how well everyone has come together in response to this new social normal. Thank you for your cooperation and respecting the policies we have implemented to ensure the safety of the community, and the safety of my amazing employees.”