Suzanne Fryer’s life is going to the dogs and she couldn’t be happier
The Coastal Community of Care and Lions Gate Hospital in particular are saying goodbye to two well-respected and important people this summer. As you’ve already read in VCH News, Mike Nader, Chief Operating Officer – Coastal, is moving to Toronto for a new challenge as Executive VP of Clinical Operations and Practice for the University Health Network (UHN).
We wish Mike nothing but success and want him to know that one of the greatest things about Hogtown is its proximity to Montreal.
Saying goodbye
But for every successful COO, there is an unheralded executive assistant who keeps everything on track and streamlined for a healthy work-life balance.
In this case, it is the inimitable and lovely Suzanne Fryer. Suzanne has worked in health care for 38 years and for those who know her, they’ll agree she has a solid sense of humour that helps her make it through those frustrating moments of the day. And for those around her, including Mary Ackenhusen.
“Suzanne was an amazing assistant and a great friend,” says Mary, VCH President and CEO. “She always kept her sense of humour in the most stressful of times. She made me successful as a new COO at Coastal, and I suspect she played a large part in keeping Mike sane, too.”
Clay Adams, Vice President Communications & Public Affairs, agrees. He first worked with Suzanne when the North Shore Health Region still existed.
“Suzanne was one of the first people I met when I began working at LGH – later to become part of VCH – in 1999. Not only was she a wealth of information and history that helped me to adjust to life in Vancouver, but her warmth and sense of humour is something I will always treasure and remember with fondness. That, and the fact her husband fractured one of my ribs playing soccer one day.”
It’s dog time now
What many people might not now about Suzanne is her boundless love for dogs, especially her cherished Irish Terrier Axel.
Suzanne loves dogs (more than people some days) so much she spends many a Saturday and Sunday getting up at 6 am to drive to Langley for agility training. She often won’t get back home until well into the evening, despite being tired and worn out by then.
Now that she’s heading into retirement, Suzanne can sleep in, relax and make the trips during the daytime.
Always ready to help
Speaking of dogs, Gary Carr, Regional Communications Leader for Coastal, also has many fond recollections of working with Suzanne.
“She’s a sweetheart who will take the initiative to reach out and help someone, even if they haven’t asked for help,” says Gary. “She’s like a corporate mom who knows a lot of things about the health care system – and LGH in particular – and she went way outside of her job description at times to try to help people with their problems.”
A confidante and friend
We’ll leave the penultimate word to Mike, who as Mary noted, relied on Suzanne to keep him sane while he was COO in the expansive Coastal Community of Care.
“Suzanne was my protector, my confidante, and my friend,” says Mike. “We often didn’t have a lot of time to talk at length, but we developed a close working relationship where I could share the those moments of extreme happiness and frustration. It’s essential to be able to talk to someone about the ups and downs of the job to stay sane. Suzanne was the only person I could do that with. I’m going to miss her very much.”
And the last word goes to…
The last word goes to the person who likely appreciated Suzanne the most – Mike’s wife Christina Swindells-Nader, who is also leaving her VCH job (Health Systems Planning Manager).
“Suzanne was amazing at keeping me updated on any early mornings/late evenings Mike had on his schedule. She sent me the ‘exceptions’ schedule well in advance when possible and checked in with me when things popped up with less warning at times that might conflict with our daycare/school drop-off/pick-up schedule,” says Christina.
“Suzanne’s dedication and thorough communication was the main factor that made Mike’s transition from Richmond to Coastal and his longer/more variable commute (and its impact on our family) much easier than I’d anticipated. Her work was hugely helpful to our whole family and coordinating calendars with her was a pleasure. Suzanne, I wish you all the best in your retirement and hope it is as relaxing and delightful as you deserve (i.e. tremendously so).”
Happy Retirement Suzanne!