Serving meals with love

Ask Rani Nadarajah, a Sodexo foodservice employee, about what she likes most about her job and she responds in a heartbeat.

“I care about every patient,” she says. “They are like family to me.”

Rani has served countless meals to VGH patients since 2004. It’s tiring work, but in more than a decade of service Rani has never tired of bringing a smile and open heart to every patient she meets.

On the cardiac unit in Centennial Pavilion, Rani’s keen observations and prompt communication have earned her the team’s admiration and gratitude. Allison Henderson, former patient care coordinator, points to a recent example.

“Rani came to us very concerned about a patient. Like Rani, the patient came from Sri Lanka and he had told her he was very worried and stressed about his upcoming surgery,” says Allison. “She took the time to listen to him and informed our staff, allowing us to provide the patient further support. We wouldn’t have known about many of his concerns without her initial input.”

Dietician Claire Kariya says Rani’s keen observations and prompt communication help her ensure patients stay well nourished during their hospital stay.

Dietician Claire Kariya has high praise for Rani, too. “Malnutrition can develop in hospital when patients are ill or nauseous, and that can lead to functional decline resulting in longer hospital stays or, in the worst case scenario, patients unable to return home after discharge,” says Claire.

“Rani helps us prevent these situations by informing us early when she notices a patient isn’t eating well, or refusing to eat specific foods. She’s kind, compassionate and an integral member of our team.”

As for Rani, while she greatly appreciates the compliments, you can’t help but sense that she’d rather be on the floor, doing what she does best. “I try to bring happiness to every patient,” she says. “It’s why I love my job.”