It was standing room only when 33 GF Strong staffers were feted at their continuous service celebration on February 9. Presented with their service pins, the group represented a collective 565 years of quality health care at VCH. And, to everyone’s delight, the first to receive his honour was Higgins Moreau — although there was some debate as to whether this celebrant’s service should be counted as 10 or 70!

Every dog has its day

Michelle Moreau and Higgins, both devoted GFS teammates.

Higgins, a pug with a special place in many GFS hearts, visits with patients and helps with their rehabilitation. Guaranteed to bring a smile to all he visits, it would appear the job brings just as much joy to him.

“He always knows when it’s Friday and he’s always up at 6 am wanting to go to work; it’s the highlight of his week,” says owner, Michelle Moreau, a rehab assistant at GFS. “He has this instinctive way of knowing which patients to be gentle with and who can take a little more rambunctiousness.”

Double the fun for Karin

Celebrating service and friendship: Karin Alzner (left) and Janet Parker.

Higgins may have been a tough act to follow, but there were plenty more special staff to honour, including Karin Alzner, an administrative secretary who was celebrating 15 years with VCH (10 at GFS), her coming retirement (in March) and, on that very day, her sixtieth birthday. Indeed, when the news of her birthday let slip, the crowd spontaneously broke into a chorus of that most familiar song.

“I felt honoured and a bit embarrassed,” admits Karin. “I love the people I work with as well as the patients; it feels like a community here with everyone trying to move forward.”

Karin’s retirement goal is to visit every hockey arena in North America and cheer on her son. She’s no ordinary hockey mom; her son, Karl Alzner, is defenceman for the Washington Capitals in the NHL.

A culture of support and celebration

Diverse, inclusive and friendly (l to r): Patricia Cifuentes, Sarah Sinanan and Jo Clark.

Sarah Sinanan, OT practice coordinator, also celebrated an impressive milestone. She’s been with VCH for 20 years and with GFS since 2014.

“GF Strong is a unique, tight-knit place and there’s a huge amount of expertise here,” she says. “The staff are amazing to work with — diverse, inclusive and friendly. I was quite touched by the celebration, which I hadn’t expected. It was very meaningful. The recognition gives you a real energy boost.”