Why I Chose to Give Back: Lorna’s Story

It was in a tucked-away, fast-moving corner of the hospital — a department few ever see, but where the quiet work keeps NYGH running smoothly — that Lorna noticed it.

A handwritten note, taped above a workstation, read: “Susan – you did a great job today when you packed for surgery!” Another nearby read something like: “Cody, thanks for your help with that task last week.” Quiet affirmations. A team encouraging each other in the background of it all.

“That moment really stayed with me,” she says. “It was in a space most people don’t even know exists. But even there, people were lifting each other up.”

Why I Chose to Give Back: Lorna’s Story

It was in a tucked-away, fast-moving corner of the hospital — a department few ever see, but where the quiet work keeps NYGH running smoothly — that Lorna noticed it.

“That moment really stayed with me,” she says. “It was in a space most people don’t even know exists. But even there, people were lifting each other up.”

For Lorna, a retired mental health professional and longtime North York General Hospital volunteer, it was one of many glimpses into something she now considers defining: a deep, hospital-wide morale that shows up in every corner — no matter how overlooked.

She would know. Lorna has volunteered in nearly every department, from inpatient units to the information desk, where she’s still one of the first faces visitors see each Tuesday. She’s also a monthly donor who believes in the hospital not only for what it does, but how it feels.

A Personal Connection

Her connection began decades ago, not long after she arrived in Canada. Following a procedure at NYGH, she left thinking, If I’m ever sick again, this is where I want to be. That instinct proved right. Years later, when her husband was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, it was NYGH that cared for them both. “They supported him, but they supported me too,” she says.

“The team recognized the role of the caregiver, and I felt that deeply. We were really looked after.”

It was in response to that experience — that moment of compassionate care — that Lorna made a vow to herself: to return to this special place as a volunteer upon retirement. To give back.

After stepping away from a career in healthcare, with particular focus on orthopedics and mental health, Lorna did just that. And she just kept coming back. “There’s never a sense of panic in these halls. People treat each other with respect and empathy. It’s calm. It’s steady. It’s efficient.”

Her belief only deepened as she faced her own series of health challenges. Each time, the care was consistent and compassionate. “I’ve worked in medicine my whole life. This place is exceptional.”

She especially praises the Baruch/Weisz Cancer Centre, whose team provided well-rounded care to Lorna during a particularly worrisome time. “I left with clarity. That’s rare in health care — to actually understand what’s going on in your own body. I tell people about that clinic all the time.”

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