Nuru is a Project Manager at North York General Hospital (NYGH) and the latest winner of the hospital’s staff lottery. We want to showcase the exceptional work that our dedicated staff do every day and featuring our lottery winners is the perfect opportunity to shine a light on their work. Find out more about Nuru below:
How long have your worked at NYGH?
Three years.
Where do you work in the hospital?
In the Planning and Redevelopment Department.
What do you do at the hospital and what does your role entail?
I am in involved in the planning and redevelopment of spaces at the NYGH sites, including the general site and Phillips House, home to NYGH’s child and adolescent outpatient mental health and eating disorders programs. During the planning phase, our team works with hospital stakeholders (including the Foundation) to define the scope of the project, the budget, timelines, etc. In the construction phase, I manage the general contractor and work with internal departments to make sure the project gets completed within the budget and on schedule.
Why did you want to work at NYGH?
I worked at a hospital downtown in a similar role for seven years. I wanted to share my experience and to learn something new. It was time to step out of my comfort zone. I also wanted to work with a diverse and dynamic team. I thought the role at North York General would provide a new challenge for me – and it did.
What’s been your best or most memorable project at NYGH?
The Steinberg Family Paediatric Centre has been my most memorable project. To see the transformation from a construction site where everything is demolished to a renewed space with new lighting, big windows and designs on the walls was fantastic. It was also wonderful to see the positive impact the new space had on the staff and patients.
What do you like about working at NYGH?
I like the diversity of staff. It’s great to have people from many different cultural backgrounds all working at and contributing to the hospital. Also, I find senior management is very supportive. They inspire you to work hard and keep learning. They also recognize your strengths and motivate you to work on areas for improvement. We have an amazing team.
Do you have a hobby you enjoy outside of work?
I’m an outdoor person. During summer, I like to kayak and ride my bike. When the weather is good, I ride to work and then home again at the end of the day. It’s a 50-kilometre ride in total. The first time I did this it was very challenging, but then my body got used to it. It’s good exercise and it also helps to reduce pollution!
Why did you decide to join the staff lottery, besides the chance of winning?
I always try to support the hospital and the staff lottery is a way to contribute to the organization. Once you see how the redevelopment projects make a difference to care, you want to support them.
What do you plan to do with your winnings?
I’m donating some of the winnings to the Foundation because they always do great work. The rest will go towards my kids’ education and furnishing the new house my fiancée and I recently purchased.
