Our front line heroes: Our Environmental Services Team

Our Lakeridge Health Environmental Services (ES) team members are an integral part of keeping our Hospitals safe and clean especially now, as we navigate the challenges of a global pandemic such as COVID-19.

As we reached out for stories from our ES team to share, one long-standing Lakeridge Health member reached out:

Ed has worked for Lakeridge Health through his role on the ES team for over thirteen years. When the announcement of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, as a global pandemic came out, Ed felt concerned about his role within the Hospital. A dedicated staff member, Ed has spent years ensuring the safety and cleanliness of our Hospital, but has also gone above and beyond in caring for our Lakeridge Health staff and patients.

“We all do it. It feels like part of the job. We see the Hospital staff taking care of people, and we take care of them too. It feels good to be kind to the patients. You give kindness and you give connection. To me, to many of us, it’s part of the job.”

At the announcement of the pandemic, Ed brought his concerns to his manager. At 64 years of age and living with severe asthma, Ed knew he was one of the most at risk of the ramifications of COVID-19. His boss agreed. Shortly after, his manager came down to speak with him, face-to-face.

“It was touching to me. It was difficult for both of us in that moment, as I could see how much my wellbeing was weighing on her mind. She told me ‘I really want you go home’. I could see her compassion in that moment.”

As he has now been practicing social isolation and staying at home, for his friends and family, Ed is grateful for messages from the community applauding the efforts of his colleagues.

“I’m so grateful for the support and heroship of Lakeridge Health staff in every department right now. And I’m so grateful for my fellow ES staff, I wish I could be there with them now. All of them-they are so brave.”

In 2015, Ed was part of the efforts to raise funds with Lakeridge Health Foundation in memory of a young Lakeridge Health staff member, Mat Hrehoruk, who passed suddenly while working to serve his community. For Ed, it meant a lot to be able to give back to the Hospital that works to help many families across the Durham Region and beyond.

If you, like Ed, would like to give back to our Hospitals now, when we need the most, please donate online at www.durhamfightscovid19.ca