One of Muskoka’s “most recognized and loved nurses” has retired after 36 years of service.
Way Lem, a registered nurse in Muskoka, hung up his scrubs on Oct. 19 after helping many patients across various areas of healthcare in the region.
“Personally, it’s been incredibly rewarding and incredibly fulfilling. I would have not expected how much I have received and gotten out of this. [The community] took care of me as well, so it went both ways very quickly,” he says.
Lem says it is that pivotal time for him in which he would like to pursue other adventures, like taking care of his grandchildren.
He says it has been an honour for him to be able to take care of people and to work with other professionals in the industry.
“It’s just been one beautiful career,” he says.
Photo credit: Paula Snyder
He says he started his career in 1989, when he moved from Brampton to Bracebridge and was hired as a full-time nurse at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, where he spent most of his career.
“I started out in the career as sort of one of those little reflective things where I thought ‘I wonder what I’m going to do with the rest of my life’ many years ago,” he says.
Lem says his wife, who was graduating from nursing school, inspired him to get into healthcare, adding it ended up being a very good choice for him.
“I’ve met a phenomenal amount of absolutely fantastic people throughout my entire career and being exposed to so many different varieties of nursing in different departments that it’s just been amazing, truly amazing,” he shared.
Throughout his career, Lem has worked in the emergency department, ICU, telehealth, nursing home, correctional centre and most recently, hospice care.
One of his colleagues, Paula Snyder, says years after he had worked at certain locations, patients and their families would still ask, “Is Way Lem working today?”
“Way, you have given your all to one of the toughest, most rewarding roles in healthcare, and you’ve done it with grace, heart, and more patience than most people could dream of,” says Snyder. “You are truly a legend, and we wish you the best in retirement.”