For some families, saying thank you is part of recovery.
Across the country, exceptional care often happens quietly, behind the scenes. It’s in our hospitals where these moments unfold – a nurse who held your hand, or a volunteer who made you laugh on the way to a test.
Sometimes, when you or your loved one are dealing with a health issue, you don’t get the chance to thank those people who made the experience a little easier.
The North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation gives patients and families a meaningful way to say thank you for the care they received at NBRHC. Through a donation to the Grateful Family program, you can honour a member of your care team who made a difference in your experience with a Golden Heart Award.
Honourees are recognized by their peers, receive a golden heart award badge, and are celebrated on the Foundation’s social media channels.
“It’s a very personal way of expressing gratitude,” says Tammy Morison, CEO of North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation.
Any member of your care team can be recognized, including nurses, PSWs, physicians, volunteers, or other hospital staff. In a field as challenging as healthcare, these small gestures can mean the world. “There have been many times when receiving a Golden Heart Award, that the staff member has said they’ve been having the worst day and that receiving this gesture has lifted them up,” says Tammy.
Cleofe, a nurse at NBRHC, shared how powerful that recognition can be. “Yesterday was a particularly challenging day, as it was my third consecutive 12-hour shift with limited rest. While I was unable to attend a quick huddle, I was unexpectedly recognized for my efforts. This acknowledgment was both humbling and motivating. These moments of recognition reinforce the value of our dedication and encourage us to continue striving for excellence in patient care.”
Sometimes a patient or their family member asks to be a part of the Golden Heart Award presentation, which Tammy says the Foundation is honoured to facilitate. “We have witnessed the impact of expressing gratitude. It’s often an important part of their healing journey, and for some it is an element of closure.”
A Golden Heart Award is more than a gesture of gratitude. As a donation-driven program, it also supports the broader community, helping fund state-of-the-art medical equipment and essential programs at NBRHC.
“It’s a program that is impactful, both on the care that we can provide, and for our patients and families who are sharing their gratitude in a meaningful way,” says Tammy. “We are privileged to be a part of facilitating gratitude that comes full circle.”
To learn more about the Grateful Family Program or to give a Golden Heart Award, visit the link.