Niagara Health President and CEO Lynn Guerriero addresses graduates at Niagara College Wednesday during a convocation ceremony where she was bestowed an honorary diploma in Health Sciences. Photo by Matthew Craggs, Niagara College.
Niagara Health President and CEO Lynn Guerriero can now count an honorary diploma among her many personal and professional accomplishments.
Guerriero was awarded an honorary diploma in Health Studies by Niagara College Wednesday during a ceremony that celebrated 443 graduates from the college’s School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker, and School of Justice and Fitness.
Addressing a packed auditorium at the college’s Welland campus after being presented the honour by Niagara College President Sean Kennedy, Guerriero told graduates they’re about to embark on impactful careers at a critical time in healthcare.
She thanked them for their choice of professions.
“Choosing healthcare as a career is choosing a life of service to others,” said Guerriero, whose own career in healthcare spans 36 years. “Devoting your career to helping others, sometimes at the most stressful times of their lives, is hard work but incredibly rewarding.
“As you’ve likely heard, our healthcare system is facing challenging times and a shortage of skilled healthcare workers is the biggest of our challenges,” she added. “Thankfully, we know that part of the solution is sitting right here in front of me. No matter what program you are graduating from or what your specialty might be in the future, Ontarians need you. So thank you for choosing this path.”
Bestowing Guerriero with an honorary diploma symbolizes the strong partnership between Niagara College and Niagara Health, Kennedy said.
Niagara College President Sean Kennedy (left) presents Niagara Health President and CEO Lynn Guerriero with an honorary diploma in Health Sciences. Photo by Matthew Craggs, Niagara College.
“Niagara Health is a longtime, valued partner for Niagara College, and has opened many doors for our students and graduates to gain hands-on learning opportunities, particularly for those in our health-based programs, including many who are graduating today,” he said.
In the past year, Niagara Health has welcomed more than 1,300 nursing, allied health and other health professional learners from its educational partners. Those partnerships provide students with practical education opportunities, a key component of Niagara Health’s mandate and belief that the organization must be a leader in training and educating the healthcare workers of tomorrow.
The partnerships also benefit patients, who receive high-quality care and support from learners, in addition to Niagara Health physicians and staff, during their healthcare journeys.
“I love walking through our hospital sites and seeing students with the iconic Niagara College logo on their uniforms, helping care for patients and enjoying experiential education opportunities,” Guerriero said. “We continue to strengthen our academic and research activities because we know the impact the activities have on our staff and, therefore, on positive patient outcomes.”
In addition to thanking the college, Guerriero expressed gratitude to her Niagara Health family for making it possible.
“When the Niagara College team contacted us about this honorary diploma, my heart was filled with appreciation,” she said. “I know this diploma has my name on it, but it is truly a reflection of everyone on the team at Niagara Health who play their own role in caring for the people of this fantastic region.”
