As Manager of Geriatrics, Stefanie Irish doesn’t just oversee patient care - she champions a mindset shift. “We are conditioned to think older adults are burdens. But in fact, they’re people with rich lives, resilience and so much wisdom. Our job isn’t just to treat their medical needs - it’s to see and support the person behind them.”
Now serving as Clinical Manager of Surgical Services at Niagara Health, Pataunia reflects on how a supportive, inclusive environment has allowed her to lead with authenticity – and become the kind of visible, empowered leader she once needed.
In his role as a Switchboard Operator, Corey Dutcher coordinates some of Niagara Health’s most critical communications. This includes rapid response calls, code alerts and urgent family connections — working around the clock to ensure seamless internal coordination.
The St. Catharines Hospital Auxiliary, Canada’s oldest hospital auxiliary, is proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone—160 years of volunteer service and fundraising in support of healthcare in Niagara.
When Julia Spafford wheels the comfort cart through the hospital hallways, she’s not just offering patients a blanket or a word puzzle. She's delivering something far more powerful: human connection.
On May the Fourth, the Ronald McDonald Family Room (RMFR) at the Marotta Family Hospital was transformed – but not by Jedi mind tricks.
For Moises Vasquez, volunteering in the Niagara Health Emergency Department (ED) is more than an act of service. It’s a way to stay connected to his roots and continue providing patient care, even while not yet practicing his profession in Canada.
Lucia Camelo feels a sense of belonging when she volunteers at Niagara Health. Through her work in the Marotta Family Hospital gift shop, she’s giving back to the community, improving her English and helping people.
Every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, Wellspring Niagara volunteers will be available in waiting areas at the Walker Family Cancer Centre to share in conversation with those impacted by cancer and connect them to helpful resources outside the hospital.
Medical student Prey Patel has had opportunities in the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute’s experiential learning research program that most of his peers won’t see until later in their careers. And he plans to pay it forward at Niagara Health when he graduates.
