A Generous Gesture  

Just in time for the holiday season, an unexpected act of kindness was recently delivered to St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute. Retired nurses Rose Macneil, Kathryn McIntryre, and Carlie Dinn donated beautifully wrapped gifts to St. Joseph’s Geriatric Psychiatry Program. All three generous nurses formerly worked within the Mental Health Care Program at Parkwood Institute. The items, which include hand-knitted socks, spa products and other goodies, will be given to seniors living in our community, who are supported by the Geriatric Psychiatry Program’s outreach service.

portraits of nurses wearing festive antlers: Rose Macneil, Kelly Hovorka, Kathryn McIntryre, and Carlie Dinn
Rose Macneil, left, Kelly Hovorka, Kathryn McIntryre, and Carlie Dinn are bearing gifts at Parkwood Institute. Rose, Kathryn and Carlie are retired nurses who generously donated items to St. Joseph’s Geriatric Psychiatry Program to ensure all patients served within the community would receive a special holiday gift. Kelly is a registered nurse at Parkwood Institute who will help distribute the donation to patients who care for as part of the Geriatric Psychiatry Program's outreach program.

“Over the holiday season, we provide presents to all of our inpatients through various fundraising efforts, but our community-based seniors, some living in isolation, don’t receive these gifts,” says registered nurse Kelly Hovorka. “Because of the generosity of these nurses and fellow colleagues, it’s wonderful to know that individuals receiving care in our community will also receive a special gift to brighten up their day.” 

nurses Lyndsey Wintle and Kelly Hovorka holding gift bags, surrounded by a pile of Christmas gift bags
Registered nurses Lyndsey Wintle, left, and Kelly Hovorka gear up to distribute gifts thoughtfully donated by three retired nurses and former colleagues. The gifts were donated to patients served in the community through Parkwood Institute's Geriatric Psychiatry Program. All inpatients receive gift from staff through fundraising efforts, but thanks to these three special retired nurses – all those served in the community with also receive a special holiday surprise.

St. Joseph’s Geriatric Psychiatry Program provides specialized care and support to aging clients who suffer from severe and persistent mental illnesses. The outreach service of this program, composed of four nurses, provides community-based follow-up and ongoing monitoring to older patients in their place of residence. Staff work directly with the patient and families, the care includes medication reviews, psychosocial rehabilitation, supportive therapies and communication with community care teams.

It’s been a challenging few years for all and we were delighted to help out in any way we could,” says retired nurse Rose Macneil.  
 

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Wishing you a safe and healthy Christmas 

We share the blessings we have experienced this past year, and wish you peace, joy and good will for the year ahead.

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