For most students, hospitals are simply places where doctors and nurses take care of patients. But for the young participants of Niagara Health’s Take Our Kids to Work Day, a closer look revealed the extensive team working behind the scenes to deliver high-quality patient care.
On Wednesday, Nov. 6, more than 50 Grade 9 students, all children and stepchildren of Niagara Health staff and physicians, took part in a unique, behind-the-scenes experience that explored the inner workings of the hospital.
Take Our Kids to Work Day is an annual program that takes place on the first Wednesday of November, providing students with career exposure and insights into their parents’ work environments.
Throughout the morning, students toured and engaged with several hospital departments, including Dietary Services, Medical Device Reprocessing, the laboratory, Emergency Management, Communications, Biomedical Engineering and Workplace Relations. Each department offered a unique perspective on the essential work that supports safe, high-quality patient care.
Students observed the commitment and expertise that staff bring to their roles every day, offering them valuable insights into the variety of careers available in healthcare.
Grade 9 students Kaden Tichband, Trishan Christopher and Treyvon Christopher shared their thoughts on the experience and how it has shaped their view of healthcare careers.
For Kaden Tichband, a Grade 9 student at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School in St. Catharines, Take Our Kids to Work Day was an “opportunity to experience what it would be like to work at Niagara Health.” Though Kaden is interested in a future career in teaching, he was excited to see his mother’s role in action and understand how her work impacts patient care.
Kaden’s mother, Lisa Tichband, is a Patient Experience Specialist, responsible for connecting patients and community members with their care team. “Before coming to Take Our Kids to Work Day, I had an idea of my mom’s role,” says Kaden. “It was exciting to see some of the other roles that work behind the scenes to deliver patient care.”
Kaden’s favourite part of the day was visiting the laboratory, where he and other students observed specimens, including an appendix.
“Exposing young minds to the many roles in healthcare helps to spark their curiosity,” says Lisa. “I’m excited to hear more about Kaden’s experience.”
Trishan and Trayvon Christopher, Grade 9 students at E.L. Crossley Secondary School in Pelham, also shared their perspective.
Before Take Our Kids to Work Day, the twins had only a general idea of their mother’s work. “I knew she worked in technology,” says Trishan.
Their mother, Stevie Christopher, is a Senior Project Manager responsible for device procurement and development for Niagara Health’s new Hospital Information System (HIS), set to launch on Nov. 9. She previously worked as a nurse and IT systems administrator before joining the HIS team.
“As someone who has worked in many facets of healthcare, I’m happy my kids were able to see first-hand the different roles that make a hospital run smoothly,” says Stevie.
Trishan and Trayvon were surprised to learn about the diverse roles that work behind the scenes including Communications and Biomedical Engineering.
“There are so many jobs that I didn’t even know existed,” says Trayvon.
Both athletes, they have an interest in future physiotherapy careers, initially envisioning work with sports teams. Now, the pair are considering the possibility of a future in hospital-based roles.
“Take Our Kids to Work Day lets children see what their parents’ work truly equates to,” said Stevie. “It shows them the dedication and impact behind the everyday efforts of our teams.”
************************
