Lessons from the Health Centre Sainte Marie in Trochu

- Date of publication 03-11-2010
29 years of study and no degree! And David Smyth couldn’t be happier. For nearly 30 years he has supervised the maintenance at the Health Centre St Marie in Trochu. David compares his work place to a university where he has learned important lessons concerning the mission, service and leadership in this establishment.

For several of his colleagues, however, he is like a professor, someone who teaches our heritage to others and how they can integrate values and lessons learnt into their daily life.
 

Sister Helen... Sister Laforge... David remembers the sisters he worked with over the years as though they formed his own family tree.

Even though the Sisters gave up their active service several years ago, these women who had such an impact on his life still have a special place in David's heart.

"It was wonderful working for them" he said as he remembered how they would give him an ice cream or a cold drink during a hot working day.

"They were as attentive to their employees as they were to the residents (old and sick people) considering us as partners in their work."

Then he explained that they were very astute leaders who "laughed a lot with the staff. They knew where they were going" recalled David. "They knew how to budget and were always up-to-date with the patient care.

They understood how people worked and what motivated them.

The sisters were always conscious of their mission. Their motives were clear... to help people who were unable to help themselves.

A graduate manufacturer with experience in carpentry, David has many other talents and has a staff of 7 people. He makes a conscious effort in his daily life to integrate the lessons learnt from the Sisters.
 

"If a resident wants an antique lamp for their room, I make a special effort to get it for them" he explained. "Our meetings and decisions are based on our values and I believe we should continue in this way. That is why joining the Health Covenant is so important for me - we must continue this heritage."
 

"Here in St. Mary's we don't have any doctorates but we have a lot of knowledge and experience. We have a rich heritage that we share with the Covenant Health team. I don't suppose I have the best library in the Province but I believe I have the best staff."

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