A Dream Come True

Published on November 20, 2025

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Joining the Niagara Health team as a pediatric nurse was a dream come true for Alexandria.

“I always knew I wanted to work in pediatrics,” she smiles, explaining that she has seen first-hand the immense difference nurses make in the lives of patients and their families.

“Dealing with personal health issues over the past few years, I have been grateful to experience such great care from the many teams at Niagara Health.”

Early in her life, she knew she wanted to have that same kind of positive impact on patients one day. 

“In my last year of high-school, I witnessed my grandfather, the first person close to me, go through many tough stages in his cancer journey until the day he passed.” She was touched by how supportive the nurses were of him and her family. “I saw their kindness and just knew- this is what I want to be in my future career”.

Alexandria made her dream come true and says she loves coming into work every day.

“I love every minute of it. I have always enjoyed working with children, and as a pediatric nurse, I have the opportunity to care for a diverse range of kids. I see them at different ages and stages, and I just try to do my part to make the hospital experience less scary for them.”
One patient whose hospital experience was much less scary thanks to Alexandria is three-year-old Briar, who was admitted to the Children’s Health Unit with a terrifying diagnosis earlier this year.
Her leadership and compassion made us feel safe, cared for, and informed — something we will never forget. – Mom Roxanne
“It was such an uncertain time for Briar and her family,” Alexandria remembers. “She was so sweet and curious and tough. She took this really big experience very well.”
To Briar’s family, Alexandria was exactly who she wanted to be for people – that person who made an impossible situation bearable.
Roxanne and Briar at the hospital

Roxanne and Briar were grateful for Alexandria during their six day stay at the Children’s Health Unit

“She truly felt like the captain of our ship during our stay,” Briar’s mother, Roxanne, remembers. “She was assertive, informative, and endlessly kind. Alexandria took charge when needed, made sure we understood every step of Briar’s care plan, and offered reassurance in moments of uncertainty. Her leadership and compassion made us feel safe, cared for, and informed — something we will never forget.”

Briar is one of over 1,500 kids who were treated at Niagara Health’s Children’s Health Unit this past year, and we hope that you will consider supporting their work by making a donation today. 

While the unit’s operations are covered by government funding, any equipment needed for their care is funded through community donations.

“Having up-to-date equipment is so important to care,” says Alexandria, who is grateful for the support of Niagara Health Foundation donors. “Anything from beds to IV poles is funded by donors, and it makes a huge difference for our little patients.”

Around the holidays, Alexandria and the team at the Children’s Health Unit try to ensure that the kids have a magical time, even under the most difficult circumstances. “I love the holidays and I love making them special for the children who have to spend them at the hospital. Spreading joy to the kids is my favourite thing to do,” she smiles. “I want to ensure every child knows that being sick doesn’t mean they’re forgotten.”

A Dream Come True

Published on November 20, 2025

Joining the Niagara Health team as a pediatric nurse was a dream come true for Alexandria.

“I always knew I wanted to work in pediatrics,” she smiles, explaining that she has seen first-hand the immense difference nurses make in the lives of patients and their families.

“Dealing with personal health issues over the past few years, I have been grateful to experience such great care from the many teams at Niagara Health.”

Early in her life, she knew she wanted to have that same kind of positive impact on patients one day. 

“In my last year of high-school, I witnessed my grandfather, the first person close to me, go through many tough stages in his cancer journey until the day he passed.” She was touched by how supportive the nurses were of him and her family. “I saw their kindness and just knew- this is what I want to be in my future career”.

Alexandria made her dream come true and says she loves coming into work every day.

“I love every minute of it. I have always enjoyed working with children, and as a pediatric nurse, I have the opportunity to care for a diverse range of kids. I see them at different ages and stages, and I just try to do my part to make the hospital experience less scary for them.”
One patient whose hospital experience was much less scary thanks to Alexandria is three-year-old Briar, who was admitted to the Children’s Health Unit with a terrifying diagnosis earlier this year.
Her leadership and compassion made us feel safe, cared for, and informed — something we will never forget. – Mom Roxanne
“It was such an uncertain time for Briar and her family,” Alexandria remembers. “She was so sweet and curious and tough. She took this really big experience very well.”
To Briar’s family, Alexandria was exactly who she wanted to be for people – that person who made an impossible situation bearable.
Roxanne and Briar at the hospital

Roxanne and Briar were grateful for Alexandria during their six day stay at the Children’s Health Unit

“She truly felt like the captain of our ship during our stay,” Briar’s mother, Roxanne, remembers. “She was assertive, informative, and endlessly kind. Alexandria took charge when needed, made sure we understood every step of Briar’s care plan, and offered reassurance in moments of uncertainty. Her leadership and compassion made us feel safe, cared for, and informed — something we will never forget.”

Briar is one of over 1,500 kids who were treated at Niagara Health’s Children’s Health Unit this past year, and we hope that you will consider supporting their work by making a donation today. 

While the unit’s operations are covered by government funding, any equipment needed for their care is funded through community donations.

“Having up-to-date equipment is so important to care,” says Alexandria, who is grateful for the support of Niagara Health Foundation donors. “Anything from beds to IV poles is funded by donors, and it makes a huge difference for our little patients.”

Around the holidays, Alexandria and the team at the Children’s Health Unit try to ensure that the kids have a magical time, even under the most difficult circumstances. “I love the holidays and I love making them special for the children who have to spend them at the hospital. Spreading joy to the kids is my favourite thing to do,” she smiles. “I want to ensure every child knows that being sick doesn’t mean they’re forgotten.”