When Madison first started working toward her nursing degree, she wasn’t sure the profession was the right fit.
“It wasn’t really resonating with me,” she remembers. “But then I had my first placement at Niagara Health’s Children’s Health Unit.”
“As soon as I started working here, I knew this was where I was meant to be,” she smiles.
I’ve always loved working with kids. I was a babysitter for many years, and I was a rowing
coach for some time… it just made sense.”
Today, Madison has been part of the Niagara Health team for six years.
Something she loves about her job is hearing from patients and parents who are grateful for
the care she provided.
“Kids are extremely honest,” she laughs. “They won’t be shy about telling you if they don’t like you, but they’re just as quick to show you how much they appreciate you. Seeing them get better, and hearing from them and their parents that we have made a positive impact on their lives is a really good feeling.”
One of the families who was grateful for Madison’s support this year is Michael’s.
The 9-year-old came to Niagara Health with a severe stomachache. “He had stopped drinking and eating because everything hurt,” his mother, Viktorija, remembers.
When they first arrived at the Children’s Health Unit, Madison helped them get settled in
the room and talked them through the next steps.
“It’s scary having to come to the hospital. It is scary for the patient and for the parents. The hospital environment is strange and different, and there is a lot of fear of the unknown,” she says.
“A big part of our job is welcoming families with kindness and a smile, then helping them
understand what the next few hours or days are going to look like.”
More than anything, it is that kindness that has stayed with Viktorija.
“During a time filled with pain, uncertainty, and emotional struggle, the team’s
professionalism and heartfelt care made an incredible difference in our lives.”
Making the hospital feel as comfortable as possible is a big part of Madison’s job and becomes extra important around the holidays.
“We do our best to make things magical at the Children’s Health Unit,” Madison explains.
“We put up decorations and have theme days all throughout December – some days we wear red and green, some days we are elves,” she laughs. “We get creative.”
For kids who are used to a visit from Santa on Christmas morning, the team does its best to
make sure that magic follows them to the hospital, too.
“No matter what their tradition is, we try to make the experience as close as possible to the
one they are used to at home.”
For Madison, seeing kids get better is one of her favourite things about her job.
“Kids are so resilient,” she smiles. “To see the difference from when they first come to the
unit to when they get to go home is amazing.”
When her little patient Michael got to go home, he was ready to get back to the soccer field,
his mom Viktorija jokes.
“Of course, we hope never to be back, but thanks to their amazing care, Michael wouldn’t be scared if we ever had to. He only remembers the fun parts, not the suffering, which is a testament to their work.”
Madison hopes that the community will once again come together in support of our local
hospitals this holiday season and is grateful for donors who support Niagara Health
Foundation.
“Having state-of-the-art equipment makes an incredible difference in these children’s lives. When you donate to Niagara Health Foundation, you help provide the tools we need to deliver the best possible care. You make our jobs easier, and you make the patient experience better. It truly is an amazing gift.”
