100 years of life, and one unforgettable birthday!
The team at the Medical Day Hospital at the Glen site made sure that turning 100 was anything but ordinary for one very special patient. On their own time and initiative, staff arrived early to decorate a treatment room and surprise Joe Ullman — a much-loved regular — with balloons, cupcakes, and a heartfelt celebration.
Assistant nurse manager Cristian Machuca was so touched by his team’s efforts that he reached out to share the story. “They didn’t do it for recognition. They did it because they care. They came in early on their day off, baked cupcakes, decorated the unit, and even found a beautiful gift. This is the kind of thing that reminds us why we do what we do.”
The celebration was a surprise — not only for Joe, but also for his son, Richard, who happened to escort him inside that day due to construction. “As we walked the final leg of a long corridor to get to the clinic, I saw two nurses peering around the door with anxious and excited looks on their faces,” he recalled. “I had no idea what was going on.” What they walked into was something unforgettable.
He smiled. I cried.
“My father is a bit of an old school stoic, so he did the smiling, and I did the crying,” said Richard. “He was deeply touched and extremely grateful. To see a group of dedicated, hard-working nurses take personal time and expense to honour a patient –that’s a rare privilege. We can’t thank them enough for their kindness.”
From cupcakes to decorations and a special gift for the centenarian, the team didn’t miss a detail. “There was a huge, themed birthday card featuring an assortment of historical events in 1925, the year of his birth. He was thoroughly enamoured with the fact that the card was not only signed by all staff members, but each came with a personal little message related to him,” shared Richard. After singing Happy Birthday, the staff gave Joe their gift, a gorgeous cashmere scarf. Reflecting on the day, Richard wanted to share a message with the team, “My dad felt like he won some sort of cosmic lottery to have had the good fortune of coming into contact with such fantastic people.”
A feel-good moment for everyone
Photos and videos have been shared with family and friends around the world. “Everyone was astonished by what the staff did for my father,” said Richard. “I knew that my father was liked but I didn't know that he was loved. He is always smiling and never complains. He is a low maintenance joy-spreading machine who is a value-added to the department.”
Nurse Y-Loan Ly, who helped organize the celebration, said it was an easy decision to plan something special for Joe. “He always welcomes us with a smile and is appreciative of our care. He shares stories from his childhood, his time in Australia, and always talks about his wife. People connect with him because he’s genuine and full of warmth.”
Getting to know Joe
Born in Hungary, Joe was the youngest of seven children. He lost his father at the age of four and, through a series of circumstances, had to raise himself – with a focus on surviving the Second World War. He narrowly escaped death three times. “After that, he decided to live the rest of his life with a low-stress perspective. He has always had a clear sense of what really matters – and what doesn’t. That mindset undoubtedly contributed to his longevity,” said Richard.
Joe eventually made his way from Eastern Europe to Paris, then to Australia for a decade, and finally to Canada, where he met the love of his life. “His 90-year-old wife - who looks even more beautiful than he does - has also played a big role in his well-being by catering to his every need throughout a 65-year marriage,” added Richard. “Lucky guy.”
From all of us at the MUHC - happy birthday, Joe!
