Behind every safe surgery: MUHC Peri-Anesthesia (PACU) Nurses

From February 2 to 8, the MUHC celebrates Peri-Anesthesia Nurse Awareness Week, shining a spotlight on the skilled professionals who care for patients before, during, and after surgery. Peri-anesthesia nurses are found at all MUHC sites—adult and pediatric—ensuring patient safety, comfort, and expert care across the hospital network. This year, we are proud to feature Thi Dan Thanh Luu, a Pediatric PACU Nurse at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, whose dedication exemplifies what it means to be part of the MUHC family.  

“The slogan ‘We are the MUHC’ means teamwork, unity, and pride to me,” says Thanh. “It’s about being part of a team where every member plays an essential role in providing the best care possible.”  

For Thanh, some of the most memorable moments of her career come from small acts that leave a lasting impact. She recalls a six-year-old patient recovering from surgery. Over three hours, Thanh cared for her, answered her questions about healthcare, and even colored with her between medical care. At discharge, the child asked, “Can I give you a hug? You’ve been working so hard.” “My heart grew three times its size at that moment,” Thanh says. “She left a lifelong mark on my career that I won’t soon forget.”  

According to Pediatric PACU Nurse Manager, Annie Castro, “Every day in the Pediatric PACU is fast-paced, dynamic, and full of purpose. Our nurses balance vigilance, compassion, and efficiency while supporting families through some of the most vulnerable moments.” Pediatric peri-anesthesia nurses care for patients from tiny infants to growing teens, managing airways, monitoring vital signs, controlling pain, and staying alert to subtle changes the moment patients wake from anesthesia.  

“This team is outstanding,” adds Annie. “Not only are they clinically excellent, but they are also incredibly intuitive, patient, and creative. We are lucky to have them.”  

Elizabeth Joly, Clinical Administrative Coordinator of Perioperative Services, emphasizes that peri-anesthesia nurses across all MUHC hospitals are essential to patient safety and recovery. “They often go unnoticed, yet they are integral to the perioperative journey. They embody everything the MUHC strives for—professionalism, teamwork, and excellence in care.”  

Similar to their pediatric counterparts, peri-anesthesia nurses in adult care oversee all aspects of post-operative recovery. They ensure patients’ pain is well controlled, manage a variety of pain modalities, and closely monitor recovery from anesthesia. In addition, peri-anesthesia nurses provide extensive patient education—guiding and teaching patients on care pathways, pain management strategies, and specific post-operative instructions to support optimal recovery. They provide comfort, reassurance, and advocacy for patients who may be sedated or unable to communicate for themselves. Beyond the PACU, these nurses follow up with patients after discharge, checking on their recovery and supporting effective pain management.  

Across the MUHC, peri-anesthesia nurses play a critical role in implementing and maintaining optimized care pathways, supporting specialized procedures, and delivering post-operative recovery for thousands of patients each year. Their expertise, compassion, and teamwork make them an indispensable part of every surgical journey.  

Join us in thanking our peri-anesthesia nurses for their tireless work, skill, and heart. They truly make a difference—one patient at a time.