Shining a spotlight on women at the MUHC — Let’s have a look at Lachine Hospital!

Our week-long celebration of International Women’s Day continues with two inspiring women from the Lachine Hospital. 

Women can and need to be in all sorts of roles

As a project manager, Claude Lemieux is steering the modernization and expansion project at the Lachine Hospital. For Claude, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the status of women and to contemplate the challenges women face around the globe.

Having worked in different fields, she recognizes that a balanced work environment can make all the difference. “In the healthcare sector, there are many women who work in all sorts of positions. It’s inspiring for women. Women can see themselves in all kinds of roles,” she acknowledges. “You can become anything you want: nurse, doctor, occupational therapist, patient attendant, the possibilities are endless. It’s inspiring for younger generations. When you don’t see any women in certain positions, it makes it difficult for young women to imagine themselves in that position.”

Having witnessed the positive impact healthcare professionals have had on her loved ones and on all MUHC patients, she is grateful to be able to contribute in her own way to the achievement of the MUHC’s healthcare mission.

Nutrition guide catalyst to career in health

Pina Ventulieri is manager of Multidisciplinary Services at the Lachine Hospital. She never expected to work in health care but says opportunities arose that brought her to where she is now. She admits to being driven by the desire to help her patients, employees and colleagues. 

“I remember my mother and grandmother encouraging me to eat bitter green leafy herbs because it was good for the liver, even though everyone considered those plants to be weeds,” recalls Pina. “They would pick them and cook them for us.” She says she was inspired to pursue a career in nutrition after picking up a copy of Jan Brody’s Nutrition book.

For Pina, International Women’s Day is a day to acknowledge the remarkable women of the world. It is a day to celebrate and honor women from the past and present who have fought and continue to fight for freedom and equality. 

In tomorrow’s final instalment, we’ll concentrate on some of the strong and dedicated women at the Neuro.