#MyBestMoments Campaign - Alyssa Holmes, Screener

In our #MyBestMoments campaign staff and physicians from across our hospitals and community sites share the moments that have mattered most to them in their careers at Lakeridge Health. Read Alyssa's story below. 

Alyssa Holmes was completing a shift as a screener in the Emergency Department (ED) at the Oshawa Hospital this past January when she noticed a patient who seemed very upset.

“This individual had been in the ED for a long time and was frequently going in and out of the hospital,” Alyssa shared. “I asked them if there was anything I could do and really what they needed was someone to listen and help them through their experience during a challenging time.”

“Alyssa’s compassion meant so much to this patient that at the end of their ED visit, they left a Tim Horton’s gift card for Alyssa to receive on her next shift,” explained Deputy Chief Financial Officer Julia Raudanskis, who helps to oversee the screener team at Lakeridge Health.

Alyssa has worked as a screener since last November. Screeners are stationed at all hospital entrances and are an integral part of how Lakeridge Health keeps our sites safe for everyone. In addition to asking patients and visitors about any possible COVID-19 symptoms and exposures and ensuring visitors are fully vaccinated, they are a friendly and knowledgeable first point of contact at the hospitals.

“My motto is to treat others the way you'd like to be treated and it truly gives me such gratification going above and beyond day in and day out for patients and knowing I’m able to help in someone’s time of real need,” Alyssa said.

The support she provided to the patient in the ED was not the only time Alyssa has been acknowledged in her role. Recently, she was also commended by the hospital’s Security team for noticing a confused, elderly patient who had wandered away from her room before she inadvertently left the hospital.

“It’s people like Alyssa that make me so passionate about working in health care and so proud of our entire team,” said Julia.

Alyssa shares that she’s looking forward to building a career at Lakeridge Health and ultimately training to become a nurse. “I've really come to fall in love with it here!” she said.