A Milestone to Remember
When Lois Millar began her career at St. Mary’s General Hospital in 1963, things looked a lot different than they do today. The types of services offered were different, the tools they used to diagnose and treat patients were different, but one thing has remained the same: the commitment to compassionate patient care.
There haven’t been many places within the walls of St. Mary’s that Lois hasn’t worked. Whether it was working full-time or floating between departments, the only place Lois hasn’t hung her nursing cap is the OR (operating room).
Lois started her nursing career working in the ICU here at St. Mary’s. She then joined the intravenous team, where she spent the next 25 years providing care throughout the hospital. The intravenous team was a group of nurses responsible for starting IVs and providing medication to patients on any floor and within any department. This team was eventually downsized, and Lois was laid off. During this time, she took the time to continue her education and took more training, which ultimately led her back to St. Mary’s. This time, however, she was coming back to a new department, the Emergency Department (ED). “Jobs back then were hard to find and come by,” says Lois. “You almost had to take what you could get.”
In 2004, Lois decided to take a step back from nursing and retire… that lasted about four months. What many may not have known is that this was always her plan. “For me, this is my second family,” Lois says. “When somebody loses a loved one, a new baby is born, a birthday is celebrated, or someone gets married, this team pulls together like a family.”
However, she still wanted some time to enjoy things outside of her job. Lois’ passion for care doesn’t just stop with her job, it really only starts there.
Lois volunteers at the A.R. Kaufman YMCA, which she has been doing for the last 40 years: many of those years supporting their Health Management programs. For the last five years, Lois has volunteered in their Rock Steady Boxing program – a program that focuses on individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and providing them with a fitness program that can help them manage their symptoms. Lois also loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, and “of course I enjoy the typical things like knitting.” Since her return late in 2004, Lois has worked, on a casual basis, in St. Mary’s ED.
“Lois works casual part-time in the ED. While she has always been diligent in picking up shifts to help fill staffing gaps, during the pandemic she has gone above and beyond in terms of the number of hours she has worked,” says Wendy, Manager, ED. “She has reliably and regularly picked up shifts and worked when we were struggling with pandemic-related staffing challenges and patient flow. She works with a smile on her face, lifting up patients and colleagues, at a time when we were feeling the pandemic most. She is an inspiration to us all with her passion for patient care, and her dedication to the Emergency Department, the team, and the community we serve.”
In 2018, Lois was recognized for her outstanding and exceptional contributions to healthcare at St. Mary’s with a Mission Legacy Award – a prestigious award presented to individuals providing care to the healthcare ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton, St. Mary’s General Hospital, and the St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation.
“Lois is everything a nurse should be,” says Kathleen, Director, ED, Chest, and ICC. “She is caring and honest – she transcends time. Lois has seen many changes in her years at St. Mary’s, and she has always retained her love of learning and keeping her skills up to date. She embraces change and is a shining example for every new nurse. Lois is genuine, honest, and always available for her team.”
For Lois, being a nurse is far more than providing medical care, administering medications, or charting their diagnosis, it’s about compassion and ensuring each patient feels heard. Although so many things have changed since Lois started nursing, for her, the one thing that has remained constant is that no matter what, every patient needs a smile.
Today, Lois is an integral part of St. Mary’s Emergency Department team, and yesterday, she celebrated her 80th birthday! If that wasn’t reason enough to celebrate, this year, Lois has also been nominated for Senior of the Year. Every year, the city recognizes and honours an individual who is over the age of 65 and has enriched, in some way, their community.
When asked what her plans were for officially retiring, Lois commented, “I usually tell people that’s none of their business, but honestly, I will leave when I feel like I am ready, and I don’t feel ready yet. I’m not done here; I still have more to give.”
Congratulations Lois and thank you for everything you do for your patients, community, and team here at St. Mary’s. When you see Lois in the ED or halls of St. Mary’s this week, take a minute to wish her a very happy birthday and thank her for the exceptional care she provides.