海角社区

MUHC healthcare workers are holding the inaugural edition of Artstravaganza, an art show that features everything from crafts to oil paintings to music. Proceeds of the show, which is open to the public from 9 am to 4:30 pm on December 2, will be donated to the hospital. The show brings together the creative spirits of MUHC employees, including housekeepers, patient care attendants, nurses, doctors, secretaries and a host of other healthcare workers.

"When you work so closely with patients, you end up caring a great deal about them and their families. We want to do more for our patients," says Valerie Shaddick, an MUHC patient care attendant who provides hands-on bedside care to patients.

Artstravaganza, whose objective is to not only help fund patient care but also provide a creative outlet for healthcare workers, is Ms. Shaddick's brainchild. "The more patients we help to heal, the happier and more fulfilled we feel. But the system is overloaded with patients, and there are times when we, too, feel the stress. We have a choice. Let the stress wear us down, or channel it into something creative."

The opportunity to participate in the December 2 show was well received by MUHC personnel, with first-year participation numbers reaching over 30 employees. The public is invited to attend Artstravaganza, which will be held in the Employees' Lounge of the MUHC's Royal Victoria Hospital (H4), located at 687 Pine Ave. West, Montreal. Entrance is free and proceeds from art sales will go to the MUHC.