Meet Anne: providing leadership with a SMILE
It has been 25 years since Anne first began her career at SickKids as a physiotherapist.“I was always interested in math and science,” said Anne. “I wanted to be able to use those interests to help achieve a greater good, which led me to physiotherapy.”
When it came time to choose a place to begin her career in physiotherapy, SickKids was at the top of Anne’s list.
“The reputation plus the perceptions I had of the type of opportunities available at SickKids are what drew me here.”
Today, Anne holds the interim responsibility of managing the clinical services portfolio. With more than 100 staff reporting to her, the portfolio, which encompasses many aspects of child development, spans across the areas of communication disorders, child life, creative arts therapy and rehabilitation.
Although this responsibility may sound daunting to some, Anne was excited and re-energized by the new challenges. “I love the opportunities that staff receive at SickKids to continually learn and grow,” she said. “I also love that I get the chance to work with so many highly motivated and skilled people who want to make a difference. When you have good people, it helps to make everything run more smoothly.”
"This simple thank you has sustainability to it, which is nice."
As a physiotherapist, Anne loved interacting with the kids and helping them to achieve their goals, no matter how small they may have been. Being able to piece out problems for her patients and make it a journey that would provide them with a sense of accomplishment was extremely fulfilling for Anne.
Now as a leader, Anne takes great reward in providing her staff with the guidance, support and direction they require to be successful in their roles.
It is Anne’s work ethic, leadership and support that prompted a colleague to honour her recently with a donation to the SMILE program.
The SMILE program provides SickKids families and staff with the opportunity to acknowledge and thank staff members through a donation to SickKids. The staff member receives a SMILE pin along with a personalized note as to why they were honoured.
“It is always nice to be acknowledged,” said Anne. “And with a SMILE, you are giving back long-term to the hospital through a donation. This simple thank you has sustainability to it, which is nice.”
If a staff member at SickKids has brought positivity, comfort or brightness to your day, say thanks by honouring them with a SMILE. A donation through the SMILE program supports the highest priority needs of the hospital as well as the Staff Continuing Professional Development Fund, which provides full and part-time staff at SickKids with opportunities to advance skills, reach new milestones in their careers and increase their knowledge and expertise. SMILEs make a difference, so please consider giving one today.
