Our Stories

Marieke Van Den Berg
Registered Nurse

Ever since I was a little, I have liked taking care of people. I quickly learned that it doesn’t take much to help people.

I truly think I have one of the best jobs in the world. Little Marieke would be so proud that I became an RN, and maybe a little surprised that I now live in Labrador City, after growing up in The Netherlands, living in Australia and having travelled the world.

Now that I’m a manager, I’m not taking care of patients as much as I did; I’m caring for the staff who take care of them. Being a part of the team in Labrador West means having a family at work. We keep showing up for each other through all the good times and bad. One of the good moments recently was when one of my close co-workers moved up into a senior director role. She tells me that she couldn't do her job without me (but I believe otherwise).

I’ve lived here for over six years now, and I don't have the inkling to live anywhere else. There’s always something to do and people to talk to. One of my earliest memories is walking down the road and having a total stranger offer me a lift. I’m happy to say that I’d now do the same if I saw someone like that. Everyone here is just so friendly!

I’m proud to work in health care in NL because I see the effort that is being put into achieving change for the better. We’re really making a difference for our people and our communities.

Dr. Jackie Elliott
Family Doctor

At my clinic, my patients know me as Dr. Elliott, but if I’m anywhere else in town, like out at the grocery store, I’m known as Jackie. Practicing in a small town in Newfoundland and Labrador, I really value the sense of community, safety and relationships I have with patients. I don’t think I could get it anywhere else.

As a family physician, I’m so glad that I get to be a part of many people’s lives and stay connected to them as they grow up. Patient care is truly at the centre of my work and the people in Port Blandford and our neighbouring communities make it easy.

For someone considering moving and practicing in a smaller community in Newfoundland and Labrador, I would say welcome the opportunity with open arms, because that’s exactly how you would be welcomed into your role in the community.

Marco Mueller
Radiation Therapist

I moved to St. John’s about three years ago because I wasn’t feeling fully settled in a big city like Toronto. Most of the time I felt anonymous, and I kept dreaming of being in a place that was close-knit and gave me the opportunities to create special relationships with coworkers and patients.

Working in health care is a pretty natural fit for me and I’ve always been interested in the radiation aspect of physics. As a radiation therapist at the Cancer Care Centre, I get to work with some of the most intelligent, compassionate people. I also get to work with technology that I didn’t think a place like St. John’s would have access to.

My job has a lot to do with the relationships. With coworkers, patients and their family and friends. We develop connections with each other faster than others do. Going through treatment, we may see each other for 39 days straight.

Even on days that can feel – and are – so challenging, we get through them together.

Standly Babila
Registered Nurse

When I think about why I got started in health care, my reasons bring me back to my childhood. In Cameroon, I made so many visits to the hospital with my mom who was sick at the time. I would ask myself: what can be done so that she doesn’t have to visit the hospital? Is there something to improve her health? I had so many questions that I wanted answers to so I could help her better.

Fast forward to many years later, I was recruited after meeting some friendly faces at a job fair. I worked as a Personal Care Assistant until receiving my license to become a Resident Nurse last summer. (Looking ahead, I aspire to apply for the Nurse Practitioner Program at Memorial University.)

I enjoy every bit of my role. I get so happy when after two or three days upon caring for someone with an injury they can say, “Oh I feel better now!” Sometimes I find I interact with family members more than patients, and that’s just as important. Helping each other isn’t only about health care. It’s about putting a smile on someone’s face.

Adjusting to a new city and country was made so easy because of the people. Colleagues insisted on showing me their favourite places in St. John’s and I quickly found ways to get involved in the community too. I’ve recently moved to Placentia and am loving this part of the province that still feels new and familiar to me. Even helping my neighbour clear snow from their driveway is important to me. That must make me a true Newfoundlander, right?

Dr. Sean Dillon
Family Doctor

I was practicing as a nurse for 11 years in Newfoundland and Labrador and always knew I wanted to be a physician. Two of the best decisions I have made for my life and career are: completing my residency in Goose Bay and then choosing to call it home.

Limited resources can make working and living in rural areas challenging, but I think that's why I really enjoy it Whether I’m at work or at home, I’m constantly thinking on my feet and managing with what’s available to me right now. I get to collaborate with my coworkers all the time and the care and solutions we provide for our community and patients are so valuable because of how we work together.

I’ve lived in other cities across Newfoundland and Labrador and I’m amazed at the sense of the community the farther I go north. For six weeks, I get to run a clinic in Nain, the most northern and largest Inuit community in our province. I get to meet and help people who may not have access to healthcare as often as others and I consider it to be the highlight of my career.

Vinita Thakur
Clinical Biochemist

I really do believe that things happen for a reason. The day I got recruited for a position in St. John’s is very significant because it’s also the anniversary of my mom’s passing. She was the greatest admirer of me and I’m confident she blessed me that day to find the path of my career in a new place.

My skills and contributions at NLHS have been recognized in ways that mean so much to me. I’ve been encouraged to keep growing and seize opportunities that I’m passionate about for improving patient care. And I never have to do that alone. I work with such a great team of people who care about the same things and share the same goals as me. Any of my accomplishments are shared with them.

Living and working in Newfoundland and Labrador is a wonderful gift. I’m blown away with its immense beauty and how friendly people can be. Sometimes I wonder why these things are true! This place and what I can accomplish here are truly unique.

Andrew Dawe
Pharmacist

I love that everyone has a reason for working in health care. It feels extra special to say that mine is because of my grandparents. When I was young, I’d tag along with them to the pharmacy and watch them get help with their medications. The pharmacists were always so caring and patient. I could see myself doing something like that too.

When I was going through school, I had placements in the community I grew up in. My family and friends were able to watch me through my journey from a student to a professional while I was helping to take care of them.

Counseling patients, speaking to families and finding solutions to improve their health is the thing I enjoy most about this career, and I love doing so with a big team around me. I get to work with all sorts of health care professionals. We see people come in acutely unwell and watching them go home healthier is the best feeling.

I’m so proud to be where I’m from and helping those who choose to live here too.

Rahul Girijappan
Registered Nurse

I choose to live and work in central Newfoundland and Labrador primarily because of the people. When I began my career here about 12 years ago, colleagues welcomed and supported me and helped me transition from living in Kerala.

It's difficult for me to point out a single reason why I wanted to be a registered nurse. There's a constant challenge due to the dynamic nature of the role. I'm always looking to grow through continuous learning and to advance by my field. This profession allows me to reach well beyond my potential while ensuring that our patients get the best care possible when they need it.

I will never regret that I made the move to Newfoundland and Labrador. I live here with my wife, who is also a registered nurse, currently working as the interim nursing supervisor for the new long-term care in Grand Falls-Windsor, and two children, and they love it just as much as I do. A safe environment surrounds us here, with recreational activities year-round for us to bring forward our growing family. The people's warm, friendly and welcoming nature truly made us stay and grow.