Three different careers, one shared passion for the MCH

For some, reaching retirement age means turning the page on a long career. For others, it is an opportunity to reflect on what still motivates them to walk through the doors of their workplace each morning. At the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH), three members of our team have chosen to continue their careers beyond the traditional retirement age. Their paths are very different, but they have one thing in common: after decades dedicated to the MCH, they still find a reason to come back.

Martine Cantave: “To me, being a nurse isn’t a job”

Since she was a teenager, Martine Cantave knew she wanted to work with children. After joining the MCH in 1990, she built a nearly 36-year career across several areas, including hematology-oncology, the Emergency Department, the float team, critical care, hemodialysis and, today, radiology.

Her career has allowed her to discover different ways of caring for children. In hemodialysis, for example, she developed relationships with patients she sometimes followed for a year or two. Today, in the MRI preparation and recovery area, she sees some of the same children regularly. “What I love is the contact with children, welcoming them and getting to know who they are.”

Martine conducts clinical assessments of patients before procedures, some of which are performed under anesthesia, and closely follows the procedures throughout. For her, when it comes to intravenous procedures, the most important thing is to build a connection with the child, explain what is going to happen and never lie to them. “I don’t lie to them, and I try to explain everything in a way they can understand, using their own words.”

She also finds small ways to make their days a little lighter. She remembers one young patient who had to fast all day before a procedure. After colouring and playing games with her, Martine eventually put an episode of Dora on her computer for her to watch. The child’s mother, touched by the moment, took a photo and later sent Martine a thank-you message. “To me, being a nurse isn’t a job, it isn’t a chore. It’s a beautiful routine.”

Although she has reached retirement age, Martine is not ready to turn the page just yet. She still loves her work, the children and, above all, the MCH team. “It’s like we’re a family. Everyone is kind, and we’re all moving in the same direction, for the good of the children.”

Over the years, she has also gained confidence, thanks in part to the colleagues and mentors who supported her along the way. “At the MCH, there is always someone there to help you. You’re never left on your own.”

Today, she is proud of everything she has learned and of the professional she has become. Her advice to the next generation? Be patient, ask questions and never stop learning. “You’re always learning something new: a new disease, a new treatment, a new tool.”

For now, Martine is choosing to keep going. Because after 36 years, there are still children to welcome, smiles to bring to their faces and plenty left to learn.

Linda Massé: “It’s always about learning, always about adapting”

After more than 41 years at the MCH, Linda Massé officially retired a few weeks ago. But for someone who dedicated much of her career to critical care, leaving the MCH completely was not so simple. She now returns to the hospital as a volunteer to share her expertise, particularly in tracheostomy care. Over the years, she has taught nurses, physicians and other healthcare professionals. Her expertise continues to benefit the teams caring for young patients.

Linda joined the MCH in 1985. She initially worked in neurology and adolescent medicine before moving into intensive care, where she spent more than 38 years. Throughout her career, she developed expertise in several areas, including palliative care, wound care and tracheostomy care. “I have always loved being a nurse. To me, it’s a profession that provides holistic, comprehensive care.”

Her curiosity also led her to advanced practice nursing. She applied, pursued a master’s degree at McGill and became an advanced practice nurse. A few years later, she worked with Dr. Tanya DiGenova to develop a training program for pediatric nurse practitioners at McGill. She then helped support the integration of this expertise at the MCH because she “didn’t want pediatrics to be left behind.”

Throughout her career, Linda has sought to meet the needs of her workplace, as well as those of her patients and their families. When she identified a need for greater expertise in wound care, she pursued additional training, collected data and helped demonstrate the importance of specialized expertise in this area. She was also among the early professionals to develop expertise in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) when the technology was introduced in neonatal care.

To keep up with the rapid evolution of medicine, she never stopped learning. “I took so many courses, read so much, went to conferences to improve my knowledge. I adapted to the needs of the environment and sought out the knowledge I needed.”

Behind all these areas of expertise, however, Linda always comes back to the same thing: patients and their families. She describes herself as a humanist who always gives her best. “We’re there at a time when patients and parents are vulnerable. It’s important to support them during that time. That’s what makes a difference in their lives.”

After 41 years, she ultimately chose to retire, not because she no longer enjoyed her work, but because she was tired. Her connection to the MCH, however, remains strong. She continues to return to teach and share her expertise.

To the next generation, she hopes to emphasize the importance of being there for patients and their families during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. “It’s always about learning, always about adapting to situations, and then giving the best of yourself.” Even in retirement, Linda continues to put that philosophy into practice.

Donna Lynn Murray: “I’m very happy here. That’s why I’m still here.”

For Donna Lynn Murray, working at the MCH is above all about people. An administrative agent in the Orthopedics and Rheumatology Clinic, she has been working at the Glen site for six years and has worked at the MUHC for 19 years.

Donna’s story with the MCH began at the former site, where she worked for six years before spending five years at the Montreal General Hospital. There, she worked in several clinics, including plastic surgery, general surgery, trauma and thoracic surgery.

But she never lost her connection to the MCH. “I really liked working with children at the MCH. That’s why I started there and really enjoyed it. I always tried to come back.” Six years ago, she finally had the opportunity to return to the hospital where her career began. Today, her role includes welcoming patients, managing follow-ups and scheduling appointments.

After several years in her current department, Donna Lynn knows her job inside and out. She still appreciates the unique aspects of each department and the different ways physicians like things to be done.

As she approached retirement, she chose to keep working, just like her husband. For her, staying active and being around people is important. “We don’t want to just stay home and do nothing. So we decided we would keep working.”

What does Donna Lynn enjoy most? Her colleagues, the children she meets and the relationships she has built over the years. Some patients return, recognize her and thank her for the small gestures she has made along the way.

Her colleagues also make her feel appreciated. After a few weeks of vacation, they tell her how much they missed her and that she is not allowed to take such a long vacation again. After all these years, that is probably one of the nicest compliments someone can receive: knowing that their presence is appreciated not only for the work they do, but also for who they are as part of the team.

When asked what she would like to pass on to the next generation, Donna Lynn emphasizes the importance of understanding processes before trying to change them. Some ways of doing things may seem complex, but they often reflect the needs of teams and physicians.

After all these years, she describes her career simply: she has enjoyed her work, met great colleagues and found a workplace where she feels comfortable. “I have enjoyed it. I’ve gotten to know many people whom I still consider good colleagues and friends. I’m very happy here. That’s why I’m still here.”

After more than 19, 36 and 41 years at the MUHC and MCH, Donna Lynn, Martine and Linda have each built a unique career. One still finds joy in her relationships with colleagues and families, another in the smiles of children and the day-to-day experience of caring for young patients, while the third continues to share expertise gained over four decades. Even when it comes time to slow down or officially retire, their connection to the MCH remains. After all these years, for these women and others, the hospital is not simply a place where they work; it’s part of their story.