Georgian College

6 GEORGIANVIEW FALL 2020 DIGITAL SUPPLEMENT family member, you never know. You always had that in the back of your mind." Prototyping, research and development had to ensure the shields were not only effective, but comfortable enough to wear day-in day-out. And their Georgian education provided a foundation. "To me, an important part of college was about time management and problem solving," says Justin. "I could contribute because Georgian really taught me how to attack a problem and work through it. I'm really proud to be part of what we're accomplishing here." It is a significant accomplishment. MPC has manufactured an astonishing number of shields – 27 million to date – keeping health-care and essential workers safe across Canada. "It's hard to put into words really," says Kyle. "We worked with a lot of doctors, nurses, paramedics and others to get feedback. I was able to get recommendations from my own dentist. I had an appointment recently and saw how they've been able to open, in a small part, because of our shields. It's given them some additional comfort they can go to work and be safe. It's pretty humbling to be part of it." Despite long hours, and at times, personal risk, fighting the pandemic has been overwhelmingly rewarding for all these Georgian alumni. "I have no second thoughts about my career," says Shane. "This is what I signed up for. In fact, I'm now studying in the Advanced Care Paramedic program, while working full- time. I love this job. It doesn't feel like work to me." "I wouldn't exchange my position for anything," agrees Freda. "It's where I'm able to be at my best, to grow, share my experience and support my patients. Nursing is something you have to give from your heart, you have to care from your soul." Heroes among us Pictured (left to right): Sarah McAleer (class of 2002), Lynn Drummond (class of 1984), Mary Pettipas (class of 1997), Andrea Marie (former faculty), Kelsey Toney (Georgian@ York alumna), Phoenix Bea (class of 2011), Peggy Hughes (former faculty), Pamela Lloyd Newlove (class of 1999), Shawna Lloyd Ropson (class of 2004), Jennie Cruikshank (Georgian@ York alumna), Jenny Lynn (class of 2010), Nancy Sova (class of 1987), Val Bischof (class of 1994), Char Lameront (class of 1996 and 2003), Terry McKinley (class of 1979), Christine Otoole-Bleich (class of 2011), Lynne Primrose (class of 1998), Jahsan Toney (class of 2012 and 2014), Deborah Osborne (class of 1994), Andrea Couse (Georgian @ York alumna), Susan Hazlett-Cooper Boudreau (class of 2000). When frontline workers began battling the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, Yvonne Galbraith, an Academic Program Technologist in Health, Wellness and Sciences at Georgian College began creating images of health-care workers and posting to social media to acknowledge the 'Heroes Among Us'. Shane Ellis, class of 2017, paramedic and current student Read more about Georgian's COVID-19 response. If you're a Georgian grad making a difference in these unprecedented times, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at alumni@georgiancollege.ca and we may tell your story in the upcoming issue of The Loop.

• Cover