On January 29, 2025, the Kitimat Community Health Centre team began their day with a breakfast to honor four employees celebrating five years of service or more with Northern Health (NH).
Congratulations to Trista Skinner and Natalie Baldo for five years of service, Linnea Cartie for 20 years, and Gilda Trzos for achieveing 35 years of service.
As the recognition event unfolded, there was a profound sense of camaraderie and pride. When Darri O’Neill, the manager of the Kitimat Community Health Centre presented each of the four employees with a pin of recognition from NH, all the team members applauded. Gilda’s gold pin in particular stood out; adorned with ruby, sapphire, and diamond stones. This pin signified her recognition for 35 years of service.
So, who is Gilda Trzos and what motivated her to work for the same organization and in the same community for such a long time?
Gilda is a Kitimat resident who became an employee of NH in 1989. She worked casually in a variety of positions for 11 years, prioritizing the needs of her young family at that time. She started as a switchboard operator at the Kitimat General Hospital, subsequently transitioning to the diabetes program, and then made her way to the Kitimat Community Health Centre more than 24 years ago, where she has worked since. Her current position as an administrative support involves managing biological and community care supplies.
Gilda summarized her motivation to continue working with NH and her reason for remaining in Kitimat, “I’ve always lived in the community. I’ve had my family here, so I wouldn’t think about leaving. That is part of the reason why I’ve worked in the same organization for so many years, but also because I enjoy it.”
Discovering the spirit of the Kitimat Community Health Centre through Gilda’s professional journey
“I’ve worked with many different people. Sometimes relationships are great, sometimes not so great, but overall, my work experience has been good. I remember going away on vacation and then thinking I miss my work friends! The people here are excellent. I’ve been here a long time, so I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. Either they retire, or start families and decide to leave or stay afterwards. It’s been a good journey and overall I find that people working in Kitimat Community Health haven’t really left the company. We work hard together and focus on getting the work done. We help each other out when someone needs it,” said Gilda.
When Gilda was asked for a message for employees with less than 35 years of service at NH, she shared the following inspiring advice:
“Job satisfaction comes from doing your job the very best that you can. The people you work with are affected by your attitude and what’s happening around you. A good attitude is key,” she said.
She continued, “Cultivate respect and collaboration in your workplace and amongst your colleagues. Good relationships with the people you work with are so important. We spend many hours at work, you become a family. Treat each other kindly, have compassion. We are a team. When work needs to be done, we pull together to get it done. Everyone is equal.”
Gilda shared some additional wise words, “Accountability is important. Your job is a reflection of you. Your coworkers depend on you to do your part so they can do theirs. Revel in each other’s wins. Make people feel valued and that they matter.”
On the day of this interview, she counted 36 years of work for Northern Health, which means she’s only four years away from her next pin.
Gilda’s advice emphasizes that each day at work brings new opportunities for advancement through awareness, respect, collaboration, and accountability, and for employees to consider working towards earning their pin.
Warmest congratulations to those who received pins in Kitimat and across NH this year, and best wishes to them as they continue to make their mark. Deepest gratitude to Gilda for sharing her valuable professional journey for 35 years and more at NH.
Congratulations to Darri O’Neill, manager of Kitimat Community Health, as well as the dedicated team for fostering a collaborative, supportive, respectful, and accountable workplace environment.
Comments