Volunteer Spotlight – Janet Trowbridge

The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital Volunteer Janet Trowbridge retired from her nursing career in 2016. But she still celebrates National Nurses Week (May 6-12, 2020) as a reminder of the importance of nursing to the many health challenges we are all facing today.

Janet’s been a Guelphite for more than thirty-eight years, coming to the city to enroll in Conestoga College’s nursing program in 1982. After graduation, Janet nursed at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Homewood Health Centre, and Guelph General Hospital. It was at GGH that she worked her way up to become Director of Inpatient Surgery for more than six years at the height of her career. That job allowed Janet to see how important the Foundation’s fundraising is to the hospital’s quality of care. Excellent patient care was her focus as a nurse and director. Today, the support Janet provides to The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital gives her the satisfaction of knowing she is still involved in that vital focus.

Janet was eager to talk about her role as a volunteer and how it’s an extension of her work before retirement. She has happily taken on a whole host of tasks for the Foundation — working on events such as Black Tie Bingo and the golf tournament, office support, talking to potential donors, and appreciation calls — a real jack-of-all-trades! You’ll find her sunny smile on Wednesdays in The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital office.

Janet wants people to understand how important The Foundation’s work is. “Do you know that community donors fund all patient care equipment? None of it comes from the government. Without our donors, this hospital would not be able to offer the excellent care that it does. It’s important to me to support the Foundation in any way I can so that the hospital can continue to provide that high standard of care. I think it is important to give back to the hospital and community that has given so much to me: A career I look back on with pride, a strong connection to the community and my GGH family, and an opportunity to continue serving in some small way.”

Janet Trowbridge, you’re an inspiration to us all!