
Behind every successful team is the person or group of people who hold things together. They are the keepers of projects and schedules, the holders of invaluable institutional knowledge and the ones that always go that extra mile for those around them.
Shared Health is proud to recognize Administrative Professionals Day on April 23 for the important contributions they make to the health system every day, whether in direct care, support or corporate environments.
Our Administrative Professionals

Melissa Vilaykeo’s relationship with Health Sciences Centre (HSC) began long before she became an administrative assistant. It all started in high school when she volunteered in the gift shop, developing a close connection with the hospital and its community.
“I’ve always found myself returning to HSC throughout my career,” said Vilaykeo, now an administrative assistant 3 for Rehab Physiotherapy, Child Health Physiotherapy and PAR Services. “When I arrive at work, there’s this incredible hustle and bustle. I really like being part of the bigger team – where everybody has this drive to make a difference.”
After nearly a decade as a rehab assistant, Vilaykeo transitioned into the role of administrative assistant. This shift was driven by her natural ability to multitask and a growing interest to contribute to the clinic’s operations behind the scenes.
“As a rehab float, I was given opportunities to learn a lot of the administrative work and was surprised by how skilled I was in that area,” she reflected.

When Renae Braun was a little girl, she would eagerly accompany her mother to her father’s heavy-duty mechanic shop, where she found herself immersed in a world of office tasks.
“I would beg my mom to take me to the shop so I could answer the phone and assist with the paperwork,” Braun recalls with a nostalgic smile. “I loved pretending to be an office assistant, helping her with anything I could. That’s where it all started.”
Braun’s affinity for paperwork led her to pursue a path in administration, knowing it was one of her callings in a career. She completed her medical ward clerk training at RRC Polytech and has since worked in both the pre-operative clinic at St. Boniface Hospital as well as in mental health services for Southern Health-Santé Sud.
“I’m kind of nerdy, and I like the paperwork end of things,” she admits. “I live for line graphs, pie charts, and labels. It makes me happy to simplify processes, and it’s incredibly satisfying!”

Working as an administrative professional at Health Sciences Centre is something that Michael Pajemolin finds passion and meaning in.
“Even though I’m not on the bedside and taking care of patients, I make sure those who are care givers are taken care of. That makes me excited and makes me feel like I’m on the bigger picture. As long as their needs are taken care of, they can focus on doing their job and taking care of patients,” said Pajemolin.
Working in admin roles since 2008, Pajemolin prides himself on taking care of his colleagues so they can be fully available to help HSC patients.
“If they have worries or concerns about HR, about benefits or something that came up that they need to make schedule adjustments, I help. These small things are big things for nurses and health care aids and it takes away their focus from bedside. Then they can focus their full time on taking care of their patient, then I’m on it,” he said.
Nominate an Administrative Professional
Nominate an administrative professional who deserves to be recognized for their important efforts that help keep our teams and departments running smoothly.
Save and send this thank you card to recognize the supportive administrative professional on your team.
Thank you to those who have already graciously shared their nominations with us. Select nominations have been added below.
Alex Dancyt
Alex is a well known member of our small rural community, and has established relationships with our patients. Alex has been at the clinic for over 10 years now, and continues to provide compassionate and quality care to all. She goes above and beyond her role to help our patients receive the care t...
Alex Dancyt
Alex is a well known member of our small rural community, and has established relationships with our patients. Alex has been at the clinic for over 10 years now, and continues to provide compassionate and quality care to all. She goes above and beyond her role to help our patients receive the care they need and deserve. Alex always has a friendly welcoming smile, and knows all the ins and outs of primary care. Alex will go out of her way to help our patients and other community members and is the lead on our annual christmas hamper that our clinic donates to a chosen family in need. Alex is an asset to the clinic and deserves recognition for the outstanding work that she does not only for us, but for the patients and community.
Nominated by: Cheyenne Legal
Amrit Kaur
Amrit is always willing to help her coworkers with out hesitation or asking. Amrit is very skilled, detail oriented, and pleasant with patients.
Amritpal Kaur
Amrit goes above and beyond to help our patients. She radiates positive energy and always has a smile on her face. Amrit works hard and rarely makes mistakes in her work. A lot of the providers at AWW always appreciate her effort and know that if they need something done well, Amrit’s the one to go t...
Amritpal Kaur
Amrit goes above and beyond to help our patients. She radiates positive energy and always has a smile on her face. Amrit works hard and rarely makes mistakes in her work. A lot of the providers at AWW always appreciate her effort and know that if they need something done well, Amrit’s the one to go to.
Nominated by: Paige Oliver-Bingham
Brittany Berard
Brittany rejoined Southern Health after being away for 4 years, and jumped right in. Within the last three months that she’s been back, there have been a lot of changes, but Brittany has kept up and is always happy to help. She has already done so much to help with keeping Primary Care working effici...
Brittany Berard
Brittany rejoined Southern Health after being away for 4 years, and jumped right in. Within the last three months that she’s been back, there have been a lot of changes, but Brittany has kept up and is always happy to help. She has already done so much to help with keeping Primary Care working efficiently and has taken on additional workloads due to another admin leaving the region. Primary Care is lucky to have such a dedicated, hard working administrative assistant working for them.
Nominated by: Andrea Rempel
Carolyn Garlinski
Carolyn is the glue that holds us together. Despite all of the daily challenges and seemingly countless daily phone calls and emails, Carolyn manages to maintain remain cool, calm, and collected in dealing with corporate, educational, patient care and other administrative activities. Carolyn helps w...
Carolyn Garlinski
Carolyn is the glue that holds us together. Despite all of the daily challenges and seemingly countless daily phone calls and emails, Carolyn manages to maintain remain cool, calm, and collected in dealing with corporate, educational, patient care and other administrative activities. Carolyn helps with the monumental task of annually coordinating Bug Day. Carolyn always goes above and beyond in everything she does and it has been a pleasure to have worked together for 25 years!
Nominated by: Dr. John Embil
Chantale Belisle
She is friendly and cares about other people. If you need something and we do not have it, she will go out of her way to get it for you. She is well liked in the office and you can always depend on her.
Chantale Belisle
After all she has been through in life, she still manages to keep our department in a nice orderly manner and still able to put a huge smile on her face when we are all together her at work. Her work doesn’t go unnoticed. She keeps the building organized, steady and in working condition. Always on to...
Chantale Belisle
After all she has been through in life, she still manages to keep our department in a nice orderly manner and still able to put a huge smile on her face when we are all together her at work. Her work doesn’t go unnoticed. She keeps the building organized, steady and in working condition. Always on top of things in making sure everyone receives the requests they ask for. She comes in to work with huge dedication and honest leadership. Nobody has worked so hard and efficiently as an admin the way Chantale does! Her experience and knowledge being the Finance admin has also taught me a lot. I believe she is a great example! A great person to nominate!
Nominated by: Grendelyn Alfonso
Chantale Belisle
Chantale always goes above and beyond of what is expected of her. She is a wonderful member of the team and a great co-worker who makes everyone’s day better.
Chantale Belisle
Chantale is an amazing person inside and out – she goes out of her way to make everyone feel welcome. She goes and beyond for everyone she encounters! Her knowledge and expertise is felt throughout the entire department and she deserves being recognized for the amazing person she is!
Chantale Belisle
Chantale is an amazing person inside and out – she goes out of her way to make everyone feel welcome. She goes and beyond for everyone she encounters! Her knowledge and expertise is felt throughout the entire department and she deserves being recognized for the amazing person she is!
Nominated by: Summer Nguyen
Chantale Belisle
Chantale has been a vital part of Accounts receivable and Payable dept. She ensures that everyone is updated with the current updates and guidelines, provides immediate assistance with anything regarding admin, she always offer a helping hand especially during our month ends even if the task is not ...
Chantale Belisle
Chantale has been a vital part of Accounts receivable and Payable dept. She ensures that everyone is updated with the current updates and guidelines, provides immediate assistance with anything regarding admin, she always offer a helping hand especially during our month ends even if the task is not related to her duties and responsibilities. She keeps our office organized and always in order. A pleasant person always in exuding positivity no matter what she has been through. She is a gem and she deserves this nomination- BIGTIME!
Nominated by: Jazel Edano
Chantale Belisle
Chantale goes above and beyond of her duties as Admin Secretary. She’s been supporting Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable’s workload and doing a great work at that.
Chantale Belisle
She is a hard worker and a team player. Very much deserving to be recognized.
Chantale Belisle
She’s been serving Shared Health for quite sometime already and she has the passion, dedication and love towards her role. She is very approachable and helpful with regards to making things work.
Christina Matischuk
I would like to nominate my co worker, Christina. Christina has been working with the WRHA for over 15 years. She has had a wide variety during this time supporting various programs throughout her career – she is someone you can always rely on with her expertise and knowledge, gentle soft spoken natu...
Christina Matischuk
I would like to nominate my co worker, Christina. Christina has been working with the WRHA for over 15 years. She has had a wide variety during this time supporting various programs throughout her career – she is someone you can always rely on with her expertise and knowledge, gentle soft spoken nature and my, ‘go-to’ – I have learnt a lot from her in my new role – she is always willing to help not just myself but everyone around her I think she deserves to be recognized for all her hard work 🙂
Nominated by: Felicia Matikka
Colleen Day
I am honored to nominate Colleen Day. Colleen is very welcoming to patients & creates friendly environment for her coworkers. She is dedicated to her work.
Daphne Semeniuk
Daphne goes above and beyond her duties as an administrator professional. If she sees that someone is struggling, she figures out a way to share her knowledge and experience with them to help train and make their tasks easier to accomplish. She leads from a position of competence and caring for her ...
Daphne Semeniuk
Daphne goes above and beyond her duties as an administrator professional. If she sees that someone is struggling, she figures out a way to share her knowledge and experience with them to help train and make their tasks easier to accomplish. She leads from a position of competence and caring for her teammates, and for those who she serves. If you need something to get done, you know she will find the way forward to do it, whether she’s in a lead or supporting role. She also has a great sense of humour which is a helpful skill to carry us through busy and often stressful workdays.
Nominated by: Susan Polz
Diane Hagyard
Diane is an amazing manager. She goes above and beyond to make sure that everyone on the team is supported. She is always available for us, even if we just need a quick chat or some reassurance. In her biweekly huddles, she makes sure to keep us informed of all the most up-to-date information and re...
Diane Hagyard
Diane is an amazing manager. She goes above and beyond to make sure that everyone on the team is supported. She is always available for us, even if we just need a quick chat or some reassurance. In her biweekly huddles, she makes sure to keep us informed of all the most up-to-date information and resources that we need to do our jobs effectively. She truly cares about her team and it shows with how she conducts herself on a daily basis. We couldn’t ask for a better leader. She is a true gem.
Nominated by: Pamela Vokey
Elizabeth Premecz
Anyone who has met Liz immediately is struck by her kindness, competence, and good sense of humour. She has steered the Home Care Centralized Program well, being its historian, archivist, champion, and organizer
Fay Matias-Ong
Fay has been a breath of fresh air in Midwifery Services since she joined our team a couple years ago. She is forever helpful, quick to offer aid, has excellent communication skills, responds to our concerns quickly, efficiently and correctly and has helped bring some much needed organizational skil...
Fay Matias-Ong
Fay has been a breath of fresh air in Midwifery Services since she joined our team a couple years ago. She is forever helpful, quick to offer aid, has excellent communication skills, responds to our concerns quickly, efficiently and correctly and has helped bring some much needed organizational skills to the administration of our program. We only have good things to say about her and are grateful she has joined our team.
Nominated by: Danielle Laxdal
Gail Mucha
Gail has been working at the Child Protection Centre for over 40 years and is truly the backbone of our team – in addition to all of the work she does to keep our clinics running, communication with patients as well as external services, purchasing and stocking, and so much more, she also initiates s...
Gail Mucha
Gail has been working at the Child Protection Centre for over 40 years and is truly the backbone of our team – in addition to all of the work she does to keep our clinics running, communication with patients as well as external services, purchasing and stocking, and so much more, she also initiates staff birthday or life event celebrations and support. Gail is passionate about environmental stewardship and facilitates recycling and composting within our department. She is intentional in building relationships with our staff and we are so lucky to have her on our team.
Nominated by: Danielle Geddes
