Natalie G. woke up one morning in June suspecting she had food poisoning. The 41-year-old visited Sunnybrook’s Emergency Department and was quickly diagnosed with a blockage in her intestine, resulting in emergency surgery.

“Staff were so kind, at every turn, which really put me at ease,” she says, admitting she initially felt anxious about visiting a hospital during the pandemic.

A month later, Natalie returned to the Emergency Department when her fingers became so swollen she couldn’t remove her rings. She smiles when she thinks of the team who were determined to save her engagement ring and wedding band. “Their compassion really meant the world,” she says, adding that one physician froze her finger and saved her engagement ring.

The freelance transcriber, and mother of one, says, “I’m so grateful for the kindness of every staff member I encountered. Thank you, Sunnybrook.”