We are IH: “Mr. Wonderful” a champion for care staff & residents

Robert tries to “make a difference in somebody’s life” in each shift, whether it’s a resident or staff member.

He started off as a screener with Parkview Place, but also picked up many other important roles while serving as a screener, such as:

• Handling all the laundry ordering for the site
• Coordinating the delivery of meals, coffee and tea
• Making residents’ beds and moving beds
• Delivering samples to the lab and picking up mail and parcels
• Organizing events for staff like Christmas and retirement parties
• Snow removal on weekends

“My screener position evolved into many other aspects of working in long-term care,” Robert says. “My goal has been to keep finding ways to make Parkview Place the best site in all of Interior Health—a flagship for other IH sites, and something the town of Enderby can be super proud of.”

He has also supported both the physical and mental well-being of staff. Robert, who has mental health first aid training, serves as the co-chair of the site’s joint occupational health and safety committee. He's also the site’s chief shop steward for the Hospital Employees' Union (HEU).

“I’m inspired to make Parkview Place function to the best of my abilities, and to look and find what Parkview Place needs to succeed for our staff and our clients,” Robert says.

Now, as a care aide, Robert helps residents with their daily living activities such as personal care and meals. 

“I spent the past couple of years just working days. Seeing residents and staff in the evenings has been really nice,” shares Robert.

Robert recently received his pin for 35 years of service. Before Parkview Place, he spent 25 years working as a care aide for Noric House long-term care in Vernon.

He says he's given a lot to Parkview Place, but has also gotten a lot back from his roles.

Robert could have retired years ago, but hopes to remain at Parkview Place for another 10 years. “I enjoy looking after the staff that work here and I love what I do.” 

Outside of work, Robert is into weightlifting. Before suffering a shoulder injury, Robert was bench pressing an impressive 315 pounds. Robert also stays active with jiu-jitsu, free style wrestling, cross-country skiing and dirt biking. He enjoys cooking, gardening and playing one of his many guitars.

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