Print 
Share 
Text 
To reset, hold the Ctrl key, then press 0.
Mike Mongeon received a personalized Guardian Angel pin for his warmth and compassionate care toward patients.
The tremendously warm and toothy smile across Michel “Mike” Mongeon’s face says everything about his character.
His smile is a hard-to-ignore first impression and it’s one of the characteristics that makes him so memorable to patients. Another is his ability to make almost anyone feel comfortable. This skill is particularly important for a porter, who transports patients who may feel a bit uneasy from one part of the hospital to another.
Phyllis Holmes, a former patient of The Ottawa Hospital wrote this about Mongeon in her nomination letter to The Ottawa Hospital’s Guardian Angel Program, a recognition program where patients and families can show their appreciation for doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers who provide exceptional care:
“Before Mike took me down for my echocardiogram, he stopped just past the nursing station and went and got 2 warm blankets because he thought I was going to get cold before we returned. [My husband, Brian,] and he had a very animated conversation.”
In addition to the nomination, Phyllis made a donation to the hospital in Mongeon’s honour to show her appreciation for his kindness.
Mongeon has been a porter at The Ottawa Hospital for 12 years, but he has been making people laugh and feel at ease his entire life. His energetic and spirited personality supports patients who experience the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the hospital.
“When you love your job, it puts a smile on your face. And a smile is contagious,” boasts Mongeon.
Mongeon has a long-term impact on patients. Former patients often greet him by name. They ask if he remembers their time together from years ago. They share jokes or stories of Mongeon’s compassionate deeds that made them feel a little warmer or more comfortable during their hospital stay.
It may take a moment or two, but Mongeon remembers these patient stories in the end. He treats every patient that he transports the same way: he smiles widely, introduces himself, and offers warm jokes, conversation, or the gentle care required to get them on their way.
In fact, he is so popular that patients often ask for him to transport them again.
The Ottawa Hospital’s Guardian Angel Program is a thoughtful way for patients to honour a doctor, nurse, staff member or volunteer who made a positive impact on their experience. By giving a gift and sending a message, patients let the recipient know that the special care given did not go unnoticed. The recipient also receives a custom-crafted Guardian Angel pin to proudly wear on their lapel, signifying to others that they deliver compassionate care to patients at The Ottawa Hospital.
Donations through the Guardian Angel Program help to purchase life-saving equipment, enhance patient care areas, and fund vital medical research that will lead to new treatments and cures.
Congratulations and thank you for your dedication to every patient, Mike!
Support patient care and research at
The Ottawa Hospital
You might also like…
A volunteer program that taps into the power of music
Studies have shown that music can benefit the body, mind, relationships and community. Musical Moments is a program where volunteers play live music to support positive outcomes for patients, visitors and staff.
We’ve got you covered: The Ottawa Hospital now offers bandages for a variety of skin tones
Whenever you’ve scraped your knee or had your blood drawn, odds are your bandage was the same colour every time. Peach has been the default hue for over a century — but no longer at The Ottawa Hospital.
The power of community @ TOH
Last year, Registered Nurse Macrina Valcin created an intricate display on her unit for Black History Month, transforming the unit’s bulletin board into a powerful celebration of Black people, culture and history. This year, thanks to the warm support and encouragement from a newly formed inclusive community, Macrina is showcasing her passion project to a much larger audience.
New gender-affirming surgery clinic now accepting patients
The Ottawa Hospital’s new gender-affirming surgery clinic is truly one of a kind. Launched in September 2023, it’s the only clinic in Ontario to offer trans and non-binary patients facial, top and bottom procedures. Plastic Surgeon Dr. Nicholas Cormier and his team are happy to announce that they are now accepting patient referrals from physicians.
Patient gifts a piece of home to Indigenous Cancer Program
Inuit patients can now see and hold a piece of their traditional territory in the Windòcàge Room at the General Campus, thanks to an interactive gift donated to The Ottawa Hospital by a cancer patient.
These volunteers turn chocolates and stuffed animals into MRI machines
We all know that a gift has the power to bring a smile to someone’s face. But did you know that the gifts you buy at our gift shops also have the power to help us buy important medical equipment? Our shops are run by a group of fundraising volunteers and staff from The Ottawa Hospital Auxiliary. Here are some other ways their efforts help make meaningful change.
Comment on this post