Michael Garron Hospital (Toronto East Health Network) Department of Patient Experience

Name of Practicum Site, Unit or Program:

Location:

Michael Garron Hospital, 825 Coxwell Avenue Toronto, ON M4C 3E7

Description of the practicum site and student activities:

About Michael Garron Hospital (Toronto East Health Network): Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) is a community teaching hospital serving over 400,000 people in East Toronto—one of Canada’s most diverse communities. Affiliated with the University of Toronto, we’ve treated each person who comes through our doors like a neighbour for nearly 100 years. Guided by our vision of “Integrating Care. Bold Impact.”, we are committed to health equity and inclusive care, and to being a destination for healthcare’s future leaders who are committed to learning and achieving excellence.

About the Placement: Join the Department of Patient Experience, a strategic team that works across all clinical and non-clinical areas of the hospital to ensure patients and families are at the centre of everything we do. As a placement student, you’ll be embedded within the Patient Engagement Team, where patient and caregiver voices shape how services are co-designed, delivered, and evaluated.

What You’ll Do: You’ll contribute to meaningful projects and initiatives that advance patient- and family-centred and culturally safer care, including:

Supporting the development of patient and family experience strategies and initiatives
Helping grow and strengthen the Patient Experience Partner program
Participating in Patient Experience Panels, working alongside Patient Experience Partners (volunteers with lived experience of hospital services)
Facilitate patient and family engagement activities based on ongoing community needs
Supporting resource development for Indigenous health services
Conducting environmental scans to inform equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) initiatives

What You’ll Learn: This placement offers hands-on experience in engagement, strategy, and health equity work. You’ll develop skills in facilitating groups, designing and delivering presentations, conducting research scans, and collaborating across teams. You’ll also gain exposure to committee work and cross-departmental initiatives in a hospital setting.

Supervision: You’ll be supervised by the Manager of Patient Engagement (MSW, RSW) and co-supervised by the Senior Specialist, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. Beyond day-to-day guidance, your supervisors are committed to supporting your professional growth and can offer mentorship in leadership development within health and social services.

Practicum Requirements:

☒ Immunizations per PHA Guidelines

☒ N95 Respirator/Mask Fitting

☒ Covid Vaccinations

☒ Influenza Vaccination (Flu shot)

☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

☒ Comfort working with the population being served

☒ Comprehensive report writing and documentation

☒ Evening attendance

☐ Weekend attendance

Other requirements:

Applicants from equity-deserving communities will be prioritized.

Field(s) of Study:

☒ Mental Health and Health

☒ Social Justice and Diversity

☒ Human Services Management and Leadership

Does your practicum require any previous experience?

Previous experience with research activities, presentations, preparing reports and public-facing documents, and working in a professional health or social services environment is an asset.

We’re looking for a student who:

Demonstrates maturity and professionalism in their approach to work
Has strong written communication skills
Can take direction and then work independently to complete tasks
Takes initiative and is proactive in identifying opportunities to contribute
Works collaboratively and builds positive working relationships across diverse groups

In this role, you’ll interact with clinicians, leaders, staff, patients, families, and volunteers—so comfort engaging with a wide range of people is essential.

Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?

In-person only

Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?

Indirect

Number of practicums offered:

Field Instructor name and credentials:

Clara Ho, MSW, RSW, MHSc, CHE

Application deadline: February 20, 2026

Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?

Please submit a resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, tell us about your motivation for this placement, your relevant interests, qualifications, and skills, and what you hope to gain from the experience.

Accessibility Considerations:

Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? Yes

Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Yes

Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Fast

Is there a high noise level in the practicum? Low

Is the site wheelchair accessible? Yes

What are the physical demands of the practicum? Using a computer/laptop for multiple hours, travelling across the hospital building for in-person meetings.

Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of? Private space is available but needs to be pre-booked. For individuals with sensory sensitivities, the hospital lighting is bright although it is possible to dim lights in many closed-door meeting rooms and offices.

If you are interested in this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to alexi.sparaggis@utoronto.caby 4pm on February 20, 2026. Applications will be forwarded to the site.