Ivy Tauhinu says Haere rā to Middlemore after 54 years of service.
Starting her journey in 1969, Ivy has seen the hospital undergo many changes, from uniform fashions to building renovations.
She has been steadfast in her job working as an orderly. When moving patients to the wards, Ivy takes pride in showing care and doing it to the best of her ability.
"I always tell the other orderlies to treat people with aroha. When you're helping patients, think of how you would treat your parents," says Ivy.
One of her favourite places to work was the Emergency Department, a sentiment shared by staff like Dr Inia Tomash, who says Ivy was a massive contributor to the spirit within the ED.
"She broke through traditional barriers, ignored a traditional hierarchy, and treated everyone as her friend and confidant. Ivy wasn't afraid to share her opinion with the doctors, be it management or our hospital CEO," says Dr Inia.
Team leader for Orderly Services, Vanessa Manu, was Ivy's manager and shared this Maori whakatauki that best describes her as a person.
‘Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini’
My strength is not as an individual but as a collective.
Throughout the years, the patients have always been Ivy's priority, saying that they are her wages and she wouldn't have a job without them.
"I've given it my all. I love Middlemore, and I love the people," says Ivy.
For half a century, Ivy has embodied our organisation's value of Kotahitanga – together, to include everyone as part of the team.
We thank you for being a part of Middlemore's team Ivy and hope you enjoy your well-earned retirement!