Marienette Bergantinos, a concierge at Evanston Summit, a Covenant Living site in Calgary, sees every interaction she has at work as an opportunity to strengthen her bonds with residents and their families.
“I love getting to know the residents that we care for, learning about their interests and life stories. It’s amazing to meet their families and even their dogs when they come to visit.”
As a concierge, Marienette ensures she has time to greet and speak with residents every day. She has streamlined many daily administrative practices, such as guest booking procedures, so she can dedicate time to these interactions during high-traffic hours when residents pass her desk. She has also improved other processes and procedures at the site, reduced paper waste and shared her knowledge by training fellow staff.
Marienette’s commitment to enhancing daily operations and increasing efficiency has earned her a nomination for Covenant’s 2024 Mission Award for Stewardship. This accolade recognizes individuals who ensure resources are used wisely to decrease waste, increase effectiveness and build sustainability.
Marienette was off work recovering from surgery when she got the call about her nomination. “I wasn’t expecting it at all, but it made me very happy,” she says.
Marienette's journey with Covenant began in the summer of 2022. Drawn to the healthcare field by family influence and a natural inclination towards helping others, she found her place at Evanston Summit, where she says her daily interactions with residents and their families enrich her life and work.
Her experience at Covenant Living is marked by genuine relationships and mutual support, says Marienette. This reflects the larger organizational culture, which places a high priority on compassionate care and community building for staff, residents and families alike.
“From my direct managers to other areas of the organization, the support I received here during my health challenges was amazing,” says Marienette.
She encourages anyone considering a career in health care to pursue it. “It’s a fascinating field of work. There’s always something new to learn, and it’s a lot of fun. If you’re willing to work and enjoy learning, you’ll do just fine.”
The residents are also a continuous source of inspiration. “To be that age and still be enjoying life, socializing and being happy — I admire that,” Marienette says.
Marienette believes her award nomination shows the vital contribution individuals can make to shaping a caring healthcare environment.
“I feel so lucky to be part of this organization; the support and community here are beyond what I could have imagined for my career.”
Read more about Marienette, and be sure to watch the 2024 Mission Awards.