Employee Spotlight
Greta Lingenfelter
Q. How long have you been working for SSCHS?
A. It was 20 years in April.
Q. Can you describe what a typical work day is like for you?
A. Hectic! *laughs. It starts with taking care of acute patients and long-term care residents, preparing breakfast, looking at lunch, getting meals for Meals on Wheels ready for 21-28 people. We also have to make sure we are handling the various diets.
Q. Who do you interact with the most at work?
A. Everyone in the kitchen.
Q. How would your co-workers describe you?
A. I think they would say I'm respectful. We all have respect for each other. You don't get it unless you give it. I try to come in to work as bubbly as I can. I give 100% and I'm proud of what I do at the end of the day.
Q. Explain what it's like working with Karen.
A. Karen has a wonderful, bubbly personality that is a joy to have around. She has brought many new and refreshing ideas to the kitchen. She's willing to really work with you. It's absolutely great.
Q. What's the best part about your job and working for SSCHS?
A. The challenges each and every day. We have to adapt to different diets, and deal with any curve ball that gets thrown at us. I love taking care of our acute patients and long-term care residents and my co-workers are great.
Q. What made you decide to get into this field of work?
A. I did the Canadore College Food Services Worker program 20 years ago for health reasons, then I started as a casual cook here. There were three other cooks at the time. I was the fourth. I was taught a lot over the year, and it took off from there.
Q. What are some of your interests outside of work?
A. I'm a very private person. COVID hasn't affected me too much in my private life. I enjoy reading and doing crafts, just being in my COVID cocoon. I love my home, it's my place to be.
Karen Martel
Q. How long have you been working for SSCHS?
A. About 18 months.
Q. Can you describe what a typical work day is like for you?
A. My typical day is non stop running from 7 to 3. I hustle form the moment I walk in until the moment I leave. Time goes by fast because you're jumping from one thing to the next. I love working with Greta; she's got all these little tricks for making the food better, or getting the food to where it should be. I'm learning that from her. You take pride in what you do, you want the food to go out looking good. It's fun making new stuff for the cafeteria. I love my job, I love coming to work every day.
Q. Who do you interact with the most at work?
A. Greta for sure.
Q. How would your co-workers describe you?
A. Hyper because I do about five things at once. I rarely take breaks, I don't get upset over little things, I come in and do my job. I'm usually having a good time. We definitely laugh a lot in here.
Q. Explain what it's like working with Karen.
A. I like her professionalism. It's all about the patients and residents. If it takes a little more work to get it where it should be, that's what you do. She appreciates her job. She takes pride in her work. She'd be a dream manager or a dream restaurant owner. She's the type of person you want in your kitchen.
Q. What's the best part about your job and working for SSCHS?
A. I have a passion for cooking and I wanted to be part of the hospital because my mother was a resident here before she passed way. That's why it was important to get a job here, to pay it forward. I love everything about the hospital.
Q. What made you decide to get into this field of work?
A. I have a passion for cooking, I just love to cook.
Q. What are some of your interests outside of work?
A. I like to cook! *laughs. I like to go fishing, go shopping, the basics.
