“The most joy I get is from spending time with residents…”

Katrina Macatangay, Associate Director of Care (ADOC) at Cheltenham Care Community, shares that respect for seniors was ingrained in her upbringing, and in early adulthood, she cared for her grandmother. “I understand the joys and struggles that come with caring for elderly family members, so I can better relate to residents and families,” says Katrina. “It’s very important to give back to the people that sacrificed for and developed our community – not just our direct relatives.”  After completing her Practical Nursing Program in 2006, she joined Sienna as a Restorative Care Coordinator, soon growing into the role of ADOC.  She described her daily work as “a mixture of addressing resident care and administrative duties, but the most joy I get is from spending time with residents and listening to their stories.”

The OLTCA recently honoured Katrina with a Nursing Leadership Award. “I am very humbled by the recognition. It has encouraged me to continue with my education, which is something I’ve been wanting to do for some time,” she said. Cheltenham’s Director of Care and one of her award nominators, Jessica Thoma shares, “Katrina is innovative and able to make sustainable program changes… She leads by example, and models professionalism and passion in her work.”

As a nursing leader, Katrina reflects that it’s “important to recognize the contribution that the entire team makes. I am grateful for the people I work with, it’s a team effort! No matter what position they are in, they have an opportunity to make a difference every day. We will all get older, so the way we care now will shape the future of the sector, and the way we are treated when it is our time.”