Claudia Summa-Sorgini was an employee of William Osler Health System (Osler), for only six months when COVID-19 hit. She had joined the team as Clinical Pharmacy Manager after 12 years at a Toronto hospital.

The pandemic brought countless challenges, but it also delivered an opportunity that profoundly impacted Claudia’s life. It’s the reason she now gives back to Osler as a donor and is a member of the Employee Giving Committee.

“In January of 2021, I was asked to manage the vaccine clinics at Osler,” Claudia recalls. “It was very rewarding to see how the community really came together and an incredible opportunity to provide that service and that hope to people.”

Claudia juggles a busy schedule of work, life with three sons, and studying for a master’s program in quality improvement and patient safety. In her current role as Director of Pharmacy, she oversees medication management within Osler’s inpatient and outpatient programs.

Despite the demands on her time, she feels it’s important to participate in the campaign to raise needed funds for Osler hospitals. “When I was asked to be part of the vaccine clinics, I truly saw and felt a sense of community,” she says. “Looking at the patients that we serve and everything that we went through, not only at the hospital, but in the region, it was disheartening, but also the vaccines gave everybody a lot of hope.”

Claudia saw firsthand the gratitude and support of staff from community members. “It was an experience that I’ll always remember and cherish,” she says. “It was those connections that we made—and, looking at the needs of the hospital, it drove me to be a part of the Employee Giving Campaign. I've been given a lot of opportunities at Osler, and it is my way of giving back to the organization and our patients.”

To inspire others to donate, Claudia shares her personal story with colleagues, recounting the first time she realized that all equipment is funded by donations. She answers questions about where the money goes and points out that donors can designate their contributions to the area of their choice.

She has seen many employees have an “aha moment” when they realize their donations impact programming that is near and dear to them. 

In Claudia’s role, she most often works with other staff, so she was grateful the vaccine clinic gave her the chance to engage with the community. “I’m thankful to have had that experience to draw on and the opportunity to see that there's a lot of growth in our community, and there are lots of ways that we can give back to our patients.”

Osler Foundation is excited to build upon Osler’s incredible spirit of philanthropy with the “This is MY Hospital” Employee Giving Campaign, which has a goal of $1 million. When you become a donor, you will be in great company, while making a meaningful impact and supporting exceptional health care close to home.