When Paula Estampador talks about William Osler Health System (Osler), it’s not just where she works—it’s where her story comes full circle.

Today, she’s an Assistant Clinical Services Manager in the Emergency Department at Brampton Civic Hospital, working alongside a tight-knit leadership team to support one of the busiest Emergency Departments (ED) in the country. But Paula’s journey here began on the front lines, and her connection to Osler—and to health care—runs far deeper than her job title.

“I started at Osler in 2011 as a registered nurse in the ED,” she says. “After a few years, I moved to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and then came back to the emergency department in a leadership role. It’s been a full-circle experience—and a very personal one.”

Paula grew up in Peel Region, moving between Etobicoke, Mississauga, and Brampton before settling in Caledon with her husband and children. She comes from a family of nurses—her mother, her husband, and even extended family have all chosen the same profession. Health care isn’t just a calling, it’s the family legacy.

And for Paula, that legacy took on new meaning when an immediate family member suffered a heart attack and was treated at Osler—before she ever worked there.

“Watching the way the staff cared for him—it stayed with me,” she says. “It made me want to be a part of this place, to serve in the same community that supported my family when we needed it.”

That personal experience fuels her work and her sense of purpose. It also inspired her to become an employee donor through the This is My Hospital campaign.

“I chose to be part of the Employee Giving Committee because it aligns with why I went into health care in the first place: to make a difference every day,” Paula says. “In the ED, we see firsthand how critical equipment and resources are. Giving back feels like an extension of the care we provide.”

Before joining the committee, Paula—like many—assumed most hospital equipment was covered by government funding. Discovering that community donations fund essentials like thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, and computers changed her perspective.

“Once I realized that even the basics are made possible through donor support, it became clear how important it is to give. And you can direct your donation to the area that matters most to you—for me, that’s the ED.”

Working in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment means every detail matters—and so does every dollar.

“Whether your contribution is big or small, it has a direct impact. It helps patients. It helps families. It strengthens our hospital—and our community.”

When asked what keeps her going, Paula doesn’t hesitate.

“I’m proud of the team I work with. I have incredible managers and partners. And I’m proud of the work we do every day for our patients. This is my hospital. I live here. I work here. And I give here—because it matters.”