Michelle Vandenbroeck Retirement

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You're one in a million.

8-19-2009

The time has come for you to start another chapter in your life. I'm going to miss you & really enjoyed working with you over the years. You've been a joy to work with & I always enjoyed the laughter in your voice when I called. You deserve the best in life & may your retirement be all you want it to be & more. Sit back & enjoy the mornings doing what you want, when you want, & if you want; that's retirement. Enjoy & keep in touch.

Frances Blackmon : )

Cheers

19 October 2004

Because of the communities we work in I can't help but think in terms that we here at the NMU are loosing one of our Elders.  One who knows and has experienced the NMU stories, myths, and legends; its heroes, perhaps a few villians, and its jesters; its highs and its lows.  One who knew the NMU creator, Dr. Hildes.  To most of us he is a picture on the wall, a bio of achievements, "business speak" memos and letters on yellow carbon copy papers in the archives.  Michelle you are one of the few still around who worked with Dr. Hildes and who knew 1st hand his vision for the NMU and have carried it on.

You have known almost every physician, nurse, and support staff person that has been associated with the NMU.  Many times welcoming physicians at the airport who came from all over the world; helping them get settled with northern medicine and a new life in Canada; making them feel at home.  Ultimately that is what the NMU is about: caring.  Caring for the patients, caring for the physicians, nurses, other health care providers, and caring for our little family at the NMU office.  I hope we can continue that legacy of caring and sense of family given to you by Dr. Hildes which you passed on to us.

With  your retirement a hole will be left in the heart of the NMU, no one can replace you and nothing can replace your knowledge and experience.  Knowledge and experience which greatly aided me in my job that statistics and archival letters, memos, and papers could not have.

I spoke with you on the phone a day or so after I was offered my job by Dr. Riese.  And I remember saying  I was very excited about my new job and thrilled to be working at the NMU because I had heard it was the best place to work at the University.  You replied, with such warmth "Well, I think so too", and I knew I had found my best job ever!

So Michelle, I raise my G & T to you (and maybe a wee piece of chocolate too).

Cheers
Julie Creasey

It's been a pleasure

1 August 1988

Michelle,

It has been a pleasure working with you over the past 21 years. I give you credit for my longevity with the NMU. Your support, friendship, and humour has helped me through stressful times. How am I going to make it now to my retirement in 2026? I think I'm going to need your home phone number :-) You will be dearly missed. All the best to you for a happy, healthy, relaxing retirement. I look forward to keeping in touch.

Wendy Smith

Sabbatical

May 2002

In 2002 I took a 6 month sabbatical from my practice in Cornwall, England, and spent a memorable and exhilarating time with the NMU, at Churchill and then at Norway House. It was a challenging and stimulating experience, and I made many good friends. None of this would have happened wthout Michelle's help to guide me through all the bureaucracy, and her good-natured support was hugely appreciated at all times. I particulaly appreciated her meeting me in sub-zero temperatures at some unearthly hour at Winnipeg airport with her characteristic friendliness. Without her I would have missed out on a wonderful experience.

Thank you! Wishing you a well-deserved happy and health retirement

Alan Davis

I'll miss you

August 2009

Michelle:

How fondly I think of the days we worked together in the trailer. Remember the fire alarm bell that was regularly set off by one of the patients next door? And how Bob Whitmore used to put his coat over it to deaden the noise? He was tall enough to reach it. And the c file we all had to keep? And the bottle in the drawer? And the Christmas parties? Those were such good days. I’ve missed working with you and Lou. But you and I were fortunate enough to work next door for a few years. You have been a great friend and confidante. I’m thrilled for you and wish you all the best in your retirement. Sorry I won’t be able to attend the party.

Pat McCullough

Teaching in Russia

1980

I first met Michelle in 1980 when I arrived at the NMU ATCO trailer on Emily Street, after falling in fascination with an NMU recruiting poster. Michelle's desk was in the front room. behind Lou Frederick. There was a really cozy and friendly feeling there. I could see that the NMU was a "clan".

Michelle has a wonderful sense of humour. I learned that she trained to be a schoolteacher originally. I saw an advertisement in the Globe and Mail for teachers to go to Russia, so I clipped it out and gave it to her, to look at on occasions when the NMU doctors might be particularly irritating. She kept it for many years under her desk blotter. Michelle- do you still have it? Do you want to go back to teaching?

Michelle has seen and solved just about every kind of problem that could occur in an outreach health care program. She has dealt with odd personalities and very odd situations (eg. when the cleaning lady of the Hildes Hilton in Churchill thought I was a prostitute brought in by one of the consultants). Michelle - instead of going to Russia, why not write your memoirs?

Michelle is patient and tolerant and has a huge reserve of kindness. She is the bee's knees and the cat's pyjamas!

Pam

Thank you, Michelle.

January 1992

One of my first memories of Michelle was when I first started working full-time in CHS. There had been some reallocation of support staff responsibilites and one of my first assignments was to provide admin support for Dr. Michael Moffatt. Michelle brought me a white plastic rolling file cart with Mike's "files"....I recall having many fears of inadequacy....and having to frequently call Michelle for advice. She was so patient and supportive with my many questions. I learned so much from her vast experience. Best Wishes on your well-deserved retirement. Love, Kathy Bell

Michelle's New Career

Spring 2009

Trailer Days

late 1970's

Dear Michelle,

.....and so another chapter in your life is about to begin!

The news of your imminent retirement has sent me on a trip down memory lane to the fondest memories of all -- the trailer days with our office being hooked onto the Psych Building!! There were only a few of us working for Dr. Hildes in the NMU at that time - his "Motley Crew" as he referred to us - but didn't we have fun?? At that time (late 70's/early 80's) Lorna Medd, Brian Postl, Sharon Macdonald, Jim Carson, etc were in the infancy of their careers, as were we in raising our families. And look at us now - retired grandparents! Sharing an office with you for eight years made me feel you were more of a sister than a co-worker. We were able to solve a lot of the World's woes during our 'deep' conversations. I think you made me laugh more in those days too. For your friendship I will always be grateful.

Michelle, you are one employee who will be missed a great deal. Your thoughtfulness, kindness and caring nature, your ability to listen and advise, your use of discretion, and of course your knowledge and experience has made your contribution to the Unit and Department (over 3 decades) invaluable. You will leave a large void!

You are justly deserving of a fine send-off and I hope I can share in that celebration next month.

Lorne and I sincerely wish you the happiest retirement. Cherish every day and enjoy this time in your life. From personal experience we can confirm - life doesn't get much better!!

Love Lou
p.s. I send you an open invitation to visit Ena Lake.

Invitation

6-17-2009