O’LEARY, P.E.I. - It was during a wedding reception 41 years ago that Peggy Hierlihy was approached by Dr. Terrence Verma and offered a part-time position in his medical office in O’Leary.
For the teenager, who had just graduated from O’Leary Regional High School with her secretarial certificate three months prior, it was the launch of a career in the medical profession that is ongoing today.
During a recent staff appreciation breakfast, Hierlihy was presented with the O’Leary Health Complex’s outstanding service award.
She started out working at the front desk.
“And then I never left,” Hierlihy said.
Verma subsequently trained her for working in the exam room and Hierlihy continually took on new responsibilities.
She was off work for a short time following the sudden death of Verma, her employer, in 1999 and then went to work for other doctors and later the O’Leary Health Centre.
“She exemplifies everything that the award is demonstrative of,” said Christina Phillips, manager of the West Prince Primary Care Network.
“She’s all about quality care for patients,” Phillips said. “She goes over-and-above every day.”
“I do enjoy the work,” Hierlihy said after the initial shock of the award presentation wore off.
She had arrived late for the appreciation breakfast and told her peers she thought she had been called in for a meeting. Now working as a nursing assistant, she said she expects to continue working at the health centre for at least another five years.
“If you were looking for a needle in a haystack, this is the person you want,” Phillips expressed. “She is meticulous about everything she does.”
Paul Young, manager of Communities Hospitals West, said several nominations were received for the award. Nominees were evaluated by workplace practices, living the organization’s core values, peer practices, leadership and family and community in fostering relationships.
“Your efforts certainly don’t go unnoticed, and we couldn’t achieve what we try to do, and the level of care to our patients, without your commitment and unrelenting determination,” Young said.
