Laurie Gehrling got the first computer at The Mississauga Hospital, a reflection of the fact that “we did a lot of typing in the nursing administration office!”

Starting as a clerk typist 3, Laurie Gehrling joined the nursing office staff in 1982. Her mother, Mary Chittick, who had been a nurse at South Peel since 1959, told her about the job posting. Mary Chittick retired in 1984.

“We went from typewriters to computers to the BlackBerry,” Laurie says. “The volume of work has changed,” she adds, “now that technology drives the pace.”

In the early days of computerization, she and her colleagues sent electronic memos on nearly everyone’s behalf. Individuals didn’t have email. “We became the support system for software since we were the only experienced users in the hospital.”

Since 2004, she’s worked with the hospital CEO in the role of Board liaison.

In spite of all the changes, Laurie Gehrling says some things remain the same.

“Wednesday mornings are always senior team meeting mornings,” she says. “Same day of the week, same time of day –- only the name of the group changes.”

Beyond that, Laurie, who is leaving Trillium after 26 years this month, says a continuing thread is that “people here don’t just do a nine-to-five job. It’s always more than a just a job. Trillium is something you’re a part of.”