All in a day’s work: Excellence in Practice

By Annette Mahon
Anna Santandréa: Excellence in Practice

For Anna Santandréa, the motivation to do her work well comes from the people she encounters every day. “I enjoy my contact with nursing students and seeing a new group graduate each year,” she says, describing her role as Student Affairs Coordinator, a position she has held since 2003.

Anna is not a newcomer to the University. For over three decades, she has worked at various McGill academic departments. “I was attracted to come and work here by a family friend who spoke highly of being part of the McGill staff,” she says. “And, of course, the University’s reputation as a distinguished academic institution lured me as well.”

Apart from students, Anna is inspired by others with whom she collaborates daily within the School. “I especially love working with my colleagues who are caring and supportive of each other; it feels like a ‘home away from home’,” she enthuses.

Drawing on her accumulated knowledge and problem-solving skills, Anna contributed this past year to the creation of a comprehensive information guide for PhD students and supervisors. Dealing with ongoing demands such as limited resources and tight budgets has given Anna an insight on how to maintain a successful academic unit and she credits the cohesive bonds between staff, faculty members and management as key. “Hope and optimism are certainly two major elements that need to filter from top to bottom,” she notes, “and this is certainly true of the School of Nursing. However, the teamwork and commitment of each person is what makes the wheels turn, even in the most difficult of times.”

Anna was in disbelief when learning she had received the Award for Excellence. “McGill has so many dedicated and deserving staff that I didn’t expect to even be considered for the honour, but naturally, I am very touched,” she said.

To unwind from the work day, Anna enjoys reading, listening to music, dancing, gardening, and mostly surrounding herself with nature during long walks in the wilderness near her home.

When asked what she looks forward to most in the academic year, her response is immediate and precise: “My wish is to continue to graduate the next generation of nursing students so that they can help improve our health care system.”

For Anna Santandréa, the motivation to do her work well comes from the people she encounters every day. “I enjoy my contact with nursing students and seeing a new group graduate each year,” she says, describing her role as Student Affairs Coordinator, a position she has held since 2003.

Anna is not a newcomer to the University. For over three decades, she has worked at various McGill academic departments. “I was attracted to come and work here by a family friend who spoke highly of being part of the McGill staff,” she says. “And, of course, the University’s reputation as a distinguished academic institution lured me as well.”

Apart from students, Anna is inspired by others with whom she collaborates daily within the School. “I especially love working with my colleagues who are caring and supportive of each other; it feels like a ‘home away from home’,” she enthuses.

Drawing on her accumulated knowledge and problem-solving skills, Anna contributed this past year to the creation of a comprehensive information guide for PhD students and supervisors. Dealing with ongoing demands such as limited resources and tight budgets has given Anna an insight on how to maintain a successful academic unit and she credits the cohesive bonds between staff, faculty members and management as key. “Hope and optimism are certainly two major elements that need to filter from top to bottom,” she notes, “and this is certainly true of the School of Nursing. However, the teamwork and commitment of each person is what makes the wheels turn, even in the most difficult of times.”

Anna was in disbelief when learning she had received the Award for Excellence. “McGill has so many dedicated and deserving staff that I didn’t expect to even be considered for the honour, but naturally, I am very touched,” she said.

To unwind from the work day, Anna enjoys reading, listening to music, dancing, gardening, and mostly surrounding herself with nature during long walks in the wilderness near her home.

When asked what she looks forward to most in the academic year, her response is immediate and precise: “My wish is to continue to graduate the next generation of nursing students so that they can help improve our health care system.”