Former staff stays in ward where love of health care discovered
Tina Buhler was back where her working life began recently, but as a patient this time.
Tina was hired as one of the original housekeeping staff at University Hospital in April 1955, just prior to the hospital opening in May 1955. She was back to visit as a patient recently, staying in a room on the fourth floor of Royal University Hospital’s 1955 building, in the same ward where she discovered her love of health care.
Cleaning the hospital for opening wasn’t easy. It was a tough job cleaning after the construction team, removing all the dust to be ready for opening. Tina enjoyed working on the fourth floor, which at that time was dedicated to maternal care.
The work was hard and Ms. Barry, the supervisor, held everyone to very high standards to ensure it was sparkling clean, Tina remembered.
Tina was married to Minister David Buhler on October 9, 1955 and continued to commute to and from work from Aberdeen until their first son was born.
After raising her children, Tina returned to health care, volunteering in Palliative Care at St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH). Tina dedicated herself to helping patients eight hours a day, twice a week from 2002 to 2012. In the kitchenette in Palliative Care, she enjoyed baking bread, filling the air with a comforting aroma. Many looked forward to the opportunity to enjoy a fresh slice of bread straight from the oven and Tina became well-known to many as “the Bread Lady.”
“My time spent volunteering at SPH was a very fulfilling experience,” Tina said.
Tina still has the original HOUSEKEEPING nametag received when she started work in 1955 and her VOLUNTEER identification badge from Palliative Care. To commemorate Tina’s contributions to society and to honour her outstanding achievements, she has a collection of medals and awards received from 2012 to 2017 including one from the Governor General presented by Linda Haverstock.
Linda Baker, current manager of Environmental Services at Royal University Hospital, had the chance to visit with Tina during her hospital stay.
“Words cannot express my gratitude having the opportunity to meet this modest but extraordinary lady,” she stated. “I appreciate her daughter Diane for connecting with me to share Tina’s story. I am reminded of the impact one individual can have on so many.”
Tina has now been released from hospital.
