Resilience is a word we find ourselves using a lot this year, especially at the hospital. Resilience does not mean that we have everything under control, but that we keep going even when uncertainty seems to be all that we know.

Resilience is possible because of the support of our colleagues, teams and community. Where support is needed, The Friends of University Hospitals will do whatever we can to make the hospital environment a more comfortable, inspiring, and creative place.

In 2021, we had a unique opportunity to focus our efforts on supporting staff at the University of Alberta Hospitals:

·Over 15,000 breaks were taken in McMullen Gallery, which has been a refuge for staff during the pandemic.
We served over 2000 cups of coffee and treats donated from local coffee roasters and bakeries with our Friendsday Wednesday program from March-May.
We’ve assembled over 2000 art kits that staff have used to take a creative break and learn a new craft.
Over 100 AHS and allied health staff from across the Edmonton Zone participated in our Healthcare Heroes Mural project with AJA Louden. (Pictured in our card)

Our gift shop is honoured to be able to serve the hospital community throughout 2021, and appreciate all of the people that were considerate of the extra steps we needed to take to keep everyone safe.

On behalf of The Friends of University Hospitals, I wish you a restful Holiday Season, and I hope it gives you what you need most. Whatever 2022 brings our way we will rely on our resilience and on each other to make it through.

All my best,

Tyler Sherard

Executive Director
Friends of University Hospitals

Special thanks to our dear friend AJA Louden for allowing us to use the Healthcare Heroes mural in this years’ Christmas card! Learn more about the mural here.