50 years of dedication at St. Joseph's

Stepping through the doors at St. Joseph’s Hospital for her first day on the job on May 1, 1974, Barbara Scott was eager to start working. Back then, Pierre Trudeau was Canada’s Prime Minister, the average price of a home in London was $31,000 and The Exorcist and The Sting were box office hits. 

Unbeknownst to her at the time, that day marked the start of a lifelong career at the only organization she would ever work for – St. Joseph’s Health Care London. 

Her unwavering dedication to a single organization is a rare gem in today's ever-changing work landscape. 

The administrative assistant for pharmacy marked a milestone this year working at St. Joseph’s for 50 years. But the soft-spoken and humble employee does not understand what all the fuss is about.

“To me, it’s just like another home,” Barbara says. “It is hard to believe it has been 50 years. I love coming to work. It is a wonderful place to work.”

As part of the Service Recognition Program, Barb and more than 750 staff, physicians and volunteers will be honoured at this year’s Evening of Celebration on Oct. 29 at the Lamplighter Inn to recognize those marking their five-year incremental milestones at St. Joseph’s. She will also be recognized at a second event at the newly named ‘Cheers to the Years – Celebrating 25 years plus of service at St. Joseph’s Health Care London’ (previously known as the 25-year dinner) which will be held on Nov. 6 to celebrate anniversaries of those marking more than 25 years.  

As a 19-year old completing a four-year business program, Barbara began her employment at St. Joseph’s in the cytology lab working with a keypunch machine, which punched holes in information cards to represent letters and numbers. Within a year, she transitioned to administrative assistant in the pharmacy department where she has remained ever since. 

“Back then, there were six floors and all the floors were filled with beds with patients and babies,” she recalls. “And the nurses wore their white uniforms, stockings, shoes and caps.” 

She answered the phones, made labels and managed giant spreadsheets used to manually charge medications to each floor. She even remembers printing tiny mouthwash cup labels for patients.  

“You helped everybody. It was like a little family,” she says. 

Over 50 years, Barbara has witnessed incredible changes at St. Joseph’s from the construction of the tunnel to Mount Hope Centre for Long-Term Care, to when “the babies left St. Joseph’s.” She fondly remembers the sisters walking in the halls and talking to staff. 

She admits the constant changes in technology have been challenging but she has adapted.  

Andrey Andriets, former Director of Pharmacy who is now the interim Director of Research Operations says having someone with that much institutional knowledge is invaluable.  

“It’s amazing to have someone with so much experience and historical knowledge on your team,” he says. “She has been the underlying backbone that supports all the work that is happening, working with so many leaders. Barb has been steady and consistent with phenomenal attendance and reliability.” 

Reflecting on her time at St. Joseph’s, Barbara finds it hard to hold back her emotions. 

“There was no reason to leave because I enjoyed the work,” says Barbara. “When you enjoy your job, you stay.”