Richmond Hill/Vaughan, ON – Mackenzie Health is proud that two of its registered nurses were part of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Volunteer Team. Following a lengthy and comprehensive recruitment process, Olena and Alla Yurova – mother and daughter, respectively, joined the 25,000 person Olympic volunteer team and spent six weeks in Sochi, Russia.
Olena and Alla’s main responsibilities, as assigned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), were to provide interpretation support to the local medical staff. Although their Ontario medical credentials don’t apply in Russia, their healthcare knowledge was tremendously helpful to the Russian medical staff, to ensure they fully understand the needs of the international athletes. Olena worked in the polyclinic in the Coastal Olympic Village – one of the two healthcare facilities used to diagnose the athletes, while Alla supported the ambulatory clinics.
On their days off, Olena and Alla attended the festivities, including snowboarding and figure skating competitions, the spectacular Canadian Women’s hockey game final and the Closing Ceremony. They also met members of the Canadian Olympic Team, such as Patrick Chan and Dylan Moscovitch, joined in the celebrations at the Canada Olympic House and visited the surroundings.
Recruitment Process
Becoming a volunteer for the IOC was a thorough and comprehensive process, similar to a job application. Both Olena and Alla applied to become volunteers in early 2013 and had to go through a complex recruitment process, including an English test and an online interview. Once selected, they were assigned roles which leveraged both their healthcare knowledge and their proficiency in Russian and English.
As Olympic volunteers, Olena and Alla were provided with complimentary meals, accommodation and local transportation, as well as the official Sochi 2014 uniform. On their end, the two Thornhill residents made arrangements to ensure they were available for the
six-week term and procured their plane tickets to Russia.
The 2014 Sochi Olympics – A Family Affair
Family values were common during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. With Dutch speed skating twins, Austrian brothers in the luge doubles, a trio of Canadian freestyle skiing sisters and a father-and-son combination in the ice hockey, Mackenzie Health’ mother-daughter volunteer duo fit right in.
Following the closing of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 23, 2014 Olena and Alla transitioned their responsibilities to the Sochi 2014 Paralympics volunteers.
QUOTES
“The volunteering experience my mom and I shared earlier this year was overwhelming. We had the chance to help out the athletes and local staff, meet amazing people and see our Canadian team compete. It was a great honour to represent Canada and Mackenzie Health, share in the joy and bring our contribution to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.”
Alla Yurova, Registered Nurse, Mackenzie Health
“Volunteering for the Olympics was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and the best part of it was that I was able to share it with my daughter. We felt like we were a part of history and are grateful to the team at Mackenzie Health for helping us make this dream possible.”
Olena Yurova, Registered Nurse, Mackenzie Health
“Mackenzie Health is proud of its nurses and the contribution they have made to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. As part of our efforts to improve work life for our staff and physicians, we support experiences such as Olena and Alla’s, and are pleased to hear about their positive experience.”
Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO, Mackenzie Health
Quick Facts at a Glance:
- Mackenzie Health is a dynamic regional healthcare provider which includes the existing Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as a comprehensive network of community-based services.
- Construction on the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is scheduled to begin in 2015. The Hospital will be completed and operational in 2019.
- Nationally recognized for its commitment to safety and quality patient care, Mackenzie Health was also awarded Accreditation with Exemplary Standing, the highest rating a Canadian healthcare provider can receive.
- Guided by a vision to create a world-class health experience, Mackenzie Health has an unrelenting focus on the patient and is dedicated to patient needs now and in the future.
- This focus is reflected in the organization’s strategic directions: Exceptional Patient and Family Experience, Excellent Quality and Efficiency, Community-driven Growth, and Great People, Systems and Partners.
- With over 600,000 residents in Southwest York Region, Mackenzie Health is proud to serve one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada.