Name: Laura Bernstein
Title: Director, Nutrition Services
Number of years working in health care: 18
I was born and raised in: Thornhill, Ontario
I decided to get into health care because at one time I wanted to pursue a career as a chef or food journalist, but when I started to learn more about the Nutrition aspect of food, I decided to pursue a career in Nutrition Services leadership within health care in order to combine my passion for food and nutrition. My goal is to elevate the quality and reputation of health care food, ensuring that it not only meets nutritional needs, but also enhances the overall patient experience. I want to change the assumptions that people have when they think of hospital food.
My role here at UHN as Director of Nutrition Services is to provide overall direction and coordination of patient food services and catering across all UHN sites. I am responsible for ensuring these services are provided in a manner that enhances patient/client satisfaction while ensuring fiscal accountability, efficiency, and compliance with all pertinent legislation and regulations.
The thing I love the most about my job is… I’m not sure I could pick just one thing! If I had to narrow it down to two, I would say receiving positive feedback from patients about their meals. The second would be the people I work with. I spend a lot of time at work, so I feel grateful, that I work amongst a genuinely passionate team.
The most incredible thing I’ve seen at work is the commitment and the compassion that I see from TeamUHN, particularly in an emergency situation. I think back to the pandemic, and to the epic snowstorm a few years ago, to various code greys. I am amazed when everyone from our frontline staff to senior leadership rolls up their sleeves to ensure our patients receive the care they need.
I’m inspired by innovations in Nutrition Services around the world. I love learning about what other facilities have accomplished! Some of the work is truly remarkable!
My personal heroes are my maternal grandparents because they were Holocaust survivors who fled Hungary during the 1956 Revolution, with nothing but two very young children. They started over in Brooklyn, New York and then again years later when they eventually moved to Canada. I can’t imagine the courage it took to start over numerous times.
I sometimes worry about… When you work in food operations, the number one worry is that something could happen that affects our ability to feed patients. I also worry about forgetting what is on my to-do list because there is so much on it! Like many parents, I worry about work-life balance and making sure I am on top of everything outside of work as a mom of two.
I’ve found joy recently from decluttering and small home improvement projects. Over the holidays, I had the time, I built a new dresser for my daughter and made a feature wall in our basement with wallpaper. I am not the best at it, but there is something so satisfying about getting projects done around the house.
My favourite book is The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan because it speaks to the bond between mothers and daughters and is a truly fascinating look at life in Shanghai in the early 1900s. Amy Tan is so talented in her descriptive narration, you can just picture yourself in that world.
My favourite movie is The Holiday because who doesn’t love a holiday classic!
My ideal day off is sleeping in, walking outdoors (not when it’s cold!) with my family and our 15-year old dog, visiting our local gelato shop or going out to listen to live music.
Did you know you can recognize a UHN staff member through our Honour Your Hero program? Express gratitude for the care you or a loved one received and share a personal message of thanks with the people who supported you throughout your care journey. Your gift will supported research, education and the enhancement of patient care right here at UHN.
