Congratulations to our 2014 Father Sean O’Sullivan Research Staff Recognition Award winner – Ms. Laura Garrick!
Laura Garrick (centre) poses with colleagues after winning her award.
Please join us to celebrate this year’s recipient of the Father Sean O’Sullivan Research Staff Recognition Award – Ms. Laura Garrick, CCRA. Laura is a certified clinical research associate and works in the Mood Disorder Program under the supervision of Drs. Benicio Frey and Margaret McKinnon.
The Father Sean O’Sullivan Research Staff Recognition Award is awarded to staff that consistently make a positive contribution to the research success of their department. Through their work, energy and interaction with others, they live the mission, vision and values of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton on a daily basis.
“Thirteen years ago, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and the Mood Disorders Program gave me a chance, and I’m grateful for the opportunities that I’ve been given,” reflects Laura. “I feel really humbled to win this award, and I’m so glad that it recognizes staff that are involved in research behind-the-scenes and out of the spotlight.”
Every day, Laura works hard to help researchers and graduate students carry out their research effectively by coordinating a plethora of administrative tasks – scheduling research participant meetings and lab bookings, raising funds for research by assisting with grant applications and financial management, and providing mentorship to the graduate students that work within the Mood Disorders Program.
“Laura is very helpful and generous with her time. She helps graduate students with everything,” explains Melissa Parlar, one of the PhD student researchers in the Mood Disorders Program that nominated Laura for the award. “She has a genuine interest in mood disorders research, and she goes above and beyond to support what she believes in.”
Laura was a founding member of the annual Tackling Depression event series, which allows researchers to share their work with physicians and healthcare professionals as well as the local community. Laura works to raise the profile of mental health research and works to end stigma by serving as a co-organizer of the Mood Disorders Annual Awareness Day.
“There’s something special about working at West 5th. When you walk in the doors here, you see the caring and compassion in the staff around you,” explains Laura. “I’m really proud to work here at St. Joe’s. The people around me inspire me to do the work that I do.”