For nurse Manon Dodre, caring for someone means far more than providing medical care. It also means making their life better.
The Gratitude Movement, an initiative of the CHUM Foundation, shared with Manon a message of appreciation from one of her patients, she discovered just how meaningful a simple “thank you” can be.
A calling to care for others
Manon Dodre has been a nurse for nearly 10 years. She began her career in France before continuing her professional journey at the CHUM in 2025.
“I’ve always felt the need to connect with people, to build relationships while taking care of them.”
Her journey first brought her to the hospital’s North wing on the 15th floor, where she met Sarah. This is when she discovered a particular aspect of transplant care: beyond the medical procedure, there’s a person learning to navigate a new reality.
Recovery after a lung transplant can be a lengthy process. Patients must cope with reduced physical capacity, complex treatments and many new routines. For Manon, her role as a nurse also involves supporting patients through these vulnerable moments.
“I think it’s important to always show them that progress is being made, even when recovery is slow.”
Beyond medical care: The importance of human connection
In her work with transplant recipients, Manon places great importance on educating patients. Understanding medications, following dosing schedules and knowing which precautions to take are all part of everyday life after a transplant.
But her support goes beyond medical instructions.
Manon enjoys building trusting relationships with patients by encouraging them and, when appropriate, bringing a little humour to their hospital stays. For her, this human connection is an essential part of care.
These meaningful conversations, shared laughter and the bonds that develop with patients have become cherished memories from her nursing career. Small moments that can sometimes take a relationship beyond the usual boundaries of medical care, even if only briefly.
An unexpected message from Sarah
After becoming a liaison nurse on another floor at the CHUM, Manon received an email informing her that someone wanted to thank her.
She had never heard of The Gratitude Movement and could not guess who this person might be. When she received the envelope containing the message, Sarah’s name initially gave her pause. Then the memories came flooding back.
“Sarah speaks English, and my English isn’t that great, so we used to laugh about it a lot. It was a wonderful experience caring for her. I really loved having her as a patient.”
Sarah had been hospitalized at the CHUM for a lung transplant. What stood out in Manon’s memory were the moments following Sarah’s physiotherapy sessions. As Sarah caught her breath after rehabilitation, she needed reassurance and encouragement.
“I was always there after her physio sessions to reassure her,” Manon recalls. Months later, these are the moments that come back to her when she thinks of Sarah.
Fostering gratitude at the CHUM
This message came as a real surprise to Manon. She hadn’t heard of The Gratitude Movement before being contacted by the CHUM Foundation. Through this experience, she discovered another way to extend the connection between patients and the people who care for them.
“I don’t do my job to receive recognition. I do it because I love my work. But it really warmed my heart to know that I had made Sarah’s hospital stay a little better. When I received the email, I remember telling my family about it. I felt really proud.”
Before this experience, Manon knew little about the role of the CHUM Foundation. The Gratitude Movement helped her better understand its mission and, above all, appreciate the impact simple recognition can have on healthcare teams.
“It really spreads a lot of kindness,” she says.
Sarah’s message reminded Manon that these gestures can leave a lasting impression long after a hospital stay has ended.
The Gratitude Movement helps make this impact visible by giving patients the opportunity to thank a nurse, physician or other healthcare professional at the CHUM who has made a difference in their journey.
Sometimes, a simple “thank you” is enough to remind those who care for others why their work matters so much.
