By: Tina Rogers
beingwell magazine Spring 2007

Staff and patients of Southlake Regional Health Centre depend on the unquestioned reliability of devices used in diagnostics, monitoring and treatment; whether in the emergency room, the respiratory care department, indeed everywhere in the hospital.

This fact makes biomedical technologist Dave Munro and his team indispensable.

Mr. Munro provides vital clinical support for those giving and receiving health care. While they may be invisible to patients, biomedical technologists are available to Southlake staff at any time.

“We put patient and staff safety as our first priority,” Mr. Munro said. “That means we are committed to doing our job really well, often under stress, so the details are crucial.”

He is one of a team of three who maintain and repair the general medical equipment whose use is often taken for granted during any hospital visit. Fetal monitors, defibrillators and IV pumps are examples of equipment seen on his workbench for routine checking and maintenance. Mr. Munro and his colleagues find job satisfaction in problem solving and preventing potential problems.

“Dave is very passionate about his causes,” said co-worker Bernie Tellier. “He’s not one to brag, but you see it in his job, in his volunteer work and with his family. We're lucky to have him here.”

His passion for the safety and well-being of others started early: getting his first hospital job at 14. Inspired and encouraged by his mother and two of his four siblings, who are registered nurses, Mr. Munro also had high interest in tinkering with electronics kits bought for him by his father.

Mr. Munro’s commitment to caring for others was deepened 11 years ago when his young daughter, Hannah, was diagnosed with cancer. In addition to chemotherapy and radiation treatment at the tumour site, she received stem cell transplant — using her own bone marrow — and has since grown into a healthy teenager, though still receives regular check-ups. At the time of her diagnosis, he became acutely aware of the importance of blood and bone marrow donation. He had himself tissue typed right away, and is on an international bone marrow registry. He is also a regular blood donor, having clocked over 50 donations of his somewhat rare type B positive blood.

Mr. Munro also does a lot of work related to childhood cancer causes, advocating on behalf of both parents and children who, as he did, find themselves facing what is unimaginable.

“He is right there for them,” said Mr. Tellier, who is confident Mr. Munro is making a great impact on the lives of these young patients, just as his work at Southlake makes a difference to all patients in the hospital.

“We deal with emergencies from one day to the next,” he said. “And I never worry about Dave: I know he’s doing whatever it takes to get the job done. It's just one of his quirks.”

Laughing, Mr. Tellier adds, “You could say we quirk well together.”

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