Why One Family Chose to Build Their Careers Here
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What starts as a job can turn into something more. For one family, it became a shared purpose.
When Sally Van Staden first joined Terrebonne General Health System as a Registered Nurse, she was drawn by the culture and the focus on patient care. She wanted to be somewhere she could truly connect with patients and grow as a nurse.
She found that and something she didn’t expect.
A workplace she would one day share with her family.
“I remember going home and telling my mom and brother, ' You have to come here,'” Sally recalled. “Over time, they each found their own path into the same health system, and it turned into something really special for our whole family.”
Soon after, Esthee Van Staden began exploring opportunities at Terrebonne General and eventually joined the team as the Medical Oncology Manager of the Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
For Esthee, mother of Sally and Francois, it felt like a surreal moment. They had worked together before, but as her children grew older, they naturally went their separate ways. She thought that chapter had closed and didn’t expect them to work together again.
“[Working alongside a parent is] a unique experience. There’s a sense of shared understanding about the organization, and it adds another layer of meaning to the work we do individually,” says Francois Van Staden, the last family member to join the organization as an ERP Developer in the Information Technology Department.
Though their roles vary across the health system, they all contribute to the same mission and support one another along the way.
“Seeing your children experience their dreams coming true is priceless,” explains Esthee.
No matter their department or position, each family member points to the same thing about Terrebonne General’s culture: a strong sense of teamwork and people who truly care.
“This organization has built an environment where both patients and employees can succeed. I often tell our team that we have a responsibility to take care of what has been entrusted to us and to do our very best for our patients and community, because our community includes our own families and friends. It is an honor to be part of that,” shares Esthee.
From direct patient care to work behind the scenes, each family member brings something meaningful to the organization while advancing a shared commitment to exceptional, compassionate care.
“You’re surrounded by people who care about what they do, and you have the opportunity to keep growing while making an impact every day,” says Sally.
What began as a career opportunity evolved into something more, as Terrebonne General Health System became an important part of their family’s story.
