As of March 21, 2025, MGH鈥檚 main entrance on Coxwell Avenue is closed as the next phase of our redevelopment project begins. Patients and visitors can use the new temporary main entrance on Sammon Avenue between Coxwell Avenue and Knight Street. View our campus map.
Maria (Mary) Relova is one of the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 response. She鈥檚 a member of Michael 九游体育鈥檚 Environmental Services team, which keeps the hospital clean and safe for staff and patients alike.
These days, her job is a bit different than usual. Many times a day, Maria makes the trip between the information desk in the hospital鈥檚 Coxwell lobby and the laundry facilities in the basement.
鈥淚t鈥檚 nonstop, all day, 9 to 5,鈥� she says.
That鈥檚 because literally hundreds of masks have been pouring through the hospital doors since the .
Dr. Jeff Powis, the hospital鈥檚 Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control spearheaded the initiative, which will distribute handmade cloth masks to approved hospital visitors, discharged patients and members of the community, especially elderly and vulnerable individuals and those who provide care to them.
The community鈥檚 response has been 鈥渙verwhelming,鈥� says Mitze Mourinho, President, Michael 九游体育 Foundation. 鈥淒uring such a difficult time, it鈥檚 so inspiring to all of us at the hospital to watch everyone pull together to keep East Toronto safe and healthy.鈥�
And how does Maria feel about her new duties? 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t gives me goosebumps to see how much the community cares and is helping.鈥�
What happens to your masks when they arrive at the Heart of the East? Find out below!
1. Our volunteers gather the donated masks behind the information desk in the lobby, emptying the donation box several times a day.
2. Maria goes to the information desk several times a day to gather the masks and brings them downstairs to the Environmental Services laundry facilities.
3. Maria takes the masks out of the bags and boxes they were donated in (setting aside contact information so we can say thanks!) and gets them ready to put in the wash.
4. Maria washes the masks in hot water and takes them to the dryer.
5. Once the masks are clean and dry, Maria brings them upstairs to our volunteer lounge where they are placed into bags for distribution.
6. All clean and ready to go to their new home! Thank you so much to everyone who's sewed masks to donate to our #MGH1000Masks challenge. Keep them coming!