It’s a warm sunny spring day in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dr. Richard Goldbloom, a resident at Parkland at the Gardens, is ready to roll up his sleeve to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the IWK Health Centre. To mark this milestone moment, he’s surrounded by familiar faces: his daughter Barbara, her husband Tony and his private caregiver, Rebecca. 

“I feel delighted to get it,” says Dr. Goldbloom. “I’d rather get that than the disease.”

Having spent much of his working career at the IWK as a pediatrician and leader in the hospital, Dr. Goldbloom is no stranger to the building. Under his guidance, he helped elevate the IWK to a renowned pediatric care hospital.

Receiving the vaccine in the same building, in the wing of the hospital that bears his name the “Richard B. Goldbloom Pavillion”, is a full circle moment.

“I’m very much at home there,” he says. “Getting the shot at the IWK is very comfortable for me.”

Throughout the pandemic, staff at Parkland at the Gardens have been working hard to keep residents safe and protected through rigorous health and safety measures.

“I don’t think I have enough words of praise for Parkland at the Gardens and for the unbelievable job that Jodi and the entire staff have done,” says Barbara. “They insisted on a much higher level of precaution than even Dr. Strang was advising – they’re doing an outstanding job.” 

Parkland Retirement Living communities follow strict health and safety measures that adhere to Infection Prevention and Control and Public Health Guidelines.

Learn more about Parkland’s Covid-19 pandemic response plan.