Caring for patients, leading with heart: Fifty years of Agnes Gerrow’s dedication to healthcare

When Agnes Gerrow walks out of the Sydney River Health Care Centre for the last time this fall, it will mark the end of a remarkable career in healthcare that has spanned 50 years, countless patients and a lifetime of dedication to helping others. 

“I’ve absolutely loved it,” Agnes shares. “Even when I put in my resignation, I had mixed feelings. I really enjoyed the last 25 years of my career as a physiotherapy assistant.” 

Agnes began her journey in healthcare as a certified nursing assistant, now known as a licensed practical nurse, at Northside General Hospital and Harbour View Hospital. After 25 years in nursing, she noticed the physiotherapists visiting her patients and felt drawn to their work. She applied for a temporary assistant position, which eventually became permanent, marking the start of the next 25 years of her career. 

Over the decades, Agnes has worked in nearly every setting within healthcare, from rehabilitation with stroke patients to outpatient clinics and home visits. “I’ve seen patients come in, sometimes unable to sit up on their own. After eight weeks, I’d see them walk out with a walker or a cane,” she says. “That was always rewarding, seeing the hard work pay off, both theirs and mine.” 

Her final role at the Sydney River Health Care Centre has been a particularly meaningful chapter in her career. “It feels like a gift to finish here,” she says. “The gym is huge, the assessment rooms are beautiful, and everything’s in one building. It’s bright, new and welcoming. It’s a perfect place to end my career.” 

At the Sydney River Health Care Centre, Agnes leads exercise classes for patients preparing for hip and knee surgeries, bringing her patience and positivity to every class and work day. Drawing on her own experiences with surgery allows her to connect deeply with patients, offering both empathy and practical guidance. “I tell them, ‘I had my left hip done, and you can do this too. If you do your exercises, you could have the same type of results,’” she shares. 

Agnes’s influence reaches beyond her patients to the colleagues she’s guided along the way. “Some of my coworkers tell me, ‘I want you to train me,’’’ she says. “That makes me feel proud.” Her support has helped many new physiotherapy assistants grow in their roles, and sharing her knowledge and experience continues to shape the care patients receive. 

For Agnes, the relationships at work have been just as meaningful as the clinical achievements. Lunch breaks and camaraderie have been key factors in what has kept her motivated throughout her long career. “I really enjoy the social aspect of working,” she says. “I see these people more than my family sometimes. They’re my family too.”  

She encourages anyone considering a career in physiotherapy to embrace the patient-focused rewards. “You just know you’re helping them,” she says. “Seeing their progress from when they first came in until the end, it’s incredible to watch that transformation.” 

As retirement approaches, Agnes looks forward to spending more time with family, her three grandchildren, reading and enjoying hobbies she never had time for. “I'm very close to my sisters and we do a lot together,” she says. “I’m also looking forward to going for tea with friends and just having more time to relax.” 

Even as she prepares for this next chapter, Agnes reflects on the lessons her career has taught her. “Look after your own health. Keep moving, exercise, eat properly,” she says. “I do 30 minutes on the treadmill every day, even at home. I’ll continue that, I’m sure, until I die.” 

After 50 years, Agnes shares that her career has been defined by the people she has met along the way. “Every patient, every colleague, they’ve all been part of my journey,” she says. “I’ll carry those memories with me forever.” 

For the community and her coworkers, her retirement marks the end of an era. For Agnes, it’s the beginning of a new adventure filled with family, friends and the joys she has more than earned after a lifetime of helping others. 

Photo of Agnes Gerrow.