Dean Amini knows all about the customer service industry, it’s been his life for 32 years. From Iran and with graduate degrees from various American Universities, Dean moved to Mississauga after visiting his brother here in 1989. He has been the General Manager of Edrich – Terlin Management ever since, running the day-to-day operations of the business with the support of dedicated staff members he affectionately refers to as family.
The company owns a variety of properties including apartment buildings, plazas and golf courses and his work, which he loves, is guided by one singular vision: delivering the best possible customer experience through meticulous attention to detail, clear communication and trust. When Dean required heart surgery, he knew the care he would get at Trillium Health Partners (THP) would be top notch because the hospital staff share that same vision, championing the patient experience through compassionate, expert care.
In 2019 an angiogram performed at Mississauga Hospital revealed two blockages in Dean’s arteries. While shocked, Dean was happy to be under the care of Dr. Steve Singh who advised surgery instead of a stent because Dean was relatively young, healthy and would recover quickly.
“Dr. Singh was extremely professional, taking over two hours to discuss options with my wife and I,” Dean remembers.
In anticipation of his surgery, Dean continued his normal daily routine: breakfast, a seven-kilometer walk and then a full day of work. He was feeling fine until in the fall of 2019 he began experiencing numbness in his right arm after his morning walk. He thought nothing of it but when it happened a second time the following day his wife insisted he get examined. They headed to Mississauga Hospital’s Emergency Department.
Dean recognized the nurse who checked him in as one of his former tenants. “Don’t worry, Dean” she said, “We’ll take care of you.”
His heartbeat was elevated and was advised it was risky to go home. Cardiologist Dr. Anil Gupta and surgeon Dr. Steve Singh, didn’t want to take any chances and decided the surgery couldn’t wait until February. Dr. Singh performed the procedure the following day, a Saturday in November 2019.
“I really got the red carpet treatment. My experience from the minute I went to the hospital was fantastic,” says Dean. “They were so sweet to me. From the person cleaning the floors to the doctor and the nurses to the person who helped me shower before I left, it was unbelievable. I get emotional thinking about it.”
The experience inspired Dean to give back.
“My nephew is a doctor in Florida. I asked him what this beautiful room and attentive care would have cost me in the United States and he said $250,000. I decided as a token of appreciation to give some money back to the hospital.”
Today, Dean is back to his daily routine, working long hours, going for walks, travelling with his wife and bowling and playing golf. He recovered quickly, as Dr. Singh had predicted, and he remains immensely grateful for the care he received.
“Through this experience, I realized that whether rich or poor, we all have the same access to a highly educated, top notch health care system. My intention in sharing my story is to inspire more people to donate to their hospital.”
Inspired by Dean? Consider making a donation to help provide life-saving care to more patients like Dean.