In a remarkable initiative during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, BMO Financial Group demonstrated its commitment to community support by transforming its state-of-the-art BMO Institute for Learning (IFL) into a sanctuary for frontline healthcare workers. This conversion provided doctors, nurses, and hospital staff with a much-needed “home away from home,” offering a secure and comfortable space to rest and rejuvenate amidst the crisis.
BMO Transforms IFL into Healthcare Worker Haven
The global pandemic placed unprecedented demands on healthcare systems, creating an urgent need for temporary accommodations for medical professionals. Recognizing its unique position, BMO leveraged the BMO Institute for Learning, a comprehensive learning and conference center, to address this critical need. By offering hotel-style guest rooms at no cost, BMO provided essential respite for those tirelessly battling the virus.
Mona Malone, Chief Human Resources Officer at BMO Financial Group, emphasized the bank’s priority: “Since the start of this pandemic, BMO’s top priority has been the health and safety of employees, customers and the community. We want to do everything we can to help during these challenging times. Recognizing this increased need, BMO is in a unique position with the IFL to lend a place of rest to our healthcare partners in the local community. This is a small way we can give thanks to the hospital staff who are working tirelessly to keep our community healthy.”
This crucial program was launched in collaboration with Greater Toronto Area Hospitals, welcoming its first guests in May 2020. By dedicating 70 percent of the BMO IFL’s hotel rooms, BMO ensured reduced capacity, facilitating essential physical distancing protocols. Originally established in 1994 as a hub for learning and collaboration, the BMO IFL stands as one of Canada’s premier standalone corporate learning facilities. With all in-person learning, meetings, and conferences suspended indefinitely, the facility was perfectly suited for this vital new purpose.
Crucially, BMO’s hospitality partners, Dolce Hotels & Resorts, part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, played a significant role in implementing and managing this program. Their expertise in hotel operations ensured a comfortable and safe environment for the healthcare heroes. BMO maintained close collaboration with partner hospitals and healthcare advisors to rigorously uphold the highest standards of sanitation and safety within the facility.
This initiative represents just one facet of BMO’s broader commitment to supporting healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Further demonstrating its dedication, BMO engaged in several other impactful programs:
- MLSE Partnership: (The original article mentions MLSE partnership but lacks details, so keeping it brief is appropriate unless further information is available) BMO partnered with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) in initiatives to support the community and frontline workers.
- AIR MILES Offer to Front-Line Workers: BMO extended gratitude to essential workers who are BMO AIR MILES Mastercard cardholders by offering 950 bonus Cash Miles. This reward provided cardholders with $100 towards essential purchases such as gas and groceries.
- U.S. Support Initiatives: BMO’s support extended beyond Canada. BMO Harris Bank in the Chicago area donated 23,000 N95 masks to hospitals and first responders, collected from branch supply kits. Additionally, at a BMO Family Office in Palo Alto, California, employees contributed nearly 3,000 N95 masks to Bay Area healthcare providers including Good Samaritan Hospital and Kaiser Permanente. Furthermore, a BMO financial advisor in Green Bay, Wisconsin, spearheaded a 3D printing initiative to create face shields, distributing over 6,000 to local medical facilities and first responders with the help of community volunteers.
About BMO Financial Group
For two centuries, BMO Financial Group has been a leading financial services provider, ranking as the 8th largest bank in North America by assets. With a diverse and engaged team and total assets of $880 billion as of January 31, 2020, BMO serves over 12 million customers. Operating through Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets, BMO offers a wide array of financial products and services.
SOURCE BMO Financial Group
