Veteran clinic assistant finds joy serving patients

Senior still happy to clock in to work after 50 years of service at Klang, Shah Alam clinics

A GREAT workplace environment starts with the individuals who nurture it and this is especially true for clinic assistant Esther Russel who turns 70 tomorrow.

She has been working for a private dental clinic for more than 50 years, and has no intention of retiring anytime soon.

“I was only 19 when I began working for the clinic.

“The dentists and clinic staff have all been kind to me from then until today.

“I consider it my second home,” said Esther, who was a staff member for about 10 years in the clinic’s first branch in Klang before transferring to the Shah Alam branch.

Prior to joining the clinic, she worked in a factory in Shah Alam at age 18.

Esther remembers that there were many other job offers she could have taken up when she was younger but she felt at home in the clinic because of her colleagues’ kindness.

Throughout her five decades at the clinic, she has seen young dentists become experts in their field.

At the same time, she has witnessed them embark on life milestones such as marriage and parenthood.

“I have known the dentists even before they got married. In fact, I have seen their children grow up before my very eyes.

“Most of the children are now dentists themselves,” she said.

“I learned a lot and observed the transition from using hand-mixed amalgam to capsulated amalgam.

“Even the process of tooth extraction has evolved throughout the years as now it looks effortless.”

She said working with young people in the clinic had helped her maintain a youthful spirit.

“From mixing with them, I adapted to their fast working pace and even their lingo.

“I am content with where I work, for if we find fault in everything, our view of life would be miserable.

“There was a time during my first years here when I would handle 50 to 60 patients a day.

“However, with more staff coming in, it has helped ease the work and I can relax for a bit,” she said.

Siti Rahilah, a patient at the clinic since the 1980s, said Esther was very dedicated to her job.

“She knows patients well, is always cheerful and respectful, and has always been attentive to all her duties.

“There were countless times when she assisted patients without a second thought.

“She has been an anchor staff member at the reception counter and deserves a long service award,” said Siti Rahilah whose family members, friends and domestic helpers had all become regular patients at the clinic over the decades.

A vital factor of Esther’s positive attitude and longevity in the workplace is her gratitude.

Although she acknowledges that there would come a time when she would have to stop working, she does not see herself doing so yet, despite the clinic’s retirement age set at 60.

“If God has given you something, especially good health, we do not need to ask for more.

“Those that have reached the retirement age, I advise them to continue providing the world with your service, which could even be charity work,” she said.

For those wanting to stretch their career spans, Esther advises a good understanding of their work capabilities.

“Age is just a number.

“If you can work and your memory is still resilient, give it a go.

“If people in other countries are willing to work at an older age, we Malaysians must match this.”