community
The Big Reveal: Announcing our SMC Photo Contest Winners
As we mark the first year at our Sunridge Mall Clinic (SMC), we take a moment to celebrate but also to reflect on the connections that make this space meaningful – our teams, our patients, and the perspectives and stories of our community in which we serve.
Earlier this year, we launched the SMC Photo Contest inviting patients, partners, and community members to submit photographs that celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and belonging. Each of the winning photographs showcased at SMC offers a distinct lens into the experiences and moments of our community, and what it means to feel seen, included, and connected.
Meet the Winners:
Janet Werstroh
A passionate professional photographer who can skillfully capture special moments. Studied at SAIT in a variety of photography classes: wedding, sports, portrait, macro photography, landscapes and nature.
Don’t Forget to Smell the Flowers
“One day my sister, her first grandchild, and I decided to go to the Calgary Zoo. We adventured to the ENMAX Conservatory. We were walking around smelling all the flowers when we noticed my sister’s grandson was smelling a Hibiscus flower and almost ate it. So, I titled this photo “Don’t forget to Smell the Flowers”.
Serenity
“I met up with some photography friends to go on a little hike at Upper Kananaskis Lake. It was a cold winter day looking out at the snowy mountains and beautiful lake. Most beautiful place to visit.”
Marco De Luna
A Canadian landscape photographer who finds a sense of calm and clarity by spending time in wide, quiet places. Photography has become an important part of how he slows down, processes, and reconnects with himself. He’s inspired by scenes where a small human presence meets something vast, because it mirrors how he often experiences the world. He hopes these images give others a moment to breathe and feel grounded, the same way creating them does for him.
Never Minded The Cold
“Not anticipating how cold it would be, I was ready to pack up and drive home (from Banff). Then, in the distance, I saw someone throwing rocks into the water and it stopped me. It reminded me of who I was as a kid. Always finding something to do, all in the spirit of fun.”
Before The Three Sisters
“Enjoying the return of longer days, my partner and I went for a stroll in the mountains. As the sun was setting, the last light found the Three Sisters. While the sun chose the mountains, my heart chose the person in front of me. And for a moment, everything I love was before me.”
The Bow Below, The City Ahead
“Calgary experienced a city-wide frost, creating a winter wonderland. It was a rare sight and reminded me that despite living in the city for 18 years, it never fails to remind me how beautiful my home really is.”
Ngoc Nhan Nguyen
A community member from the SE region. As a mother of 3, she’s interested in spending time with her kids outside of her work as an interpreter and translator.
Love Blooms in the Simplest Moments
“The image was taken in an afternoon playing with her kids in Rundle Park in December 2024. The snow that day was wet and could be shaped like play dough, so she shaped a little snow heart and showed her elder son. He was so excited and made a big snow heart and showed her back. She took the photo just for memory. But now, whenever she sees that photo, she truly remembers the joy and laughter in that simple moment and feel so grateful about the time spent with her kids.”
We’re grateful to everyone who participated in the contest and shared their perspectives. Initiatives like this reminds us of the many ways our community connects, expresses and inspires.
As we continue into another year, we look forward to creating more opportunity to celebrate these voices and stories.
