Healthy. Together. SPRING/SUMMER 2013
Markham.Stouffville.TM
Milos Raonic Rising tennis star and philanthropist
Close-knit community Makes giving a priority
Function first
Hospital expansion update
w w w . m s h f . o n . c a
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Low Back Pain Sciatica Disc Problems Hip, Knee, or Foot Pain Neck pain Headaches Numbness Whiplash Injuries Shoulder, Arm, or Wrist Pain Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Scoliosis TMJ Fatigue Muscle Spasms or Soreness and Much More
Chiropractors specialize in examination, diagnosis and treatment of nerve, muscle and joint problems. Although Dr. Garrity’s primary form of treatment is adjustment she also incorporates adjunctive therapies such as Theralase Laser, ultrasound, electrical therapy (IFC, MFAC), needle and laser acupuncture along with ergonomic and exercise counselling. While most of her patients have joint injuries not all are candidates for manual manipulation as some present with disc injuries, stenosis or significant osteoarthritis. Dr. Garrity decided to start researching treatment innovations to elevate her patient’s health to the next level. Neuromechanical Innovations recently released the Impulse iQ Adjusting Instrument, which is an ISO 13485 certified and UL* Listed and FDA registered medical device. The instrument is called “iQ” because it is intelligent – monitoring spinal motion in real time during each treatment. The Impulse iQ’s internal motion sensor communicates with a micro-chip computer to regulate the treatment creating more efficient treatments that are comfortable and just the right dosage. The developer of this technology, chiropractor, Dr. Chris Colloca, collaborated with biomechanists, engineers, and orthopaedic surgeons to conduct research on the new product before its release. Numerous research studies have been published in scientific medical and chiropractic journals on this new technology. The benefits of computerized technology allow chiropractors like Dr. Garrity to deliver high-tech controlled treatments that target the underlying source of patient’s pain. Conditions ranging from low back pain to whiplash, neck pain and headaches are managed by chiropractors with the device. Dr. Garrity is also able to treat extremity conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder problems and foot pain such as plantar fasciitis with this technology. The Impulse iQ, used alone or in conjunction with Dr. Garrity’s adjunctive therapies have added an exciting new dimension to her practice. Her kids, JR and Jackie, have nicknamed all her equipment and the Impulse iQ is now fondly known as “Frank”. Patients have enthusiastically taken to booking appointments with him. Please call for additional information or to meet “Frank” and speak to Dr. Garrity, Kim, her laser tech, or office manager Kaylyn.
Christine Garrity, B.P.H.E., D.C. Doctor of Chiropractic 22 Wootten Way North Markham, ON L3P 3L8 905-471-2225
Healthy. Together.
in this issue
gy
n
nd e s
y,
Markham.Stouffville.TM
Spring/Summer 2013 Publisher Ian Proudfoot Regional General Manager John Willems Associate Publication Manager Lee Ann Waterman Markham Stouffville Hospital Editorial Advisors Lisa Joyce, Suzette Strong Contributors Sheena Campbell, Jim Craigmyle, Cathy Hillard, Sue Kanhai Director of Marketing and Sales Development Gord Paolucci
message from our CEOs 3
The home stretch of our historic journey Renovation underway
cover story 12
at your hospital 16
Community care crucial in cancer fight MSH oncologists champion patient-centred treatment
18
Letting kids be kids Child life specialist helps families navigate health care
20
Caring staff impresses young family A positive hospital experience
22
Expansion update Putting function first
your community partners 26
Giving back, paying it forward Staff member helping to build stronger hospital
28
Close-knit community makes giving a priority Tamils commit $250,000
supporting your hospital 6
It takes a village Insiders’ view on fundraising
8
Love and lemonade Eight-year-old fundraises to help sick people get better
keeping you healthy 10
Hit the road but keep safety in mind
25
At every age There’s an app for that
30
Make a splash this summer Water safety tips
31
Ask a health care specialist Radiologist, emergency physician take your questions
Milos Raonic Rising tennis star and philanthropist
events 4 32
Advertising Manager Anne Beswick Advertising Team Lex Abernethy, Pam Burgess, Lauren Field, Cindy Johnson, Mike Murphy, Carolyn Norman Director of Production Jackie Smart Graphic Designer Emily Ayranto Business Manager Rob Lazurko Director of Distribution Tanya Pacheco
Healthy.Together.Markham.Stouffville. is published twice a year by York Region Media Group Ltd., in partnership with Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. TM
Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.
The material in this publication is intended for general information purposes only and, while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the material, it does not constitute advice or carry the specific endorsement of either York Region Media Group or Markham Stouffville Hospital. Readers are encouraged to consult their doctor to discuss their health concerns.
Seen supporting your hospital Highlights of past events Join us Upcoming events benefitting the hospital
www.mshf.on.ca 1
IFC - Full page Toyota (MSH Foundation)
THESE FOUNDING MEMBERS HAVE FOUND AN IMPORTANT WAY TO HELP LEAVE A LEGACY. Doug Meharg has lived his entire life in Markham. Doug and his wife, Johanna, have been instrumental in the growth of Markham Stouffville Hospital. Both value the excellent care they’ve experienced at MSH and feel it is important to give back – through a legacy gift to their hospital. You can make a difference like the Meharg’s with a gift of life insurance or by leaving a bequest in your will. Call Jan Black at 905.472.7394
jblack@msh.on.ca or visit www.mshf.on.ca
message from our CEOs
The home stretch of our historic journey Markham Stouffville Hospital recently reached a significant and exciting milestone in our expansion journey. We have been planning, fundraising and preparing for the opening of our new 385,000-square-foot building and, in March 2013, we were delighted to move patients into their new rooms. The move itself took months of careful planning. On the day of the move, nearly 500 staff, physicians and volunteers worked together to ensure 124 patients were moved safely and efficiently. Other services, including outpatient mental health, diagnostic imaging, emergency and pharmacy, were also relocated to their new and impressive spaces. Collectively, as we celebrate this great accomplishment, we also remain committed to the successful completion of our renovations and must continue to look to our community and our partners for their ongoing support. The fi nal phase of our journey is the extensive renovation and renewal of the original hospital building, which is now 23 years old. By August 2014, our old emergency department will be a new, open and vibrant cancer centre, our new and expanded outpatient clinics will be open and our inpatient units will be updated to accommodate the latest in drug administration and hand hygiene. At that time, the two buildings will be seamlessly linked together and function as one, and the corridor to the new Cornell Community Centre and Library will be open, facilitating that innovative connection between health promotion,
Janet Beed President & CEO, Markham Stouffville Hospital
wellness, early detection of health issues, prompt treatment and rehabilitation. We are also looking forward to celebrating the achievement of our $50 million fundraising target. We recently surpassed the $40 million mark, and that final $10 million will be critical to our continued success. A project of this magnitude requires a signifi cant fi nancial investment from the provincial government and the community as we partner to build and equip our new hospital. Doubling the size of our hospital requires a great deal of new equipment; beds, ultrasound machines, an MRI and new surgical tools are just some of the items that will allow our team to provide stateof-the-art care to our patients in the new facility. You will find the pages of our magazine, Healthy.Together. Markham.Stouffville.™, filled with inspirational stories of friends, neighbours, staff, physicians and patients who are changing lives in their own unique ways. Starting with Milos Raonic, Canada’s top-ranked tennis player, who recently launched his own charitable foundation to help disadvantaged children. We are proud to share these stories with you and hope you find them interesting and inspiring. We look forward to completing this journey—together. It is our privilege to serve this community and ask each of you to continue to support Markham Stouffville Hospital. Your support has a huge impact on the lives of others.
Suzette Strong CEO, Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation
www.mshf.on.ca 3
events
Seen supporting your hospital Highlights from our signature events
On May 3, more than 775 guests attended our gala to support our $50 million expansion campaign. Guests experienced an original performance by Canada’s own Theatre 20 Outreach Ensemble. The event featured a medical marketplace showcasing new state-of-the-art lifesaving medical equipment including a featured demonstration of minimally invasive surgery by Dr. Timothy S. Cheang. The winner of the gala raffle drove home in a brand new 2013 Toyota RAV4, generously donated by Don Valley North Toyota Scion and Weins Canada.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, supporters and volunteers.
Nearly 1,000 guests, including cancer survivors, those affected by cancer, passionate supporters of Markham Stouffville Hospital, dignitaries and celebrities came together at the Hilton Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa for the Diamonds and Denim themed luncheon, Oct. 28, 2012. This heartwarming and informative afternoon raised hope and support for our hospital’s Breast Health Centre and Cancer Clinic. The day was emceed by CHFI Morning Show host Erin Davis.
25th Anniversary 4 www.mshf.on.ca
Please join us for the 25th Anniversary of Celebration of Hope on Oct. 27, 2013. It promises to be a day of special memories!
Highlights from our fall and winter community events
Snap Downtown Toronto photograph
It takes our community to support Markham Stouffville Hospital. We gratefully recognize the generous fundraising efforts of our many supporters. Every dollar raised offers life changing and lifesaving potential for a family member, a friend or a neighbour. Thank you!
Tracey Rubinoff Skate-A-Thon in support of pediatric diabetes
Shoppers Drug Mart Tree of Life Campaign
Tim Hortons Coffee for Causes and Smile Cookie Campaign
25th Anniversary Amici Spa Gala
Clubs4Cancer Glitz & Glamour Gala
Huawei Canada Holiday Gala
The Pillars - A Celebration of Stouffville Medical Heritage in support of the Hospital Expansion Campaign
Fairgreen Sod Farms
View more photographs at mshf.on.ca
pe Holiday Gift Wrapping at Markville Shopping Centre www.mshf.on.ca 5
supporting your hospital
It takes a village by Mark Lievonen and Peter Mason
Fundraising for our community hospital is incredibly rewarding. It’s an opportunity to work amongst passionate people who are driven by the common goal to build a healthier community. Over the past four years, the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation dedicated its efforts to raise $50 million towards expanding the hospital to meet the needs of the growing community. As leaders of the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation’s Expansion Campaign, along with Mayor Frank Scarpitti, City of Markham we may be the faces of the campaign and we have been long-time supporters and passionate advocates for the hospital. But truly, the secret to our success is building strong relationships across the community. An insider’s view There are four major fundraising arms within the foundation: annual giving, special events, major gifts and planned giving. Each of these areas plays a significant role in raising funds for the expansion campaign. Building relationships with the community and generating awareness about the hospital, the campaign and the cause is the first step, and everyone plays a part in that. 6 www.mshf.on.ca
The foundation team is supported by a volunteer board made up of top business leaders and community philanthropists from across Markham and Stouffville. Together, we bring our collective knowledge, passion, extensive networks and commitment to the hospital, and have agreed to work collaboratively to fulfill the fundraising goal. We strive to understand our growing community while embracing change and building on our strong heritage. We believe that by working together we will achieve more. To help ensure we reach out to all the ethno-cultural communities who call Markham and Stouffville home, we look to the leaders on our foundation board and leaders within the business community to advise us on the most effective ways to engage different cultures and ethnicities. This is paramount to our campaign success. There is no exact science, formula or textbook that tells you how to do this. We are guided by the time-tested strategies and expertise that each volunteer board member brings to the campaign. Every dollar has an impact Raising $50 million is a marathon, not a sprint, and every donation, great or
small, has an impact. The single mother who donates $50, the frontline nurse who donates a portion of her pay cheque, the senior on a fixed income who donates $200 per year and the school kids who organize fun runs and donation drives to support their hospital. The dedicated staff, physicians and volunteers at the hospital have brought fresh meaning to “giving begins at home.” These professionals believe in their hospital and have generously donated to support the expansion. This truly speaks to how committed the people who work at Markham Stouffville Hospital are to their patients, their hospital and the community. Even a little can make a big difference in another person’s life; in fact, it could save your own life or that of someone you love. The work continues We’ve reached an important milestone with opening Building B and we now face the next leg of the race with the deconstruction and rebuild of Building A; we need your support now as much as ever to keep the momentum going. Together our efforts help the hospital meet the demands of our growing community, not just today, but tomorrow, too.
Mark Lievonen remembers thinking long and hard about becoming involved with the board. He wondered whether he’d have enough time to devote as he was already committed to a great number of community and professional organizations. Ultimately, Mr. Lievonen felt compelled to support the community hospital as it was important work and represented something not only vitally important to his community but also to his family. His family was typical—having made several emergency room visits and had medical procedures done at the hospital over the years. It was time to give back. Mr. Lievonen describes the hospital as a special place, with a unique blend of infrastructure and specialized medical services and a spirit of a small tight-knit community where staff and patients are known by name.
Mark Lievonen, chair, Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation
Peter Mason, vice-chair, Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation and expansion campaign co-chair
Peter Mason, vice-chair of the foundation as well as co-chair of the expansion campaign, has a long history with Markham Stouffville Hospital. Back in 1967, early in his career, Mr. Mason sold five acres of property to Arthur Latcham. Mr. Latcham told Mr. Mason he intended to donate the land for a community hospital—one that would bring the Markham and Stouffville communities together. The vision for Markham Stouffville Hospital was born. Mr. Mason’s father was the second chair of the hospital board in 1972 and Mr. Mason himself was the first chair of the hospital foundation at the time the hospital opened its doors in 1990. Mr. Mason expresses a great deal of pride not just for his own family’s long-standing commitment to the hospital, but the years of dedication from community at large to make
Despite his long and distinguished career in the health care industry, Mr. Lievonen says his involvement with the hospital foundation has been a tremendous learning opportunity that has allowed him to see things through a new lens. He says his most important role as a steward of the hospital is to communicate the vital role the community plays in the affordability and sustainability of our publicly funded health-care system; many people are surprised to learn that 10 per cent of capital dollars and all new equipment for the hospital expansion must be funded by the community. With the doors of the new building now open, Mr. Lievonen turns his attention to the work still left to be done, the rebuild of the original building. “It takes a village to build a hospital; we need the community to continue this journey with us,” he says.
the hospital project possible. He says the hospital continues to be a shared interest across a diverse and growing community because the need for quality health care close to home is universal; the hospital’s services touch all of us over the course of our entire lifespan. When asked about co-chairing the foundation’s first major capital fundraising effort with Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, he says the thought of raising $50 million was daunting but he knew the community would respond in extraordinary ways; and they did and continue to do so. “From the birth of a baby to the care of an elderly loved one, our hospital is here throughout the ages to care for us,” Mr. Mason says. “It has been an honour and a privilege to be part of something so great.”
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Jim Craigmyle photograph
Michael James, 8, organizes an annual lemonade stand to raise money for Markham Stouffville Hospital.
Lemonade and love
Eight-year-old fundraises to help sick people get better by Lee Ann Waterman
At 8, Michael James is already a seasoned event planner and budding philanthropist. This spring, the Grade 3 student at Franklin Street Public School hosted a fourth annual fundraising event in his Markham neighbourhood. He refers to it as his lemonade stand, but that’s a bit of a humble misnomer. He does offer lemonade—but also a selection of home-baked sweets, pizza, snow cones and flowers and vegetable plants. Last year, he raised and donated $800 to the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. His goal this year was $1,000—a number he was thrilled to report he more than doubled, by raising $2,036. Charity is important to the James family. They support children in need across the globe through World Vision and causes in their own community through work at their church and other initiatives. When their son was five, Andrew and Shameeza James encouraged Michael to find his own way to give back—and the lemonade stand was launched Organizing the stand begins several weeks before the big day, held the Saturday of the 8 www.mshf.on.ca
May long weekend. Michael starts saving his allowance (he receives $20 a week for helping around the house) to buy supplies and working on a flyer he distributes doorto-door in his neighbourhood. This year’s reads: Michael’s Love Lemonade. Please help us raise money. The days leading up to the sale are spent shopping and preparing the items to be sold. Michael, an accomplished cook who prepares weekly meals for his family, spends hours in the kitchen with his mom, who is a chef. On Saturday morning, Michael, as well as any family members and friends who have volunteered to help, don aprons and name tags and open the stand to their community. “It becomes more like a gathering of neighbours,” Mrs. James says. “We put out chairs and people sit and hang out. Even if they don’t buy anything, they still donate.” Food, she says, has a way of bringing people together. The impassioned pitch of a hard-working young man doesn’t hurt either. “When you help somebody, people will help you,” Michael says of the support he gets from his neighbours, adding he is sometimes
surprised by their generosity. If everyone contributed in some way “the world would get better,” he says. “When you work hard, you can go more places,” he continues. ‘You’re happy when you’ve done something good. When you set a goal and you finish it, you’re so happy.” Michael has a connection to Markham Stouffville Hospital: It’s where he was born. And he understands the money he raises helps sick people get better. Mrs. James says foundation staff are enthusiastic in their support of the lemonade stand. They hosted a small event last year— with a giant cheque, photographs and a present for Michael of a T-shirt designed to look like scrubs—to honour his donation. “He was so proud,” she says. When asked about his long-term plans, Michael says fundraising will be a lifelong endeavour. His mom looks surprised when he also replies he wants to be a chef or a doctor—it’s not the same thing he would have answered a week or two before, but considering the topic at hand, it seems appropriate.
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keeping you healthy
Hit the road but keep safety in mind by Sue Kanhai
Summer is a time when we naturally ramp up the activity. We want to get out and explore, burn off some energy playing and having fun. We spend long hours outdoors hoping to get the most out of the gorgeous weather. To that end, here’s a refresher on how to keep you and your family safe and injury-free this summer. “The biggest mistake we see when it comes to road safety in the summer is lack of helmet use,” says Const. Andy Pattenden of York Regional Police. Const. Pattenden used to work in Markham doing bicycle patrol. He would frequently see kids out with their parents. The parents would be walking alongside children who were riding bikes, scooters or skateboards— without wearing helmets. Under provincial law, children under 16 must wear a helmet when cycling. More importantly, he says, it’s just good sense, a simple thing to do. According to Safe Kids Canada, the greatest risk to kids cycling, scootering, skateboarding or in-line skating is a collision or fall causing a head injury. A properly fitted, correctly worn helmet can reduce the risk of serious head injury by up to 85 per cent; it protects your child’s brain from a crash or fall. It’s essential to get the right kind. A bicycle helmet can be worn for cycling, in-line skating and riding a scooter. But skateboarders need a helmet designed for the sport, one that covers more of the back of the head and protects against more than one crash. The helmet must fit your child properly. It should rest two finger widths above the eyebrow and side and chinstraps should be snug. Have your child shake her head from side to side and front to back; the helmet should not move. Helmets sold in Canada are certified by 10 www.mshf.on.ca
the CSA (Canadian Standards Association), CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), Snell or ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). Check the label before you buy and never purchase secondhand. Helmets should be replaced after five years or after a crash where the cyclist has hit their head. Safe Kids Canada recommends cyclists under the age of 10 stay off the road, as they don’t yet have the physical or cognitive skills to be able to handle themselves safely in traffic. Children over the age of 10 need to practise first. Kids are most likely to suffer injuries when they are first learning to ride, if they are going too fast, riding near cars or not using appropriate safety gear. Inexperience, lack of control and safety skills and attempting stunts are other contributing factors. Const. Pattenden has also noticed the troubling tendency of people on bikes and skateboards to disobey traffic signals. They’ll ride through stop signs or cross roads against red lights. He also wants to drive home how important it is to be alert and aware. Look both ways even if traffic lights are indicating it is safe to proceed. Avoid distractions such as using your cell phone or listening to music on headphones. In the end, one of the most effective weapons parents have in their arsenal is
an old tried-and-true standby: model good behaviour. “There are always more things we can do to ensure the safety of our children,” says Const. Pattenden, who has a four-year-old son. “If I were out riding a bike, I should be wearing a helmet, as my son should be, too. Exceptions don’t apply just because adults are supposed to be older and wiser.”
Cycling safety tips
• Wear reflective clothi ng, especially at night. • Ride single file. • Try to make eye conta ct with drivers. • Use hand signals. • Always wear a helm et. • Equip your bike with a horn or bell that’s in good worki ng order. • Don’t wear headphon es while riding. Helpful online resou rces yrp.ca/personalsafety.a spx yrp.ca/roadsafety.asp x safekidscanada.ca
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Milos Raonic Rising tennis star and philanthropist by Lee Ann Waterman
12 www.mshf.on.ca
www.mshf.on.ca 13
Steve Russell photograph, Toronto Star
Milos Raonic will return to the grass courts of Wimbledon— site of the 2012 Summer Olympics—for The Championships, June 24 to July 7. Follow his progress at wimbledon.com.
Rick Madonik photograph, Toronto Star
Milos Raonic takes on John Isner (USA) in quarter-final action during Rogers Cup Tennis last summer.
A
rising young tennis star, who at 22 is Canada’s highest ranked male singles player since computer rankings began, Milos Raonic is also remarkably grounded. Born in the former Yugoslavia (an area that is now Montenegro), at the age of three, Milos came to Canada with his parents, Dusan and Vesna, and older siblings, Jelena and Momir. The family soon settled in Thornhill. “It’s home for me,” says Milos, who currently lives in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Perhaps it is his background as an immigrant from a country torn apart by years of civil war that helps form his perspective: He uses words like safe, quiet and comfortable to describe the local community. “It provided us with a good life,” he says. “It is a great community with great schools,” Vesna adds, “and that was the reason that we moved and stayed in Thornhill. Milos started playing tennis at age nine and was quickly hooked. “When Milos decided to play tennis, we found a good tennis club [Blackmore Tennis Club in Richmond Hill] and a great coach, too [Casey Curtis].” Court time was expensive, so he and his dad booked off hours to practise—6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and after 9 p.m. His parents
14 www.mshf.on.ca
I want to be the best player in the world at some point - that’s definitely what I work towards. Milos Raonic
also adjusted their work schedules to accommodate training and tournaments. Although tennis was Milos’ passion, his parents were firm that education came first. “He worked hard, was great at school and he never missed practice,” says Dusan. “A lot of professionals from the tennis world told us that Milos had talent, but school was the priority and we supported him as long he was a good student.” The Raonics did not push Milos; the young tennis player was completely self-motivated and driven. “We never considered that Milos would become a professional athlete,” says Dusan, “and then just before going to university, his dedication, love, passion, and determination
convinced us that it was worth a try.” An honours student, Milos graduated from Thornhill Secondary School at 16 and, with the support of his parents, moved to Montreal to train at Tennis Canada’s national training centre. Milos spent three years there before moving to Europe in 2010, to train in Barcelona, Spain. “I always wanted to be on the court,” Milos says, “to be getting better, and over time I learned more about what it takes, the kind of habits and the degree of discipline needed to be one of the best.” As far as the international tennis community is concerned, 2011 was Milos’ breakout year. He reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, won his first Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour singles title at the SAP Open in San Jose, climbed to No. 31 from No. 156 in the ATP rankings and was named Newcomer of The Year. But he also suffered a hip tear playing at Wimbledon and required surgery to repair the torn ligaments. The time off the court to recover gave Milos the opportunity to reflect. “I had the time to think and to realize that without my parents I wouldn’t be where I am,” he says. He realized not all children have the kind of support he did and not all
parents are in a position to offer it—and he became determined to find a way to help those families. “I want kids to be able to chase their ambitions just as I chased mine. And also the opportunity for their parents to give them the chance to follow their dreams—that’s very important to me.” Patrick Johnston, philanthropic advisor to the Raonic family, was first contacted in the summer, of 2011. Milos wanted to set up his own charitable foundation and Johnston’s advice was to support “something you care about, something you’re passionate about.” That something was disadvantaged children. “It was completely driven by Milos,” Mr. Johnston says. “It was his idea, his decision right from the get-go.” With further research and discussion, the Raonics narrowed the foundation’s focus to helping children with physical disabilities and Milos decided the first grant would go the Holland Bloorview Hospital. The grant has two parts: to create the Milos Raonic Kids Agility Clinic, which helps youth with amputations and other disabilities lead healthy, active lives; and to match public gifts to support the development of a pediatric version of a low-cost prosthetic knee, developed by Holland Bloorview engineer scientist Dr. Jan Andrysek. Dusan and Vesna Raonic, who are both engineers, toured the hospital before the grant was awarded and were impressed with Dr. Andrysek’s vision of a prosthetic that would cost less than $100. “Down the road these benefits could be realized by thousands of kids all over the world who couldn’t imagine the possibility of being able to go out and kick around a soccer ball,” Mr. Johnston explains. The idea of creating opportunities for kids to engage in sports obviously appeals to Milos. “Sport has been the greatest thing for me. It’s a love, especially tennis, but other sports, too,” he says. “It’s given me the opportunity
Tennis star Milos Raonic talks to Tai Young of Markham at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in February; through his foundation, Milos donated $70,000 to the hospital.
to see a lot of the world and to mature, to be happy with myself and achieve things. I think I’ve learned a lot of valuable life lessons through my days on tour and through my hard work.” The lessons—he lists discipline, persistence, teamwork and leadership among them—learned from sports can be applied to many aspects of life, including school and work, he says. His parents were surprised when Milos came to them with the idea of starting a foundation—although they completely understood his motivation. “We supported him any way we could and gave him the opportunity to be successful at school, tennis and more,” Vesna says. “He is aware of how important that support was and he wants to give other talented kids the same opportunity by giving back to the community.” Mr. Johnston, who has a great deal of experience working with individual philanthropists and organizations, says such a strong desire to give back is unusual for
someone of his age, although consistent with Milos’ character. “He is grounded, solid….,” he says. “He is a wise young man.” Family has been a constant influence in Milos’ life. Father, mother and son make up the three-member Milos Raonic Foundation board. His parents and siblings continue to attend tournaments when they can and spend time together between events. “I surround myself with family and friends just because they keep me happy and I find I play and perform my best when I’m happy,” Milos says. “I think it gives me peace of mind. It’s something that I find important to my success as well as my progress as a tennis player.” That progress has captured the attention of tennis fans and Canadians who just like to cheer on a homegrown talent. With his obvious dedication to mastering his sport and new commitment to helping disadvantaged kids, Milos will give us all a reason to continue to root for him.
www.mshf.on.ca 15
at your hospital
Community care crucial in cancer fight
MSH oncologists champion patient-centred treatment by Lee Ann Waterman
Jim Craigmyle photograph
“We do a good job. I think we do an excellent job.” Dr. Mateya Trinkaus is speaking and colleague Dr. Leena Hajra is nodding in agreement. The young medical oncologists are sharing the pride and passion they have for the cancer care patients receive at Markham Stouffville Hospital. The hospital currently provides chemotherapy (by traditional intravenous and oral chemotherapies) and surgery for most cancers—and relies on strong partnerships with hospitals, including Southlake Regional Health Care Centre in Newmarket and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, for more complex surgeries and radiation treatment. Drs. Trinkaus and Hajra are part of a growing team that includes long-time local medical oncologist and hematologist Dr. Henry Solow, a newly hired drug navigator (an expert on drug coverage and criteria for coverage), an expanding roster of experienced chemotherapy nurses, volunteers and administrative staff, and a palliative care team. “We rely heavily on all of our support staff to provide a comprehensive care program for our patients,” Dr. Trinkaus explains. “This also includes our emergency staff, surgical team, internists, radiology department and pathologists with whom we work closely every day.”
Medical oncologists Dr. Mateya Trinkaus (left) and Dr. Leena Hajra are part of an expanding team providing patient-centred care at Markham Stouffville Hospital’s chemotherapy clinic.
16 www.mshf.on.ca
Treating patients a privilege Dr. Hajra credits her father for an early fun introduction to chemistry experiments and human physiology, which stimulated her interest in medicine. She earned her bachelor and masters of science at the University of Toronto, later attending its school of medicine, studying internal medicine and medical oncology. Oncology, she says, was a late choice, but a good one. It’s a dynamic field, with emerging research and new therapies that require skill in medicine, but also the ability to connect with patients and offer psychosocial support.
“I find it very rewarding,� she says. “We get very close to our patients, which can be hard emotionally, certainly, but it’s also a privilege. “The biggest reward in medicine comes from the patient sitting across from you.� Dr. Trinkaus, who grew up in Ajax, went to Queens University and medical school at U. of T. Initially planning a career in public health and health policy, with a focus on international development, she decided on medical oncology during her internal medicine training. The patients, she says, drew her. ‘They have an unspoken genuine courage; it’s very inspiring,� she says. “People ask how I do my job every day, it’s easy when you have the privilege of treating the patients we have.� She adds the job allows her to practise “the art of medicine.� “The most important thing we do, in my opinion, is try to improve the quality of life for our patients,� she explains. “Unfortunately, we cannot cure cancer for all of our patients, but importantly, we can still provide worthy treatments and palliative care. In these instances, the goal is not to die from cancer, but to help our patients live with cancer with the best possible quality of life.� These Markham Stouffville Hospital doctors are also quick to point out that a growing number of patients are being cured of cancer. Increased screening, earlier detection
and targeted therapies have improved the odds of beating cancer for many. But for others, improved treatment means living longer with the disease. That, combined with a rise in the number of people diagnosed with cancer, means an increased need for oncology services. A community approach to care The oncologists say the community hospital approach to cancer care offers advantages over large academic centres. Patients and their families don’t have to endure the taxing commute downtown and are able to develop relationships with the small and dedicated health-care team. “The biggest difference is we are linked continuously to our patients,� Dr. Hajra says. “You often cannot get that kind of close individual relationship at an academic hospital. “However, we very much appreciate the necessary partnership with the academic centres for clinical trial options as well as the additional expertise in treatment when required. Our partner cancer centres are quite gracious in accommodating our patients quickly and with open arms.� “When you come into our chemotherapy unit, our volunteer knows your name, our chemotherapy nurse knows your name and we know your name,� Dr. Trinkaus adds. Their point is proven when the son of a patient arrives at their offices. Both doctors
know him and are immediately aware of the current concerns with his mother’s treatment—and they are willing to take the time to discuss them with him. A future of hope and opportunity As part of the extensive renovations to the original hospital building, the chemotherapy clinic will move to the former emergency department. The new location will offer more space for treatment and private rooms for psychosocial counselling. Large windows will let in natural light and overlook a small garden. The oncologists share a vision of what, given the resources, the clinic could offer in coming years—increased participation in clinical trials, greater focus on pain and symptom management and palliative care and an established survivorship program. Bringing interventional radiology, sophisticated technology that uses minimally invasive image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases, to Markham Stouffville Hospital would eliminate the need to send patients elsewhere for certain tests. The future, locally and globally, for cancer treatments is one of opportunity and hope. “We may not find a cure for every cancer in my lifetime,� Dr. Trinkaus says, “but I can say with certainty that we are going to cure many more cancers with the individualized and personalized treatment that we are now providing for our patients.�
Stouffville Hyundai Equus is proud to support the Markham Stouffville Hospital
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Jim Craigmyle photograph
Child life specialist Julie Atkinson is trained to help children and their families understand and cope in stressful health-care or life experiences.
Letting kids be kids
Child life specialist helps families navigate health care by Sue Kanhai
Child life specialist Julie Atkinson is touring me around the fourth floor of Markham Stouffville Hospital’s new building. She marvels over the expansive windows and vivid, large-scale nature photography that lines the walls. Every so often we stop to admire the country views. Her enthusiasm for the new space is infectious. Hospital staff and physicians have just moved in and are busy seeing patients, yet the environment is remarkably serene. Ms Atkinson has a similarly calming presence. She is immediately disarming and warm, and feels like an instant friend. When we walk the halls it’s clear that everyone knows her—nurses, doctors, volunteers and patients all smile and say hello. She knows every one of them by name. Her role at the hospital is multi-faceted. As 18 www.mshf.on.ca
a child life specialist, she is trained to help children and their families understand and cope in stressful health-care or life experiences. To do that she uses a combination of preparation, support, distraction and play. She is a big advocate of family-centred care. “I navigate the family around the hospital in child-friendly terms,” Ms Atkinson says. “I make sure families know how to cope in this setting and that there’s play in the hospital.” She sees children from newborn through to 19, though most are preschoolers, toddlers and babies. If a child comes into the emergency department and needs an intravenous, they call her. She has just a few minutes to meet with the child and talk to them about what an IV is and why it’s needed. Sometimes this involves what she calls medical play,
showing the child what an IV looks like or even explaining it to the parents. She tailors her approach depending on the child’s age. “It’s going in and explaining to the child what is going to happen to them using ideas and concepts that they can relate to,” she explains. “Saying it’s a little drinking straw for your hand, for example. I’ll use child friendly terms to help them understand.” She has various strategies to help relieve kids’ anxiety and is also present when the IV is actually put in. She might distract the child by using bubbles or having them squeeze a ball, focus on a movie, tell a story or close their eyes and pretend they’re somewhere else. Children come to the hospital with pneumonia, jaundice, appendix pain, gastrointestinal issues or broken bones. They
need dental work, tubes put in their ears or to have their tonsils and adenoids removed. Some come for first-ever surgeries; others have been patients before. Ms Atkinson also supports children whose parents have a serious illness. She likes to hear from children themselves, in their own words, what they know and understand. Often when they sit down together and start to play, the kids open up. “I encourage kids to do something they’ll always remember of their parents. The other parent may not even be able to think of something like that at that point. It’s a little easier for me to be able to come in and say, why don’t we draw some pictures. Down the road they’ll have this to keep, and that’s really important for the family.” She was drawn to the job because she enjoys working with children and their families. “It’s just in my nature to want to help,” she says. “I want them to have a really good hospital experience.” Her role certainly gives her countless opportunities. A surgical pre-admission program, Dr. Bear, helps prepare families and inform children ages four to 12 about their upcoming surgery in a child-friendly, hands-on, ageappropriate way. “We actually take them right into the operating room,” Ms Atkinson says. “We take them on a ride on the bed in the operating room. We use simple, clear language, show them around and take them through exactly how their day will go.” She sees the children again on the morning of their surgeries and goes into the operating room with them. “I follow them through their whole healthcare experience, in a way,” she says. Sandra Colangelo, whose daughter Olivia required surgery to remove enlarged adenoids and tonsils that were causing breathing and sleeping issues, calls Ms Atkinson a godsend. She did a personal tour with the family before the surgery. “We just walked through the hospital and we talked at a two-year-old’s level of what the hospital’s all about. We saw, we touched, we figured everything out,” Ms Atkinson says. “It was amazing,” Mrs. Colangelo says. “We were so scared about Olivia’s reaction to everything. I think my husband and I were more nervous than she was. Julie made us feel so much more comfortable…she was so kind and really patient with Olivia.” The morning of her surgery, Ms Atkinson brought Olivia some colouring books and toys before going into the operating room with her. “We couldn’t believe how amazing it was, she just took Julie’s hand, waved bye to us and walked away in her little hospital gown. We were like, are you kidding? She had no issues,” Mrs. Colangelo recalls. Since the surgery, Olivia’s breathing and sleeping have vastly improved. The chronic infections stopped and she made it through the rest of the winter with just a runny nose. “Having Julie there was a blessing for everyone,” says her mother. “We are so
Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Dr. Bear offers support to Harin Joseph, a student at St. Benedict Catholic Elementary School in Markham
grateful that she is such a nice and genuinely caring person. All in all it was a great experience.” Ms Atkinson is particularly proud of the nurse volunteers who support the Dr. Bear program. Nurses from the operating room, recovery room and long-term care volunteer their time to show families around. “Not a lot of hospitals have staff willing to give their time away. And they’ve each done it for as long as I’ve been here, over 15 years,” she says. The hospital also offers free school tours to local Grade 1 classes. A letter announcing the program is sent out at the end of June and within a couple of days spots are filled and there is a waitlist. Retired schoolteachers and business people volunteer to lead the tours for this program. “What we’re doing is introducing the hospital to children before they need to come here, so there’s a comfort before that happens,” Ms Atkinson says. Local schools also participate in the MSH
School Challenge, walking to raise money for Markham Stouffville Hospital. The Dr. Bear mascot goes around visiting different schools. “It teaches kids at a really young age that this is their hospital,” Ms Atkinson says. “It teaches the importance of donating, of taking care of their community.”
Annual Life numChild bers: Children wh
o particip in the Dr. ate B e ar surgic pre-admis al sion prog ram: 400 Children who part icipate in a scho ol tour: 1 ,000 Inpatient children: 600
www.mshf.on.ca 19
Caring staff impresses young family by Lee Ann Waterman
If Caden Smith’s parents were asked to describe their son in just three words, they might say, “Go, go, go.” When the active toddler fell shortly before his third birthday, the only indication it might lead to anything more than a small bump or bruise was that Caden cried—an unusual reaction for a boy with a “very high pain threshold,” says mom Tracie Smith. Then, a week later, he started complaining of pain and couldn’t put weight on his leg; the Smiths took him to the emergency department at Markham Stouffville Hospital. X-rays confirmed Caden had broken his femur several days prior and the fracture had already begun to heal. “We were all so puzzled by this child who had been running, jumping, crawling and climbing on his broken leg,” Mrs. Smith says. Dr. Joan Cheng, the emergency room physician, referred the Smiths to MSH’s fracture clinic where he was fitted with a cast. He later needed a second fitting because of muscle shrinkage. Caden spent six weeks in total in a cast and made several visits to the hospital. The Smiths have nothing but praise for the physicians and staff at the hospital—from Dr. Cheng who called Mrs. Smith at home when she found a specialist who could see Caden when the fracture clinic was closed, to Jay Movasseli, senior orthopedic technologist at the fracture clinic, who had Caden smiling and even laughing during the procedures. “The doctor taking my name and calling me, I don’t think that would have happened at a larger hospital,” Mrs. Smith says. “We’re very lucky as a community to have her and have that kind of extra care.” “I knew at the end of the day everything would be OK. They were all so calm, so we weren’t alarmed,” adds dad Alex Smith. ”We were
Jay Movasseli (right), senior orthopedic technologist at Markham Stouffville Hospital’s fracture clinic, removes a cast from Caden Smith’s leg as mom Tracie Smith looks on.
puzzled [that Caden had not complained about his injury earlier] but they made us feel at ease.” The Smiths moved to Unionville from the Beaches area of Toronto about two years. In many ways this first experience at Markham Stouffville Hospital mirrors their impressions of their new home: a place where people want to connect and are willing to lend a hand. “You do feel like you’re part of a community,” Mr. Smith says.
OUR HEROES MAKE A DIFFERENCE SO CAN YOU! HONOUR YOUR MSHERO AND SAY THANK YOU IN A MEANINGFUL WAY 905.472.7373 ext 6341 mshfoundation@msh.on.ca
www.mshf.on.ca Friend us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @ MSHospital
Meet Dr. Larry Pancer, Chief, Department of Paediatrics. Larry loves being a doctor and making a difference in the lives of his patients. He works with a diverse group of people and a variety of medical problems. He enjoys educating people and providing care with compassion and excellence. This is why his grateful patients honour him through the MSHeroes Program. The doors to our new building are open and patients are being treated in our new state-of-the-art building. Government does not fund all new equipment and expansion needs at our hospital. Your support has a huge impact on the lives of others. Express your gratitude to a special doctor, nurse, volunteer or hospital staff who has made a difference to you or your family, please give.
20 www.mshf.on.ca
Weins Canada Celebrates 7 Years as Markham Stouffville Hospital Gala Automobile Sponsor
L – R: Serge Sotoadeh, Don Valley North Toyota Scion; Amin Tejani, Weins Canada; Martin Kennaley, Winner, Monica Kennaley; Ryan Burgi, Toyota Canada; Ted Takenaka, Weins Canada
Congratulations to this year’s lucky raffle winner.
Formerly Don Valley North Automotive Group
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Patients and visitors now enter the hospital through the new link lobby.
Expansion update:
Putting function first by Sue Kanhai
March 10 was an important milestone for Markham Stouffville Hospital. Staff began treating patients in the brand new building. This day marked the end of just the first phase in the hospital’s multi-year expansion project. Extensive renovations to the existing building began in April, with total completion expected in August 2014. The new building adds an additional 385,000 square feet; the original building is 331,000. Project advisor and Markham resident Mac Cosburn, P.Eng. was involved in the construction of the original building, which opened in 1990. “The first time around was one of my 22 www.mshf.on.ca
most satisfying projects,” he says. “To have the opportunity to do it a second time was fabulous.” The technical detail and costs involved have made round two a much more complicated process, he says. Even so, says director of redevelopment Suman Bahl, who has been on the project since the planning phase, the process has been moving quickly. Ministry approval Designs for the project went through multiple versions prior to achieving provincial approval. Once Markham Stouffville had the green light from both the Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care and Infrastructure Ontario, the hospital moved on to holding user group meetings. “The first time around in 1990 we had to recruit surrogate users,” Mr. Cosburn recalls. “We had no staff. It was undeveloped green space and a brand new organization. It wasn’t until we got into the formal design and construction that we actually started to get funding to retain our own staff that would go forward and operate it. We recruited volunteers, in effect, doctors, nurses, hospital users, and got the benefit of their experience from other facilities.” This time, they had no shortage of users to consult and went through several rounds of
Jim Craigmyle photograph
consultations and feedback. “Two things were working together,” Mr. Cosburn explains. “One, the community very much needed the expansion. We were well over capacity from what the original building was designed for—there was a huge need. To complement that, things went very smoothly with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Infrastructure Ontario.” He can’t help but compare the process to what it was like to work on the original hospital back in the late 1980s. “We would work on it, and then there would be a stop. We would work on it again, then another stop. It was always start-stop, waiting for ministry review and approvals. This time though it couldn’t have gone better. There were no interruptions. They worked closely with us and it was a strong team approach.” Construction challenges Because the new building is going to be tied into the existing one, the connection between the two had to be carefully considered. They wanted the corridors to extend naturally and to avoid ramps. They were restricted by floor heights and limited by existing exterior landscaping and grades. “The architect basically had two teams working simultaneously because we had to design the new building and renovate the existing one. The whole project was one package,” Ms Bahl says. She confirms hospitals are among the most difficult environments to build. “Interior-wise it’s complicated. You have minimally invasive ORs (operating rooms) that require medical gas, hanging booms to hold equipment and computers and steel. It is complicated equipment that all has to be looked at from a coordination perspective.” “The electrical and mechanical component of a hospital is several times greater than that of any other building,” Mr. Cosburn adds. “Electrical, mechanical and IT probably represent between 45 and 50 per cent of the total construction cost.” Of course everything these days runs on the IT network; the ability to call a nurse or use the security system, for example, all ties back to the network. Even equipment is “intelligent”; monitors are no longer connected to just the patient, but also the IT system. Installation of the larger pieces of equipment also proved difficult, especially those from diagnostic imaging, which can weigh up to four tonnes. “Just the coordination of getting those delivered, installed and up and running was a challenge,” Ms Bahl says “We moved certain pieces ahead of time and other pieces after we moved in, just to make sure we still had equipment to use during the transition into the new building. “
Director of redevelopment Suman Bahl and project advisor Mac Cosburn, P.Eng. are overseeing Markham Stouffville Hospital’s multi-year expansion project.
Form and function In addition to the technical specifications for a new hospital, the overall aesthetics are also important. How do you create a space that allows for accessible, safe, high quality care while at the same time making it a warm and inviting healing environment? “I really believe function does come first.
It’s got to work,” Ms Bahl says. “Then you can ‘pretty it up’ with neutral colour and finishes. The things you want to change might be furniture colours or paint colour on a wall and you can do that long-term with ease and little expense. But as far as function goes, that’s tough to change; it has got to work right from the start. You can adapt to a certain extent but the base has to be there.” www.mshf.on.ca 23
They wanted to bring in some elements from nature—such as wood tones, which they did cost-effectively by using laminates. Mr. Cosburn says the windows are dramatically larger and provide interesting views in all directions, appreciated particularly by those who are staying in the hospital. “I’ve never actually done a building with such huge windows before,” Ms Bahl says. They’ve had a lot of good feedback from the community. Many like the artwork, soothing colours and furniture, and specifically how the art has pulled everything together. “It’s not overdone. It’s calming,” Ms Bahl says. She is excited about the new operating rooms and minimally invasive ORs, equipped with the latest technology. “They’re all stateof-the-art.” There is also a much larger neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). “I guess it helps when you understand better what people are asking for and why they’re asking for it, how it will function, because you’ve been there yourself,” says Ms Bahl, who lives in Stouffville and gave birth to all three of her children at MSH. “I walked through the old NICU space the other day and I took a picture. My daughter Chloe was in there for about six weeks. I remembered where we sat for all those weeks. Then the space felt tiny. Now at least each family has room to move around and some storage
It helps when you understand better what people are asking for and why they’re asking for it, how it will function, because you’ve been there yourself. Suman Bahl director of redevelopment
space including an individual fridge. The labour and delivery rooms are much larger; almost all of them have an air jet tub. It makes a huge difference to the comfort of our patients and their families.” Inpatient units have mostly single-patient rooms, which will help with infection control. There are more isolation rooms. The emergency department is almost three times the size and is supported by a rooftop helipad, which is just an elevator ride away. The final phase of this incredible
WI N A N
project brings us to the redevelopment and enhancement of the original hospital building. The existing building spaces were emptied out and secured, from both an infection control and a servicing perspective. They shut off the medical gases, air, and water. PCL, the contractor, then commenced demolition and building out of these areas. Renovations continue. Ms Bahl anticipates that one of the more challenging aspects will be the closure of the existing hospital entrance. People must now enter through a new lobby and disperse from there. The front of the hospital will be dramatically altered, with an entirely new structure added. “The existing building seemed to have a level of commotion in the hallways as you walked through. Interestingly this is something I don’t feel in the new space,” Ms Bahl says. Mr. Cosburn agrees: “It’s more peaceful because it’s designed for the volume it serves.” While the hospital has successfully raised over 80 per cent of its campaign goal of $50 million, in order to reach its final goal another $10 million must be raised this year. Your giving truly has impact. By continuing to demonstrate your generosity, you can help see this incredible project through to completion.
i PA D3!
Thank you for taking your time to review this June 2013 edition of the Healthy Together Markham Stouffville™ Magazine. Have you enjoyed learning about your community hospital expansion, the advancements in services and the contributions of donors? We value your input and want to hear from you.
An Apple iPad3 could be yours if you take 5 minutes to give us your feedback.
Eligible entrants must complete survey before September 30, 2013 and the random draw winner will be notified immediately.
LOG O N TO : http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JM8NFTW to take this 5 minute survey and you could win an iPad3! Purpose and eligibility: Draw will be held on September 30, 2013. Winner will be notified by phone. Winners agree to the use of their name and photo for announcment/publicity purposed by the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. All answers will be kept strictly confidential and will be used to better understand readership value. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age. All prizes must be accepted as awarded and may not be exactly as shown. Values stated are retail at time of purchase (June, 2013). No cash value or substitution. Privacy: The Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation respects your privacy and will never sell, trade, or loan your information to any other organization. We will use your information for statistics and administrative purposes. Liability: The Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation assumes no liability for prizes awarded.
24 www.mshf.on.ca
keeping you healthy
at every age
There’s an app for that by Lee Ann Waterman
Eating well, getting enough exercise, managing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes — being in your best health means keeping on top of it all. But you probably have a tool in your pocket or purse or on your desk or coffee table that can help. Healthy.Together.Markham.Stouffville.™ found some apps that can bring help and provide inspiration to your healthy living — at any age.
Children
Bring Back Play ParticipACTION, an organization supported by Sport Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, has a goal to increase our collective physical activity levels. It recently launched Bring Back Play, a campaign to encourage parents to introduce their kids to the fun games and unstructured active play that used to be a part of childhood. The app will help parents recall the games they loved to play—and teach their own children. Includes favourites such as What Time is it Mr. Wolf?, SPUD, Foursquare and Capture the Flag. bringbackplay.mobi
Immunize Ontario, A free iPhone app developed by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute may make those yellow immunization cards a thing of the past. You can use ImmunizeON to keep and update immunization records, receive vaccination reminders based on the province’s vaccination schedule and your child’s age and access credible information on vaccines. immunizeON
Adults
My Fitness Pal Maintaining a healthy weight comes down to one variable: eating fewer calories than you burn. This free app allows you to track both physical activity and calories consumed (with a database of thousands of foods including Canadian grocery store and restaurant items). You can also review nutrient intake. myfitnesspal.com Heart and Stroke <30 Days This free app from the Heart and Stroke Foundation gives you the tools to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Start by identifying your risk factors and then the tool will suggest simple and practical daily challenges to help you break bad habits and adopt a healthier lifestyle—in 30 days or less. heartandstroke.ca/yourisk Sodium 101 This iPhone app puts information about the risks of a high-sodium diet and advice on reducing intake in the palm of your hand. You can track your sodium intake, build a list of favourite foods for easy tracking, reference a list of more than 2,000 items from Canadian takeout chains and use the recipe converter to calculate sodium content in foods you prepare at home. sodium101.ca/iphone-app Glucose Buddy This free app gives diabetics a convenient way to store data such as glucose readings, carbohydrate consumption, insulin dosages and activities. Data history can be viewed via a free online account. glucosebuddy.com www.mshf.on.ca 25
Jim Craigmyle photograph
your community partners
Marianne St. Jean, team leader for nuclear medicine in the diagnostic imaging department at Markham Stouffville Hospital, has professional and personal reasons for pledging $10,000 to the hospital foundation’s expansion campaign.
Giving back, paying it forward Staff member Marianne St. Jean is helping build a stronger hospital by Sheena Campbell
When Marianne St. Jean learned the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation was seeking help from its family of staff members to support the hospital’s expansion, the need to participate was clear. “I not only work here, this hospital is part of my family. This is where I come when I need medical services and this is where I bring my loved ones when they are sick and need treatment,” Ms St. Jean says. “The more I thought about it, the more I realized that by donating through the staff campaign I would be reinvesting in health care for myself and my family and the services I already use and 26 www.mshf.on.ca
plan to keep using in years to come.” Ms St. Jean pledged $10,000 through payroll deductions over five years. Her generous donation will support completion of the hospital expansion construction, renovations on the older parts of the building and, equally important to her, the purchase of new equipment and supplies. “I knew about the cutting-edge equipment we needed to purchase in our own department and, as the campaign went on, learned about some of the other great improvements to patient care and service delivery that were planned for various other areas of the
hospital,” she says. “This was my opportunity to ‘pay it forward’ and invest in the new service model and in the tools that would help me to do my job the best I can each day.” Ms St. Jean points out that government funding doesn’t cover the costs to purchase new or replace aging medical equipment, which can quickly become outdated as new and better technology is developed. “Fundraising is sometimes the only way to ensure the hospital can provide the level of care and service that patients expect and we, as staff, are committed to providing,” she says.
A team leader for nuclear medicine in the diagnostic imaging department, Ms St. Jean has worked at Markham Stouffville Hospital since 1999. She and her team see patients undergoing heart tests for coronary artery disease or bone scans for fractures or potential cancer and perform a gamut of other important diagnostic assessments on the lymphatic system, kidneys, liver and thyroid for example. After moving into the new hospital building in March, her department is functioning at full capacity and, thanks to the fundraising campaign, was able to purchase new equipment that includes an innovative machine called a SpectCT scanner, which improves the diagnostic quality and specificity of the nuclear medicine scans. “SpectCT is a new imaging technique for Markham Stouffville Hospital,” Ms St. Jean says. “It provides more detail in the scans through hybrid imaging and brings both the physiological and anatomical aspects of the diagnostic investigation together.” Other benefits of this new technology include faster scanning, which enables the team to see more patients, reduced wait times and the ability for an improved scan for a broader spectrum of medical issues. Another piece of new equipment benefiting patients seen in the nuclear medicine department is a dedicated cardiac camera, which helps reduce scan times while reducing radiation exposure to patients.
“We are all very excited about improving the quality of care through the new equipment,” she says.
Fundraising is sometimes the only way to ensure the hospital can provide the level of care and service that patients expect and we, as staff are committed to providing. Marianne St. Jean team leader, nuclear medicine
Along with her professional commitment to contributing to the excellence in care at the hospital, Ms St. Jean’s motivation for participating in the staff campaign stems from the positive impact the organization has had on her family. In 2006, her then16-year-old niece Rose Andringa, who is also her adopted daughter, suffered a spinal cord injury in a swimming pool accident that caused quadriplegia.
Although she did not receive her initial rehabilitation and therapy at Markham Stouffville, over the years Ms Andringa has received care and treatments from specialists at the hospital. Individual and group donations from St. Jean’s colleagues, along with a work affiliation that led to a an external memorial fund (not connected with the hospital), also relieved the family’s financial burden and helped pay for the home modifications and specialized equipment that were needed to help Ms Andringa cope after her injuries. The hospital continues to play an important role in the family’s life. Ms Andringa is now grown up and lives with her husband Tyson and son Ryker, who was born at Markham Stouffville in September 2012. Ms St. Jean says the timing is right for her to have made the “win-win” decision to contribute to the staff campaign. She hopes others will hear her story and be inspired to identify their own reasons to participate. “I haven’t always been able to make donations and in past have needed to rely on the generosity of others to provide the enhancements that I have come to expect will be here for me and my loved ones every time we come through the front doors of Markham Stouffville Hospital,” she says. “Now I want to be part of the bigger picture and help in a way I know will result in long-term change. I want to give back and be proud to have contributed to improving health care for my family and my community.”
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Jim Craigmyle photograph
Dr. Rajes Logan and Markham City Councillor Logan Kanapathi are leading the local Tamil community in fundraising for Markham Stouffville Hospital.
Close-knit community makes giving a priority by Sue Kanhai
Dr. Rajes Logan and Markham City Councillor Logan Kanapathi are a powerhouse couple. They’re educated, dedicated and compassionate. He was the first Canadian Tamil to be elected to political office in November 2006 and is now serving his second term. She has been a family doctor in Markham since 1998. Both have ready smiles and exude warmth and friendliness. The couple’s mannerisms are telling. 28 www.mshf.on.ca
There’s a lovely gentle interplay between them; while one speaks, the other nods reinforcement. As her husband approaches the end of a sentence, Dr. Logan quietly adds a small detail. The councillor refers to his wife regularly in conversation, proudly giving examples of her many accomplishments. They often say the same word at the same time. Their closeness, support and respect for each other is clear.
Under their leadership, the Tamil community has committed to raising $250,000 for Markham Stouffville Hospital and will name a patient exam suite in the new emergency department. It’s a big commitment, but one the couple is excited about. Two major donations have already been made. Dr. Logan is the president of the Canadian Tamil Medical Association, a growing
Last September, the Tamil community raised $56,350 through a 48-hour “band-a-thon” called Help for Love, organized by Bharradhi Arts.
organization of about 130 physicians, dentists and other medical professionals. A charity, it does a lot of medical and health education in the community and raises funds for a number of causes, both here and abroad. Last June, the CTMA donated $25,000 to MSH’s expansion. Under the leadership of Coun. Kanapathi, the Tamil community raised $56,350 last September through a 48-hour “band-athon” called Help for Love, organized by Bharradhi Arts. More than a hundred Tamil students played and sang in the atrium of the Markham Civic Centre and at the Flato Markham Theatre, performing in several different languages. “Most of the youth performed for 48 hours straight,” Coun. Kanapathi says. “They don’t have a bank account but they donate their talents and passion to raise money.” After the concert, they hosted an awards banquet. Everyone who participated— students, sound crew, the conductor—was presented with an award. “It was quite touching,” says Allan Bell, director, corporate sponsorship and special events at the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. He was impressed by the turnout of the South Asian media and by the number of dignitaries and community leaders who came out in support. “We get large support from their corporate side, people that own businesses that have been quite successful, people like Logan himself who had a successful investment and financial services firm before,” Mr. Bell says. “Our hospital also receives a great deal of support from people who are not as affluent. Giving is a very important part of the Tamil culture.” The event created a lot of awareness and showcased the community’s rich culture. Tamils are predominantly Hindus and
Catholics, and there are also some who are Muslim. The Tamil language is one of the oldest living classical languages in the world, alongside Greek, Latin and Hebrew, and the culture cherishes music, art and literature, Coun. Kanapathi says.
In just 30 years you see the Tamil community is full of success. Markham gave us the opportunity for our dreams to come true. Logan Kanapathi Markham City Councillor
Connection to Canada “Sri Lanka was a war-torn country and people fled for fear of persecution. Almost every Tamil family here has lost loved ones. We lost everything except our hopes, dreams and aspirations,” says Coun. Kanapathi, who came to Canada with his wife in 1983. “We came to Canada with a rich culture and a lot of educated people like my wife— doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs and businessmen. Tamils believe in the Canadian values of democracy, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. We feel Canada gives us so much.” Dr. Logan graduated from the University of Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka and continues
to raise funds and send medical equipment to Jaffna Teaching Hospital. She runs a busy family practice and regularly refers patients to Markham Stouffville Hospital. With the expansion she felt it was the right time to show her support to the hospital, which has always been supportive of her. For example, she cites the diabetes epidemic facing South Asian populations all over the world. She sends patients to MSH for diabetes education and endocrinology, but in the past language was a barrier. Now, she says, the hospital has a Tamil-speaking dietitian and provides a community outreach program at her office. “The hospital understands what people need and they are willing to provide those services to help them,” she says. The couple, who married in 1989, have three children. Their two eldest are studying health sciences, one in Ottawa and one in London. Their youngest, 13, is already quite the environmentalist. All three are very involved with their community and have done lots of volunteering. “We are fortunate,” Dr. Logan says. “There are lots of people like ourselves who have success stories about becoming Canadians.” Giving back Dr. Logan says many immigrants arrive in Canada with little but, by working hard, slowly begin to establish themselves and their community. “In just 30 years you see the Tamil community is full of success,” Coun. Kanapathi says. “Markham gave us the opportunity for our dreams to come true.” There are over 300,000 Tamils in the GTA and an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 families living in Stouffville and Markham, a city he describes as an ethnically diverse and inclusive mosaic. Because Canada has provided them with such opportunity, give and take is necessary. “While Tamils are still relatively new Canadians, many have been here a quarter of a century now. It’s time to be more involved,” he says. This year a fundraising dinner for community leaders is planned. They are also considering holding a tele-thon, a method of fundraising that has proven successful in the community in the past. “Leadership is a key issue. It has to start somewhere,” Coun. Kanapathi says. “It’s not just a one-man show. Leadership is finding the right people to do the right thing. In our culture, people listen to their community leaders, to our elected officials, to professionals. Those are our values. I became involved in municipal politics to affect and influence positive change in the community.” It all comes back to the community’s village-based roots in Sri Lanka. The people are close-knit, organized and giving. Even those who may not have much income lend whatever support they can to fundraising efforts. It’s a moral obligation, says the councillor, one made all the more real by the reminder of how much has been lost in their homeland. www.mshf.on.ca 29
keeping you healthy
Make a splash this summer– safely by Sue Kanhai
Eager to get into the water this summer? You’re hardly alone. Summer-starved Canadians can’t wait for the chance to relax and have some fun in the water. But whether in our own backyards, at the cottage or a lakeside resort, we can’t abandon all caution just because summer vacation is upon us. Every year in Canada there are about 500 water-related fatalities. And for every death, there are an estimated four to five near-drowning incidents that require hospitalization and cause potential long-term health issues. Children are at greatest risk. The Lifesaving Society lists drowning as the Number 1 cause of unintentional death among children aged one to four and the second leading cause for children under 10. There has also been an increase in recent years of drowning among 18- to 24-year-olds—a trend attributed to risktaking behaviour. Supervision key Const. Andy Pattenden of York Regional Police says taking a few precautions can keep you and your children safe in and around the water this summer. Safety, he says, should be top of mind when you’re near any body of water. At an ocean, lake, river, stream, pond, pool, splash pad or recreational facility, risk of drowning or injury always exists. No one should swim alone and children must be supervised by a responsible adult, he says. “The key word here is responsible,” he says. “Whenever there’s a social gathering around a pool or a picnic by the lake someone should be assigned to watch the children and 30 www.mshf.on.ca
the swimmers. They can’t get caught up in conversation and miss the fact that someone has gone under.” For children under five, 62 per cent of drownings occur when they are alone near water or during a momentary lapse of a caregiver’s attention. Const. Pattenden also recommends adults take a CPR course and parents teach their children good water safety habits. This means no running, pushing or jumping on others and no diving or jumping into shallow water. “Every year we get that call that someone has jumped into a pool’s shallow end or a lake not realizing there were rocks just under the surface,” he says. “These are unnecessary fatalities and very serious injuries.” Lifejackets save lives The Red Cross recommends children under five, weak swimmers and non-swimmers, regardless of age, wear a lifejacket. When buying a lifejacket, look for a label indicating it has been approved by Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard or Fisheries and Oceans Canada. It should be designed for your weight, fit snugly and not ride up over your ears. Inspect your lifejacket regularly for fit and damage. Buckle it every time you wear it, using all the safety straps properly. Personal flotation devices (PFDs) are not the same as lifejackets. Lifejackets hold the person wearing it upright and can turn a person over from face down to face up; a PFD doesn’t necessarily keep you face up. Boaters should know that Canadian laws require recreational boats to have one properly fitting lifejacket for every person onboard.
However, there is no law requiring people to wear the lifejackets. According to Safe Kids Canada, nine out of 10 people who drown in boating incidents weren’t wearing one. Pool owners, too, have specific responsibilities. Home pools must have a 1.2metre (four-foot) high, four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate around them. This helps prevent children from reaching the pool; not having this allows dangerous access. Homeowners should also keep safety equipment, such as a first aid kit, a phone for emergencies, a reaching pole and a ring buoy attached to a rope, on hand. Tips for keeping children safe • Actively supervise kids when they are in or around water. • Learn how to swim or hav e your child supervised by an experience d adult. • Stay within arm’s length of children under five and weaker swimmers. • Put your child in swimm ing lessons. • Use properly fitted lifejack ets. • Learn first aid and CPR . • Teach your children wat er safety rules. • Empty toddler pools imm ediately after use. • Ensure proper pool fenc ing around backyard pools. • Have the right safety equ ipment. Source: Safe Kids Canada, safekidscanada.ca Helpful online resources redcross.ca/swim yrp.ca/boatingsafety.aspx openwaterwisdom.ca
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What is the difference between an MRI and a CT scan? How does my doctor know which one I need?
Dr. Perry Choi is a radiologist and the MRI director at Markham Stouffville Hospital.
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An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses a strong magnet to obtain detailed images of the body. It does not use radiation and has no known biological hazards in routine clinical practice. An MRI is excellent for soft tissue evaluation, such as tendons and ligaments around joints, brain and spinal cord abnormalities and solid organs such as the liver and heart. An MRI scan typically takes around 30 minutes and requires the patient to lie still to obtain clear images of the body. A CT (computed tomography) scan is based on X-ray technology to produce cross-sectional images. The actual scan time is very fastâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; typically less than a few seconds. As a result, a CT scan is the frontline in trauma cases that require urgent evaluation. CT scans are also great for bone imaging, lung imaging, vascular imaging and many cancer-related studies. Both CT scans and MRIs are able to produce detailed images of the body. Most referring physicians (specialists and general practitioners) are aware of the best test for their specific clinical question. In complex or uncommon cases, the referring physician should consult with the radiologist (a physician who specializes in medical imaging) to determine the most appropriate and safest test for the patient.
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What is heat stroke? What are the symptoms of heat stroke and when should I seek medical attention?
Illness resulting from exposure to excessive heat usually results in relatively minor symptoms such as: muscle cramps; a fainting spell; and â&#x20AC;&#x153;heat exhaustion.â&#x20AC;? These conditions are less urgent, non-life threatening and usually improve quickly with removal from the heat source, rehydration and cooling. Heat stroke is a less common but very serious and potentially lifethreatening condition. People who are working or exerting themselves in a hot, humid environment such as athletes or construction workers are at risk for heat stroke. The elderly who are exposed to excessive heat may also be at risk. With heat stroke, the body temperature becomes elevated (above 40 Celsius) as the mechanism to regulate core body temperate (known as thermoregulation) is lost. Those who may be suffering from heat stroke require urgent medical attention and 911 should be called. While waiting for paramedics to arrive, the affected person should be taken into a cool, shady or air-conditioned environment. Clothing and equipment should be removed from the person and efforts to begin cooling should be started. Initial cooling methods include: application of icy, cold towels, a cold shower or immersion in an ice bath. Dr. David Austin is the chief of staff and an emergency department physician at Markham Stouffville Hospital. If you have a question for a specialist at Markham Stouffville Hospital email myhospital@msh.on.ca
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Congratulations to ������� ���������� Hospital �� ���������� ��� ��� ������� ����� ���� �� ���� ���� ����� ��� Contact Information: 450 Alden Rd., Unit 5, Markham, ON L3R 5H4 905-305-1935 ¡ mchan.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org www.michaelchan.onmpp.ca www.mshf.on.ca 31
events
JOIN US! Upcoming events benefitting the hospital Fundraising events organized and supported by our community partners demonstrate our community’s strong belief in the hospital’s services and programs. This endorsement is most encouraging to the many dedicated volunteers, physicians and staff at Markham Stouffville Hospital. We hope to see you at one of these upcoming events! Visit mshf.on.ca for full details.
July
June
Sept.
19
23
16
6th Annual Clubs4Cancer Golf Tournament Coppinwood Golf Club clubs4cancer.com
Organized by Clubs4Cancer, this event features a gourmet lunch, silent and live auction and more!
Oct.
3-6
2nd Annual Great Markham Stouffville Hospital Bed Race
2 p.m., Main Street Unionville • mshbedrace.ca
Corporate and community teams of five persons compete by racing patient beds on Main Street Unionville. This year’s event features a shorter race distance and will attract members of the community of all ages, packing the street to cheer on their favourite teams while enjoying exciting entertainment and giveaways!
June
Angus Glen Summer Five Miler
Angus Glen Golf Club • angusglenrunningseries.com
Celebrate the summer with a night-time race including after-race party with dinner and entertainment.
Aug.
12
29th Annual Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament York Downs Golf & Country Club golf.mshf.on.ca
One of the longest running fundraising events in Markham and Stouffville. Enjoy a day of golf, live auction, silent auction and great food at the private and prestigious York Downs Golf & Country Club.
23
Tim Hortons Coffee for Causes Markham Fair
Visit the Tim Hortons Coffee for Causes Trailer at Markham Fair and proceeds from all hot beverages sold will benefit Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Oct.
27
Aug.
22
9th Annual Healing Cycle Ride
GlaxoSmithKline, Mississauga • thehealingcycle.ca
25th Anniversary Celebration of Hope
Markham Stouffville Hospital physicians and staff will participate in a cycling event to raise funds for the Palliative Care Unit.
Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa hope.mshf.on.ca
3rd Annual Hockey Night in Stouffville
July
Stouffville Arena • paulcalandra.com
Hosted by Paul Calandra, MP Oak Ridges-Markham, and featuring an exciting hockey game with current and former NHL stars, community leaders, local politicians and minor hockey teams.
15
All Sept.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this esteemed event brings together the community to celebrate, educate and raise awareness about cancer and the people it affects. The luncheon is hosted by CHFI’s Erin Davis and features a Franco Mirabelli fashion show, live entertainment, boutique shopping, auctions, delicious food, draw prizes, Hope Awards and the Town+Country BMW Raffle of Hope.
Nov.
2-3
Sleepy Hollow Country Club
Ladies golf tournament benefitting the Breast Health Centre and Cancer Clinic.
Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign
18
Alex Chiu Golf Tournament
Angus Glen Golf club • alexchiu.ca
Corporate golf tournament hosted by Alex Chiu, Ward 8 City Councillor.
32 www.mshf.on.ca
Angus Glen Golf Club angusglenrunningseries.com
Enjoy a full race weekend including a Kids 1K and 5K on Saturday and a half-marathon and 10K on Sunday. Routes include some cart paths, chip timed race, finishers medals, prizing and more!
15th Annual Unionville Ladies Golf Tournament
July
Angus Glen Half Marathon
Tim Hortons Markham & Stouffville
Purchase a Smile Cookie from a Tim Hortons in Markham and Stouffville during the Smile Cookie Campaign week and proceeds from the sale of each Smile Cookie will benefit Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Would you like to host a fundraising event?
Whether a barbecue, lemonade stand, garage sale or golf tournament—no event is too big or too small. To find out more, visit mshf.on.ca or contact Madeline Cuadra at mcuadra@msh.on.ca or 905-472-7373, ext. 6970.
REAL LIVES. REAL PEOPLE. REAL
STORIES.
FOR THIS 10-YEAR-OLD WITH ASTHMA, NEW BEDS WOULD BE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. Carter and his mother have something in common. They both have severe Bronchial Asthma. Not long ago at 2 o’clock in the morning, Carter couldn’t breathe. His parents, Mike and Jacquelyn, took him to the Emergency Department at Markham Stouffville Hospital. There, Carter received immediate attention that eased his respiratory distress and calmed both him and his parents. The quality of care Carter got made his parents passionate supporters of the MSH Buy a Bed campaign. Government does not fund all new equipment and expansion needs at the hospital. And your support has a huge impact on the lives of others. Buy a Bed. Be a Life Saver.
PLEASE GIVE: 905-472-7373 x 6341 | mshfoundation@msh.on.ca | BedsSaveLives.com 33 www.mshf.on.ca
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU: The Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation respects your privacy. We keep personal information confidential and will never trade, sell or lease your information. For more information contact us at 905.472.7373 ext. 6341 or mshfoundation@msh.on.ca Charitable registration No: 13064 3620 RR0001
This pharmacist has a prescription for giving back - leave a legacy.
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