SPRING 2017 NEWSLETTER |
ISSUE 09
MSHF.ON.CA
MARKHAM.STOUFFVILLE. TM
How the Buy a Bear Program helped one young patient comfort another In fact, in addition to children, the bears have touched the lives of some of our most vulnerable patients – from the tiny newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit, to patients fighting cancer in our Chemotherapy Clinic, to the elderly suffering from dementia.
Mick Cavanagh, 13, bought a bear for fellow patient Andrew Easun, 7.
The Fracture Clinic at Markham Stouffville Hospital was the last place 13-year-old Mick Cavanagh wanted to be. After all, being treated for a broken bone isn’t much fun. Then Mick noticed a little boy, younger than himself, crying and obviously distressed. Mick’s heart instantly went out to him and he asked his mom, Sherry, to buy a bear to give to his fellow patient. “I know what it’s like to be scared,” he admitted. Sherry quickly went to the lobby to purchase a bear through the
Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation’s Buy a Bear program. Moments later, Mick gently placed the bear into seven-year-old Andrew Easun’s arms. “This is just the kind of thing Mick loves to do – to help people,” says his proud mom. Mick isn’t the only one who likes to help people. Since our Buy a Bear program launched last fall, the generosity of our community has been overwhelming. To date, over 600 bears have been purchased to bring comfort to patients like Andrew.
It’s not just comfort the bear brings when it’s needed most. This little bear gives our community the power to touch patients and change lives in a very unique and tender way. Nobody in the Fracture Clinic will ever forget how Mick paid it forward that day. His thoughtful gesture moved doctors, nurses, staff and patients to tears and left Andrew’s mother, Diana, speechless with gratitude. She later shared just how much the bear comforted her son as he
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Greetings from the Foundation CEO I love my job at the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. Even after 10 years, it gives me such pleasure to come to work each day. You see, as the Foundation CEO, I often hear stories like MSH Foundation CEO the one we featured Suzette Strong on the cover of this newsletter – heart-warming, inspiring stories that remind me of the generosity of our community. And it all begins with you. Every story of recovery and hope has our generous supporters at its centre.
After all, it’s your support that helps us fund lifesaving equipment, technology and programs. You give our patients their very best chance to get better. The truth is I’m more inspired by your generosity with each passing year. As our community continues to grow, and with it the need for your support, you are there like a loyal friend. With you by our side, I have every confidence we’ll continue to overcome the challenges that come with growth. I am so proud to be the CEO and hear such inspiring stories like Mick and Andrew’s. I am grateful to work in a community where caring supporters like you always find it in your heart to pay it forward. With gratitude, Suzette Strong, MSH Foundation CEO
Mick and Andrew continued...
Heart of Gold
home and we were stubborn enough to keep pushing.”
What’s the secret to longevity? Is it unwavering commitment to community and generosity of heart?
And generous enough to start giving…
Russell Beare, life-long Markham resident and loyal Markham Stouffville Hospital supporter, might say so. At his recent 100th birthday celebration, Mr. Beare reflected on his involvement with MSH.
Having contributed to the $5 million “building fund” campaign, Mr. Beare is Russell Beare, among Markham Stouffville life-long Markham resident Hospital’s founding donors. and loyal MSH supporter Today, he remains just as committed to the hospital. He proudly counts his role in its inception as one of his greatest accomplishments. And on the occasion he’s needed it, he’s received excellent care there.
“In 1950 I had a pretty bad heart attack. It was so bad, they wouldn’t move me,” Mr. Beare recounts. With the closest hospital too far away, his doctor instead prescribed two months of strict bed rest. “When I got better, we started to talk about a local hospital for Markham,” he says. Along with the late Dr. Jim Scott “who happened to be my own doctor,” Mr. Beare continued to promote the idea of a hospital, and in 1963 the original hospital foundation was formed. Facing much resistance and many roadblocks, the determination of Mr. Beare and other like-minded residents never wavered. And finally, in 1987, government approval came. “Some people are more determined than others,” says Mr. Beare matter-of-factly. “We saw the need for care close to
For Russell Beare, the proud heritage of Markham Stouffville Hospital is rooted in the deep commitment from the community. So is its extraordinary future, he affirms. Echoing the letter sent by the hospital committee to the community in 1966, Mr. Beare sums up his reason for giving pure and simple:
“Your commitment today may save a life one day – maybe your own.”
went through treatment for his severely broken leg. For a young boy like Andrew, his bear is like a new friend to hug and distract him during a scary time. Moreso, this little bear is also a symbol of the huge impact our incredible community is having on our hospital. You see, the money raised from the Buy a Bear program is used for the purchase of critical equipment that government funding doesn’t cover including blood pressure monitors, CT scanners, IV pumps and surgical equipment, as well as our very special Dr. Bear Program. Thankfully, we have dedicated supporters like you by our side. Your generosity funds new technology and programs and helps buy essential equipment like the 22 wheelchairs we urgently need right now. Thank you for paying it forward – for reaching out to the many people in our community who will turn to Markham Stouffville Hospital for quality care and treatment. Just like Mick, you are touching lives and making a difference with your caring heart. 2
Enhancing Patient Care with new Technology Thanks to your generosity, there’s something new and exciting at Markham Stouffville Hospital. It’s called the Business Intelligence (BI) tool. With a name like that you might wonder how it can possibly make an impact on patient care. But the BI tool actually plays a big role. So what exactly is it and what does it do? The BI tool is advanced software that provides our doctors, frontline staff and leaders with smart insights on the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of how we care for our patients. For example, our physicians can easily use the tool to see which patients are being re-admitted more frequently. Or they can review data that shows them how new quality-based procedures are
improving patient care and satisfaction. In December, our hospital went live with Phase I that covers Inpatient Dr. Andrew Arcand, clinical reporting Chief of Emergency Medicine and our Emergency Department (ED) Operations. Doctors can now view various ED discharge trends that can, for instance, aid in the plan to help reduce wait times. The future vision is to integrate all hospital data into the BI tool, providing one-stop access to information and key insights to best serve our patients – your family, friends and neighbours. Thank you for bringing this groundbreaking technology to our hospital. 3
Greetings from the Foundation CEO I love my job at the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. Even after 10 years, it gives me such pleasure to come to work each day. You see, as the Foundation CEO, I often hear stories like MSH Foundation CEO the one we featured Suzette Strong on the cover of this newsletter – heart-warming, inspiring stories that remind me of the generosity of our community. And it all begins with you. Every story of recovery and hope has our generous supporters at its centre.
After all, it’s your support that helps us fund lifesaving equipment, technology and programs. You give our patients their very best chance to get better. The truth is I’m more inspired by your generosity with each passing year. As our community continues to grow, and with it the need for your support, you are there like a loyal friend. With you by our side, I have every confidence we’ll continue to overcome the challenges that come with growth. I am so proud to be the CEO and hear such inspiring stories like Mick and Andrew’s. I am grateful to work in a community where caring supporters like you always find it in your heart to pay it forward. With gratitude, Suzette Strong, MSH Foundation CEO
Mick and Andrew continued...
Heart of Gold
home and we were stubborn enough to keep pushing.”
What’s the secret to longevity? Is it unwavering commitment to community and generosity of heart?
And generous enough to start giving…
Russell Beare, life-long Markham resident and loyal Markham Stouffville Hospital supporter, might say so. At his recent 100th birthday celebration, Mr. Beare reflected on his involvement with MSH.
Having contributed to the $5 million “building fund” campaign, Mr. Beare is Russell Beare, among Markham Stouffville life-long Markham resident Hospital’s founding donors. and loyal MSH supporter Today, he remains just as committed to the hospital. He proudly counts his role in its inception as one of his greatest accomplishments. And on the occasion he’s needed it, he’s received excellent care there.
“In 1950 I had a pretty bad heart attack. It was so bad, they wouldn’t move me,” Mr. Beare recounts. With the closest hospital too far away, his doctor instead prescribed two months of strict bed rest. “When I got better, we started to talk about a local hospital for Markham,” he says. Along with the late Dr. Jim Scott “who happened to be my own doctor,” Mr. Beare continued to promote the idea of a hospital, and in 1963 the original hospital foundation was formed. Facing much resistance and many roadblocks, the determination of Mr. Beare and other like-minded residents never wavered. And finally, in 1987, government approval came. “Some people are more determined than others,” says Mr. Beare matter-of-factly. “We saw the need for care close to
For Russell Beare, the proud heritage of Markham Stouffville Hospital is rooted in the deep commitment from the community. So is its extraordinary future, he affirms. Echoing the letter sent by the hospital committee to the community in 1966, Mr. Beare sums up his reason for giving pure and simple:
“Your commitment today may save a life one day – maybe your own.”
went through treatment for his severely broken leg. For a young boy like Andrew, his bear is like a new friend to hug and distract him during a scary time. Moreso, this little bear is also a symbol of the huge impact our incredible community is having on our hospital. You see, the money raised from the Buy a Bear program is used for the purchase of critical equipment that government funding doesn’t cover including blood pressure monitors, CT scanners, IV pumps and surgical equipment, as well as our very special Dr. Bear Program. Thankfully, we have dedicated supporters like you by our side. Your generosity funds new technology and programs and helps buy essential equipment like the 22 wheelchairs we urgently need right now. Thank you for paying it forward – for reaching out to the many people in our community who will turn to Markham Stouffville Hospital for quality care and treatment. Just like Mick, you are touching lives and making a difference with your caring heart. 2
Enhancing Patient Care with new Technology Thanks to your generosity, there’s something new and exciting at Markham Stouffville Hospital. It’s called the Business Intelligence (BI) tool. With a name like that you might wonder how it can possibly make an impact on patient care. But the BI tool actually plays a big role. So what exactly is it and what does it do? The BI tool is advanced software that provides our doctors, frontline staff and leaders with smart insights on the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of how we care for our patients. For example, our physicians can easily use the tool to see which patients are being re-admitted more frequently. Or they can review data that shows them how new quality-based procedures are
improving patient care and satisfaction. In December, our hospital went live with Phase I that covers Inpatient Dr. Andrew Arcand, clinical reporting Chief of Emergency Medicine and our Emergency Department (ED) Operations. Doctors can now view various ED discharge trends that can, for instance, aid in the plan to help reduce wait times. The future vision is to integrate all hospital data into the BI tool, providing one-stop access to information and key insights to best serve our patients – your family, friends and neighbours. Thank you for bringing this groundbreaking technology to our hospital. 3
The Power of Your Giving
MARK YOUR CALENDAR 7th Annual MSH Leaders Night at the Races Wednesday, September 20, 2017, Woodbine Racetrack
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Wheelchairs
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Patient beds including paediatric cribs
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19th Annual Markham-Unionville Ladies Golf Tournament Monday, September 18, 2017, Station Creek Golf Club For details call 905.472.7373 ext. 6229 For a full list of events benefiting MSH, visit mshf.on.ca
Make your legacy last
New IV Pump for administration of epidurals and other pain management programs Mobile X-ray upgrade (specialized enhancement)
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Vital sign monitor for the Emergency department
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Mental Health programs and services including ATLAS Day Hospital that is providing a positive academic experience for youth struggling with anxiety & depression
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Angus Glen Summer Five Miler Friday, July 21, 2017, Angus Glen Golf Club Register online: angusglenrunningseries.com
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit needs including an infant scale and a high-powered dishwasher required for safe, effective sterilization of breast pump kits
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Network with community and business leaders while enjoying a track-side view of the races! Purchase your tickets today: mshleaders.ca
Joan Whittaker is passionate about her hospital. As a long-time supporter of Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH), she believes saving lives and helping people heal is a wonderful gift. That’s why Joan has made the thoughtful decision to leave a gift in her will to continue supporting Joan Whittaker, the patient care she believes in. She wants to MSH Legacy Donor ensure MSH will continue providing excellent care, for her family and neighbours and everyone who needs it. Gifts from caring legacy donors like Joan are critical. Legacy gifts strengthen the long-term financial security of our patient care, ensuring that your friends and family continue to access world-class health care right here at home – today, tomorrow and for many years to come. We are eternally grateful to people like Joan for their foresight and generosity.
Chest Pain Clinic providing rapid access to diagnostics and treatment for patients with cardiac concerns
May is Leave a Legacy month. We hope you too will consider helping sustain patient care at MSH by leaving a bequest in your will. You can fulfill your charitable goals, take advantage of tax benefits, and support the important work of Markham Stouffville Hospital long into the future.
Surgical equipment and supplies
THANK YOU!
MSHF17003-4
OVER $4.4M GIVEN TO MSH IN 2016-2017
Your generosity touches the lives of thousands of patients and families who rely on Markham Stouffville Hospital every day. Priority funding examples include:
If you have questions about legacy giving, please call Elaine Bernard at 905.472.7373 x6619. Your conversation will be strictly confidential. Or, if you prefer, you may email Elaine at ebernard@msh.on.ca
379 Church Street, Suite 303, Markham, Ontario L6B 0T1 Tel: 905.472.7059 | mshf.on.ca Charitable Registration No. 13064 3620 RR0001
@MSHospital