the
FOUNDATION
report
spring 2020
In This Issue: Message from Providence Care’s President and CEO Page 2
Spotlight on emergency Mental health care Page 4
Staff at providence care hospital touched by donor’s letter Page 5
Ministry approves plans for expanded KGH Redevelopment project After months of waiting, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has approved the functional program for redevelopment at Kingston Health Sciences Centre’s (KHSC) Kingston General Hospital (KGH) site – and, it will be a larger, more expansive project than originally proposed. To meet current needs and prepare for future patient growth, four additional floors will be added to the scope of the new tower. “We submitted the first functional program for an eight-storey building in September 2017, but after working with the Ministry it became clear that we needed to think bigger about the long-term needs of our population,” says Krista Wells Pearce, Vice President of Planning and Redevelopment at KHSC. “This expansion will put KHSC in a position to continue providing quality, innovative patient care for years to come.”
Two of the additional four storeys will be home to two new medical-surgical inpatient units. The others will be retained as shelled space and turned into functional patient areas as demand for health care continues to grow in the future. The new patient tower will also house an Emergency Department, Operating Suites, Clinical Laboratories, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Labour and Delivery Unit, Pharmacy and Data Centre. The project, which will create over 500,000 square feet of new space, is set to be one of the most complex in Kingston’s history. Over the next few months, key groups of hospital staff, physicians, and patient advisors will begin working with a hired design team to map out the details of the tower that will replace the Dietary, Victory and Douglas wings, as well as Etherington Hall. Continued on page 2...
Ministry approves plans for expanded KGH Redevelopment project Continued from page 1. If all goes well, construction could begin as early as 2022. “We learned a lot about what our new tower needs to look like during the creation of the functional program,” says Wells Pearce. “Now it’s time to add even more detail to that plan by developing technical specifications, conceptual room layouts, and furniture, fixtures and equipment lists.”
As a community, we must provide the local share of the costs of the project – 10 per cent of the cost of construction and 100 per cent of equipment purchases for the new facilities. Fundraising is underway through the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHKF) to ensure that the local share of the project’s cost can be met. “This is one of the many ways we rely on community support
to ensure that we continue to have world-class care here in Kingston,” says Tom Zsolnay, President and CEO of UHKF. “Many believe that the government and tax payers fund all of these projects, but the reality is that without the support of a generous community it simply wouldn’t happen. We are very fortunate to have had so much support from donors, and we hope that this level of support is continued for generations to come.”
Message from Providence Care’s President and ceo resident whose new home is at Providence Manor or a client in the community accessing mental health supports, we’re helping all of them with the support, treatment and compassionate care they need. Cathy Szabo President and CEO, Providence Care
At Providence Care, our goal is to enhance the quality of life for the people we serve. Whether they’re a rehabilitation patient at Providence Care Hospital, a
We’re changing lives and I couldn’t be prouder of our staff, physicians and volunteers. And the truth is we wouldn’t be southeastern Ontario’s leading provider of specialized care in aging, mental health and rehabilitation, without donor support. Your incredible generosity and the contributions
you make to support healthcare in our region, directly impacts the lives of our patients, clients and residents. Take Pierce Elliot. The local musician hosted a fundraising event and raised $200 for mental health programming. We’re so grateful for Pierce’s donation and gifts like his, because every dollar truly makes a difference. Thank you for your support and believing in Providence Care.
2 | SPRING 2020
Community Events: Local Fundraisers in Action Generous Community Comes Together to Celebrate the Life of Kingstonian On November 10, 2019, the Murphy and Mangan families organized a fundraising walk to celebrate the life of Darlene Murphy-Mangan whose life was taken by pancreatic cancer. On World Pancreatic Cancer Day, November 21, the two families presented the walk proceeds of more than $30,000 to UHKF. The proceeds will support pancreatic cancer research at KHSC. “We hope that this gift will help in some small way, and we will definitely be organizing this fundraising event next year,” says Richard Murphy, Darlene’s spouse.
Local musician gives back to mental health Pierce Elliott is a talented Kingston musician and is motivated to give back to local health care. He teamed up with SayWeCanFly and Cas Cray, and started the fundraising event called Start the Fire. On October 25, 2019 the musicians performed for more than 100 attendees and raised $200.“I love to perform. It seemed like the perfect way to give back to the community,” says Pierce. “My dad works at Providence Care and I volunteer at Providence Manor, so I’ve seen first-hand what community support can do.”
Shoppers Drug Marts in Kingston raise $8,250 for the Women’s Mental Health program at KHSC This past May, Shoppers Drug Marts across Canada held a Spring Beauty Gala to raise funds for community-based, women’s mental health programs. The Kingston Shoppers Drug Mart stores raised $8,250 for the Women’s Mental Health program at KHSC’s KGH site through their Spring Beauty Gala. The funds were used to create 25 Christmas gift bags – specifically for female patients – which contain non-scented toiletry products, mittens, cozy socks, lip balm and other comfort items. 3 | SPRING 2020
Spotlight on Emergency Mental Health Care with Dr. David Messenger Dr. David Messenger talks about how a new emergency department will help to provide better and safer care for patients who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental health visits to the emergency department are on the rise. Our goal is to create a space that is safe, therapeutic and compassionate for this vulnerable population, as well as for other emergency department patients.
Tell us about the mental health population coming to the Emergency Department (ED).
What does the ideal emergency mental health care space look like?
Patients who come to the ED with mental health concerns are vulnerable, and their care can be complicated. Unfortunately, a number of these individuals are brought to the department in crisis, sometimes involuntarily, by police or by their family. They require care in a setting that ensures their safety is being looked after, as well as the safety of the other patients and staff in the ED.
Right now, our acute mental health assessment room is in the middle of the department in the most high traffic area. It lacks privacy and is closer to other care areas than we would like. I envision our new ED having a secure, multiroom zone dedicated to mental health emergencies, which provides a private and safe care space that is appropriately staffed and equipped to address the care needs of these individuals.
Are mental health visits on the rise in the ED? Our visit numbers are growing dramatically. Over the last few years, we have seen that visits for mental health emergencies are increasing at twice the rate of our overall ED visits. We care for the sickest and most complex patients in the region, and we desperately need a new facility that allows us to deliver the care that our patients deserve in an environment that is optimized for all types of emergencies. 4 | SPRING 2020
Yes! I want to support life-saving care... Cut out this form and mail to: University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, 55 Rideau Street, Suite 4, Kingston ON, K7K 2Z8
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staff at providence care hospital touched by donor’s letter On behalf of a donor, Margaret Thomson and her family, UHKF was able to recognize the staff on the rehabilitation floor (Lakeview 1) at Providence Care Hospital with an Honour Your Caregiver certificate. Paul Thomson, Margaret’s son, also wrote a letter for the staff. This is the letter he wrote in his own words: “It is with the most sincere thoughts and thanks that our family is making this donation to both memorialize my father, Bob (Thomson), and to extend both thanks and recognition of the staff in Lakeview 1. They provided so much care and love for my dad during his stay as a rehab patient, and during those final six days after he became palliative when I had the pleasure of joining him 24/7. “You are a remarkable team of folks. Whether it be Patrick personally checking in on my dad each day as he tidied up his room or the many PSWs, who worked with the nursing staff, to keep him looking spiffy – everyone played a role in both his rehab and then his comfort. Both Jennifer (McKenzie) and Heather (Fairbairn) made incredible strides with dad during his therapy sessions. Paula from PT kept him smiling and working hard so he could, as he put it, ‘go home to be with Margaret.’ Panja (Mathis), you are the, often unseen, glue that keeps all this moving forward and I know families would be lost without your patience and support.
your wonderful father, he was a true gentleman and always put a smile on our faces.’ “I can’t think of a better example of leadership and mentoring. You are all fortunate to have each other as colleagues. “Finally, on behalf of my wife, Dana, my mom, Margaret, and me, I want to thank all of you for your professionalism and simple down to earth decency. So often these qualities are lacking and even more often we fail to recognize their value. As all of you who looked after my dad, Bob, observed every single day, he never missed the opportunity to say thank you and I know if he were here, that would be the first thing he would say to all of you. I am honoured to say it on his behalf – thank you!”
“I would be remiss to not make specific mention of the tireless efforts, compassion and support from the nursing staff. It was enormous not only during dad’s recovery period but throughout his final days. On a personal note, the conversations, chats and most of all the hugs made one of the toughest weeks of my life not only better, but uplifting and inspirational. I started trying to come up with a list of names, however, I know I would inevitably leave somebody out. Needless to say you all did your very, very best. “I want to thank Mary Frances (Irving) for sending me the following on behalf of all of you on October 3 rd (the day he passed): ‘…thank you again for allowing us to look after 5 | SPRING 2020
the
FOUNDATION
report
spring 2020
Jack and Maureen Keyes Mental HEalth Program Endowment The Jack and Maureen Keyes Mental Health Program Endowment was established in 2017 by a generous community member named Jack Keyes after learning that his daughter had been struggling with mental illness. “I don’t want anyone who is coping with depression or any other mental illness – or their families – ever to feel that they need to hide their illness,” says Keyes. “Mental illness is an illness – just like cancer, diabetes and heart problems are illnesses.
Because of Jack’s generosity we are able to provide funds to support such items as small group session facilitators, board games, books, guest artists or speakers or others who could lead activities, on-unit live entertainment, personal electronic devices and games/software/music/ videos to put on those devices, and art supplies. Jack’s gift has touched the lives of many patients, caregivers and family members and will continue to do so for years to come.
“With help from the Foundation, I set up a permanent, endowed fund in the names of myself and my late wife, Maureen, with a $100,000 donation.
If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about how it may be possible for you to do something like Jack did, please contact:
“The annual income from this fund will be used to pay for the little things that make the care experience a little easier for patients with mental illness – things that aren’t covered by government funding.”
Saskia Ages Associate Director, Planned Giving Phone: 613.544.3400 ext. 2429 Email: Saskia.Ages@uhkf.ca
uhkf.ca 55 Rideau Street, Suite 4 Kingston ON, K7K 2Z8 613.549.5452 uhkf.ca
