olunteer Voice - North York General Hospital
Transcription
olunteer Voice - North York General Hospital
Volunteer Voice SPRING 2015 A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT “North York General Hospital Volunteers continue to make a “World of Difference!!” Sandy Walker, President Volunteer Services Board On January 30, 2015, I presented a cheque to NYGH Foundation for an incredible amount of $210,000!! We are now almost at $2.5M towards our pledge of $3M in support of the Volunteer Services Centre for Medical Imaging. Volunteers are very proud and thrilled to be able to assist the Hospital in its mission to deliver the best possible healthcare to its patients and families. The Centre is state-of-the-art and will mean the best of care for those in our community and beyond. Well done, Volunteers! The funds are raised through countless hours at NYGH Gift Shop, Projects Committee with such projects as Holiday Sales, Fabrics Sales, Book Sales and many more. Funds are also raised from the Vendor Market area both at the General and Branson sites. Framed artwork is also displayed where people can bid on it and Volunteers receive a fixed amount from the sale. We also raise funds from our Tuck Shop at the Seniors’ Health Centre. Donations are also made directly to NYGH Volunteer Services/Foundation as gifts or in memory of loved ones. Please use envelopes provided to receive a recognition letter. They are available in the lounge or Volunteer office. The Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner Night will be Thursday, May 7, 2015 at Parkview (formerly Spirale‘s) Banquet Hall. Tickets will be available from April 13-17 during Volunteer Week. A cheque is required to hold your attendance however, your cheque is returned to you on the night of May 7, or you may donate it towards the Volunteer pledge and a receipt is sent to you. Pick up your ticket April 13-17 and do not miss this outstanding evening! Volunteers at our three sites, Branson Ambulatory, Seniors’ Health Centre and North York General attend this wonderful evening of recognition, time with friends and a delicious dinner. Awards are presented to Volunteers with 5 years to 45 plus years service at North York General Hospital. Do not miss your night of fun and recognition! We are grateful for your consistency and dedication. “Caring, Leads to Giving - Your Time” Thank you fellow Volunteers for all your support and contributions in making NYG the best in Patient Excellence! VOLUNTEER SERVICES BOARD 2014-2015 Past President: Olga Dellidonne President: Sandy Walker Vice President of Equal Standing: Cookie Gigan Recording Secretary: Phyllis Sacks Corresponding Secretary: Debbie Kuutan Treasurer/Finance: Olga Dellidonne Branson: Carmelita Stewart Constitution: Janet Trevail Gift Shop: Barbara Liddiard Information Desk Services: Sheila Baker Joy D’Andrade In-Patient Services: Sonya Power Membership: Margaret Heyland Nominating: Beverley McLeod Members at Large: Jackie Griffin Linda Grasley Out-Patient Services: Seniors' Health Centre: Projects: Annual Dinner: Communications: Archives: Art: Hospital Enhancement: Recruitment: Spiritual & Religious Care: Manager, Volunteer Services: Coordinator: Coordinator: Administrative Assistant: Volunteer Voice: Margaret Carrington June Marshall Barbara Macleod Barbara Liddiard Barry Jamieson *** Christine Smith *** Barry Jamieson Mary Walker Sheri Loosemore James Dimitropoulos Carolann Stevenson Maxine Nyanteh Barry Jamieson FROM THE DESK OF SHERI LOOSEMORE Sheri Loosemore Manager Volunteer Services “The blue sky was smiling down on us yet I could see my breath as I exhaled, swoosh, swoosh, echoed across the field. I grinned at my husband, thanking him again for the perfect Christmas gift, new cross-country skis!... ...As I glided through the snow, I was reminded how being outdoors always clears my mind, letting me reflect on my many blessings. Balance is important in our busy lives, I hope you too make time for your favourite pastimes and let your mind quieten – we are all worth the effort”! Do you recall completing the organizations Engagement Survey last May? With the results of the survey, the Volunteer Services Engagement Survey Action Plan was created. I am pleased to share with you the progress we have made towards fulfilling the action plan: Action: to replace the current weekly electronic Newsline with a monthly Newsline summary email with external links. This action was completed in October 2014. Action: to develop and implement Information Sessions as the first step in the onboarding process for prospective volunteers. This action was completed in October 2014. Action: Collaborate with the Recruitment & Orientation Committee to ensure the general volunteer orientation session covers all organizational mandatory training. This action was completed in December 2014. Action: to update the Volunteer Services lounge at the General site to ensure there is the ability to communicate clearly to volunteers. This action will be completed by March 2015. Action: to overlay the new Corporate Strategy Plan (2015-2018) with volunteer roles to demonstrate direct correlation. This action will begin once the new Corporate Strategy Plan (2015-2018) is released. This year’s National Volunteer Week (April 12-18) theme ,“Volunteers are part of the ripple effect” reminds us that our thoughts and actions are like stones dropped into still waters, causing ripples to spread as they move outwards. Do you ever stop and think how your actions when volunteering may impact others – how you create the ripple effect? How your warm welcome and genuine smile can put a patient at ease, making the visit to the hospital just a little less stressful? How your awesome customer service may leave families sharing their positive experience with others? How your friendly visit provides companionship, giving our residents the opportunity to share a story with a caring individual? As a Volunteer, please do not underestimate how far your ripples can reach – I assure you it is far and wide – and for that I thank you! Celebrating National Volunteer Week at NYG! National Volunteer Week, April 12 to April 18, is a time to recognize, celebrate and thank our valued Volunteers. Please join us at the following celebrations: Monday, April 13 –National Volunteer Week Kick-Off in Auditorium 1, General site from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Cake, coffee and tea will be served. Tuesday, April 14 – Seniors’ Health Centre Celebration Tea will be held in the Solarium from 2:15 P.M. to 3:15 P.M. Wednesday, April 15 – Branson Bagel Breakfast Celebration in the Maple Room from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. Have you completed your Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Training? The Accessibility Standards Regulation builds on the first standard for accessible customer service and moves us closer to the goal of making the province accessible for everyone by 2025. The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation will remove barriers in three areas: information and communications, employment, and transportation. The IASR is mandatory by law and applicable to staff, physicians and volunteers. To date, 40% of our Volunteers have completed the mandatory AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation training. Our legislated obligation is to have 100% of our volunteers complete the training before March 31, 2015. If you have any questions or need help completing the IASR training, please contact your Volunteer Coordinator. 2 FROM THE DESK OF DR. TIM RUTLEDGE AND GABRIELLE BOCHYNEK Gabrielle Bochynek Vice President, People Services & Organizational Development Chief Human Resources Officer North York General Dr. Tim Rutledge, MD, CCFP (EM), FSCP President and C.E.O. North York General This winter’s frigid temperatures and robust flu season presented a challenge to North York General Hospital. We would like thank all of our Volunteers for all their efforts in keeping our patients and families safe this season. Our Volunteers were instrumental in the success of the flu campaign. Whether you got vaccinated or wore a mask, your support of the flu vaccinate-or-mask policy was greatly appreciated during its inaugural year. We also put out a call for help in spreading awareness about influenza prevention and more than 50 volunteers answered the call. You cheerfully greeted patients and visitors at the General site’s entrances and encouraged them to sanitize their hands. Thank you for helping us in our time of need. We would also like to thank you for all your fundraising efforts related to the $3 million pledge towards the Medical Imaging Centre. In 2014, you raised $210,000, bringing us to an incredible total of $2.2 million. Working together, staff, physicians and volunteers are making a world of difference when it comes to investing in our hospital. John Aldis, Vice President of Corporate and Information Services and Chief Financial Officer, recently reported that the future looks bright for long-term investments such as new facilities, equipment and technology. This is a team effort and the volunteers are important team players. Finally, we look forward to seeing all of you during our celebrations for Volunteer Week in early April. It’s an opportunity to recognize your invaluable contributions and highlight our proud history of volunteerism at North York General. As we continue to evolve as a leading community academic hospital, it’s comforting to know that our volunteers support us in this important journey. Have a healthy and safe spring! Tim and Gabrielle INFORMATION SERVICES DESK UPDATE The Information Services Desk team at the General site is comprised of approximately 140 volunteers who provide service seven days a week from both the South and West Desks. We help patients and families get to where they need to be; we sort and deliver the mail and we manage deliveries. Since September 2014, the Information Services Desk has undergone many positive changes. Joy D’Andrade and I, the Information Services Desk Co-Chairs, have been very busy meeting with Sheri Loosemore and James Dimitropolous of Volunteer Services, our Day Conveners and our Shift Coordinators to discuss how to make things run more smoothly at the desk. One of the changes suggested and implemented, was to reduce the daily number of shifts from five to three shifts and align shift times for both the weekdays and weekends. This has helped build consistency in the schedule and is a big help to those who support the scheduling of shifts. The new schedule was launched in January 2015. Our refreshed service role includes “Wayfinding”, which is escorting patients and their families to where they need to be. Wayfinding supports NYG’s culture of Patient- and Family-Centred Care. Feedback from patients and families has been very positive, everyone is very appreciative of the wayfinding service. Refresher training was provided in November and December 2015, and we are thrilled that more than 90% of our team was able to attend. For those who couldn’t attend, additional sessions will be held in the spring. Joy and I would like to thank the Information Services Desk team for the feedback and support over the past several months. We are confident that the changes will only enhance the patient and family Sheila Baker, Co-Chair, Information Services Desk experience at NYG! 3 NYG SPOTLIGHT ON A SPECIAL VOLUNTEER CONGRATULATIONS TO LOIS MARTELL Keven Lai Volunteer Mental Health Team North York General As a Grade 11 student in 2010, Kevin was interested in learning more about the medical field so he joined the North York General Hospital Volunteer Program. Kevin’s first placement was the Emergency Department at the General site, which he found educational and rewarding. Today, Kevin is a third year University of Toronto student, studying Mental Health and Neuroscience. Kevin chose this field of study because he recognizes the support that Mental Health field needs today, and he believes his contribution will make a difference. This past Fall, Kevin transferred his volunteer service and joined the Mental Health Team; aligning his volunteer experience with his career path. Kevin believes that NYGH has an all hands-on deck philosophy where staff, physicians and volunteers work together giving the patients and families the best care possible. After four and a half years of service Kevin says, “I really enjoy volunteering at NYGH, it has been a great experience. Volunteering is very gratifying; it truly does enhance the patient and family experience.” Kevin’s advice on how to be a successful in your volunteer role, “Be committed, take initiative, and most of all have fun and enjoy your time at NYGH”. North York General Hospital is very fortunate to have Kevin on our team. Thanks Kevin for all you do! At NYGH, living our values is at the heart of everything we do and we want to recognize the people who make a difference every day. The Stand Out, Be Amazing recognition program has been developed to recognize the outstanding behaviours displayed by NYGH Volunteers, physicians and staff. People are nominated on a weekly basis for their great behaviour and awards are presented quarterly. At the end of the year, the Senior Leadership Team considers the stories of each individual nominee and chooses those that most closely demonstrate behaviour aligned with the values of the organization. The Annual Stand Out, Be Amazing Award is presented publicly by the CEO to a volunteer, physician and staff, and the story of the recipients’ Stand Out behaviour is shared. This year’s volunteer recipient is Lois Martell. Lois is a valuable member of the team at Seniors’ Health Centre and has helped in many capacities since joining the volunteer program in 1992. During her time at SHC, Lois has volunteered in the Tuck Shop, supported administration tasks, worked in the gardens; assisted with bus trips and helped with countless special events. More recently, Lois has been giving her time to support the Resident’s Council fundraising initiatives; helping residents complete SHC’s annual satisfaction survey; and calling residents families to advise them of upcoming events. Lois’ dedication to the residents is nothing short of amazing. Her kind heart coupled with her empathy and generosity makes her a special and unique individual. We are very fortunate to have her as part of our team. We thank Lois for all that she has done and continues to do, you truly are amazing! MEET JAMIE BRUNO Jamie Bruno Director, Human Resources North York General Our Stand Out! ceremony has been a big part of the annual Festivus celebration here at NYG. Having joined the hospital in January, I was particularly lucky to be able to observe the energy and support for this year’s award presentations at both the General site and our Seniors’ Health Centre. I want to extend my congratulations to all nominees from throughout the year, and to our annual winners – including Lois Martell for her extraordinary contributions as a Volunteer at SHC. 4 AN UPDATE FROM OUR PROJECTS COMMITTEE “Things you need to know...” Barb Macleod Chair Projects Committee North York General The Projects Committee consists of a group of dedicated men and women who volunteer their time participating in extra activities throughout the year at our 3 sites of North York General. In 2014 we were pleased to welcome 3 new members to our group. The Projects portfolio consists of a number of on-going services at all 3 sites. We manage Tray Favours at the Seniors’ Health Centre, Book Sales, the Vendors Market at the General and Branson sites, the Quilting Group, Alex’s Mitten Tree, Teddies for Tragedies, our famous Christmas Holiday and Bake Sale, and the Volunteer Voice newsletter. For Christmas 2014, our Mitten Tree total was approximately 1000 articles of clothing including children’s mittens, scarves, toques, gloves, socks, and blankets. As well, we collected large containers of toiletries which were donated to the Sherbourne Health Bus. All items were delivered to 3 selected organizations in Toronto for distribution to the men, women, and children who would otherwise have very little. The 3 organizations are the Sherbourne Health Bus, New Circles, and St. John Anglican Church. We were very busy in 2014 with our Book Sales, Garage Sales and our daily Vendors Market. All money raised during the year went towards the Volunteer Services 3 million dollar commitment to the Volunteer Services Centre for Medical Imaging. I am happy and proud to announce that we raised $50,000 in 2014. Our total was lower than last year due to the loss of the baby photography contract. We did, however, achieve our commitment for the year. Teddies for Tragedies had a very successful year collecting Teddies from Volunteers and friends of North York General. Since 1999, approximately 5,100 teddies have been delivered to the regional director in Toronto. They are assembled in shoe boxes along with toiletry items and shipped all over the world to children in countries that have experienced stress when catastrophes occur. Barry Jamieson, Chair of the committee, encourages all our Volunteers and friends to take time to help out in this most worthy cause. Patterns and wool can be found in the Volunteer Lounge at the General site. We are a very busy group of Volunteers and our duties are many. We’re always looking for new members to join us and to bring in fresh ideas on ways to raise money. These projects would not be possible without the dedication of our members. If you would like to join us, please leave your name and phone number with the Volunteer Office and someone from our committee will be in contact with you. Thank you for all your support and please help us make 2015 another successful year. EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEER GRANTS DON’T FORGET TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING AND RECOGNITION DINNER TO BE HELD AT SPIRALE’S NEW FACILITY “PARKVIEW MANOR” LOCATED AT 88 BARBER GREENE ROAD THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015 The Volunteer Services Board has charitable status, meaning they accept donations and will issue tax receipts. Many companies support the volunteer activities of their employees and retirees by making an annual monetary donation to the charity where the individual volunteers. Do you know if your company has an Employee Volunteer Grant Program? See Page 8 5 FROM THE DESK OF TERRY PURSELL Terry Pursell President and C.E.O. North York General Foundation I am delighted to report that the recent gift of $210,000 from Volunteer Services has brought your giving total to nearly 75 per cent of your $3 million pledge to the Volunteer Services Centre for Medical Imaging. This is a remarkable accomplishment and I thank all of you for this shining example of philanthropic dedication to our patients and their families. Our historic $150 Million Campaign for North York General was publically launched in 2012 to support the hospital and its growth. We have received tremendous support from our community, our physicians, our staff and of course your $3 million pledge was indeed a watershed moment in the early days of the Campaign. On behalf of my team at the Foundation and our Board of Governors, I am pleased to share that we have raised nearly $100 million towards our goal. We are now entering the last phase of the campaign and there are several areas of focus that are vital to meeting the dynamic needs of patients today and in the future. It is crucial that we have funding available for the emerging priorities of the hospital and an excellent example of this is the newly created Baruch/Weisz Outpatient Care Clinic. The hospital identified this clinic as a high-priority need in 2014 and, with the generous support of the Baruch and Weisz families, we were able to open the clinic the same year. Another donor funded project worth noting is the $5.2 million raised towards the $6 million required to redevelop Phillips House into a one-of-a- kind outpatient mental health care facility for women and children. Over the past few years, the foundation has provided the lion’s share of the funding for equipment across the hospital and this will always be a pressing need. The final critical focus in this last phase is on funding the Research and Innovation Centre for Excellence in Patient Care to create a hub for world-class leadership and exploration in practice-based research. It is my sincere pleasure to thank all members of Volunteer Services for the value you bring to our hospital and our community. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Bernard, Betty, Erlie and Sheila for consistently supporting the foundation each week. Your assistance is so important to all of us and our work would not be possible without you. Thank you for helping to make a world of difference to all North York General patients and their families. If you would like to learn more about the Campaign for North York General, please contact me at 416 756-6164 and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. IN MEMORIAM IN MEMORIAM Marcia joined our volunteer team in 2002. Marcia had many volunteer roles at NYGH over the years; she volunteered at many hospital functions, was a very valued Gift Shop Volunteer, a member of the Gift Shop Committee and a member of the Nominating Committee. Marcia’s on-going contribution to the volunteer program will be missed. Grant joined our volunteer team in 2004. Grant was a very important support to the Infection Prevention and Control department. Grant was a very committed and dedicated Volunteer, who always greeted everyone with a warm smile. Grant will be sorely missed by all. GRANT LEVITT MARCIA MILLER 6 SPIRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS CARE SENIORS’ HEALTH CENTRE Mary Walker Chair, Spiritual & Religious Care June Marshall Chair, Seniors’ Health Centre Two Memorial Services are held each year now, the most recent being in November. These are for family and friends of patients who have recently died. Physicians and nurses also attend and Volunteers assist in the Service. There are many comments that the Service is a great comfort. Two Conveners’ meetings have been held over the past year. The results of the Engagement Survey and the best way to communicate were among topics discussed. The department has been working closely with Volunteer Services in order to make sure that our data in the Vsys One System is as up to date as possible. The co-ordination of different systems has been a challenge for several months. Volunteers of this department deeply regret that for two periods of time they were not able to visit at the Seniors’ Health Centre because of a breakout of flu. We are well aware that the cancellation of programmes and the absence of visits is a sad time for the residents. The SHC was opened just in time for Christmas, but already some events had been missed. We are always warmly welcomed by the patients when they have not seen us for a few weeks. The department was conscientious in abiding by the hospital policy regarding “shots or mask”. S and R Care Volunteers also participated in offering hand sanitizer to those entering at the main doors of the hospital. It has been said many times that actions speak louder than words. In addition to the words of poems that have been written to honor volunteers, it is most important to let them know on a continuous basis how valuable and appreciated their service is. We know that you volunteer because you want to be of service to others and are not in search of recognition, but recognition should be always forthcoming. Because of you, someone knows there is at least one other person in the world who cares. You have demonstrated that you are not afraid to step in where there is a need, and, as well, always having something encouraging to say in the kindest of ways. Congratulations to our own Lois Martell who was honored as the recipient of the NYGH annual "Stand Out" award at the Seniors' Health Centre Festivus celebration on February 25, 2015. Did you know... In 1985 Seniors' Health Centre opened with 60 beds. In 1990 Seniors' Health Centre was Toronto's first multicultural and multilingual nursing home reflecting the diversity of the community we serve. Our Seniors' Health Centre cares for more than 8,000 patients annually and currently houses 192 long-term care beds. North York General is home to eight (8) specialized geriatric clinics. To the dedicated Volunteers at the Seniors' Health Centre, Thank You all and have a wonderful year! ISABEL A.KING BURSARY AWARDS ALEX’S MITTEN TREE UPDATE Alan Empringham, Chair, Alex’s Mitten Tree is pleased to announce that approximately 1000 items of Adult and Children clothing were collected in the 2014 annual Mitten Tree campaign. All items were distributed to 3 agencies in Toronto... the Health Bus, New Circles, and St. John’s Anglican Church in time for Christmas giving. As well, a large quantity of toiletries were collected and delivered to the Health Bus for distribution to the street people of Toronto. I wish to thank Volunteers, staff, and friends of North York Hospital for their generosity and look forward to having a bigger and better campaign in 2015. In 1999, the King family, in partnership with the Volunteer Services Board established the Isabel A. King Student Volunteer Bursary to honour and remember Mrs. King’s devotion and support of North York General Hospital. The 2014 Isabel A. King Bursary was awarded to Edric Leung, Emily Liu, and Vithusan Arunakirinathan; each will receive $1000 to support their first year of post-secondary education. Congratulations Edric, Emily and Vithusan and thanks for making a world of difference at NYG! Alan Empringham, Chair, Alex’s Mitten Tree 7 Volunteer Voice THE POSTING BOARD FROM THE DESK OF OLGA DELLIDONNE 5105 “Your support has repeatedly played a key role in our success" TEDDIES FOR TRAGEDIES have been created by North York General Hospital Volunteers and friends since this project began. TEDDIES have travelled all over the world giving pleasure and joy to hundreds of sick, homeless and needy CHILDREN. THE NEED CONTINUES... Olga Dellidonne Treasurer Volunteer Services Corporate donations on behalf of current and past employees are, as always, very much appreciated. We would like to thank TD BANK GROUP, for their donation in honour of Agnes Chan, and SUNCOR ENERGY, in honour of Peter Phillips. PLEASE KEEP ON KNITTING!!!! Barry Jamieson for Teddies for Tragedies “WHAT A GREAT PROJECT FOR THIS SPRING”! DON’T FORGET TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING AND RECOGNITION DINNER TO BE HELD AT SPIRALE’S NEW FACILITY “PARKVIEW MANOR” LOCATED AT 88 BARBER GREENE ROAD THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015 I look forward to seeing everyone again at the Annual Recognition Dinner. Watch your mail - the invitations for this fabulous event will be sent out towards the end of March. Teddies courtesy of Volunteer Lilllian Jamieson Barbara Liddiard Annual Dinner Chairman Have you registered your consent for organ and tissue donation? To register your consent or for more information on donation please visit www.giftoflife.on.ca. Be a Registered Donor Your decision to register now could one day save up to eight lives and enhance as many as 75 more. Register your consent to become a donor with ServiceOntario now. Volunteers Give Service With A Smile Volunteer Voice is published 3 times a year and is provided to all Volunteers at our 3 sites of North York General Hospital. Volunteer Voice Editor/Graphic Designer: Barry Jamieson email: [email protected] Follow the links on the NYGH web site to view the .pdf version NORTH YORK GENERAL HOSPITAL General Division: 416 756-6000 Branson Division: 416 633-9420 Seniors' Health Centre: 416 756-0066 Volunteer Office: 416 756-6088 Articles for the Summer Issue of Volunteer Voice must be submitted no later than June 12, 2015