Spring 2010 - St. Joseph`s Health Care London

vim& vigour
spring 2010
victims of
abuse find
care and
compassion at
St. Joseph’s
research
sheds
light on
the baby
blues
transitional
care unit
gets patients
home
high notes
ST. JOSEPH’S
HONOURS
THOSE WHO
GIVE
page 50
diana krall
singer
stays healthy
by looking on the bright side
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Leith Coghlin, pictured with
Cheryl, Linda and Tammy
of the Sexual Assault and
Domestic Violence Program
A legacy gift allows me to give more.
“I’ve seen first-hand the gentle, compassionate and professional care offered
at St. Joseph’s to women and children when they are in desperate need.”
Leith Coghlin’s legacy is to help ensure St. Joseph’s is able to provide compassionate care
for women and children. That’s why he chose to support the Sexual Assault and Domestic
Violence Program through a gift of life insurance.
There are many policy options, and monthly payments make it an affordable way to make
a meaningful contribution to the advancement of patient care, teaching and research.
You too can leave a legacy. Please contact us to learn more.
PLEASE GIVE.
519 646 6085
www.sjhcfoundation.org
St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation supports St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, which
includes St. Joseph’s Hospital, Parkwood Hospital, Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care,
Regional Mental Health Care London and St. Thomas, and Lawson Health Research Institute.
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St. Joseph’s notebook
A Community Effort
The Ivey Eye Institute moves into a brand new space and
enjoys the support of thousands of runners
The reception area at the new location of the
Ivey Eye Institute.
in London. By 6 a.m. the tents, water and massage stations are all in place. The only thing left
to do is to wait for thousands of runners to arrive.
This is the scene at the Run for Retina, which supports the Ivey Eye Institute of St. Joseph’s Health
Care, London. Raising more than $350,000 since
it began, the event provides a steady stream of
funding for Ivey Eye’s retinal program. Suffering
from a rare, genetic form of macular degeneration, Kim is determined to support patient care
with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment
and cutting-edge research. This year’s run
will be held April 11. For more information
or to register, visit www.runforretina.ca.
new home for Ivey Eye Institute
partners in care
Almost all hospital ophthalmology services in
London are now located at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
The Ivey Eye Institute has moved into 54,000
square feet of brand new space on the first floor
of the hospital. The move consolidates ophthalmology services at St. Joseph’s and Ivey Eye services previously located at Victoria Hospital. For
cataract patients, please note that the cataract
suite at St. Joseph’s Hospital remains on the second floor in its current, and permanent, location.
The new space is bright, modern and offers
many improvements. It is laid out in pods of
subspecialties, meaning centralized wayfinding
for patients and improved continuity of care.
St. Joseph’s Ivey Eye Institute is the main referral centre for eye disease in Western Ontario and
is renowned for diagnostic, medical and surgical
eye care, ophthalmic teaching and research.
Services that haven’t moved to St. Joseph’s
are neuro ophthalmology, which remains at
University Hospital, and pediatric ophthalmology
surgery, which will be done at Victoria Hospital.
With annual donations of $250 or more, individuals across Ontario have become partners
in care delivery at St. Joseph’s Health Care,
London. While each has his or her own reason for giving, these individuals share the honour of being members of St. Joseph’s Partners in
Care Society. Their gifts have supported purchases such as ultrasound machines, surgical
equipment, wheelchairs and stretchers. Making
an annual gift to St. Joseph’s is easy and can be
completed through monthly installments or onetime gifts. For more on how you can become a
partner in care or to renew your support, visit
www.sjhcfoundation.org or call St. Joseph’s
Health Care Foundation at 519-646-6085.
n
run for retina
For the past eight years on an early Sunday morning in April, Kim and Paul Spriet, their family
and an army of volunteers take over Harris Park
Runners hit their stride
at the Run for Retina
to support the Ivey Eye
Institute.
mental health website goes live
Up-to-date information about the construction of two new Regional Mental Health Care
(RMHC) facilities has been added to the Internet
site of St. Joseph’s Health Care, London at
www.sjhc.london.on.ca. Available are: public
announcements, a project timeline, information related to preparations underway on the
grounds of Parkwood Hospital—the location
of the new RMHC London facility—and construction updates. vim & vigour • s p ri ng 2010
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connecting with our community
A Measure of Strength
Rising to the challenge to meet the needs of our community
T
To paraphrase Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the measure of a
person, or indeed an organization, is in how they measure
up in times of challenge versus how they perform in times
of comfort and convenience.
Since our last edition of Vim & Vigour, much has occurred
to test our organization’s strength and accountability, and
much has happened to show our measure in return. In each and every challenge,
the board, leadership, physicians and staff of St. Joseph’s work hard to listen, to do
what is right, to seek the truth, and to uphold our commitments to our mission and
to our community.
The results of the St. Joseph’s employee workplace survey have shown tremendous
gains to an already positive work environment, despite the challenges. St. Joseph’s
employees ranked their commitment to their work higher than the Ontario teaching
hospital average. This level of dedication is most remarkable given the issues faced by
all care providers in a difficult economic climate, where the needs of our community
consistently outpace our capacity as a health care system as a whole. The pressures
faced by our teams, each and every day, are substantive and call on everyone’s added
leadership and commitment.
St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation has also shown its measure of commitment,
once again maintaining its distinguished levels of donor stewardship and support in
these very challenging economic times. This is a testament to our donor community
and to all the foundation volunteers and staff members who work hard to ensure our
community understands how their gifts are invested and the lasting impact of every
philanthropic act.
In this edition of Vim & Vigour, we are delighted to highlight stories that speak
to commitment, from the compassion and expertise found at St. Joseph’s Regional
Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre, to the personal dedication
of brain injury survivor Kyle Ford, to the giving spirit of 70 new donor inductees
into St. Joseph’s Cornerstone Society.
The power of commitment is never to be underestimated, in both good and
challenging times. For all those who are part of, or who support the work of our
St. Joseph’s family, we remain grateful for your continued confidence and trust.
ST. JOSEPH’S
HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION
2009-2010 Board of Directors
Jeff Macoun, Chair
Michelle Campbell, President
Sharon Doubt
Samira El-Hindi
Dianne Evans
Faisal Joseph
Paul Kiteley
Brenda Lewis
Frank Longo
Jeff Malpass
Ron Martindale Jr.
Peter Mastorakos
Peter McMahon
Jim Mignault
Cliff Nordal
Joseph O’Neill
Dr. Hassan Razvi
Rick Spencer
Dr. Donald Taves
Tania Testa
Patrick Tremblay
ST. JOSEPH’S HEALTH CARE, LONDON
2009-2010 Board of Directors
Gerald Killan, Chair
Paul Brisson
Kimberley Chesney
Jacquie Davison
Dr. Vikas Duggal
Dr. Adam Dukelow
Marcella Grail
Doug Hamilton
Dr. Carol Herbert
Paul Kiteley
Gaétan Labbé
Dr. Rob McFadden
Rev. William McGrattan
Margaret McLaughlin
Susan Muszak
Cliff Nordal, President
Scott Player
Graham Porter
David Van Trigt
Peter Whatmore
Robert Wood
Contributing Writers
Julie Barr, Melissa Beilhartz, Betty Dann, Laura Dockstader, Anne
Kay, Marek Kubow, Nicole Laven, Jennifer Parraga, Dahlia Reich,
Renée Sweeney
Editors in Chief
Kathy Burrill and Michelle Campbell
Editor
Dahlia Reich
Production
McMurry
268 Grosvenor Street
London, ON N6A 4V2
519-646-6085
www.sjhcfoundation.org
If you prefer not to receive Vim & Vigour from St. Joseph’s Health
Care Foundation, please call 519-646-6085.
TM
Vim & Vigour, Spring 2010, Volume 26, Number 1, is published
quarterly by McMurry, McMurry Campus Center, 1-888-626-8779.
Vim & Vigour is published for the purpose of disseminating healthrelated information for the well-being of the general public and
its subscribers. The information contained in Vim & Vigour is not
intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing. Please consult
your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment
and/or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.
TM
TM
TM
Cliff Nordal
President & CEO
St. Joseph’s Health Care, London
2
Michelle Campbell
President & CEO
St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation
Publications Mail Agreement #40929046. Return undeliverable Canadian
addresses to: 268 Grosvenor St., London, ON N6A 4V2.
vim & vigour · s p r i n g 2 0 1 0
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contents
special
features
4
54
when
gratitude
grows
Individual and community fundraising
efforts for St. Joseph’s
can have a huge impact.
a safe haven St. Joseph’s Regional
Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
Treatment Centre empowers clients
and provides compassion and hope.
spring
7
10
16
20
24
34
making strides A transitional care
unit is maximizing recovery for acute
care patients who require an alternative level of care.
38
on mended knees They’re two of
our most used—and abused—joints.
Find out how surgical advances might
help you.
excuses, excuses Experts bust the
most commonly used cop-outs for
not eating right.
42
44
49
50
imaging IQ Going in for a routine
screening or diagnostic test? Here’s
what you need to know.
form factors Just like the women
it affects, breast cancer comes in all
shapes and sizes. Learn about four
types you need to be aware of.
easing the pressure Think you work
hard? Your heart pumps 24 hours a day.
Keep hypertension under control.
prostate predicament Read how
one man got to the cause of his
urinary symptoms—and found relief.
caregiving: a survival guide Caring
for a loved one is hard work and
fraught with unique challenges.
28
diana krall
Not even
grief or a
demanding tour schedule can keep this jazz
singer from looking on
the bright side. Pick up
a few positive health
notes from Diana Krall.
COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY LARSEN & TALBERT, ICON INTERNATIONAL
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wake-up call A diagnosis of prediabetes doesn’t have to be all bad. It’s
a chance to turn your health around.
a difficult decision Answers to important questions about moving a loved
one into long-term care.
honouring those who give The
St. Joseph’s Cornerstone Society
recognizes individual donors and
their commitment to the mission of
St. Joseph’s.
beyond the baby blues
A St. Joseph’s psychiatrist believes
that bipolar disorder may be the real
diagnosis for some new mothers.
departments
1
St. Joseph’s
notebook A look at
the new home for
the Ivey Eye Institute
and other important
St. Joseph’s news.
2 connecting with
our community
Remaining
committed to
the community’s
health care during
challenging times.
8 faces of St.
Joseph’s Two new
team members
reveal what drives
their dedication.
55 gifts for the future
Clear vision elicits
joy and generosity.
56 inspired to give
More than $300,000
in donations arrive
through the Season
of Celebration.
vim & vigour · s p ri ng 2010
3
12/21/09 11:07:04 AM
Women, men and
children discover
care, compassion
and empowerment
at St. Joseph’s
Regional Sexual
Assault and
Domestic Violence
Treatment Centre
haven
a safe
t
The shame, embarrassment and fear were paralyzing. As someone who worked every day with
victims of domestic violence, Sarah agonized over
how it could happen to her and why she ignored
the signs she knew so well. She blamed herself.
“I felt so stupid being in this mess. I work in
the field. How I could I seek help from the very
people I worked with in my professional life—
health care providers, the police, the courts?”
But when things came to a terrifying crescendo,
a shattered and badly bruised Sarah made the
call. “I knew life would never be the same.”
tailored treatment
Sarah was treated at the Regional Sexual
Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment
Centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where a team
of specialized nurses, doctors and a social
4
By Dahlia Reich
worker provides care and support tailored to the
client and his or her wishes. It was there her
shame began melting away. “The nurse was fantastic. She was calm, took her time, let me cry
when I needed to cry.”
And she told Sarah about the frogs. When you
put a frog into a pot of boiling water, they jump
out. But when you put them in a pot of cold water
and put it on the stove, they simmer to death.
“I was simmering to death. Throughout my
marriage, I was simmering. There were many
times I thought I should get out but then there
were apologies, flowers, promises. You buy in to
that because of the kids, the mortgage. You want
to think it’s a one-time thing. Life would get
sweet and rosy for days, weeks, months, even
years. I also had no confidence in myself. I was
so beaten down.”
vim & vigour · s p r i n g 2 0 1 0
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At the treatment centre, Sarah learned she
had control over her situation. She discovered
empowerment and a foundation to rebuild her
self-esteem and her life.
A key partner in a regional network of services for women, the centre offers help 24 hours
a day, seven days a week to women, men and
children of all ages. It’s the only centre in the
region with the expertise to document injuries
and collect forensic evidence.
“We have a highly skilled staff who are specially trained in sexual assault and domestic violence,” says coordinator Gerry Bryan. “Located
within St. Joseph’s, we can provide a wide range
of services.”
‌resources to move forward
As a dedicated centre, staff have resources, space
and equipment to provide clients with what they
need. Most important, they have the time to spend
with clients and understand their unique situation, says program nurse Cheryl Marks.
“When people come here, they are in crisis,”
adds Judi Tapp, also a program nurse. “They
don’t know they have options. We provide many
options and respect their choices. When they
leave here, they have the resources they need
to move forward.”
Staff never know what’s coming through
the door. “It’s sometimes heart wrenching
and exhausting, but rewarding,” says social
worker Linda Fischer. “To see these people
later, they begin to look different, with a sense
of self and stability. You see them recovering
before your eyes.”
Advocacy and teaching is a key role for centre
staff, who provide education on caring for victims
to police, community groups, and medical and
nursing students, and raise awareness among high
school and university students.
No one is immune from sexual assault or
domestic violence, and victims are in no way
responsible, as Sarah so painfully learned. It’s
a message she makes sure to impart to those
facing the same struggle she did.
“Had I known how things would end up, coming forward would have been much easier,” says
Sarah. “It’s not the end of the world when the
secret comes to light. It’s the beginning. That’s
when I discovered who I was, my strengths. It
has changed who I am and how I deliver care
to others.” seeking support
Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the
Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre
(RSADVTC) at St. Joseph’s Hospital:
• Go to the Urgent Care Centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital or any
emergency department in London, Middlesex, Oxford or Elgin
counties and ask to speak to the nurse on call for sexual assault/
domestic violence.
• Call the RSADVTC during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.) to book an appointment at 519-646-6100 ext. 64224.
• Service providers wanting to refer an individual can call 519646-6100 and ask to speak to the nurse on call for sexual assault/
domestic violence.
services offered
Depending on the nature of the assault and time since the assault,
the following services are available:
• Emotional support and crisis intervention
• Counselling
• Physical examination
• Testing, prevention and/or treatment of sexually transmitted
infections
• HIV prevention medication
• Documentation/photographs of injuries
• Collection of forensic evidence
• Safety planning
• Referrals as needed
enhancing care
and comfort
Celebrate Giving ... the Sky’s the Limit will be held on March 4
at the London Convention Centre with proceeds going to the
Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre
at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Hosted by the Breakfast Meeting for
Women, a London women’s networking group, the event features
a dinner, silent auction, raffle and performance by the high-flying
circus artists Aerial Angels. Tickets are $95 each. Please call Joan
Bidner at 519-857-7473 or Sheila Stevenson at 519-472-0243.
vim & vigour • s p ri ng 2010
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St. Joseph’s Health Care, London includes:
St. Joseph’s Hospital, Parkwood Hospital, Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care,
Regional Mental Health Care London and St. Thomas, and Lawson Health Research Institute.
The faces have changed...
but the spirit remains.
Sister Aloysiz Nigh, founder of St. Joseph’s Hospital in 1888
Our history is at work every day.
More than one hundred years ago, the Sisters of St. Joseph opened
a hospital in London with just ten beds. Today, St. Joseph’s Health
Care, London is an organization that supports the community with
23 locations and more than 60 programs. The sisters no longer deliver
care in person, but their spirit of compassion lives on throughout the
organization. This is the indefinable difference of “St. Joseph’s” – our
belief that a caring environment heals the spirit as well as the body.
Because we all need St. Joseph’s.
06_History_Sisters.indd
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FdVVSP1086_06_History
www.sjhc.london.on.ca
6/20/07
8:27:43
12/21/09
11:07:33
AMAM
Transitional
care unit team
members,
from left, Kelly
Goss, Deb
Sims and Kim
Whalen, provide
restorative
care to Patricia
Crocker.
making
strides
A transitional care unit
is restoring health
By Anne Kay
F
or years, Ontario hospitals have grappled
with the challenge of patients who no
longer need acute care treatment, but who
must stay in acute care beds because a
more appropriate level of care is not available.
These patients may need more therapy before
they can be discharged, or may be awaiting admission to facilities such as a long-term care home.
And while they wait, they are taking up
much needed beds for new patients, who may
face a prolonged stay in an emergency department before being admitted.
Thanks to a range of new initiatives, such
as the opening in the fall of 2008 of a transitional care unit (TCU) at Parkwood Hospital in
London, the situation is improving. Acute care
patients who require an alternative level of care
some surprising facts
Every day in Ontario:
• More than 2,650 patients are waiting in an
acute care bed for an alternate level of care.
This represents 17 per cent of acute care beds.
• 646 patients are waiting in emergency departments for admission to an inpatient bed.
Source: Ontario Hospital Association, July 2009
and who meet the criteria are admitted to the
TCU at Parkwood, part of St. Joseph’s Health
Care, London. Here they receive treatment that
restores health, promotes independence and
maximizes their potential to be cared for in their
own homes with support from the South West
Community Care Access Centre (SW CCAC),
and in retirement homes, long-term care homes,
or supportive housing,
“Previously, when I left the hospital, I felt as if
an umbilical cord had been cut,” says one grateful
TCU patient. “This time I am sure I can go home.”
working in collaboration
“We are very pleased that over half of the TCU
patients have had their health restored so they
feel well enough to go back home,” says Elaine
Gibson, vice president, complex, specialty aging,
and rehabilitative care at St. Joseph’s. “This is
a reflection of the skillful care provided by the
TCU team.”
The TCU is a collaborative effort: St. Joseph’s
Health Care Foundation provided nearly half a
million dollars through donor dollars for renovations and equipment; the SW CCAC coordinates
admissions and discharges; London Health
Sciences Centre refers patients; the South West
Local Health Integration Network (LHIN)
provided funding; and St. Joseph’s Parkwood
Hospital provides the care.
In September 2009, recognizing the tremendous value of the TCU for patients’ health,
and for easing the strain on acute care beds in
London, the LHIN announced an extension
of the TCU funding to October 2010.
TCU stats
Average occupancy
97 per cent
Average
length of stay
34 days
Patient age range
32 to 98
Average patient age
78
Percentage of
patients able to
return home
after care
50.7 per cent
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faces of St. Joseph’s Enriching Experiences
Two new team members draw inspiration from the dedication and
professionalism found at St. Joseph’s
Karen Belaire is the new
shared chief operating
officer for St. Joseph’s
Health Care, London
and London Health
Sciences Centre.
Lyle McLean is the new vice
president of donor support
at St. Joseph’s Health Care
Foundation.
8
in the right place
building on the foundation
On her way to find what would be her new
office, Karen Belaire was struck by what she
saw in the waiting area of the London Regional
Cancer Program. Every chair was taken. The
waiting room was packed. “At that moment, I
knew I was meant to be back in health care.”
Belaire is the new shared chief operating
officer (COO) for St. Joseph’s Health Care,
London and London Health Sciences Centre.
She started her new position on Aug. 17, 2009,
and continues to be amazed by the quality of
health care in London.
“There are people here with such incredible
skills,” she says. “Their dedication to patient care,
safety, quality and innovation quickly became
obvious to me.”
Belaire was most recently the vice president,
administration at McMaster University in
Hamilton, where she served as the most senior
non-academic leader. But she is no stranger to
the clinical world, having held a range of executive positions including vice president, finance
and administration at Credit Valley Hospital
and then at St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton,
and acting president and CEO of Cambridge
Memorial Hospital.
The nine years Belaire spent at McMaster
University allowed her to become involved in
academic and research activities, but she felt
a longing to return to the hospital setting.
“Health care,” she says, “is where I belong.”
Follow Belaire’s executive journal on her blog
at www.kbelaire.wordpress.com.
A personal interest in health care fostered by
various volunteer roles led Lyle McLean to make
a major career shift. After years of working in
the private sector in the financial and automotive industries, McLean is now immersed in the
not-for-profit world supporting health care.
He is the new vice president of donor support
at St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation. And he
couldn’t be happier.
It was during his tenure as a volunteer
that McLean came to realize the important
role foundations play in the delivery of
health care.
“When hospitals need specialized equipment
or new facilities, they turn to the foundations
and private donors for support,” says McLean.
“To be part of a process that helps to improve
people’s lives in some small way is truly rewarding and for me the best reason for getting out of
bed each day.”
McLean joined the foundation in June 2009.
He guides a team of financial professionals
and works closely with a number of volunteer
board committees responsible for the allocation
of grants and the investment and financial
management of donations.
In his first eight months with the foundation,
McLean has been inspired by the warmth and
professionalism of the people of St. Joseph’s
Health Care, London. “One need not look
further than the people to understand why
St. Joseph’s has such a favourable reputation
in London.” vim & vigour • s p r i n g 2 0 1 0
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By Renée Sweeney
a difficult decision
St. Joseph’s staff support families in the
Y
transition from home to long-term care
Your mom needs more care than can be provided
at home. Her condition is deteriorating and you
fear for her safety and well-being. Is it time for a
long-term care facility?
The decision to move a loved one into longterm care is one of the most difficult a family
faces. Choosing a facility and preparing for this
major life adjustment requires families to consider many factors, such as cost, level of care
and amenities offered. The goal is to ensure your
family member will be taken care of by caring,
compassionate and professional staff at the best
facility available. But with the decision often
comes a host of feelings for both the family and
loved one.
At Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care,
staff understand the challenges and multitude of
emotions families experience. With a long history of care and compassion, Mount Hope, part
of St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, is staffed
with care teams well equipped to guide families
through the transition.
Here, Mount Hope social worker Audrey Dow
answers some important questions for those
considering a long-term care facility for their
loved one:
what are the key issues to
consider in choosing a
long-term care facility?
about a new place, the better, so we encourage
families to come in for a tour.
It’s important to include the person making
the move in the tour and decision-making process. Openly discussing options with your loved
one will make the transition easier.
The loss of personal space can be a factor for
new residents. Allowing them to choose the
personal items, furniture and keepsakes to bring
with them can help to make their new home feel
more comfortable.
how often should family
members visit after a loved
one has moved into a
long-term care facility?
At Mount Hope, families are encouraged to
make regular visits and participate in health
care decisions. The care team guides families
in helping a loved one adjust.
How things develop is as individual as the
person moving in. Daily visits may reassure
some but may interfere with others exploring
their new home.
Staff at Mount Hope understand that the transition may not be easy. New residents and their
families can be assured that they do not need to
muddle through the adjustment alone ... We will
be here to help. Teena Leendertz is an
avid painter who enjoys
the art therapy program
at Mount Hope.
Don’t wait for a crisis. Families should do their
homework and make a list of top priorities such
as care needs, programs and services available,
and comfort preferences. Visit facilities, ask staff
questions and talk to residents. The location of
the home and how easily relatives and friends
can visit should also be a deciding factor.
how can families ensure a
smooth transition for their
loved one?
Knowing what to expect can help everyone
prepare for the change. The more one can learn
vim & vigour • s p ri ng 2010
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give
honouring those who
Members of the
Cornerstone Society
are committed to the
St. Joseph’s mission
By Jennifer Parraga
1. Michelle Campbell, left, president and
CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation,
with Tom and Joanne Cowan, and Theresa
Matthews of Voyageur Transportation.
2. Valerie and Jacques Balaban, with Francee
Ender.
3. George Zubick, left, with Gord Hume and
Bruce Zubick.
1
50
Appreciation for the care she has received,
for the tireless work of doctors and nurses,
and for our health care system—that’s
why Sian Scott gives to St. Joseph’s Health
Care, London and will continue to do so
for as long as she is able.
For more than a decade, Scott has been
making donations to St. Joseph’s, sometimes giving two or three times over a
12-month period. Her gifts have made a
difference, helping to advance critical
patient care priorities such as examination
suites in the Ivey Eye Institute, the new
MRI with breast diagnostic capabilities,
specialized equipment for residents at
St. Joseph’s Parkwood Hospital and, most
recently, research at the Lawson Health
Research Institute.
“I really appreciate the fact that I have
access to great doctors and wonderful
facilities,” says Scott. “I know it isn’t easy
to always have the best and I want to
ensure the best equipment and facilities
are always available. You really don’t
have to give a lot to make a difference.”
Scott was among more than 1,000
donors honoured at the St. Joseph’s
Cornerstone Society event in October.
The society recognizes cumulative giving by generous donors to St. Joseph’s
Health Care Foundation. During the
event, guests were lauded for their commitment to the mission of St. Joseph’s
and 70 new inductees were welcomed
into the Cornerstone Society.
“St. Joseph’s would not be the organization it is today without community
support and the generosity of so many
individuals,” Jeff Macoun, chair of the
foundation’s board of directors, told
donors at the gathering.
This year’s event featured a special presentation on the spiritual care program
at St. Joseph’s and its role in the clinical
setting. The mission of the program is to
attend to the wholeness of each person—
mind, body and spirit. Members of the spiritual care team connect patients with their
spirituality as they experience injury, disease and disability. Spiritual care director
Ciaran McKenna took guests on a journey
of hope by sharing stories about patients
whose care was supported by St. Joseph’s
spiritual care mission and team. 2
3
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Cornerstone Society
4
5
St. Joseph’s Cornerstone Society honours donor leadership and
recognizes cumulative gifts, legacy intentions and estate gifts made
in support of all programs at St. Joseph’s Health Care, London.
Cumulative individual donations starting at $10,000 are recognized;
as are organizations’ cumulative giving starting at $25,000.
Donors’ names are listed on a spectacular donor wall in
St. Joseph’s Hospital. The wall was designed and donated by architects Tillmann Ruth Mocellin, long-time supporters of St. Joseph’s.
In addition to the names, the wall features a collage of moving
images reflecting the faces and care of St. Joseph’s.
To learn more about St. Joseph’s Cornerstone Society, visit
www.sjhcfoundation.org, or call St. Joseph’s Health Care
Foundation at 519-646-6085.
4. Jeff Macoun, chair, board
of directors, St. Joseph’s
Health Care Foundation,
welcomes St. Joseph’s
Cornerstone members.
5. Angie and Bob DiFruscia
6. Linda Killan, left, with
Cliff Nordal, president and
CEO, St. Joseph’s Health
Care, London.
7. Mary Jane Harding, left,
with Helen Martin.
8. Patricia O’Dwyer and
Walter Duffield
9. Sian Scott, left, and Sue
Hardy, manager, leadership
giving, St. Joseph’s Health
Care Foundation.
10. Ciaran McKenna,
director of spiritual care,
provides a presentation
on the role of spiritual care
in the clinical setting.
11. Dr. Gerry Killan,
chair, board of directors,
St. Joseph’s Health Care,
London, takes in a display
on the spiritual care
program at St. Joseph’s.
12. Dr. Edwin Carroll, left,
with Dr. Howard Cameron.
13. Dr. John Denstedt, left,
with Steve Plunkett.
6
7
8
9
10
12
11
13
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Research reveals
that bipolar
disorder may be the
real diagnosis for
some new mothers
blues
beyond
the baby
By Nicole Laven
Rita, right, attends a
follow-up consultation
with Dr. Verinder Sharma
at Regional Mental Health
Care London, part of
St. Joseph’s Health Care,
London.
Rita remembers all too well the feelings she
had after giving birth to her baby. Expecting
to feel happiness and a close bond to her newborn, she was surprised when instead she felt
a deep emptiness.
“It was like I was a different person,” Rita
recalls. “I felt completely empty and my mood
and energy levels were all over the place. I had
a compulsion to spend for no apparent reason
and came out of a store shortly after my delivery
with $70 worth of makeup without knowing
why I had bought it. I could not stop crying and
facts on postpartum
bipolar disorder
• About 4.5 per cent of Canadians are living with bipolar disorder.
• The World Health Organization has reported that bipolar disorder is
the sixth leading cause of disability worldwide in those ages 15 to 44.
• Among patients who developed postpartum psychosis, 72 to 80
per cent had bipolar disorder.
• About 90 per cent of all postpartum psychotic and bipolar episodes
occur within the first four weeks after delivery.
52
I had thoughts of hurting myself and my baby.
I knew something was very wrong and that I
needed help and fast.”
Rita’s experience will be familiar to many
women who struggle with postpartum depression, which can range from the baby blues—the
most minor form of the condition affecting 50 to
80 per cent of mothers—to postpartum psychosis, a relatively rare and serious disorder. But
for some, like Rita, postpartum depression may
actually be bipolar disorder triggered by pregnancy or the postpartum period. In fact, a recent
study by Dr. Verinder Sharma, a psychiatrist at
St. Joseph’s Health Care, London and researcher
with the Lawson Health Research Institute,
reported that 54 per cent of 56 patients referred
with postpartum depression were actually
struggling with bipolar disorder, a lifelong brain
disorder that causes unusual and extreme shifts
in mood and energy.
screening recommended
The cause of bipolar disorder is not known;
however, genetics, hormonal changes, and
stressful events are known to trigger an episode.
With pregnancy and the postpartum period
chock-full of hormone changes and new
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stresses, Dr. Sharma, the Canadian Network
for Mood and Anxiety Treatments, and the
International Society for Bipolar Disorders are
recommending universal screening for bipolar
disorder during and after a woman’s pregnancy.
“Currently, screening tools to assess a woman’s
physical and mental health during and after
pregnancy do not include questions related to
postpartum bipolar disorder,” says Dr. Sharma.
Also, before any screening tool can be used by
caregivers it must be validated through research
by studying its effectiveness in the pregnant or
postpartum bipolar population. It cannot be
assumed that symptoms of postpartum bipolar
disorder will be the same or last as long as other
mental illnesses or bipolar episodes.
Dr. Sharma is now working to validate a
screening tool, as well as compare the impact
of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorders on pregnancy outcomes, maternal mental
health, and the use of mental health services.
His research will help doctors properly identify
and help women who may be at risk of postpartum psychosis. This is crucial as studies show
women with untreated bipolar disorder are at a
greater risk of developing postpartum psychosis,
which has been linked to infanticide and maternal suicide. “Universal screening for bipolar disorder during and after pregnancy will help with
early diagnosis, treatment and even prevention,”
explains Dr. Sharma. “The goal is to safeguard
the health of both moms and babies.”
supporting research
in mental health
Care, teaching and research for mental health programs is a key
focus for St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation. Through the
Breakfast of Champions event, Season of Celebration campaign
and annual donations, the foundation is able to support the purchase of patient care items. And through a variety of endowment
and restricted funds, it supports specialized research projects.
Two projects that recently received funding from the foundation will impact the way care is delivered at St. Joseph’s. Through
the Dr. William A. Tillmann Fund, support was provided for a
study into the impact of immigration on people with psychotic
disorders, such as schizophrenia. The local study is part of a
larger project exploring the experience of people with psychotic
disorders during and after immigration.
A second grant was awarded to clinical research that will
enhance patient safety, a key focus of St. Joseph’s. Results from
this study will help to standardize the suicide risk assessment
for all patients.
a new life
As a teen and young adult, Rita struggled with
substance abuse, which she now believes was
likely her way of self-medicating and dealing
with her undiagnosed disorder. Now age 40,
she is clean, a proud mother to her child, working, and studying to become a social worker so
she can help others struggling as she did. Rita
believes strongly in the need for bipolar disorder
screening, especially during pregnancy and the
postpartum period.
“It’s so crucial for women to get help, for their
own health and the health of their baby.”
Rita, who continues to have follow-up consults with Dr. Sharma, attributes her success to
his excellent care. “People don’t even recognize
me,” she says. “They say I am a completely different person from who I was before. I am so
proud of where I am today.”
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grows
when gratitude
Individuals giving back
through fundraising efforts
Vicky, Kyle and John Ford present a cheque to Julie
Gagliardi of the acquired brain injury rehabilitation
program at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Hospital.
provide critical support
By
Jennifer
Parraga
It had been four months since his accident and
Kyle remained in a coma. He wasn’t responding
to therapy or treatment, and his parents, Vicky
and John, grew more and more anxious each day.
Desperate, Vicky approached Kyle’s doctor to
“do something.” It was then that Kyle was transferred to the acquired brain injury rehabilitation
unit at Parkwood Hospital, part of St. Joseph’s
Health Care, London.
A week later, things began to change.
“I remember the first time he was finally able
to make eye contact with me,” says Vicky. “And
then he smiled at me. It is for that moment, and
all the wonderful moments that followed, that
we are giving back.”
doing even more
Vicky and her family were so grateful for Kyle’s
care they decided to make a donation in support of the unit on the anniversary date of his
transfer there for care. But Kyle wanted to do
more, and so the family planned an event—an
evening of music
and celebration.
Thanks to their
friends, the commuMore than 20 community events are
nity of Ridgetown,
held throughout the year, raising nearly
and so many others,
$250,000 annually for a variety of patient and
more than $20,000
resident care programs across St. Joseph’s. For
has been raised in supmore information about creating and hostport of acquired brain
ing an event, contact St. Joseph’s Health Care
injury rehabilitation
Foundation at 519-646-6085.
at Parkwood from two
very successful events.
go
54
be a host
Community events and the individuals who
plan and host them play an important role in
the delivery of care at St. Joseph’s.
“Today, fundraising, whether through events
or individual donations, is critical to the way
in which our local hospitals work,” explains
Michelle Campbell, president and CEO of
St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation. “We simply
wouldn’t have the level of health care we enjoy
in our community without it.”
portraits of love
Most special about community events is that
they not only raise funds but also awareness
about the good work undertaken at St. Joseph’s
every day. And they inspire others.
Local photographer Cynthia Moore was
inspired to create a special event called
“Portraits of Love” after attending the
St. Joseph’s IMAGINE gala to raise money
for a new MRI with breast imaging capabilities now in use at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
“I attended the IMAGINE gala and was
inspired by all the beautiful women in the room
and by the compelling stories of courage and
resilience shared by breast cancer survivors,”
recalls Moore. “I decided then to create an
event that could capture the joy and love shared
between mothers and their children that would
also raise funds for equipment used in the early
detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.”
Moore and fellow photographer Paula
Tizzard hosted a day of portrait sessions for
families. Their hard work, dedication and generosity of spirit brought in more than $5,000
to St. Joseph’s.
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By Jennifer Parraga
gifts for the future
A Gift with Vision
Clear sight elicits joy
and generosity
I
“I just can’t believe it—my eyesight hasn’t been
this good since I was a teenager.”
Those are the words of Brenda Mansbridge
just days following her cataract surgery at
the Ivey Eye Institute of St. Joseph’s Health
Care, London.
Mrs. Mansbridge had been living with
cataracts for some time before they began significantly encroaching on her sight, causing
the very independent 80-year-old to seek care
at the Ivey Eye Institute.
Having never undergone surgery, she
approached the procedure with some hesitation, but within a few days, the results were
overwhelmingly positive. She found joy in
her regained sight and continued to pursue
all her favourite hobbies and passions, such
as keeping up with current events, classical
music and fashion.
Brenda Mansbridge passed away in April
2008. A resident of London for only a few
short years, she had quickly grown fond of
the city. “My mother would often remark just
how friendly and helpful everyone in London
was,” says Wendy Mansbridge Gunn, Brenda’s
daughter. “Her appreciation for London was
forever solidified by the skillful, caring and
professional treatment she received from everyone she encountered at St. Joseph’s.”
a lasting impact
Mrs. Mansbridge’s gratitude for her care took
many forms, including a bequest in her estate
for St. Joseph’s. And she chose to direct her
bequest to the Ivey Eye Institute, located at
St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Her donation will have a lasting impact on
the more than 80,000 people who receive eye
care each year at the institute as it will support
the purchase of new patient examination suites.
Members of the
The institute features 53 examination suites supMansbridge family
porting all forms of eye care, from glaucoma to
celebrate Brenda
pediatric care. These suites are fundamental and
Mansbridge’s 80th
critical in the delivery of care. Each is equipped
birthday. From left are
Paul, Wendy, Stanley, Peter
with the specialized diagnostic tools and equipand Brenda Mansbridge.
ment necessary to perform patient examinations
and develop treatment plans. With the most
technologically advanced equipment, diseases
and disorders can be caught in their earliest
stages, ensuring that
the best treatment
options are available
to patients.
“We are so grateful
to Mrs. Mansbridge
St. Joseph’s leads the way in developing new
for her generous
care programs and discovering new therapies
gift,” says Michelle
and treatment methods for those who are
Campbell, presisick or injured. Our unique role encompasses
dent and CEO of
the delivery of care to body, mind and spirit
St. Joseph’s Health
through specialized programs. Legacy gifts
Care Foundation. “We
support continued and future excellence in
couldn’t continue to
these care and research programs. To find
meet the needs of care
out more about how you can make a legacy
programs across St.
gift, visit www.sjhcfoundation.org
Joseph’s without the
or call 519-646-6085.
tremendous support
from donors.”
leave a legacy of
caring
go
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inspired to give By Jennifer Parraga
Gifts from the Heart
Season of Celebration shines brightly, with
donations of more than $300,000
F
Pink lights of caring at
St. Joseph’s Hospital.
For 22 years, members of the Breakfast Meeting
for Women have been supporting women—in
business, in pursuing careers and in everyday
life. During their monthly breakfast meetings,
the group, with the stylish acronym BMW,
focuses on themselves, networking and guiding
each other in the business of doing business.
But once a year, these dynamic women turn
their attention to the community and launch
a spectacular fundraising event supporting a
worthy cause.
When BMW learned about a special need
within the Season of Celebration campaign of
St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, they knew it
had to be the focus of their 2010 event. Fittingly
called “Celebrate Giving … the Sky’s the Limit,”
the event will provide funding for examination
tables and video safety equipment for the Regional
Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment
Centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital. (Read about the
centre on pages 4-5.)
“It just really tugged at our heart strings,” says
BMW member Sheila Stevenson in explaining the
group’s decision to support the centre. “When we
learned we would be able to purchase items that
supported the care and enhanced the safety of the
patients, we were inspired to support the project.”
The group’s commitment, and that of hundreds
of other individuals and organizations, helped
to brighten the lives and warm the hearts
of patients and residents across St. Joseph’s
Health Care, London during the holiday season. Celebrating its 20th year, the Season
of Celebration campaign shone brightly in
2009 with more than $300,000 donated.
Donors directed their gifts to a variety of
patient and resident comfort items and equipment, including pressure-reducing mattresses
and bedside tables, a fluroscan X-ray unit at
Parkwood Hospital, ventilators for the neonatal
intensive care unit, video conferencing equipment used for the telepsychiatry program, and
examination tables.
Continuing with a long-time tradition, pink
holiday lights were lit up one by one on hospital
grounds throughout the campaign as gifts were
received. The lights created a festive environment
across St. Joseph’s, bringing joy and the holiday
spirit to patients, residents, their families and
hospital staff.
Supporting patients and residents—body,
mind and spirit—is at the heart of the Season
of Celebration campaign. Video conferencing
equipment, right, is used
for telepyschiatry, and
ventilators for the neonatal
intensive care unit, far
right, are among the critical
pieces of equipment
supported by Season of
Celebration donations.
56
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St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation
268 Grosvenor Street
London, ON
N6A 4V2
Please return Canadian Addresses to above address
Mary Walsh
Featuring
An accomplished actress, comedian, and political satirist, Mary Walsh has been entertaining Canadians for more than
20 years. Best known for her roles in the critically acclaimed, multi-award winning series This Hour has 22 Minutes
and CODCO, Mary Walsh is the recipient of more than 30 Gemini Awards and The Order of Canada.
Though always bringing joy and laughter to others, Walsh has battled personal demons while suffering
from alcoholism and an overwhelming sense of abandonment.
Today, Walsh focuses on a positive approach to life and her overall health. She will share her story about her ongoing
journey to find inner peace.
Reserve your tickets now!
$50 per person or $500 for a table of 10.
Please visit www.sjhcfoundation.org or call 519-646-6085 for tickets.
Event includes a special presentation by Mary Walsh, buffet breakfast
and the presentation of the Champion of Mental Health Award.
To nominate a local ‘Mental Health Champion’ visit www.london.cmha.ca.
Presented jointly by
Proudly sponsored by
Breakfast of Champions
“I lived most of my life afraid of
everything. Of every encounter…
of everything. I just always felt that
I didn’t measure up.” – Mary Walsh
May
6
Thursday
2010
7:30 – 9:30 am
London Convention
Centre
London, Ontario
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