Baycrest, the Ontario Brain Institute and Canada

May 10, 2012 — VOL.8, NO.10
Baycrest, the Ontario Brain Institute and Canada-Israel
Industrial R&D Foundation host panel on brain research
His Excellency, Shimon Peres, President of Israel shares his vision for brain research
A
6 West to launch
pilot project using
mobile technology
in patient care 2
Scientists at the
Centre for Brain
Fitness awarded
NSERC Engage grant 4
Scotiabank Pro-Am
Sticks it to
Alzheimer’s,
raising $2.3 million 5
www.baycrest.org
Baycrest is fully
affiliated with the
University of Toronto.
t the invitation of Miriam Ziv,
Israel’s ambassador to Canada,
Baycrest played a key role in hosting
an extraordinary panel discussion with
His Excellency, Shimon Peres, President
of Israel, in Toronto, May 9. President
Peres addressed a crowd of more than
300 about the crucial role neuroscience
research will play in forging a
better future.
The event was co-hosted by the Ontario
Brain Institute (OBI) and the CanadaIsrael Industrial R&D Foundation
(CIIRDF) and included a panel of five
prominent innovation leaders from
Ontario and Israel.
The panelists joined with President Peres
to discuss technological approaches that
could unlock the secrets of the human
brain, and proposed increased interdisciplinary research cooperation between
innovators in Ontario, Canada more
broadly, and Israel to capitalize on these
opportunities.
“All the roles we fulfill in life are
enabled by a healthy mind. And a
healthy mind is enabled by a healthy
brain. We must develop a new generation of therapies, so the burden of brain
disorders on families is not so great,”
said Dr. William Reichman, president
and CEO of Baycrest. “We must do for
the brain in coming decades what we
have done with heart health. We will
achieve this through innovative
...continued on back page
Shimon Peres, President of Israel, delivers
his remarks at the May 9 brain research
roundtable in Toronto. To the left of Mr.
Peres is one of the roundtable innovation
leaders, Dr. Randy McIntosh, vice-president
of Research and director of the Rotman
Research Institute at Baycrest. Dr. McIntosh
is leading an international team of
scientists to develop the world’s first
virtual, functional brain for research and
clinical use.
Baycrest Matters is published every second Wednesday by the Public Affairs Department.
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Baycrest Matters
A bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families and clients
May 10, 2012 — VOL.8, NO.10
Innovative thinking
Dragon’s Den-style competition helps launch pilot project to use mobile
technology for patient care
T
he interprofessional team from 6 West and
eHealth’s Informatics team are preparing for the
June launch of a pilot project for a new mobile
tablet app that will be used in patient care, thanks,
in part, to a victory at the Art of the Possibility
technology expo’s Dragon’s Den-style competition
on May 1.
The ESAS is currently administered by asking
patients to mark their symptom ratings on a
laminated piece of paper. A nurse must then input
the data into Meditech.
“We are always looking for ways to enhance patient
care and efficiency. Enabling patients to report
their symptoms directly into their Meditech charts
makes administering the ESAS more efficient and it
empowers the patients,” says Maria DeLeon, clinical
manager, Palliative Care, 6 West.
“The Dragon’s Den competition gave staff the
opportunity to present their ideas for using
mobile technology to enhance patient care.” says
Terrie Tucker director, eHealth and chief information
officer. “There were three great initiatives presented,
but ultimately, the judges decided the 6 West
initiative had the potential for the furthest reach,
and the most potential for growth.
DeLeon and Mary Lou Ip, program director,
Complex Continuing Care and Palliative Care,
approached the Informatics team looking for a
mobile technology solution that would achieve this.
“We believed this would be the best solution for
providing client-centred, best-practice care,” says
DeLeon.
The app is an electronic version of the Edmonton
Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), a tool used as
a best practice on palliative care units. Patients rate
the intensity of nine symptoms on a scale from 0 to
10. The information is used in determining patient
interventions and by the interprofessional team in
weekly rounds.
Andrew Pigou, manager, Informatics and Project
Management Office, eHealth, says the problem
required a three-part solution. “We needed to
create the mobile app, a software interface that
...continued on page 3
(From left to right) Elena Samoilova,
applications specialist and team lead,
Informatics, Mary Lou Ip, program
director Complex Continuing Care
and Palliative Care, Maria DeLeon,
clinical manager, Palliative Care, 6
West with a tablet running their
Mobile ESAS application.
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Baycrest Matters
A bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families and clients
May 10, 2012 — VOL.8, NO.10
...continued from page 2
would enable secure two-way data transmission
between the mobile app and Meditech, and
customized Meditech screens. This enables
caregivers to capture results, track trends, and
create auto-generated care plans and auto-populated
physician progress notes,” he says.
the Hospice Palliative Care of Ontario Conference
April 29 and received numerous inquires about this
application. People were excited to know how this
could be incorporated into other software tools
used in a number of long-term care facilities. This
means there may be future opportunities for this
tool to benefit patient care beyond our palliative
care unit, says Ip.
The Informatics team, made up of: Elena Samoilova,
applications specialist and team lead; Lyudmila
Martsenyuk, data architect, and Alberto da Silva,
SharePoint developer; built the Mobile ESAS app
in SharePoint, developed the accompanying interface technology through iScript and designed the
custom Meditech solution with the built-in
reporting and analysis tools.
For the informatics team, the software interface
is an exciting achievement. “There is potential for
more opportunities in getting other non-Meditech
applications to ‘talk to’ Meditech. This technology
also sets the stage for integrating separate Meditech
modules that do not currently ‘talk to each other.’”
says Pigou.
DeLeon and Ip are thrilled with the result. “The
solution is user-friendly and works very well,”
says DeLeon.
For now, Pigou, DeLeon and their teams are focusing
on launching Mobile ESAS as a three-month pilot
project in early June.
“We presented a poster entitled: The Implementation and Adoption of the On-line ESAS Tool at
Baycrest experts present at Brain Power conference
Baycrest experts Dr. Sylvain Moreno, lead scientist
at the Centre for Brain Fitness, and Bianca Stern,
director, Culture Arts and Innovation, at the Brain Power
Conference hosted by the Royal Conservatory
of Music, May 3 to 4.
The conference brought together scientists and experts
on learning, education and development in children
to present about the latest advances in education and
learning for an audience of parents and educators.
Dr. Moreno gave a keynote speech on what his research
has revealed about a child’s capacity to learn. Stern led
a workshop on the benefits of intergenerational learning.
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Baycrest Matters
A bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families and clients
May 10, 2012 — VOL.8, NO.10
Scientists at the Centre for Brain Fitness awarded NSERC Engage grant
R
esearchers at Baycrest have been awarded a
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council of Canada (NSERC) Engage grant to
support a collaboration with a private company
developing a Brain Computer Interface (BCI)
system—technology that transmits information
from the brain, directly to a computer—for use
in a mindfulness meditation application and
cognitive training programs.
provide the user with real-time feedback to help
guide them into their desired meditative state,”
says Dr. Tays.
The commercialization efforts could also provide
important benefits for scientists, who may eventually be able to use the technology in their research.
In addition to the commercial uses that InteraXon
is planning, Dr. Tays says the work could benefit
scientists’ future research. That’s because the
headset device used in the BCI system is a scaleddown version of an electroencephalography (EEG)
machine used in neuroscience labs.
“This is an exciting project, because adapting
BCI technologies typically used only in scientific
research labs for commercial use is a relatively
new endeavour,” says Dr. Tays. “But there are
many potential applications for the technology.”
Dr. Sylvain Moreno, lead scientist, and Dr. William
Tays, post-doctoral fellow, at the Centre for Brain
Fitness, were awarded the $24,300 grant to work
on testing and adapting a BCI system created by
Canadian-based company InteraXon.
“If we could use an inexpensive, portable BCI
system, like this commercial model for neuroeducational research instead of being confined to a
research laboratory, it would allow us to conduct
studies with a larger number of participants and
gather data from individuals over the long-term
as they learn in a more natural home or school
environment,” says Dr. Tays. “The device could
also be used by older-adults taking part in cognitive training programs to measure the nature and
extent of benefits to brain health.”
The InteraXon BCI is a light-weight, portable
system using three sensors embedded in a
headset to record electrical impulses generated
by the brain. It then translates the electrical
activity to information that is sent to a computer
or a portable device, like a smartphone.
The Baycrest team will contribute its expertise and
high-tech lab equipment to test and adapt the BCI
system so that it can accurately monitor electrical
activity in the brain. “In the mindfulness meditation application the goal is for the BCI system to
The project will begin in June and the Engage
grant funds will support the collaboration for
six months.
NSERC Engage Grants foster the development of new research partnerships between an academic
researcher and a company that have never collaborated together before, by supporting short-term
research and development projects aimed at addressing a company-specific problem in the natural
sciences or engineering fields.
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Baycrest Matters
A bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families and clients
May 10, 2012 — VOL.8, NO.10
Scotiabank Pro-Am sticks it to Alzheimers, raising $2.3 million
M
ore than 40 NHL alumni were on hand for the
Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer’s May 4 to 5
at York University’s Canlan Ice Sport. The former
professional players skated on teams with amateur
players in the tournament, signed autographs and
posed for photographs with fans
for Alzheimer’s for their longstanding support,”
said Dr. William Reichman, President and CEO,
Baycrest. “For the seventh year in a row, Toronto’s
team captains, players and donors have made a
truly incredible contribution, raising over $2.3
million. Proceeds will support Baycrest to improve
the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s disease
and related dementias.”
“On behalf of Baycrest we extend our thanks to
everyone involved in the 2012 Scotiabank Pro-Am
NHL alumnus Kraig Nienhuis takes a shot on
net in the All-Star Game at the Soctiabank
Pro-Am for Alzheimer’s. Former professional
players skated with top fundraisers in an
exciting game that had the crowd on its feet.
Submit your request for a summer youth volunteer
E
very summer high school and university-aged
volunteers in our Summer Youth Volunteer
Program put their organizational and administrative skills; computer and technological abilities;
and artistic and musical talents to work in many
departments across Baycrest.
• Their summer commitment is one month
or as identified in their volunteer position
requisition.
• The Youth Council will screen and
interview volunteers and recommend a
candidate that has skills, talents and a
schedule to match your requirements.
Volunteer Services is currently accepting staff
requests for summer youth volunteers for this
summer.
• The Program starts in May and runs
through to September.
To request a summer volunteer complete the
requisition form available on the intranet and
send to Raquel Heayn, [email protected]. For
more information, please contact Janis Sternhill,
coordinator, Volunteer Services at ext. 2575
[email protected].
• Youth volunteers are 13 to 24 years of age.
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Baycrest Matters
A bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families and clients
May 10, 2012 — VOL.8, NO.10
OCADU students, Rotman scientists celebrate Brain Lane art installation
Bronwyn Pel (far left), Brianna Cleary and
Madeline Haney, second-year students in the
Fibre Arts program at Ontario College of Art
and Design University (OCADU), stand beside
their winning art banners with Baycrest
cognitive scientist Dr. Asaf Gilboa (in back),
at the opening reception for the Brain Lane
project, April 26.
Brain Lane challenged the OCADU students to
create artistic interpretations of the research
of Rotman Research Institute scientists. Thirtyfour students participated in the project,
creating 60 fibre-art banners. Pel, Cleary and
Haney’s works depicting Gilboa’s research won
an online contest where the public voted for
their favourite banners. The 60 banners will be
on display along the main ground-floor corridor
of the hospital building until June 30.
Celebrating the 64th anniversary of Israel’s independence
On April 26, Baycrest celebrated Yom
Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.
Clients and staff celebrated 64 years
of independence through song and
flag waving.
The program was a joint venture with
Cantor Tibor Kovari and students from
Tanenbaum CHAT, Wallenberg Campus.
Students prepared songs and a special
flag dance as well as dancing through
the audience with large Israeli flags as
clients watched and sang along. “Our
clients love the participation of young
people, it brings joy of the present and
to the future,” says Bobbie Cohen,
coordinator, Cultural and Spiritual Programming, Culture Arts and Innovation.
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Baycrest Matters
A bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families and clients
May 10, 2012 — VOL.8, NO.10
Speech-language pathologists and audiologists: connecting people
through communication
M
ay is Speech and Hearing Month, the annual
national celebration of speech-language
pathologists’ (SLPs) and audiologists’ contributions to the communication and swallowing health
of Canadians. This year’s theme is “Connecting
People through Communication.”
clients,” says Lisa Sokoloff professional practice
chief, Speech-Language Pathology.
Visit the displays set up in front of the cafeteria
May 15 to 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to
learn more about these disciplines and their role
at Baycrest. SLP and Audiology staff will be
available to answer your questions and assist you
with a quiz designed to challenge your knowledge
and practices.
“This is a great theme because it’s what Baycrest
SLPs and audiologists work towards every day. We
know that good communication is essential for
well-being and quality of life for all of our Baycrest
Facts about hearing loss
• Hearing loss is the most common sensory impairment in adults over the age of 65, affecting 30 to 40
per cent of Canadians in this age group, and nearly 80 per cent of those over 80 years of age.
• Hearing loss affects not only the physical sense of hearing but overall well-being because of the
communication difficulties it creates.
• Hearing instruments or amplification can help almost 95 per cent of people with a hearing loss.
Visit the Baycrest Audiology Clinic’s Hearing Awareness Month site at www.baycrest.org/hearing_awareness
for more information on hearing loss including:
• Signs of hearing loss
• Tips for communicating with those who have hearing loss
• Common myths about hearing loss
Tips for protecting client privacy and confidentiality
A
t Baycrest, everyone is committed to protecting
the privacy and confidentiality of our clients.
The Health Records team conducts privacy audits
year-round and posts the results to MyScore so
that all staff are aware of potential risks for
privacy breaches.
•
•
•
Here are some tips for all staff and volunteers to
keep in mind:
• Only discuss clients’ personal information
or personal health information in private.
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Do not post any schedules that include
information such as client names or chart
numbers in public areas.
When disposing of any documents that
include Personal Information (PI) or
Personal Health Information (PHI) make
sure that they are placed in a red secure shredding bin that is locked.
When using a computer in the hallway,
make sure to log off when you leave so
that it can’t be used to access patient
information through Meditech.
Baycrest Matters
A bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families and clients
May 10, 2012 — VOL.8, NO.10
Staff announcements
Congratulations to Dr. Sid Feldman, director of Family Medicine, on being selected as a recipient of the
Clerkship Teaching Award, at the Peters-Boyd Academy, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Each year
the award is given to up to six individuals from any of the clinical rotations within the Peters-Boyd
Academy, which includes North York General Hospital and Women’s College Hospital.
Dr. Nathan Rose, a post-doctoral fellow at Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute will give a talk at the
The Power Plant Gallery on May 13, at 2 p.m. The talk coincides with an exhibition by artist Kerry Tribe,
whose art explores the theme of memory. One of Tribe’s works on display at the exhibition is about HM,
the subject of a famous neuroscience case study. Dr. Rose’s talk is open to the public and admission is free.
Visit www.thepowerplant.org for details.
Farewell to Michael Waterston who has left his position as program manager at the Centre for Brain
Fitness to take a position with The Centre for Imaging Technology Commercialization at Sunnybrook
Health Sciences Centre. Michael has been instrumental in establishing the Centre for Brain Fitness.
Baycrest, the Ontario Brain Institute and Canada-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation host
panel on brain research ...continued from front page
collaborations with science and academia and
industry and through strategic collaborations
across nations.”
experts: David Naylor, MD, PhD, president,
University of Toronto; Peter L. Carlen, MD,
senior scientist, Toronto Western Research
Institute; Rafi Gidron, PhD, founder and chairman,
Israel Brain Technologies; Randy McIntosh, PhD,
vice-president, Research and director, Rotman
Research Institute, Baycrest; and John Soloninka,
president and CEO, HTX – The Health Technology
Exchange.
Inspired by the leadership of President Peres, Israel
has embarked on a mission to become a world
leader in groundbreaking brain research and
neurotechnology development. During the panel,
President Peres articulated his vision for Israel
and learned about Ontario’s unique strengths in
neurological research and development.
“Our bilateral dialogue on the translation of
research outcomes into commercial applications
is truly timely,” said Dr. Reichman, “Baycrest is
quickly becoming a leader in creating technologybased solutions to mitigate the impact of age-related illness and impairment. Our global leadership in
cognitive neuroscience and our transformation into
a dynamic entrepreneur-centric model for translating science into innovation will see us develop
products and system solutions for the aging
population. We look forward to strengthening
our partnerships with Israel as we catalyze the
transfer of research concepts from the lab and
clinic to the market.”
“Today more than ever, we need to focus on how
to best utilize existing resources rather than looking
for new ones,” said President Peres. “The human
brain is the best example. Deeper understanding
of how the brain operates will enable us to better
understand ourselves. I believe that in the next 10
years the world will witness a scientific revolution
in the field of brain research and in that new world
Canada and Israel should become scientific allies.”
Moderated by Dr. Henri Rothschild, president of
CIIRDF, the panel brought together the following
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