Helping you and your FAMILY live life ‌
well
spring 2016 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 1
Innovating for better mental health
Warm people, cold weather The challenges and rewards of immigrating
5 Ways
to clean green this spring
Sarika Cullis-Suzuki A connection to nature is her legacy
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well
Spring 2016 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 1
cover story
in every issue 2 Message from Southlake 5 Well Notes 20 Partners in Care Joe Persechini Charity Midway: ‘We’ve done so much together’ 36 Recipes by Leigh & Meg Maple Beer Arugula Salad 38 Hospital News Board renews Dr. Dave Williams’ contract Fourth machine expands cancer services 39 Health Care: A look ahead 40 Foundation News 2016 Run or Walk for Southlake #Verano4Southlake car raffle 41 Community Event Listings
22 SARIKA CULLIS-SUZUKI
42 Last Word Vaccinations keep students safe
On living her family’s legacy of preservation and change
feature stories 6 Warm people, cold weather The challenges and rewards of immigrating to Canada 10 A rewarding career, a rich life Support from Southlake helped a new Canadian realize her dreams 2 Mental health at Southlake 1 Embracing innovative ideas to meet the growing needs of our community
26 Will your new fitness regime impact more than your waist line? How to ensure the gym and your partner get equal attention 30 Get fit with the only tool you need: Your body 5 bodyweight exercises anybody can do 32 Wear it well Tips for turning your tech into a habit changer
16 The maples are calling Visit a sugar bush for a taste of spring
34 What’s in your drink? Make the most out of your morning smoothie
18 Southlake volunteers share passion to give back
44 5 ways to clean green this spring
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MESSAGE from Southlake
Neila Poscente President & CEO Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation Dr. Dave Williams President & CEO Southlake Regional Health Centre
As spring arrives, new beginnings can be seen sprouting up through what seem like tough conditions. Every gardener knows this to be true – what can grow from difficult circumstances can in the end, be beautiful. Southlake Regional Health Centre has endured some difficult circumstances of our own over the past year, but as the spring weather brings with it new opportunities for our gardens to grow, so too do the spring months bring with them new opportunities for our organization to grow and serve our community even better than we have before.
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Over the next year, Southlake and the Southlake Foundation will strengthen our commitment to each other, and to our community, to ensure we are working in the most collaborative and transparent way that we can. In fact, the work has already begun. With a Joint Implementation Team made up of members from both organizations, we have worked diligently over the last few months to bridge our teams together, and to create a Framework for Philanthropy that clearly sets out what we as Southlake, a united entity, pledge to our community as guiding principles for the future. It’s work
ESSENTIAL SOUTHLAKE CONTACT INFORMATION All hospital enquiries: 905-895-4521 Volunteering at Southlake: 905-895-4521, ext. 2104 volunteers@southlakeregional.org
that we are proud of, and look forward to sharing with you. In parallel, the hospital has been working tirelessly over the last year to prepare for accreditation, which took place the last week of February. While not mandatory, almost all of Ontario’s hospitals and many of the community-based health care provider organizations in the province (such as nursing homes) opt to go through regular accreditation reviews which are conducted by a national, independent non-profit called Accreditation Canada. Hospital accreditation is an ongoing process of assessing health care organizations against standards of excellence to identify what is being done well and what needs to be improved. Southlake works diligently both leading up to, and in between accreditation reviews to ensure we are delivering the highest quality of care, putting patient safety first. In late February, Southlake underwent its four-year accreditation review, and we are tremendously proud to announce that we were accredited with exemplary standing, the highest possible honour a hospital can achieve. What’s more, Southlake met 98.7 percent of the standards in which it was assessed, a tremendous accomplishment. The surveyors commended us for our culture and our core commitments saying, “Your vision, mission and values are really engaging - you can feel them when you’re here.”
Careers at Southlake: 905-895-4521, ext. 2535 careers@southlakeregional.org To give us feedback on the care received: Patient Relations Office 905-895-4521, ext. 2290 For information on making a donation: Visit southlakefoundation.ca or contact the Southlake Foundation at 905-836-7333, 1-877-457-2036 or Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation Medical Arts Building 102-581 Davis Dr. Newmarket, ON L3Y 2P6
This is an incredible achievement for the physicians, staff, and volunteers at Southlake. It exemplifies the collaborative work and attention to detail that makes our hospital a consistent provincial top performer in safety and quality while providing shockingly excellent experiences. It is also an example of why you, our community,
NEED A FAMILY DOCTOR?
continue to put your trust in us to invest your philanthropic gifts in our organization. Thank you for your ongoing support. It is what drives us to continue to push the envelope, and deliver the world-class care you have come to expect from us.
For a current list of physicians taking new patients: • Visit southlakeregional.org and click on “Healthcare Professionals” or call Southlake at 905-895-4521, ext. 6913; or
To help transform lives in our community, visit southlakefoundation.ca or call 905-836-7333. Your stories make us who we are. If you would like to share a story of how Southlake transformed your life, please contact Dionne Malcolm at dmalcolm@southlakeregional.org or 905-836-7333.
• Visit Healthcare Connect at ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or call 1-800-445-1822.
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REGIONAL GENERAL MANAGER Shaun Sauve EDITOR Lee Ann Waterman SOUTHLAKE EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS Claire M. Jones, Dionne Malcolm, Kathryn Perrier, Alissa Malina CONTRIBUTORS Sheena Campbell, Leigh Combrink, Jim Craigmyle, Naomi Hiltz, Bill Hodgins, Sue Kanhai, Joann MacDonald, Christine Morrison, Marjolyn Pritchard, Chris Traber, Meg Wismer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Maureen Christie ADVERTISING MANAGER Jennifer Kopacz SALES REPRESENTATIVES Melanie Attridge, Robin Boswell, Jeremy Brown, Mike Cudmore, Judy Fulton, Joelle Hawley, Carola McKee Regional Director, Production and Creative Services Katherine Porcheron GRAPHIC DESIGNER Karen Alexiou DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Rob Lazurko DIRECTOR OF DISTRIBUTION Carol Lamb Beingwell is published three times a year by York Region Media Group, a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd., in partnership with Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. Publication Number 40036321 The material in this publication is intended for general information purposes only and, while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the material, it does not constitute advice or carry the specific endorsement of either York Region Media Group or Southlake Regional Health Centre/Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation. Readers are encouraged to consult their doctor to discuss their health concerns.
Chris Ballard, MPP Newmarket-Aurora Constituency Office
238 Wellington Street East, Suite 203 Aurora, Ontario L4G 1J5 Tel 905-750-0019 | Fax 905-750-0050 cballard.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org 4
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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: beingwell 580B Steven Court, PO Box 236 Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 4X1 905-853-8888 beingwell@yrmg.com
well NOTES
B Y L ee ann W ate r man lwate r man @ y r m g . com
I have to confess to feeling a little defensive when our editorial team discussed the topic of the “marathon widow” for an article in this issue of beingwell. Long-time readers will know I’m an avid fan of physical activity—running, yoga, mountain walking, backpacking, snowshoeing. My husband is a little less enthusiastic. He’s usually up for the outdoorsy pursuits—a summer holiday trekking through the Alps or a quick snowshoe around our local conservation area—but you’ll never see him at an exercise class or hitting the street for a 5K. There have been times when our diverging views on exercise have caused a little friction. When our busy work and personal schedules mean we’ve hardly seen each other for a couple weeks, he might prefer I spend an evening at home rather than at the yoga studio, for example. But I’d like to think we’ve found the sweet spot. I try to prioritize the activities we can enjoy together and we mostly agree to disagree on the others. I don’t expect him to get up before dawn to wait for me at the finish line (although he did do just that for my first halfmarathon and only triathlon). And he realizes I am much happier (and, frankly, easier to live with) if I get my daily fitness fix.
If you’re looking for your own sweet spot in balancing physical fitness and other commitments, our article offers tips from a local counsellor who has helped couples address the challenge in their marriages. Still on the topic of physical fitness, we consult fitness experts for bodyweight training exercises anyone can do and how to use wearable tech to boost your activity level. Our cover story is an interview with Sarika CullisSuzuki, who is living up to her family legacy as a champion of our natural environment. With Earth Day just a week away, we asked her for suggestions for celebrating with your family. And, if spring cleaning is on your mind, we’ve consulted David Suzuki’s Queen of Green for five tips to clean green this season. We also explore the challenges and rewards of immigrating to Canada, and Southlake nurse practitioner Shah Meng shares her own story of coming to Canada from China and building her career with support from her colleagues and hospital administration. And we bring you the latest news from Southlake Regional Health Centre—including information about the hospital’s innovative approach to mental health services and a look at how volunteers support a positive patient experience.
I hope you enjoy this issue. We welcome your feedback at beingwell@yrmg.com.
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Warm people, cold weather The challenges and rewards of immigrating to Canada by C h r i s T r abe r
Among those first impressions, newly arrived Iranian immigrant Elaheh, who asked we not use her last name, added the marvel of snow, eclectic Canadian architecture, societal calm and hope. As a sponsored newcomer in early 2014, the 30-year-old structural engineer enjoyed a smooth landing compared to many others, some categorized as asylum-seeking refugees. The soft-spoken woman’s passage to her preferred destination was planned. Her brother and guarantor has been in Canada for 12 years. She shares his Thornhill home. The siblings’ parents accompanied Elaheh on the journey. One day, she says, they may also join them permanently in York Region. Still, in the carefully measured English she studied in Iran and polished at the Richmond Hill Welcome Centre, she says leaving her homeland, familiar faces and places and customs took fortitude. The challenges she faced were more arduous than initially perceived. “You are like a new born baby, completely confused and emotional,” she says. “The language and culture are different. You’ve left family and friends. The currency exchange from rials to Canadian dollars is poor. You need to make money, get a job. You’re homesick. The loneliness is the most difficult.” Despite the wholesale lifestyle revamp, the young woman kept reminding herself why she, like the more than 220,000 new permanent residents admitted annually by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, chose the path. “There is more opportunity for jobs and education in Canada,” she says. “The future is better here. Canada has rules. It is an organized
and peaceful country.” On her brother’s advice, Elaheh approached Welcome Centre Immigrant Services, which provides free one-stop services to guide and support immigrants through the maze of information and resources in York and Durham Regions. At the Richmond Hill branch, the young woman participated in English classes and was counselled on applying for health insurance and university loans, how to achieve Canadian engineering certification, crafting a resume and understanding the nuances of Canadian customs. “The Welcome Centre is very important to me,” she says. “I received helpful consultation. The services and people are so good.” Elaheh is one of the 22,000 clients served last year by York Region’s Welcome Centres in Newmarket, Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham, says Nella Iasci, executive director at Job Skills, one of five lead agencies involved in the operation of the centres. The centres’ service delivery model is based on a holistic, flexible approach that provides a broad range of cross-sector services and expertise to immigrants and newcomers, she explains. In addition to Job Skills, lead agencies include Catholic Community Services of York Region, Centre for Immigration and Community Services, COSTI Immigrant Services and Social Enterprise for Canada. Each year approximately 10,000 new permanent residents intend to settle in York Region, according to Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada. All newcomers, be they privately sponsored, government assisted, immigrant or refugee, face daunting hurdles, experts say. » Sp ri n g 2 0 1 6
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Nella Iasci, executive director at Job Skills, one of five lead agencies involved in the operation of York Region’s Welcome Centres. Naomi Hiltz photograph
Ms. Iasci knows from experience, often channelling her 10-year-old self when she arrived from Italy in the 1960s with her mother and younger brother. She spoke no English. Family, including her father who had been sponsored earlier by his brother, was her only familiarity. Reaction to relocation is unique to each individual she says. Generally, newcomers experience a cycle of emotions, including curiosity, excitement and sadness. Navigating the paperwork, acclimating to the system and assimilating can be overwhelming. Clients and service users are assisted with gathering information and resources and are supported in a welcoming, culturally sensitive way, Ms. Iasci says. By using a coordinated, integrated case management system, clients are able to develop a one-to-one trusting relationship and access all the services they require to help them integrate economically and socially into the Canadian labour market and local communities. Services at the Welcome Centre include settlement and integration services, English language training, accreditation and qualifications information, employment supports and other services based on community needs such as legal services, mental health services, culturally appropriate family counselling and more. Of the varied hurdles newcomers face, basic settlement needs are often top of list, says York Region Community and Health Services 8
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Commissioner Adeline Urbanski. The Canadian born child of Italian immigrants, she recalled her family’s early struggles, how her parents shared a two-bedroom apartment with her aunt and uncle. “In York Region the housing challenge is huge,” she says. “It’s hard for many newcomers to find the first anchor. Some are in multifamily situations, doubling and tripling up. Rental stock is low and it’s not cheap.” Ms. Urbanski estimates that more than 12,000 people are on York Region’s subsidized social housing wait list. About half of those in the queue are seniors. While women fleeing violence are fast-tracked, it’s not unusual for people to wait between six and nine years for a subsidized unit, she says. There’s light at the end of the housing tunnel, she said, noting ongoing initiatives such as The Hub in Richmond Hill, which recently opened to accommodate several hundred new residents. She equates the challenges of immigrants to that of a traveller in a strange land. “Everything is different,” she says. “You don’t know the language, the transit system, the culture. You’re a fish out of water.” With York’s residents born out of country representing some 200 separate ethnic groups, the region has developed a robust network of newcomer supports. In tandem with community partners, the York Region Immigration Portal directs new arrivals to a dizzying array of services and information
sources in as many languages. One of the most efficient tools to help immigrants feel welcome already exists, Ms. Urbanski and Ms. Iasci says. Established York Region citizens have been forthcoming, accepting and sharing. Volunteers and mentors at the Welcome Centres do incredible work and more are needed. The region’s businesses have also stepped up realizing newcomers bring invaluable international expertise. “We must continue to be open to diverse communities and be aware of what newcomers bring to the table,” Ms. Iasci says. “Canadians are warm and welcoming.” Elaheh concurs. In less than 24 months since arriving, she is about to complete qualifying courses at Ryerson University, is currently a part-time engineering intern and is two exams away from earning her Canadian professional engineering designation. “Canada allows different nationalities to celebrate their culture,” she says. “Immigrating can be a long process, but I have learned that if you try hard and put your best foot forward you can achieve anything here.”
For more information about resources for immigrants, visit yorkwelcome.ca or welcomecentre.ca. For information about volunteering at a local Welcome Centre, call 1-877-761-1155.
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A rewarding career, a rich life Support from Southlake helped a new Canadian realize her dreams by C h r i s t i ne M o r r i s on guangxia (shah) meng is a nurse practitioner at Southlake’s stroke prevention clinic. jim craigmyle photograph
Great patient care is about providing compassionate care. It’s about having the right equipment and the right people. Generous community support is critical in enabling Southlake Regional Health Centre to have both. Today Guangxia (Shah) Meng is a nurse practitioner at Southlake’s Stroke Prevention Clinic, far from where she began her nursing career in China. Driven by a desire to provide the best possible care for her patients, Ms. Meng’s journey to advance her nursing skills and build a better life for her family was long and took her across the world, but she credits the support she received from the hospital, her colleagues and her community for helping her achieve her dreams. “They made this impossible task possible,” Ms. Meng says. By empowering employees through ongoing education, mentoring and supports to new 10
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families, Southlake has created an environment that is of equal opportunity to everyone and a culture that embraces new opportunities and celebrates diversity. Support from Southlake has truly allowed Ms. Meng’s career to flourish. After finishing high school in Northeast China, Ms. Meng went on to receive a four-year certificate in nursing. Shortly after she began her career, registration requirements for nursing in China changed to require a university degree. Unfortunately for Ms. Meng, there was no bridging option for nurses who had earned their certificates out of high school. Not one to settle, she began exploring other opportunities to further her career, including studying English. “I had always wanted to explore overseas opportunities,” she says. Although unable to immigrate to Canada as a nurse, in 2001, an
opportunity presented itself. Leaving behind her husband and 17-month-old son, Ms. Meng came to Canada as an international student in a private language program. “I sacrificed a lot,” she says of leaving her family. “But I left for a better environment, better education opportunities for my son and to advance my career.” Given Ms. Meng’s high level of proficiency in English she was able to transfer to a nursing refresher program at Sheridan College in September 2002. Just before the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak struck in Toronto in March 2003, Ms. Meng became a registered practical nurse. “It was a hard time. No hospitals were hiring and I needed a job to apply for a skilled worker visa,” she says. “I was faced with many obstacles, but I just kept moving forward. I didn’t let anything stop me.”
In November 2003, Ms. Meng interviewed for a position at Southlake on the surgical floor and was hired in April 2004. Over the following three years, she was reunited with her husband and son, bought a home and gave birth to a second baby boy. Always eager to learn new things and enhance her skills, Ms. Meng began a nursing degree at Ryerson University in 2009, while continuing to work full time at Southlake. In 2012, she began a master’s program at the University of Toronto and graduated as a nurse practitioner in 2014. Ms. Meng is extremely thankful for the support she received along the way. “I had lots of co-workers who helped. They gave me lots of understanding and switched shifts with me so that I could make it work,” she says. “Librarian Kathy Dedrick helped edit my papers.” In addition to the help of her colleagues, Ms. Meng is thankful for the support of the hospital itself. “They gave me a job. That was a huge help, but they also supported my studies through scholarships and grants.” It’s these scholarships and grants, some of which are funded through community support, that help Southlake attract and retain worldclass talent.
York Region is one of the fastest growing areas in Ontario and, in 2011, immigrants represented about 45 per cent of all residents. Nurturing a culture of inclusivity among employees has been an important part in allowing Southlake to provide the best possible care to all patients. Allowing Southlake’s team of health care professionals to grow and advance their skills improves Southlake’s ability to offer excellent patient care and helps attract top-notch talent from around the world. “Being able to support our people is an amazing way for us to help them achieve success both professionally and personally,” says Annette Jones, Vice-President of Patient Experiences and Chief Nursing Officer. “I am inspired by Shah’s story, by her commitment to learning, and by her passion for helping people. At Southlake we believe in our staff and I am honoured and proud to watch her grow in her role while continuing to help others in sharing her journey.” “I work with the best people,” Ms. Meng says. “They are all good, kind, warmhearted people just waiting to help. I am proud to be a part of this multicultural and inclusive society.”
Celebrating diversity at Southlake Since 2010 Southlake has been tracking language statistics to help identify the different populations it serves. An important part of Southlake’s commitment to fostering a culture of equity is the hospital’s Diversity, Inclusivity and Awareness Committee. The committee supports greater cultural competency among staff, physicians and volunteers through events that raise awareness and promote a greater understanding of the rich cultural diversity within the community Southlake serves. Southlake is also a leader in accessibility through its partnership with the Canadian Hearing Society to develop a hearing toolkit.
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Promoting better mental health
now and in future Southlake embracing innovative ideas to meet growing need for mental health services by Sheena C ampbell
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“There is hope for those who are fighting this lifelong battle and are currently suffering in silence.” southlake patient
Esther’s* mental health struggles began when she was a teenager. Anxiety and depression threatened to overwhelm her and she had trouble coping outside her home. In the early days of what she now recognizes as a “lifelong challenge,” Esther, now 32, hid her illness from everyone, including her own mother, even the first time she was hospitalized. “I didn’t want my family to worry. It was also hard for me to articulate how they could best support me, because I didn’t know myself,” Esther says. “I couldn’t hide it forever though and, when I look back, there is no way I could have made it without their love and support.” Over the next decade, Esther sought help through different hospitals and community mental health programs. With barriers to accessing services that included long wait lists, lack of inpatient beds and a shortage of psychiatrists, some days it was two steps forward and three back. Then, about five years ago, she was admitted to Southlake Regional Health Centre, where a team of caring and dedicated professionals put her on the path towards self-acceptance and better mental health. “I never felt more supported than by the mental health department at Southlake. They never once gave up on me,” Esther says. “The entire team is behind me, supporting and believing in me and just wanting the best for me.” The extensive list of mental health services at Southlake include inpatient and outpatient programs for adults, children and youth, delivered by a team of more than 100 experienced health care professionals that includes psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, psychologists, child and youth counsellors, recreational and occupational therapists, dietitians, peer support worker, pharmacists, teachers and crisis workers. Leading the program as chief of psychiatry is Dr. Stephen Stokl, who has lived and worked in the community for 30 years. He notes the growing need for acute and crisis mental health services in the region has put
tremendous pressure on Southlake, as it works to meet the needs of patients like Esther, whose gateway to care is too frequently the emergency department. “When I started here, I would see up to five patients in a week of on-call. Now, first thing in the morning there could be an average of five to 10 patients in the emergency department, often more, waiting to be seen or admitted,” Dr. Stokl says. “We have more mental health visits to our emergency than any other hospital in our region, up to 17 patients a day, but the fewest adult inpatient beds.” Last year, more than 3,800 people experiencing a mental health crisis were admitted through Southlake’s emergency department. One factor that may help explain the increase in demand is the region’s rapidly growing population. Another is that there are eight group homes, within walking distance of the hospital, where people with severe mental illness are supported to live independently. Southlake’s inpatient beds are part of the region’s new mental health bed registry, launched in December 2015, which aims to quickly identify available beds to improve timely admissions. The hospital also works with other acute facilities, some as far away as Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton and Cornwall, when a patient urgently needs hospitalization and there are no available beds at Southlake or a nearby hospital. The significant growth in volumes and acuity puts pressure on the hospital and, due to scarcity of available inpatient beds, patients can face long waits in the emergency department for assessment and admission. In an effort to ease some of the pressures of escalating need, innovative solutions are being created across programs to better address patient needs. The department has launched two new outpatient clinics, offering psychiatric consultation support and health counselling to assist discharged patients and their families as they transition to their home and community. »
Dr. STephen STOKL, CHIEF OF PSYCHIATRY
By the numbers Through an inter-professional collaborative team, Southlake Regional Health Centre provides a range of inpatient and outpatient programs that foster good mental health for people who live in the community. From April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015, the hospital team supported: • Adult inpatient admissions: 1,215 • Child and adolescent inpatient admissions: 467 • Patient visits through adult outpatient programs: 17,047 • Patient visits through the child outpatient programs: 9,969 • Patients presenting in crisis in emergency department: 3, 863 • Patient visits to the child and adolescent eating disorder program: 3,083 • Patient visits to young adult eating disorders program: 389 The Mental Health Program at Southlake is well connected to the services in York Region and South Simcoe, actively engaging with community partners to provide better care for patients and families and assist them with their recovery. More information on Southlake’s mental health program, including how to access each service, is available on the hospital’s website at southlakeregional.org.
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Members of Southlake’s psychiatry team
“Our outpatient program is consistently cited as one of the best in Ontario,” says Dr. Mahdi Memarpour, adult inpatient medical director for Southlake’s mental health program. “Our goal is to provide patients with the quality care they need and make it easier for them to access services. It’s also about providing support to our families and maybe even a bit of hope and inspiration by destigmatizing psychiatric problems.” Southlake’s approach to supporting patients through severe episodes, and transitioning them to less acute services as their needs change, has always centred on collaboration with community partners such as Canadian Mental Health Association, Blue Hills (a youth-focused mental health services organization), York Support Services Network (a community-based agency that offers case management and community crisis services for those with mental illness) and Addiction Services of York Region (a community-based agency supporting change in the lives of individuals, their families and communities 14
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related to substance abuse and gambling). Currently, the hospital is developing a strategic vision for mental health services to meet the needs of the community over the next 10 to 20 years. Planned initiatives include hiring five additional psychiatrists, moving towards specialization based on a patient’s specific diagnosis and centralization of referrals, which aims to help ensure patients have timely access to the mental health service at Southlake that best meets their needs. Southlake is also looking to renovate and expand the physical capacity of adult inpatient services. The hospital will continue to look for opportunities to build relationships and establish partnerships that enhance its services and increase access, to help meet the needs of patients with mental health and addictions challenges wherever they live in the region. Patients like Esther will continue to benefit from the innovative, excellent care they receive from the Southlake mental health team
and its care partners. Esther has completed several of Southlake’s outpatient programs and has remained out of hospital for over two years. She lives independently, through a mental health supportive housing program, which was facilitated during one of her hospitalizations at Southlake. She volunteers at the hospital once a week, to give back for the care and support she received. Best of all, with the, “why not you?” encouragement of the Southlake team, Esther is rekindling her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. She credits Dr. Stokl and the team at Southlake for investing in her wellness. “They don’t know how much of a difference they have made in my life,” she says. “There is hope for those who are fighting this lifelong battle and are currently suffering in silence. There’s also hope for the family and friends who support us. It’s a bit of a cliché, but there is sunshine after the rain.” *Patient’s name changed at her request
WE’RE WALKING FOR
GRATITUDE
When my second child started to make her way into the world 6 weeks early, I was so worried. But I knew I was in good hands with Southlake`s Maternal Child Team. They delivered my daughter safely while making sure neither of us was ever in jeopardy. After a few weeks of extra care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, we brought home our beautiful baby. Every year, we show our gratitude by walking in this great event and on Sunday, May 1st, we’ll lace up our shoes again to say `thank you`for our little miracle.
Find your reason to run or walk today at the 2016 Run or Walk for Southlake.
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The Maples Are Calling Visit a sugar bush for a taste of spring by lee ann wate r man
It’s a time-honoured tradition that signals the start of spring—harvesting and tasting the first crop of the year, maple syrup. Even after five decades, farmer Hal Horton still enjoys the process: Walking through the forest to tap the trees and then monitoring the slow and steady flow of sap. Taking in the sweet smoky aroma as the sap boils away in the sugar shack. Sharing the results of his labours—as well as his knowledge of the process—with visitors to the farm. Mr. Horton, part of a multigenerational family that operates Horton Tree Farm in Gormley, has been helping make maple syrup since he was just seven years old. The farm has 30 acres of sugar maples and the family offers demonstrations of traditional and modern syrup making as well as opportunities to sample syrup on stacks of pancakes served up in an old log cabin. “I still enjoy it every year,” Mr. Horton says. “Being
outside, hiking around the woods, smelling the smoke, watching the sap boil in the old kettles; it’s the way it’s always been done and should be still.” Andrew Morin, parks supervisor at Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area in WhitchurchStouffville, couldn’t agree more. Mr. Morin and his team host 15,000 to 20,000 visitors every spring for an annual Maple Syrup Festival. “When the weather is nice, it’s great to spend some time outdoors after what is normally a pretty long winter,” he says. “It signifies the start of spring. “Maple syrup is also a huge piece of Canadiana,” he continues. “People really embrace the heritage aspect of it.” Maple syrup season in Ontario usually runs from the end of February to early April, but depends on the weather. For the sap to flow, temperatures must be below 0 C during the night and above during the day. All pure maple syrup sold in Canada must have 66.5 per cent sugar content. Grades and colour classes (extra light,
light, amber, etc.) reflect the time of the season when the syrup is produced, Mr. Morin explains. Early in the season, the sap has a higher sugar content and does not have to be boiled as long to reach 66.5 per cent—resulting in a lighter, less viscous syrup. Later season sap must be boiled longer, which gives it the syrup a darker colour and smoky, stronger flavour. Sweeter than sugar, maple syrup contains antioxidants, more potassium in 60 mL (1/4 cup) than a banana and more calcium than an equal amount of milk, as well as zinc and manganese.
see how it’s made Make the most of maple syrup season with a visit a local sugar bush. As the timing of the season varies year to year, be sure to confirm the sap is still running before you head out. Brooks Farm Maple Syrup Festival 122 Ashworth Rd., Mount Albert brooksfarm.com Guided tours, sap and syrup samples, maple sugar products, pancakes. Horton Tree Farm’s Maple Syrup FestivaL 5924 Slaters Rd., Gormley hortontreefarms.com Tours, modern and traditional demonstrations, maple products, pancakes. Shaws Maple Syrup Bush 493 Oro-Medonte Line 14 S. shawscatering.com Walking trails, wagon rides, demonstrations, pancakes.
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Southlake volunteers sh
VOLUNTEER SPECIALIST TATIANA DELONG WITH HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS JERRY PAPA AND EMILY WIERENGA jim craigmyle photograph
by B i ll H od g i n s
On a typical Tuesday or Wednesday morning, you’ll find John James in his delivery shoes. Mr. James, 71, has made mail delivery at Southlake Regional Health Centre an integral part of his weekly routine since his retirement five years ago. Sure, he says, there are people there with more important jobs, even other volunteers, but he recognizes that each role helps make a difference in its own way. “It makes me feel good to do something and in the long run, I know I’m helping out. Whatever you do as a volunteer, you are helping out.” Mr. James says he’s been fortunate to live a 18
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healthy life and volunteering at Southlake is a good reminder that not everyone is so lucky. It says something about Southlake that people like Mr. James —and many others—are so eager to donate their time to the organization. Tatiana Delong, volunteer specialist with the hospital, says there are some 950 volunteers helping out at Southlake at any given time, and in some cases there is a waiting list for certain positions. “When someone volunteers with us and feels strongly about the impact they have on the patient experience, they recommend us to their family and friends,” she says. “We are
very fortunate to have a continuous flow of applications each week, and currently have a waitlist for certain positions as well. However, there are also programs that require more of a targeted recruitment, especially if we are looking for someone with a specific skill or qualification.” She says the Whipper Watson pool, where volunteers must be certified in CPR and first aid, is the perfect example of that. Every Southlake volunteer participates in a standard application process. This process ensures volunteers are placed where they best fit, and are satisfied with their contribution.
are passion to give back “One night, a volunteer helped a family find their way to a loved one who had become ill very suddenly. While walking to the location, they began talking and she found out that this family was from out of town and had nowhere to stay the night. Once they reached the waiting room, she gave them time to settle in and, without hesitation, began doing her research on accommodations in the area. By the end of the night, the family had a reservation at a hotel, a map of places they could go to if they got hungry, and directions on how to get there. I was so touched; I had tears in my eyes. The best part is that she did not see it as a big deal and continued on with her shift. I think that is what truly makes a difference. ” Tatiana Delong, SRHC Volunteer Specialist
Once a potential volunteer expresses interest to Southlake, they attend an interview. If successful, applicants complete a health surveillance form, vulnerable sector screening and provide two references. Once these requirements are met, the applicants complete an online training session, and attend an inperson orientation at the hospital. “We spend this time focusing on what it means to be a volunteer at Southlake, the service excellence standards, and the impact each volunteer makes by providing the ultimate patient experience to everyone who walks through the doors, throughout their time with us,” Ms. Delong says. After the orientation, they set up each volunteer with a trainer for a one-on-one department-specific training. A lot of thought and planning goes into deciding what role each volunteer will fill at Southlake. The key, Ms. Delong says, is to listen to what the volunteer is passionate about and where they feel they can make the biggest impact. You can never assume that just because someone has spent their career doing what they love, they will want to do it post-retirement as well. Sometimes it is quite the opposite and volunteers find themselves wanting to do something completely different than what they have done for the majority of their lives, to gain a different perspective and focus on other passions. “With that said, a large portion of our
volunteers do not know specifically where they would like to volunteer and come to us simply because they want to give back to the community and help others. In this case, our expertise on the various program needs and the individual positions is key in making a great match.” Volunteer administrators will often find a good fit during the initial interview, based on what the applicant is saying and expressing interest in. It is ultimately up to the volunteer to decide whether they would like to take a position, but more often than not, the position assigned ends up being a fantastic fit for both the hospital and the volunteer. Ms. Delong says that volunteers regularly express their love for their position after having given it a chance. “That’s what truly makes my job so rewarding. Having volunteers tell me how much they enjoy what they do and the difference they are making in the lives of those who come through their area, is incredible. Things like this keep me going and are one of the reasons why I love what I do. There is never a lack of positivity from our volunteers and I am very grateful for that.” Ms. Delong says that Southlake is fortunate to have a large variety of volunteers, ranging from 16 years of age to 93, all from different walks of life. There are students who are trying to decide whether health care is truly a field they would like to pursue. There are retirees
who have always wanted to give back and finally have the time to do so. There are also some volunteers who are unemployed and would like to gain new skills while they are looking for a job. Each person may have a different reason for volunteering, but everyone shares the same desire to give back and make someone smile.
volunteer week Volunteer Week runs April 10 to 16 According to Volunteer Canada, 12.7 million Canadians contribute close to two billion hours of their time each year. This year, the week of April 10 to 16 has been designated as Volunteer Week in Canada. Volunteer Canada is the national voice for volunteerism in Canada, working closely with volunteer centres, local organizations and national corporations to promote and broaden volunteering. This year, it has designated the theme of Volunteers are the roots of strong communities for volunteer week. Just like roots are essential for trees to bloom, volunteers are essential for communities to boom, it says. Recognize your favorite volunteer(s) during this week.
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partners
IN CARE
JOE PERSECHINI AT THE PERSECHINI MIDWAY
‘We’ve done so much together’ by C h r i s t i ne M o r r i s on
Joe Persechini was already an active supporter of Southlake Regional Health Centre when he was first approached to chair a committee raising funds to renovate the Whipper Watson Therapeutic Pool. At the time, it was the only hospital-based therapeutic pool in York Region. Although Whipper Watson had been “like a second father to (him),” Mr. Persechini first wanted to discuss it with his wife Rosalie. “She was reluctant about the time commitment at first,’” Mr. Persechini recalls. “Then she told me ‘You’ve got to make time.’” Mr. Persechini has always believed in the importance of giving back to the community. The long-time local business owner and his late wife founded the Persechini Run/ Walkathon for Easter Seals 40 years ago, making it York Region’s longest running fundraiser for children and youth with physical disabilities. A few years later, the annual Joe Persechini Charity Midway was added to the event. Upper Canada Mall administration stepped up to help—making the run/walkathon one of the first major community events the shopping centre became involved with, says marketing director Jennifer Kleinberg. “The event really helped establish the mall as a supporter of community events,” she says. 20
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It’s something that remains important to Upper Canada Mall to this day as it continues to host the annual charity midway and lends its support to numerous other initiatives. Since 1980, proceeds from the Joe Persechini Charity Midway have been donated to Southlake. To date, the midway has helped raise more than $70,000 to support Southlake Foundation. This year, the funds raised for Southlake through the Joe Persechini Charity Midway, running from May 11 to 15, are particularly meaningful for Mr. Persechini. Having lost his wife of 47 years to cancer in March 2015, he intends to donate the proceeds in Rosalie’s honour. “She inspired me,” says Mr. Persechini of his wife. “I was always the people person and she was the behind-the-scenes person. We met when she was just 13-years-old. We lived on the same street and we were friends. One day, I told her ‘I don’t want to be your friend anymore, I want to be your boyfriend.’” Looking back on the legacy of giving he created with his wife, Mr. Persechini remains humble. “To me, it’s not about Joe Persechini. It’s about the people around me. I didn’t do it all myself. “Giving to the community… it’s not about the awards,” he says. “My reward is seeing some little kid smile. You can’t buy that feeling.”
Motivated by those simple rewards, Mr. Persechini says he will continue to give back to the community as long as he can. “We are so lucky at Southlake to be supported by such a passionate and generous community member,” says Neila Poscente, President and CEO of Southlake Foundation. “Community events, like the Joe Persechini Charity Midway, play an important role in enabling the hospital to invest in the equipment and programs necessary to provide world class care to our community, and that wouldn’t be possible without organizers and community leaders like Joe. Through these events held in support of our hospital, we are transforming lives together and that is incredible.” Mr. Persechini, a proud father of two and grandfather of four, believes it is important to teach kids to get involved in their communities early. “Don’t think about it,” he says. “Just do it.” A trip to this year’s midway might be fun way to start.
Celebrating 30 years, the Joe Persechini Charity Midway will run from May 11 to 15. The event takes place in the Sears parking lot at Upper Canada Mall and 50 per cent of the proceeds go to support Southlake Regional Health Centre.
I’M RUNNING FOR
SOLIDARITY
When my best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, our world was turned upside down. With two young kids at home, long commutes to the city for treatment would have made things even more stressful for her family. That’s why I’m so grateful that we have the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre in our community. Since her treatment began, I’ve been right by her side showing my solidarity and on Sunday May 1st I’m running for her.
Find your reason to run or walk today at the 2016 Run or Walk for Southlake.
REGISTER | PLEDGE
runforsouthlake.ca
presented by
cover STORY
Sarika Cullis-Suz A connection to nature is her legacy
by L ee A nn W ate r man | photo g r aphy by J an i s N i colay
It should be surprising to no one that Sarika Cullis-Suzuki, who holds a PhD in marine biology, currently works at the University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada and sits on the David Suzuki Foundation’s board of directors, followed a life path built on a deep connection with nature. Her father, scientist and broadcaster David Suzuki, is probably Canada’s best-known environmentalist. Her mother, Tara Cullis, was a key player in environmental movements in the Amazon, Southeast Asia and British Columbia and is co-founder and president of the David Suzuki Foundation. Sarika’s older sister Severn Cullis-Suzuki has been an environmental activist, speaker and author since her youth. By anyone’s standards, this is a high-achieving family.
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zuki
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Growing up in Vancouver, Ms. CullisSuzuki spent long stretches of time outside on the beach near her home- searching for crabs, setting out nets to catch smelt, and playing survival games with her sister. They’d look forward to frequent family camping trips in B.C. parks or on the coast to fish, canoe and swim. She also recalls dinner table conversations about the state of the world. “I’ve heard people say David Suzuki is like Mr. Doom and Gloom, but that’s not how it felt to us,” she says. “My mother really helped steer those conversations into proactive brainstorming sessions, immediately rolling up her sleeves and diving into potential solutions to any issue my father might raise. In my mother’s mind, no problem is ever too big to ignore, and never too much work to address. She is the reason the David Suzuki Foundation exists.” Her father’s worldview played a large role in their lives, she explains, because for him there is no separation between his work as an environmental activist and the way he lives his life. “There are things he does that might be interpreted as distinct attempts to decrease his footprint—biking to work, using a solar panel backpack to power his electronics, harvesting his own food—but they are also things that give him great pleasure,” she says. Mr. Suzuki’s leading by word example might be summed up in a phrase he’d repeat to his children throughout their lives: “Whatever you choose to do, do it well.” “Whether it’s rinsing out the compost bucket or giving a speech, he has always taught 24
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us that if you’re going to bother to do something, do it as best you can,” she says. Mr. Suzuki encouraged his daughters to follow their academic passions and to leave home for post-secondary school—believing that to be its own learning experience. While she left home for five years, to travel and study, Ms. Cullis-Suzuki came back to her home province to pursue her master’s degree at the University of British Columbia. “I was suddenly very close to home…and once again known by my last name,” she recalls. “I was still figuring out my own role in life, and it wasn’t until my supervisor sat me down and said, ‘This is your family. These are your parents. That’s never going to change. Embrace it!’ that I realized this is where I came from and this is who I am: a Cullis-Suzuki. “Instead of trying to deny it and be on my own, I took a hard look at my ideals and beliefs and passions, and realized how much is shared with my family and directly linked to the experiences we had together.” She was proud of the work that the David Suzuki Foundation was doing—having been there since the day her mother first opened the doors to its initial tiny office above an auto repair shop, and having witnessed its evolution and successes in its mission to “protect the diversity of nature and our quality of life, now and for the future.” The next step was to formalize her support and input by joining the foundation’s board of directors. Today, Ms. Cullis-Suzuki is mom to a oneyear-old son and committed to sharing that same respect and passion for nature that she
was exposed to growing up. She recounts a recent rainy family camping trip as an example. “We want to get our son outside and for him to be at home in the wilderness. When you’re camping you’re really in the moment; he’s still young, but we want him to know life away from technology, away from cell phones and WiFi and the distractedness of city life,” she says. “The ability to imagine and create, that’s what happens when you’re outside. I notice my son will play with a new toy and then quickly lose interest; but when he’s standing on a sand bank or sitting on a beach, he will play for hours with the water and stones and sticks. The best part is, it’s easy: it’s not something you have to ‘teach’ a child, we are born to feel comfortable in nature, to be calmed by its peacefulness. It was torrential rain all weekend, he got soaked to the core, but our son still had a great time!” But forging that connection with nature doesn’t begin and end with big trips, it can— and should—be about the everyday, the close to home, too. “The other day I found an earthworm on the pavement outside our house and put it in my one-year-old’s hand,” she says. “He couldn’t stop laughing! Something about its smooth skin and wriggling body made him crack up. He put it between his lips and then said ‘No, no!’ as if to explain that he knew he shouldn’t eat it, but that he was still tempted. These moments of discovery and wonder are everywhere, and they ground and connect us.”
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Celebrate Earth Day Sarika Cullis-Suzuki shares her suggestions for celebrating Earth Day on April 22. For your head: • Stay current on human rights and environmental news. • Read J.B. MacKinnon’s The Once and Future World: Nature As It Was, As It Is, As It Could Be. • Learn more about a social justice group you’re interested in and become a volunteer. • Check out The Blue Dot movement (bluedot.ca). • Talk to your grandparents and local elders and ask them what your neighbourhood was like when they were growing up. Think about the changes that have taken place and what a “natural” state might have been. For your hands: • Vote. • Grow or forage for your own food. • Using a pen and paper, write to your government officials. Tell your mayor
what aspects of your neighbourhood you like and what can be improved. “You’ll be surprised how much a handwritten letter can do. (And how good it feels to physically write!). I’ve received detailed letters back from local politicians, and heard how much these simple letters can influence political thinking.”
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For your heart: • Get outside. “The most profound thing one can do is also the simplest: spend time in nature. It sounds so basic but it is in fact the most critical, because it changes us from within: physically, by clearing our lungs and lowering stress levels, and emotionally by allowing us the headspace to reflect on life away from our daily trivia and technological dependencies. It is in this environment that we can reawaken our senses and connect with land, biodiversity, spirit, and each other.”
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Will your new fitness r your waist line? How to ensure by lee ann wate r man
Dylan and Leigh Combrink and their daughters, Malone, Stella and Freya. enjoy some time together at home. The couple has struggled in the past to juggle physical fitness goals and family responsibilities. Jim Craigmyle photograph 26
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egime impact more than the gym and your partner get equal attention Exercise widow (er): A woman (or man) whose spouse often leaves her (or him) alone while he or she plays sports or is involved in other activities. “A bag of chips on the couch, watching a movie—that was how we connected.” Shyamala Kiru, a psychotherapist and marriage and family therapist with an office in Newmarket, is paraphrasing a client, someone you might refer to as an “exercise widower.” After three kids and several years together, his wife began a new regime to get healthy and lose weight—that included watching what she ate and getting up at 5:30 a.m. five days a week to work out. Late nights on the couch with a salty snack were no longer an option. “He felt like he’d lost her to the gym, to this new part of her life she really valued,” Ms Kiru explains. When Leigh Combrink’s husband Dylan decided last fall sign up for a Half Ironman (an endurance event where participants swim 1.9 km, bike 90 km and run 21.1 km) she wavered between support and incredulity. “I knew he would feel so accomplished because I also love challenging physical activity,” she says. “But I felt like the timing was off.” Mr. Combrink travels for work, often 16 to 20 days per month, and the couple have three young daughters, ages 5, 6 and 8, who are busy with activities before and after school. An intensive training schedule meant he would be up for a run at 5 a.m. weekdays and then at the local pool for lane swim in the evenings. Saturday mornings were devoted to lengthy bike rides. “Getting the kids ready for school or reading to the kids before bed, I was kind off out of the picture for the better part of six months,” says Mr. Combrink A value shared – or not Our views on healthy eating or physical activity can impact our life as a couple as much as our views on sex or finances or raising children, Ms. Kiru says. How much we value a healthy lifestyle will determine how much priority we give it. But few of us discuss it with our partner before cohabitation or marriage. In some cases, says Ms. Kiru, a shared love for running or hitting the gym is what brings two people together—and it naturally becomes an important part of their shared life. A fitness instructor while she was working on her masters and doctorate, Ms. Kiru has a husband with a physical job and a similar commitment to exercise. “We just don’t fight about it,” she says. “If I want to get up on Saturday morning and go for a run, it’s always OK with him.” Where conflict often arises is when one half of a couple makes a new commitment to exercise. “The more value-based interests we can share, typically the easier it is to go through life together,” Ms. Kiru says. When values diverge, one or both spouses can experience feelings such as a lack of support or understanding, resentment, guilt or loneliness. » Sp ri n g 2 0 1 6
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The Combrinks make physical fitness a priority—for their own wellbeing and to set a good example for their daughters. Mrs. Combrink coaches CrossFit and has run several half-marathons. A former professional cricket player, Mr. Combrink has always been a gym regular. “Physical activity is part of our lives and it’s something we want to pass on to our daughters,” he says. That’s why, despite the challenges, Mrs. Combrink, can see why the race was good for her husband. “I really was supportive in the end,” she says. “It was a massive physical challenge and I get that. When I do my own races, I love for him to be supportive and embrace it as well.” Bridging the exercise divide If you’re making a new (or renewed) commitment to exercise, communication is key, says Ms. Kiru. Start by telling your partner why you want to make a change: you’re unhappy with the way you look and feel; you want to boost your energy and fitness levels so you can keep up with the kids; or you’re worried about the impact of a sedentary lifestyle on your long-term health. Then, explain how this new commitment to healthier living will look: you’ll be going to gym three mornings a week before work; or you’d like help preparing meals that emphasize
“The more value-based interests we can share, typically the easier it is to go through life together.” PSYCHOTHERAPIST SHYAMALA KIRU
vegetables and whole grains, for example. Have solutions for possible roadblocks in mind. Can you sign up your kids for a beforeschool program to get in a workout before work? Can you schedule a spin class for the night your spouse has another commitment to maximize the time you spend together? If you’re committing to play in a league or train for a race, Mrs. Combrink advises being realistic about your other commitments—to your spouse, your kids, your work, your volunteering, etc.—first. “There’s only one pie,” she says. “It’s not like you get a new piece of pie, you have to take from other areas of your life, some of those pieces are going to get smaller.” Looking back, Mr. Combrink admits his decision to sign up for the Half-Ironman without his wife’s blessing was a little selfish —although he thoroughly enjoyed setting and meeting such a physically demanding goal. Any future race—which he says will only be
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when his daughters are older—will involve a conversation with his wife to ensure she’s “100 per cent on board” and greater thought to his training and life schedules. You might also consider tailoring a part of your fitness regime to include something your spouse might enjoy doing with you, Ms. Kiru says. He or she may never set foot inside a gym, but would be up for an evening bike ride or Saturday rock climbing. She points out that your partner may also reap the benefits of your new exercise program. Exercise has been proven to lift your mood and can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression—which might make you better company. Being physically fit can also boost your confidence and self-esteem, which can improve your sex life. Honest and regular communication, Ms. Kiru stresses, will be key in ensuring a new commitment to health will be good for you and your relationship.
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WIN
THIS
CAR
AND HELP TRANSFORM LIVES AT SOUTHLAKE
2016 BUICK VERANO donated by Highland Automotive Professionals
Highland Automotive Professionals have generously donated a 2016 Buick Verano (valued at $30,000!) to be raffled off, in partnership with the Newmarket Lions Club, Upper Canada Mall and snapd, in support of Southlake Foundation on June 9, 2016!
TICKETS: $75 Tickets Available for Purchase at the Following Locations: Southlake Foundation 581 Davis Drive, Newmarket Highland Automotive Professionals 15783 Yonge Street, Aurora Hempen Jewellers 220 Main Street, Newmarket Zonas Children’s Shoes 16925 Yonge Street, Newmarket
License: M718889
EARLY BIRD DRAW*: MAY 1ST at Run or Walk for Southlake, presented by Nature’s Emporium
FINAL DRAW DATE: JUNE 9TH at Highland Automotive Professionals in Aurora
Online tickets at newmarketlionsclub.com
*Early bird draw prize: pearl necklace and earring set generously donated by Hempen Jewellers; additional draw prize: original painting titled “Suns”generously donated by local artist Helen Lucas.
Get fit with the only tool you need: your body!
by J oann M ac D onald
Don’t let your fear of barbells and elaborate equipment keep you from hitting the gym. Turns out exercise doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Traditional bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, lunges and squats could be all you need to get a solid workout. “Bodyweight training is a fantastic way to increase overall strength and stamina, especially core stability,” says fitness instructor Ella Bennett, GoodLife Fitness divisional manager for North Toronto (including Newmarket and Aurora). “So much of health and wellness in terms of back, posture, overall body wellness, relates to your core and you can enhance your core by doing bodyweight exercises.” You can do bodyweight training anywhere, anytime. You don’t need equipment and exercises are suitable for any fitness level from beginner on. Provided you have a basic 30
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understanding of the moves, bodyweight training can be absolutely free too. There really isn’t a negative when it comes to bodyweight training. For those who find committing to regular exercise difficult, group fitness classes relying on bodyweight exercises may be a good option. “They are completely effective in burning calories and building muscle,” notes Ms. Bennett. “Enjoyment is half the battle, and many find that enjoyment with group fitness classes. They are inspiring and motivating and you have an instructor leading the way.” As with any exercise, there are dangers to doing movements incorrectly, says Newmarket resident David Caldwell, certified personal trainer and fitness manager for Goodlife Fitness Group in Newmarket and Aurora. Bad technique can lead to unsatisfactory
results or injury. “Seek the proper coaching,” Mr. Caldwell advises. “Don’t just ask a friend. Make sure you’re doing things properly to get the results you’re looking for.” While proper form is essential, bodyweight training is ideal for beginners. “Bodyweight training is a great entry-level exercise program than anybody can do,” Ms. Bennett says. “It could be done for a variety of purposes, including rehabilitation for injuries. Anyone can do a push-up with the right modifications.” Bodyweight training easily adapts to the needs of the participant. “You can do it on any level,” she notes. “Some of our most challenging programs use bodyweight only. Doing 50 push-ups is going to give you really good results versus chest presses with weights because you’re forced to engage your core and tighten up your abdominal
5 bodyweight exercises anybody can do When doing the following exercises, “be mentally engaged as much as you are physically,” advises Ella Bennett of GoodLife Fitness. “Be conscious of engaging your abdominal muscles to maximize the overall effect and get results.”
Planks
Push-ups
Lie on your stomach with legs extended, hands under shoulders. Push up until you are resting on your elbows, forearms in front. Engage your core. Your body should form a straight line from head to feet. Hold the position for as long as you can.
Start in a plank position with your hands under but slightly outside of your shoulders. (If this is too difficult, rest your knees on the floor.) Lower your body until your chest is
close to the floor. Tuck your elbows close to your body. Pause, then push back to starting position. Engage your core through the whole movement. Do not allow your hips to sag.
Lunges
Squats
Stand with upper body straight, shoulders back and relaxed, staring straight ahead. Engage your core. Step forward with one leg and lower your hips until both knees are bent at a 90-degree angle, with your front knee above your ankle and your back knee not touching the floor. Keep your weight in the heels as you push back up to start.
Stand with feet a bit wider than shoulderwidth apart, hips over knees and knees over ankles. Maintain a neutral spine. Extend arms out in front of you, palms facing down. Bend your knees, pushing your buttocks backwards. Keep your chest and shoulders upright and back straight. Go as far as you are comfortably able. With core engaged, drive through your heels as you move back to standing.
Position your hands shoulder-width apart behind you on a bench or chair. Slide your butt off the chair with your legs extended out in front of you. Straighten arms, maintaining a slight bend in your elbows. Slowly bend your elbows as you lower your body toward the floor until your elbows are at a 90-degree angle. At the bottom of the movement, press down into the chair to straighten your elbows, returning to the start.
muscles, rather than just isolating chest and shoulders.” Bodyweight training enthusiasts need not forgo cardio training. “You can add bodyweight training into your cardiovascular fitness just by going outside,” Mr. Caldwell says. “Normally when jogging your upper body’s not doing a heck of a lot.” He recommends doing chinups in a kids’ play park, doing tricep dips
on a bench or stopping periodically to do push-ups or lunges. Whatever workout you choose, experts recommend switching it up now and then, “shocking” the body to get better results. “Your muscles have a memory,” Mr. Caldwell says. “When you switch up your routine, the muscles will say, ‘Wait a second, what are you doing to me?’ That’s the way people get results.”
Whether using your body weight or free weights, Ms. Bennett says, benefits come from hard work. “Do push-ups until you can’t do even one more,” she says. “Muscle change comes after muscle failure. You will slowly get stronger and stronger. You might only be able to do five at first. But keep trying—eventually you’ll start to see the muscle definition you’re looking for.”
Tricep dips
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Wear it well Tips for turning your tech into a habit changer by C h r i s t i ne M o r r i s on
Wearable technologies that track movement, such as the pedometer, have been around for centuries. Today, wearable technology that tracks steps, sleep patterns, calories burned and heart rate is surprisingly affordable and mainstream. Like all fitness gear, the key to results is to use it. Fitness trackers, such as the Fitbit, Jawbone, Misfit or Garmin, provide individuals with objective and instant feedback on their activity level (or lack thereof ). “Wearable technology offers users immediate feedback that can be rewarding in building that (fitness) habit,” says Jen Bladon, registered physiotherapist, trainer and founder of Better Than Fit, a personal and rehabilitation fitness studio in Newmarket. Ms. Bladon has provided outpatient physiotherapy services for Southlake Regional Health Centre for 16 years and offers a once a week exercise class for women with multiple sclerosis (MS) through Better Than Fit. She has seen first-hand how fitness trackers can act as a powerful motivator when individuals embark on a journey to a more active lifestyle. She offers a few tips on incorporating wearable fitness trackers into a healthy lifestyle change. Use the feedback as a motivation aid When you first strap on a fitness tracker, you may be surprised to see your activity level is lower than you anticipated. But this can act as a powerful motivator for change. Or you might be motivated by seeing the objective measure of your improvements provided by the fitness tracker. This can be particularly important for people recovering 32
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from injury or illness, Ms. Bladon says. The feedback offered by fitness trackers can be extremely inspiring because it can show you daily improvements. Fitness trackers can also create instant accountability. Set your own goals Most fitness trackers can be personalized, Ms. Bladon explains, meaning that although they come with a preset steps goal, you can set your own targets. In general, the recommendation is to do 10,000 steps a day, but if you’re just starting out or recovering from injury, this level of activity may not be feasible. Or, if you’re very active, this goal may be too low. “For the women I train, fatigue is such a huge part of living with MS. My clients can use it as a guideline so they know when to stop. For them, when they overdo it one day, their balance suffers—putting them at risk for injury—and it takes a long time to recover,” Ms. Bladon says. “By setting realistic goals, you are setting yourself up for success.” Get social Many fitness trackers offer online communities specifically for their device, but there are other open options available. Communities range from supportive to competitive and can be made up of people you meet online or your friends and family. “For some of the women I work with, it’s important for them to compare and contrast where each other is at,” Ms. Bladon says. “They work together to set measurable goals to
improve their fitness.” The important thing is finding the right type of community. And, when signing up, take the time to review the options available to protect your privacy. Focus on regular movement “It used to be that people were rated as either sedentary or active, but now there is a new category called sedentary active,” Ms. Bladon says. Sedentary active describes individuals who are largely inactive when not engaging in their purposeful exercise routine, such as people with desk jobs who regularly go to the gym. “It’s not enough to move for only an hour a day,” she explains. “Being active, is about creating pockets of movement throughout the day.” Many fitness trackers have the option to set a reminder to get up and move, a feature that can be extremely helpful if you spend much of the day sitting. “In the past, people were told to keep a journal,” Ms. Bladon says. “Today’s fitness trackers provide more objective and complete data.” Becoming active doesn’t have to be about joining a gym or a fitness group. It’s easy to overestimate how many calories are burned during a workout and underestimate the impact of regularly taking the stairs. “The immediate, objective feedback (provided by fitness trackers) can help bridge the gap when recovering or just starting out,” Ms. Bladon says, “and help maintain motivation. “It all adds up.”
2013
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what’s in your drink? Making the most out of your morning smoothie by Sue K anha i
We’re all on the run these days. What better solution but to grab your breakfast to go? To get the lowdown on what’s in your morning drink, beingwell turned to registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Alka Chopra. Juices Fresh juices are simply mixtures of fruits and vegetables. A good source of antioxidants and vitamin C, juices also contain compound
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flavonoids, which protect against cellular damage. If you’re not getting enough whole fruits and vegetables, juicing can make it easy to add some to your diet, Ms. Chopra says. The biggest drawback to juicing is that fibre is lost when juicers separate and remove the pulp. Another is that calories add up quickly, as a single glass requires four servings of fruit. Want a cup of OJ? Instead of juicing
four oranges, try two and a mixture of greens. Veggies are low in calories and will lower the overall sugar content. Juice cleanses: Do they work? There are some benefits, Ms. Chopra says. But cleanses should be short—no more than three days—and done with the guidance of a registered dietitian. Longer cleanses could lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Juice cleanses give the digestive system a rest because the stomach works less. A plantbased diet does not require the same amount of digestive enzymes as would a mixed diet, with starches, proteins and fats. Some evidence also suggests that the liver, the main detoxifying organ in the body, also gets a rest since toxins produced by food are greatly reduced. For some, juicing also reduces their cravings and helps in weight loss. “When you’re doing a juice cleanse it’s important you take in at least 1,800 to 2,000 calories per day. There should be no starving,” Ms. Chopra says. Smoothies Smoothies contain a combination of ingredients—usually milk or yogurt, a mix of fruits and vegetables and maybe some nut butter. Ms. Chopra often recommends a smoothie for breakfast or lunch because they’re convenient, fast and easy to make. “I find them very travel friendly,” she says, “Just put them in an insulated container and off you go.” Smoothies can be nutritious and a good source of vitamin C, iron and protein. You can add additional protein in the form of powder, which helps improve athletic performance and builds muscle. Because you’re using whole fruit, smoothies are a good source of fibre— which makes them more filling than juices. You can boost fibre content further by adding flaxseed powder. They can also help curb cravings for
sweets—helpful if you’re trying to lose or maintain weight. Incredibly versatile, smoothies can suit anyone’s tastes. Green smoothies are typically a blend of fruits and vegetables and can be sweet or savoury, sometimes including herbs, spices or even salsa. “It can be a meal substitute if you plan it correctly,” Ms. Chopra says. “A properly planned smoothie with just a piece of toast or some crackers is a full meal.” She does caution, however, that smoothies can be a high source of calories, loaded with sugars and fat. “Planning a smoothie the right way is important. Many of the store-bought ones have sweeteners added into them or they’re just a mixture of fruit purees, which can be low in fibre. It’s really important to read labels,” she warns. “All you get from a store-bought smoothie is a total sugar bomb.” Instead, make your own and add a little honey or substitute a bit of juice for some of the whole fruit to boost sweetness. It’s also easy to overeat with smoothies, Ms. Chopra warns. With whole foods you chew and taste your food more; with liquids, it’s easy to blow way past your caloric needs for the entire day. The winner? “I would say a smoothie is better but you have to make it correctly,” Ms. Chopra says. “Because it’s a combination of fruit and dairy you can actually make it quite wholesome.”
the ideal An ideal juice: • 50/50 mix of fruits and vegetables • added fibre An ideal smoothie recipe: • 500 mL (2 cups) liquid – water, coconut water, rice, almond, hemp or dairy milk • 30 mL (2 tbsp) or more protein – raw brown rice protein, hemp protein, hemp hearts, almonds • 125-250 mL (1/2 -1 cup) fruit – blueberries, raspberries, banana, pear, pineapple, mango, avocado, dates • 1 handful greens – spinach, kale, chard, sprouts, cucumber or 5 mL (1 tsp) greens powder, spirulina or chlorella • 15 mL (1 tbsp) or more superfoods – goji berries, cacao nibs, maca, mesquite, hemp seeds, raw honey, chia seeds, matcha green tea
tips • Make sure what you’re drinking is 100 per cent juice with no added sugar. Read labels and watch portion sizes. • Prepare only the amount you plan to drink right away. Bacteria develop quickly. • Have fun experimenting. “Some of my clients have the weirdest combinations,” dietitian Alka Chopra laughs. • You don’t have to invest in an expensive juicer. “The advantage of juicing in a blender is you can keep the fibre,” Ms. Chopra says. “Just beware that you’ll have to remove any seeds or skin to avoid making the juice bitter.” • Single-serve blenders are handy. At night, throw your ingredients into the jar and put it in the fridge. In the morning, put the jar on the base, run the blender for a minute and go. The jar you make it in is the jar you drink it in. • Chew your juices and smoothies. Don’t just gulp them down; really allow yourself the experience of enjoying them.
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recipes BY LEIGH & MEG
Maple Beer
by L E IG H C O M B RI N K A N D M E G W IS M E R
Arugula Salad
We eat salad often enough that we are constantly looking for ways to turn it into something more adventurous. This effort was a genuine collaboration between the two of us and a fellow we met at a beer class. (We went to beer class!) We never would have come up with the idea of putting beer in a salad dressing on our own. But it adds dimension to the flavour and means you can use less oil. The dressing is the cherry on top. The dried figs, crumbled blue cheese, crunchy pistachios and beautiful jewelled pickled onions come together to complete one heck of a salad eating experience. Serve it with grilled chicken and you have a meal. Makes 2 to 4 servings Ingredients Salad 1,500 mL (6 cups) arugula, lightly packed 60 mL (1/4 cup) dried figs, chopped 60 mL (1/4 cup) pistachios, roughly chopped 60 mL (1/4 cup) crumbled blue cheese (or feta) Pickled onions 1 medium red onion 250 mL (1 cup) apple cider or white wine vinegar 5 mL (1 tsp) course salt Dressing 60 mL (1/4 cup) olive oil 60 mL (1/4 cup) beer (We like a citrusy beer like Shocktop or Kronenberg Blanc, but any beer you enjoy will do.) 10 mL (2 tsp) Dijon mustard 15 mL (3 tsp) maple syrup 1 small garlic clove, minced 60 mL (1/4 cup) grapefruit or orange juice (about half a large orange squeezed) salt and pepper to taste dash of balsamic vinegar 36
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Method Pickled onions Thinly slice onion; use a mandoline if you have one. Throw onion in a bowl along with remaining ingredients. Mix well with your hands to ensure every slice is coated. Let sit for 30 minutes. They do get better the longer they sit. After an hour or so, pop them in a mason jar and refrigerate. They keep for up to two weeks. Don’t just use them in salads—they are great on fish tacos too!
Dressing Combine ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously until well combined. To make the salad, combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, drizzle with desired amount of dressing, serve and enjoy. Local residents, sisters and mothers Leigh Combrink and Meg Wismer blog at leighandmeg.com They are contributors to the Global Morning Show, Huffington Post and What She Said on SiriusXM. They have been contributing to beingwell since 2015.
Compassionate, Caring, Consistent
Caregivers... always there for you, helping families in need.
Help in the Home Do you need help because a loved one has limited mobility due to injury, age or because they’ve just been discharged from hospital?
• Personal care • Meal preparation • Housekeeping • Footcare • Companionship • Medication administration GEM Health Care Services is a proud sponsor of the
2016 Run or Walk for Southlake presented by Nature’s Emporium.
Proud past recipient of the Business Excellence Award: Professional Services Business of the Year!
GEM Health Care Services 905.836.6999 • www.gemhealthcare.com 30 Prospect Street, Suite 303 Newmarket
Sue Bauer, President
sue.rae.bauer@gemhealthcare.com
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hospital NEWS
Fourth Radiation Machine Expands Cancer Services More than 400 additional cancer patients a year from York Region and south Simcoe County will now have access to advanced radiation therapy, thanks to a new treatment machine at the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre. “Over the past several years, our team has been working closely with our partners within the community and at Cancer Care Ontario to deliver on our promise to expand cancer services for our community,” said Dr. David Fell, Vice-President of Patient Experiences for the Regional Cancer and Cardiac Programs and Regional Vice-President of Cancer Services for the Central Regional Cancer Program of Cancer Care
Ontario (CCO). “This is the next step in that journey and it will be our patients— the ones who need us the most— who will reap the benefits. We are thrilled.” The new radiation treatment machine, a state-of-the-art medical accelerator, is in addition to three medical accelerators that are already in operation at the cancer centre. According to Dr. Fell, the new device is equipped with an advanced treatment head, allowing for more precise shaping of radiation fields, helping the health care team to minimize the exposure of healthy tissue during radiation and reducing the side effects that come with treatment. Initial infrastructure funding for the
machine came from the community through the Southlake Count on Me campaign. More recently, CCO, the Ontario government’s principal cancer advisor, has been working with the team at Southlake to help make the new unit a reality. “Cancer Care Ontario is committed to working in partnership with its regional cancer programs to provide patients with timely access to high-quality cancer care as close to home as possible,” says Michael Sherar, President and CEO. “We are very pleased that patients in York Region and south Simcoe County will have access to expanded cancer services as a result of a new state-of-the-art radiation treatment machine.”
Board renews Dr. Dave Williams’ contract At Southlake Regional Health Centre, one of our corporate values speaks to “honouring your commitments.” We are halfway through our strategic plan with a mission to further Southlake’s evolution as a high reliability organization, dedicated to the delivery of safe, quality health care. With this in mind, the Southlake board of directors has formally renewed Dr. Dave Williams as the hospital’s president and CEO for a second term, following his first five-year contract. “Dr. Williams has proven to be steadfast in his commitment to the delivery of safe, quality care and the continuous pursuit of health care excellence,” said Jonathan Harris, board chair. “On behalf of the entire board of directors, we are very much looking forward to continuing to work closely with Dr. Williams on our strategic priorities.” Since joining the Southlake team in July 2011, Dr. Williams has spoken passionately about Ontario being a fertile ground for innovation and the need to explore and adopt innovative solutions to some of the greatest health care challenges—both provincially and here at home. As chair of the Ontario Health Innovation 38
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Council, an advisory group created by the provincial government, he has taken a leadership role in helping to accelerate the adoption of new technologies. Last fall, Southlake officially opened the doors to CreateIT Now at Southlake, a health care focused centre of innovation that helps start-up businesses develop their products by giving them access to the hospital.
According to Dr. Williams, it’s the combination of innovation and heart that makes Southlake unique. “I am thrilled to have been asked to continue as the president and CEO at Southlake,” he said. “I am truly honoured that the board of directors has placed its trust in me yet again to be the leader of a hospital where staff and clinicians always put patients first Each day I see how our teams consistently create opportunities out of seemingly impossible challenges, a culture that has come to be known as, ‘the Southlake Way.’ I am proud of our outstanding clinical performance, our shared commitment to shockingly excellent experiences and our focus on person-centred care.” Under Dr. Williams’ leadership, Southlake has achieved Exemplary Standing designation by Accreditation Canada, been honoured as a Passion Capitalist Winner and recognized with a Quality Healthcare Workplace Award. Dr. Williams’ focus on financial management and “living within our means” has positioned Southlake as a top performer under the health care funding reform, achieving a balanced budget for the past three years.
HEALTH CARE: A LOOK AHEAD From cause awareness to celebrating health care professionals, each month there are many health observances on the calendar. By keeping your cause-directed donations local, your gift will help transform lives close to home at Southlake.
april Cancer Awareness Month World Autism Awareness Day April 2 World Health Day April 7
National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week April 18 to 25 Patient Experience Week April 25 to 29
may Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month Ontario Doctor’s Day May 1 National Hospice Palliative Care Week May 1 to 7
Mental Health Week May 2 to 8 National Nursing Week May 9 to 15
Mammothon at Southlake May 4 Mammothon is a one-day breast screening marathon for women aged 50-plus who are overdue/have never had a mammogram. Walk-ins welcome! Across York Region, 18 participating Ontario Breast Screening Program sites (OBSP) are involved in Mammothon including Southlake Regional Health Centre. Southlake Regional Health Centre will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4. Call 905-895-4521, ext. 6228 to pre-book your appointment or find out about walk-in times. Register at the Welcome Centre on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building. Parking is available in the garage and also behind the Medical Arts Building off Lundy’s Lane. Food and prizes available and a surprise treat to the first 50 people! Visit mammothon.ca for more information, eligibility and site locations.
june ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Awareness Month
World Blood Donor Day June 14
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foundation NEWS
2016 Run or Walk for Southlake After what surely felt like a long winter, it’s time to shake off those winter blues and join the community at the 2016 Run or Walk for Southlake, presented by Nature’s Emporium. On Sunday, May 1, thousands will gather at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex to run or walk in support of Southlake Regional Health Centre. New this year, the event will have no registration fee. Instead, all 10/5/2.5 km adult participants will be asked to raise a minimum of $75 in pledges. Ask your friends, family or co-workers, or make that donation yourself to kick off your pledging and ask your network to support you BEYOND $75. Whatever you raise is completely taxreceiptable and every dollar will go towards supporting Southlake Regional Health Centre. Register your team or yourself as an individual at runforsouthlake.ca.
#Verano4Southlake Car Raffle Support for Southlake has never been easier to drive home—literally! February marked the launch of the Verano for Southlake raffle—a fundraiser facilitated by the Newmarket Lions Club with a 2016 Buick Verano generously donated by Highland Automotive Professionals. Opportunities to purchase tickets in person or online are available now through June 9, when the grand-prize winner will be drawn at Highland Automotive Professionals. An early-bird prize will be drawn at the 2016 Run or Walk for Southlake on May 1. With only 1,400 tickets available, odds are good for ticket holders. “The decision to donate the 2016 Buick Verano was an easy one. We have been a very proud supporter of the Southlake for many years. Southlake provides the entire community with invaluable resources and we are happy to give back,” says Jennifer Copley, general sales manager of Highland Automotive Professionals. Raffle tickets are available online for 40
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$75 through the Newmarket Lions Club at newmarketlionsclub.com, as well as in-person at the following locations: Southlake Foundation (581 Davis Dr., Newmarket),
Highland Automotive Professionals (15783 Yonge St., Aurora), Hempen Jewellers (220 Main St., Newmarket), and Zonas Children’s Shoes (16925 Yonge St., Newmarket).
community event listings The following are upcoming community fundraising events, in support of Southlake. Contact the event organizers to see how you can get involved!
UPCOMING EVENTS 7th Annual Portraits of Giving April 13 to 17 Upper Canada Mall Contact: Karen Merk, karenm@merkphotography.com Crossfit to Crossout Cancer May 14 Crossfit Newmarket Central Seeking Sponsors. Registration is private for Crossfit members only. Contact: Ambrosio Benudiz, crossfitforcancer@rogers.com JBD Financial Solutions Charity Classic June 1 St. Andrew’s Valley Golf Course Blair Dunlop, jbdfinancialsolutions@gmail.com Verano for Southlake Car Raffle June 9 Buy your ticket for $75 each, in person or online. Prize draw is June 9. Contact: Corinna Jones, cjones@southlakeregional.org, 905-836-7333, ext. 5109 Or buy tickets online at newmarketlionsclub.com
Walk of Life June 16 Magna Centre Contact: Meaghan Jones, m2jones@ southlakeregional.org In support of the Regional Cardiac Program.
Sealed for a Cause Silent bid auction for art within our community. Various locations around Newmarket/Aurora Contact: Keith Vriesen, sealedforacause@gmail.com Benson Kearley IFG $5 donation for every no-obligation quote processed. Contact: Lindsay Yaciuk, lyaciuk@bensonkearleyifg.com
Commport’s 7th Charity Golf Tournament June 23 St. Andrew’s Valley Golf Club Contact: Tammy Durbano, tammyd@commport.com
ONGOING EVENTS Ladies in Philanthropy for Southlake (LIPS) Host three events per year at various locations. Find out how to become at member at: lipssouthlake@gmail.com In Memory of Marlene MacPherson cook book sales Purchase yours today. Southlake Foundation, 581 Davis Dr., Newmarket (Medical Arts Building). Contact: Southlake Foundation, 905-836-7333
STEPS clothing donation bins Southlake Regional Health Centre outdoor parking lots; Magna Recreation Complex on Mulock Road, Newmarket Information: stepsrecovery.com Stretch Thrift Thrift Outlet and Bin Locations, 6 The Queensway S. Sutton, 26602 Hwy. 48 N. Sutton West Accepting gently used clothing, housewares and furniture donations. Portion of proceeds support Southlake’s Regional Cancer Program. Information: stretchthrift.ca
transform lives
raise funds
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last WORD
Vaccinations keep students safe Immunization schedule is like a homework assignment for health by M a r jolyn P r i tcha r d
Immunization is one of the safest ways to protect children from illness associated with vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines prevent serious, contagious illnesses such as measles, mumps, meningitis, polio and more. They protect everyone, including those who may not be able to receive certain vaccines and those with weaker immune systems—the very young, the very old and the sick.
Immunization is the law
The more people who are immunized, the fewer opportunities a disease has to spread. To prevent against potential outbreaks, all students up to age 17 are legally required, under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, to be immunized against eight preventable diseases. A valid signed exemption form is required where parents decide not to immunize their child for medical, religious or philosophical reasons. The diseases that these vaccinations protect against are highly contagious, can spread easily in schools and can potentially cause severe complications or even death. These vaccines are considered so important they are provided free to all Ontarians. Keep your child’s immunization records up to date by following Ontario’s publicly funded routine immunization schedule.
How vaccines help
Vaccines teach your child’s immune system how to protect itself against certain diseases. Vaccines help your child’s immune system make antibodies and immune memory. Together, these help your child’s body recognize and fight off germs, if exposed in the future.
Now vaccinating near you
You can receive publicly funded vaccines free at your family doctor’s office or a walk-in clinic. In addition, York Region Public Health offers 42
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school-based and community immunization clinics where school-aged children can catch up on their shots. Community clinics are held at locations across York Region at convenient times, including evenings. You can view clinic schedules and book appointments online by visiting york.ca/ immunizations, then selecting Community Immunization Clinics.
Public Health works with you
York Region Public Health collects and reviews the immunization records of all students to ensure each child is immunized and records are up to date. This year, York Region Public Health is sending letters to parents and guardians of students aged seven and 17, reminding them of the requirement to update immunization records. The letters indicate which vaccination information is missing for each student. If you have received a letter, make an appointment and attend one of the York Region Public Health immunization clinics or take the letter to your family doctor or walk-in clinic to ensure your child receives the vaccines they are missing.
Got your shots? Let Public Health know
Parents and guardians of school-aged children are responsible for providing up-todate immunization information to York Region Public Health. Doctors and schools do not provide this information on your behalf. Parents and guardians can report immunization information online at eimmunization.york.ca, by faxing documents to 1-866-258-2026 or calling York Region Public Health at 1-877-464-9675, ext. 73456. Keeping up to date on vaccinations protects your child and everyone else around them. Marjolyn Pritchard is the Director of Infectious Diseases Control with York Region Public Health.
Visit York Region Public Health at york.ca/ immunizations to learn more or to book an appointment at a community clinic. Visit ontario.ca/vaccines for Ontario’s publicly funded immunization schedule.
It takes more than bricks and mortar
to build a great community We support the organizations that make York Region a great place to live, work and play.
Character Community Yellow Brick House Local Hospitals Women’s Centre of York Region Big Brothers Big Sisters
United Way
Chambers of Commerce
York Region Abuse Program
OSPCA
CHATS
Canadian Cancer Society
and many more...
5 ways
to clean green this spring by lee ann wate r man
With winter officially over and Earth Day on the horizon, beingwell consulted David Suzuki’s Queen of Green for tips on introducing green to your spring cleaning.
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Make your own cleaners A few simple ingredients is all it takes to create your own household cleaning products. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in spray bottle for a glass and mirror cleaner. For furniture polish, combine 500 mL (2 cups) warm water and 30 mL (2 tbsp) each olive oil and white vinegar in a spray bottle. A downloadable PDF with a range of DIY cleaners is available at queenofgreen.ca.
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Choose your appliances wisely Use your dishwasher. An Energy Starrated dishwasher can save you time, water and electricity versus hand washing. For greenest results, run your machine when it’s full and use the “light” cycle, turning off the heated drying option. Avoid the dryer, which is hard on your clothes as well as the environment, in favour of the clothesline.
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Let the fresh air in Avoid commercial air fresheners, many of which contain harmful chemicals including formaldehyde (a known carcinogen), naphthalene (a suspected carcinogen), toluene (known to cause liver and kidney damage) and xylene (a neurotoxin). Instead, open your windows and enjoy that warm spring breeze.
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Ditch the paper towels Use newspapers to wash your windows and mirrors to a streak-free shine and lint-free rags (I like old T-shirts) to polish your furniture or stainless steel appliances. Buy some cloth napkins—and use them daily. (I refold and place ours where we sit at the table, reusing until they get dirty or laundry day.)
Start backyard composting If you’re still taking your vegetable scraps and yard waste to the curb, you’re throwing away free, organic fertilizer. Purchase a composter (available from many municipalities) and alternate layers of green (vegetable scraps, coffee grounds) and brown (dry leaves, grass) waste and mix every week or two. A detailed downloadable PDF is available at queenofgreen.ca.
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Windows and Enclosures
York Region ResidentsWant
“We treat your home like our own” Northern Comfort is committed to providing such a high level of workmanship and service that customers won’t hesitate to recommend the company to friends, neighbours and relatives.
Northern Comfort Windows and Doors is a proud Canadian Family owned and operated Business.
The products we supply and install include: • Windows • Doors • Garage Doors • Enclosures • Sunrooms • Siding • Shutters • Railings • Retractable Awnings
Visit our showroom at: 16700 Bayview Ave., Newmarket, Ontario 905-853-9400 www.northerncomfortwindows.com
Call Today for a Free Home Estimate Sp ri n g 2 0 1 6
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Oxygen. Anytime. Anywhere.
Experience the freedom of lightweight portable oxygen systems. We have the latest easy-to-use products and will recommend a solution that’s right for you. We are experts in oxygen therapy.
Call us today and explore your options!*
905-895-1188 | 1-866-626-8697 | inspiair.ca 46
*You have the right to choose any oxygen provider who is a registered vendor with the Ministry of Health Assistive Devices Program.
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