Being Well Winter 2015 by Being Well

Helping you and your FAMILY live life â&#x20AC;Ś

well

Winter 2015 VOLUME 10, ISSUE 1

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well

cover story

Winter 2015 VOLUME 10, ISSUE 1

in every issue 2 Message from Southlake 5 Well Notes Partners in Care 14 The healing power of hockey 32 Rudolf Hilpold: Supporting Southlake for 20 years 28 Behind the Scenes Southlake’s gastroenterology team: Saving lives and improving health through prevention, diagnosis and treatment 35 Health care: A look ahead 38 Hospital News Award-winning health care at Southlake

22 CHEF RANDY FELTIS champions real food

feature stories 6 Aging at home Stay social, stay connected 10 Southlake global Transforming lives around the world 16 Travelling this winter? Read this first

40 Foundation News Save the date 40 Community Event Listings 42 Neighbours Helping Neighbours Baby stepping for change 43 Last Word Injection or nasal spray? It’s never too late to get your flu shot

30 Are you ready for a weather emergency? 34 How healthy are we? 36 A shared vision Foundation board believes community members deserve the very best

18 Is CrossFit a good fit for you?

41 Marlene MacPherson: A legacy of wellbeing and community

20 Save the date to lace up for Southlake

44 Jumpstart your new year 5 ways to boost your health in 2015

winter 2015

MESSAGE from Southlake

Dr. Dave Williams President & CEO Southlake Regional Health Centre

Neila Poscente President & CEO Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation

A commitment to the best cardiac care At Southlake, we are always looking for new ways of delivering the very best in health care to our community. When we introduced our strategic plan two years ago, we shared our vision to provide

shockingly excellent experiences for each and every person who comes through our doors. Dedicated to honouring that commitment, we continuously anticipate the needs of tomorrow as we invest today in technologies and best practices that will enhance patient outcomes and foster innovation. A clear example of this hard work and dedication to honouring this commitment can be found in our Regional Cardiac Care Program. 2

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In late-September, Southlake became one of a select few hospitals in Canada to use Nanostim leadless pacemaker technology. The Nanostim pacemaker is similar to a conventional cardiac pacemaker in that it sends electrical pulses to the heart to restore and resume its natural rhythm, offering some freedom for patients suffering from lightheadedness, shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness and fainting spells – often as a result of a heart rate that is too slow. What sets the Nanostim apart, however, is its miniature size and design. Smaller than a AAA battery, the Nanostim is designed to be placed directly into the patient’s heart through a small entrance in the groin. Without the need for surgery and without the visible lump, scar and insulated wires – or “leads” – that come with a standard device, the Nanostim is the world’s first leadless and non-surgical pacemaker. According to Dr. Bernice Tsang, cardiologist at Southlake, conventional pacemakers can improve a patient’s quality of life and may even prolong it. Yet physicians and patients have long been asking for a device that doesn’t require wires that may fail or become dislodged or an unsightly pocket in the chest that may restrict mobility or become infected. “For patients with a conventional pacemaker, it can be quite disheartening and frustrating to be told to limit physical activity because the lead on their device may fall out of place,” said Dr. Tsang. “As a physician, I’m truly excited about what the Nanostim means for my patients – no restrictions on physical activity, less discomfort and no risk of surgical infection.” Southlake’s Regional Cardiac Care Program is no stranger to finding the latest and most cutting-edge innovations, research and advancements in health care technology. The third largest regional cardiac program in Ontario, we are constantly looking for new and better solutions to improve the care that we deliver to our patients. That’s why we are working on Southlake’s Electrophysiology (EP) Project Plan (part of our Heart Rhythm Program), to renovate and build new electrophysiology and catheterization labs, while at the same time renovating the cardiac diagnostic areas and several of the patient support clinics. When complete, Southlake’s expanded Heart Rhythm suites and programs will enable an increased volume of patients from throughout the region. This investment will help to save lives, reduce patient anxiety and ensure a better quality of life. New, more accurate imaging technologies will help cardiologists pinpoint problem areas with improved accuracy and expedite treatment with reduced risk to healthy surrounding tissue. This expansion comes with the need for new and replacement specialty equipment that is not provided by government funding, and we are relying on our generous community to help us lay the groundwork for this ambitious effort. February is Heart Month and this year we hope that you will give your heart month donation locally, so we can provide the very best in cardiac care and support our community as it continues to grow. We want to provide the best because at Southlake, we won’t settle for anything less for you and your loved ones.

This heart month, please give locally. We need your help to expand Southlake’s Heart Rhythm Program. Please visit southlakefoundation.ca.

ESSENTIAL SOUTHLAKE CONTACT INFORMATION All hospital enquiries: 905-895-4521 Volunteering at Southlake: 905-895-4521, ext. 2104 volunteers@southlakeregional.org 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 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 foundation@southlakeregional.org

NEED A FAMILY DOCTOR? 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 • Visit Healthcare Connect at ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or call 1-800-445-1822.

winter 2015

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REGIONAL GENERAL MANAGER John Willems EDITOR Lee Ann Waterman SOUTHLAKE EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS Andrea Griepsma, Claire M. Jones, Tammy La Rue, Dionne Malcolm, Kate Porretta, Jenn Rae CONTRIBUTORS Jim Craigmyle, John Crowell, Cathy Hillard, Bill Hodgins, Sue Kanhai, Andrew Livingstone, Joann MacDonald, Marjolyn Pritchard, Jenn Rae ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Debra Weller ADVERTISING MANAGER Laurie McDonald SALES REPRESENTATIVES Melanie Attridge, Jeremy Brown, Judy Fulton, Carola McKee, Matt Monfaredi, Ashley Murdoch Regional Director, Production and Creative Services Katherine Porcheron GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Michelle Al-Jbouri, Marina Taylashev DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Rob Lazurko DIRECTOR OF DISTRIBUTION Tanya Pacheco

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Beingwell is published four times a year by York Region Media Group, a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd., in partnership with Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation. Copyright 2015. 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.

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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: beingwell 580B Steven Court, PO Box 236 Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 4X1 905-853-8888 • Fax 905-853-4626 beingwell@yrmg.com

well NOTES

B Y L e e ann W at e r man lwat e r man @ y r mg . com

As I’ve said before in this space, food—growing, cooking and eating it—is one of my passions. So it was, naturally, a real joy to sit down one afternoon last fall to chat with Barrie chef and restaurant-owner Randy Feltis. I found myself nodding in agreement as he talked about his philosophy of cooking real food—in his restaurants and at home. In many ways, it mirrors my own approach to food. In the late spring, summer and fall, I take inspiration from the vegetables, fruit and herbs growing in my garden or filling my weekly CSA (community-supported agriculture) bin. In the winter, DIY pickles, tomato sauce and frozen fruits and veggies add a little variety to Ontario storage vegetables. With ideas gleaned from friends, cookbooks, television and the Internet, I know how to combine this largely local produce with whole grains (rice, wheatberries, barley, quinoa), lean proteins (fish, eggs, legumes), fats, herbs and spices to make nutritious and tasty meals. But it wasn’t always this way. As a young adult making my way in the world, I was a reluctant cook. My idea of a home-cooked meal was white pasta smothered in a jarred tomato sauce and topped with grated cheese. Hardly in keeping with the gold standard of filling half your plate with vegetables. I did regularly make salads, too. But I didn’t eat meat or think to add other protein sources such as chickpeas or hardboiled eggs, so these meals were generally 90 per cent produce

and 10 per cent store-bought dressing. I also ate packaged or restaurant meals several times a week. In short, wholesome balanced meals were few and far between. It was a growing interest in healthy living that brought me around to cooking. I picked up a few basic skills watching my chef sister and celebrities on the Food Network—and learned to make dishes that could be easily adapted depending on what was in the garden or the fridge (grain salads, vegetable soups, frittatas, fish and vegetables en papillote, roast chicken and vegetables). I know this change in behaviour has had a positive impact on my health. I have more energy. I am less likely to get colds or other minor ailments. I feel good. A longtime friend of beingwell and Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation, Marlene MacPherson was also passionate about food—and how it could positively impact the health of individuals, families and communities. Sadly, Ms MacPherson passed away this fall after a long battle with cancer. You can read about her influence on our community in an article in this issue. For those of you looking to adopt a healthy habit or two of your own in 2015, we’ve compiled a list of five simple ways to jump start your new year and spoken to Cathy Jaynes, director of healthy living in the community and health services division at the Region of York, about how residents can best invest in their own health. Here’s to a healthy new year.

I hope you enjoy this issue. We welcome your feedback at beingwell@yrmg.com.

aging

JIM CRAIGMYLE PHOTOGRAPH

AT HOME

John and Moyna Fennell (from left, facing camera), Carol Weaver and Isabelle Young enjoy coffee and conversation in the lounge at the Newmarket Seniors Meeting Place.

stay social, stay connected by L e e A nn W at e r man

Autonomy, security, dignity, a sense of self. These are benefits of aging at home—something most of us want for ourselves and our loved ones. But we have our concerns as well—including isolation, safety risks and health issues. This is the third in a series exploring the challenges and rewards of aging at home. On a Monday afternoon, the Newmarket Seniors’ Meeting Place is bustling with the activity of some of the 150 to 200 people who come through the centre’s doors on any given day. A group of volunteers is in the kitchen cleaning up after lunch. Several more seniors are gathering supplies in the craft room. 6

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Others have settled into games of bridge or bingo. A dozen or so are gathering around tables or comfy chairs in the lounge. They linger over coffee, read the newspaper, do the crossword or Sudoku puzzle and chat. Among them are Evelyn Collard, Heather Bunn, Annie Egan and Darlene Bilokrely—all

longtime members of the Meeting Place. The lounge, they say, is the heart of the centre. “Some come for the line-dancing, some come for the crafts, some come for the cards, but everybody ends up in here at some point,” Ms Bunn says. “A lot of seniors have nobody,” comments Ms Egan. “They need some place to go.”

“My son and his wife work fulltime, so I was alone by myself most of the time. Because of the language barrier, I was unable to make new friends. And because of my isolation, I became depressed and had to obtain medication from my doctor to cope. After a few months of participation (in the program), I had grown much happier. I have made many friends and now I often go out to socialize, talk on the phone and lead an active, healthy life.” “CHATS has made such a tremendous difference to my family. Before attending the adult day program, my husband was isolated, frustrated and challenged. Sadly, he required more support than I could provide on my own. Since our introduction to CHATS three years ago, he has come out of his shell, making friends with other clients, volunteers and staff, and allowing me time to recharge and become a stronger caregiver.”

client of CHATS Iranian diversity program

caregiver of CHATS adult day program client

In 1993, Ms Collard was a newcomer to Newmarket. When her husband died a few months after their move, she needed a way to meet new people and found the Meeting Place. “I didn’t know anybody at all,” she recalls. “I met people line-dancing and working in the kitchen.” “People need company, they need to have friends, to have companionship,” she continues. “It helps keep your mind active. To be sitting there alone all the time is not healthy.” It’s the reason Ms Collard makes an effort to connect with new members, who may also be new to the community or feeling alone after the loss of a spouse. Kathleen Willins, recreation programmer for the centre, says Ms Collard’s story is a common one. “There have been so many times when people have said they wouldn’t know what to do without this place. If they didn’t have this place to come to they would be sitting home alone,” Ms Willins says. “It’s going to keep them healthy. It’s going to keep them active. It’s going to give them the socialization they need in their lives.” When structural issues forced the closure of the centre for a period last year, it was the lounge that members missed the most.

“It was the number one thing they wanted— just space to come and see each other, have lunch and socialize,” Ms Willins says of feedback she received from members during the closure. To live and age well at home, we need to get out in the community, says Christina Bisanz, CEO of CHATS (Community & Home Assistance to Seniors), which provides support to people to enable them to manage the activities of daily living and age in place. “Social engagement is important because it can help people to maintain some kind of interaction with their peers, with other people and to avoid the isolation that can often lead to depression and other physical and emotional health challenges,” she says. Seniors living alone can begin to neglect their diet, finding it’s easier to open a can of soup than cook a meal for one, she says. A poor diet can impact the effects of medication (and many seniors are taking multiple medications), increase the risk of chronic disease and contribute to a decline in general function and wellbeing. Isolation can also lead to seniors neglecting their personal hygiene and housekeeping. CHATS offers a range of day programs for seniors of all ages, abilities and interests. Participants in the programs have different stories and different needs.

“I really look forward to going every week. I hate cooking for myself and it is so wonderful to have a hot meal made for me. I also get to do lots of interesting activities—like trips and group games—and just having other people to socialize with is lovely. I am getting reconnected with my neighbours and my friends that I had lost touch with over the years.” client of CHATS Holland Landing wellness program

winter 2015

JIM CRAIGMYLE PHOTOGRAPH

bingo is just one of many activities hosted by local seniors centres.

Some are immigrants living with their busy children and growing grandchildren. They may no longer need to spend all their time at home cooking and caring for their families, but have few outside contacts and challenges communicating in English. At one of CHATS cultural-based programs, they can connect with people in their native language. Others are suffering from the early stages of dementia and are no longer able to get out on their own. An adult day program can provide a safe environment to enjoy some music, a cup of coffee and a chat with a few friends. In addition to providing social engagement and entertainment for attendees, the program also gives caregivers a muchneeded break, Ms Bisanz says. On a recent morning at the day program area at CHATS Aurora office, a staff member led a large group of men and women in seated physical activity, while others played dominoes or worked on a jigsaw puzzle. A smaller room had supplies set up for manicures. The smells of a hot lunch came from the small kitchen. The demand for seniors activities and programming is high and growing, Ms Bisanz says, and because of space limitations, there is a wait list for CHATS programs.

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Resources Seniors centres in the area offer drop-in activities including crafts and woodcarving, bingo, bridge and euchre, shuffleboard and badminton for a yearly membership fee, as well as events such as lunches, afternoon teas, concerts, dances and bus trips for additional fees. Newmarket Seniors’ Meeting Place 474 Davis Dr., Newmarket, 905-953-5325, newmarket.ca Danube Seniors Leisure Centre 715 Simcoe Rd., Bradford 905-775-0612 Aurora Seniors Association 90 John West Way, Aurora 905-726-4767, auroraseniors.ca Club 55 130 Gwendolyn Blvd., Keswick 905-476-9972 38 Pete’s Lane, Pefferlaw 905-476-4301, ext. 2237 1 Market St., Sutton 905-476-4301, ext. 2237 georgina.ca

CHATS (Community & Home Assistance to Seniors) offers adult day programs, five days a week, in communities across York Region. Some are geared to specific ethnic groups (Italian, Russian, Iranian, South Asian), others to seniors suffering from dementia. All offer a hot meal, plus a range of activities, such as light exercise, crafts, music and guest speakers on topics ranging from health to finances to English as a second language. There is a fee for programs, however CHATS fundraises to subsidize the cost for those in need. “We don’t want to turn anybody away just because of a fee,” says CEO Christina Bisanz. 905-713-6596, 1-877-452-4287 chats.on.ca

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winter 2015

Southlake global

Transforming lives around the world by J oann M ac D onald

While the cold Canadian winter has many of us craving warmer climates, for several members of the Southlake Regional Health Centre family, vacation doesn’t mean a relaxing day at the beach. These dedicated staff members are bringing their skills to developing countries to help those with little or no access to medical care. With a specialty in intravenous therapy, Southlake nurse Joan Maguire has taken her expertise to Ghana annually for the past four years. Ms Maguire joins a 60-member, international team of nurses, physicians, pharmacists, dentists and optometrists. The group spends 10 days per year at villages in Ghana, treating 1,000 people per day. 10

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The team sees people of all ages, from babies to seniors, with conditions such as malaria, diarrhea, asthma, sexually transmitted diseases, bronchitis and skin sores. During her first visit to Ghana, Ms Maguire cared for a three-month-old baby with malaria and pneumonia. While patients were

typically discharged from the clinic by endof-day, the child was so sick that the health care workers took him back to their compound for four days. “That was sort of my ‘aha!’ moment,” she says. “That’s why I needed to be there, because I had the skills necessary to help, even if it was just for that baby. Last year I had

LEft: Southlake nurse Mary sreboT at an orphanage near kampala, uganda. above: Southlake nurse joan maguire with a family from ghana. Ms maguire treated the boy for malaria and pneumonia when he was three months old.

my picture taken with him and he was a thriving little boy.” For parents in Ghana, losing a child to malaria is an ever-present possibility. Malaria is the leading cause of death in children under age five in the country. According to the World Health Organization, the disease kills 700,000 African children every year. An ailment that is easily treated in Canada can prove fatal in Ghana. “There was a man last year with a dental abscess so huge his airway was obstructed,” Ms Maguire recalls. “A surgeon and the dentist drained the abscess and gave him IV antibiotics. Within three days, he was better.

He would have died otherwise.” The annual medical mission is coordinated through the Northern Empowerment Association (NEA), a non-profit, nongovernmental organization in Ghana that partners with Ghana Rural Integrated Development (GRID), a Canadian Christian charity, to create sustainable community development. Participants apply based on their skills and must provide a minimum of $3,000 to cover their flight, in-country travel and food. Often they partner with GRID to fundraise in their communities. “We take all the medications for the

doctors to prescribe for the conditions we know we’re going to see,” Ms Maguire says. “Everybody goes away with Tylenol and vitamins, because everybody has pain.” Equipped with physician travel packs purchased from Health Partners International of Canada, the team also gets free samples from pharmaceutical companies. Pharmacists liaise to get additional medicines at reduced costs. An impressive attention to detail goes into the planning of each trip. “Each year we add a little bit of something different, to be leaner and more time- and cost-effective,” Ms Maguire says. “Everything goes very smoothly.” winter 2015

Southlake nurse Mary sreboT at OnGUTOI CLINIC IN uganda. below: Photographs taken by Southlake cardiologist Dr. charles peniston on trips to Ghana. Left: southlake nurse joan maguire treats a mother and child in Ghana.

Cardiologist Dr. Charles Peniston has been on the Ghana medical mission three times, most recently in 2013. He had wanted to do some work abroad and heard about the mission through nurse Cindy Marsh. A cardiac surgeon at Southlake, Dr. Peniston was a frontline doctor at the clinic, assessing the needs of up to 80 patients a day. “They often travelled for a day or two to get there,” he says. “Some of them could have been sick for weeks or months.” Dr. Peniston was struck by the tragedy of people who have curable diseases that are not treated because of a lack of access to care or an inability to pay. “We have seen people recover dramatically, people who were very ill from malaria,” he says. “There’s a great sense of accomplish-

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ment, of doing some good.” Although the group achieves a lot through the medical trips, he points out that medical treatment is a relatively small part of NEA’s overall commitment to bettering lives in Ghana. The organization is making great strides with nutrition, education, employment and clean water. Part of the medical team’s role is education. “We want them to get good at what they’re doing and be able to do it on their own,” Ms Maguire says. “It’s a teaching experience too. We have Ghanian health care workers with us. It changes how they function.” Betty Anne Whelan, a nurse educator in cardiology, joined a cardiac surgery mission in Arequipa, Peru in 2013. She too had a hand in educating health care workers while boosting

the health of the local population. Along with a team of doctors and nurses, including Dr. Byung Moon and perfusionist Peter Allen of London Health Sciences Centre, Ms Whelan treated people of a variety of ages. The team performed up to two surgeries per day over a one-week period. Ms Whelan also instructed people in advanced cardiac life support in her downtime. “The week was packed, every moment, but it was so amazing,” Ms Whelan says. “Everybody was so grateful for the lessons. And the patients were so grateful for getting the care. Their quality of life was improved by the surgery.” Ms Whelan went on the journey with her daughter Julia, a second-year nursing student at the time.

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Mary Srebot, a charge nurse in Southlake’s birthing unit, has been on a few medical missions over the years, most recently to Uganda two years ago. She helped to set up an operating room and revamp a birthing clinic with an organization called High Adventure and continues to find supplies. While Ms Srebot couldn’t go to Uganda last year because of illness, her brother, Frank Srebot, went in her place. A farmer here in Canada, he installed solar panels, built toilets and taught residents to plant onions and carrots more effectively. When Ms Srebot won a Reader’s Digest Best Health Nurse Excellence Award last year, she donated the $1,500 award to High Adventure for the care of those affected by AIDS. She hopes to do a mission trip in the Dominican Republic in April, along with her brother and a niece who is also studying nursing. While she is grateful for the opportunity to share her education and experience in an impactful way, Ms Srebot notes that the trips are learning experiences as well. “I worked with two midwives over aged 70 in Uganda and I learned from them too,” she says. “You work together as a team and facilitate. What they have works—they just want to make it better.” All of the mission-goers agree that their experiences in developing countries have been life-changing. “I felt I was giving back but in fact I’ve gained so much more in seeing the gratitude they have,” Ms Maguire says. “They have so much joy in spite of living in poverty. They’ve given me so many lessons of how to be grateful, how to be joyful, how to do so much more with my life and live with less. It’s almost in your blood—you can’t not go. My feeling is, as long as I am able, I will go.”

Ebola concerns postpone mission The current Ebola epidemic in West Africa is the largest outbreak of the disease since it was first identified in 1976. There have been more cases and deaths since March 2014 than all other outbreaks combined. Cases of Ebola virus disease have been reported in eight countries: Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Spain and the United States. There have been more than 6,000 reported deaths. Although Ebola has not been identified in Ghana, its presence in other West African countries puts Ghanians at risk. The Ghana health team’s 2014 mission to Northern Ghana, originally scheduled for November, has been postponed. Dr. Jennifer Wilson, leader of the team, says the decision was made to protect both the team members and their potential patients. “We are concerned that our presence in Northern Ghana could actually contribute to the spread of Ebola. Due to our reputation, patients come to see us from all over Ghana. We are concerned that our team’s good name could attract sick patients with Ebola.” All donations provided for the 2014 mission will be used for a rescheduled mission, tentatively scheduled for 2015.

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winter 2015

partners

IN CARE

O J H L I M A G E S / b r i an wat t s P H O T O G R A P H

The healing power of hockey by C at hy H i lla r d

Every community is touched by cancer in some way. This is no less the case for Newmarket’s hockey community. But the Newmarket Junior A Hurricanes have found the positive in a bad situation by supporting Southlake Regional Health Centre—and raising more than $111,000 for the hospital in the last decade. Now with new ownership at the helm, there are plans to ramp up support with new initiatives that will further strengthen the bond between the community and its hockey team. The tradition of charity games and fundraising for the community runs deep in local hockey. In 2006, Hurricanes rising star Kevin Lord passed away, due to a brain tumour, at 19. His death devastated the close-knit team, which dedicated the season opener fundraising game that year to his memory and donated the proceeds to Southlake’s cancer program. That event alone drew more than 2,000 people and raised $23,000. “It was a way of paying tribute to Kevin but also to provide healing for the team,” says Anthony Pietramala, then owner of the Hurricanes. 14

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The team had already been involved in fundraising, holding charity games in aid of local families struck by tragedy. But Kevin’s death marked a turning point and the annual benefit game in February in aid of Southlake soon became a defining event on the Hurricanes calendar. With the 2008 deaths of player K.J. Ramolla and the assistant coach’s son, Josh Sedore, the fundraising momentum grew, with all three young men remembered at the benefit game. The game relies on the support of Newmarket residents as well as the fans of the participating teams and the committed efforts of a few key people. Jim Wells, an original team founder, is one of these people. Every year, Mr. Wells and a dedicated team rally together volunteers and silent auction sponsors for the charity game. He has battled cancer and lost his wife to the disease in 2009, so his drive to support Southlake is personal as well as altruistic. “People don’t realize that local communities need to raise money for beds and equipment at their hospital,” he says. “The government does not provide everything.” “We have excellent doctors in Newmarket,

but we need to support the hospital.” He is confident the next charity game, scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15, is going to be bigger and better than ever. Attendees will have the opportunity to shoot to win a diamond ring from Hempen Jewellers—and watch Mayor Tony Van Bynen and Regional Councillor John Taylor clean the ice during the competition. “Many of the people who ran for office in the recent election have promised to help, so I will be drumming up support,” Mr. Wells says. “I have lived in this town all my life, so I go after people.” The 2014 charity game raised more than $10,000, which was earmarked for an IV pump for the cancer centre. Owners Tony Comparelli and Anthony Cella, who took over the team in November 2013, believe they can top that number. “This year we have a fresh start. We have

For more information about the Hurricanes fundraising efforts, contact Jim Wells at 905-895-5879 or visit newmarkethurricanes.com.

For children

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Wendy Hofmann MSW RSW Michael Isaac BA MEd PHONE: (905) 716-4698 hofmannandisaac@gmail.com www.hofmannandisaac.ca 515 Mulock Drive Suite 2, Newmarket, ON L3Y 1A1

above: Newmarket Hurricanes present Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation with a cheque from the Junior A Hockey Team’s fundraising efforts. inset, left: former hurricanE kevin lord, who passed away due to a brain tumour in 2006.

new sponsors and a stronger connection with them and, although the concept is the same, we hope to raise even more by doing it our way,” Mr. Comparelli says. “Everything we do for the whole day goes to Southlake,” he continues. “The town donates the ice and we donate all our sales. The players wear special custom-made pink jerseys for the day, which we auction off, and we have prizes and auction items donated by our sponsors. “Everybody has been affected by cancer in some way and we have to do what we can. Every little bit helps.” The new owners are respectful of the traditions within the club, including honouring Kevin, K.J. and Josh at the benefit games, something Kevin’s father, Al Lord, appreciates. “They don’t have to have a reason for their fundraising, but it brings it home, and we are so proud as parents to have Kevin’s name mentioned in what the Hurricanes are doing,” he says. “Kevin would also be proud because that’s the kind of person he was. He was always there to help others.” Kevin, who also played ball hockey at the national level, was a much-loved and respected team member. He was voted most popular player by his peers the season before his cancer diagnosis and his jersey still hangs in the dressing room at the Ray Twinney Complex. Mr. Lord, who was also treated for cancer while Kevin was sick, says it can be hard to watch the games but he is grateful for the continued support. “It can be a struggle, but this is how we strengthen up to give back to the community,

to prove how proud we are,” he says. The new owners have breathed new life into the club. They have opened a pre-game lounge with live entertainment in support of the Newmarket Lions Club, attracted high-profile sponsors and brought back the Canes mascot. They have also re-established the relationship with the minor hockey league and changed the uniforms to reflect this. But underpinning all this is their relationship with the community. “From the perspective of the players, whether they come from here or not, when they wear the jersey, they are representing Newmarket, not just the hockey club,” Mr. Comparelli says. “It’s that community ownership that we are trying to instill in these young men.” He says that the more fan support the Hurricanes get, the more they will be able give back to the community, including Southlake. A new initiative, called the Three Thousand Campaign, hopes to bring in more fans and help the hospital at the same time. “For every 1,000 fans that come to a game, the thousandth person will win $1,000 and we will donate $1,000 to Southlake,” he says. What better reason do the people of Newmarket need to support their local team and their local hospital at the same time?

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Come out and support the Hurricanes in the Battle of York on Sunday, Feb. 15. Proceeds to support the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake. winter 2015

J i m C r a i gmyl e pho t og r aph

Travelling this winter? Read this first by S u e K anha i

Many Canadians plan to get away this winter, which should come as little surprise after last year’s extreme temperatures. In fact, a recent national survey by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA) reports that 36 per cent of respondents said they’re more likely to travel this winter. The 2014 THIA Smart Travellers’ Survey also revealed, however, that only 47 per cent of Canadians regularly purchase travel insurance. Those who do are often aged 55 and older. Why do so many Canadians risk travelling without travel health insurance? It could be that we think we’re not venturing far enough afield—many of us go to the United States and feel like we’re not far from home. Others simply think, “It will never happen to me.” Even if you do have basic insurance in place, it may not be enough. Relying on coverage provided by credit cards or even an employer’s health plan could mean you’re subject to limitations you didn’t foresee and that you don’t have quite the coverage you think you do. Broader supplemental coverage is often necessary and provides the best peace of mind. Brenda Noble, benefits and pension specialist at Southlake Regional Health Centre, says many travellers wrongly assume everything is covered under their standard travel health insurance. But pre-existing health conditions or changes to your policy after retirement, for example, can impact your coverage. “Everyone needs travel insurance,” she cautions. “An accident can be a financial crisis for non-insured people of all ages.” Fortunately, Pat and Mike Attridge of Newmarket, both 62, did have insurance when they went to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. this past March. In perfect health before he left, Mr. Attridge began to feel unwell just a few days into their trip. “We were down there for 10 days and on the fourth or fifth day, I got dizzy—what I thought was vertigo. We went to a clinic and it cost $400 just for them to tell me that I should get to a hospital,” he says. At the West Boca Medical Centre in Boca Raton, Mr. Attridge received a series of tests 16

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Newmarket residents Pat and Mike Attridge were thankful they purchased additional insurance coverage when Mr. Attridge suffered a mini-stroke during a vacation to Florida. The bills they’ve received show the cost of care at more than $40,000.

over four or five hours, including a CAT scan, an MRI and an ECG. He was diagnosed with having had a mini-stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). He was in and out in about 24 hours. He has always been in good health, Mr. Attridge says. As a landscaper, he has a physical job. Working long hours outdoors, he assumed he was in pretty good shape. Mrs. Attridge, however, had visited Southlake’s emergency department because of high blood pressure just three weeks before their trip—prompting a decision to beef up their coverage. Mr. Attridge estimates they paid about $200 for two weeks insurance, in addition to coverage they had through Mrs. Attridge’s former employer. “Our health provider has showed us what it would have cost and it’s scary. The bills are still coming in and we’re at $40,000 plus,” he says of the care he received in the U.S. “That was just to be diagnosed—there were no surgeries or anything.” As he was lying in the hospital, Mr. Attridge had no idea that his wife had been going back and forth with the insurance provider, confirming they were indeed covered for all the tests that had been ordered. “I was thinking I would have to sell the house when I got home. ‘What is this going to cost me and why are they doing more tests?’ That’s what was going through my head,” he says. “I very well could have had to sell the house.” “It was scary,” Mrs. Attridge says. If there is a silver lining, it’s that Mr. Attridge is paying more attention to his health. He wanted to share his story to build awareness. “It can happen to you. You think you’re in

great shape and, boom, you’re down,” he says. “If you don’t have coverage, the results can be daunting.” The Attridges are grateful that their story has a happy ending. “It could have been disastrous but we got lucky because insurance bailed us out,” Mr. Attridge says. Adds Mrs. Attridge: “I would never travel again without insurance, I’ll tell you that much.”

Before you go Brenda Noble, benefits and pension specialist at Southlake, suggests reviewing the details of your existing out-of-country coverage plan and determining whether additional coverage is required. You may consider purchasing additional coverage based on your specific needs. Purchase travel health insurance through a reputable provider, such as a bank, travel agent, CAA or CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons), and ask the following questions: • I s there a pre-existing conditions clause that could limit expected coverage? • H ow much notice is required prior to travelling? • A re travellers required to pay costs up front and then wait for reimbursement?

THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE A LONG WALK WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND

YOU CAN HELP TRANSFORM A LIFE READ BOB’S STORY AT SOUTHLAKEFOUNDATION.CA winter 2015

Is CrossFit a good fit for you? by J oann M ac D onald

What scene comes to mind when you hear the word “CrossFit?” If it’s young, brawny men and women lifting impossibly heavy weights, you’re not alone. But you may also be a victim of pervasive misconceptions. Local fitness experts say that CrossFit works for everybody, regardless of age or current physical condition. CrossFit was founded in the United States in 2000. With the name now licensed to gyms throughout the world, the program has seen an increase in popularity with the general public over the last few years. Locally, there are CrossFit gyms in Newmarket, Bradford, Aurora and Keswick. Popular with military, police and firefighters, the program is equally a favourite of many new moms and women in their 40s and 50s. “People see big guys with big muscles doing crazy gymnastic things and think, ‘There’s no way I can do that,’” says Nora Beatty, a CrossFit coach and co-owner of CrossFit Bradford, along with her husband Kyle Beatty and 18

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chiropractor Adam Wade. “That’s totally not true. Anybody can do CrossFit.” CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program involving constantly varied, functional movements performed at high intensity. Members of a CrossFit gym (referred to as a “box”) perform workouts that are prescribed daily and referred to as the “workout of the day” or “WOD.” WODs include a wide variety of functional movements, including squats, presses and deadlifts. What you won’t find in a CrossFit box are elliptical trainers, treadmills, or other machines since the overarching theory is that our bodies are, in fact, the machines. “The idea is that you come in with a very open mind and do whatever is written on the board,” says Claire Jones, a coach at CrossFit Bradford. “The really nice thing about CrossFit is that everybody who comes in that day does some version of the same prescribed workout.” With a CrossFit coach at the helm of each

class, participants warm up, stretch and work out together. A typical class includes people varying in age from 20 to 60. “We scale the movements to make it inclusive, avoid injury and accommodate ability,” Ms Jones says. “Anybody could walk in off the street and do a CrossFit workout— every age, every ability and both genders. There’s no real limiting factor. We assess where people might need extra direction and help.” No limits means no excuses, too. “There’s no coming in and saying, ‘I can’t do that.’ because there’s some scaled form of each movement you can do,” Ms Jones points out. “The way we look at it is that the needs of Olympic athletes and grandparents differ by degree and not by kind. We can all do the same things in a slightly different way.” Those who can’t do a full pull-up, for example, may be encouraged to do pull-ups assisted by a band, or may even do ring rows instead while they build up the strength and

CLAIRE JONES (LEFT) leads a class at crossfit bradford. ATHLETES (above) at the gym support each other with words of encouragement and high fiveS. J i m C r a i gmyl e P ho t og r aph S

skill needed to complete the full movement. “The goal of CrossFit is general preparedness,” Ms Beatty says. “Any fitness is great, but the majority of us want to be generally prepared for life’s challenges. CrossFit gets the whole body prepared for daily tasks. For 90 per cent of us regular people with day jobs, we just want to be generally fit.” A shared sense of community is a big part of the CrossFit experience. “It’s phenomenal. You get all these different types of people together—all these ages and abilities—all with the same desire to be fit” Ms Jones says. “As an athlete, I’ve never felt better working out as I do at CrossFit, in part because of the support—the friends I have there. It’s not just exercising. Often times, the last person to finish the WOD gets more cheers and applause than the first.” CrossFit Bradford runs new participants through a foundations program, a month-long intro with other people who are also new to the gym. “You learn the lingo and the movements so you’re 100 per cent ready for your first class,” Ms Jones says. “We eliminate the fear and intimidation factor by easing people into it.” Another misconception about CrossFit is that you are likely to get injured.

Before you sign up Coach Nora Beatty suggests asking these questions before you join a CrossFit gym: 1. What kind of members do you have? “Generally speaking they’ll have a good rainbow,” Ms Beatty notes. “But you might stumble on one that caters to high-level athletes. You want to make sure that the environment you walk into makes you want to come back.”

“Anything done incorrectly can hurt you,” Ms Beatty says. “CrossFit wants to teach you how to set up your body so you don’t get injured.” A main focus is spinal positioning— setting your spine properly so that you can safely perform daily tasks such as picking up children and doing laundry. Ms Beatty says CrossFit can even help those who are already injured. “I’ve seen CrossFit help people with chronic back pain,” she says. “CrossFit is preventative against future injuries and can alleviate previous injuries.” Coaches will modify movements for those who are injured or have recently had surgery. While her husband was a “gym rat” his entire life, Ms Beatty says she was not an athlete before CrossFit came along. (All CrossFit participants are referred to as athletes.) When she started doing CrossFit with her brother (the owner of three fitness facilities), she couldn’t hold her own weight on a bar. She now does pull-ups with relative ease. “It genuinely changed my life,” she says. “It brings everybody together with the common goal of improving their health.” “CrossFit is relatively new, but it’s not going away,” says Ms Jones. “The framework behind it is solid. In CrossFit we’re not just training for a race. We’re training for everyday life.”

2. What is the focus of your gym? Look out for positives such as injury prevention, functional movement and general preparedness. A red flag would be a focus on only heavy lifting. 3. What qualifications do coaches have? Look for coaches with CrossFit Level 1 at a minimum. “Coaches should have an athletic or fitness background and a commitment to ongoing education,” she says.

Find your local box CrossFit Ark 40 Engelhard Dr., Aurora, 905-503-2637 CrossFit Newmarket Central 125 Harry Walker Pkwy., 905-895-4461 GroundwoRX CrossFit 800 Mulock Dr., Newmarket, 905-868-9391 CrossFit Bradford 389 Dissette St., 905-717-0896 CrossFit N6 1 Church St., Keswick, 647-237-2844 For more information, visit crossfit.com

winter 2015

J i m C r a i gmyl e P ho t og r aph

Jamie Pimek is participating in this year’s Run or Walk for Southlake to raise funds for the hospital where he received outstanding cancer treatment, and to raise awareness among younger people about colon cancer.

Save the date to lace up for Southlake by S u e K anha i

“This event has given us a great opportunity to give back—both to the amazing community that has been our home for over 20 years, and to Southlake, which plays such a big role in its health.” – Joe D’Addario, president, Nature’s Emporium

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Mark your calendars! The 2015 Run or Walk for Southlake, presented by Nature’s Emporium, takes place Sunday, April 26. The event promises to be full of firsts, with a new route, a new venue, a larger athletes village, tons of activities for the kids, plus exciting on-stage entertainment. New this year, the start line will be at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex. While the official routes haven’t been confirmed yet, maps will soon be available at runforsouthlake.ca. “It’s beautiful there,” says Cortney Cassidy, event specialist at Southlake Foundation. “It’s really nice for runners and walkers alike. We are very excited about the change because the new venue offers lots of green space and room for everything we want to do.”

Pfaff Volkswagen of Newmarket is sponsoring the KidZone, which will feature pedal car races, a bouncy fire truck and musical entertainment. “Families can hang out for the whole morning,” Ms Cassidy says. “If Mom’s running, you can bring Grandma and Grandpa to watch the kids, Dad can cheer, Mom can run, the kids can get their faces painted. Plus, the mini-mile for kids eight and under is totally adorable! Even the little ones can get pledges for the cause! It really is a family event; there’s something for everybody.” There will also be a larger athletes village this year. Many local vendors have expressed interest in having a presence at the event. For an entry-level sponsorship, companies can purchase a booth and hand out information

Joe D’Addario, President, Nature’s Emporium; Neila Poscente, President & CEO, Southlake Foundation; MC Mike Smith; and Steve Hinder, Chair, Run or Walk For Southlake pose in front of the crowd at the 2014 Run or Walk for Southlake.

about the business, educate participants about services or sell products. There is a wide range of opportunities for local businesses, Ms Cassidy says. Also new this year, the Foundation is offering pledging incentives. Anyone who raises $100 or more will get a prize; raise $500 or more and you receive a prize plus an additional gift; and so on. The Run or Walk for Southlake is one of the foundation’s major fundraising events. This year’s pledging goal is $175,000. “The pledge dollars are critical to make this fundraising event successful and really engages the community to help buy urgently needed equipment,” Ms Cassidy says. Not everyone understands the health care funding model. “The government pays for the operations of the building, which means all the people, doctors, nurses and practitioners,” she explains. “The foundation raises money for the things not covered by government funding—like the purchase of new and replacement equipment needed to run the hospital day-to-day. That’s what fundraising like this is for.”

Take advantage of early bird registration! Register now at runforsouthlake.ca.

Newmarket resident Jamie Pimek, a firsttime participant, is pledging his support for a very personal reason. Just last year, he was feeling unwell and suspected an ulcer. His family doctor sent him for a colonoscopy, which revealed a tumour. At the age of 31, Mr. Pimek was diagnosed with colon cancer. He had surgery at Southlake and began six months of chemotherapy. He describes his experience at Southlake as unbelievable. “From the volunteers and nurses to the oncologists, everybody was fantastic. Everyone was working towards getting me better and healthy again,” he says. “Even though I was going through such a tough time in my life, as weird as it sounds, I didn’t resent going to the hospital for treatment. The people and the facilities were just so wonderful you didn’t feel like you were going to an institution. Everything’s bright and light and everyone has a positive attitude. It reflects onto the patients.” Mr. Pimek’s reasons for participating are two-fold: to raise funds for the hospital where he received such outstanding care and to raise awareness among younger people about colon cancer. “Everyone says to me, ‘Oh, you’re too young.’ I live a very healthy lifestyle. I work out and eat well. Even my friends said of all people I’m the last person they ever thought

“We are fortunate to call Southlake our hospital. The Run or Walk for Southlake gives us an opportunity to show our appreciation for the amazing level of care provided. It’s the perfect time to get together with families, friends and colleagues to give back by participating and raising the much-needed dollars through pledges. We are proud of Southlake and encourage everyone who calls Southlake their hospital to join us on April 26. Please help to transform lives.” – Steve Hinder and Robin Taylor-Smith, co-chairs, Run or Walk for Southlake

would get cancer. You just never know,” he says. He’s willing to lend his face and voice to the cause in hopes it might help someone else. “Maybe it will trigger them to go see their doctor. Maybe it will save someone else’s life because they’ll realize you’re never too young.” Mr. Pimek looks forward to having a team of people alongside him on race day—family, close friends and colleagues. His story has already spurred several of his friends and family to go see their doctors. This is exactly what he’d hoped for. “I want to let people know, when you’re going through something like this it’s not the end of the world. There’s a great support team at Southlake to help you through.” It was around Christmas 10 years ago that Mr. Pimek ran a small business selling Christmas trees. Southlake was fundraising and he donated some of the proceeds, about $1,500, to the hospital. “It’s funny that the place I chose to donate to turned around and helped save my life,” he says. “It has come full circle.” winter 2015

cover STORY

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Randy Feltis chef

champions real food by L e e A nn W at e r man pho t og r aphy by J i m C r a i gmyl e

Stepping through the door of The Farmhouse restaurant in Barrie, you quickly get a sense of owner — and Cityline regular — chef Randy Feltis’s approach to food. To your left is a large metal sculpture of a rooster. Behind the host station is the mini greenhouse where sunflower, pea, radish and lentil sprouts grow. The walls of the dining room are hung with large photographs of farm life—a wheat field, just picked carrots, a piglet. “It’s just fresh. We don’t deal with processed items. We don’t open boxes. We cook real food. We prep everything in-house and make everything from scratch,” Mr. Feltis says. “The message is through the flavour. When you eat something that was pulled out of the ground a day or two ago, it actually tastes better.”

winter 2015

Chef Feltis has always had a strong connection to real food. He belongs to a family of farmers. His dad grew up on a potato farm and his mom’s family raised beef cattle—and his parents continued the legacy. Potatoes were a mainstay at the dinner table while he was growing up, served daily alongside other vegetables from the garden and, very often, their own beef. His dad, who lives in Dalrymple just northeast of Orillia, still farms, raising a small herd of cattle, growing vegetables and making maple syrup that he sells at area farmers markets. Both the vegetables and the maple syrup are featured in dishes at Mr. Feltis’s Barrie restaurants, Pie, Pie 2 and The Farmhouse. 24

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An uncle who worked as a school guidance counsellor suggested Mr. Feltis consider translating an early interest in food and cooking into a career. Following that advice, Mr. Feltis studied at George Brown College in Toronto and apprenticed at several restaurants in the city before heading across the Atlantic, to Ireland. Working in Ireland strengthened Mr. Feltis’s conviction that the food he cooks (and eats) should be fresh, seasonal and local. There, he had access to wild pheasant as well as lamb and vegetables grown just down the road. Now, when sourcing and buying food, he looks first to local Barrie and area growers, then to those in other parts of Ontario before going farther afield across the country. That means

Above: LOCal seasonal vegetables—such as cabbage and carrots in the winter—are mainstays in the farmhouse kitchen. RIGHT: decor at the restaurant reflects its name and chef Randy’s feltis’ approach to food.

you won’t see asparagus on Farmhouse plates at this time of year, but rather beets, cabbage or squash. As a result Mr. Feltis is supporting local farmers and business owners—and serving high-quality food. “When I was a younger chef, I wanted to manipulate everything, I wanted to change the flavours of everything,” he says. “Now, just the quality of ingredients is first and foremost and doing less to them is more important.”

It’s a New Year! Let’s Make Healthier Choices! Klosters Butcher Shop takes pride in offering ALL NATURAL ANTIBIOTIC AND HORMONE FREE MEATS

Eat well at home Affordable, quick and healthy. Barrie chef and restaurant owner Randy Feltis says cooking real food at home from scratch can result in meals that are all three. Here are his tips for making it happen in your home: Start with a plan. Although his home cooking is a little more freestyle, Mr. Feltis sees the merits of a meal plan. Use it to plan your grocery shopping and streamline tasks—chopping vegetables for today’s salad and tomorrow’s stir fry at the same time, for example. Stick to the basics. Mr. Feltis approaches dinner in much the same way home cooks have for generations: He includes a protein, a starch and vegetables. The vegetables, say the Dietitians of Canada, should fill half your plate. Cook extra. Make large batches of items that freeze well—tomato-based sauces, vegetable soups are two examples Mr. Feltis gives. Cooking in season (tomatoes in late summer, carrots and squash in the fall and winter) will mean tastier and less expensive results.

• Ontario AAA and AA All-Natural Beef • PEI AAA and AA All-Natural Grass Fed Beef • Ontario All-Natural Grain Fed Chicken and Turkey • Ontario All-Natural Pork, Lamb,Duck • Organic Fish • Nitrate-Free Bacon • Kloster’s own Sausages, Burgers, Meat Pies, Cabbage Rolls • Specialty BBQ Sauces, Marinades, and More • Farm Fresh Eggs, Black River Cheese, Greaves Jams, • Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream

Make your appliances work for you. Again, use your freezer for homemade quick meals (not prepackaged versions). Get a crockpot: A whole chicken, some vegetables and chicken stock put in a crockpot in the morning can mean a wholesome dinner when you get home from work, Mr. Feltis says. Find homemade solutions to family favourites. Kids, says Mr. Feltis, gravitate towards chicken fingers. He cuts up fresh chicken to make large batches he can store in the freezer, pulling out a few at a time to pan-fry in a little olive oil for his son, Cash. Get local. Planting your own vegetable garden, signing up for a community supported agriculture share at a local farm and shopping the farmers market are three ways to get fresh, seasonal, nutritious produce on your family’s plates.

Kloster’s Butcher Shop

Supplying fine quality meats since 1992 Newmarket 18025 Yonge St., Unit 4

Aurora 220 Industrial Pkwy. S., Unit 9

905-895-0437

905-841-6679

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HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 9-6:30pm • Thur Thurs. 9-7pm • Fri. ri. 9-8pm Sat. 9-5 • Closed Sun. & Mon.

www.klostersbutchershop.com winter 2015

While his commitment to real food might have started as a point of pride for the chef, once he became a father, in 2011, he began to think more about the connection between food and health. Predictably, he is chief cook at home—and meals are made-from-scratch, seasonal and nutritious. “We do eat leaner at home,” he says, adding his wife Sarah Jackson-Feltis is a driving force in that regard. In the past, eating out was commonplace for the couple, but with the arrival of son Cash, they’ve made a conscious effort to have meals at home together. A typical dinner might include whatever looked good at the farmers market that week and fish picked up on the way home from work. “We buy stuff that looks fresh and looks seasonal and then we cook it before it goes bad,” he says with a laugh. “That’s our cooking philosophy at home.” Mealtime also gives them a chance to connect as a family. “It’s a nice time when you actually sit down and talk for an hour. The whole sit-down-fordinner thing is a nice thing.”

microgreens are grown in a mini greenhouse at the farmhouse.

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Randy Feltis is not only chef and owner of The Farmhouse, Pie and Pie 2 restaurants in Barrie, as well as Pie Pickering and Pie Collingwood, he is also a regular guest on CityLine.

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winter 2015

behind

the scenes

Members of Southlake’s gasteroenterology team (from left): Joan Jonkhout, clinical coordinator for ambulatory clinics, Dr. Davender Tripathi, Dr. Andrea Faris, Dr. Brian Stotland, Dr. Gerry Schep and Dr. Frank Lin

gastroenterology team

Saving lives and improving health through prevention, diagnosis and treatment by S h e e na C ampb e ll

Thanks to the work of Southlake Regional Health Centre’s gastroenterology division, thousands of lives are saved each year through early diagnosis and prevention of cancer. Not only that, with a focus on preventing and treating chronic diseases of the digestive system and liver, quality of life for many patients is vastly improved as well. A sub-specialty of internal medicine, gastroenterology deals with illnesses of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine (colon), gallbladder, liver and pancreas. The specialists in the division split their time between outpatient and inpatient procedures 28

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and consultations, working with virtually every other department to help patients in this busy hospital. Dr. Brian Stotland is head of the gastroenterology division at Southlake. In this role, he oversees six other gastrointestinal specialists who play a key role in the initiatives of Cancer Care Ontario, the provincial agent responsible for funding and screening for all regional cancer programs in the province. “Colon cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer in non-smokers and, unlike lung cancer, we have a readily available means of prevention or early detection,

particularly via colonoscopy,” says Dr. Stotland. “The incidence of this cancer is going down and a big part of why has to do with the screening for polyps and their removal before they can become cancerous.” While education and treatment of illnesses such as colitis, Crohn’s and chronic liver disease are important parts of the care these doctors provide to patients, gastroenterology is a procedure-oriented specialty and high numbers of patients are scoped at Southlake annually. In the busy gastroenterology outpatient unit, located in the Medical Arts Building

Focus on safety and quality earns gastroenterology unit top marks in patient survey While recent media coverage of hepatitis C infections at several clinics in Toronto draws attention to the importance of best practices to keep patients safe, the gastroenterology team at Southlake continues to go the extra mile to provide a safe, clean and healthy environment in its busy endoscopy suites. Last year, this commitment earned the team the highest overall satisfaction rating for quality of all the ambulatory units at the hospital in an annual patient survey conducted by an independent third party. Lori Martin, Southlake’s manager of perioperative and ambulatory services, points to a number of initiatives and precautions that help keep patients safe and well:

JIM CRAIGMYLE PHOTOGRAPH

across from the hospital, three to four procedure rooms are in use from Monday to Friday, with an average of 17 patients per day, per room. An inpatient day unit also operates six days a week (with an on-call in place on Sundays). The endoscopists are supported by anesthesiologists, nurses, procedure attendants, clerical and cleaning staff, and families are encouraged to be involved from the beginning

To help support the purchase of equipment required to provide top quality care to patients, the gastroenterology division is involved in the Lake Ride fundraiser, a community cycling event held each spring. Funds raised go towards purchasing critical equipment for the gastroenterology division at Southlake. This year’s event will be held May 31. Learn more at thelakeride.com.

• T he team uses only single-dose sedative injection vials (multi-dose vials are a suspected cause of hepatitis C transmission in some Toronto clinics). • N ursing staff are certified annually on issues such as medication safety and meeting Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada standards.

to the end of the patient’s visit. Between inpatient and outpatient procedures, last year the division conducted 4,028 gastroscopies, 6,256 colonoscopies, 230 sigmoidoscopies and 330 ERCPs. (When added to procedures done by other surgeons and specialists, the hospital performed more than 13,000 outpatient endoscopies in total.) Dr. Stotland’s division also oversees the registered nurse flexible sigmoidoscopy program, which aims to detect cancer in the rectum and colon and provides another option for patients interested in colon cancer screening. Southlake is the only hospital in the Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) with this program and one of only nine hospitals in all of Ontario. Lori Martin is the manager of perioperative and ambulatory services at Southlake, responsible for all in- and outpatient endoscopy for the hospital. A surgical nurse by education and training, she has been at Southlake for 28 years. Ms Martin points out that beyond early diagnosis and even prevention, the work done within this specialty often benefits patients in

• A ll procedure attendants (who clean the scopes) are certified. • I n a stringent manual process, all scopes are cleaned and flushed, then sterilized, which is the highest level of disinfection possible. • P rocedure rooms are thoroughly cleaned in between every single patient visit, helping with infection control. • S taff start each morning with a quick “quality and safety huddle” to tackle any issues that could compromise patient safety. • D octors, staff and patients go through a safety checklist together before each procedure. • T he department tracks its performance on specific quality indicators, annually reporting on the results to the hospital’s board. “I am fortunate to work with a team that is so focused on patient safety and quality,” Ms Martin says. “Everyone is committed to providing best practice care and to making each patient’s experience the best it can be.”

very concrete and practical terms. “We’re providing sophisticated interventional work,” she says. “When patients come in with acute life-threatening bleeding from an ulcer, or sepsis from infection in the bile ducts, endoscopic therapy can result in an immediate solution.” Gastroenterology is also good for the health system. Early diagnosis of many illnesses of the gastrointestinal tract supports better health outcomes and often reduces the level of intervention required. For example, recent dramatic improvements in treatment for both hepatitis C and hepatitis B can prevent late complications of cirrhosis and development of liver cancer. Dr. Stotland says that the opportunity to have such a positive impact along the continuum of care is one of the things he finds most rewarding about his specialty. “When a patient presents with bleeding and you can save their life, or you can prevent a disease that you know in three or four years could have a tremendously negative impact on their health and on their life, or even be fatal— our work is very gratifying in that respect.” winter 2015

Are you ready for a weather

emergency? by A nd r e w L i v i ngs t on e

Greg Stasyna, the head of York Region’s emergency management department, is a firm believer that a weather emergency like the ice storm of December 2013 that crippled much of Southern Ontario will happen again. It’s just a question of when. While that ice storm was forecasted, the former Toronto police officer and army reservist says the deep freeze that followed was unexpected and left approximately 90,000 residents in the region without power for days. Mr. Stasyna says many people were caught off guard by the power outage. And with experts forecasting more unpredictable weather for this winter, he hopes residents have learned from last year’s storm and taken steps to be prepared. “We will have severe weather and it’s about arming yourself with the knowledge and supplies you need to be ready for it,” he says. “It’s hard for people to conceptualize it until it happens.” Mr. Stasyna says it’s crucial residents be prepared for the worst and be able to live relatively comfortably and safely without power for up to 72 hours. In Canada, according to the region’s emergency preparedness guide, winter storms kill more than 100 people every year and account for more deaths than hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, lightning and extreme heat combined. Regions and municipalities in Ontario must complete a hazard identification risk assessment every five years, and Mr. Stasyna says for York Region severe weather is the biggest threat to public safety, particularly heavy snow, rain and ice in the winter months. “Residents think that in an emergency, in

Ben Brown of Sault Ste. Marie was among the many hydro workers who came to the GTA to help restore power to households and businesses that had been without electricity for days following a major ice storm in december 2013. r andy r i sl i ng / t o r on t o s ta r pho t og r aph 30

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a disaster even, that the government is going to come and save them,” says Mr. Stasyna. “The ice storm, the GTA floods (in 2013) all illustrated this. It’s not just buying stuff and having emergency heating. You need to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.” If residents are prepared—and Stasyna notes that those in rural areas tend to be better prepared for severe weather—they can make it through power loss for days. Being prepared is not just about having supplies on hand; it’s also about regular maintenance of your home and car and having plans in place to keep your family safe. Mr. Stasyna says it’s important to make sure: your car is in working order and has an emergency kit; your heating and electrical systems are well-maintained to avoid potential disruption; and you know how to shut off your water and gas. If you’re at work or away from family when a winter storm strikes, a set communication plan will help you reach children and elderly family members. “What if the wireless system is down and can’t get messages through? If the area you work or live in is blocked off, what are your plans to reunite yourself with [family members]?” Mr. Stasyna asks, adding many don’t think about these situations in advance. “Checking on loved ones, especially aging parents, is important.” Only 15 per cent of Canadian residents are prepared to stay in their home without utilities for an extended amount of time or have a “go bag” or evacuation mechanism if they have to leave for a period of time, Mr. Stasyna says. Those who aren’t ready for difficult situations put a strain on emergency services during winter storms.

Winter weather checklists: Communication • Make sure you have at least one of the following in case there is a power failure: • cell phone, portable charger and extra batteries • battery-powered radio, with extra batteries, for listening to local emergency instructions • Listen to emergency broadcasts. • Make a family communication plan. Your family may not be together during an extreme winter event, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do during an emergency. • Be sure to check on older neighbours and family members and offer assistance as necessary. Heating • Have at least one of the following heat sources in case the power goes out: • extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm winter coats • fireplace with plenty of dry firewood or a gas log fireplace • portable space heaters or kerosene heaters • Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and nonglowing elements. • Have the following safety equipment: • chemical fire extinguisher • smoke alarm in working order • carbon monoxide detector • Never use an electric generator indoors, inside the garage or near the air intake of your home because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. • Do not use a generator or appliances if they are wet. • Do not store gasoline indoors where the fumes could ignite. Food and safety Have at least 72 hours of food and safety supplies available. If you live far from other people, have more supplies on hand. Make sure you have the following: • water, at least two litres of water per person per day; include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order • food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (replace food and water once a year) • manual can-opener • crank or battery-powered flashlight and radio and extra batteries • first aid kit • a copy of your emergency plan and contact information

• some cash in smaller bills • items such as prescription medication, infant formula, equipment for people with disabilities or food, water and medication for your pets or service animal • two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning • candles and matches or lighter (place candles in deep, sturdy containers and do not burn unattended) • sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member • hand sanitizer • utensils for cooking/eating • basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, dust mask, pocket knife) • a whistle (to attract attention) • duct tape (to tape up windows, doors, air vents, etc.) Water Keep a water supply. Extreme cold can cause water pipes in your home to freeze and sometimes break. • Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously. • Keep the indoor temperature warm. • Allow more heated air near pipes. Open kitchen cabinet doors under the kitchen sink. • If your pipes do freeze, do not thaw them with a torch. Thaw the pipes slowly with warm air from an electric hair dryer. • Fill the bathtub or have bottled water on hand. Car Minimize travel during an emergency, but if travel is necessary, keep the following in your vehicle: • cell phone, portable charger and extra batteries • shovel • battery-powered radio, extra batteries • flashlight with extra batteries • water • snack food • extra hats, coats and mittens • blankets • canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair • road salt and sand • booster cables • emergency flares • bright-coloured flag or help signs • first aid kit • road maps and compass Sources: Government of Canada, York Region

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Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund winter 2015

partners

IN CARE Rudolf Hilpold

Supporting Southlake for 20 years by J e nn Ra e

Rudolf Hilpold is a quiet man with a warm, broad smile. Sitting in the Newmarket home he shares with daughter Brigitte Oliver and her family, Mr. Hilpold is modest about his history of giving to Southlake. “When I have a few extra dollars, I give it to the hospital,” he explains. Maybe he’s modest about it because giving is ingrained into who he is. For the majority of his 99 years, Mr. Hilpold has been giving what he can, when he can. Even as a new immigrant, coming to Canada at the age of 40 with just a suitcase in his hand and a young family to support, Mr. Hilpold still managed to give whenever he had the opportunity. “Dad has always been generous,” says Mrs. Oliver. “He’s always given to charity—whatever he could afford.” Mr. Hilpold focused his charitable giving to Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation shortly after he moved to Newmarket 20 years ago. Mrs. Oliver explains that giving to Southlake means a lot to him because so many people in the community use the hospital. “Dad is just an ordinary man,” she says. “He doesn’t have millions of dollars to give, but he knows how valuable it is to have good doctors and access to a good hospital. So, he does his part to help make that possible.” “Dedicated donors like Rudy are the backbone of the Foundation,” says Neila Poscente, President and CEO of Southlake Foundation. “On behalf of all of the patients he has helped, I would like to thank him for supporting our hospital for so many years.” Hospitals hold a special place in Mr. Hilpold’s heart. His late wife, Irma, worked as a ward clerk in several hospitals during her 30-year career, and daughters Brigitte and Linda worked in hospital kitchens as teenagers. The Hilpold girls would share their stories with Mr. Hilpold when he picked them up from their shifts, giving him an insider’s view of a hospital’s inner workings, including a behind the scenes look at some of the funding challenges that hospitals face. Mr. Hilpold has always held hospitals in a high regard and is an avid reader of health and technological innovations. He subscribes to the Mayo Clinic Health Letter to learn about the newest technologies around the world, and enjoys reading about Southlake’s innovation and advancements in beingwell. 32

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Dr. Dave Williams, President and CEO of Southlake Regional Health Centre, with long-time Southlake supporter, Rudolf Hilpold, at a donor appreciation event.

“Dad is very aware of how important it is for the hospital to have up-to-date equipment and technology,” says Mrs. Oliver. “He’s very proud, and thankful, that he can do his part to help.” Mr. Hilpold has certainly seen a great deal of change at Southlake, since he started donating in 1995. With the addition of Southlake’s regional cardiac care and cancer centres, Southlake has transformed from a small community hospital to the worldrenowned institute that it is today. With further advancement and expansion on the way, Southlake will continue to rely on

dedicated donors like Mr. Hilpold, so that everyone in our community can have access to the very best technology and equipment. Mr. Hilpold has only used Southlake’s services for minor reasons but is glad to know a world-class hospital is just down the street. He realizes donating to Southlake is to his benefit too, should he rely on Southlake’s services someday. At one point of another, most of us will use the hospital’s services for ourselves or a loved one. Giving to Southlake can be considered an investment: It’s like putting a down payment on your possible future needs.

winter 2015

How healthy are we? by L e e A nn W at e r man

Eat a healthy diet—making a particular effort to eat more than five servings of vegetables and fruits each day. Don’t smoke and maintain a smoke-free home. Practice low-risk drinking—no more than two drinks per day and 10 per week for women and no more than three per day and 15 per week for men. Be physically active—for at least 30 minutes a day. These are the four key behaviours York Region residents should adopt to maintain and improve their health, says Cathy Jaynes, director of healthy living in the community and health services division at the Region of York. The behaviours are drawn in part from the results of Statistics Canada’s Canadian Community Health Survey. Participants self-reported on a variety of topics including health behaviours (smoking, physical activity), health conditions (obesity, chronic disease, cancer diagnosis), well-being (perceived stress, mental health), as well as demographic information such as education and income levels and community make-up. Although York Region rated better than or on par with provincial averages in many 34

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categories, our scores are not all worth celebrating, Ms Jaynes says. For example, 45.5 per cent of York residents were classified as obese or overweight (according to numbers they reported for weight and height), compared to 52.6 per cent across the province. Neither number makes a case for a very healthy population. York was slightly below provincial average for physical activity—and although the difference between the two is not statistically significant, it is a concern that nearly half of adults are not at least moderately active, Ms Jaynes says. By adopting the four healthy habits, residents can reduce their risk of many health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers, achieve a healthy weight and improve their mental and emotional health, Ms Jaynes says. In addition, including children—by eating at least one meal together as a family every day or going for a walk on local trails on the weekend, for example—sets them up to build and maintain their own healthy habits. “You have to give this gift to yourself,” she says of making health a priority. “Think of this as a real investment in you.”

How do we stack up? The Canadian Community Health Survey has statistics on a wide variety of health behaviours and indicators. Here’s how York Region compares to the province in several categories. Perceived health, good or excellent York Region: 62.8% Ontario: 60.4% Perceived mental health, good or excellent York Region: 75.2% Ontario: 72.4% Overweight or obese York Region: 45.5% Ontario: 52.6% Diabetes York Region: 4.5% Ontario: 6.6% Current smoker, daily or occasional York Region: 16.5% Ontario: 19.2% Heavy drinking York Region: 12.6% Ontario: 16.9% Leisure time physical activity, moderately active or active York Region: 50.2% Ontario: 53.8% Fruit and vegetable consumption, five times or more per day York Region: 37.1% Ontario: 38.9%

HealtH CARE: a look ahead From cause awareness to celebrating health care professionals, each month there are many health observances on the calendar. By directing your monthly cause donations to Southlake, your gift will help transform the lives of patients closer to home.

January  Alzheimer Awareness Month

february  Heart Month Lorraine Simpson was an active mother and grandmother until her diagnosis of atrial fibrillation forced her to slow down. “I had to watch life from a distance instead of being part of it,” she says. Thanks to the care she received in Southlake’s electrophysiology department (part of the Regional Cardiac Care Program), Ms Simpson’s condition was treated. Her irregular heartbeat was corrected, drastically decreasing her risk of stroke. Four days after her procedure, she was able to welcome her granddaughter into the world at Southlake’s birthing unit. “My story could be anyone’s story,” she says. “That’s why support for the most advanced care possible in our community is so important.” Your Heart Month donation can support Southlake’s Heart Rhythm Program expansion and help more patients in our community get back to what matters most. Donate today at southlakefoundation.ca

 Psychology Month

lorraine simpson

1 - 7 Eating Disorders Awareness Week 4

World Cancer Day

march  Help Fight Liver Disease Month  National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month  National Kidney Month

8 -14 World Glaucoma Week 9 -15 Brain Awareness Week 26

Global Day of Epilepsy Awareness

Celebrating our health care professionals! March is National Social Work Month and Pharmacist Awareness Month. Social workers and pharmacists help support our patients every day! Say thank you with a tribute gift this month. Donate today at southlakefoundation.ca winter 2015

J i m C r a i gmyl e pho t og r aph

Southlake Foundation President and CEO Neila Poscente (left) works closely with Board of Directors Vice-Chair Jim Alexander and Chair Felicia Salomon, who dedicate their time and expertise to oversee the Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fundraising activities.

A shared vision Foundation board believes community members deserve the very best by B i ll H odg i n s 36

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Inspiring investment in Southlake’s future. This is the mission of the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation and, since its inception in 1980, a team of dedicated individuals has raised more than $100 million to help transform the lives of everyone who receives care at Southlake. Year after year, the community has generously contributed to equipment, capital projects, patient programs and staff education —expanding and transforming Southlake into the centre of excellence that it is today. “It was Southlake Foundation working in partnership with the hospital’s clinical leadership that championed such ambitious projects as our regional cardiac care and cancer programs,” says Neila Poscente, President and CEO of Southlake Foundation. “The vision of world class care closer to home inspired our community to help fund the stunning transformation of a local community hospital into what is now a leader in Canadian health care.” Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of volunteers provide leadership and governance by sharing their years of experience. The members of the Southlake Foundation Board of Directors have varied backgrounds. They are developers, business leaders, financial planners, investment consultants and, of course, physicians. Together, their cumulative knowledge and skills set the strategic direction and support Southlake Foundation’s bold goals. “Raising millions of dollars every year is serious business and requires a focused and business-like approach, which our board dutifully provides to our organization,” says Ms Poscente. Ms Poscente says Southlake Foundation is fortunate to have a diverse group of community leaders serving on the board of directors. “Their individual skills and background, combined with their passionate commitment to Southlake and their community is helping the Foundation bring the very best in patient care, equipment and resources close to home,” she says. The Foundation’s impact on the community is tremendous, says Ms Poscente. “As Canadians, we have come to expect that the health care we receive is of the highest standard and that government has sole responsibility for ensuring that we all have access to health care in this country,” she explains. “But the reality is that the government funds only a portion of hospital needs. That’s

If you want to help Southlake Foundation transform lives in our community, contact Sarah Fieldhouse at sfieldhouse@southlakeregional.org or 905-836-7333, ext. 5123.

why the role of the Foundation is so important. It impacts everyone in our community.” As chair of Southlake Foundation’s Board of Directors, Felicia Salomon knows that the leadership offered by board members is vital to Southlake’s success. “The Foundation is accountable for raising funds that are so desperately needed by our community,” she says. “Providing business direction is incredibly important and I’m honoured that I can help.” Ms Salomon was introduced to Southlake Foundation when her company, Preston Group, made a philanthropic gift to support Southlake’s mammography unit in 2008. “Once I started to see the phenomenal things being done at Southlake, I wanted to be more involved,” she says. After touring the facilities and learning more about Southlake, Ms Salomon made the transition from donor to volunteer, bringing her business development skills to positions on the board’s governance and nominating committees, before becoming chair of the board two years ago. While Ms Salomon was inspired by what she saw at Southlake, incoming chair Jim Alexander became involved in Southlake Foundation in a different way. A local businessman and owner of several Tim Hortons franchises, Mr. Alexander had some contact with the Foundation, but admits that his knowledge was limited. “I knew that the Foundation provided the hospital with financing, and I participated in their golf tournaments,” says Mr. Alexander. “But I can’t say that I was really well-versed on what exactly the Foundation did.” When an existing board member approached Mr. Alexander with the opportunity to join the board of directors and utilize his business and networking skills, his interest was piqued. After doing some research and meeting with Ms Poscente, Mr. Alexander better understood the importance of having a strong volunteer board, and joined the board to provide his business acumen and community connections to support Southlake Foundation’s fundraising efforts. These days, Mr. Alexander makes it his business to ensure his friends and colleagues know just how important a role the Foundation plays in the day-to-day operations of the hospital. Now in his fourth year on the Foundation’s board of directors, Mr. Alexander is vice-chair, in addition to chairing the human resources committee. He will be succeeding Ms Salomon as chair of the board, when her term ends in 2015. He says that, right from the start, he was impressed with the commitment put forward by the established members. “People were on that board because they were passionate about the hospital and the community,” he says. “Right away, I got the impression that everyone there just wanted Southlake to be the best hospital it could be.”

Calling all business leaders! Are you results-oriented, with a diverse range of professional skills and a strong community and business network? Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation is looking for people like you to serve on the board of directors. As a member of the board … • Y ou aren’t afraid to approach your connections to help expand the Foundation’s family of donors. • Y ou have a variety of skills and experience that you are willing to share and time to commit to attending meetings and events. • M ost importantly, you share in the vision that the this community deserves the very best that health care has to offer, close to home, and are willing to dedicate your time and talent to the cause. If you are looking for a rewarding way to use the skills you’ve built over a lifetime, the Southlake Foundation Board of Directors is a fantastic opportunity to use your knowledge and network to affect positive change in your own community. Remember, board members don’t just give back, they get back too. Susan Bishop, the newest member of the Foundation’s board of directors says that serving on the board has given her a great sense of personal fulfillment. “As a parent, I get an opportunity to show my kids that it is really important to give back and hopefully inspire them to do so,” she explains. “It has also given me the opportunity to make many new friends—exceptional people who live in York Region.”

For both Ms Salomon and Mr. Alexander, volunteering their time and expertise has been a rewarding experience. “It’s the stories that we hear from the patients,” reflects Ms Salomon. “Peoples’ lives are being transformed from the treatment they receive here. That’s what it’s all about. That’s why we work so hard to help.” Mr. Alexander enjoys showing donors the impact of their generosity. “When we bring donors to the hospital to show them where their dollars are really going, it opens their eyes,” he says. “You get the opportunity to really understand what the hospital has to offer. It’s really gratifying.” winter 2015

hospital NEWS

mat t z ambon i n pho t og r aph

Dr. Dave Williams, Southlake President and CEo and Canadian astronaut (centre), accepts the royal canadian geographical society gold medal from Dr. Paul R. Ruest, president of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (Left), and Governor General David Johnston.

Award-winning health care at Southlake Hospital recognized with distinguished national and international awards

At Southlake, our vision—shockingly excellent experiences – speaks to our promise to provide every person who enters our doors with an experience that meets or exceeds their expectations. In order to stay true to this promise, we must continually challenge ourselves to reach higher and perform better, by identifying quality improvements and innovations that have the potential to improve the overall patient experience. When our hospital is recognized for its successes in safety, innovation and quality of care, these awards are so much more than decorations on our walls. These accomplishments are evidence of Southlake’s ongoing commitment to ensure we are holding ourselves to our promises and that we are continually striving to provide care at a level of excellence our patients deserve and our staff and physicians are proud to deliver. Southlake was recently recognized with four national and international awards, celebrating successes across the organization, from patient flow and safety to the personal achievements of Southlake’s own president and CEO, Dr. Dave Williams. Southlake was honoured to be named the 38

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first international recipient of the McKesson Distinguished Achievement Award for Clinical Excellence. This award recognizes the continuous improvements the hospital has made, through the implementation of the McKesson Visibility project. Through the project, secure electronic boards similar in look to large flat-screen televisions, are in use in all patient care areas, providing members of the health care team with important safety and flow information at a simple glance. Information provided using the boards includes the location of patients, estimated date of discharge, a given patient’s risk of falling and whether or not a patient has been placed on precautionary measures to avoid risks associated with infectious disease. Over the past two years, this technology has proven to be an important tool for staff to reference. Together with other quality and efficiency-related strategies, it has helped contribute to the reduction of medication errors; decreased patient falls by 50 per cent; and lowered the time the majority of patients wait in the emergency department by up to 17 per cent. In addition to this award, Southlake also

received a Silver Quality Safety Award and, for the seventh consecutive year, was recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers. “I am beyond thrilled with the recent recognition Southlake’s people and our programs have achieved,” said Dr. Williams. “These awards are a tangible symbol of our relentless commitment to excellence and to identifying new opportunities and technologies that can improve the hospital experience for our patients. It’s what we strive to achieve every single day in everything we do.” In addition to the hospital’s achievements, Dr. Williams was also recently honoured for his personal contributions to the Canadian Space Agency with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s gold medal. He was one of eight Canadian astronauts to be recognized with the award last year, which marked the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Space Agency. A veteran of two space flights and three space walks, Dr. Williams has played an instrumental role in understanding space and advancing astronaut health. During his time in space, Dr. Williams contributed to the construction of the International Space Station and conducted neuroscience investigations on the effects of weightlessness on the nervous system. Dr. Williams is also an accomplished emergency room physician and, following his space flights, served as the Director of Space and Life Sciences at NASA, where he implemented changes to improve the safety procedures for all space flight crews. As Southlake’s president and CEO, he is passionate about sharing and implementing the safety and quality practices he gained in the aerospace industry and applying them in a hospital setting. This is the fourth in a number of outstanding achievements for Dr. Williams. In 2013, he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada and, in 2012, he was honoured with a Diamond Jubilee Medal and became the first hospital CEO to be inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.

For more information about Southlake and its award-winning people, programs and services, visit the Celebrating Our Successes page at southlakeregional.org.

“Living in Aurora, Southlake is my hospital. I consider it a privilege to be involved as a volunteer, supporting great health care for my community.” Steve Hinder, Southlake Foundation Board Member

Steve is a valued member of Southlake Foundation’s Board of Directors. As Chair of the Run or Walk for Southlake, Steve brings with him the skills that he developed over his 30-year policing career to help engage the community, and create a fun and safe family event. Volunteers like Steve are an integral part of our team. Together, we are inspiring investment in Southlake’s future and transforming lives.

ARE YOU A DRIVEN INDIVIDUAL WITH COMMUNITY & BUSINESS CONNECTIONS AND A DIVERSE RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL SKILLS?

YOU CAN HELP US TRANSFORM LIVES CONTACT SARAH FIELDHOUSE AT 905.836.7333 EXT. 5123 OR SFIELDHOUSE@SOUTHLAKEREGIONAL.ORG TO FIND OUT HOW. winter 2015

foundation NEWS

SAVE THE DATE On Saturday, November 7, 2015, close to a thousand community supporters will attend the Southlake Black Tie Ball, which promises to be the year’s most iconic, intriguing and elegant evening in York Region! The Ball, presented in association with award-winning event planning company Bassett Events, will feature a lavish cocktail reception, gourmet dinner and silent and live auctions. Attendees will be treated to a spectacular performance by Montreal Rhapsody Orchestra and the evening will be emceed by Canadian fashion icon Jeanne Beker. Event co-chairs Felicia Salomon and Susan Chant are excited for this year’s Ball. “It’s going to be the event of the year!” says Ms Salomon. “I always look forward to attending and am honoured to be a part of making it happen in 2015! It’s always such a fun night and it warms my heart to see our community come out in support of Southlake.” Ms Chant agrees. “It’s amazing to see what strong support Southlake has,” she says. “From physicians, hospital management and board members to community and corporate leaders, everyone attending has a vested

Southlake Black Tie Ball event co-chair Susan Chant and her husband Ted enjoying themselves at the 2013 Southlake Ball.

interest in making sure that Southlake has the funds it needs to address the most critical areas across the hospital.” Southlake Foundation is excited to introduce Aurora Trails as title sponsor of the Ball, which promises to be a fantastic night in support of a great cause—ensuring all Southlake patients have access to safe, quality, innovative care. The 2013 Southlake Ball raised $810,000 NET to support priority equipment and programming needs across Southlake. This year,

Southlake Foundation is hoping to raise even more so that our health care team can continue to transform the lives of everyone who comes through Southlake’s doors. Sponsorship opportunities are available now as well as tables of 10 available for purchase. For more information, contact Cortney Cassidy, event specialist, at 905-836-7333, ext. 5106 or cdcassidy@southlakeregional.org. They are going quickly!

community event listings Events Supporting Southlake Southlake Paediatric Oncology Department: Inside Ride Friday, February 13 Laurie Breedon, LBreedon@southlakeregional.org Supports Paediatric Oncology Clinic Newmarket Hurricanes: The Battle of York Sunday, February 15 newmarkethurricanes.com Supports Stronach Regional Cancer Centre East Gwillimbury Women’s Show presented by Tangles Salon & Spa Saturday, April 25 Holland Landing Community Centre egwomensshow.com Sharon Bates, egwomensshow@gmail.com Supports Stronach Regional Cancer Centre

PRODUCTS & SERVICES SUPPORTING SOUTHLAKE Benson Kearley IFG Insurance Brokers & Financial Advisors $10 to Southlake for every no obligation quote. Supporting priority needs 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 Donate a Car Donate a Car Canada accepts vehicle donations for Southlake Regional Health Centre. Visit southlakefoundation.ca for more information.

1 EASY Fundraising for Southlake is

E ngage the Foundation Contact us and we’ll help you get started.

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Steps Clothing Bin Donations Southlake Campus and Magna Centre Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., receive tax receipt and vouchers Supporting shared proceeds to Southlake’s priority needs Newmarket Hurricanes 3,000 Campaign During 2014 and 2015 season 1,000 fans attendance means a chance to win $1,000 and $1,000 donation to Southlake newmarkethurricanes.com Supports Stronach Cancer Centre 1001 Pictures for Southlake Order at Southlake Gift Shop or online dubiproductions.com Supporting priority needs

2 3 4 Arrange your event Plan out the details.

Showtime! Host your event.

southlakefoundation.ca

Y our work is done!

Submit the proceeds to the Foundation and we’ll put them to work!

Marlene MacPherson A legacy of wellbeing and community by L e e A nn W at e r man

When beingwell first met Bradford resident Marlene MacPherson it was for an article we published in our summer 2010 edition. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, Ms MacPherson shared how she’d left behind her daily commutes to downtown Toronto as a busy corporate executive for a life focused on food, family and community. Faced with her own mortality, she had also started thinking about her personal legacy. “I want to be remembered as someone who helped other women, who was part of a community,” she told us. Ms MacPherson, who passed away in October, at age 48, following a recurrence of breast cancer, will be remembered that way by the many people she helped and organizations she supported, including Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation. “I remember her being very spunky and gorgeous and what an incredible smile she had,” Neila Poscente, foundation President and CEO recalls of her first meeting with Ms MacPherson. “She came in to meet us to talk about her vision of helping people lead healthier lives and how she could support Southlake with her vision of what she would be doing for the rest of her life. And boy, that’s

what she did. She was just an amazing woman.” Ms MacPherson was a founding member of Ladies in Philanthropy for Southlake, otherwise known as LIPS, a group of women who pool their resources to make large targeted contributions to the hospital, and a regular participant in the Run or Walk for Southlake. She also donated proceeds from book sales and appearances to the foundation and contributed recipes to beingwell. Ms MacPherson had a fierce commitment to Southlake, but she was more than just a fundraiser, she was a friend, too. “She was that type of person. She just had so much love in her heart and room in her life to embrace people and bring you in. It was a very special thing to be part of Marlene’s group. She really made you feel so special,” Ms Poscente said. Through her signature brand Marlene’s Meal Makeovers, which encompassed cookbooks, a website, appearances on City TV’s Breakfast Television and Canada AM and many public appearances locally and across the country, Ms MacPherson connected with thousands of people. They were drawn to her warmth and her strength, says Maria Arangio, who worked

closely with Ms MacPherson on the design of her cookbooks and marketing of her business. “She was just a small town kind of girl. She let people into her life and gave them a sense of comfort,” she says. Ms Arangio describes her friend and colleague as driven, supportive and motivating. As an entrepreneur, Ms MacPherson was willing to take risks and try new things but also aware of the need to chart the successes and learn from the failures. She remained true to her passions, says Ms Arangio: “She was all about best health and getting families back to eating at home.” Ms MacPherson was also willing to speak from a personal place about raising her daughter, Dakota, and battling cancer. “She understood that she represented what many people were going through,” Ms Arangio says. “She was a vocal public figure who could deliver the message and be a positive influence for people going through the same thing. “She would definitely be proud of her accomplishments.”

—with files from Dominik Kurek, York Region Media Group winter 2015

neighboursHELPING NEIGHBOURS

Baby stepping for change 2014—oh, what a night! Is it just me or does January sometimes feel like the morning after hosting a pull-out-all-the-stops party? In the aftermath of such fun, there’s a lot of cleaning up to do and a little self-reflection along the way, ultimately leading to some form of renewal. At least that’s my take on January. What else could explain the parade of New Year’s resolutions? In the past, I’ve advocated for bold New Year’s resolutions in the form of volunteering and giving back. Not to worry, no such pleas for grand ambitions here. It’s not that the need for volunteers has diminished; it’s greater than ever. It’s just that I’ve realized I’m preaching to the choir. My guess is that many beingwell readers are already well involved with the hospital and any number of important organizations in our community. I’m also taking a different approach this year because things have changed. I’m not sure exactly how or why or who is responsible but, by many accounts, 2014 was a difficult year for charities—not that any year in recent memory has been particularly

bountiful. What has changed, or seems to be accelerating, is the crowded landscape in which charities and not-for-profits compete for resources and funding. Canadians are giving people, but volunteer rates and donations on the whole are stagnant. Meanwhile, individuals are becoming overwhelmed by the volume of asks for their donations. Fundraising now seems tougher than ever and getting people out to support community events can sometimes feel like pulling teeth. As individuals, we can only give so much. When we end up saying “no” to charities more than we get to say “yes”, there’s a sense of disappointment. Some people call this trend donor fatigue, but I think maybe we’ve progressed to donor depression. So, this year, I’m recommending “baby stepping”—making and following through on small reasonable goals—as a means of supporting a charitable initiative or organization. How about starting with an organization’s website and learning about its goals, events

B y john c r ow e ll

and opportunities for the year ahead. Join a charity’s mailing list to stay in touch throughout the year. Call a charity’s volunteer coordinator to explore needs and potential fits. Or make a small but meaningful donation. One goal of Neighbourhood Network is to show off charitable organizations: their people, services, opportunities and events. At neighbourhoodnetwork.org, there are many opportunities to tap into what’s happening in your community and discover ways people are getting involved. With more than 250 community agency partners profiled, there’s more happening behind the scenes and throughout the community than you know. So drop your fleeting New Year’s resolution and help bring back the baby step for future change.

John Crowell is the manager for social responsibility at Magna International Inc. Neighbourhood Network is a non-profit Magna for Community initiative. For information, visit neighbourhoodnetwork.org or call 1-855-870-4586.

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last WORD

Injection or nasal spray?

by M a r jolyn P r i t cha r d

Will you be one of the millions of Canadians who catch the flu this year? Do you know you still have time to protect yourself and your family from catching the flu?

What is the flu (influenza)? Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a serious, acute respiratory illness caused by a virus. People who get influenza may experience fever, chills, cough, runny eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, extreme weakness and fatigue. In addition to these symptoms, children may have earaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The flu virus can be spread through the air by droplets from infected individuals coughing or sneezing or through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, such as toys, door knobs, light switches and other areas, and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. Influenza vaccine Getting the flu shot is part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In Canada, flu season typically occurs between November to April. When you get vaccinated against the flu, you build up your immunity, which makes you stronger and more resistant to the virus. It’s also important to get a flu shot every year, because the virus can mutate and change. Though it’s a common misconception, you can’t get the flu from the flu shot. The flu injection is an inactivated virus, meaning it does not contain a live virus. New this year is Flumist, an influenza vaccine in the form of a nasal spray. Flumist is a live attenuated vaccine that has been altered to make it harmless and is licensed for use

It’s never too late to get your flu shot with healthy individuals aged two to 59. It can be given instead of the annual flu injection and provides better protection for healthy children from two to six years of age. Flumist requires a prescription from your physician and is not currently covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). It can be purchased at a pharmacy and is administered by your physician. More information on this vaccine is available on York Region’s website at york.ca/flu. Vaccination is the most effective way to help prevent the flu. Although the vaccine is not 100 per cent guaranteed to prevent the flu in everyone, it will help reduce serious illness, hospitalization and death for those who become infected. It takes about two weeks after receiving the flu vaccine to develop protection against influenza.

• Keep healthy by eating healthy foods, being physically active and ensuring your immunizations, including the seasonal flu shot, are up to date. • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. • Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer (70 to 90 per cent) to clean hands when soap and water are not available. • Cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve or into a tissue. Dispose of used tissues immediately. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth if you haven’t washed your hands. • Avoid large crowds of people where viruses can easily spread. • Stay home when you are sick. • Keep common surface areas clean and disinfected

Who should get the flu vaccine? Anyone aged six months or older is eligible to receive the publicly funded flu vaccine. It’s recommended that high risk groups, including seniors and children five years of age and younger, receive the vaccine as they have an increased risk of serious illness. Pregnant women can get the flu shot at any time during their pregnancy. The flu vaccine is recommended for the health of the pregnant woman and provides her baby with immunity during the first six months when risk of serious illness is greatest. Getting the flu vaccine protects you, your family and the people you care about.

Where can you get the flu shot? You may receive your flu shot at your doctor’s office or at participating pharmacies, though pharmacists can only administer the flu shot to children five years of age or older. Some employers may also schedule workplace flu clinics. Check with your employer.

How to prevent the spread of the flu virus • Get the flu shot. Visit york.ca/flu for clinic information.

For more information on the flu, the flu vaccine or the location of a flu clinic in your area, contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933 or visit york.ca/flu.

Marjolyn Pritchard is director for infectious diseases control in York Region’s Community and Health Services Department.

Jumpstart your new year

5 ways

to boost your health in 2015 B y l e e ann wat e r man

A healthy lifestyle is the result of many good choices every day and every year. With input from David Kiernan, a kinesiologist who works in the cardiovascular rehabilitation program at Southlake Regional Health Centre, we’ve come up with five changes you can make right now to boost your health in 2015.

Just add vegetables Adding one cup of raw spinach or half a cup of baked sweet potato to your day will boost your fibre intake and ensure you’re getting a widerange of vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin A, which is crucial for a healthy immune system. (Source: Health Canada, hc-sc.ga.ca)

Face to face

Replacing a text or email with a cup of coffee with a friend or an in-person conversation with a colleague could mean a longer life. Studies show that we need social networks not just for our mental but also our physical wellbeing. (Source: Medical News Today, medicalnewstoday.com) 44

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Make a snowman

If you sit at a desk all day, take micro breaks, every 30 minutes or so, to stand up and stretch or walk around. Set an alarm on your computer or cell phone as a reminder.

And find some other fun ways to get outside with your family this winter. Time spent outdoors can improve your mental wellbeing through reduced anxiety, decreased stress and increased energy and boost your physical health by increasing your immunity and lowering the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and colon cancer.

(Source: beingwell, winter 2013, southlakefoundation.ca)

(Source: David Suzuki Foundation, davidsuzuki.org)

Stand and move

Get a good night’s sleep

The effects of sleep deprivation include an increased risk of vascular disease and type 2 diabetes and an impaired immune system. Most people require at least 7-1/2 hours sleep each night. (Source: Canadian Journal of Cardiology)

Show us how you’re jumpstarting your year and share your stories and photos with us on Twitter @SouthlakeFndn (use #beingwellmag) or at facebook.com/SouthlakeFoundation.

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