Healthy.Together. Newsletter - Spring 2017

SPRING 2017 NEWSLETTER |

ISSUE 09

MSHF.ON.CA

MARKHAM.STOUFFVILLE. TM

How the Buy a Bear Program helped one young patient comfort another In fact, in addition to children, the bears have touched the lives of some of our most vulnerable patients – from the tiny newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit, to patients fighting cancer in our Chemotherapy Clinic, to the elderly suffering from dementia.

Mick Cavanagh, 13, bought a bear for fellow patient Andrew Easun, 7.

The Fracture Clinic at Markham Stouffville Hospital was the last place 13-year-old Mick Cavanagh wanted to be. After all, being treated for a broken bone isn’t much fun. Then Mick noticed a little boy, younger than himself, crying and obviously distressed. Mick’s heart instantly went out to him and he asked his mom, Sherry, to buy a bear to give to his fellow patient. “I know what it’s like to be scared,” he admitted. Sherry quickly went to the lobby to purchase a bear through the

Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation’s Buy a Bear program. Moments later, Mick gently placed the bear into seven-year-old Andrew Easun’s arms. “This is just the kind of thing Mick loves to do – to help people,” says his proud mom. Mick isn’t the only one who likes to help people. Since our Buy a Bear program launched last fall, the generosity of our community has been overwhelming. To date, over 600 bears have been purchased to bring comfort to patients like Andrew.

It’s not just comfort the bear brings when it’s needed most. This little bear gives our community the power to touch patients and change lives in a very unique and tender way. Nobody in the Fracture Clinic will ever forget how Mick paid it forward that day. His thoughtful gesture moved doctors, nurses, staff and patients to tears and left Andrew’s mother, Diana, speechless with gratitude. She later shared just how much the bear comforted her son as he

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Greetings from the Foundation CEO I love my job at the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. Even after 10 years, it gives me such pleasure to come to work each day. You see, as the Foundation CEO, I often hear stories like MSH Foundation CEO the one we featured Suzette Strong on the cover of this newsletter – heart-warming, inspiring stories that remind me of the generosity of our community. And it all begins with you. Every story of recovery and hope has our generous supporters at its centre.

After all, it’s your support that helps us fund lifesaving equipment, technology and programs. You give our patients their very best chance to get better. The truth is I’m more inspired by your generosity with each passing year. As our community continues to grow, and with it the need for your support, you are there like a loyal friend. With you by our side, I have every confidence we’ll continue to overcome the challenges that come with growth. I am so proud to be the CEO and hear such inspiring stories like Mick and Andrew’s. I am grateful to work in a community where caring supporters like you always find it in your heart to pay it forward. With gratitude, Suzette Strong, MSH Foundation CEO

Mick and Andrew continued...

Heart of Gold

home and we were stubborn enough to keep pushing.”

What’s the secret to longevity? Is it unwavering commitment to community and generosity of heart?

And generous enough to start giving…

Russell Beare, life-long Markham resident and loyal Markham Stouffville Hospital supporter, might say so. At his recent 100th birthday celebration, Mr. Beare reflected on his involvement with MSH.

Having contributed to the $5 million “building fund” campaign, Mr. Beare is Russell Beare, among Markham Stouffville life-long Markham resident Hospital’s founding donors. and loyal MSH supporter Today, he remains just as committed to the hospital. He proudly counts his role in its inception as one of his greatest accomplishments. And on the occasion he’s needed it, he’s received excellent care there.

“In 1950 I had a pretty bad heart attack. It was so bad, they wouldn’t move me,” Mr. Beare recounts. With the closest hospital too far away, his doctor instead prescribed two months of strict bed rest. “When I got better, we started to talk about a local hospital for Markham,” he says. Along with the late Dr. Jim Scott “who happened to be my own doctor,” Mr. Beare continued to promote the idea of a hospital, and in 1963 the original hospital foundation was formed. Facing much resistance and many roadblocks, the determination of Mr. Beare and other like-minded residents never wavered. And finally, in 1987, government approval came. “Some people are more determined than others,” says Mr. Beare matter-of-factly. “We saw the need for care close to

For Russell Beare, the proud heritage of Markham Stouffville Hospital is rooted in the deep commitment from the community. So is its extraordinary future, he affirms. Echoing the letter sent by the hospital committee to the community in 1966, Mr. Beare sums up his reason for giving pure and simple:

“Your commitment today may save a life one day – maybe your own.”

went through treatment for his severely broken leg. For a young boy like Andrew, his bear is like a new friend to hug and distract him during a scary time. Moreso, this little bear is also a symbol of the huge impact our incredible community is having on our hospital. You see, the money raised from the Buy a Bear program is used for the purchase of critical equipment that government funding doesn’t cover including blood pressure monitors, CT scanners, IV pumps and surgical equipment, as well as our very special Dr. Bear Program. Thankfully, we have dedicated supporters like you by our side. Your generosity funds new technology and programs and helps buy essential equipment like the 22 wheelchairs we urgently need right now. Thank you for paying it forward – for reaching out to the many people in our community who will turn to Markham Stouffville Hospital for quality care and treatment. Just like Mick, you are touching lives and making a difference with your caring heart. 2

Enhancing Patient Care with new Technology Thanks to your generosity, there’s something new and exciting at Markham Stouffville Hospital. It’s called the Business Intelligence (BI) tool. With a name like that you might wonder how it can possibly make an impact on patient care. But the BI tool actually plays a big role. So what exactly is it and what does it do? The BI tool is advanced software that provides our doctors, frontline staff and leaders with smart insights on the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of how we care for our patients. For example, our physicians can easily use the tool to see which patients are being re-admitted more frequently. Or they can review data that shows them how new quality-based procedures are

improving patient care and satisfaction. In December, our hospital went live with Phase I that covers Inpatient Dr. Andrew Arcand, clinical reporting Chief of Emergency Medicine and our Emergency Department (ED) Operations. Doctors can now view various ED discharge trends that can, for instance, aid in the plan to help reduce wait times. The future vision is to integrate all hospital data into the BI tool, providing one-stop access to information and key insights to best serve our patients – your family, friends and neighbours. Thank you for bringing this groundbreaking technology to our hospital. 3