2021 Oakville Hospital Foundation
Innovators Program
The Innovators is a group of like-minded individuals that aims to engage young Oakville professionals in philanthropy while providing enriching networking opportunities within the hospital and our community. 02
2020/2021 Highlights 1
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Community Spirit Award Winners
Impact
The Innovators Council are the 2021 recipients of the Community Spirit Award for Group Volunteer. Oakville Community Spirit Awards are presented to individuals, organizations, businesses and community groups who have demonstrated ongoing leadership, dedication, and involvement in Oakville.
In 2020 the Mental Health Program was chosen as the recipient of the Innovators collective $37,500 gift. Your support has made a meaningful impact on the lives of those in our community requiring acute mental health care.
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Collectively, in 2021 Innovators contributed close to $30,000 to invest within Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. We invite you to consider supporting one of the following priority areas outlined in this deck.
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Cardiology Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Canada which is why early detection and management is vital. When patients present with risk factors for symptoms of heart disease, OTMH’s cardiology team is here to help. Cardiology services at OTMH include cardiopulmonary stress testing, the outpatient heart function program, and a pacemaker clinic offering life-saving care that can identify heart problems before a heart attack occurs. 05
Each year, OTMH sees approximately 1,000 cardiac admissions and patient cases continue to increase. Timely access to leading cardiology services means patients can receive diagnosis, treatment and education close to home, when they need it most. This year’s priority need is an additional Transesophageal Echo Probe which is more commonly referred to as a TEE probe or transducer ($31,400). TEE transducers use highfrequency sound waves (ultrasound) to create detailed pictures of your heart structures, document the blood that flows through the four heart chambers, and assess the blood flowing through arteries that lead to and from the heart. Unlike a standard echocardiogram where the probe is placed external to the chest wall, a TEE probe passes through your mouth, down your throat and into your esophagus. Because the esophagus is so close to the upper chambers of the heart, very clear images of those heart structures and valves can be obtained. An additional TEE probe would allow the current program to expand, serve the increased outpatient demand, and help to reduce testing wait times for this priority program. 06
Laboratory Behind the scenes at OTMH, the laboratory helps physicians diagnose, treat and monitor patients’ medical conditions. The laboratory supports the Hospital’s clinical team by providing vital diagnostic and monitoring services for 85% of patients. Ongoing donor support means this critical department can continue to invest in advancements in technology that helps our medical teams make informed decisions faster. By investing in state-of-the-art medical equipment, lab technicians can provide accurate processing of specimens and quicker delivery of test results. 07
This year’s priority need is a second Microbial identification and diagnosis analyzer which is more commonly referred to as MALDI-TOF. This analyzer is able to detect bacterial infection in a rapid, sensitive and economical way. Over the years, the laboratory has experienced a growth in detection of bacterial infection, currently processing about 300 specimens a week. A second analyzer would not only double capacity of specimens processed but would allow the laboratory to start using the analyzer to detect fungal infections and provide quicker patient results as currently these specimens are sent out to Public Health Labs. Due to the nature of equipment required in the laboratory, the costs associated are higher priced and the MALDI-TOF analyzer is no exception. A typical analyzer costs approximately $200,000 to purchase. An investment from the Innovators would kick-start the fundraising for this priority piece of equipment. 08
Breast Diagnostic Assessment Program (BDAP) Waiting for a definitive diagnosis of breast cancer can feel like a long and frustrating process. Women can sometimes experience a multitude of tests, each one requiring another waiting period, before finally being referred to a specialist. All of these tests unnecessarily lengthens a women’s waiting time to a definitive diagnosis, which ultimately compromises outcomes. Early detection and diagnosis significantly improves the outcome for women and their families. 09
In 2016, Halton Healthcare introduced the BDAP to improve the patient experience for women facing a potential breast cancer diagnosis. Patients are referred directly to the program, where a multidisciplinary care team of surgeons, radiologists, pathologists and patient navigators are involved in the patient’s care pathway, ensuring high-quality timely care and a patient-centered approach, supporting the educational, emotional and overall needs of every patient. The Patient Navigator is a pivotal role, guiding patients through the program in a timely manner by coordinating all appointments, keeping physicians updated, managing test results, and explaining any required procedures, all while providing emotional support. The pilot of BDAP started five years ago, thanks to the support of two generous donors. As this program has proven to be invaluable to our community, we are now raising $1.5 million in new funding to support its continuation. As BDAP currently does not receive any government funding, your support of it would be used to support all costs associated with the delivery of the program. An investment from the Innovators would kick-start the fundraising for this priority program. 10
Thank you We can't wait to see you at the Innovators Year-End Vote on December 8, 2021!