QEII Times - Summer 2023

Providing culturally appropriate care

Nova Scotia Sisterhood and Brotherhood tackle healthcare disparities for Black communities

Brandon Young

“They were making such a great attempt to create that safety net or that umbrella for women to reach out to make sure that we know that our health is important.”

–

through a partnership between Nova Scotia Health and the Health Association of African Canadians, in response to the growing prevalence of chronic health conditions among Black men in the region.

A REAL STRUGGLE

Black residents

include primary medical care and health and wellness services, such as health promotion, wellness education, clinical therapy, chronic disease management and navigation

community resources. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, screening for health conditions, nutrition and physical activity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and mental health and addictions.

The Nova Scotia Brotherhood

“A lot of these guys passed away in their early 40s from things that could be prevented by going to a doctor,” says Nova Scotia Brotherhood community coordinator Duane Winter.

Realizing the need for a women-focused program, the Sisterhood followed suit in January 2023, creating a safe space for Black women to discuss health issues. The program tackles many of the same health conditions the Brotherhood sees but with a woman-centric perspective.

“The program has been very well received,” says Elizabeth Nkrumah, wellness navigator for the Sisterhood. “Some women say, ‘it’s been long overdue.’”

Born in Antigua and Ghana respectively, Duane and Elizabeth both identify as members of the African diaspora. Through their lived experiences and through hearing accounts of other Black people, they understand the complexities Black residents face when trying to access health care.

One similarity both programs observed is a reluctance to access health care due to a more insidious issue—systemic racism—which has discriminated against Black men and women, resulting in subpar treatment in medical settings.

“As Black people going into a hospital, we’re treated very differently,” says Duane. “People have to stop judging people by the colour of their skin.”

The Brotherhood and Sisterhood, headquartered on Mumford Road in Halifax,

operate clinics in several communities, including Hammonds Plains and Preston Township. As recognized Nova Scotia Health initiatives, they offer a range of health and wellness services tailored to the needs of people of African ancestry.

“There's been a lot of mistrust in the healthcare system based on things that have been done in the past, especially when it comes to racism,” says Elizabeth, a former forensic mental health nurse.

“So, the work of the Sisterhood and Brotherhood is to build trust back into the healthcare system.”

FOR US, BY US APPROACH

The Sisterhood and Brotherhood use an Afrocentric lens to embrace the diverse cultures and traditions of the people they serve. All team members are Black, which helps build trust with patients.

“When you walk into our space, we embrace what you're bringing,” says Elizabeth.

“We embrace how you want to be identified, how you want to be treated, how you want to be respected.”

Paulette Jackson

Paulette Jackson’s (left) journey through Nova Scotia’s healthcare system was fraught with challenges. The Nova Scotia Sisterhood offered her a safe space, empathy and a sense of belonging, transforming her health journey into an empowering experience. Nova Scotia Sisterhood wellness navigator Elizabeth Nkrumah (centre) and Duane Winter (right), Nova Scotia Brotherhood community coordinator, are working to provide culturally sensitive and comprehensive health services to Black residents and communities across the province. Contributed

A QEII Foundation

publication in association with SaltWire, QEII Times is designed to shine a light on the QEII Health Sciences Centre community.

Editors Sarah Poko, Rachael Dyal Communications, QEII Foundation

Jenn Coleman-Ford

Managing Editor

Caleb Freeman

Contributors

Fallon Bourgeois, Colleen Cosgrove, Rachael Dyal, Joey Fitzpatrick, Jenn ColemanFord, Caleb Freeman, Jennifer Gouchie-Terris, Allison Lawlor, Norma Lee MacLeod, Sarah Marshall, Susan Mullin, Sarah Poko, Jon Tattrie, Brandon Young

Photographers BIOTECanada, Communications Nova Scotia, Jeff Cooke, Darren Hubley, Nova Scotia Health, QEII Foundation

© SaltWire 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent from the publisher.

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Share your thoughts, comments and story ideas with us at: info@qe2foundation.ca

902 334 1546 or toll-free at 1 888 428 0220.

QEII Foundation

5657 Spring Garden Road Park Lane Mall, Floor M3 Halifax, N.S. B3J 3R4

Charitable Business No: 88646 3496 RR0001

Gratitude and appreciation for 20,000 donors who impacted care of Atlantic Canadians this year

to advancements that will increase access to care, reduce wait times, improve patient outcomes, or fund lifesaving research. These are just a few of the solutions that our donor community is pushing forward.

And those caring individuals gave in many ways. Some supported event participants, like in our BMO Ride for Cancer, or made a gift in memory of a loved one or in tribute to an outstanding healthcare provider.

By Susan Mullin, president & CEO, QEII Foundation

Gratitude. In its simplest form of definition, gratitude is being thankful for the things we have and showing appreciation for, and returning, kindness.

At the QEII Foundation, we feel immense gratitude every day, in every project we take on. Gratitude for the donor community who stand alongside

us and support better health care. And gratitude for the collective impact we are having on patients and families who rely on the QEII for care.

More than 20,000 individuals donated to the QEII Foundation in 2022-2023. Those donations represented a heartfelt gesture to make a difference. To contribute

Appropriate care

Continued from Page 1

For Paulette Jackson, a 55-yearold Jamaican native, her journey through Nova Scotia's healthcare system was fraught with challenges. She arrived in Canada over 20 years ago in relatively good health, but after a fibroid diagnosis in 2019, Paulette struggled with unsatisfactory care and questioned decisions from her gynecologist.

“I would go to work feeling very frail and tired. Just lost in every way possible,” says Paulette, who works in education. “You find yourself very depressed, very down with your spirit.”

While guiding her brother through the Nova Scotia Brotherhood, Paulette was relieved to learn of the Sisterhood. The Sisterhood offered her a safe space, empathy and a sense of belonging, transforming her health journey into an empowering experience.

“That’s the first thing that kept my interest going,” says Paulette.

“It was the fact that they were making such a great attempt to create that safety net or that umbrella for women to reach out to make sure that we know that our health is important.”

Paulette has since become an active participant in the

They gave through gifts of securities, stocks, or wills. They made a monthly, recurring gift. Or a one-time donation to a project they are passionate about. Created their own fundraiser and raised funds for a care area near and dear to them. Or contributed through payroll deduction.

In the end, it doesn’t really matter the way someone gave; it is about the impact of that support.

When a community bands together, the power of change is limitless. This philanthropy has touched just about every corner of the QEII and the more than

Sisterhood and is determined to support others in her community.

SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN

Paulette isn’t the only one who believes in the power of the initiatives. The transformative programming and resources offered by the Nova Scotia Sisterhood and Brotherhood are made possible, in part, by grants from the QEII Foundation. Having played a significant role in supporting the Sisterhood and Brotherhood, the Foundation has provided more than $9,000 in funding for community programs.

“The QEII Foundation has been phenomenal in supporting us,” says Elizabeth.

“Their support has helped

one million patients who visited our region’s advanced health centre this past year.

As spring continues to flourish, with fresh growth and bursts of colour, this season is often a time to take pause and notice the beauty around us. To appreciate the things we may sometimes take for granted like our friends, family, and health.

I sincerely say thank you to the donors who continue to support the QEII Foundation and our mission to advance care through the QEII. This support is on display in many of the stories included in this issue of QEII Times.

I hope you feel our gratitude and have a sense of pride for the impact your generosity is having on thousands of lives.

us create a comfortable environment that fosters trust and understanding among our members, which is essential for effective healthcare."

For the Sisterhood and Brotherhood, the future is full of potential. Expansion plans include offering more programming and establishing more clinics in areas outside of the HRM.

“There are about 52 Black communities in Nova Scotia,” says Duane.

“We want to branch out to those a little bit outside of our area and assist those communities.”

To learn more about the Brotherhood and Sisterhood, visit NSBrotherhood.ca or NSSisterhood.ca.

Jeff Cooke / Cooked Photography

Jeff Cooke / Cooked Photography

“When a community bands together, the power of change is limitless.”

– Susan Mullin

From Syria to Nova Scotia

Biology student pursues her passion for health care with help from donor-funded bursary program

By Jenn Coleman-Ford

Ayah Alelaiwi was fourteen years old when she arrived in Nova Scotia from Syria, via Jordan, with her family. Not speaking any English, Ayah worked hard to learn the language. She was committed to adapting to her new home and achieving academic excellence.

“The main reason for committing to my goals and working hard is to set a good example for my younger siblings,” says Ayah, one of six siblings in her family.

Ayah’s inspiration to pursue a career in health care was born out of her family’s difficult experience.

During the family’s refugee status in Jordan, Ayah’s sevenyear-old brother was sick with a heart condition. This helped influence the family’s decision to come to Canada—so her brother could receive the specialty health care he needed. Sadly, he passed away the day before they were to fly to Canada.

Ayah’s family remained in Jordan for another six months, arriving in Halifax in 2016.

A few months later, tragedy

INFRASTRUCTURE

struck the family again. The same heart condition took the life of another brother, who was only eight years old.

While navigating her own heartache, living in a new country and learning a new language, Ayah — as one of the oldest siblings — took care of her younger siblings while her parents grieved.

“It was really, really hard,” remembers Ayah. “I was in high school during the day and would come home, and my twin brother and I would take care of the house and family at night.”

As Ayah and her family began to emerge from such unimaginable grief, Ayah was determined to learn English and go to university. Currently a biology student at Dalhousie University, Ayah says she’s grateful for the opportunity.

“I’m thankful for everything.

I'm really thankful to be in Nova Scotia and to have the opportunity to finish my education.”

To gain early experience in health care, Ayah has been working part time at a community pharmacy as a pharmacy assistant for nearly two

years. She especially enjoys the moments she’s able to translate and help other Arabic-speaking people by communicating important information from the pharmacists. Supporting others is Ayah’s biggest motivator.

“I like helping other people,” she says. “Many people have helped me since I came to Nova Scotia, and I want to pay it forward by joining the healthcare system.”

In 2022, Ayah received a QEII

Foundation Diversity in Health Care Bursary, providing financial support for her education— something that’s very important to Ayah and her family.

“Receiving this bursary, along with a few other bursaries and scholarships, is providing me with the necessary finances to finish my education,” says Ayah.

Beyond the financial help, Ayah attended a celebration event—part of the QEII Foundation’s bursary program—

where she was excited to meet other bursary recipients. Having the opportunity to interact with many of the 79 other recipients studying in a variety of healthcare fields, Ayah felt proud of her future career. She also says it felt wonderful to be celebrated.

“It’s incredible to know there are other people — like the QEII Foundation and their donors— who care about your work and are trying to support you, it feels really good,” says Ayah.

New QEII Community Outpatient Centre to expand health services in central N.S.

The Bayers Lake facility will open its doors late November and offer a range of outpatient services

By Caleb Freeman

This fall, residents of central Nova Scotia will have a new choice for receiving health care closer to home.

The new QEII Community Outpatient Centre in Bayers Lake will open its doors to the public in late November, providing a range of outpatient services for Nova Scotians.

Patients will be able to access specimen collection, such as blood tests and urine samples; diagnostic imaging, including X-ray and ultrasounds; eye care; and medical/surgical consultations. The outpatient centre will house 30 rooms for exams and consults in the medical/surgical clinics, 24 dialysis stations, and a state-ofthe-art orthopaedic assessment and rehabilitation centre.

Dr. Christine Short is the senior medical director of redevelopment for Nova Scotia Health’s central zone. She says the project is a crucial step toward improving health care in the province.

“We are so excited to open these doors in the fall and have the people of Nova Scotia

accessing their health care here,” she says during a tour of the facility that is under active construction. “It is a bright and purpose-built healing space to take the best care of our patient population that we can.”

More than six years in the making, the outpatient centre comes at a crucial time in the province’s healthcare sector. Thousands of patients travel to the QEII Health Sciences Centre every day for outpatient care.

The community outpatient centre will provide some relief to the QEII’s Halifax Infirmary and Victoria General sites, through reduced foot and vehicular traffic.

The centre is located on Susie Lake Crescent in Bayers Lake, near two major highways. It will also be accessible by Halifax Transit, with a new bus stop in front of the building.

“It's very central. It's easy to get to from all our communities surrounding downtown Halifax,” says Dr. Short. “I know my patients that come from places like Truro, Cape Breton and the South Shore are so glad not to have to do that last 15-to-20minute drive into the city.”

As services ramp up, the

facility will also offer extended hours for certain services like bloodwork, X-rays, and ultrasounds. This will help patients book appointments during times more convenient for them.

“I know myself as a busy practitioner that it's huge if I can go to an appointment after work or on my days off,” says Dr. Short. “I know many Nova Scotians will appreciate that.”

The centre marks a significant milestone in the province’s healthcare system. The project is the first Public-Private Partnership (P3) healthcare project in Nova Scotia. The partnership includes the Department of Health and Wellness, Nova Scotia Health and EllisDon, which designed, built, and financed the Bayers Lake facility. EllisDon will also maintain the building over the 30-year contract. The project offers a rare chance to design an entirely new building with modern care in mind. For Cynthia Stockman, the site lead at the community outpatient centre, that means creating a place where people feel safe and at home.

“There’s a lot of natural light in

the facility, which creates a really healing environment for patients and families,” she says.

There will be improvements for healthcare workers at the site with dedicated staff spaces throughout the building. There will also be a walking trail that overlooks Black Duck Pond— creating the space for a moment of rest during a busy day for patients, staff and the public.

The community outpatient centre is just one part of the push to improve health care in the province. With renovations

and expansions happening at healthcare facilities across Nova Scotia, including the QEII’s Halifax Infirmary and Victoria General sites, Nova Scotia Health is working hard to bring care to more people in the province.

“This project is a bigger signal to Nova Scotians about what healthy development is all about,” says Cynthia. “It’s going to allow Nova Scotians to access a space designed to take the best care of them. And this is just the beginning.”

Ayah Alelaiwi, student and 2022 recipient of a QEII Foundation Diversity in Health Care Bursary, has overcome much adversity in her short life and is now excelling in her academics, with her sights set on a career in health care. QEII Foundation

(L-R): Dr. Christine Short, senior medical director of redevelopment for Nova Scotia Health’s central zone, and Cynthia Stockman, site lead, pose for a picture during a tour of the unfinished QEII Community Outpatient Centre in Bayers Lake this February. Communications Nova Scotia

LEAVING AGIFTINYOUR WILL

Whatifyou couldtransformhealthcareforgenerations to come? Whatifyour legacy,orlegend,wasthelives savedandthe healthcareadvancesmadepossiblefor those whofollow? Acharitablegiftinyourwill —even aslittleas oneper cent —totheQEIIFoundationisone waytodothat.

Yourwillisnotjustaboutcaringforyourlovedones orsharingyourfinalwishesonceyou’regone.It’salso achancetocementyourmarkonthefuturethrough acharitablegift –fuelingthe causesthatweremost meaningfultoyouduringyourlifetime.

BECOMEA QEII LEGEND

IndividualsnamingtheQEIIFoundationintheirwill– our QEIILegends –are pledgingtheircommitmenttothe futureofmedicineand careattheQEIIHealthSciences Centre.TheirinvestmentinAtlanticCanada’slargest adult healthsciences centrewillstandthetestoftime andensurehealth careisasstrongasitcanbefor thosethatfollow.

Legacygiftspledgedandreceivedarehelpingtofund theQEIIFoundation’s$100-millionWeArecampaign andothercriticalareas,whichisrevolutionizing carefor patientstodayandfordecadestocome.Asourprovince gearsupforthe largesthealthcareredevelopment

Youcandirectyourgifttosupport aspecificcare areaortohelpQEIIteamsaddressthe greatest frontlineneeds.Youcanevenmake agiftinyour willinhonouror memoryofsomeonecloseto you –likeyourparentsorgrandparents– ensuring theirlegacycan liveonthroughyours.

Through agiftinyourwill,you’llimpactthelives ofpatientsandfamiliesyou’llnevermeetorknow. It’syourcommitmenttodaytochangingthe future.Whatgreatergiftcouldyougivethe nextgeneration?

project ourregionhaseverseen,ourQEIILegends willplay apivotalroleinthisonce-in-a-generation transformation.

Fromlifesavingtreatmentsandresearchdiscoveries tonew,state-of-the-artbuildingsandspaces –like anewQEIICancerCentre(picturedabove) –that fosterhopeand healingforall.Whenyoubecome aQEIILegend,yoursupporthasthepotentialto toucheverycareareaattheQEII,asthespecialized health centreinourregion,andthousandsupon thousandsofpatientsandfamilies.Willyoujoinus?

Jack Rowberry (pictured) and his wife Jane are cancer survivors. Grateful for their extraordinary care, they arranged a giftintheir will to the QEII Foundation – making them QEII Legends.

*Artist rendering of the new QEII Cancer Centre and QEII Halifax Infirmary Outpatient Centre; subject to change

Thecorrectlegalnameforallgiftsis:QueenElizabethIIHealthSciences CentreFoundation.Ourcharitablenumberis:886463496RR0001.

AnjnaMajhail

Whenherhusband,Jogindar,experienced astroke, AnjnawasinspiredtosupporttheQEIIcareareathat playedsuch asignificantroleinherhusband’s healthcarejourney.

It sparkednearly20yearsofgivingtotheQEII Foundation,withAnjnadonatingtomanyareasacross theQEII –includingcancer,hearthealthandepilepsy care.

Priortoherpassingin2020,Anjnaarranged agiftin herwilltocontinuethatlegacy.

OneimpactthatAnjna’scommitmentmadepossiblewas thepurchase of aBelmont RapidInfuser(pictured)atthe QEII’sCharles V. KeatingEmergencyandTraumaCentre. Thisstate-of-the-arttechnologyadministerswarmedblood andfluidtopatientsfollowing alife-threateningtraumaor hemorrhage.Anjna’sgenerosityisfeltwitheverypatient whoselifeissavedbythiscriticaltechnology.

GloriaStephens

92-year-oldGloriaStephensisapublished authorand healthcarehistorian. Aproudalumnioftheformer VictoriaGeneralHospitalSchoolofNursing,her46yearnursingcareerhasincludedmanymilestones. ShewaspartoftheQEII’soriginalneurosurgery teamand,yearslater,thefirstopen-heartsurgery performedinBritishColumbiafollowinghermoveto Vancouver.

In2020,Gloriapublishedherbook, Remembering NursesWho Served,whichfollowsthelivesof200 “VG”graduateswhoservedinWW1,WW2,Korea andVietnam.

Whileshe’snolongeronthefrontlinesofcare, Gloria’scommitmenttopatientsandtheirfamiliesis unwaveringwithherrecentdecisiontoleavethe QEIIFoundationin herwill

“Most of mylifehasbeendedicatedtohealthcare, I’mproudtosupporttheQEIIthisway,”saysGloria.

“Ifourdonationthroughourwillshelps improveonlyoneperson’shealthand life,thatwillbeourlegacyandwhat couldbebetterthanthat?”

– TimandNancyWilliston,whocreditthe QEII forgivingthemtheirlivesbackafter Timunderwenttwodeep-brain stimulation procedures fordystonia; aneurologicaldisorder thatcauses constantshakingofthehead.

HildaHoegg

Longtimedonor,HildaHoegg, had apassionforhealth careandchosetoarrange agiftinherwilltotheQEII Foundation,priortoherpassing.Herwish wastosupport thegreatestfrontlinehealthcareneeds.

NovaScotiansbenefittedfromHilda’sselflessgenerosity firsthandwhenherestatehelpedpurchase1,000pulse oximeters(pictured)duringthepeakoftheCOVID-19 pandemic.TheseimportantdevicesallowedCOVID-19 patientstoself-monitortheirheartrateandthepercentage of oxygenintheir bloodsafelyfromhome,freeingup criticalresourcesacrossthehealthcaresystem.

Kay Patriquin

KayPatriquincreditstheQEII’sDr.DavidAndrews andtheEyeCareCentrewithchanging herlife.

Acornealgraphprocedureperformednearly30years agohelpedrestoreKay’ssightandabilitytodrive. She’sbeenaQEIIFoundationsupportereversince.

Today,she’sactiveaseverwithinhercommunity andchurch –driven by apassiontohelpothers.

KaylivesinMoncton,butcontinuestoreceive specializedtreatmentandfollow-upattheQEII’s EyeCareCentre.Threedecadesof“excellentcare” inspiredherdecisiontoarrange agiftof life insurancetotheQEIIFoundationthatwillhelp supporttheEyeCareCentreandfuturepatients.

“Iwasabletodriveagainwhichwas amiracle,”says Kay.“I’mgratefulandhappytosupportthisway.”

Despiteneverhearingtheterm‘COVID’orknowingthe devastatingeffectsitwouldonedayhaveuponourregion andtheworld,Hildatouchedthelivesofpatientsand familiesimpactedbythevirus.That’sprettylegendary, ifyouaskus.

Nancy(right)andTimWilliston

Provincial Eating Disorder Service tackles growing crisis

Streamlined care for Nova Scotians through evidence-based therapy

By Sarah Poko

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. Both adults and children can be susceptible to the disease, and many have battled with some form of an eating disorder for years without seeking medical treatment.

Recognizing the severity of this issue, Nova Scotia Health partnered with the IWK in 2019 to establish the Provincial Eating Disorder Service. With this streamlined methodology, the Provincial Eating Disorder Service can ensure patients across Nova Scotia are getting the same access to treatment, with evidence-based therapies, to address the disordered behaviour in adults and youth.

Although there were already options available to help those with eating disorders, Dr. Aaron Keshen, co-director of the Nova Scotia Provincial Eating Disorder Service, says there was a need to streamline the treatment for patients.

“It came from our recognition that there was a lot of inconsistencies across the province,” he says. “Inconsistency in the way that eating disorders were being assessed, diagnosed, how long wait lists were, and even the type of treatment that people got.”

THE PANDEMIC’S CONTRIBUTION TO EATING DISORDERS

In Canada, it is estimated that approximately one million people are struggling with an eating disorder at any given time, with women being 10 times more likely to develop the disorder than men.

According to Dr. Keshen,

about three per cent of adults in the province suffer from a binge eating disorder, one per cent suffer from bulimia nervosa, less than one per cent suffer from anorexia nervosa, and one to two per cent suffer from other unspecified eating disorders.

These numbers have risen over the course of the COVID19 pandemic. With increased isolation brought on by lockdowns and quarantines, many turned to social media as a source of social interaction, which in turn, may have led to an unhealthy exposure to idealized and often unrealistic beauty standards.

“A lot of things stopped for people during the pandemic,” says Jessica Wournell, the clinical nurse lead and provincial coordinator for the program. “Their socialization, their engagement in different activities, and there was increased time with technology, where there's a lot of social media influence affecting them. There's no one cause of an eating disorder, but there's so many different external factors that can play into it, and it seems like

COVID did increase prevalence.”

At the height of the pandemic — between 2020 and 2021 — the Provincial Eating Disorder Service saw almost double the number of referrals for new IWK patients; with 214 new assessment cases since July 2021, and 96 new assessment cases between April 2022 and February 2023.

“The numbers, particularly on the adolescent side, skyrocketed,” says Dr. Herb Orlik, co-director of the Provincial Eating Disorder Service. “And within the IWK, staff were re-allocated to support our clinic, which was seeing almost double the number of cases. And we are still seeing high numbers.”

EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPY AS TREATMENT

The Provincial Eating Disorder S ervice provides evidence-based therapies for individuals with eating disorders. One of the interventions used is familybased treatment (FBT) to treat symptoms in adolescents and children.

“Due to the recent changes to the Provincial Eating Disorder Service, the overall wait times for treatment have decreased, which has allowed the service to assess and treat people quicker.”

– Dr. Aaron Keshen

provincial training clinics. This has given them the capacity to see 774 patients in the last year.

THE WAY FORWARD

“Essentially, what FBT believes is that parents are the agent of change to help their child recover from an eating disorder,” says Jessica. “The idea is that parents can help the child interrupt the eating disorder symptoms by taking control of eating and doing what they've always known best, which is how to feed their child.”

On the other hand, cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT-T) is a 10-session treatment the service provides to help adults address the disordered behavior and the triggers behind them. Patients work with a therapist to identify their distorted beliefs about food and body image, and learn new coping skills to manage eatingrelated emotions and thoughts.

The program has received several donations to help the Provincial Eating Disorder Service reach more patients in need, including from the QEII Foundation who has provided more than $20,000 in funding to the program.

According to Jessica, Nova Scotia Health has trained 17 clinicians in CBT-T and 15 clinicians in FBT in their

The Provincial Eating Disorder S ervice is not only helping individuals achieve lasting recovery, but also alleviating the current strain on Nova Scotia’s healthcare system by improving efficiencies.

“Due to the recent changes to the Provincial Eating Disorder Service, the overall wait times for treatment have decreased, which has allowed the service to assess and treat people quicker,” says Dr. Keshen. “We’ve also received feedback from clinicians that they feel more capable and competent to treat eating disorders because they’ve been through our training clinic.”

Patients seeking assistance from the Provincial Eating Disorder Service can be referred by their family doctor or can self-refer by calling central intake at (855) 922-1122. Jessica encourages people to reach out for support.

“We try to meet people where they're at and show that we're approachable,” says Jessica. “We want to help and remind Nova Scotians that recovery is completely possible.”

Exceptional care and lemon vinaigrette

Patient experiences care and healthy meals while a QEII inpatient

By

Jenn Coleman-Ford

Doris Robertson is no stranger to the QEII Health Sciences Centre. In 2022, she received surgery and radiation treatment for breast cancer and in February 2023, Doris found herself unexpectedly back at the QEII following a heart attack.

“It started out as a sore throat but only on the left side, then the pain would go into my jaw,” says Doris.

These symptoms lasted off and on for about three weeks.

Doris thought it may be a dental problem but, after visiting her dentist, found there was nothing wrong. Later that same day, she was still having pain, and her husband decided it was time to go to the hospital. His intuition was right.

Around midnight, Doris and her husband went to the emergency department at their local community hospital. By the time she arrived, the pain had disappeared. The healthcare team did an ECG and bloodwork. About a half hour later, while

Doris was waiting for the results of her bloodwork, the pain came back in her throat and jaw, and then went immediately to her chest.

Doris was having a heart attack. The emergency team rushed into action, immediately injecting anticoagulants to stop the clotting.

Doris spent three days in the ICU at the Aberdeen Hospital before being transferred to the QEII. Upon her arrival, Doris was admitted to the cardiology intermediate care unit, where the team of nurses assessed her and inserted a second IV. Doris was still in disbelief that she’d just had a heart attack but said the care from the nurses was exceptional.

“They were very thorough and made me feel at ease,” remembers Doris. “They were very kind and gentle; they were just amazing.”

Two days later, Doris had a procedure to place a stent—a tiny, expandable metal mesh coil—in her artery to help prevent it from narrowing or closing again. This procedure was performed in the Joseph Shannon Family Cardiac Catheterization Suite at the QEII. This suite was funded through the QEII Foundation’s former $4.5-million From the Heart campaign, to support cardiac and vascular care. The QEII’s “cath lab” sees approximately 5,800 patients from across the

Maritimes each year.

Doris went home to New Glasgow the day after her procedure. Aside from the wonderful care she received, what stood out to Doris while an inpatient at the QEII was the food. Doris experienced the room service model. Providing patients with tasty, nutritious menu options, this model provides individualized meals when the patient is hungry, rather than on a predetermined schedule. Being able to call and order food is especially important to patients like Doris who sometimes go without food for an extended amount of time before or after a procedure.

But Doris wasn’t prepared for

the exceptional level of service.

“It was funny to hear them say ‘room service’ when I called to order my meal,” laughs Doris. “I felt like I was in a fancy hotel!”

Doris can attest that in addition to being healthy, the food is flavourful and the menu is vast. Her favourite item was the lemon vinaigrette.

“It was really good; it's a little sweet and sour,” describes Doris. “Every meal, I would order a salad with the vinaigrette because it was just that good. I couldn't get enough of it!”

So much so that recently Doris reached out to the QEII Foundation for help tracking down the recipe.

Doris is now recovering from her heart attack, with the help

of the cardiac rehabilitation program at her local hospital. She says she’s very grateful for the care she received at her community hospital and the advanced care—for both her breast cancer treatment and cardiac care—at the QEII.

“The healthcare teams were just so amazing. It’s scary when you don’t know what to expect,” says Doris. “But at every stage, they explained everything in detail and put me at ease, which made me comfortable.”

Doris, who enjoys cooking and preserving, is looking forward to a summer of salads with fresh vegetables from her garden. Topped with the famous lemon vinaigrette, of course.

Lemon vinaigrette (courtesy of Nova Scotia Health Food and Nutrition Services)

INGREDIENTS

1 cup canola oil

½ cup white vinegar

7 Tbsp white sugar

1 tsp lemon concentrate

1 tsp paprika

½ tsp black pepper

¼ tsp garlic powder

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients; mix well. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Makes 1 ½ cups.

Typical serving size: 2 Tbsp

Dr. Aaron Keshen (left), co-director of the Nova Scotia Provincial Eating Disorder Service, leads a group session for adults at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. Contributed

In early 2023, Doris Robertson received care at the QEII for a heart attack. While an inpatient, she experienced the room service model, providing nutritious and flavourful meals for patients, including her favourite — the lemon vinaigrette. Contributed

No need to ‘circle like a shark’

How valet parking at the Victoria General reduces stress, helps get patients to their appointments on time

By Norma Lee MacLeod

Valet parking conjures up images of fivestar hotels, ballgowns, and VIPs in flashy sports cars. But many patients in Halifax are finding out this service is not just for the rich and famous.

Partners for Care in partnership with Indigo Park is now offering valet parking at the Victoria General (VG) site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. It’s a relief for anyone who has ever frantically circled the lot looking for parking while the clock ticks down on their appointment time.

“Constantly we’d have patients come into the parking lot circling around like a shark, to find a spot and if they couldn’t find a spot, they would be forced to park off-site. When that happens, they might be late or worse miss their appointment altogether,” says Jane Davies, executive director of Partners for Care.

“So ultimately the decision was made to do something different, outside the normal to address this issue.”

Indigo Park, the parking operations partner for the QEII, launched valet parking at the VG site during COVID-19 lockdowns. Patients hand over their keys to attendants who double or triple park their vehicles in a designated area of the lot. When the patient returns from their appointment, the attendants get their vehicle. It creates up to 150 additional parking spaces over the course of a day.

Julian Morrow, Halifax area manager for Indigo Park, says it’s been a huge success.

“We know parking in a hospital

environment is very different than parking at a mall or an airport because folks who are coming in here already have a high level of stress. With the introduction of valet parking, we have come from, ‘Oh no, I’m going to be late for my appointment,’ to ‘Look, someone is going to guide me to a spot.’”

There are no additional fees to use valet parking, and it’s cost-neutral because additional revenue from the increased parking capacity pays for the service. All proceeds from parking are reinvested in patient care.

“There is nothing you can do about the parking lot design, so we had to work with what we had to increase parking capacity. We found a simple solution to get people in and out of their appointments and reduce that stress. It’s huge for patients,” says Julian.

The service has been a hit, according to comments from patients gathered on feedback surveys:

“Thanks for being so nice. I was rushing to get my mom to an appointment.”

“Given this service is for when the lot is full, it is way better than having to find parking elsewhere.”

“This is a wonderful idea that the hospital is doing, and I have never had valet parking before. I was very pleased to see the wonderful people help out with parking when the lot is full.”

Besides lifting stress from patients, Jane says valet parking is also supporting better access to care and creating potential savings.

“The other impact it has on the system as a whole is less missed or late

appointments, which creates internal efficiencies.”

Valet parking is activated when the VG lot is reaching capacity. When the program began during COVID-19, valet parking operated an average of 2.5 days a week. Now, as patient services return to more normal levels, the average is 4.1 days a week. And experience has brought other changes.

As an example, Julian says, “We

provide umbrellas to give to people when they are waiting for cars in the rain. There are always little things that we continually learn to improve the service.”

Patients can find valet parking by entering the VG parking lot off South Park Street.

Look for the parking kiosk and attendants wearing bright blue Indigo jackets.

Partners for Care in partnership with Indigo Park is now offering valet parking at the Victoria General (VG) site of the QEII. Launched during the COVID-19 lockdowns, it continues to provide relief for anyone who has ever frantically circled the lot looking for parking to get to their appointment on time. Nova Scotia Health

Rallying our community

QEII Foundation community champions raise astounding $9,692 in Summer Bash Against Brain Cancer

By Sarah Marshall

Jordan Forbes and his team at Blended Athletics have shown how just one spark can ignite community movement that makes a difference.

When three people in Jordan’s life were diagnosed with brain cancer, he wanted to rally support. That’s why he and his team organized the Summer Bash Against Brain Cancer, raising funds and awareness for QEII brain cancer treatment and research.

The journey began in September 2020 when Jordan received a heart-wrenching phone call from one of his closest friends.

“My friend told me that his dad was diagnosed with brain cancer. There’s no blood relation between us, but we are close — he’s who I call my Uncle Rob,” explains Jordan.

That night, moved by the dire situation, Jordan thought of ways he could show support for the family.

“One of the ideas I came up with was this fundraiser for brain cancer. We might not be able to help the people we love with this illness now, but we can help raise funds for people in the future,” says Jordan.

Throughout Rob’s journey with brain cancer until his passing in November 2022, two others in

Jordan’s life were diagnosed with the same illness — his dad’s best friend, Ricky, and someone close to his fiancée’s family, named Robin.

Witnessing Rob’s decline from a healthy, active individual to a brain cancer patient highlighted the indiscriminate nature of the illness.

“At the start, Rob worked out a lot, played golf, he was a civilian for the Navy. It’s still brain cancer, it doesn’t matter who you are,” Jordan says.

Throughout the experience, however, Jordan observed and admired the family’s unwavering positivity and zest for life, even in the face of adversity.

“What I saw with Rob and his family is that they had fun. They travelled. They did everything that they wanted to do, knowing that there was an expiration date. Watching how positive they were each day and each week, leading up all the way to the end changed me and really gave me motivation.”

Inspired to make a difference, Jordan rallied his team at Blended Athletics for the Summer Bash Against Brain Cancer, taking place in June 2022.

Prior to the main event, there was a kick-off evening called Friday Night Lights. This workout and party helped build excitement for the Summer Bash Against Brain Cancer and raised $1,500 towards the cause.

The main event day was filled with various fun activities like workouts, running, and washer toss, with people competing to win points in teams, fostering a sense of camaraderie and bringing the community together to embrace those facing difficulties.

“Community is so important. It’s like one big family. Everyone worked so hard to make this event happen, all to show our support for the families,” says Jordan.

The event exceeded expectations, with nine teams participating in an unforgettable day of games, food, and fun. Many others attended and generously donated, demonstrating the power of

human kindness and community spirit. Even local businesses pitched in, donating food and prizes to support the cause.

Jordan and the Blended Athletics team worked diligently to ensure the event was a success, and their efforts paid off. The Summer Bash Against Brain Cancer raised $9,692, which will make an incredible impact for brain cancer treatment and research at the QEII.

“I was so happy that so many people filled with joy came out to support this cause, even if they weren’t directly affected by brain cancer,” Jordan shares. “When things affect our community, that’s when people need to come together, and that’s exactly what they did.”

When we come together as a community, we can create a powerful impact. We are continually inspired by the dedication of community champions like Jordan and his team at Blended Athletics, who selflessly stepped up to organize their own fundraisers in support of QEII patients, families, and care areas. Their remarkable efforts show that we all have the power to positively impact the lives of others.

From walks to bake sales, to online auctions and beyond, events and activities organized by QEII Foundation community fundraisers can be customized to support any cause close to home. Learn more about starting your own campaign at my.QE2Foundation.ca.

In July 2022, Jordan Forbes (centre) and his team at Blended Athletics held the community fundraiser Summer Bash Against Brain Cancer. This incredible event surpassed goals, raising an astounding $9,692 for brain cancer treatment and research at the QEII. QEII Foundation

Oncology Transformation Project now underway

Information technology is transforming the way cancer care is delivered in Nova Scotia

By Joey Fitzpatrick

A new project to streamline cancer care is underway at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

The Oncology Transformation Project (OTP), now being rolled out across Nova Scotia, uses innovative software to provide real-time communication among the cancer centres and community oncology clinics, patients, and their care teams.

The software, ARIA® oncology information system, was designed to give clinicians and healthcare staff a more efficient way to oversee a patient’s cancer care journey, from referrals through treatment. The project also includes a patient engagement platform that patients can use to stay in contact with their care teams and report symptoms from home.

“Patients will have much closer access to their cancer care teams,” says Dr. Amanda Caissie, radiation oncologist and OTP medical lead. “This will greatly enhance the patient experience and improve the level of care that we can provide.”

The Oncology Transformation Project has three essential pillars, explains Dr. Helmut Hollenhorst, QEII radiation oncologist and senior medical director of Nova

Scotia Health’s Provincial Cancer Care program.

The first pillar is having a single access point for patient records, referrals, and treatments, connecting the province’s eight community oncology clinics.

Critical information on every step of the process—from booking appointments to prescribing treatments and assessing side effects—will be available in real time to healthcare professionals across the province. This will improve access, flow, and quality of care.

It also means that physicians can monitor patients and plan treatments without being in the same location, allowing for better communication while cutting down on unnecessary travel for patients.

“Communication among healthcare professionals is critical when patients are moving from one geographic zone to another or from one level of care to another,” Dr. Hollenhorst says.

Nova Scotia will be the first site in North America to use this new platform. The software was designed and developed by Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, which focuses on developing medical devices and software leveraging radiation to treat cancer. Nova Scotia’s radiation oncology team has used

Varian’s technology for almost two decades.

“This partnership with Varian gives us something that nobody else in the world has yet,” says Dr. Hollenhorst. “It offers the expertise of an internationally renowned company, with solutions designed for Nova Scotia.”

The project’s second pillar is to create more streamlined communication between patients and clinicians. The patient engagement platform, known as the noona® software application, connects patients directly to their healthcare providers, from any location, at any time of day.

Patients can use an app to report their symptoms, communicate with their care teams, and receive support and direction. Care teams can use this information to identify a patient’s immediate needs, schedule appointments, and give advice

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In-home care for happier lives

and comfort.

“This is part of moving from the traditional care provider focus to a patient focus,” Dr. Hollenhorst points out.

The patient engagement platform is currently being piloted in radiation oncology centres in Halifax and Sydney.

As part of its $100-million We Are campaign, the QEII Foundation will be raising $1.1 million towards patient-reported outcomes under the overall Oncology Transformation Project. This will greatly expand the potential applications of noona, Dr. Caissie points out.

“It’s exciting to be unlocking the full potential of noona,” she says. “Part of the transformation is learning to use platforms like these in new and innovative ways.”

The third pillar of the OTP is more in-depth reporting of patient outcomes. Artificial intelligencedirected data analytics will generate real-time, relevant data on cancer care treatment in Nova Scotia. Regular reports will give information on key performance indicators such as wait times and patient experience.

“We will be collecting data on all of the work we’re doing to help us continually improve our patient care and patient outcomes,” says Dr. Caissie.

This information will be critical to improving access and reducing wait times.

“This data will show us where the gaps are and how we can best utilize our resources,” she says.

As the largest cancer care facility in Atlantic Canada offering the most advanced, specialized care available in the region, the QEII provides the full spectrum of care — from prevention, to diagnosis and treatment, to wellness and recovery programs, and supportive and end-of-life care.

Announced in February 2023, with a 12-month implementation target, the Oncology Transformation Project is good news for the one in two Atlantic Canadians who will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.

Committed to improving access to care and introducing new technology, the QEII Foundation is currently fundraising to support the full integration of the system.

“Cancer touches so many people, so it’s a big focus in our campaign,” says Susan Mullin, president and CEO of the QEII Foundation. “Our community of supporters are helping to truly transform cancer care and give patients, and their families, hope and support.”

Right at Home Halifax launches to help Nova Scotians live longer, happier lives at home

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Right at Home is a new home health-care service in Halifax that aims to support and empower the local community.

The company’s focus on delivering innovative and adaptable support with authenticity and accountability has allowed it to grow to more than 550 care offices around the globe. Yet its local, grass-roots approach ensures it provides support like it’s part of the family.

With a decade-long presence in Canada, the company is excited to bring its award-winning care to Nova Scotia.

Right at Home aims to enhance,

not replace, the care that the government and families can provide. It fills that gap between where government care leaves off and what a family wants or needs for a loved one. Each client’s Right at Home team can be a small or large piece of the “care puzzle” and assist in navigating changes as they come.

Right at Home takes pride in its team of compassionate local caregivers, consisting of registered nurses, nursing students, licensed practical nurses, personal support workers, and healthcare aides. These caregivers play a crucial role in bridging the gaps in care, assisting with daily tasks, transportation, meal preparation and offering companionship.

Right at Home provides personalized care solutions that fit each client’s unique needs and budgets, guided by the client’s

dedicated Right at Home care planner.

“We can do everything from making a pot of soup to 24hour nursing, and anything and everything in between,” Ash Walani, CEO of Right at Home Nova Scotia says, “So, whatever kind of help is needed—a companion, hands-on care, nursing, dementia support, end-of-life or respite care—we can assist, with complete flexibility to change as your family’s care needs change.”

Right at Home supports individuals of all ages facing mobility, health or mental health challenges. Services can be funded through various sources, such as insurance plans, pension plans, and veteran affairs. Your Care Planner can help guide you on the available funding options.

Right at Home’s bold mission

statement, “To improve the quality life of those we serve,” is a tall order and a task they embody in every aspect of care.

“At Right at Home, not only do we serve our clients, but we also strive to serve the families that support them,” says Walani.

“We commit to improving the quality of life for our caregivers, too, through rewarding employment and an ability to build strong care relationships. A commitment to an exceptional experience for every life we touch is one of the reasons why clients and caregivers alike choose Right at Home.”

Walani firmly believes that maintaining the comfort and familiarity of home leads to longer and happier lives as long as individuals have the necessary support systems in place.

“We are truly excited to be a part

of the Halifax community,” he says. “We hope to make a difference in the lives of families and their loved ones in Nova Scotia.”

To learn more about Right at Home Services contact their office’s toll-free at 1-844-516-1600 or visit their website at rightathomecanada.com/halifax.

Dr. Helmut Hollenhorst (left), QEII radiation oncologist and senior medical director of Nova Scotia Health’s Provincial Cancer Care program, and Dr. Amanda Caissie (right), radiation oncologist and OTP Medical

will use innovative software to provide real-time communication among cancer centres, patients and their care teams. Darren Hubley

“Patients will have much closer access to their cancer care teams.”

– Dr. Amanda

Caissie

Augmented reality makes its way into health care N.S. surgeon believes technology might become integral to successful future surgeries

By Jon Tattrie

Dr. Ivan Wong, an orthopaedic surgeon, answers his phone shortly after a hands-on training session with a surgeon in Salt Lake City, U.S. He didn’t have to leave Nova Scotia’s QEII Health Sciences Centre to conduct the training.

“We were showing him a new surgery we designed. It’s called AAGR, or arthroscopic anatomic glenoid reconstruction,” says Dr. Wong. “We named the whole technique after Halifax: it’s called the Halifax Portal. That’s why a lot of surgeons want to fly to Halifax to learn about it.”

Typically, surgeons who travel for work would have spent days travelling to see such techniques demonstrated in a live surgery, a process that takes them away from their practices and requires funding for the travel. But now, Dr. Wong can strap on a Microsoft HoloLens headset and start teaching.

The high-tech, augmented reality goggles livestream his perspective to students. They can also integrate digital components into that view of reality, after a CT scan creates 3D models of the patient’s bone anatomy. Dr. Wong can virtually pull out the shoulder bone and “perform” the surgery on the hologram to prepare for the real event.

This process improves surgical outcomes, reduces the risk of complications, shortens surgery times and reduces the need for revision surgeries.

“It’s like having X-ray vision,” he says.

Dr. Wong’s expertise in orthopaedic surgery is sought around the world. He recently taught 2,000 surgeons in India as he performed a live surgery in Halifax.

“With the help of augmented reality, we’re able to show what we’re doing. It’s almost like they’re here,” he says.

Dr. Wong also adds that the process is superior to a video call––they use four different cameras plus holograms to create a richer digital version of reality.

“It’s almost as good as being in the surgery standing exactly in my shoes,” he explains. “We actually had visitors today in the operating room at the same time, and the surgeon in Salt Lake City could see more than the people who were standing in the room observing, because they got to see my perspective.”

Recently, Dr. Wong attended a meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in Las Vegas and demonstrated the technique by livestreaming a “shoulder surgery” on a volunteer from the audience. No skin was

“It’s almost as good as being in the surgery standing exactly in my shoes.”

– Dr. Ivan Wong

cut, but everyone could see the surgery performed — with the bone shown – on screen.

“They were pretty thrilled with that,” he says.

Dr. Wong says the Halifax Portal is a big improvement over the Latarjet technique, which was

created in France in the 1950s. He explains the process makes a big cut on the shoulder and moves a piece of bone to the front to avoid dislocating the shoulder.

The Latarjet technique still works, but the process damages nerves and muscles to make the repair. The Halifax Portal allows for more precise and less invasive surgery, improving the outcomes for the patient.

“We designed this procedure because Halifax has a bone bank and we have access to it,” Dr. Wong says. “My skillset is to do everything arthroscopically, which means doing everything through a keyhole incision. We don’t cut any muscle; we just do everything with a tiny camera.”

Dr. Wong now works with the

Polish software company, RSQ, to teach his surgery. He says the current generation of headsets is “barely okay” and it feels like you’re wearing a heavy computer on your head. He believes as the hardware improves, so will his work.

“The patients get the relief that we offer because we have this technology,” he says. “Without it, we would have to make more incisions, it would probably take longer, and they’d probably be more swollen.”

Dr. Wong will join the next major gathering of surgeons in China. Every other doctor will travel to China and perform their surgery live.

“I’m the only one able to stream in,” he says.

A breakthrough in transfusion medicine

A team at the QEII has developed a new system to improve blood transfusions

By Caleb Freeman

The QEII Health Sciences

Centre has a novel approach to transfusion medicine.

Dr. Robert Liwski, division head of Hematopathology at the QEII, specializes in diagnosing blood cell disorders like leukemia and lymphoma. As medical director of the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Laboratory, he also oversees a team of laboratory technologists who perform compatibility testing for patients in need of organ and stem cell transplants in Atlantic Canada.

Over his career, Dr. Liwski and his team have developed several optimized HLA antibody testing methods that were adopted nationally and internationally. And they provided the inspiration for a unique approach to transfusion medicine. When Dr. Liwski began collaborating with Dr. Jason Quinn, fellow hematopathologist and medical director of transfusion services for Nova Scotia Health’s Central Zone, the new approach was born.

“We were saying, wouldn’t it be cool if we could apply the HLA principles where you have to match people very closely, to transfusion?” says Dr. Liwski. “Then we started thinking about ways to develop a test that could be cost-effective, be done more rapidly and on more patients.”

That’s when the idea of introducing flow cytometrybased testing struck. Flow cytometry is a technique used in

the diagnosis of leukemia and lymphoma. It is also very useful in detecting antibodies that could cause an organ transplant to fail.

Dr. Liwski and Dr. Quinn worked closely with Randy Veinotte, the esoteric laboratory manager at Nova Scotia Health, and Natalie Chisholm, manager of Transfusion Medicine for Nova Scotia Health’s Central Zone. This collaboration has resulted in a new system that can be used to better match blood to patients needing transfusions.

Dr. Quinn says that although blood transfusions are routine and safe procedures that have been common since the mid1900s, there are downsides to the

current approach. Before a transfusion, patients must undergo tests to determine the ABO and Rh (positive or negative) type of their red blood cells (RBC). They are also screened to detect the presence of antibodies against RBC antigens. While modern transfusion medicine has pinpointed the main antigens that must be matched to avoid life-threatening complications, there are still many blood group antigens that are not tested for.

“People can get exposed to foreign antigens during transfusion and develop antibodies against them,” says Dr. Quinn. “That results in a lot

of testing on our end because we have to identify these antibodies, and it can complicate future transfusion.”

Phenotyping can simplify antibody investigations, allowing for more personalized transfusion. However, it is a costly, time-consuming procedure.

Until now. Through flow cytometry-based testing, QEII labs can phenotype more quickly and efficiently.

“It can be done in a fraction of the time, and there can be tests done for multiple patients at one time,” Natalie says. “Overall, the test is novel. It's cheap, it's fast, and it's high through-put,

so it's going to give us a lot more information about patients and the units were transfusing them with.”

The new test will help ease the workload of laboratory workers, both by improving the efficacy of phenotyping and more closely matching blood donors with patients. For patients, it will lead to even safer transfusions.

“Transfusion is extremely safe, but if a patient makes an antibody, there's a lot of complexity moving forward and providing blood for those patients,” says Dr. Quinn.

“Knowing a patient’s phenotype in advance will greatly help in the testing around identifying these antibodies and providing safe blood for them.”

This advancement represents yet another ground-breaking innovation coming out of Nova Scotia’s healthcare sector. But it’s not just a win for Nova Scotia. It’s a win for nearby provinces as well.

“We have a broad mandate. Of course, the QEII is the reference lab for Nova Scotia, but we’re also a reference lab for other areas in the Atlantic provinces,” Randy says.

“This shows the power of this collaboration between transfusion services, our esoteric lab and the HLA lab,” says Dr. Liwski. “That these pieces, that don't typically kind of come together, can come together so easily when people work together—it shows that when people collaborate and exchange ideas, good things can happen.”

Dr. Ivan Wong, (right), QEII orthopaedic surgeon, has been using augmented reality as part of his surgery process. This process improves surgical outcomes, reduces the risk of complications, shortens surgery times, and reduces the need for revision surgeries. It also provides a learning tool for students and other surgeons in a surgery livestream, allowing the perspective of standing in his shoes in the operating room. Contributed

(Left to right) Natalie Chisholm, Randy Veinotte, Dr. Robert Liwski and Dr. Jason Quinn were part of a collaboration between transfusion services, the esoteric lab and the HLA lab to advance transfusion medicine with a new system that can be used to better match blood to patients needing transfusions — another ground-breaking innovation coming out of Nova Scotia’s healthcare sector. Contributed

QEII revolutionizes cancer care through innovative funding and technology

Improving access to clinical trials for Nova Scotians

By Colleen Cosgrove

Nova Scotians are seeing enhanced access to cutting-edge therapies and devices through innovative clinical trials taking place closer to home than ever before.

Clinical trials evaluate new treatments, devices, diagnostics tests, and models of care to better understand their effects on human health outcomes, such as cancer. The focus on participant safety is meticulous with approvals required by Health Canada and the Nova Scotia Health Research Ethics Board and continuous monitoring by a dedicated team of research professionals.

Data informs every step of a clinical trial to measure whether the treatment or device being studied may lead to better outcomes or have fewer side effects than currently available therapies.

Many people are not aware of the clinical trials available to them and finding information about a trial can often be a challenge— especially when navigating a new diagnosis.

New funding and partnerships aim to change this by bringing new trials to the region and making them more accessible to Nova Scotians.

In January 2023, it was announced that the Atlantic Clinical Trials Network (ACTN) would receive $2.5 million in federal funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for the creation of various student training opportunities at the masters, PhD, postdoctoral and postdoctoral fellow levels, along with the creation of six new positions in Atlantic Canada focused on the development and coordination of clinical trial professional training within the region.

ACTN was officially launched in June 2022 at the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest event focused on biotechnology. Initiated by Nova Scotia Health and co-led with IWK Health, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, Vitalité Health Network, Horizon Health Network, and Health PEI, the network is boosting research and innovation, introducing new healthcare opportunities, and positioning the region as a worldleader in clinical trials. Now working with a patient population of 2.5 million across four provinces, the network can leverage the unique demographics of the region and reduce barriers to accessing trials.

“We've been working on decentralizing clinical trials to bring the best available care closer to home,” says Dr. Gail Tomblin Murphy, vice president of research, innovation and discovery and chief nurse executive at Nova Scotia Health.

“We are working in Nova Scotia and across Atlantic Canada through ACTN to ensure all have equal access to information on clinical trials and the ability to participate, regardless of who they are or where they are.”

In addition to significant investments from the Health Innovation Hub, the Network is part of a larger initiative, led by the Canadian Consortium of Clinical Trials Training (CANTRAIN), which received $11.3 million in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

CANTRAIN is a significant investment in Canada's clinical trials sector, aimed at improving collaboration, knowledge sharing and efficiency, as well as increasing the number of clinical trials in the country. The initiative's goal is to improve patient care through the expansion of clinical trial networks and the creation of a simplified front door for partnerships that will drive innovation and excellence in clinical research across the country.

ACTN’s participation in

CANTRAIN will enable the region to attract, train and retain clinician scientists like Dr. Amanda Caissie, medical lead of the health authority’s Oncology Transformation Project (see story, page 9). As Nova Scotia Health’s recently announced Research Innovator in Residence for digital health solutions, Dr. Caissie is passionate about the work the health authority is doing to strengthen research and access to care, including clinical trials.

Participating in ACTN is just one way Nova Scotia Health is focused on equitable access to care for all Nova Scotians. Clinical trials attract digital health solutions that will be integrated for a seamless patient experience. These new innovative technologies will be accessible on patients' own devices like watches and tablets that will put Nova Scotians in the driver’s seat of their care journey. This type of patient-driven data also generates real-world evidence that helps researchers tailor studies to the diverse needs of our communities.

From the clinical trials perspective, patients will be able to enter their own diagnosis and health factors on the web or mobile app and search for clinical trials that are appropriate for them. The search tool set to launch in June will help connect individuals to available clinical trials that might be a suitable

match and have an option for individuals to ask the system to remember their profile for future opportunities.

This is a big step forward in providing Nova Scotians with the resources they need.

“We are bringing a strong health equity lens and social determinants of health considerations through this exciting initiative. We do a wraparound evaluation so we can learn in real-time what is working well and what can be improved. This will include engaging our community members, providers, teams and scientists,” says Dr. Tomblin Murphy.

The work to improve access to clinical trials for Nova Scotians and the use of technology means more individuals will have the opportunity to take part in clinical trials and receive the treatment they need.

“We want to make sure that patients are getting the most upto-date information about clinical and research opportunities,” says Dr. Caissie. “These new technologies will help facilitate connecting patients with the additional resources they need.”

It’s clear that it’s working. Investments in clinical trials have drawn world experts to Nova Scotia and made clinical trial information and opportunities more accessible.

The Atlantic Clinical Trials Network was officially launched in June 2022 with the mission to make clinical trial information more accessible. Representatives from across the Atlantic provinces were onhand for the announcement at the BIO International Convention, which represented a huge step forward in bringing the best available care closer to home. BIOTECanada

‘A second chance at life’

BMO Ride for Cancer will fund Atlantic Canada’s first-ever CAR-T therapy lab, helping

treat different

By Rachael Dyal

When Charles Jesso was diagnosed with lymphoma in March 2021, he didn’t think it was too severe. Charles assumed one round of chemotherapy treatment was all he needed to get rid of the cancer, and then his life would resume back to normal. But after two unsuccessful chemo treatments, Charles and his family knew something wasn’t right.

On Jan. 6, 2022, Charles and his wife received the lifechanging news that he had six months to live.

That day, Charles remembers sitting in the doctor’s office and everything suddenly becoming cloudy.

“It took me a couple of days to understand what was said,” he says.

Dr. Mahmoud Elsawy, a hematologist at the QEII Health Sciences Centre — and the doctor Charles frequently visited for his cancer care — suggested that as a last alternative effort to save Charles’s life, he undergo CAR T-cell therapy.

CAR T-cell therapy uses the patient’s own immune cells to fight different blood cancers, including but not limited to lymphomas, multiple myeloma, and leukemia.

“What we do in this treatment

blood cancers right here in Nova Scotia

treatment.

is we take the T-cells out, reprogram them to make them more powerful, more precise … and then after reprogramming … they go after every cancer cell and destroy them,” Dr. Elsawy says.

This treatment is often referred to as the “living drug” because once the T-cells are fused back into a patient’s body, they tend to multiply and can persist even after the cancer is gone, says Dr. Elsawy.

“This therapy offers a potential cure to patients who previously would have no good options, and would have likely died,” says Dr. Sudeep Shivakumar, hematologist and interim head, Division of Hematology and Hematologic Oncology at the QEII.

Charles was the first patient in Atlantic Canada to receive this treatment. Although nervous like anyone might be, he quickly prepared himself for the process because he knew this was his shot at a second chance in life.

“I was absolutely nervous,” says Charles. “But the nervousness went away because the treatment was my only hope, and if I didn’t get it, I’d be dead in six to eight months.”

On March 9, 2022, after completing the requirements for CAR-T treatment, Charles had a procedure to take the T-cells out of his body to be shipped to

California. Twenty-six days later, on April 4, Charles was infused with the new cancer-fighting T-cells.

“It gave me a second chance at life,” he says.

Currently, patients looking to have CAR-T therapy in Atlantic Canada must wait for their T-cells to return from California, where they are processed.

“A special machine … gets the T-cells out from the blood, and then we send it to a special lab in the U.S. so that they can reprogram the cells,” says Dr. Elsawy. “This takes about three to four weeks.”

Dr. Elsawy and Dr. Shivakumar are excited about the BMO Ride for Cancer happening this fall, which has a focus on fundraising for CAR-T therapy lab. For them, having a CAR-T therapy lab means reduced wait times for patients desperately needing treatment.

The BMO Ride event, which will happen on Sept. 23, will be the catalyst for providing the QEII with Atlantic Canada’s

first-ever CAR-T therapy lab. The project is estimated to be around $2.1 million and will be entirely funded by the BMO Ride community.

“The BMO Ride for Cancer, I think, is a very personal cause for all of us in our division,” says Dr. Shivakumar. “It’s a great event for many of us to get together, and many people in our group are avid cyclists.”

Dr. Shivakumar also adds that many participants in this event have their own experiences with cancer, or know someone with cancer. It’s a ride that means a lot to several medical staff at the QEII, including Dr. Elsawy who has participated in the past. As someone who works closely with cancer patients, this campaign means a lot to him as well.

Charles and his family couldn’t be more elated knowing the BMO Ride this fall supports a lifesaving cancer treatment like CAR-T therapy, and they hope this event will raise awareness for those who have undergone the therapy or are waiting to receive the

“Not a lot of people in Nova Scotia know about this treatment,” he says.

Following Charles, in Atlantic Canada, there have already been 15 people who have successfully received this treatment by relying on out-of-country cell processing support. Dr. Elsawy estimates within the next few years, around 50 people with different types of cancer will be waiting to receive CAR T-cell therapy.

“This number is inevitably going to increase of course, but that’s what we estimate,” he says. “It’s a very effective treatment that can save lives in up to 50 per cent of patients who would otherwise die because of their disease. This is impressive and even better outcomes are expected in the near future.”

As a survivor of cancer because of CAR T-cell therapy, Charles is a huge advocate for this treatment. He couldn’t be happier knowing that the funding from BMO Ride for Cancer this September will be going towards a CAR-T therapy lab right here in Nova Scotia.

“This treatment does in fact save lives,” says Charles.

To learn more about the BMO Ride for Cancer or to donate to Atlantic Canada’s first CAR-T therapy lab, visit YourRideforCancer.ca.

to

types of

Diagnosed with lymphoma in March 2021, Charles Jesso’s chemotherapy treatments weren’t working. A year later, Charles was the first patient in Atlantic Canada to receive CAR T-cell therapy, giving him a second chance in life. Contributed

“This treatment does in fact save lives.”

– Charles Jesso

Breaking barriers to leading-edge mental health care

New donor-funded clinics offer relief to Nova Scotians facing treatment-resistant depression

By Sarah Marshall

“Depression is almost like the opposite of rose-coloured glasses. Sometimes, it’s very difficult to appreciate anything that may be remotely positive in a situation.”

When Dr. Michael Flynn, psychiatrist at Nova Scotia Hospital, describes depression, thousands of Nova Scotians can relate to these crushing symptoms. Over the course of a year, five per cent of people will face a major depressive

disorder. Of those, one-third will not respond to standard treatments like medication and psychotherapy. This is known as treatment-resistant depression. For more than 17,000 Nova Scotians facing treatmentresistant depression, a new,

hope-filled treatment option is now available – without the cost barrier of private clinics.

Thanks to our donor community and a generous $420,000 donation from Bell Let’s Talk that brought the QEII Foundation’s $759,000

Morenursesmeans faster care foryou andmoresupport forourdedicated healthcareworkers.

As part of theAction forHealth Plan, we’vecreated hundreds of newseats to educatenursesacross theprovince. Learnmoreabouttheplan to improve healthcare, at NovaScotia.ca/ActionForHealth

goal to the finish line, two repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) clinic locations are now open in Nova Scotia. This leading-edge treatment will offer relief to those

Dr. Michael Flynn at Nova Scotia Hospital’s clinic that offers rTMS treatments, free of cost for patients. QEII Foundation

Major trauma patients receiving better care with new consult service

By Allison Lawlor

Dr. Rob Green is touched by the flood of thank-you emails, phone calls and photographs he has received from grateful patients and their families since a new trauma service at the QEII Health Sciences Centre launched last fall.

The QEII Inpatient Trauma Consult Service was started last October by Dr. Green and the Nova Scotia Health Trauma Program. The initiative aims to reduce the time trauma patients spend in the hospital, reduce care costs and decrease the number of major trauma patients who die after hospitalization.

“It was a system that needed a reboot,” says Dr. Green, senior medical director of the Nova Scotia Health Trauma Program.

The trauma consult service is led by a dedicated trauma care doctor and nurse who facilitate the care of trauma inpatients at the QEII. Through consultation, they co-ordinate the care delivered by the diverse team of healthcare professionals who care for complex trauma inpatients. These patients often have injuries to multiple organs and require specialized care after they’re admitted to the hospital.

“This service is with patients every step of the way,” says Dr. Green, who specializes in emergency and critical care medicine. He became the medical director of the Nova Scotia Trauma Program in 2013.

Each year, the number of trauma patients in Nova Scotia grows by about 10 per cent. Last year, there were approximately 465 trauma team activations at the QEII. About threequarters of those patients were admitted to hospital, says Dan Cashen, director of the Nova Scotia Health Trauma Program.

“We’re working to better the care across the spectrum,” Dan says.

“We want patients to know that we are there throughout their journey, not just for the immediate injury.”

The QEII is Nova Scotia’s primary trauma centre for adults. All major trauma patients from across the province are transferred there for lifesaving treatment

and support. Many of these patients are admitted to the hospital following a motor vehicle collision or are elderly, have multiple health issues and have had a fall.

Before the launch of the new QEII Inpatient Trauma Consult Service, doctors who worked with the trauma team only provided care to patients when they first arrived in the emergency department.

Once patients were admitted to the hospital, their care became the responsibility of various physicians with varying knowledge of trauma care. But this approach had drawbacks. A trauma patient might have brain, chest and bone injuries and benefit not only from the attention of several specialized doctors and healthcare professionals but also from someone specialized in trauma care.

“All trauma patients are now looked after by a trauma specialist,” says Dr. Green.

The QEII Inpatient Trauma Consult Service also co-ordinates rehabilitation, geriatrics, and mental health and addiction consultations to ensure that care plans are in place early on. This improves patient care but also ensures teams are working well together.

Improving communication between various specialties and keeping patients and their families better informed is a top priority of the new consult service.

Patients and family members regularly give the trauma team feedback. The

Leading-edge mental health care

Continued from Page 13

living with treatment-resistant depression.

The first clinic opened on April 6, 2021, at the Nova Scotia Hospital in Dartmouth, followed by a second location at Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville on April 4, 2022.

With the help of our donor community, the QEII Foundation is delighted to provide funding for this initiative that goes beyond the walls of the QEII. By extending crucial financial support to other regions in Nova Scotia, we are broadening our reach and impact. Together, we are making a bold difference in the lives of Atlantic Canadian patients and their loved ones.

Previously, rTMS was only available in Nova Scotia at private clinics, costing over $3,000 for a full round of sessions. Access was sometimes difficult, with some patients travelling out of province for care.

To date, there’s been over 2,500 rTMS treatment appointments at the Nova Scotia Hospital and Valley Regional Hospital. rTMS modifies the way that neurons in the brain work through a series of magnetic pulses that either stimulates or inhibits activity to improve mood and reduce negative symptoms. rTMS treatments can be an incredible relief for

patients facing depression, even when other treatments have proven ineffective.

Another benefit of rTMS is that it’s a non-invasive treatment option. Unlike other brain stimulation techniques such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), rTMS doesn’t require anesthesia or cause seizures. With rTMS, magnetic coils are simply placed on the head, so clients can enter as-is and resume daily activities once their session is complete.

A typical treatment course is approximately four to six weeks, with sessions ranging between five and 40 minutes, five days a week. A psychiatrist’s referral is required to undergo rTMS treatment.

“rTMS gives hope to folks who haven’t responded to traditional approaches or who haven’t been able to tolerate them,” says Dr. Flynn.

“This brings us into a more current position, and allows us to continue to move forward, and to remain at the leading edge of new treatments as they continue to come on board.”

For people facing treatment-resistant depression, access to these local, newly opened rTMS clinics offers hope and relief — for a future filled with new possibilities.

father of a former patient told the team that one of the biggest problems he saw in the past was poor communication and

co-ordination among his son’s healthcare team.

“Communication is where we are improving the most,” says Dr. Green.

For patients nearing discharge from the hospital, the new consult service arranges for a trauma-specific, virtual followup appointment with the trauma care doctor, nurse and soon, a physiotherapist. The team looks at the whole patient and not one specific injury and helps to coordinate more services.

“We want to have a more wholesome view of the patient and be able to offer a followup that is inclusive of all of their injuries,” Dan says.

Danny McAloney QEII radiation therapist

A new service at the QEII fills the gap in trauma care, reduces the time patients spend in the hospital

QEII Inpatient Trauma Consult Service was started in October 2022 by Dr. Rob Green (left), medical director, and Dan Cashen (right), director, and their team at the Nova Scotia Health Trauma Program. This initiative aims to reduce the time trauma patients spend in the hospital, reduce care costs and decrease the number of major trauma patients who die after hospitalization. Contributed

“We want patients to know that we are there throughout their journey, not just for the immediate injury.”

– Dan Cashen

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New technology a game-changer for trauma situations

The Belmont Rapid Infuser arrived at the QEII’s Emergency and Trauma Centre in March, impacting patient and care teams

By Fallon Bourgeois

In trauma situations, every second counts.

As the tertiary trauma centre for Nova Scotia, the QEII’s Charles V. Keating Emergency and Trauma Centre sees approximately 200 visits daily and has the highest volume of trauma patients in the province. Here, QEII staff and physicians work in high-stress, high-stakes situations, delivering the highest quality of care to patients.

Now, thanks to the late Anjna Majhail, a loyal QEII Foundation donor who left a gift in her will to support health care, new state-of-the-art technology will help healthcare teams deliver the most advanced patient care during trauma situations.

The Belmont Rapid Infuser has a very specific, critical task — it rapidly delivers lifesaving, warmed blood products and fluid at the touch of a button.

Haley Avery is a clinical nurse educator at the QEII’s Emergency and Trauma Centre. She says acquiring this machine is a game-changer for registered nurses working in the highacuity pod at the Emergency and Trauma Centre. This team cares for patients requiring resuscitation following a traumatic incident like cardiac or respiratory arrests, or who need a large volume of blood because of a hemorrhage.

“These are the sickest patients in the province,” says Haley.

“Having access to a new Belmont Rapid Infuser will directly impact these patients. When facing life-threatening situations, you want to know you have the most advanced, functional equipment at your fingertips for your patient.”

And as the name suggests, the Belmont Rapid Infuser also means patients receive transfusions quicker. Haley estimates that the team can infuse blood into a patient within two minutes of arrival instead of five or six minutes. Haley also notes that another key benefit is that the infuser warms fluids being administered to a patient.

“The warming is crucial so we’re not giving patients high volumes of cold fluids. Because

of the nature of their traumatic injuries, these patients are at a higher risk of developing hypothermia. If they become hypothermic, the situation can rapidly deteriorate,” she explains.

Currently, the QEII Emergency Department has two rapid infusers, but the older technology is cumbersome. The machines are not user-friendly, which limits training opportunities. Since the Belmont Rapid infuser arrived in March 2023, Haley has been working with her colleagues to ensure each of the 70 registered nurses working in the high acuity pod is trained. “We consulted trauma experts and leading emergency physicians and read plenty of research to ensure we were

getting the best technology, and we’re thrilled it’s finally here,” she says.

In addition to enhanced patient care, the Belmont Rapid Infuser will also benefit the team.

As with most healthcare teams, the COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges.

“During COVID, the challenges we’ve experienced in the emergency department have been enormous. That’s difficult for frontline healthcare teams. So having access to new technology like the Belmont Rapid Infuser removes some of the barriers we’ve faced and ensures we’re focused on what’s most critical — providing the best patient care we can,” she says.

“Accessing new and innovative

technology can be costprohibitive. We’re so grateful that after years of having the Belmont Rapid Infuser on our wish list and doing lots of research, it’s finally here. We’re grateful for the donor’s incredible generosity, which provided this critical piece of equipment.”

Throughout her lifetime, Anjna generously supported many areas of the QEII from neuroscience to heart health to cancer care. She also previously gave to the QEII emergency department, naming an emergency patient care room in memory of her late parents.

For Geoff Graham, a charitable giving advisor with the QEII Foundation, it’s a wonderful example of how estate gifts directly impact health care and patients.

“Anjna was an extremely generous QEII donor who believed in the value of investing in health care. Now, through her legacy gift, she continues to make a difference and will help patients during their most difficult times.”

From left to right: QEII registered nurses Noelle Ozog, Xiaoqi Zhu and Heather Parsons receive training on the new Belmont

Rapid Infuser system in the QEII Emergency and Trauma Centre. Contributed

“When facing lifethreatening situations, you want to know you have the most advanced, functional equipment at your fingertips for your patient.”

– Haley Avery