2015 VOL. 5 | stmichaelsfoundation.com
STRESS
FOR OVER 120 YEARS TORONTO’S URBAN ANGEL HAS BEEN HERE FOR YOU. Help us continue to provide compassionate care for all. Support St. Michael’s Hospital with a gift to Inspire 2018.
St. Michael’s Foundation Inspired Care. Inspiring Science.
Find out more at stmichaelsfoundation.com 416.864.5000
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SAVE YOURSELF FROM STRESS FROM THE DESK OF...
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COMMUTE DRIVING YOU CRAZY? 6
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TAKE THE FEAR OUT OF CHEER IN THE NEWS
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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY 14 TIMBER TAKES A TERRIFYING TURN INVESTING IN GROWTH
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STRESS: A PHYSICIAN'S PERSPECTIVE
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GIVE YOUR BRAIN A WORKOUT 23
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I SPY WITH MY SCREEN THE STRESS EFFECT
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WHAT'S COOKING DOC?
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SAVE YOURSELF FROM STRESS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE FIRST AID KIT FOR STRESS
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CAMPAIGN UPDATE
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WELL-READ, WELL-BEING 48 LIFE LESSONS 50
Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 3.
We are pleased to introduce the fall 2015 issue of our award-winning Urban Angel. We are very proud to announce that our marketing team at St. Michael’s Foundation has been honoured over the past year with multiple awards for this publication, including the prestigious 2015 Health Care Public Relations Association of Canada Award for External Publications and the APEX Award for Publication Excellence. Congratulations to our talented team! Ella Ferris: From the very beginning, St. Michael’s has been known for the exceptional quality of its care and for helping those most in need. As Executive Vice President, Programs, and Chief Nursing and Health Disciplines Executive, I know that our interprofessional practice teams provide evidence-based compassionate care to all patients and families that we serve. This high standard of care has been recognized with many awards. Our nurses and health disciplines are passionate about the work they do each and every day. We are proud of them! Providing safe, quality health care for all has been a constant since our founding. In this Urban Angel, you’ll see that care reflected in the stories we tell and the suggestions we offer about healthy living. The theme of this issue is something that we all experience — stress. We look at what causes it, how it impacts our health and what we can do about it. Andrew Baker: St. Michael’s has always looked after the disadvantaged and some of the most challenging cases. As a result, we have developed expertise in critical care medicine: caring for the sickest of the sick and those with the most complex and urgent health care needs. Our Inspire 2018 campaign, which is closing in on its $210 million target, will equip us to provide the best care. With the 17-storey Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower, the twice-as-large Slaight Family Emergency Department and new equipment and funding to ensure continued clinical excellence, we will be ready for the future. We will be the premier hospital for critical care in Canada. Please consider helping us create a healthier future for us all. We hope you enjoy this new edition of Urban Angel. In addition to our focus on stress, you’ll find the features that we know you always enjoy: the delicious “occasional indulgence” recipes, brain teasers and book reviews, as well as a compelling patient story. We are always happy to hear from you — let us know what you think. With best wishes,
Andrew Baker, MD, FRCPC Chief, Department of Critical Care Medical Director, Trauma and Neurosurgery Chair, Medical Advisory Committee St. Michael's Hospital
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St. Michael's Foundation
Ella Ferris Executive Vice-President, Programs Chief Nursing Executive Chief Health Disciplines Executive St. Michael's Hospital
BMW TORONTO | 11 SUNLIGHT PARK RD. | BMWTORONTO.CA | 416.623.4269
Commute Driving You Crazy? The sheer volume of traffic on major routes has saddled Torontonians with one of the longest commute times in the world, topping even those found in car-centric cities like Los Angeles by as much as half an hour. The results can be stressful. St. Michael’s cardiologist Dr. Howard Leong-Poi warns, “When pressured to arrive on time, being stuck in traffic can make your heart pound and blood-pressure rise.” “It is encouraging to see cities place more emphasis on making new developments healthy places to live. There is mounting evidence that people’s health is improved by proximity to public transportation, retail services, employment and sidewalks.”
YES
CARPOOL. Use free ride-sharing apps and online services that match commuters by routes and departure times. Bonus: you can drive in the HOV lane!
NO
BE INFORMED. Avoid major delays by tuning in to traffic reports, use “show traffic” on GPS or map apps and watch for signs warning of road closures and construction dates. Be familiar with alternate routes.
HOME
—Dr. James Dunn, Centre for Research on Inner City Health
Ask yourself: do I really HAVE to drive?
SQUELCH THE RAGE. Hammering your horn and chirping at other drivers actually escalates tension. Stay cool by playing music or use audio books to keep the roadside drama fictional.
LEAVE EARLY. Accidents are more likely to happen when feeling rushed. Add a generous buffer to manage unexpected delays and don’t forget to factor in time to park. If you arrive a bit early, great! You'll have time to settle in.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. WHY COMMIT TO A LONG COMMUTE WHEN YOU CAN EITHER STAY PUT OR LIVE WHERE YOU WORK AND MAKE THE TRIP A BREEZE? 6.
St. Michael's Foundation
ACCESSORIZE. St. Michael’s Dr. Antoine Pronovost says a helmet could keep you out of the Intensive Care Unit if you have a low-speed crash. Dress for sweat, leave extra clothes at work or roll them into a back pack. Freshen up with baby-wipes.
DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Bike, inline skate, jog or walk to work. St. Michael’s Dr. Mike Evans encourages you to improve your overall quality of life with 30 minutes of exercise every day. Pick something fun that you’ll stick with.
IF YOU’RE CLOSE ENOUGH TO WORK, TRY RUNNING OR BIKING TO THE OFFICE. IT’S ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO ADD “ME” TIME INTO YOUR DAY. PAY ATTENTION! Be aware of your surroundings, obey all traffic signals and be courteous — don’t assume you always have the right of way. Leave risky distractions like phones in your backpack.
CATCH UP. Pass the time and expand your world by reading while in transit. E-readers are small enough to use even in the most crushing of rush hours.
TAKE A STAND. Offer your seat to someone else and your core will get a mini-workout keeping you stable in a moving vehicle.
NCE
ULA
AMB
MIX IT UP. Combining transit with another activity you enjoy is easy with buses sporting bike racks and bikesharing depots. Underground paths let you enjoy walking in any weather.
CHECK IN. Most commuter trains (and now many subway stations) offer free WiFi so you can check email or clear your inbox before you get to work.
DIAL IT DOWN. Apart from annoying your fellow commuters, blaring headphones may lead to long-term hearing loss. Keep the volume low enough to hear PA announcements.
The better way: Take transit. Let someone else negotiate traffic while you chill out.
WORK
“I walk about eight minutes to the subway station. I always stand. When the train rocks, I pretend I’m snowboarding and work on my balance instead of grabbing for the hand-holds. If I need to check email, I do it when the train surfaces above ground, but usually I just enjoy the ride with a great playlist.” —Yuri Markarov, Medical Media
STAY PUT
STAY ACTIVE
LIVE/WORK/PLAY
If your door-to-desk travel time is lengthy and your job can be done outside the office — even part of the time — consider sometimes working from home. Many employers will accommodate this kind of arrangement.
If you do work from home, you risk becoming less active and snacking more. Use the time you save travelling to burn off calories and stay fit by going for a walk or to the gym.
Consider living in mixed-use neighbourhoods. They include residential, commercial, recreational and cultural spaces that support your daily work-life cycle. Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 7.
Help us BUILD for TOMORROW St. Michael’s is building state-of-the-art facilities to care for you, your family, your friends. A 17-storey patient care tower. A twice-as-large Emergency. For faster, safer, better care in the heart of Toronto. Together, we can help transform patient care at St. Michael’s.
Please consider including us in your will, life insurance, RRSPs/RIFFs or endowment. Contact Cynthia Collantes at 416.864.5879 or collantesc@smh.ca
416.864.5000 stmichaelsfound f found ation.com
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Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 9.
• Acknowledge your feelings. Reverend Peter Thompson, Manager of Spiritual Care Services, advises “Don’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s that time of year. Sometimes, there are factors that make it impossible to avoid feelings of sadness, hurt or frustration. If this is the case, reach out to someone you trust and who will listen: a friend or a professional such as a spiritual care professional, psychotherapist or social worker. Share your feelings with someone who can accept your feelings and allow you to express them safely.” • Avoid family feuds. The holidays are not always the ideal time to work things out. If long-smoldering tensions resurface, plan to talk about them after the festivities. It's better to park heated emotional issues and revisit them at a less stressful time when there is less going on and everyone feels more relaxed. • Maintain healthy eating habits. Moderation is key. Avoid the holiday’s massive two-pound average weight gain and the associated feelings of guilt and stress.
ds n e p s n r o a s e r y e p a e rs g u a r e o s. v e h i a t i e v i 0 h t T n 4 ated ac a h t e mor li day-rel on ho
Use a small plate at parties for portion control and count your drinks. Staying healthy and stress free is especially important given that this is a time of year when heart attacks peak. • Help others. Use the holidays as an opportunity to experience something new that is both fun and fulfilling. For example, St. Michael’s staff member Jennifer Stewart organizes an annual run-walk event to raise donations for a local food bank. It’s one of many creative ways to give back. St. Michael’s offers a wealth of opportunities to donate your time at the hospital to help others. For more information go to stmichaelshospital.com/volunteer. You can also host a fundraising event to support the hospital by contacting St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation at 416.864.5000.
in ipate c i t r a s p nslate s who adult ss. This tra uced f o tre 90% red than elings of s one with e r o the m creased fe Canada al oulos, uin at of h t r rt in le in Stergiop ore than r e o p d p o n e e r o p f no w icky do m illion ly hal th.” So it’s ities, near ed nine m g to Dr. V Stress can your heal n t i “ v t i a , d c t f r a m ie fes . Acco o imp n esti in-ch into a y and bliss ychiatrist- , it may als felicit ichael’s ps ver time St. M holidays. O your
no other time of the yea r tu rns ou r lives u psi de down qu ite li ke the holi day season. It’s a wonderful time filled with glad tidings and cheer, But with turkey and tinsel come tensions and fears. We embrace all the hustle, bustle and fuss, Then stress out from the tussle and rush. The clock is our nemesis, so stingy with time, Making holiday demands a dreaded pastime. We jingle and jangle our way into gift-giving debt, Then buy even more to stage the perfect fête. Wherever we go Iay dishes in wait, Tempting with goodies that seal our expanding waist-Iine fate. Given these stresses, poor creatures are we, What kind of super humans do they take us to be?
10. St. Michael's Foundation
LET'S CELEBRATE! S
Did you know? During the 2014–15 flu season there were almost 600 deaths in Canada due to influenza — a significant jump from previous years.
D
uring the height of flu season, Dr. Warren Lee, critical care physician and researcher with the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Sciences, spends a lot of time seeing patients in the Intensive Care Unit. To keep you safe, Dr. Lee shared three trusted tips for the flu season.
”
DON’T LET THE FLU GET YOU
t. Michael’s Young Leaders (SMYL) have completed their ambitious goal of raising $1 million to support the future Slaight Family Emergency Department, part of our Inspire 2018 campaign! These young professionals are enthusiastic ambassadors of the hospital’s commitment to compassionate care. They are dedicated to supporting our most urgent priorities and organize three signature events per year for their peers that raise funds and engage a new generation of volunteers and philanthropists. Great work SMYL!
From a few bright and enthusiastic supporters raising several thousand dollars, to a large and highly organized team committed to raising $1 million for the Inspire 2018 campaign — what a great success story!
Dr. Bob Howard, president & CEO, St. Michael's Hospital
”
Get the flu shot every year. The flu virus mutates rapidly so a new vaccine for the flu is needed every year.
$1,00 0,0 00
If you get the flu, stay home. Focus on getting well and avoid spreading the infection to others.
Cover your coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands frequently. Flu is spread from person to person by droplets of respiratory secretions.
Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 11.
TALKING YOUR WAY TO BETTER HEALTH A
bsorbing complex information about our health, treatment options and medications can be difficult. In fact, we typically forget 40 to 80% of what we are told. Nearly half of what we do retain is inaccurate. Clearly, better methods of communicating are required. St. Michael’s is tackling this issue through Teach-Back, a health literacy tool being used to effectively present complicated medical information.
TEACH-BACK INVOLVES TWO STEPS:
1 2
Breaking information down into simple pieces
Having patients repeat back in their own words what they just learned
This process helps health care professionals make sure we truly understand what we need to know to maximize our health.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT P
ilots use flight simulators to train and keep passengers safe. Health care professionals use patient simulators to learn how to care for patients and respond to critical situations in a controlled and safe environment. St. Michael's — a hub for the training and education of students, researchers and clinicians — runs the Allan Waters Family Simulation Centre. Says Dr. Patricia Houston, vice president, Education, “It is the newest and most advanced centre of its kind in Canada and is pushing the boundaries on improved patient safety and care.” The centre was recently granted accreditation by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, which provides recognition for St. Michael’s as a leader in simulation-based health professional education. 12. St. Michael's Foundation
GOOD LITERACY, GOOD LIFE
F
amily physicians at St. Michael’s are adding something new to their tool kits: books. The hospital’s new Reach Out and Read program is promoting childhood literacy, which is key to a long and healthy life. This joint initiative with the Toronto Public Library is one of many preventive care programs run at the hospital that tackle root social causes of poor health. During regular checkups, children six months to five years of age are given a book targeted to their level. Parents are encouraged to read with their children and given information about the importance of promoting literacy in the first five years of life. “That’s when 90% of brain development occurs,” according to St. Michael's family physician Dr. Kathryn Dorman,, who helped spearhead the project. Reach Out and Read will help prevent the lower levels of nutrition and higher levels of stress and mortality associated with illiteracy.
Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 13.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY Leaving a planned gift to St. Michael’s Hospital makes sense for many people — today, tomorrow and particularly for the future.
We sat down with Rachel Blumenfeld to discuss leaving a legacy and making the most of your investment in the future.
Mary Ford knows the value of making a gift and, as a nurse, the importance of quality patient care. Mary and her sister, the late Theresa Ann Ford, both educated in the profession, provided care to the sick and contributed to advances in the field of nursing for many years. Ann graduated from St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1955 and served as a staff nurse and nursing educator. In her lifetime, she made many great contributions to nursing education. To honour Ann’s time spent at St. Michael’s and continue her nursing legacy, Mary generously donated shares of stock. Mary explained her reason for giving, saying “Recognizing excellence in nursing by creating a Clinical Nurse Educator Award and four Preceptor Awards in memory of Ann allows her valuable influence to carry on at St. Michael’s.”
14. St. Michael's Foundation
Rachel Blumenfeld, a lawyer and Partner at Miller Thomson, is a frequent speaker on trusts and estate planning as well as charities and not-for-profit law. Looking beyond our immediate needs and into the future can be difficult, but proper estate planning protects our financial health, our family and our charities of choice. Laws are constantly changing around charitable donations, trusts and estates. Even if you’ve recently had your will prepared, it’s important to remember there could still be more opportunity to reduce tax costs and maximize your gifts to the people and charities that you care about.
SMHF: Where should someone begin? RB: With a conversation.
SMHF: What comes next? RB: Communication.
When there is a desire to give, you should think about organizations that are special to you and your family. Are there caregivers who you want to continue to do great work at St. Michael’s? Do you sit on any boards? Do you volunteer in the community? What causes are near and dear to your heart? Where have you received exceptional care?
Once you choose a beneficiary we need to decide what type of gift is best for your circumstances. Making a charity the beneficiary of a life insurance policy is often a great fit because the policy costs are minimal during your lifetime, and result in large payments to the charity of your choice. But everyone’s situation is different. Always let your lawyer and financial planner know what the other is doing. We want to make sure we’re maximizing any credits and benefits for you and your family!
SMHF: What are the benefits of giving, especially to a charity like St. Michael’s Foundation? RB: Beyond the satisfaction of knowing that you’re making a difference to a cause you care about, certain types of gifts often offer tax credits, either at the time the gift is made, or in some cases they are transferrable to later years. In the next few years, we will see capital gains exemptions on gifts of the proceeds of the sale of real estate and private company shares, making these options more donor friendly.
SMHF: What else should we think about? RB: Legislation frequently changes. It’s so important, even if you’ve already signed your will, to check in with your adviser or lawyer regularly. You want your gift to have the greatest possible impact, and these changes can decrease tax costs and allow you to be an even greater supporter. This means more money going to your charity of choice. It also gives you the wonderful feeling that you have made a difference in the lives of others.
For more information on Planned Giving and St. Michael’s Foundation please contact Cynthia Collantes at 416.864.5879 or CollantesC@smh.ca. Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 15.
Thanks to our donors we’re nearly there! Help us reach our $210 million target. Support Inspire 2018. $210 million $186 million raised
St. Michael’s Foundation Inspired Care. Inspiring Science.
Find out more at stmichaelsfoundation.com 416.864.5000
File Name: SMHF SUPPORT ad Pub: Insertion Dates: September 2015
TAKES A TERRIFYING TURN
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The sound breaks the silence in the school corridor.
Docket #: Colour: 4C Trim: 8.375” x 10.875” Supplier: Designer: Sandra Damiani 416.483.7110 / s-damiani@sympatico.ca
Dr. Mark Peterson was at his son’s parent-teacher interview when his pager went off. A 42-year-old father of four had just been rushed to St. Michael’s and the staff wanted Dr. Peterson, a top cardiac surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital, to take a look at his unusual CT scan. “Daddy, if that man needs your help you have to go,” his son said. Twenty minutes later Dr. Peterson pulled up to the hospital, not anticipating the extraordinary case that awaited him.
Eight hours earlier, across town on that cold February morning, Jason Finley was in Pickering starting his fourth day with a new company as a tree cutter. He was in charge of removing ash trees, cutting down their massive 30-foot high trunks after the trees had all their branches removed. The team had cut down 259 trees that week, but somehow the 260th one proved to be different. Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 17.
Standing in four feet of snow, Jason approached his next tree the same way he always had after so many years in the business. However, instead of falling away from him as trees typically do, the base of this one kicked backwards. Anticipating the impending danger, Jason tried to jump out of harm’s way but he slipped and fell forward, landing on the stump. The split second that passed as he lay on the stump felt like hours, and instinctively Jason knew what was about to happen. Almost in slow motion, the massive tree, which was later estimated to weigh about 1,500 pounds, fell directly on top of him. “As I realized the tree was coming down in my direction, I knew it would be really bad,” he remembers. “I somehow managed to at least get the chainsaw out of the way but I felt the weight of the whole tree crash on my back. When the tip of the tree hit the road, the whole trunk bounced, allowing me to roll off onto the ground but — I couldn’t believe it — it then landed on me a second time exactly where I had fallen, pinning me to the ground.”
“As I realized the tree was coming down in my direction, I knew it would be really bad.” Alone in the snow, Jason managed to push himself out from under the tree. His colleague, on his way back from moving their truck down the road, saw Jason on the ground. Not realizing what had happened, he tried to offer Jason a hand to help him up, but Jason told him to quickly call 9-1-1. Ten minutes later, Jason was in an ambulance headed to the nearest community hospital. Each breath was very difficult. He had started to cough up blood. After vital chest X-rays were performed, the decision was unanimous: “Get him to St. Michael's immediately.” At St. Michael’s, an initial concern that he had broken his back was dismissed after testing. Jason knew something else was really wrong. The team soon found an abnormality around his heart. Scans revealed a tear in Jason’s ascending aorta and he was told he’d need immediate life-saving heart surgery. 18. St. Michael's Foundation
Jason and Holly on their wedding day with their four children. L to R: Gracie, Robert, Jason, Emma-Lee, Devon and Holly.
“When I got the call to come look at Jason’s CT scan, I was struck by how unusual an injury it was,” Dr. Mark Peterson said. Dr. Peterson describes the ascending aorta — the upper portion of the main artery in the human body leading away from the heart — like a balloon that can withstand an immense amount of pressure before it tears. He said that when the tree landed on Jason’s chest, it likely created an enormous amount of instantaneous pressure, resulting in a partial tear of his aorta. “There are probably only a few case reports of his type of injury in the world,” Dr. Peterson said. “Eighty to 90% of the time the aorta tears, all three layers will tear, immediately causing death. I had never seen an injury like Jason’s before, and I probably never will again.” Dr. Peterson and his team at St. Michael’s used their expertise to replace Jason’s torn aorta and, after a few hours, the surgery was a success. Jason was moved from the Intensive Care Unit into a regular ward within a day. Since his accident, Jason continues to do physiotherapy twice a week to regain his strength and the 30 pounds of muscle he lost during the ordeal. While the recovery
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CARDIAC SURGEON We caught up with Dr. Mark Peterson to find out what a “typical” day in the life looks like for him.
5 am:
Wake up. On a nice day, I’ll either bike or run to St. Michael’s which is about 18 km.
7 am:
Rounds start. Rounds are a time to review the cases of patients who need urgent care. We look at their complete case — their angiograms and CT scans for example — along with residents and fellows as a learning opportunity for them since St. Michael’s is a leading teaching and research hospital.
8 am: Start preparing for morning surgery. While
the patient gets ready, I review the case information with the entire care team.
8:30 am:
process is slow and long, Jason feels exceptionally fortunate to have been brought to the experts at St. Michael’s. “This story could have had a very different ending if I had not been brought to St. Michael's,” he said. “This was the best possible place for me to receive treatment. I am so grateful to the entire care team that looked after me.”
“This story could have had a very different ending if I had not been brought to St. Michael's." When Jason finally walked into his house 10 days after the accident, he was greeted by his four young children. “Thanks to Dr. Peterson’s highly specialized expertise and the care of the entire team, my husband is home where he belongs. We’ll never be able to thank St. Michael’s enough,” said Jason’s wife Holly.
Begin operating. The most common operation I perform is an aortic valve replacement.
Noon: I speak to the family and update them as
to how the case went and then head up to the ICU to let them know another patient is on their way and to check in on any other patients I might have in that area. For lunch, I usually eat at the hospital’s cafeteria. I always try to opt for something healthy — usually a salad and the daily soup.
1 pm:
I begin prepping for my second case of the day and the cycle repeats itself.
5 pm: I usually have a teleconference or research
meeting at the end of the day to share our expertise globally and learn what others around the world are doing.
6:30 pm: I arrive home. I help my three kids with their homework and put them to bed.
9:30 pm:
I answer emails and then turn off my computer and cell phone. It’s important to have some “screen-free” time before bed.
10 pm: Finally bedtime! Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 19.
E LE M E N T FIN A N CIA L
INVESTING IN GROWTH Brad Nullmeyer, President, Michel Beland, CFO & CAO and Steve Hudson, CEO, Element Financial
U
nder the leadership of CEO Steve Hudson, Element Financial has quickly become a market giant, with total assets of more than $22 billion, thanks to its 2015 GE fleet deal. This deal saw Element become North America’s largest commercial fleet management company with over one million vehicles under management. Element’s tagline, “making capital work,” also applies to philanthropy and is driven by Element’s strong sense of corporate social responsibility. Element gave a remarkable $15 million to St. Michael’s Inspire 2018 campaign, the largest single corporate gift in the hospital's history. Element has grown rapidly because it fills a gap in the marketplace, especially after capital dried up in 2008. Steve Hudson remarks, “We not only finance vehicle fleets, but offer strategic advice to help our customers manage their capital assets. In terms of our approach to community investment, we look for ways to make the communities where our people work and live stronger. St. Michael’s is a perfect opportunity for us to walk this philanthropic talk. For us it’s a win-win.”
20. St. Michael's Foundation
Success in any field, whether finance or health care, comes down to having the best people. Top talent is highly mobile, so strong public infrastructure is crucial in attracting and retaining the best. Steve Hudson says, “St. Michael's makes Toronto a great city for all of us — for my staff, for their patients. Having great facilities will also help them to attract and retain their medical superstars. We’re really pleased to be able to help this great hospital grow and modernize — for the entire community.” St. Michael’s will recognize this extraordinary gift through the naming of the Element Financial Atrium and Element Financial Way — the public meeting space for the transformed St. Michael’s and the connecting superhighway that will improve wayfinding and efficiencies for patients and staff alike. A closing thought from Steve Hudson: “This is a great investment for us. St. Michael’s is a great hospital, but, like all organizations — public and private — it must grapple with fiscal challenges. We are so impressed that St. Michael’s CEO, Dr. Bob Howard, is committed to quality improvement, to finding operational efficiencies to do things smarter and better with limited resources. We share those values.”
Thank you ‘FORE’ another Thank you ‘FORE’ another $1 million tournament.
$1 million tournament. St. Michael’s Foundation 2015 Urban Angel Golf Classic
St. Michael’s Foundation 2015 Urban Angel Golf Classic Presented by
Presented by
Thank you to all our sponsors and to PGA TOUR Canada for their proud support which helped us raise another $1 million net for priority needs at St. Michaelʼs Hospital. Thank you to all our sponsors and to PGA TOUR Canada for their proud support which helped us raise another $1 million net for priority needs at St. Michaelʼs Hospital. Premier Sponsors Presenting Sponsor
Registration Sponsor
Automobile Sponsor
Evening Sponsor
Water Sponsor
Greens Sponsor
Beer Sponsor
Inspire 2018 Sponsor
Media Sponsor
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Refreshment Cart Sponsor
Inspire 2018 Sponsor
Gift Bag Sponsor
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stmichaelsfoundation.com 416.864.5000 stmichaelsfoundation.com
STRESS : A PHYSICIAN’S PERSPECTIVE Recently, we spoke with Dr. Doug Sinclair, St. Michael’s executive vice president and chief medical officer. He began his medical career at St. Michael's before spending two decades in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in a number of progressive leadership and academic roles, including founding head of the Department of Emergency Medicine and associate dean of Continuing Education in the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University.
A
t least one day a week, Dr. Sinclair can be found working on the front lines as a physician in our Emergency Department, so he knows all about stress!
As a physician, can you diagnose stress? Are there physical signs? There is no definitive test, like a blood analysis, to indicate you are stressed. In the Emergency, we see patients who have chest pain or shortness of breath; these could indicate stress — or a heart attack. Of course, if you have a serious medical condition, that in itself causes stress. Stress is more like a collection of physical symptoms: headaches and backaches, tension in your jaw, a nervous stomach or nausea, insomnia, perspiring, a lack of energy, appetite change or a sudden overreliance on alcohol or cigarettes. As always, if you notice a change in your habits or health, you should speak with your doctor.
Do you think people are leading more stressful lives now? I think the world has become a much more complicated and competitive place. For example, my kids are approaching the time when they have to pick a profession, and they’re unsure of what they should do. They want to make the right decision but the range of career options has exploded and can be overwhelming, thus causing stress. But stress can affect all ages: as a child starting at a new school or, later in life, starting a new job or facing retirement. There’s no question that coping with the unknown can create stress. 22. St. Michael's Foundation
Returning to Toronto after living in Halifax, I found the pace of life here faster and more overwhelming. It’s demanding 24/7. Everyone now has a portable device that demands constant attention. There’s more traffic congestion leading to longer commutes and potential “road rage.” We are confronted with a multitude of stimuli each day. It’s no surprise that people seem to have more trouble with diet or lack of sleep. It can be like being on an endless treadmill.
What advice do you have for people coping with stress? People need to find what works for them. For me it’s exercise; it allows me time to think. Yoga is also helpful, especially to keep you active as you get older. I enjoy the “mindfulness” part of yoga – the concentration on thinking and breathing is a great way to relax. Doing something different that distracts you from the everyday is good as well. I’m an amateur trombone player; I find that making music and playing with a group works a different part of the brain. Maintaining a good work/life balance is hard, and in some jobs almost impossible. But you have to find what helps you so you don’t get stressed out by the demands of work or home. It could be cycling, hobbies or activities with your family. And you have to be rigorous about scheduling it! You have to give yourself permission to take a break: turn off your devices, take a walk, read a book, get out of your routine. The expression “stop and smell the roses” may be a cliché, but it is valuable advice when trying to survive in this busy, complicated world.
No matter your age, your brain can be retrained. That’s the good news, according to Dr. Sean Rourke, a clinical neuropsychologist and scientist at St. Michael’s Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute where he runs the Brain Fitness Program. His patients improve their cognitive abilities by playing games that test their memories and problem solving skills. He calls the program “physiotherapy for the brain.”
Brain health tip: Exercise your mind and body at the same time. For example, go for a stroll while putting your spatial and memory abilities to the test by walking through the newly restored cedar-hedge labyrinth on Centre Island, which reopens to the public spring of 2016.
Keep your brain “fit” by reading, learning a new language or skill, enrolling in a course, taking a cooking or art class, engaging in stimulating conversations or playing skilltesting games.
SUDOKU PUZZLE
7 4 5 8 5 6 2 8 9 7 8 6 3 1 2 7 8 4 8 7 9 2 3 7 1 2 2 7 5 1
WORD JUMBLE Unscramble these four random words: Turn page upside down for solutions
AOGINTRIN ODHGTO GRBONI ADSEOTI Now arrange the circled letters to discover Dr. Rourke’s credo for mental fitness:
“WHAT’S
FOR THE FOR
IS THE
.”
Answer key: RATIONING, HOTDOG, BORING, TOASTED, “What’s good for the heart is good for the brain.”
Dr. Rourke also points out that maintaining physical health helps keep our minds at peak performance levels. Improve your brain health by exercising, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, avoiding stress and eliminating harmful habits such as smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol.
Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 23.
EYE-SPY WITH MY SCREEN DO YOU HAVE: q Sore, tired, burning or dry eyes? q A headache? q Neck or shoulder pain? q Difficulty focusing?
24. St. Michael's Foundation
YOU MIGHT HAVE DIGITAL EYE STRAIN! That’s no surprise, given the combined amount of screen time we all put in — at work and now, thanks to mobile devices, pretty much around the clock. That’s especially true given our addiction to smart phones and tablets. So we asked St. Michael’s ophthalmologist Dr. Gordon Squires and resident Dr. Stephanie Low for some eye tips.
SCREEN TIPS Here’s how you can reduce eye strain caused by overuse of big and little screens: TIP 1: Proper distance: don’t hold the device too close.
TIP 2: Reduce glare and avoid reading/viewing in strong light.
TIP 3: Keep the screen clean.
ST. MICHAEL’S HAS AN EXTREMELY BUSY OPHTHALMOLOGY DEPARTMENT. Last year we: HAD OVER
68,000 PATIENT VISITS
TIP 4: Increase the font size.
TIP 5: Blink! When concentrating, people tend to blink less often.
CONDUCTED
36,000 DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
TIP 6: If your eyes are dry, use artificial tear drops.
TIP 7:
20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Overuse of mobile devices can also lead to “text neck,” from looking down too much and stressing your neck, and “texting thumb,” from repetitive stress caused by overuse of your thumb. Best advice? Take a break occasionally. SMHF: What are you looking forward to about the new Donald & Nita Reed Ophthalmology Centre, part of our Inspire 2018 campaign? DR. LOW: New, updated space for our patients! I’m also excited that the new centre will be in the hospital. It will just be easier to care for patients when you’re right there, and to collaborate with other specialists.
PERFORMED
6,000 OPERATIONS
INCLUDING 3,400 LASER PROCEDURES
As part of Inspire 2018, the eye clinic is relocating to the main campus in what will become the DONALD & NITA REED OPHTHALMOLOGY CENTRE.
DR. SQUIRES: I come to the clinic now to teach residents like Dr. Low. The new space will offer students — and patients of course — a better experience, and give us equipment to demonstrate procedures more effectively through different media such as videos. It is very exciting for all of us. Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 25.
DID YO U
KNOW Up to 75 to 9 0% of ? doctor all sa ailmen re for stress visits to ts and -r compl elated aints.
Stress is all around us. We’re stuck in traffic, trying to meet a deadline, racing to our child’s school performance, worried about eating well, feeling like there’s just not enough time to do it all. In small doses, stress is actually beneficial: it stimulates our “fight or flight” response, preparing us to deal with the emergency we’re faced with by helping us stay alert and energized. However, too often in modern day living, our stressors are chronic and can wreak havoc on our bodies.
WHY?
We checked in with St. Michael’s family physician Dr. Nav Persaud to find out what we can do to reduce some of the negative effects of stress.
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BECAUSE
our body doesn’t differentiate between types of stress. This means that our body’s reaction to being stuck in traffic is the same as running away from a bear, for example. It kicks into high-gear, secreting various hormones, such as adrenaline, and inhibiting primary bodily functions, such as digestion, in order to equip us to ward off potential dangers. Over a prolonged period, this state stops being beneficial and can adversely affect our health.
Sleep
Blood pressure
The secretion of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol cause us to feel alert, and stress causes our minds to race, inhibiting proper sleep patterns. This contributes to both poor quality and quantity of sleep, leading to a cyclical pattern: adults who sleep less tend to report higher rates of stress.
Stress hormones, constricted blood vessels and a pounding heart can raise blood pressure. Dr. Persaud’s stress-reducing tip: Regular cardiovascular exercise, like walking, helps to prevent the complications of high blood pressure.
Dr. Persaud’s stress-reducing tip: Switch off all electronic devices with a screen several hours before going to bed.
Mental health
Chronic stress can affect us emotionally and mentally, as well as physically. Symptoms of chronic stress include irritability, anxiety and depression. Stress can also play a factor in some behaviours like overeating or not eating enough, alcohol or drug abuse and social withdrawal. Dr. Persaud’s stress-reducing tip: Positive social interactions relieve stress and promote mental health. 28. St. Michael's Foundation
Digestion
Stress can negatively impact the way food moves through the body. The rush of hormones, rapid breathing and increased heart rate can cause heartburn, acid reflux, constipation or diarrhea. Dr. Persaud’s stress-reducing tip: Take a few minutes to relax before and after eating.
Stress affects the mind, body and behaviour in many ways, and everyone experiences stress differently. It's important to learn how to recognize when your stress levels are out of control. Talk to your health care practitioner if you feel you are experiencing stress overload.
Muscles
Under stress, muscles tense up in order to protect themselves from injury. After a prolonged period of time, this can lead to chronic aches and pains, headaches, back and shoulder pain and can inhibit one’s ability to exercise. Dr. Persaud’s stress-reducing tip: Mindfulness and progressive relaxation can help relieve muscle tension.
Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 29.
Thank you, St. Michael’s, for allowing us the honour of assisting you with your creative needs as you strive to complete Inspire 2018. There is nothing more important than projects that make a difference in the lives of people in our neighbourhoods and around the world.
brandhive.ca
Winter Weekend Indulgence Autumn — there's a new crispness in the air and the days get shorter. After being outside as much as possible in summer, we close up the cottage, move back indoors and think about warmth and comfort.
But the season brings its own activities — do we ever grow out of the impulse to jump into a pile of leaves? Soon enough, it’s time to pull out the skis and the toboggan in readiness for when the snow flies. And all those activities build an appetite!
Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 31.
Mac Cheese
VARIATIONS ON
&
Eight tasty ways to indulge in a classic favourite. See recipe on page 38.
32. St. Michael's Foundation
Chicken Noodle
SOUP
Homestyle goodness reimagined. See recipe on page 38.
Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 33.
Beef Stew
IN A SKILLET
A warming entrée for a winter’s night. See recipe on page 39.
34. St. Michael's Foundation
the Perfect Holiday Table HOW TO SET
Visit stmichaelsfoundation.com/perfecttable to see a video with tips from Langdon Hall.
Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 35.
o help get you through the fall and winter, we asked Victor de Guzman, executive chef of Toronto’s Rosedale Golf Club, to team up with Jason Bangerter, executive chef of Langdon Hall, to offer some "winter warmers" for a chilly weekend. These are recipes that you can easily make at home. Imagine coming home after a brisk walk through the fall colours — or after a day of cross-country or downhill skiing — to food like this. It almost makes you wish the season would last longer!
Cooking
St. Michael’s pediatrician Dr. Jonathon Maguire says, “I always recommend a healthy, balanced diet with the right combination of vegetables, fruit and protein, but once in a while it’s good to treat yourself to something special — and indulgent!”
WHAT'S
DOC
36. St. S Michael's Foundation
?
There’s nothing wrong with homemade macaroni and cheese, like Victor’s. It’s excellent comfort food and yummy too! And if it’s comfort you’re after, consider oatmeal with a fancy fruit and nut topping, baked sweet potato fries (instead of French fries), spaghetti with meatballs (yum!), fruit smoothies — all homemade goodness and good for you, said Dr. Jonathon Maguire. Our chefs offer suggestions for chilly nights when you want something comforting and want to indulge.
Support SupportInspire Inspire2018 2018at @stmichaelsfoundation.com stmichaelsfoundation.com 37.
Recipes Mac & Cheese Serves 8 pg 32
SAUCE INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup butter 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 3 cups hot milk 1 pinch black pepper 1 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/4 cup cheddar cheese 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup Gruyere cheese 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 4 cups macaroni 1 tbsp oil
FOR THE TOP 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese
temperature. Then add the mustard and cheeses. 5 Turn the heat off and pour the
mixture through a fine sieve. 6 When ready to serve, re-heat the
sauce on the stove then add the blanched pasta. cheddar or Gruyere cheese on top. Bake in the oven until hot then finish under the grill to glaze. Spice up your Mac & Cheese with these additions: • caramelized onions • bacon and cheddar cheese • fresh tomato sauce • spinach and Parmesan • roasted chicken and green onions • heirloom carrots • roasted squash • poached lobster • Bolognese sauce
Chicken Noodle Soup pg 33
METHOD 1 Bring 4-6 quarts of water to boil in a
large pot; add 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tbsp oil and the macaroni; cook until tender but still firm. heat then add the flour. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring regularly. While this is cooking, place the milk into a pan and bring to a boil. 3 Add the boiling milk to the flour-
and-butter mix, constantly stirring. 4 While continuing to stir, add the
salt and pepper and bring to a slow simmer for 5 minutes at a low 38. St. Michaels's Michael's Foundation Foundation
lemon zest, thyme and onion. Rub the chicken with olive oil. Roast in a preheated oven for 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 160F. 3 Set aside to cool down. Carve and reserve the chicken breasts and legs. Make the broth with the bones.
7 Place in serving dish and sprinkle
or Gruyere
2 Melt the butter in a pan on low
2 Fill the cavity of the chicken with
INGREDIENTS 1 whole chicken (1.5 – 2 kg)
Salt and pepper 2 strips of lemon zest A sprig of thyme 1 medium onion, chopped 1 tbsp olive oil METHOD 1 Season the outside and inside cavity
of the chicken with salt and pepper.
CHICKEN BROTH INGREDIENTS Use the bones from the chicken or leftover roasted chicken or turkey 4 quarts of cold water 1/4 cup of chopped fresh ginger 1 medium carrot 1 stalk celery 1 medium onion 5 black peppercorns 1 clove garlic 1 sprig parsley 2 sprigs of thyme 1 bay leaf METHOD Put all ingredients in a pot and simmer for 30 minutes to an hour. Strain and set aside the broth. To finish the soup, add 1 tbsp olive oil 1/2 cup each of julienned vegetables: leeks, carrots, celery, fennel 1 tsp salt 1 tsp fresh-ground pepper 2 X 3 oz packages broad rice noodles soaked in water for 10 minutes then drained 2 tbsp chopped herbs such as chives, basil and parsley 1 In a heavy bottom stock pot, sauté
all the vegetables lightly with olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer then add the rice noodles. 2 Cook for 5 minutes or until the noodles are soft but still firm. Add the chicken meat from the breasts and the legs of the roasted chicken. Serve the soup hot and add the herbs just before serving.
For a special presentation, hollow out a loaf of sourdough bread or, for individual servings, large ciabatta rolls, and use to serve the soup. Tips: • While Chef Victor recommends making your own stock for a healthier soup, you can substitute low sodium chicken stock. • Fresh herbs are recommended but you can substitute 1 teaspoon of dried parsley and a 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme.
Beef Stew in a Skillet pg 34
INGREDIENTS 3 lbs/1.5 kg diced stewing beef 2 carrots peeled and diced 1 onion peeled and diced or 2 cups
peeled pearl onions 4 cloves garlic crushed 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 2 fresh laurel leaves 6 sprigs of fresh thyme 3 cups red wine 3 cups beef or veal stock 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to season Puff pastry
METHOD 1 Marinate the beef in the red wine
with the diced vegetables and half the herbs overnight. 2 Strain the marinade and pat the ingredients dry with a paper towel. 3 Pre-heat the oven to 325F. 4 Season the beef well with salt and pepper. 5 In a large casserole or skillet pan, lightly brown the meat on all sides, and then remove from the pan. 6 Add the vegetables and sauté for 3 minutes. Dust vegetables with the flour and cook another 2 minutes. 7 Add the wine and reduce by half. 8 Add the stock and reserved fresh herbs. Bring to a simmer and skim off any excess fat. 9 Add the beef and vegetables back to the pan and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and braise in the oven for 3 to 4 hours or until the meat is fork tender. Cook uncovered until desired consistency of sauce is reached. It should coat the back of a spoon, shiny, rich and velvety. 10 Roll out a sheet of pastry to cover the skillet. Bake separately on a lined baking sheet until golden brown and place on top to garnish when serving. You can also bake the pastry on top of the dish you are serving to give a traditional pot-pie effect. 11 Before serving, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and chives. Tips: • You can substitute whipped sweet potatoes as a topping instead of the puff pastry. • Be creative and vary the recipe with your favourite seasonal vegetables.
Bon Appétit!
For Chef Jason’s delicious bread pudding and more recipes from Chef Victor, visit our website at stmichaelsfoundation.com
SUDOKU PUZZLE ANSWERS
3 9 8 7 1 4 6 5 2
1 7 6 8 2 5 9 3 4
2 4 5 9 6 3 1 8 7
9 8 2 4 3 1 5 7 6
7 5 3 6 9 2 4 1 8
4 6 1 5 7 8 2 9 3
5 1 4 2 8 7 3 6 9
8 3 9 1 4 6 7 2 5
6 2 7 3 5 9 8 4 1
Solutions from page 23.
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SAVE YOURSELF From Stress
From head to toe, stress affects our entire body. We are an interconnected system — designed to function in harmony — and an imbalance in one area can harm another. Stress manifests in the mind and hides in all areas of the body, causing tension, pain and trouble sleeping. Stretching can help protect your body and mind.
"Small stretches during a busy day can help give the body a rest, release tensions and balance stress effects,” says St. Michael’s occupational therapist Lee Rosen. Below are some recommended stretches to perform at different times of the day to help reduce stress and relax your body.
At Work Stand all day? Sit all day? Whichever, these little movements — working the tiniest muscles you didn’t even know you had — can relieve big amounts of tension. SITTING AT YOUR DESK Release Neck Tension
STANDING ON YOUR FEET Give Your Eyes a Rest
•
• •
Stand with one foot in front of the other.
•
Tilt head left and right with eyes looking in the same direction as head. Repeat looking in the opposite direction.
Perform head nods, head shakes and head circles, like drawing a circle in the air with the tip of your nose.
Free Up the Spine
•
Sit upright, straightening your spine. Tip head forward; look up, hold for five seconds. Look down and hold for five seconds. Tip head backwards and repeat.
40. St. Michael's Foundation
Turn head left with eyes following head direction; then repeat turning right. Repeat looking in the opposite direction.
At Home Get into those deep tissues with a foam roller, rolling your body’s weight back and forth over the tissue you’re massaging. 1
Adductor
2 Hamstring
3
4 Upper Back
Quadriceps
Getting Ready for Bed Stop tossing and turning! Relax the muscles and calm the mind before climbing into bed. PHYSICAL Progressive Muscle Relaxation
•
Start with your toes and work your way up: tighten your foot muscles as much as you can and then relax them. Tighten your leg muscles, and then relax them.
•
Make your way up your body, tightening and relaxing each muscle, starting from those in your feet all the way up to those in your face. This exercise, often used in yoga, can help reduce anxiety and stress.
EMOTIONAL Deep Breathing and Mindfulness Relaxation
• •
Often helpful after progressive muscle relaxation.
•
Take notice of your breath and where you feel it in your body. Notice the abdomen rise and fall, your chest expand and relax and your nostrils flaring.
•
Take a deep breath into your lower belly and feel your abdomen expand. Hold for a few seconds and then release. Repeat, imagining the air filling up your abdomen, and then travelling out your airways, over and over.
•
If your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to your body. Any time a thought crosses your mind, release that thought and refocus on your breath. It's very common to become preoccupied while you're lying in bed — it takes time and practice to learn how to focus your attention solely on the body.
With your eyes closed, focus your attention on your body, and become aware of any sensations you feel, like the connection between your body and the surface you're lying on.
We all know stress is a fact of life, but there are ways to help you cope! Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 41.
Helping others help themselves since 1985. We are proud to give back to the community and support St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation.
RARE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
DISCOVER SECRETS TO BETTER HEALTH
St. Michael’s has specialists on staff who research and treat a number of rare medical conditions. Dr. Stephen Betschel, an allergist and immunologist, recently led a team of international experts who developed new Canadian guidelines for managing a genetic condition called hereditary angioedema, or HAE for short. This condition causes painful and sometimes fatal episodes of swelling that can occur anywhere in the body and are often triggered by stressors. HAE affects an estimated 700 Canadians, but because little is known about HAE it is often misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated. The guidelines, which outline effective treatments, will raise awareness about HAE among doctors so they can identify and manage this disease.
St. Michael’s Centre for Research on Inner City Health (CRICH) is Canada’s only hospital-based facility that investigates the health effects of social inequity. Since its establishment in 2001, CRICH has built an international reputation for leading-edge research on disadvantaged urban populations. For example, Dr. Stephen Hwang, newly named director of CRICH, investigates the relationship between homelessness, housing and health. His research challenges the idea that health is only about exercise, good nutrition and good genes. Stress-reducing factors in people’s environment — such as safe housing, low crime rates and access to community services — are also essential to well-being. Learn more by watching a fascinating talk Dr. Hwang recently gave called “The Best Kept Secret: What Really Determines Your Health” at stmichaelsfoundation.com/bestkeptsecret.
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION Research conducted at St. Michael’s reinforces the idea that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Dr. Sean Rourke, a scientist at St. Michael’s Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, is the lead author of a study that shows that every dollar spent on community-based HIV prevention programs in Ontario saves $5 in treatment costs. He finds that these programs have prevented more than 16,000 people from becoming infected with HIV over 25 years and saved Ontario’s health care system about $6.5 billion. Dr. Rourke’s work helps ensure that health planners and policy makers continue investing in prevention programs. For more about Dr. Rourke see page 23.
Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 43.
FIRST AID KIT
FOR STRESS Stock up on these sure-fire remedies for dialing down those stressful moments. MUSIC Humans have been making music since we lived in caves, and for good reason: recent studies show that music pleases an ancient part of the brain, the striatum, releasing a “happy” molecule called dopamine. St. Michael’s occupational therapist Heather McDonald agrees that “what’s good for the spirit is good for brain health,” so check out the United Nations’ Positive Playlist: six of the world’s happiest songs spanning five decades and almost as many genres.
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION Recommended by St. Michael’s Department of Psychiatry, Women’s Health Care Centre and our chief medical officer Dr. Doug Sinclair,, a few minutes of mindfulness meditation can refresh you when you feel frazzled. Social workers Darlene Dzendoletas and Rachael Frankford tell us, “The key to being mindful is noticing how you feel without being critical or judgmental about it.” Noticing how you feel is the first step to changing how you feel. Be sure to read Doug’s comments on page 22. mast.stmichaelshospital.com
44. St. Michael's Foundation
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY (CBT) Much of the stress in our lives comes from…OURSELVES! Our thought patterns (or cognitive behaviour) might be on autopilot, triggering painful feelings or worries when we think about a certain person, place or situation. Notice if your inner rant is a re-run and put a fresh, positive spin on nagging negatives. Book time with a professional or access self-help CBT resources at St. Michael’s Patient & Family Learning Centre, currently in the Marketeria, and potentially boasting a new prime location soon on the first floor of the Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower, part of Inspire 2018. stmichaelshospital.com/learn/patient-family-learning-centre.php
DO NOT DISTURB With content available 24/7 on your phone, laptop or TV, being wired all the time adds up. Your brain needs a break from emails and texts, your eyes need a break from tablets and phones and your body needs a wake-up call after binge-watching and gaming marathons. Leave your devices in their chargers, pocket them while you socialize and unplug a few hours before bedtime.
GET SOCIAL Nothing breaks the tension like a good belly laugh with your BFF and, according to St. Michael’s Dr. Patricia O’Campo, it can make your life safer, too. Her research found that “people who had more social support, including trust and a sense of belonging, were less likely to experience abuse while in a relationship.” Hang out with fun, trustworthy people or use video chat to connect online. You’ll be surprised at how good it feels when someone is happy to see you! stmichaelsfoundation.com/getsocial
A LOVELY CUPPA TEA Whether it’s the ritual of a formal tea ceremony or a quick cup, tea contains powerful antioxidants that support good health and its soothing fragrance acts like aromatherapy! Choose naturally caffeine-free teas like chamomile or rooibos. White and green teas are lower in caffeine than black teas if you need a pick-me-up.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT Comfort foods high in refined flours or sugars send your blood sugar on a rollercoaster ride that can later spike stress hormone production. Snack instead on any of Dr. David Jenkins’s Top 10 Healthy Foods. Low-glycemic fruits like oranges, tangerines (#8) and berries (#9) are sweet treats that can help improve glycemic control in people with Type 2 Diabetes. Apples (#10) can lower the risk of heart disease, while almonds, walnuts and pistachios (#6) help do that plus aid in lowering cholesterol. stmichaelsfoundation.com/top10foods
Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 45.
FROM THE DESK OF DR. BOB HOWARD We are now in month nine of the construction phase of Inspire 2018, and the Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower is underway with the completion of the foundation and the installation of the crane in September. The new 17-storey tower will tie in directly to the existing wings on two sides, unifying our site and creating a real front door for the entire hospital as we become the premier critical care hospital in Canada. Work will begin in 2016 on the new Slaight Family Emergency Department, which will double from 22,000 to 44,000 square feet. We’ll build the new facility section by section, while ensuring the department is still fully functional. That work includes taking down the existing Shuter Wing on the northeast corner of the hospital and replacing it with a new two-storey structure to house the non-urgent section of the Emergency and create a base for future upward expansion. There are a lot of steps to make sure this will be a superb final product. The hospital completed the design specifications two years ago with clinical staff from each hospital area, to ensure patient needs were front and centre. With construction underway, staff members have been updating design details as needed. Another quality initiative is creating 11 fully-
equipped mocked-up patient spaces, including an inpatient room, a critical care room, an emergency exam room, a hybrid operating room and so on. Teams from different areas – trauma, emergency, intensive care, surgery and more – will perform simulations of different scenarios to test and improve every last detail. Watching a team working on a mannequin really helps us focus on the point of the exercise, which is saving lives. In order to stay up to date on our progress, and get information about any potential disruptions, you can visit the hospital web site (stmichaelshospital.com) and go to Who We Are/St. Michael’s 3.0 (bottom right of the home page). “St. Michael’s 3.0” is the hospital's name for the transformation. Tabs include Construction Updates and Clinic and Office Moves. For construction questions, email BuildingSMH@smh.ca. For clinic locations, call 416.360.4000 or visit the Clinic Locator.
From left : Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care; L. Alayne Metrick, St. Michael’s Foundation President; and Dr. Bob Howard, St. Michael’s Hospital President & CEO, breaking ground on the new site.
You can go to the Galleries section of St. Michael’s 3.0 on the website to see what the new Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower will look like, inside and out, as well as the new Slaight Family Emergency Department, Element Financial Way and Atrium and the new Shuter Wing. There is also a live video camera, so you can watch our progress in real time. We’re confident that patients and their families will enjoy the best possible care in the new St. Michael’s. Stay tuned!
>>>>CAMPAIGN UPDATE>>>>CAMPAI INSPIRE 2018 >>>>INSPIRE 2018 >>> 46. St. Michael's Foundation
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WELL-READ, Well-Being HOW GOOGLE WORKS Eric Schmidt & Jonathan Rosenberg A rare inside look at how two seasoned Silicon Valley executives, Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg, helped grow Google from a young start-up to a global icon. In the process, they were forced to relearn everything they knew about management. How Google Works is the sum of those experiences distilled into a fun, easy-to-read primer on corporate culture, strategy, talent, decision-making, communication, innovation and dealing with disruption.
! d a e r t a e r g A
1 comment Frank Garcea, director, Information Technology Infrastructure and chief technology officer — A great read that will change how you approach your job and career, and help relieve workplace stressors.
CALMING YOUR ANXIOUS MIND: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You from Anxiety, Fear, and Panic
Jeffrey Brantley Based on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) technique pioneered by Jon Kabat-Zinn, this is a quick read that blends evidence-based insights on the mechanisms of anxiety and fear with meditation’s traditional goals of self-discovery and self-compassion. Sample meditations guide you to begin practicing mindfulness, one breath at a time. 1 comment
I reference daily! 48. St. Michael's Foundation
Filomena Machado, director, Mission and Values — I read this book years ago and I still refer to it today. The way Brantley explains the principles of mindfulness and its benefits makes it easy for anyone to adopt meditation as a life-long habit.
Reading keeps the brain active and allows us to decompress from our busy schedules. To inspire your reading choices, we’ve selected stress-relieving books for the whole family to enjoy, including new books and classics.
5 likes
Visit stmichaelsfoundation.com for more book recommendations and staff reviews.
GO SET A WATCHMAN Harper Lee’s latest release — a newly discovered novel, actually completed before To Kill a Mockingbird — shows a new side of the many familiar characters from the iconic book. Go Set a Watchman picks up some 20 years later, when Jean Louise Finch — Scout — returns to Maycomb to deal with her personal and political issues involving her father Atticus, society and her small Alabama hometown.
I'm in love!
1 comment Dr. Anthony Graham, director, Robert McRae Heart Health Unit — I fell in love with To Kill a Mockingbird in high school, and never imagined I’d get a chance to find out what happened to my favourite characters. This unearthed publication gave me that opportunity, and it was well worth the wait.
THE WHEELS ON THE BUS Paul O. Zelinsky Go round and round, round and round. Melt away your grownup concerns by singing this rollicking, rhythmical children’s song to a kid or two or three or more. Zelinsky’s pop-up book adds extra layers of interest for the little ones, with opening and closing doors, moving wipers and more — and in a special 25th anniversary edition! For fun all around the town. 1 comment
My son's favour ite!
Dr. Jennifer Riley, staff physician, Emergency Medicine — This is my son’s favourite! He loves singing along and participating with all of the fun actions. Again and again and again….
MY KITCHEN YEAR: 136 Recipes That Saved My Life Ruth Reichl In 2009, head office suddenly shut down Gourmet magazine and beloved editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl was jobless. So naturally she turned to cooking as a form of therapy. This book is the distillation of a foodie’s love of cooking, and a chef’s love of food. Winner of six James Beard Awards, Reichl credits these recipes with restoring her passion for life. 1 comment
n! o i t a r i p s n i l Tota
Melani Ragnitz, manager, Food Services — Reichl’s The Gourmet Cookbook is my go-to for culinary inspiration. This memoir/cookbook proves that great food sustains good living. Support Inspire 2018 at stmichaelsfoundation.com 49.
Tim and Frances Price
W
e spoke to Tim and Frances Price about their long relationship with St. Michael’s Hospital, their deep commitment to philanthropy, why they are so excited about the promise of Inspire 2018 and the new Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Tim is Chairman of Brookfield Funds and sits on a number of public company boards. Frances sits on the Foundation's Women's Team.
What is your relationship to St. Michael’s?
culture — we’re big fans of opera and organizations that mentor teenagers.
TIM: I’ve been a Foundation board member since 1992 and sit on the executive committee. I’ve always been really proud of my association with St. Michael’s, especially with the idea that we provide exceptional, leading-edge care to everyone, including the disadvantaged.
FRANCES: We are also now grandparents, and we have a powerful sense of wanting to make sure that all children have the same opportunity to thrive as our family.
FRANCES: I sit on the Women’s Team. When I had a serious personal health issue, I really came to appreciate the quality of care at St. Michael's — that unique combination of expertise and real compassion from not just the medical staff but everyone, from the porters to the housekeeping staff. Philanthropy is a big part of your lives – why? TIM: We’ve been very lucky in our lives, and we feel strongly about volunteering and supporting those institutions that both help people and enrich the fabric of society. That includes health care, education and 50. St. Michael's Foundation
Why did you choose to support the new Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit in the Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower? FRANCES: Tim has been on the campaign cabinet for the past three campaigns at St. Michael’s. Inspire 2018 promises to do so much for patient care that we were both very keen to
support some important aspect of the project. The new Medical Surgical ICU is a crucial component of the hospital’s goal of becoming the premier critical care hospital in Canada. Together with Tim’s Brookfield colleagues — Jack Cockwell and family, Ian Cockwell, Alan Dean and Kathy Kinnear, and Peter Gordon — we have collectively invested $5 million to support this integral part of the "new" hospital. It’s a huge honour to be associated with the kind of life-giving care that will take place there every day. TIM: I’m also proud that Frances is part of the Women’s Team, raising $1 million for the Slaight Family Emergency Department. The new Emergency will be twice as large and organized to be more efficient — to reduce wait times, while providing more comfort and privacy to patients in their time of need. With a new mental health unit and a larger trauma suite, it will be better placed than ever to save lives.
The ROAR STARTS heRe
From Mackenzie Tour - PGA TOUR Canada to PGA TOUR winner in 14 months.
In 2013, Nick Taylor’s play on Mackenzie Tour - PGA TOUR Canada earned him a chance to play on the PGA TOUR. 14 months later he fulfilled his dream of becoming a PGA TOUR Champion. Who will be the next one to make their dream a reality? For more player profiles visit PGATOUR.COM/MackenzieTour.
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