Amplifying the voices of women living with heart disease
As women, we tend to be caretakers of others. We need to learn to be better caretakers of ourselves." — Gayl McKinley, patient partner
Dr. Gabriela Lima de Melo Ghisi, an affiliate scientist at UHN's KITE Research Institute, listens as women from diverse ages, backgrounds and locations share their diagnostic journeys with heart disease.
She hears the same story over and over. Despite the women being diverse in age, background, and physical location, there is a throughline of delayed diagnoses due to atypical symptoms and the emotional toll of navigating a system that often overlooks women's health.
Among every narrative, however, there is resilience.
"One of the biggest challenges in women's cardiac disease is the lack of awareness, both in the medical community and among women themselves," Dr. Ghisi explains. "The lack of knowledge, the lack of referrals, the lack of engagement — if we can create ways women can increase their knowledge, I think that's a way to address barriers."
Co-led by Dr. Ghisi and patient partner Gayl McKinley, Our Hearts Our Stories is a patient-centred video storytelling series. It launched Feb. 13, 2025, with episodes released on a rolling basis.
Made possible with the support of UHN's Pride in Patient Engagement in Research (PiPER) initiative, the project is designed for and shaped by women with a history of cardiac disease.
Our Hearts Our Stories grew out of PiPER-funded patient engagement workshops designed to teach women to be champions of educational materials from the Cardiac College for Women— resources that were developed in 2023 under the leadership of Dr. Ghisi.
The patient group themselves then came up with the idea of sharing their lived experiences, hoping to not only inform better rehabilitation strategies for the future but also empower other women to be advocates for their health. Our Hearts Our Stories is the online collection of their experiences.
"Women want to be heard," says Dr. Ghisi, explaining how storytelling is constantly on her mind as a way to reach the public. She has been thinking of ways to amplify the unheard voices of the health care system and hopes Our Hearts Our Stories is just the beginning.
PM Cancer Care Network expands with addition of Mackenzie Health
Mackenzie Health has officially joined the Princess Margaret Cancer Care Network, a unique collaboration aimed at enhancing clinical expertise, research and education in the fight against cancer.
The partnership will strengthen access to quality cancer care close to home and provide more resources and supports for patients on their cancer journey.
Mackenzie Health is the seventh cancer program in Canada to join this network, alongside Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake Regional Health Centre, The Grand River Regional Cancer Program, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, Oak Valley Health, William Osler Health System, and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
"We believe that within this network, health care providers, patients, and caregivers will find comfort and confidence, knowing that their care is enriched by greater access to cutting-edge technologies available at one of the world's leading cancer centres," says Dr. Keith Stewart, VP Cancer, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, UHN and Director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
This year alone, nearly 250,000 new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed in Canada. That means roughly 675 people each day will hear those three life-altering words: "You have cancer."
"Health care is a team sport – one that requires that we work together, share ideas and resources and learn from one another to put the needs of patients first," says Mary-Agnes Wilson, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nurse Executive at Mackenzie Health. "By joining this network of local, regional and national partners, we will expand patients' access to clinical trials, strengthen cancer survivorship programs, enhance patient education and resources, and help to develop the next generation of oncology specialists here in our community."
With cases on the rise, the demand for high-quality, accessible oncology services continues to grow. Over the past four years, Mackenzie Health's Oncology Clinic has expanded by nearly 30 per cent, now serving 80 to 100 patients daily with initial consults, follow-ups, infusion treatments and vital patient and pharmacy education.
"Cancer care is evolving rapidly and this collaboration ensures that our patients benefit from the latest innovations, expertise, and resources — right here, close to home," says Mackenzie Health President and CEO Altaf Stationwala. "It also helps strengthen the education and training of our incredible oncology team — helping us deliver the highest standard of care now and in the future."
Dr. Andrea Bezjak, Medical Director of the PM Cancer Care Network, added that the network is a way to move forward provincial oncology priorities at a local level.
"Closer collaborations and knowledge exchange have been of benefit to other Network partners and we look forward to collaborating with teams at Mackenzie Heath," Dr. Bezjak says.
