Celebrating a 30-year partnership between UHN and the Toronto District School Board
Every school year, UHN makes a number of experiential learning opportunities available to students from the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), who are participating in their co-op program.
This year marked the 30th year of the UHN-TDSB partnership, which was started in 1994 by UHN's former Director of Volunteer Resources, Bette Johnston, who is still involved in the program as a donor.
The co-op program is five days a week for 15 weeks, and the students are expected to be in their placement a minimum of three hours daily. The program runs in the first semester from October to January, and in the second semester from February to June.
All participants at UHN are senior secondary school students, with a keen interest in health care and science. The students earn academic credit for their time at UHN. The program is a tremendous opportunity to provide insight, direction and opportunity to young people who could be members of our future health care workforce.
Over the years, UHN has had very successful placements at all of our sites in areas as wide-ranging as clinics, units, research, Medical Imaging, Pharmacy and the Machine Shop. Some past students have returned to UHN in various roles, including as physicians, nurses technologists and researchers.
At the year-end "graduation event" in June, the students and UHN staff gathered to celebrate the students' achievements and to show appreciation to the staff mentors.
This year, Michelle Murray, a practice resource X-ray technologist with the Joint Department of Medical Imaging, nominated Harini Gathaatharan for the Bette J. Johnston Director's Award, which recognizes achievement during a co-op placement.
"Harini has been nothing short of amazing in our Medical Imaging Department," Michelle said. "She would help change our patients for their procedures, clean and stock our rooms and check that all our images were sent to PACS which helped speed up our workflow tremendously."
Members of TeamUHN who would like to learn more about UHN-TDSB experiential learning can reach out to Leeanne Bouteiller at 416-340-4800, ext. 4449 or
Leeanne.bouteiller@uhn.ca.
Collaborative palliative care pilot project launches at Toronto Rehab, University Centre
Teams from Toronto Rehab, Toronto Western Hospital and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre earlier this month began a collaborative pilot project with a goal to seamlessly provide rehab and palliative care services to patients at Toronto Rehab, University Centre (TR-UC).
The initiative was prompted by concerns raised by TR staff regarding the challenges they encounter in providing holistic care to patients with incurable diseases.
Previously, TR-UC had very limited access to palliative care professionals, potentially limiting their rehab journey.
However, with the Palliative Care Initiative, staff at TR-UC staff will now receive training from the Princess Margaret's palliative care experts, allowing patients to benefit from rehab and palliative care treatments seamlessly.
Select units will also now routinely integrate supportive and palliative care consultation for all patients at TR-UC living with advanced cancer supported by the Toronto Western palliative care team.
The first workshop with the Allied Health Professionals at TR-UC was an overwhelming success.
More than 98 per cent of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the sessions were relevant to their role and practice. They also expressed understanding of the information received, praising the delivery methods and content for meeting their learning needs.
The six-month pilot is set to finish in December, with data collection following in the new year and possible expansion to other sites.
William Osler Health System joins Princess Margaret Cancer Care Network
William Osler Health System (Osler) has joined the Princess Margaret (PM) Cancer Care Network to enhance clinical expertise, research and education in Brampton, North Etobicoke, and surrounding areas at a critical time, as cancer cases are expected to double in the next 10 to 15 years due to an aging and growing population.
This formal partnership will expand resource sharing and skill development between PM and Osler, building on a six-year collaboration focused on stem cell transplants.
Osler is the fifth cancer program in Canada to join the PM Cancer Care Network, a collective of local, regional, and national partners committed to facilitating collaborative clinical care, accelerating the adoption of new technologies, engaging more patients in research through improved access to clinical trials and advancing innovations which improve patient outcomes and provide confidence and comfort that the best care can be achieved close to home.
"This partnership will provide seamless transition for patients to receive care close to home, enhance education opportunities and collaborate on clinical trials," said Dr. Frank Martino, President and CEO of William Osler Health System. “As cancer service needs grow in our community, we are committed to ensuring quality care is available locally."
Dr. Keith Stewart, Vice President of Cancer at UHN and Director of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, said: "We are proud to announce this partnership, which will break down barriers to provide seamless access to cutting-edge clinical trials, advanced molecular testing and knowledge transfer."
This exciting partnership between Osler and
PM Cancer Care Network represents the evolution of valuable resource and skill sharing to benefit patients from both organizations. For more information on the partnership and Osler's cancer care program visit
Cancer Care - William Osler Health System.
Raising awareness of sickle cell disease
To mark World Sickle Cell Awareness Day on June 19, members of UHN's Red Blood Disorders Clinic (RBDC), the Emergency Department and the Medical Day Unit hosted a booth in the Eaton Lobby at Toronto General Hospital.
The booth was designed to raise awareness of sickle cell diseases, which affects an estimated 6,500 Canadians, 3,500 of them living in Ontario, according to the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario.
Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition affecting the red blood cells, which can distort into a sickle or crescent shape. This disorder affects blood circulation and the blood's ability to carry oxygen through the body.
When in crises, patients can develop anemia, swelling, fatigue and, in many cases, feel immense pain.
UHN's RBCD, which is the largest centre of its kind for adults in North America, is dedicated to managing sickle cell disease, thalassemia and other red blood cell disorders, which are called hemoglobinopathies.
The team's goal is to improve the physical, psychological and social health of patients to enhance quality of life.
