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Dec. 15, 2015

News. Events. Achievements.

McMaster Children’s providing all children with the same standard of safe and quality care

Child Life Specialist, Debbie meets with Katie and her mom before her surgery.

cMaster Children’s Hospital room until they are asleep. (WLMH) will be transitioned to MCH. Pre- and post-care will continue (MCH) has a reputation for “Every child should be cared for at WLMH to serve patients and Msetting the bar high when in an environment that is geared families closer to home, and Dr. Joe it comes to supporting children to their unique needs and by Korkis will also care for his pediatric and their families throughout their individuals who are expertly trained surgical patients at MCH. All hospital experience. to care for them,” says Dr. Helene operating room time and resources For example, MCH was one of the Flageole, chief of pediatric surgery at WLMH will continue to be used first in to introduce at HHS. “This combination of an for adults surgeries and procedures. a Family Support Program which excellent patient experience and enables parents to be at their child’s medical expertise ensures the best By co-locating clinical services bedside at all times, including in and safest outcome for all patients.” for all children at MCH, children and their families in the region of operating rooms. Today, every That is why this winter, pediatric ear, West Niagara will now have access child over one year of age having nose, throat (ENT) and pediatric to highly specialized pediatric surgery at MCH can have a parent dental surgeries currently occurring physicians and other skilled accompany them to the operating at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital A letter to Insider The arly this past spring we learned her chemo regime, requiring her to my Mum had breast cancer, not complete the full protocol, and Eduring routine screening. And an admission due to pneumonia; Sound so began our journey of medical the care, compassion and belief appointments, surgical procedures, in the resources at JCC was very chemotherapy and radiation. reassuring. The staff in clinics, on C3-, in the Emergency Part of what made this journey Department, and in the radiation more emotional for us, was that my of Hope area were wonderful, as were Drs. father passed away of stage four Som Mukherjee and Barb Strang. colon cancer about eight years ago, and so returning to the Juravinski On Tuesday November 17, 2015, Cancer Centre brought with it many at approximately 12:45 pm in the more emotions than we ever would radiation department, my Mum took have thought. Finding ourselves her turn at ringing ‘The Bell.’ I know sitting in similar clinic areas and there was clapping from varying seeing his care Team in the halls areas, but my senses were slightly was at times very emotional. dull by the tears in my eyes and the overwhelming sense of pride, Vividly, I remember her first accomplishment and gratefulness. chemo treatment, the day started with chemo school, two hours of I know today, with the help of her learning sprinkled with fear and care Team, my Mum was able to laughter. And then up to the chemo offer that hope, and inspiration check-in area where the staff were to those who heard her ring it. kind and friendly. As we sat for I know there will be more tests, what felt like forever, we heard on and thankfully more follow-up two occasions, patients ringing appointments, but today we a bell and a roar of applause and wanted to say thank you; we cheering from the waiting room... have new memories at JCC. it was the sound of hope and Sincerely, Upon completing her last radiation inspiration. All in the tone of a bell. Tracy Akitt, on behalf of my family treatment at the , As the weeks and months went by, we began to create new memories, Tracy is a Clinical Leader at Greta Harriman rings the bell that provides those of Mum’s journey. And although McMaster Children’s Hospital hope and inspiration to all who hear it. she had some complications with

Patients and pets are a healing combination

achary Noble was just 23 years companion pet visits at the Juravinski old when he was diagnosed with Hospital. Donna Jenkins, Zachary’s Zan aggressive form of Hodgkin’s aunt and founder of ZPFH worked with Lymphoma. He received care at the determined JHCC committee members, Juravinski Cancer Centre and was also a including Jennifer Wiernikowski, Maggi patient at the where Jamieson, Dr. Ann Benger, Wendy he underwent a stem cell transplant in Bursey, Theresa Harper, Louise Brady August 2014. and Michelle Roy worked to develop Zachary Noble with Effi Coming from a dog breeding and showing procedures for the visits that not only family, Zachary had a love of dogs. While adhered to existing hospital policies in hospital, he found it difficult to be and infection control protocols, but also away from his dogs because to him, they introduced practices that exceed them were family. In fact, an undercover visit to ensure every visit is safe. The new from his family dog, Effi, made a world program was initially piloted on C4 – of difference to Zachary as it helped to Hematology, C3- Oncology and in the lift his spirts when he needed it most. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) but has now expanded Zachary wanted all patients to be able to across the hospital. The program and experience the same joy. He came up with partnership with Zachary’s Paws for Zachary’s Paws For Healing (ZPFH) and Healing is a first of its kind in Canada. made his family and care team promise to find a way for all patients, especially “Zachary’s Paws For Healing would still those with long term stays in hospital, be a dream if it had not been for the to have visits from their beloved pets. Juravinski staff that knew and cared about Zachary,” says Donna Jenkins, Zachary passed away November 28, 2014, but his dream is now a reality. Shirley Biggs with McCoy In September, ZPFH began facilitating

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Timothy George Annibale, who was only 5 weeks old when he attend- ed the HHS Children’s Christmas party on November 29th was all smiles when he met Santa. That’s probably because he knows he’s on Santa’s “Nice” list.

Ceremony and Awards November 27th, 2015

As per tradition, almost 2 km of lights have been strung around the courtyard at St. Peter’s Hospital to bring the magic of the season to patients and staff.

The 2015 Quality Healthcare Workplace they deliver. As such, health Awards (QHWA) program was care organizations are awarded Bronze, launched on March 2nd, 2015, and Silver, Gold, or Platinum level awards. marked the sixth year the Ontario was Hospital Association (OHA) and the recognized by the Ontario Hospital Ministry of Health and Long-Term Association and honoured with a Silver Care (MOHLTC) have recognized the Award in 2014 and a Bronze Award workplace achievements of Ontario in 2013. We are proud to report that health care organizations. This awards we have achieved a Silver Award for program allows for organizations to 2015, which recognizes our efforts self-evaluate, learn, and improve efforts and the need to continually improve in ways that contribute to the providers’ our service and care environment. quality of work life, care and services

3 A new era of Children’s founder of ZPFH. “They have proved time and Health for Hamilton again that the Juravinski Hospital is not just a health care facility, but a human care facility. Every department at Juravinski Hospital is Health Sciences committed to enhancing the patient experience. I’m so proud to have partnered with the hospital on this pioneering initiative. Zachary believed in love and being good to others and would th The event kicked off with a On November 17 , be thrilled to know that through ZPFH, love Hamilton Health Sciences memorable performance by was being spread to patients and pets.” Avery Williams, long-time To date, there have been 28 companion pet celebrated the Grand patient in MCH’s audiology visits with some of them occurring for end-of- Opening of the Ron Joyce program, with a rendition of life patients such as Shirley Biggs. While in ICU, Children’s Health Centre. Mariah Carey’s song, ‘Hero’. her family surprised her with a visit from her Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, president beloved cabochon, McCoy, who greeted Shirley of McMaster Children’s Hospital with a lick to her hand before contentedly lying and Ben Dykstra, a patient in beside her. Shirley was overjoyed by McCoy’s the developmental pediatrics visit and it was all that she could talk about and rehabilitation program and in the days after before she passed away. an aspiring on-air broadcaster Shirley’s son-in-law, David Lang, was so moved co-emceed the event. by the impact of the pet companion program that he’s now one of 18 ZPFH volunteers. The event wrapped up with an “I am thankful to ZPFH and the Juravinski untraditional ceremonial ribbon Hospital for making it possible for patients to cutting - a banner of colourful have visits with their pets because I’ve seen handprint butterflies made by first-hand its healing effects,” says David. “I kids who visited the MCH booth felt compelled to volunteer with ZPFH because at earlier this fall. I want to be able to give back and help other As the crowd cheered, patients families experience the same wonderful benefits he building is the first of gathered with Mr.Ron V. Joyce, of a companion pet visit as my family did.” its kind in Canada and the Centre’s naming donor, to The formal adoption of the companion pet a proud addition to the T cut the banner marking a very visitation program is also personally significant to McMaster Children’s Hospital special milestone in children’s Jennifer Wiernikowski, an advance practice nurse (MCH) and Hamilton Health health care in Ontario. on C4 Hematology who was also Zachary’s nurse. Sciences family. The brand “Before Zachary passed away, he looked me new building was bustling with Read about Welcome Week straight in the eye and made me promise that I its first-ever visitors, including would help Donna make pet visits possible at the for staff at the Ron Joyce several patients and families hospital,” says Jennifer. “I’m so proud to have who were, quite literally, the Children’s Health Centre in been able to support this initiative, to ensure that stars of the show. the next edition of Insider! Zachary’s legacy will impact Hamilton Health Sciences in such a positive way into the future.”

care providers, equipment that is “There shouldn’t be different standards specifically designed for children, and of care across our communities,” an environment that is family-centered. explains Dr. Flageole. “McMaster Children’s Hospital houses all pediatric We welcome your “The pediatric surgical service makes services in our area and has the largest feedback and critical mass of pediatric expertise. It up a small fraction of the surgical suggestions! program at WLMH,” explains Dr. Gary also has in place the safest possible Benson, site medical director, WLMH. system and resources on site to Public Relations & “While we’ve provided good care manage any complications. There has Communications to the children in our community also been substantial investment in 905-521-2100 ext. 75387 creating a child-friendly environment. over the years, we now have access [email protected] to one of the country’s largest and Staff are specially trained and there most highly regarded pediatric are many different initiatives in place hospitals right in our backyard.” to lessen the anxiety of children.”

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