Good morning, TeamUHN!
It is a pleasure to connect with you across care, research, and education through this weekly CEO update – all in service of A Healthier World.
Key reminders and updates
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UHN Security Services has introduced Wearable Video Solutions (body cameras) organization-wide to enhance security, improve accountability, and streamline investigations. This initiative, supported by testing at Toronto General in 2022 and published research, is already reducing aggression and violence in reported incidents. Such cameras also aid in staff training and evidence collection for misconduct allegations. This action step stems from the recommendations of the Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Board (WVPAB), which was introduced at UHN following a significant increase in violence and incivility within healthcare spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery phase. Co-led by Diana Elder (VP, People & Culture) and Marnie Escaf (VP, Clinical), this board serves as a UHN-wide forum guiding initiatives to prioritize the safety of staff, learners, patients, and visitors. While the initial focus has been on Emergency Departments (EDs), including doubling security presence in EDs in December, activities are underway across UHN sites. We all share a responsibility to ensure a safer environment for all who come through our doors. Learn more
here. (Corporate Intranet > Departments > Security Operations > Wearable Video Solutions Procedures (NEW))
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This week,
The Centre for Living Organ Donation at UHN's Ajmera Transplant Centre invites us to celebrate Living Donation Week (LDW), a UHN-led effort to raise awareness about improving access and equity in living organ donation. This week also gives us a chance to celebrate and thank remarkable living donors, their recipients, as well as their caregivers and transplant teams for their transformative work. Last year, 576 healthy Canadians selflessly donated a kidney or part of their liver to someone on the transplant list. With 3,500 people in Canada desperately waiting for a transplant and not enough organs to meet the needs, we know living organ donation provides a shorter pathway to better health outcomes. Learn more
about LDW and don't miss any of the
educational events planned for this week, including a virtual celebration event today from noon to 1 p.m. where you can
celebrate living donation stories, as well as a photo booth and wellness cart for staff at the Elizabeth St. entrance of Toronto General.
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A group of TeamUHN members are seeking to create a new advisory committee at UHN to build community among Jewish TeamUHN members and advise the organization on how to respond to rising antisemitism and threats to Canada's Jewish community. Canada has the fourth-largest Jewish community in the world, with a population of more than 390,000. Yet a spike in religiously motivated hate crimes has many members of the Canadian Jewish community feeling physically unsafe. Last year, B'nai Brith Canada reported 2,769 incidents of antisemitism, the second-highest recorded by the organization in four decades. We have also seen a disturbing rise in online antisemitism and conspiracy theories targeting Jewish people since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are interested in learning more or would like to get involved, please contact Jacqueline Silvera, (Director, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Anti-Racism (IDEAA)) at Jacqueline.Silvera@uhn.ca or Farrah Schwartz (Manager, Patient Education and Engagement) at Farrah.Schwartz@uhn.ca.
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Congratulations to three TeamUHN researchers recently elected as Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). Drs. Amit Oza, Senior Scientist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Tom Chau, Affiliate Scientist at KITE, and Aaron Schimmer, Senior Scientist and Research Director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre were among more than 100 Fellows recognized for outstanding scholarly, scientific, and artistic achievements. Learn more from UHN Research and check out the RSC's profiles of newly elected Fellows.
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Don't miss this UHN News story showcasing the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre's Pediatric Radiation Therapy Program, where TeamUHN members help pediatric cancer patients and their families feel at home."Children are not just little adults, they're a special population that requires specialized care," says Tatiana Ritchie, a radiation therapist with the Radiation Medicine Program and Pediatric Site Lead. The program, in collaboration with SickKids, sees about 130 patients a year and helps children get through daily treatments by distracting them with iPads and televisions, rewarding them with comforting toys, and providing radiation masks painted as their favourite cartoon character or superhero."They make this process something my daughter could look forward to, rather than dread," said the mother of one patient. Read the full story on UHN News and be sure to check out this video on the Pediatric Radiation Therapy Program.
Closing Notes
Sunday, Sept. 10, was World Suicide Prevention Day, an important reminder of our collective commitment to providing compassionate mental health support to our patients and colleagues. Globally, more than 700,000 lives are lost to suicide every year, according to the World Health Organization. Many more grapple with thoughts of suicide – it is estimated that every day 200 Canadians attempt to take their own life. Our colleagues at the Centre for Mental Health are on the frontlines of this challenge, offering help and hope to patients in their darkest moments. Yet, it is not their challenge alone. We collectively share a responsibility to raise awareness and eradicate the stigma surrounding mental health issues, including suicidal ideation. Looking ahead, on Nov. 30, Canada will launch the 988 national suicide prevention crisis hotline. Like 911, this three-digit number will give people an accessible, easy number to call when they need urgent help. Until then, individuals in crisis can contact Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645. Remember, suicide is preventable, and together, we can ensure no one suffers in silence.
Michener's 65th Anniversary Homecoming event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 28To celebrate this significant anniversary and milestone, Michener is welcoming alumni back to campus for a cocktail reception followed by entertainment. The event will take place in The Michener Institute's main lobby on 222 St. Patrick St. from 5:30-9:30 p.m. We know that Michener alumni work all across UHN, and we hope this community can join the celebration. Click here to register – spots are limited!
The 12th annual
Road Hockey to Conquer Cancertakes place Saturday,Sept. 30at Vaughn Metropolitan Centre. All proceeds go to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Consider joining colleagues and you'll have a chance to play against the likes of the Cutting Edges, the Mighty Docs, Ovarian Blitzers or the Sarcominators!
Volunteer opportunities for the world's largest road hockey fundraiser are also available. Thanks to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation for all the hard work organizing this one-day extravaganza.
Don't forget to nominate a TeamUHN member for the 20th annual Inventor of the Year award sponsored by Commercialization at UHN. This award recognizes and individual or team whose invention has made a substantial commercialization contribution in service of A Healthier World. Nominations will close on Sept. 29. Submit your nominations online and learn more about this award
on UHN News. Questions? Contact commercialization@uhn.ca.
And now.. our
video of the week. This clip highlights a first-in-Canada procedure at UHN's Sprott Department of Surgery to remove a thyroid nodule using radiofrequency instead of an invasive surgery.
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Have a good week,
Kevin
