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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Happy New Year, TeamUHN, and thank you once again to all those who worked to serve patients and our community over the holidays. As we begin 2024, I am filled with optimism about how University Health Network will continue to excel in care, research, and education, while finding solutions to advance our goal of A Healthier World. My gratitude goes out to all TeamUHN members for your determination, to the Board of Trustees who help us realize our strategic objectives, and to the patients we are privileged to serve. Let's have a great year!
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Congratulations to TeamUHN members recently named to the Order of Canada and Order of Ontario in recognition of their indelible contributions to health care. Dr. Anne Bassett, Senior Scientist with UHN's Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, and Ms. Tennys Hanson, former UHN Foundation CEO, were among 78 appointments Governor General Mary Simon made to the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honours. Dr. Bassett was recognized for her research and clinical contributions to better understanding the genetics of schizophrenia. Hanson, who retired as Foundation CEO last summer, was honoured for her contributions to health care and education through her “transformative leadership in the fundraising sector."
Learn more from UHN News.
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Researchers from UHN's Toronto General Hospital Research Institute (TGHRI)
have discovered approaches to rectify the disparity in care between women and men with osteoarthritis (OA). Despite women having a higher incidence of the degenerative joint disease, they are less likely than men to receive treatment due to intersecting issues, including gender roles and cultural norms. This is particularly true for women from racialized or immigrant backgrounds. The TGHRI team interviewed patients, clinicians, and health system managers to develop strategies for delivering person-centred OA care for women of colour – an understudied issue. The study revealed numerous approaches and strategies to improve access, as well as barriers. “This research contributes to closing a crucial gap in optimizing OA care for disadvantaged and understudied groups," says Dr. Anna Gagliardi, the study's lead author.
Read more on UHN News. Read the
full study online.
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Health Canada has approved a vaccine to protect two groups most severely affected by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): newborns and older adults. Pfizer's one-dose bivalent vaccine, called Abrysvo, can be given to pregnant individuals in the third trimester (32-36 weeks) and produce antibodies that pass from parent to infant, as well as adults over 60 to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by the virus. Given RSV's significant impact on health care resources in our system, particularly in the fall and winter months, this is welcome news.
Learn more from CBC News.
Closing Notes
And now… our video of the week. This
clip looks back at some of the different ways TeamUHN made the holidays special for patients.
Feedback?
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Have a good week,
Kevin
