UHN on the Go is our monthly feature highlighting news and events at UHN.

Pride Month at UHN

Patricia Mlekuz and Kirsten Engelbrecht
Patricia Mlekuz (L), Senior Clinical Director, Geriatric, MSK, Cardiac and Outpatient Rehab Services, Toronto Rehab, and Kirsten Engelbrecht, vascular technologist, Toronto General, after raising the Pride flag in a ceremony at TR-University Centre yesterday. (Photo: UHN)

Throughout the month of June, the UHN LGBTQ+ committee is hosting Pride events across UHN, including flag-raising ceremonies at every site, which are happening this week.

Ceremonies feature remarks from site executive leaders Brian Hodges (Michener), Jan Newton (Toronto Western Hospital), Patricia Mlekuz (Toronto Rehab – University Centre), Scott McIntaggart (Toronto General Hospital), Paula Cripps McMartin (TR-Bickle), Marnie Escaf (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) and Joanne Zee (TR-Lyndhurst).

They will also feature uplifting performances from the Eastminster United Choir and the First Unitarian Congregation Choir, who had the crowd clapping and singing along at yesterday's event at TR-UC.

The flag raising symbolizes UHN's pledge of solidarity and practice of allyship with LGBTQ+ communities and marks UHN's commitment to embracing diversity and inclusion.

"We are working hard to support education and awareness initiatives that move our organization in the right direction," Kirsten Engelbrecht, vascular technologist, TG, and member of the UHN LGBTQ+ committee, said at the TR-UC flag-raising yesterday.

"A direction that supports equitable access to healthcare, and safe space for us to provide that care."

"My overarching story at Toronto Rehab is one of support," said Tim Giblin, a volunteer at TR-UC. "And, what is more supportive and inclusive than an event like this?"

Formed in 2016, the UHN LGBTQ+ committee aims to foster safe and inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ communities providing and accessing healthcare services at UHN.  Please contact Kirsten Engelbrecht to join the UHN LGBTQ+ committee.

World No Tobacco Day 2018

World No Tobacco Day 2018
Back row (L to R): Ibrahim Zifa, Peter Ash, Teresa Michienzi, Natalia Evitch, Dr. Kevin Smith, Emma Pavlov and Dr. John Granton. Front row (L to R): Iliana Hernandez, Zelia Souter, Marleine Elkhouri, Emmanuel Tenazas, Christine Chan, Ingrid Yu. (Photo: Courtesy of Emmanuel Tenazas)

The World Health Organization has deemed May 31 of every year as World No Tobacco Day, an annual awareness day aimed at highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and encourage governments to adopt effective policies to reduce smoking and other tobacco use.

The Smoking Cessation Team at UHN celebrated the day by setting up a booth in the Eaton Lobby at Toronto General Hospital. The event was organized by UHN Smoking Cessation Coordinator Emmanuel Tenazas and Pharmacist Teresa Michienzi.

The booth had information and resources on the smoking cessation activities taking place at UHN, as well as information for those interested in quitting smoking or who know someone who is trying to quit.

Patients and staff stopped by to get information on smoking cessation as well as tell their own stories about their experiences with tobacco and quitting smoking.

ELLICSR hosts ninth National Cancer Survivors Day event on Survivors & Caregivers

National Cancer Survivors Day
ELLICSR’s National Cancer Survivors Day event featured an expert panel and various workshops covering nutrition, mindfulness and exercise. (Photo: Courtesy of Myann Marks-Aitken)

The ELLICSR: Health, Wellness & Cancer Survivorship Centre hosted its ninth annual National Cancer Survivors Day event to honour cancer survivors earlier this month.

The day began with a keynote address by Dr. Karen Fergus and panel discussion with Dr. Rinat Nissim, Teri Henderson and Nikki Leigh McKean, followed by cooking, mindfulness, writing and exercise sessions. This year, the team was particularly thrilled to have Chef Victor Barry from Piano Piano join the cooking demonstration with ELLICSR's Chef Geremy Capone and Stephanie Gladman, RD. Here is a sneak peek at the activities throughout the day.

The event attracted 100 attendees including cancer survivors, friends, family and staff. Every year, ELLICSR holds an event on National Cancer Survivors Day with the goal of connecting cancer survivors and providing a day of activities that is both enjoyable and beneficial for its participants.

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