S t . M a r y ’ s G e n e r a l H o s p i t a l ’ s 2 0 0 3 - 2 0 0 4 R e p o r t t o t h e C o m m u n i t y

8 0 Y E A R S O F C A R I N G

Marion Bramwell, Executive Vice President & Chief Nursing Executive,

Dr. Kevin Smith, President & CEO,

Vivian Zochowski, Chair of the Board of Trustees

The rationalization of programs and services,which was recently completed, required muchwork, and special effort by all involved.Ultimately, it has served to remind us that themanner in which we provide health care mustremain our focus and patient care continues tobe our driving force.

The past year has been a beehive of activity.Significant renovations continued, allowing us tofully open the expanded Emergency Department.We also opened a 27 bed Chest Unit. OurRegional Cardiac Care Centre is almost a year old,and continues to forge ahead with the provisionof advanced cardiac care to the region. We alsobroke ground in April for the largest phase of our$89 million redevelopment, which will see100,000 square feet added to the hospital by2007. We have continued to make great strideswith our work in research, to embrace the latest inhealth care technology, and to be a leader amonghospitals for environmental awareness.

We have said good-bye to Bruce Antonello, formerPresident and CEO of St. Mary’s for the past 21years. He will be truly missed for his leadership,and more importantly, for his friendship.

On October 21st 2004we will celebrate our80th year, so it isfitting that the themefor this year’s annualreport is “80 Years ofCaring”. This is anexciting time to berenewing our facilities, offering new programsand services, and undertaking new initiatives. We are celebrating our commitment to thecommunity that we have served with compassionfor the past eight decades.

As always, thank you to the staff, physicians andvolunteers for your patience and dedication. Youare the reason why we have maintained such a highreputation for excellent care within the community,from the very first day our doors opened.

St. Mary’s General Hospital has a rich tradition of change and progress, and

2003/2004 was no exception. From our humble beginnings in 1924, through

the Depression, one world war, a major expansion in the 1960’s, and the turbulent

‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, we have faced our share of challenges and interesting times.

C E O / C H A I R ’ S M E S S A G E

Vivian Zochowski - Chair

Doug Letson - Vice-Chair

Al Beaupre - Past Chair

Rob Way - Treasurer

Bruce Antonello - Secretary (partial term)

Dr. Kevin Smith - Secretary (partial term)

Andre Anderson - St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation

Dr. John Campbell, MD, V.P., Medical Staff (partial term)

Dr. Vinita Bindlish, MD, V.P., Medical Staff (partial term)

Cathy Brothers

Oonagh Burns

Chloe Callender

Christine Cochrane, Staff Representative

Tom Hunter

Dr. Brian Kelly, MD, V.P. Medical Affairs

Councillor Bruce Anderson, City of Waterloo (partial term)

Councillor Gary Kieswetter, City of Waterloo (partial term)

Larry Kotseff

Dr. John Lackner, MD, Chief of Staff

Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, City of Kitchener (partial term)

Councillor Geoff Lorentz, City of Kitchener (partial term)

Sister Teresita McInally, C.S.J.

Joan McKinnon

Dianne Moser

Martha Stauch, President, Volunteer Association

Councillor Bill Strauss, Region of Waterloo

S T. M A R Y ’ S G E N E R A L H O S P I TA L 2 0 0 3 / 2 0 0 4 B O A R D O F T R U S T E E S

We are celebrating our commitment to thecommunity that we have served withcompassion for the past eight decades

1

2

Surgery, in particular Day Surgery, is anotherspecialty at St. Mary’s, and Day Surgery continuesto be the treatment of choice for patientswhenever possible. At St. Mary’s, Day Surgeryprocedures increased by 15.7% in 2003/2004, andinpatient surgery increased by 27.2%. Clinicalefficiencies continue be a focus of the hospital anda drop of 3.8% in the acute average length of stay,despite an increase in patient surgery, is a positivereflection of those efficiency improvements.

With funding from the Ministry of Health andLong Term Care, and revenue from other sources,St. Mary’s ended the fiscal year with a surplus of$1,852,688. Some of the funding received fromthe Ministry was designated as “one time” only.The hospital will continue to work in collaborationwith the Ministry to address future funding issuesso we may continue to provide the level of care ourcommunity expects from St. Mary’s.

The number of patients treated at St. Mary’s continued to grow through 2003/2004,

both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. A large portion of the volume increase

is directly related to the Cardiac Program. The hospital will continue to experience

increased volume over the next several years as the full Cardiac Program is implemented.

F I N A N C I A L

When discussing how things changed at St. Mary’s over his tenure, Bruce says, “St. Mary’s matured into a major partner inproviding acute care services to our community.We have also added a level of sophistication, innew facilities, equipment and informationsystems, that hasdistinguished us asboth high touch andhigh tech.”

Bruce’s efforts overthe years are reflectedin new facilities and technologies, including theLaboratory, Robertson Clinic, PhysiotherapyDepartment, two ER expansions, a new ICU/CCU, the addition of CT, PACS and the Meditechsystem, and the conversion of the oldlabour/delivery suites into OR’s. The opening ofthe Regional Cardiac Care Centre, and thecurrent major redevelopment, are all changesthat Bruce is proud to have had a part in. “I mustsay that I alone have done very little. However, asa part of the St. Mary’s team, we have beenextremely successful in improving the way inwhich we provide health care to our patients,” he says.

On his proudest achievement at St. Mary’s hesays, “I came here and found a place that had aculture of caring that had been started way backin 1924, and that had been nurtured and valuedfor all these years. If I have been able to helpsustain that culture, I see that as my majoraccomplishment.”

What will Bruce miss the most? “Thepeople, of course!The staff, physiciansand volunteers haveweathered the tough

times, and alwayskept patient care atthe forefront. Thesepeople embody thespirit of caring that isdistinctly St. Mary’s.”

“Bruce Antonello was the face of St. Mary’s and alwaysa p p r o a c h a b l e .During his time herehe always made stafffeel valued, importantand a part of the team.Keeping staff informedof changes and newdevelopments were hispriority, and his “CEO Chats” allowed staff toquestion him directly. He will be greatlymissed,” says Mary Helen Stroeder, RN,Utilization Co-ordinator, and staff member for35 years.

After 21 successful years leading St. Mary’s as a community of caring,

Bruce Antonello retired in April, 2004. It’s hard to say goodbye to someone

who has provided such steady leadership over two decades, but it’s time to honour the

contributions of a man who always reminded staff that no matter what we do at

St. Mary’s, it’s how we do it that counts.

C O M M I T M E N T

Bruce Antonello was the face of St. Mary’s

3

Bruce Antonello, former President & CEO, served for 21 years

Chest UnitIn February, St. Mary’s opened a 27 bed ChestUnit, as part of our new Chest Program. This unitprovides an area of excellence for respiratory careto the community. As part of the unit, St. Mary’shas three negative-pressure isolation rooms,which are reflective of the enhanced respiratoryprecautions and standards, post-SARS.

Grouping patients and having dedicated staff is areal benefit of the Chest Unit, allowing for afocus of expertise in staff, and continuity of care,which ultimately benefits the patient. “We areexcited to have our patients in a clinicallyfocused area. The Chest Unit team is able tobuild on their expertise at a time when thispatient population has been recognized to begrowing substantially,” says Dr. Eric Hentschel,Medical Director, Chest Unit.

“It’s great to be a part of this program,” says Suzy Young, Advance Practice Nurse. “By managing a dedicated chest unit weminimize patient transfers, increase continuityof care, use hospital resources more efficiently,and allow staff to develop a focus of excellencein their care delivery.”

EmergencyDepartmentIn March theexpanded EmergencyDepartment opened,doubling the ER insize, from 6,600square feet to 13,100square feet. The ERnow has nine AcuteCare beds and two resuscitation rooms, all withcardiac monitoring, 11 beds in Sub Acute, sixwith cardiac monitoring, and a more spaciousMinor Treatment Area, with an eye and sutureroom. The ER now has a dedicated elevator thatis used for transporting patients directly to theoperating rooms, cardiac services and the criticalcare units.

“The new space is great. We’re a busydepartment, so it’s nice to have the added space,rooms and extra monitoring. It helps withplacing patients in the most appropriate carearea, which goes long way towards helping us doour job better,” says Dr. Michael Curtis, Chief ofEmergency Medicine.

2003/2004 marked a year of significant clinical progress at St. Mary's.

Over the course of twelve months, we brought an entirely new Chest Program on

stream, doubled the size of our Emergency Department, and bolstered our Cardiac

Program into a full-service model offering cardiac surgery and angioplasty for the first

time in Waterloo Region.

P R O G R E S S

Suzy Young, AdvancePractice Nurse, in the new Chest Unit

Regional Cardiac Care CentreThis July our Regional Cardiac Care Centre willcelebrate its first anniversary as a full serviceprogram. The program always strives forexcellence, and in it’s first year of operation hit anational benchmark with its “door to balloon”times. Balloon time is the time it takes for apatient that arrives in the ER with a heart attack,to go to the cardiac catheterization lab, to thetime when their coronary vessel is opened andthe balloon is inserted at the blockage site. Thenational benchmark is 90 minutes. St. Mary’saverage door to balloon time is 86 minutes.

Our cardiac programstrives to incorporatebest practice initiatives,and combine thatwith leading edgetechnology. This isexemplified in ourstate of the art heart-lung bypass machinesthat were customizedin Germany, just for us.

As we build on the program’s successes andcontinue to meet patient needs, we will continueto be a leader in advanced, community-basedcardiac care.

Due to the commitment of everyone at St. Mary’s, we continue to offer new services,enhanced facilities and the best in innovative,compassionate care to the community we serve.

“I am in awe of the people in St. Mary’s Cardiac Care Centre. You make theimpossible task of fixing hearts seem as thoughyou were out for a walk. I am truly grateful for

your wisdom, and professionalism.” Thank you card from a former patient.

The new Sub Acute area

Inside the CardiacCatherization Lab

5

It’s also a time to remember that we are acommunity of caring, and a centre of excellencethat has carried on the healing ministry of Christconsistent with our traditions and values, sincethe very beginning.St. Mary’s is ahospital with eightdecades of historybehind it, but is onethat’s all about peoplecaring for people.

Reverend Anthony J. Fischer and the Sisters ofProvidence of St. Vincent de Paul, in Kingston,originally tried to get a Catholic hospital built inKitchener (then Berlin) on Queen’s Park

Crescent. The namefor the hospital wouldbe St. Mary’s, after St. Mary’s RomanCatholic Church,which was founded in1856 to encompassthe scattered RomanCatholic families inBerlin. It was FatherFischer’s successor atSt. Mary’s Church, the Very ReverendAlbert J. Zinger, whocontinued the

campaign to get St. Mary’s Hospital built. In 1919 he turned, successfully, to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton to help himcontinue the work.

Construction of St. Mary’s began in July of 1923and the cornerstone was laid on October 21st,1923. The opening took place exactly one yearlater in 1924 and, with no public ceremony, was

quite modest. TheSisters at the hospitalserved a banquet tothe physicians of thearea, and a fewpoliticians. On ouropening day the

matter of caring for the sick took top priority, asit has every day since at St. Mary’s.

Over the years, St. Mary’s faced debt and risinghealth care costs. It also celebrated many successes,such as the opening of the Nurses’ Residence in1931. In the following decades, the hospitalcontinuously upgraded its facilities. In 1954 theX-Ray Department expanded, while the MaternityDepartment grew in 1955. The building of thetower addition got underway in 1960, and St.Mary’s grew to 10 storeys, while people weredisplaced and inconvenienced until the opening ofthe new addition in September 1961.

St. Mary’s also survived pressure to amalgamateservices with K-W Hospital in the early ‘70s. Theissue of amalgamation, or rationalizing services,never really went away, and cropped upthroughout the ‘80s, ‘90s, and most recently hasbeen addressed this past year.

October 21st, 2004 marks the 80th year our doors have been open to the

community. It’s important to take a look back at our roots and some of our

accomplishments.

C E L E B R A T I O N

On our opening day the matter of caring for thesick took top priority, as it has every day since

at St. Mary’s.

6

Kitchener mayor Louis Orville Breithauptspeaks at the hospital’scornerstone laying

The rationalization process of May 1989 endedwith some sad news- we would no longerprovided obstetrics. It was the end of an era, andan emotional farewell took place in June andAugust as both the Obstetrics and PaediatricsDepartments closed. It was however, the birth ofour role as a provider of acute adult care, and atime for renewing our mission, looking to thefuture, exploring opportunities, and upgradingand innovating.

The “Campaign for St. Mary’s”, launched inSeptember 1989 was a success, and key toensuring our future. The 1990’s saw the RegionalRheumatology Unit open, as well as the ShortStay Surgical Program and Pre-operative Clinics.In August 1992, the last of the Sisters living at thehospital left to make way for the expandedLaboratory. In the 90’s we also expanded andmodernized the Physiotherapy and EmergencyDepartments, and added a new morgue, theWellness Centre, the Robertson Clinic, and theIntensive Care/Coronary Care Units, one of themost advanced in North America, at that time.Oh yes, we also added the Tim Hortons!

In 1996 our hospital came under the microscopeof the Health Services Restructuring Commission,and September 1996 was a difficult time asrumors started that St. Mary’s might close!Consequently, the community the hospital hadserved so faithfully rallied around us, voicingtheir sentiments and bolstering the push to saveSt. Mary’s. Two years of studies, uncertainty, thecommunity and the “Save Our Hospital” groupworking hard, followed. On May 14th 1998 St.Mary’s got the good news- we would continue toprovide acute care services and expand to includerehabilitation and sub acute care.

It has been a bumpy ride at times, but it is clearthat St. Mary’s continues to adapt, improve, andmeet the challenges of delivering health care.Today, we continue to grow and thrive. We are inthe midst of our exciting $89 millionredevelopment thatwill bring more spacefor services, patientcare and innovationto the hospital. Justthink, the originalprice for building St. Mary’s was $258,000!

So, here’s to another 80 years of weathering thestorm, maintaining our reputation for excellentand compassionate treatment, serving thecommunity we have impacted so greatly, andcaring for people, and each other.

Happy 80th Anniversary to St. Mary’s General Hospital!

“I was almost 10, and recall going to theceremony with my father,” says Jessie. “I later gotinto trouble for getting my dress dirty because Iwas playing with some boys in a pile of dirt.”

Over the years, Jessie has been involved in manythings, from making flannel nighties for thebabies, the beauty salon, the gift shop, andcurrently selling lottery tickets. She has donatedher time to the Festival of Trees, UNICEF, andwas the president of the Catholic Women’sLeague. In 1993 Jessie received aCommemorative Medal for her outstandingvolunteer work.

True to our mission to serve and be compassionate, Jessie represents the finest in St. Mary’s. Although she never became a nurse,but wanted to, Jessie has contributed more thanher fair share to St. Mary’s. “I volunteer because I have the time, and I enjoy it. To me, this is my hospital,” says Jessie. “I have a lot of goodmemories here.”

Here’s to Jessie, a women of energy, spirit andkindness, who has been with St. Mary’s from the beginning!

Jessie Reidel has volunteered at St. Mary’s for over 52 years. Jessie’s introduction to

the hospital came when she attended the laying of the cornerstone ceremony on

October 21st, 1923.

D E D I C A T I O N

Jessie Reidel, volunteer for over 52 years

9

Since it’s inception, the hospital’s EnvironmentalManagement System (EMS) has laid thegroundwork for a broad range of initiatives.

“Through the implementation of the EMS and thecontinued support of staff and management to ourinitiatives, St. Mary’s has been recognized as one ofthe foremost environmental leaders in thehealthcare industry,” says Shannon-MelissaDunlop, Environmental, Health & Safety Specialist.In October 2000, St. Mary’s was the second hospitalin North America to register our EnvironmentalManagement System to the ISO 14001 standard.Shannon-Melissa was also awarded the OntarioHospital Association’s Green Healthcare Award forIndividual Leadership last fall.

Environmental initiatives: • Our energy conservation actions include:plans for lighting, sensor, heating, ventilationand air conditioning retrofits, windowreplacements, boiler upgrades, insulationupgrades, and the ongoing implementation ofan energy awareness program for staff, using“Flick-the-Switch” as a mascot. St. Mary’s isexpected to use 26.5% less energy annually,saving close to $78, 550 per year.

• We recycle old computer equipment andelectronics, reducing our landfill waste byover 1,700 lbs. a year.

• We participate in a printer cartridge recyclingprogram.

• We offer reusable mugs, which are subsidizedfor staff, to use at Tim Hortons in an effort tofurther reduce paper waste.

• In the last four years, we have improved wastesegregation and minimization strategies, andhave decreased biomedical waste by 44%, andincreased recycling/reuse programs by 52%from 1998-2002.

• In 1999, St. Mary’sbecame one of thefirst hospitals inOntario committedto eliminatingpesticide andherbicide usage onhospital grounds,and we have sinceintroduced anatural fertilizer/herbicide corn-gluten meal, anduse a biodegradablesalt alternative.

• The SMART (St. Mary’sAdvocatesResponsibleTransportation)program is gainingpopularity, savingstaff on their parking or public transportationcosts as an incentive for using moreenvironmentally-friendly modes of transport,such as carpooling, or the bus.

“The hospital is committed to continuallyimprove our environmental performance,” says Shannon-Melissa.

“Keeping our impacts on the environment inmind has become part of the bottom line in ourplanning and purchasing strategies,” says Gerry Barr, Vice President of Finance.

Shannon-Melissa proudly adds, “We have reallystepped up our efforts to be ‘green’, and to bemore aware of our impacts and what we can doto minimize them. While patient care is the toppriority for most staff, it’s part of my job to thinkabout the environment.”

The environment continues to integrate itself into how we operate our facility,

provide quality patient care, and foster a healthy workplace for staff and volunteers

at St. Mary’s. In 2003/2004 progress continued on environmental management, energy

conservation, green purchasing, waste management and other strategies.

A W A R E N E S S

Shannon-Melissa Dunlop,Environmental, Health andSafety Specialist

10

PYXISLast fall, our Pharmacy began using a new drugdistribution system- the PYXIS AutomatedMedication Management System. PYXIS is moreefficient, allows for better inventory control, and,most importantly, cuts down on the risk ofmedicating a patient incorrectly. There are PYXISstations in the intensive care units and the ER, withplans to implement more through most of thehospital in the summer months. “Byimplementing PYXIS we are compliant withprovincial guidelines regarding medication safety,which is an important part of providing great care,”says Norma Colenutt, Pharmacy Technician.

PACSSt. Mary’s also has a unique customization of ourPicture Archiving Communications System(PACS) that has many benefits to the hospital.PACS is the digital acquisition and transmissionof medical images (x-rays), combined witharchiving and viewing abilities. Ourcustomization of PACS translates into improvedaccess to, and more efficient handling of, images,and overall better patient care. It also marks us

as a leader incomputerization andthe move tobecoming a more“electronic” hospital.

With our PACS wehave moved fromusing film x-rays, todigital x-rays, which isfaster and moreefficient: there is neverany lost film, lost timesearching for film, orthe need to physicallystore film. The

physicians love it, as they can access images frommultiple places in the hospital, and they can even view images securely, via theInternet, from remote locations. “PACS allows forbetter patient care as the images are ready almostinstantly, enabling us to work faster, diagnosefaster, and call up a patient’s previous images forcomparison,” says Dr. Chad Lavallee, Radiologist.

Handling medical images electronically meansfaster turn around time. A radiologist could viewan image in their office before the patient hasdressed and left the department. This higherspeed brings higher efficiency. For example, ourCT throughput has increased with the use ofdigital imaging, and that, combined with ournew CT machine, has reduced wait times from sixmonths to four weeks.

Online EKG SystemWe have recently implemented an Online EKGSystem in our Cardio Diagnostics department.This system facilitates the electronic transfer ofall EKG’s, a recording of the heart’s electricalactivity, to a centralized archive, wherephysicians can quickly access and edit cardiologytest information electronically from aworkstation. Our physicians have greater access,by using a secure Internet link to read EKG’sremotely from offices and clinics. Our onlineEKG system eliminates time-consuming tasks,such as dealing with paper-based orders andrepetitive manual entry for patient information.The system also enables clinical staff to makebetter care decisions, with less patient waitingtime and fewer chances for errors.

By embracing the newest in technology, andcustomizing it for optimal usage, technologyallows St. Mary’s to bring higher efficiency andaccess to information to the staff, whichtranslates into better care for our patients.

St. Mary’s works hard to acquire and implement the latest in health care

technology. Embracing innovation is part of our mission, and it goes

hand-in-hand with providing excellent patient care.

I N N O V A T I O N

Dr. Chad Lavallee,Radiologist, comparesimages via PACS to old film x-rays

Norma Colenutt, Pharmacy Technician, and the new PYXIS

11

As well, we will be renovating approximately90,000 square feet of the existing hospital,which includes enlarging the Nuclear Medicineand Diagnostic Imaging departments, and in-patient areas.

“As St. Mary’s celebrates it’s 80th anniversary it isa great time to be continuing a project that willmove us forward in terms of the quality of ourfacilities,” says Moira Taylor, Vice President ofPlanning and Community Programs. With theseimprovements, St. Mary’s hard-working staff canlook forward to renewed facilities, allowing themto offer our patients expanded services and aneven greater level of care by 2007.

PCL Constructors Canada Inc. has joined the St. Mary’s family for this final phase ofredevelopment, and will work closely with ParkinArchitects Limited, who St. Mary’s has enjoyed acontinuing partnership with since 1999.

“This entire redevelopment project, with our newand renovated facilities, demonstrates ourcommitment to providing the best patient carepossible, whether it is at the bedside, or throughour physical structure,” says Moira.

There will be significant change and disruptionover the next few years, but the end goal of animproved St. Mary’s is worth the wait. As always,credit goes to the staff for enduring the growingpains, and continuing to live our mission ofcaring, even when things are inconvenient. Aspecial thanks goes to our neighbours, and thecommunity at large for their patience andsupport. We look forward to serving ourcommunity for years to come.

On April 14th, 2004, staff and invited guests gathered outside to celebrate the

groundbreaking for the final phase of our historic $89 million redevelopment.

This final phase includes a 100,000 square foot addition, with three floors, that will house

seven state of the art operating rooms, ambulatory care and cardiac outpatient areas,

a new cafeteria for staff and visitors, sterilization facilities, and a new main lobby.

F U T U R E

This entire redevelopment project,with our new and renovated facilities,

demonstrates our commitment to providing thebest patient care possible

Michelle Xuereb, Parkin Architects Ltd., Bruce Anderson, Director ofFacilities Development,Moira Taylor, VP of Planningand Community Programsand LeeAnne Kidd, Directorof Planning, at the hospital’scornerstone

12

Research at St. Mary’s began with the part-timepresence of a Research Associate through theFather Sean O’Sullivan Research Centre of the St. Joseph’s Health System. In 2000, a full timepresence was established and Dr. Erin Y. Tjamassumed the director of research position.

In the past four years, the research departmentprogressed to bringing peer reviewedgovernment grants, which are awarded through acompetitive process, and industry funds, tosupport scientific research projects. The research

department has alsoexpanded to includingboth funded staff and in-kind researchpositions.

“Having an activeresearch programincreases the culture ofresearch at St. Mary’s,”says Dr. Tjam. “Wehave now funded 11staff for variousprojects over the pastfour years. Also, we

have established investigator and administratorroles to enable staff to learn research skills andfurther their professional development.”

Over the four years, St. Mary’s has received closeto $650,000 in research grants as the principleinvestigating organization. Dr. Tjam has alsobeen participating in research projects, as a co-investigator, involving other hospitals anduniversities, which have secured funding forover $3.9 million. Most impressively, ourresearch department publishes in scientificjournals and presents at national conferences,on an on-going basis.

Highlights of some research projects includestudies on acute care discharge process, anInternet-based diabetes disease managementprogram, predictors of anti-microbial use, andmost recently, a cardiac education project.

In March 2004, we received our first cardiacresearch grant from the Primary HealthTransition Fund, awarded through the Ministryof Health and Long Term Care. Dr. Stuart Smith,Cardiologist, and Dr. Tjam are the co-principleinvestigators. This project will provide aninteractive education program and hands-onexperience to long term care facility andretirement home care providers. The study willdetermine if better education can improvemanagement of chronic/congestive heart failure(CHF) patients, and lead to improved quality oflife for patients, and decrease inappropriate useof acute care services.

“We chose to provide education because itinvolves the aspect of giving back,” says Dianne Pletz, Utilization Coordinator, Cardiacand Surgical Programs, and a co-investigator ofthe project. “Our goal is to offer education as astrategy to help our partners in health careprovision manage this growing patientpopulation more proactively.”

“We are not a teaching hospital, but we are making great strides in research and infurthering the knowledge of evidence-baseddecision making and best practices,” says Marion Bramwell, Executive Vice-President.

It is very unique for a community hospital tohave a researcher, let alone an active researchdepartment. By engaging in research, we are ableto remain progressive, actively acquire newknowledge, and ultimately translate the findingsof research into better patient care.

We have a tradition of providing compassionate care at St. Mary’s and

our work in research is furthering that tradition, and improving

patient care, by building knowledge.

D I S C O V E R Y

Dianne Pletz, RN, BScN, Dr. Erin Tjam, PhD,Dr. Stuart Smith, Cardiologist,and Linda Brooks, ProgramManager for CardiacOutpatient Clinics, recentlyreceived a grant for cardiaceducation research

13

At the Corporate level, we continued to enterinto dialogue with other health care providers aswell as representatives from the new provincialgovernment to meet the increased and changingneeds of our communities. Our CEO Groupsponsored a follow up “Quality of Work Life”survey which will be central to planning for therecruitment and retention of our staff.

We were proud to introduce our first Prayer and Reflection booklet for all Board membersand senior staff through the efforts of Dr. Jane Smith-Eivemark, Director of Mission,Values and Spirituality.

Our Directors ofHuman Resourcesdeveloped an extensiveprogram to integrateMission and Valuesinto all stages ofHuman Resourcepolicies andprocedures. This exciting initiative is called“Mission Integrated Human Resources Systems”.

The following highlights are but a few examplesof the new and exciting developments takingplace in St. Joseph’s Health System:

During the past year, St. Joseph’s Health System members continued to expand

services to their communities through capital improvements and the

development of new programs and services. Our Mission and Values serve as the

foundation and stability of our evolving health care Ministry.

A N N U A L M E S S A G E

Sister Anne Anderson,President & Chair, St. Joseph’s Health System,Sister Margaret Kane,General Superior, the Sistersof St. Joseph of Hamilton

St. Joseph’s Healthcare HamiltonThe Minister of Health and Long Term Care, the Honourable George Smithermanvisited St. Joseph’s and announced funding for 18 new forensic psychiatry beds andthe Womenkind Addiction Centre.

The new Tower at the Charlton Avenue site is due to open late summer 2004 and willinclude services for mental health, respiratory, complex care as well as research andteaching support.

St. Joseph’s Villa, DundasThe official opening and naming of the Villa’s two new wings will take place on May 31, 2004. Our residents, families, staff and volunteers are eagerly anticipatingmoving into the newly developed state of the art facilities.

The Board of Trustees approved the revised organizational philosophy which isintegrated with the “Free to Live” philosophy. The focus on resident care was noted inthe positive report by the Health Services Accreditation Commission.

St. Joseph’s Health Centre, GuelphOn October 21, 2003, following a distinguished career at Cambridge MemorialHospital, Marianne Walker was appointed as the new President and CEO of St. Joseph’s.

During the past year, the Board of Trustees and Senior Management Team haveundertaken an extensive strategic planning exercise. The Board’s implementationobjectives focus on: Board orientation, mission-focused new programs, site utilization,and a strategic communications plan.

A very successful three-year accreditation from the Health Services AccreditationCommission capped a year of focused and intentional development and change at alllevels of the institution’s life.

SEN Community Health CareThe SEN Board of Directors established a Marketing and Development Committee todevelop fundraising and marketing strategies.

The Board and senior staff have undertaken a comprehensive SWOT (strengths,weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analyses which will be utilized to review keystrategic decisions. The context for SEN’s development remains unstable.

St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre, Brantford The redevelopment project is on time and under budget with an estimatedoccupancy date of November 2004. The hospice development is also on scheduleand the Foundation fundraising campaign is well underway.

The Board of Trustees of St. Joseph’s Hospital held its final meeting on January 13, 2004.This distinguished group of community volunteers were commended for their leadershipand commitment to the health care ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton.

St. Mary’s General Hospital, KitchenerFollowing 21 years of distinguished service as President and Chief Executive Officer,Mr. Bruce Antonello announced his retirement in early January 2004. Dr. Kevin Smithwas appointed to replace Bruce through a management services contract with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

The final stage of the redevelopment contract was approved by the Minister of Healthand Long Term Care and the Regional Cardiac Program continues to expandprogramming according to schedule.

FoundationsSt. Joseph’s Resource Development members presented the first consolidated report onBenchmarks and Accountability to the corporate board in 2003.

Mr. Rob Donelson, formerly of St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation, Kitchener, wasappointed President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation, Hamilton.

International Outreach ProgramOur International Outreach Program continues to provide assistance to the developingworld through the participation and commitment of our SJHS family.

Several containers of much needed medical equipment and supplies were sent to ourprograms in Haiti, Uganda and Yemen. In addition, training opportunities for medicalresidents were provided in cooperation with the Faculty of Health Sciences ofMcMaster University.

As we reflect on the many ways in which we serve God through Ministry in HealthCare, we are very much aware and recognize with gratitude the ongoing commitmentby our Board members, staff, physicians and volunteers who are so adept at makingdreams a reality!

The human body, with its delicate layers ofnerves, muscle and tissue provides manychallenges for surgeons as they tackle procedureson vital organs. They require an unobstructed,magnified view of the target area.

The best solution is touse x-rays and real-time video to bringsmaller details intoview. A C-Arm device,shaped like a giantletter “c”, allowssurgeons a clear viewof the heart cavity asthey insert apacemaker or performother procedures. TheC-Arm can provideimages of the patientfrom any angle.

“Recent advances in C-Arm technology haveresulted in a powerful tool to assist the physician.The C-Arm allows us to see inside the body, in realtime, as we are doing procedures in the heart andblood vessels. Many patients will benefit from thisequipment,” says Dr. Claus Rinne, Cardiologist.

A new C-Arm will cost approximately $220,000.

Before movable C-Arms were available, insertinga pacemaker or urological stent was a lengthyand painstaking procedure. The required devicewas inserted in the patient, photographed,repositioned, photographed again, re-positionedonce more, and so on, until the device wasaccurately implanted. With real-time C-Armimaging the pacemaker or stent device can beguided into place by the surgeon in one smoothmovement (A urological stent is used in somepatients with kidney stones).

The most recent C-Arm model also boasts a widerfield of vision, a clearer picture, the ability to“eliminate” other instruments from view, and canbe adjusted to the patient’s weight and height.

Have you ever watched a medical show on television and thought,

“How can the surgeon see what he is doing with all those extra hands

and instruments in his way?”

S U P P O R T

Please make cheques payable to: St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation911 Queen’s Boulevard, Kitchener, Ontario N2M 1B2 (519) 749-6797 www.smgh.caCharitable Business No. 11918 9017 RR0001 Tax receipts will be issued for all donations received.

� $5,000 (Heasley Society) � $1,000 (Bonaventure Society)

� $500 � $300 � $100 � $60 � $40

� Other__________________

Designation: � C-Arm and related equipment

� Surgical Suite � Cardiac Care � Other ______________________

Paid by: � Cheque � VISA � MasterCard � Amex

Card # ________________________________ Exp. Date: ________

Signature (for credit validation):____________________________________

� I wish to give anonymously and not be named in Foundation communications.

� Please contact me about other ways to give.

� I’d like to arrange to give monthly.

I want to help St. Mary’s!Name: ________________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________

City: ____________________________________ Postal Code: __________________

Tel No: ________________________________________________________________

Email: ________________________________________________________________

Please help us to achieve a clearer picture during surgery.