volume 10, number 3 - June 2012

Celebrating the fulf illment of a dream

Look up! – Staff members, patients, visitors, community partners and a few special guests gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre on May 14.

Confetti rained from above as staff, physicians, volunteers, patients, visitors and health care partners gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Center (JHCC) on May 14. The completion of redevelopment at the site marks the fulfillment of a dream to build a spectacular, full-service hospital providing outstanding, high-quality care.

From the beginning, redevelopment was about replacing a large portion of the aging facility with a new, modern environment that enabled staff and physicians to provide outstanding care. Features of the redevelopment include:

• increased bed capacity, from 234 to 338 beds;• an increased number of single patient rooms,

which are more comfortable for patients and safer from an infection control perspective;

• direct sight lines to the outdoors from many clinical spaces;

• and improved function and flow across the site so patients have a better experience and staff can work more effectively.

The project was completed on time and on budget and added more than 450,000 square feet of new and renovated space.

The redevelopment project also enabled the consolidation of two highly specialized services at the JHCC – hematology oncology and hepatobiliary surgery. Hematology oncology services were previously located in both the JHCC and the McMaster University Medical Centre (MUMC), and hepatobiliary surgery took place at both MUMC and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Consolidating these programs allows the teams of experts to combine their strengths and abilities to provide the best patient care.

The expansion has also created additional oncology beds and increased capacity in

emergency services, diagnostic services, ambulatory clinics and surgery. The creation of nine operating suites will also help meet surgical oncology and orthopedic care needs across the region.

“Today, this site symbolizes what we can achieve when we all work together towards a common goal of building a healthcare facility that will meet the needs of patients today and in years to come,” said Murray Martin, president and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences.

Hospital staff and officials were joined by a number of special guests who helped commemorate the occasion, including Margaret and Charles Juravinski, Mayor Bob Bratina, Ted McMeekin, MPP, Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, and the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

“I’m thrilled to see the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre’s redevelopment project completed,” said Minister Matthews. “The new, state-of-the-art facilities will improve access to quality care for this community and demonstrate our government’s commitment to improving health care in Hamilton.”

To close the ceremony, Minister Matthews and former patient Nancy Lemieux, who returned to the JHCC to share her story at the celebratory event, were the first to add their well-wishes to the “Trees of Hope”, which are on display in the new front lobby of the Juravinski Hospital. The trees symbolize the growth of the hospital, and represent hope for the future.

“I know that many of us have been waiting for this day for a very long time,” said Dr. Bill Evans, president of the JHCC. “Now, that time is here.

June is Senior’s Month St. Peter’s Hospital is celebrating our aging population this month and year-round by focusing on healthy aging by aiming to enhance and restore the physical, social and mental health for seniors in our community.

We all know someone who has aged well. Jim Procyk is that someone. At 74 years of age, he is the picture of health.

When asked what successful aging means to him, Jim said, “Keeping your mind occupied so you don’t vegetate is important. It’s as simple as taking an interest in something.” Jim’s activity of choice these days is the World Wide Web. He reads his news online every morning and enjoys watching the stock market. Jim also recommends keeping active.

“I like to swim, and make an effort to visit the pool three or four times a week. I could get a fancy gym membership, but I can do most of the exercises right at home.”

Jim takes a “don’t give up” attitude. After losing his wife to cancer six years ago, Jim busied himself with friends and family. He also believes that activity is most effective when focused on helping others. Jim has done a great job of developing his support networks and has found that as much as he gives to others, he receives.

We are living longer than we ever have before. This is due in large part to advancements in medicine and science which have lowered infant mortality rates and lengthened our lifespan. living with health and vigor helps to ensure these later years are well-spent.

because our aging population is gradually outnumbering our youth, it’s time to take a look at what the potential implications are on our healthcare system. An important step is to keep seniors healthy and out of the hospital environment. St. Peter’s Hospital is encouraging seniors to make good choices about aging successfully. expert geriatrician Irene Turpie will be presenting to a group of seniors at the annual Successful Aging Speaker Series event on June 29, 2012. The focus will be on making choices about staying as healthy as possible and maximizing quality of life..

It’s never too late. older adults can benefit significantly from adopting healthy lifestyles. For healthy aging tips or more information about senior’s month, visit St. Peter’s hospital at www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca.

– continued on next page

Did you know?• Approximately 1, 281,336 work-hours went into construction of the

redeveloped hospital.

• A total of 50,000 cubic metres of rock was excavated from the site in order to build the new portion of the hospital.

• The building stands 26 metres high and 135 metres long.

• Forty tones of steel rebar and about 120 truckloads of concrete were used to construct and reinforce the hospital’s massive foundation.

• Construction required the assembly of two tower cranes, each standing 244 metres high.

• During the peak of construction, approximately 500 workers were on-site daily, with the majority of workers coming from Hamilton and surrounding communities.

• Ellis Don, Prism, Zeidler Partner Architects, Gardwood-Jones and Hanham Architects all contributed to building and designing the beautiful building.

Celebrating the fulf illment of a dream (cont’d from cover)

A new space for the future (right) – A portion of the new lobby at the Juravinski Hospital

Timeline –

Top: An artist’s rendering of the new Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre

Left: Margaret and Charles Juravinski mark the start of construction of the new Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre in February of 2008.

Right: An aerial shot of construction underway at the new JHCC

Bottom right: The final phase of redevelopment reached completion in March 2012

More than eight years ago, the Customer Support Services’ (CSS) “FISH Network” came to life. Today, it’s a thriving collection of frontline staff – porters, environmental aides (EAs), and central processing department technicians – who are committed to championing service excellence and quality of working life for staff at Hamilton Health Sciences.

It all began in a fish market in Seattle, where author John Christensen observed a group of happy, animated employees who found pleasure in their jobs by engaging in lighthearted antics with each other as they performed routine tasks. The workers would fling fish back and forth and would often engage customers in their frolics. Christensen observed the overall happiness of the employees, and the enjoyment that customers received from witnessing and interacting with the enthusiastic group. Christensen eventually went on to develop a workplace management system inspired by the culture of this particular fish market in Seattle. The “FISH! Philosophy” was first introduced as a film with a series of books, and has since been adopted by groups and

organizations worldwide as a method for boosting employee morale and enhancing workplace culture.

At Hamilton Health Sciences, the FISH Network provides an opportunity for CSS staff members to be actively involved in the service by providing input on quality of working life, making recommendations for service enhancements, and helping to implement select CSS and corporate initiatives. The group includes representatives from all areas of Customer Support Services, who meet each month to examine issues and share ideas. They advocate for the best interests of their CSS peers, and communicate information back to their respective areas.

“This is a way for staff members to demonstrate their leadership skills,” says Kathryn Adams, CSS service excellence coach and chairperson for the FISH Network. “It allows employees to engage in conversation with their peers about what is or isn’t working, and their recommendations for how service can be improved.”

Theresa Gailbrath is an environmental aide (EA) in the emergency department at McMaster Children’s

Hospital. She began serving on the FISH Network committee more than three years ago and has continued to renew her involvement each term. Theresa says her role on the committee allows her to act as a voice for her fellow EA team members.

“As FISH Network members, we are the voices for our peers,” says Theresa. “I take a collective

opinion to the committee and I always feel like my concerns are being heard.”

Theresa says the FISH Network is

about engaging and empowering each member of the CSS team to create change.

“Staff want to be acknowledged for the work that they do,” she says. “This is an opportunity to become noticed and to try to make a difference.”

A primary responsibility for FISH Network members includes sustaining the “Difference Makers Board”, a peer-to-peer recognition program that acknowledges CSS staff members who have gone over and above to provide excellent service in their roles. Difference Makers are selected on a quarterly basis, and have their name added to a wall of stars.

“Staff members want to be recognized for their work,” says Theresa. “We take pride in our jobs.”

FISH Network members typically serve a one-year term on the committee, and are selected by their department leaders for their leadership skills.

“These are individuals who really feel a passion for the work they do,” says Kathryn. “They’re willing to go that extra mile for the benefit of their entire department.”

“It all starts with choosing your attitude and looking for ways to make a difference for the benefit of others,” says Theresa.

The FISH Network – Pictured from left, beginning in front: Kathryn Adams, service excellence coach; Michelle Douglas, porter, MUMC; Theresa Galbraith, EA, MUMC; LeeAnne Tretjack, CPD Tech, Juravinski; Shelley Klimek, EA, Juravinski; Kelly Ann Scott, EA Juravinski; Josh Bachorski, EA, St. Peter’s; Danielle Willick,CPD Tech, MUMC; Allison Feir, Porter, Juravinski; Bre Castro, Porter, General. Not pictured: Carrie Anne Marshall, CSS Trainer; Barry Oikle, EA, General; Joanne Doleman, EA, General.

Hamilton Health Sciences honoured 20 dynamic young people at the 9th annual Board of Directors Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship Awards on May 24, 2012. The recipients, all children of Hamilton Health Sciences employees, are active members in their communities, and for some, around the world. Louise Taylor-Green, vice president of human resources and organizational development, says the winners are a special group.

“I would like to congratulate all of the students that received an award, and commend them for their dedication, determination, and notable contributions to their local communities,” she said.

Each year, the Hamilton Health Sciences Board of Directors awards 20 $1,000 scholarships to children of hospital employees. To qualify for the scholarships, applicants must be in their final year of high school or in their first, second, or third year of post-secondary education. They must also have a parent who has been with Hamilton Health Sciences for at least five years.

Mark Rizzo, Chair of the Board, says the awards are an opportunity for board members and hospital leadership to connect with staff members and their families.

“Not only do the Scholarship Awards allow us to connect with Hamilton Health Sciences staff members, they also enable us to support academic excellence, community involvement, and outstanding extra-curricular activity demonstrated by our community’s leaders of tomorrow,” said Mark.

Scholarship applicants are required to submit an essay describing someone who they view to be an outstanding leader. Applications are reviewed by an independent group of judges. This year’s judges were Chantal Tunney, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House – Hamilton; Wayne Poirier, vice president of student services at Mohawk College; and Ted McMeekin, Minister of Agriculture and MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2012 Board of Directors Scholarship Awards!

Above and beyond – Each year, the Hamilton Health Sciences Board of Directors Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship Awards celebrate young individuals who display outstanding leadership qualities in their academics and extracurricular activities.

Celebrating our community’s “leaders of tomorrow”

Reeling in success

Rebecca BarnardSpencer CandyKyle ChampionRebecca Cosby Colin CunninghamStephanie DiSimoniChristopher GauthierSarah HewitsonDanielle HunterRebekah Ingram

Shannon LabrecheEmily LamondMariah MammolettiAlyssa MolnarErin Nun Alicia PootLarissa ReedHanwen “Judy” ShenKatelyn SushkoJeffery Tweedle

Our Family of Hospitals • CHEDOKE • CHILDREN’S • GENERAL • JURAVINSKI • McMASTER • ST. PETER’S

The Insider welcomes comments and suggestions. Contact us at: publicrelations@hhsc.ca or (905) 521-2100 ext. 75387.Visit us online at www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca

Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation saw an overwhelming response to its new 50/50 Staff Lottery after tickets sold out within just a few weeks of launching the pilot program. There is still opportunity to participate,

and the Foundation encourages staff to add their names to the lottery waiting list. As tickets become available, employees will be given the opportunity to join. More importantly, add your name to the waiting list to indicate your interest in participating in the 2013 Staff

Lottery. The Foundation will expand the number of tickets available next year based on the response and waiting list size this year. To join the waiting list visit www.hamiltonhealth.ca/stafflottery.

One half of the proceeds from each draw will be awarded to the employee with the winning number. The remaining proceeds will help support patient care initiatives and hospital funding priorities across Hamilton Health Sciences.

Tickets are $3 each with a limit of six tickets per employee, per draw. Draws occur bi-weekly on the Wednesdays following each pay deposit. The prize value is dependent on the number of draw entries. For 2012, a maximum of 980 tickets will be sold for each draw. – Good luck!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

T H e b I m o n T H ly n e W S l e T T e r o F H A m I l T o n H e A l T H S c I e n c e S

Diabetes study aims to improve daily lives of children living with Type 1 Diabetes

Foundation’s 50/50 Staff Lottery a big success!The Insider is published bi-monthly by Hamilton Health Sciences

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Standing in front of the gathered crowd, 11-year-old Maksim described his life as one of 300,000 Canadians living with Type 1 Diabetes. While its effects can be life altering, McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) is taking part in national research study aimed at improving the lives of children with Type 1 Diabetes. On May 22, patients, health care providers, community representatives and hospital staff joined to celebrate the official McMaster site launch of the JDRF Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) -TIME trial, which aims to simplify care of Type 1 Diabetes in children.

“I started taking three needles, and poking my finger eight times every day. That’s 4005 pokes and needles every year.” Maksim told his audience, “Now I wear an insulin pump and it’s a lot better.” JDRF is the worldwide leader in funding research to cure type 1 Diabetes, an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, but lasts a lifetime. The JDRF study uses insulin pump therapy combined with a monitoring sensor placed under the skin to measure glucose levels continuously, reducing the risk of critical changes in sugar levels. The research at MCH aims to find the most appropriate time in a child’s life to introduce the sensor.

For many participants in the study, personal benefits are just a small reward of this groundbreaking research.

“The idea of being involved in a study that will improve medical technology was really intriguing to me, “said 15-year-old Andrew Payne. “I’m really happy that a lot of other kids living with Type 1 will benefit from this.” “In the CGM TIME trial, our youth at MCH are the first in North America to use a newly designed and much improved glucose sensor that will help them achieve normal blood sugars safely and reduce the risk of severe low blood sugar reactions,” says Dr. Karen McAssey, pediatric endocrinologist and JDRF researcher at the children’s hospital.

McMaster has long been on the leading edge of Diabetes research and treatment. After introducing the first insulin pump therapy to children, MCH developed expertise that was shared with other hospitals nationally.

The study will include young patients aged 5-18 from McMaster Children’s Hospital and a number of other participating hospitals across Canada.

For more information about the trial, contact Tamara Caceres at 905-521-2100, ext. 76055, caceretl@mcmaster.ca.

Hope for the future: Maksim, 11, lives with Type 1 Diabetes. He shared his story in front of a crowd gathered at McMaster Children’s Hospital to mark the official launch of a new study that aims to improve quality of life for children with Diabetes.

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each year, the cornerstone Awards bestow the highest recognition upon staff members, volunteers and physicians whose outstanding commitment to our organization contributes to the overall well-being and advancement of health care within our community.

Hamilton Health Sciences is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012 cornerstone Awards:

Linda CarsonDirector, customer Support Services & chedoke Site Administrator members of the Gentle Persuasive Approaches team Dr. Barry Lumbchief of medicine Susan Pettitoccupational Therapist, complex medical rehabilitation unit congratulations to these outstanding individuals! Award recipients will be recognized at a special ceremony on June 28, 2012.