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Unity Health Toronto Newswire:

October 2023

This month, members of the Unity Health Toronto community struck a pose for our annual flu campaign, gave tips for fighting respiratory illness season, released new guidelines on health equity and food insecurity, and competed for $500,000 in research funding.

Niala Dookie, activation assistant at Providence Healthcare, one of the stars of our flu shot campaign

This is Niala Dookie, activation assistant at Providence Healthcare, one of the stars of our flu shot campaign. Keep an eye on our social media where we’ll be posting photos from the campaign.

What to know heading into COVID, cold and flu season: Get vaccinated to stay protected

As the temperatures drop and cases of flu, RSV and COVID-19 rise, vaccination continues to be the best way to protect yourself. Dr. Thomas Dashwood, associate medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, answered common questions about getting vaccinated and preventing the spread of illnesses.

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Buzzworthy

Dr. Nav Persaud, staff physician at St. Michael’s Hospital and Canada Research Chair in Health Justice

How can we increase health equity in Canada?

From self-testing for HPV to decreasing the age for colorectal cancer screening, Dr. Nav Persaud, staff physician at St. Michael’s Hospital, released a new set of guidelines in the Canadian Medical Association Journal to promote health equity in Canada. The Globe and Mail and other media outlets covered the story.

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by Dr. Anna Banerji, pediatric infectious diseases physician at St. Joseph’s Health Centre

Food insecurity for children in Indigenous communities is a ‘crisis’

The lack of food security is connected to distress and educational difficulties that further cycles of poverty and unemployment, according to a new paper by Dr. Anna Banerji, pediatric infectious diseases physician at St. Joseph’s Health Centre. She says we have to address the crisis so that children have enough food for growth and development.

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Innovation

Angels Den, one of Canada’s biggest medical research competitions hosted annually by the St. Michael’s Foundation

Angels Den 2023: Top scientists competed for $500,000 in funding

St. Michael's Foundation's Angels Den, Canada’s top medical research competition, returned this month with top research teams competing for $500,000 in funding. The winning innovations included a device that determines if a person can absorb their cardiovascular medication and an AI tool that helps predict patients’ risk of delirium.

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Dr. Heyu Ni, scientist at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Sciences at St. Michael’s Hospital

Discovery could lead to new therapies for autoimmune diseases

Conventional thinking is that platelets cause inflammation, but new research led by Dr. Heyu Ni, scientist at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Sciences at St. Michael’s Hospital, found that they can also do the opposite—completely changing our understanding of how they work. Looking ahead, engineered platelets might be able to help control lupus, arthritis and diabetes.

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Say hello to...

The winners of the St. Michael’s Our Shared Values Awards were recently recognized for going above and beyond to embody Unity Health’s values

The winners of the St. Michael’s Our Shared Values Awards were recently recognized for going above and beyond to embody Unity Health’s values. From a palliative care nurse who brings dignity to difficult moments for patients and families, to an administrative assistant who comes in on days off to visit with patients, read about the amazing contributions of this year’s award recipients.

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Patient perspectives

Jason Best-Mitchell works his first shift at St. Joe's.

Quote of the day

Shane Journeay, a physiatrist at Providence Healthcare

“Even if you’re otherwise healthy, aging itself can still impact how our bones, muscles and ligaments function”

Dr. Shane Journeay, a physiatrist at Providence Healthcare, told the Toronto Star in a story on why our bodies get stiffer with age.

Shoutouts

Allysa Anicete, clinical and resident assistant at Providence Healthcare

Congratulations to Allysa Anicete, clinical and resident assistant at Providence Healthcare, for celebrating five years as a member of the Unity Health Toronto team. Staff who celebrated milestone anniversaries were recently honoured at the Our Shared Values Award ceremony.

Dr. Anne Wormsbecker, chief of pediatrics at St. Joseph's Health Centre

Dr. Anne Wormsbecker, chief of pediatrics at St. Joseph's Health Centre, was on Breakfast Television talking about the Halloween activities hosted by the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation to raise money for children’s health care.

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Recently, gardeners from Unity Health Toronto and the surrounding community gathered for a potluck to enjoy the community garden’s yields and to practice wellness and community

Did you know St. Joseph’s Health Centre is home to a community garden? Recently, gardeners from Unity Health Toronto and the surrounding community gathered for a potluck to enjoy the garden’s yields and to practice wellness and community. Funds from St. Joseph’s and Unity Health Toronto's Joy at Work Fund subsidized the project.


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