The Jewish General Hospital: A picture of health

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NURSES’ WEEK Revealing the full scope and depth of nursing The general role of nurses is well understood, but the profession has so many new facets that even other healthcare professionals don’t always appreciate its full scope. Telling the full story of modern nursing was the goal of Nurses’ Week at the JGH from May 11 to 15. “Although nurses are very visible in the hospital, not everyone knows what a nurse does,” says Fabienne Germail, Head Nurse on 4 West. “Nurses’ Week allows us to share our work and commemorate the founding leadership of nurses at the JGH and in the profession. In activities throughout the week, we also show how today’s nurses are upholding that Opening visitors’ eyes to Jewish tradition “ If we’re treating a Jewish patient in Drummondville,” a nursing student asked during a recent visit to the JGH, “what can we do differently to help this patient in a special way?” He could not have come to a better place for an answer. Along with 32 fellow second-year students from CEGEP Drummondville, he was in a hospital that prides itself on providing “Care for all”. In effect, he had found an institution that could provide “one-stop shopping” in cultural sensitization. The JGH had responses at the ready, because Marsha Ptack, JGH Coordinator for Nursing Recruitment and Retention, had organized an information session specifically to acquaint the students with Jewish tradition. Director of Pastoral Services Rabbi Raphael Afilalo offered explanations about kosher food, Jewish staff who work on religious holidays, and the use of special elevators on the Jewish Sabbath. He also posed a question of his own: “Can you estimate the number Jews in the world?” Although the correct answer is approximately 13 6 PULSE • SUMMER 2009 leadership role in innovative projects and research.” Nursing booths were organized by clinical, bedside and manager nurses to display projects in various specialties, from skin care to breastfeeding and palliative care. Clinical specialists and educators also introduced nurses to their presentations at healthcare forums nationally and internationally. Director of Nursing Lynne McVey toured the hospital units and ex- jgh.ca website version 4.0 In June, the JGH will be launching the latest version of its website, located at jgh. ca. As well as continuing to offer pertinent information to patients and visitors, the new site has features allowing for a more current web experience, with videos, blogs, a dedicated career corner and improved graphics. For more information, contact the Public Affairs and Communications Department, ext. 5818. million, the students’ answers ranged from 100 million to a billion. Daniel Nahmias-Léonard, Communications Specialist with the Department of Public Affairs and Communications, went on to note that most of the staff and patients of the JGH are not Jewish. The opportunity to interact with patients from so many ethnic backgrounds has been enriching professionally, said Melanie Sabbagh, a JGH Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Mother-Child area. “As a nurse in such a multi-ethnic environment, you have to be open and sensitive toward patients’ traditions. When they have special requests or needs, we do our best to help them. It is fascinating and rewarding to share in these different experiences.” Sophie Pouliot, President of the JGH Council of Nurses, said the “wonderful atmosphere of the hospital’s multi-ethnic environment and its reputation for excellence” led to her JGH career. u pressed her appreciation for the commitment and dedication of JGH nurses. Her visits also sparked discussion about the value that the JGH places on family involvement in patient care, as well as nurses’ leadership role in the medical team. Other highlights included dinner with doctors and nursing management, and a meetand-greet session with Ms. McVey and the Nursing Directors. At the General Assembly of the Council of Nurses, new members were elected and prizes were distributed for innovative nursing projects. Among them were the winners of the Amgen Innovation Competition which, according to Council Presi- Belle’s View At the JGH, every doctor, nurse and healthcare professional has a fascinating story to tell—and Belle Ziniuk is an avid listener. As an author and volunteer, Belle loves meeting and writing about the people who make the hospital great. Be sure to check out her blog at jgh.ca/belle. PHarmacy PHacts Generations of medications With the Jewish General Hospital celebrating its 75th anniversary, this is an appropriate time for a brief but panoramic look at the beginnings of the field of pharmacy, one the JGH’s most important areas. Pharmacy practice has evolved over centuries, with the earliest known record of pharmaceutical use in the sixth century B.C.E. The ancient Egyptians and Chinese were among the first to use medicinal plants to treat ailments. By the ninth century, advances in chemistry and botany in the Middle East contributed to the development of pharmacology, the study of interactions between medications and the body. In Europe, rudimentary pharmacies were established during the 12th century. Modern pharmacy practice includes the conventional notion of preparing and dispensing medications. However, it has evolved to encompass other services related to patient care, including clinical and consulting services, evaluating existing and trial medications for safety and efficacy, and coordinating with medical institutions to provide the best patient care possible. Hospital pharmacies, like the one that serves the JGH, are much different from commercial pharmacies. Their medication management is generally more intricate and they tend to stock a wider scope of specialized medications. Hospital pharmacists and trained pharmacy technicians also prepare a broad range of medications in a sterile environment, following strict guidelines to ensure patient safety. u – Megan Martin, Pharmacy Communications Officer dent Sophie Pouliot, “recognizes the value of nurses’ contributions to the safety and quality of patient care at the JGH. We hope to keep developing these projects and make them eligible for the 3M Grand Prize in Innovation, awarded annually by the Order of Nurses of Quebec.” Meals were offered throughout one day to the nurses on the night, day and evening shifts by the nurses’ union, the United Health Care Professionals, who offer advice and promote the rights of nurses. The Week’s festivities also included all JGH staff, who were treated to a barbeque, alongside JGH nurses. u
Getting in motion – with emotion Milena Crosato and Annie Rompré stand knee-deep in plastic fruit, as they chat about their work as organizers of Researchers in Motion. The brightly coloured pieces of fruit are actually hard containers that store the edible variety, sold by team members and volunteers at a hospital booth. Proceeds go to a team of researchers from the Segal Cancer Centre and the JGH Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research who participate in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer and Ride to Conquer Cancer. “We thought fruit was especially symbolic,” says Ms. Crosato. “A healthy diet and nutrition are important for cancer prevention.” The fruit sale is one of many fundraising activities planned by Ms. Crosato (Administrative Coordinator of the Segal Cancer Centre research laboratories) and Ms. Rompré (Associate Director of Administration of the Centre). They’re also organizing movie nights, bake sales and garage sales to generate funds while encouraging JGH staff to participate in and volunteer for the two events. Funds are used to buy equipment and provide scholarships to PhDs and Postdocs in cancer research. So far, seven researchers are enrolled in the Weekend, while eight are set to ride in the Ride. Among them is Dr. Annette Hollman, Research Associate at the LDI. “I lost two friends, both in their 40s,” she says. “One, a non-smoker, died of lung cancer and another of glioblas- Researchers in Motion logo, designed by Milena Crosato. toma. A few years ago, I considered participating in the Weekend, but the thought of raising $2,000 was too intimidating. But the Ride to Conquer Cancer, a bike ride from Montreal to Quebec, is just too cool to pass up. Being with a team gave me hope that I might reach the fundraising goal.” u Colourful fruit containers were sold by Researchers in Motion to raise funds for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer and the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Participants in the WEBC foot clinic. Back row, from left: Dr. Alan Spatz, Dr. Koren Mann, Dr. Mark Basik, Christian Young, Cynthia Guilbert, Dr. Andrew Darnel, Cathy Tkaczyk and Dr. Marc Tischkowitz. Front row, from left: Annie Rompré, Dr. Adriana Aguilar, Milena Crosato, Dr. Annette Hollman and Dr. Naciba Benlimame. Walking or riding, you’ve got support Now that warm weather is here to stay, the cyclists and walkers of the Ride to Conquer Cancer and the Weekend to End Breast Cancer are training in the streets—and they’ve got help. While some participants in the Ride are athletes, the event is open to anyone with the motivation to cycle from Montreal to Quebec City. All you need is a bike, a helmet and some determination to get in shape. To help equip registered riders, many of Montreal’s finest bike shops are offering discounts on equipment. Once participants have their bikes, they can visit a partner gym for discounts and special classes. To see a full list of the Ride’s official outfitters and training partners, or to register, please visit conquercancer.ca and follow the links on the left. Taking a stroll is one thing, but walking 60 kilometers in two days is another; it takes preparation and the right shoes. Luckily, the Weekend to End Breast Cancer website is full of useful information. At the Resources link, walkers can download training schedules and stretching charts. A click on the Training Walks link brings up a list of free, organized walks. On May 28, the Weekend again hosted its popular foot clinic, featuring foot assessments by podiatrists Dr. Bluma Girzon and Dr. Charles Faucher. For more information or to register, please visit endcancer.ca. u – Siobhan O’Brien, Associate Coordinator, Special Events, JGH Foundation PULSE • SUMMER 2009 7
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