Best Medicine Matters Fall 2009 - Mount Sinai Hospital

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Baby’s Heart Repaired Before Birth Dr. Ryan describes the procedure: “Under ultrasound guidance, we inserted a needle into the left ventricle of the baby’s heart and passed a guide wire and balloon through the narrowed aortic heart valve, and infl ated the balloon to open the valve.” “This intervention was minimally invasive for the mother and lifesaving for the baby,” says Dr. Ryan. “Océane’s heart condition improved almost immediately.” Océane McKenzie Vicki McKenzie knows a lot about the human heart. “I know the valves, the numbers, the gradients. I would never have known that a year ago,” she says. A year ago, McKenzie hadn’t heard the words that would send her and husband Ian on an incredible medical journey. “They Dr. Greg Ryan with Océane McKenzie said, ‘Your baby has a very sick heart.’” An ultrasound in Ottawa had revealed that the valve from her baby’s left ventricle was severely narrowed. Untreated, this would lead to a shrunken, scarred ventricle which would require several major surgeries to enable baby Océane to survive and which would drastically reduce her chances for a normal lifespan. Three days later, the McKenzies were in Toronto seeing Dr. Greg Ryan, head of the Fetal Medicine Unit at Mount Sinai, and Dr. Edgar Jaeggi, head of the Fetal Cardiac Program at SickKids. The team proposed an experimental in-utero surgical procedure that had never been successfully carried out in Canada. “The team were willing to try something they had never done before to save our child. It really touches our hearts,” said Vicki. “What they did in-utero saved her,” says Vicki. At four months old, Océane is adored by her brothers, Gavin, 7 and Owen, 4. She weighs nine pounds and is doing very well. She is living up to her name — inspired by the Pacifi c Ocean. “We named her just before the procedure,” says Vicki. “The ocean is deep, strong, stubborn and a miracle on its own — just like our little girl.” Donor Role in Medical First At a press conference announcing the successful procedure, Dr. Greg Ryan said the Philips IU22 ultrasound machines used to diagnose Océane’s condition and for the procedure had been provided by donors. “These donors are very happy that their gifts have made such a tangible difference to this little girl,” said Dr. Ryan. “But the remainder of our ultrasound machines are ageing models, which urgently need to be replaced,” he added. “Only with the best equipment can we help our tiny unborn patients, right from the start.”
Donors Keep NICU Equipment Current Jason Macartney with donor-funded equipment in the Valentine Neonatal Intensive Care Unit “I can’t express how much this means to our patients and families,” says Jason Macartney, Registered Respiratory Therapist, Clinical Co-ordinator for the Valentine Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Macartney is talking about equipment donations. “These gifts allow the acquisition of infant ventilators that support the breathing of some of our smallest patients, infusion pumps that deliver medications to patients and transport equipment that allows us to take patients for diagnostic tests or to a facility closer to home for the family,” he says. New physiological monitors are another critical need. “Physiological monitors are a much-needed component in the care of the critically ill neonates,” says Rheney Castillo, Senior Director, Women’s and Infants’ Health and Nursing. “The monitors are designed to measure specifi c parameters such as temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure. This helps clinicians to assess the neonate and make decisions about their care.” “We are grateful that donors recognize the immense value of these sophisticated monitors,” says Castillo. The benefi ts of equipment donations go well beyond the hardware. As Macartney says, “Being able to put the best technology and equipment at the bedside for our staff goes a long way in promoting a culture of excellence in our workplace. It creates a sense of pride and commitment and helps us to retain the best and the brightest people.” Welcome to The Best Medicine Matters! The timing of this edition, so close to Thanksgiving, inspired us to gather stories with a ‘giving thanks’ theme. This theme gives me a perfect opportunity to thank you, our wonderful donors. Every day, I see the evidence of your contributions — in the new addition to our Murray Street tower, in new equipment, in every exciting research discovery. I see your contributions, too, in the heartwarming sight of families taking home their new little boy or girl — and occasionally both! Mount Sinai Hospital and the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute continue to go from strength to strength because you have chosen to make us your philanthropic priority. I am very grateful for all that you do. I hope you enjoy the stories in this newsletter. And I hope you also enjoy our newly expanded Giving Catalogue, which we’re promoting in this edition. The Giving Catalogue and our Holiday Cards offer many wonderful ways to show your gratitude and appreciation to friends, family and colleagues. With the holiday season fast approaching, I hope you will be inspired to give great gifts with great meaning. Warm regards, Susan Horvath President, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation 3
Page 1: FALL 2009 he Best Medicine Matters
Page 5 and 6: Patients Thank Bright Minds and Big
Page 7 and 8: Lowering Barriers to Mammogram Acce

Best Medicine Matters Fall 2009 - Mount Sinai Hospital

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