Spring 2009 - St. Joseph's Health Care London

contentsfeatures46digging for the root of ocdA St. Joseph’s expert searches foranswers to a perplexing disorder.patients as partners St. Joseph’smarks four decades of dedicationto family medicine, and continues toplay a key role in this vital field.specialspacesand places50newPatientsand staff of St. Joseph’sHospital are enjoyingthe bright and spaciousbenefits of newly completedrenovations.10spring1418243438no more excuses A mammogramcan save your life. So why wait?Overcome your reasons for avoidinga checkup.cracking the case Learn how cholesterolmay be robbing your health—and how to arrest the damage.home, clean home Germs thrive onhot spots in your house. Here are waysto evict them for good.rx for success Take this short quiz todiscover which hospital career is rightfor you in the health-care field.a grand plan The latest know-howto keep your grandkids safe whenyou’re called to babysitting duty.domino effect Left unchecked,diabetes spurs a cascading array ofserious health conditions—but youcan take control.the coverEntertainer28onHowie Mandelis open about his obsessivecompulsive disorder,and offers new hope forthose struggling with thisdiffi cult mental healthchallenge.4046495254your lovely bones (and joints)This decade-by-decade guide will helpmaintain the building blocks of yourbody during every stage of your life.freeze, food! Make your nextmicrowaveable meal more nutritiouswith these five frozen-meal fixes.the future of health care Twoteams of Lawson researchers arepaving the way for new treatmentsand care that could profoundlychange medicine.dynamic duo St. Joseph’s paystribute to the leadership and volunteerismof David Nash and ErinRankin Nash.rock solid support Donors are vitalto the success of St. Joseph’s, andthe newly inaugurated St. Joseph’sCornerstone Society recognizestheir contributions.departments1 St. Joseph’snotebook Newwebsite informationand communityeducation highlightour commitmentto service.2 connecting withour communityAdvocating takescourage, but theresults can changethe world.8 faces of St.Joseph’s Dedicatedpeople help ensureSt. Joseph’s willcontinue to be ahealth-care leader.55 giving with impactThe generosity ofTom and JoanneCowan advancesmedical innovation.56 gifts for thefuture ArchbishopDesmond Tutubrings a message ofhope to St. Joseph’s.COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN RUSSO, CORBIS OUTLINE vim & vigour · spring 2009 3

By Amanda Jackmandigging forthe root ofOCDAt St. Joseph’s RegionalMental Health Care,patients find helpcoping with obsessivecompulsive disorder4vim & vigour · spring 2009Most people spend seven hours a day at workor taking care of their families. Someone whosuffers from obsessive compulsive disordercould spend all that time just washing his orher hands.Dr. Prakash Gangdev, a psychiatrist atRegional Mental Health Care London (RMHC),first became interested in OCD after meeting apatient who would scrub his hands for more thanseven hours each day. “Eventually his OCD ledto other avoidances,” explains Dr. Gangdev. “Hestopped eating and drinking because he didn’twant to soil his hands. The severity of his situationreally made me interested in the complexityof OCD.”Two characteristics define the condition—obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions arethoughts, urges and impulses that are unpleasant,distressing, uncontrollable and disruptive,and compulsions are overt behaviours used toneutralize the obsessions.repeat performanceCommonly, a person with OCD will performspecific acts like hand washing to prevent harmfrom happening, says Dr. Gangdev. But therange of behaviours, from mild to extreme, isextensive. Individuals may go to great lengthsto avoid stimuli, need constant reassuranceor clarification, fear contamination, and havebodily, religious, blasphemous, aggressive, orunacceptable sexual obsessions.Guilt and depression may ensue, says Dr.Gangdev. “Untreated, OCD can cause additional

problems where a person can feel demoralizedor even dislike themselves. I see that a lot inpeople who have aggressive or sexual compulsions.Another common side effect is an avoidancechain. For example, a person who avoidsshaking hands wonders why they do so, realizesit may be germ related, and then avoids otherthings as well, like touching or using publicwashrooms. In the worst cases they can becomecompletely unable to function.”OCD may coexist with other illnesses suchas attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorderand other anxiety disorders, making it difficultto diagnose, adds Dr. Gangdev. Yet decipheringOCD, whether it’s in conjunction with anotherdisorder or alone, is critical. At RMHC, partof St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, OCD istreated as a component of the mood and anxietydisorders program.On a positive note, understanding and acceptanceof OCD is growing, says the psychiatrist.“When people like Howie Mandel are publicabout OCD issues it has a de-stigmatizing effectand creates a more sympathetic view. It alsohelps raise awareness. People with OCD tend torecognize it if they are given the proper information.”(For more on Howie Mandel’s experiencewith OCD, see page 28.)tending the gardenDr. Gangdev helps patients understand OCDwith two analogies. “I see it as similar to surfingthe Internet and getting pop-ups. You don’t wantthem there and they keep popping up. The messagescan be anything and you can’t stop them.The second analogy is weeds in a garden. Youdon’t want them, you don’t plant them. No onepurposely plants weeds, you plant flowers; sopatients can’t blame themselves for the thoughtsthat come into their heads.”Preventing the weeds from growing requiresreaching the roots, he explains. “Just pullingthem from the surface will cause them to growback, ruining the garden. Depression is usuallywhat is lying on the surface.”Patricia* was diagnosed as an older adult witha frightening OCD condition. “I have thoughts inmy head about killing myself and my grandchildren.I would never dream of hurting my grandkids,it’s just the messages that are in my head.”Obviously alarmed, Patricia’s family has limitedthe time she’s allowed to see her grandkids.“I do get supervised visits with them, but itmakes me sad because I don’t trust myself anymore.I am not allowed to have my grandkidsalone and I feel like a criminal.”Afraid of never being trusted again, the adoringgrandmother says she doesn’t understandherself and hates having such scary thoughts.“I love my grandkids.”To properly treat her OCD, Patricia receivesmedication and cognitive behavioural therapy.“I have a lot of anxiety,” she says. “I realize nowthere are things that have happened in the pastthat need to be cleared up to get to the bottomof my OCD.”making sensePeter*, meanwhile, was diagnosed with bipolardisorder more than 20 years ago. Reflectingback, he now recognizes he also had unwantedthoughts for years, which increased over time.“It makes sense now. It’s just like Dr. Gangdevdescribed—Internet pop-ups. They are not mywill and I tried to suppress them or avoid themby thinking of something else.”Over time, the dark thoughts drove Peterto become suicidal. “I had enough of themental anguish.” Admitted to RMHC, OCDwas recognized. Since then, his conditionhas dramatically improved.“I had social anxiety and that is now completelygone. I feel better and want to start workagain. I am also focusing on positive thinking.”When he attempted suicide, Peter was hopingthe bad thoughts wouldn’t follow him into hisnext life. Now moving past that episode—withproper treatment—this life is full of promise.*Name has been changed to protect the client’s privacy.Dr. Prakash GangdevThe six C’s of OCD compulsions:1. Checking (constantly checking door locks, for example)2. Cleaning (washing of extremities numerous or lengthy times each day)3. Confessing (a need to tell the truth and seek reassurances)4. Correcting (symmetry as an obsession, for example, the need tostraighten picture frames)5. Collecting (holding on to items)6. Counting (distracting the mind in an attempt to prevent negative thingsfrom happening)vim & vigour · spring 2009 5

By Dahlia Reich and Kelly AlmondpatientspartnersasForty years ago, St. Joseph’s opened the firstfull-service family medical centre in Canada6Watching families growDr. John Sangster will never forget the day he opened his familymedicine practice more than 35 years ago. “I sat in my office withabsolutely no patients. I had an instant feeling of panic!”But it didn’t take long before Dr. Sangster’s practice wasbooming. One of the most enjoyable aspects of family medicine,he says, has been getting to know his patients over time. “Seeingbabies you delivered grow into adolescence and then deliveringtheir children is one of the most fascinating and wonderful partsof family medicine.”Dr. Sangster was one of the first graduates of the family medicineprogram in London, trained in the clinic originally locatedin the basement of St. Joseph’s Hospital. Having trained countlessothers, Dr. Sangster is now gradually retiring from familymedicine. “I couldn’t do it cold turkey!” he says with a laugh.While “officially” retired, he still works part-time in his familypractice and atthe DearnessHome, where asmedical directorhe is responsiblefor organizingthe medicalcare team atthe long-termcare facility.Dr. John Sangster with patient Jacquelyn Phillipsvim & vigour • spring 2009“If we could all just learn to listen,everything else would fall into place. Listeningis the key to being patient-centred.”They are words that form the foundation offamily medicine from a man regarded as thefather of the field in Canada—Dr. Ian McWhinney.And it was here in London, Ontario, that hiswork led the discipline to become recognizedas a specialty in its own right—one based onknowledge gained by the physicians throughtheir long-term relationship with patients andfamilies rather than treatment of disease alone.St. Joseph’s Health Care, London wouldbecome an important player in this evolution.In 1968, the first full-service, family medicalcentre opened in Canada in the basement ofSt. Joseph’s Hospital. Forty years later, the centre,now on Platt’s Lane, has a staff of about40 care providers serving thousands of people,training about 30 residents each year, andplaying a key role in research.❋ worth celebrating“The original centre was groundbreaking,”explains Dr. Tom Freeman, chief of family medicineat St. Joseph’s and London Health SciencesCentre, and chair of the department of familymedicine at The University of Western Ontario.“Many of the principles of family medicine wereestablished there.”The centre was pivotal in recognizing thatfamily medicine should be a community-baseddiscipline focused on the needs of the patient,and interdisciplinary in nature, he explains.“It was the bedrock on which all that developedand why 40 years is worth celebrating.

Dr. Tom Freeman, chiefof family medicine atSt. Joseph’s Health Care,LondonDr. Ian McWhinney,considered the “father” offamily medicine in CanadaGeneral practitioners ... are the doctorsclosest to people. They heal most of thebroken-hearted, repair more of the injuredand deprived, and live with the poor anddying who are without hope. Adaptation isthe juice of family medicine—the GP adaptsto the needs of people or closes up shop.– Dr. William Victor Johnston of Lucknow, OntarioFirst executive director of the College of FamilyPhysicians of Canada, 1956-1965What we’re most proud of is the high-qualitycare provided to the community of London, thecomprehensiveness of that care, and the sensethat it’s an integral part of the community.”Today, the Ontario government is fundinginterdisciplinary practice and the formation offamily health teams. The teams include physiciansand other providers such as nurse practitioners,nurses, social workers and dieticians, all workingtogether to see more patients and to keep themhealthy. It’s hoped these teams will ease the tremendousstrain on family physicians burdenedby too many patients with burgeoning needs.What won’t change, says Dr. Freeman, is thatfamily medicine begins with the patient. “Inany clinical encounter, there are two expertsin the room, the patient and the care provider.Together, they find common ground to solvethe problem.”Devoted London physicianamong best in OntarioDr. Caroline Despard has pink hair and wears jeans to work.“Otherwise, I try to avoid attracting attention,” the Londonfamily doctor says with a laugh. And that makes the standoutclinician a tad uncomfortable with her new title—SouthwestOntario’s family physician of the year for 2008.Chosen by her peers with the support of her patients, Dr.Despard and the five other regional honourees were selected fortheir commitment to their patients, community and profession.All are excellent clinicians who are well loved by their patients.With a large ethnic patient population, Dr. Despard is devotedto those who often have difficulty accessing appropriate primaryhealth care—the poor, the marginalizedand psychiatric patients.As for the jeans, “I dress like mypatients,” explains Dr. Despard,whose sense of humour no doubtalso puts her patients at ease.For 20 years, the single motherof four has practiced comprehensivefamily medicine, includingpalliative care and obstetrics,delivering about 50 babies a yearat St. Joseph’s Hospital. “She hasa penchant for finding those withthe most need and helping thoseDr. Caroline Despard, Southwestpatients to a richer, fuller life,” said Ontario’s family physician of theone nominator for Dr. Despard. year for 2008Did you know?• Dr. Ian McWhinney became the first chair of family medicine in Canadawhen he came to The University of Western Ontario in 1968.• There are 283 family physicians in London; 536 in the five counties ofOxford, Middlesex, Elgin, Huron and Perth; and 971 in the 10 countiesof Southwestern Ontario.• Many family physicians provide an array of specialty services, such asobstetrics, palliative care, emergency medicine, and sexual assault anddomestic violence treatment, in addition to their family medicine load.vim & vigour • spring 2009 7

faces of St. Joseph’sProud to Give, Eager to LearnA triple dose of talent and dedication is helping St. Joseph’s excel8Dr. Giulio MuscedereTania TestaMarcello Napolvim & vigour · spring 2009Ddr. dad“First, I’m a dad.”That’s how Dr. Giulio Muscedere introducedhimself to a television reporter he was meetingfor an interview. A casual conversation aboutkids, school lunches and hockey soon followed.While being a dad is certainly a full-time job,Dr. Muscedere’s other occupation is director ofdiagnostic and screening mammography, breastultrasound and the breast assessment programat St. Joseph’s Hospital.Dr. Muscedere graduated in medicine fromThe University of Western Ontario and completeda residency in radiology and fellowshipin body imaging at St. Joseph’s Hospital, partof St. Joseph’s Health Care, London.In addition to his extensive responsibilitiesat St. Joseph’s, and his work with St. Joseph’sHealth Care Foundation, Dr. Muscedere is aconsulting radiologist at hospitals in Strathroy,Exeter, Tillsonburg, Goderich and Chatham,and with the Ontario Breast Screening Program.The compassionate physician is proud ofhis St. Joseph’s team of technologists, nurses,physicians and support staff, and its cuttingedgework in diagnostic breast imaging. He isproud, too, of his other team—his family. Heand his wife, Erika, a pharmacist at St. Joseph’s,have three children—Zahra, Jakob and Ava.getting on boardHer energy is palpable, her enthusiasm infectious.While Tania Testa is one of the newestboard members for St. Joseph’s Health CareFoundation, the organization is not new to her.St. Joseph’s was Testa’s client while she workedwith a marketing agency. She’s now marketingdirector for Trojan Technologies and has madeSt. Joseph’s the focus of her personal commitmentto community involvement.Testa describes her association with St.Joseph’s as the perfect relationship. “You don’tcome here and feel like something is missingbecause nothing is missing at St. Joseph’s.It’s the perfect package—just the right mix ofinnovation and heart.”It wasn’t a difficult decision to make thethree-year term commitment, Testa says. “It’simpossible to ignore the talent on this board.Their combined experience is unparalleled,and it has a profound impact on one’s ownprofessional development.”Testa is looking forward to learning fromher board colleagues and the role she can playin shaping the future of St. Joseph’s.a welcome surpriseFor Marcello Napol, serving on the board ofSt. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation and asvice-chair of the finance and audit committeehas been a rewarding learning experience. Thebusiness manager in 3M’s Skin Health Divisionbrings a unique perspective to the board withhis company’s vision for wound care and interactionswith the next generation of cliniciansin the specialty.Napol’s involvement with the foundation,he says, has given him “a rounding out” in bothhis personal and professional life in a way hedidn’t expect. “It has been a real eye-openeras far as giving me a broader perspective ofhealth-care issues. I’m more aware of the challengesfacing health care and have a bettersense of the funds needed to provide the excellencein care that we all want and receive fromSt. Joseph’s.”

uncoveringthe health care ofBy Julia CapalditomorrowLawson researchers bringinnovation to their labsIt may sound like sci-fi movie material butit’s real life, with real possibilities, for twoteams of researchers at Lawson HealthResearch Institute.Their work involves DNA testing that candetermine the precise dose of medication for acancer patient, and imaging technology that canmap out the composition of something as tiny asa grain of sand. The researchers’ inventivenesshas won them the inaugural Lawson InnovationPrize, but the real winners will be patients.The $150,000 award is available to all investigatorsaffiliated with Lawson and its communityoutreach programs. Last year, the researcherswere challenged to bring forward research proposalsthat would have a direct impact on theway doctors treat, diagnose or care for patientsat St. Joseph’s Health Care, London and LondonHealth Sciences Centre.Doctors Ian Cunningham, left, Richard Kim and JohnDenstedt are winners of the inaugural Lawson InnovationPrize for research that has the potential to have a directimpact on the way doctors treat, diagnose or care forpatients in London.The two winning teams have now returned totheir labs to embark on their projects.❋ tailoring treatmentIn medicine, one size does not fit all. Two patientswho take the same medication can have verydifferent responses. One major reason for thisdifference, say researchers, is the variations inour DNA, or genetic, makeup. Dr. Richard Kimis a leader in personalized medicine, or pharmacogenomics,an area of research that studiesthis fuzzy region of medicine.According to Dr. Kim, the risk of adverseside effects is compounded for cancer patientswho require chemotherapy. With certain cancerdrugs, the difference between a helpful andharmful dose is very small. Dr. Kim and hiscolleagues are exploring the use of pharmacogenomicsto tailor treatment for colon cancerpatients and hopefully decrease the occurrenceof negative side effects.❋ a good imageThe second Lawson prize was awarded toDrs. Ian Cunningham and John Denstedt, whoare using a unique imaging system to analyzethe composition of kidney stones.With the prize money, Drs. Cunningham andDenstedt are working to perfect the imaging systemand conduct clinical trials to compare thisnew method with existing procedures for kidneystone management and care. Although clinicalcare for kidney stones has been well honed overthe past decade, recurrence rates can be upto 70 per cent. Some patients in London haverequired more than 30 surgical procedures.Preliminary results from the research suggestthe new technique will not only improvekidney stone care in London, but could changehow stones are analyzed and managed aroundthe world.learnmoreaboutLawsonLawson HealthResearch Institute isthe research instituteof London HealthSciences Centre andSt. Joseph’s HealthCare, London. It isdedicated to helpingpeople live healthierlives by advancingknowledge of howto prevent, diagnoseand treat disease.Read about all theexciting work underway by Lawsonresearchers by visitingwww.lawsonresearch.com.vim & vigour • spring 2009 49

newBy Kelly Almondspaces and placesPatient carejust got awhole lotbrighter atSt. Joseph’sHospitalIt has taken years of planning, months ofrenovations and much patience, but theresults are proving worth it.Spacious, airy and bright are among thedescriptions of the renovated spaces many staffare now calling home at St. Joseph’s Hospital.Just over a year after construction began inApril 2007, health records staff were the firstto enjoy a new space specifically designed fortheir work. “We love the amount of space andnatural sunlight,” says Fahdy Moussa, healthrecords coordinator. “It’s much better laid outthan the old space, providing staff, physiciansand researchers with greater privacy and aquieter environment.”Next to move was the cataract suite, whichrelocated to the second floor of the hospital.“It feels new, clean, bright and fresh, and thelayout is much better for staff and patients,”says team leader Denise Want.The urology clinic took more than two daysto move to its spacious new home on the fourthfloor of the hospital. One of the great features ofthe new clinic is the addition of a state-of-the-artprocedure room. This allows medical staff toperform urological procedures in the clinic thatwere traditionally done in the operating room.Diabetes education, meanwhile, moved tothe hospital from Mount St. Joseph as a firststep in consolidating all St. Joseph’s diabetesservices and research into one area. Nowfound on the fifth floor of the hospital, LawsonDiabetes Centre has changed its name to theDiabetes Education Centre of St. Joseph’sHealth Care, London.“It’s an exciting development for diabetescare in London,” says ambulatory medicinedirector Susan Ruth. “The new space is in closeproximity to diabetes specialists and clinicalservices, and will allow us to better accommodatethe needs of our patients and increase thenumber of those served.”Finally, the surgical inpatient units atSt. Joseph’s Hospital have been broughttogether in newly renovated space on the sixthfloor. Previously, adult short-stay inpatientsurgical care was located on three floors. Theconsolidation means more seamless care forpatients, with the care team now together inone area.These moves are all part of restructuring atthe hospital. The final piece of the puzzle forthe first phase of construction will be the renovationof the Urgent Care Centre which, whencomplete, will house its own X-ray suite.your roleSt. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, whichsupports care, teaching and research acrossSt. Joseph’s, contributed significantly to thesenew spaces. For information on howyou can contribute to improvementscall at St. Joseph’s, call 519-646-6085.50vim & vigour · spring 2009

New 0 level corridor connects the old and new zones of St. Joseph’sHospital.The new state-of-the-art procedure room in the relocated urology clinic.Staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital celebrate the opening of a new elevator in the operating room area, which allowsstaff and post-operative patients to travel a much shorter route to the inpatient rooms.Patient Ettie Noseworthy shares a quietmoment with attendant Annette Stoddardin the new cataract suite.Physiotherapist John Syrovy and occupational therapist Stacey Dukes are members ofthe multi-disciplinary inpatient surgical care team now together in one area with theconsolidation of surgical inpatients on the sixth floor of St. Joseph’s Hospital.Pauline Duffy is a welcoming presence at the new DiabetesEducation Centre, which has moved from Mount St. Josephto the fifth floor of St. Joseph’s Hospital.vim & vigour • spring 2009 51

By Jackie WestelakendynamicAt Tribute 2008, an eveningduoof appreciation and songhonours the generosity ofErin and David Nash52vim & vigour • spring 2009For many Londoners, particularly within theSt. Joseph’s family, when you say “David andErin,” you don’t need last names. Almost everyonewill “just know.”On Oct. 2, long-time volunteers and communityadvocates, David Nash and wife ErinRankin Nash, were honoured by St. Joseph’sHealth Care Foundation at the 2008 TributeDinner. Surrounded by friends, family andcolleagues, the couple was recognized forleadership and volunteerism in support of thework across St. Joseph’s Health Care, London.Highlights of the evening included a videotribute to Erin and David, and a stirring performanceby The Canadian Tenors. Speakingon behalf of St. Joseph’s, president and CEOCliff Nordal expressed gratitude to the couple.“David and Erin are long-time friends ofSt. Joseph’s and very much part of the family.We are indebted to them for their leadershipand their role in shaping our legacy.”Addressing the sold-out crowd of 1,200guests, David Nash talked about his deeprespect for the role of the Sisters of St. Josephin the growth of St. Joseph’s Hospital. He alsospoke fondly of enjoying milk shakes at volunteermeetings with the Sisters, a treat he andhis guests were served at their table, courtesyof London Convention Centre staff.The successful evening was made possibleby the dedicated work of the Tribute Dinnercommittee and generous sponsors, includingJohn Zubick Ltd., RBC Financial Group,D. Grant & Sons Ltd., BMO Financial Group,and Clintar Landscape Management.Proceeds of nearly $200,000 were directedto The Spirit of St. Joseph’s Health Care Fund tosupport the highest priority patient care needsessential to the lives of patients and residentsserved by St. Joseph’s.1. George Zubick, left, and Bruce Zubick of John Zubick Ltd.2. Cliff Nordal, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s HealthCare, London, left, with guests of honour Erin Rankin Nashand David Nash, and foundation board chair Jeff Macounof Great West Life3. Foundation board members Patrick Tremblay of RBCFinancial Group, left, and Ron Martindale Jr. of DavisMartindale LLP, with Cindy Tremblay and Michelle Campbell,president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation4. Barbara Orser, left, and Marion Orser5. Andy Spriet of Spriet Family of Companies, left, PatrickTremblay of RBC Financial Group, Tim Best and LondonMayor Anne-Marie DeCicco Best6. Shane Butcher, left, Anne Kozak, Marc and MarleneGuilbeault, and Kim and Jim Inglis, all guests of BMOFinancial Group7. Don Smith, left, and David Scatcherd8. Jim Kennedy, left, Julie White, Tim Carrie, Jim Pound,Kim Pound, Fergo Burto, Jim Wilkes and Sylvia Kovak, allrepresenting CAW Canada9. Erin Rankin Nash and daughter Ali with Canadian TenorsRemigio Pereira, left, Fraser Walters and Victor Micallef

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ocksupportsolidBy Jackie WestelakenSt. Joseph’s welcomesdonors to CornerstoneSocietyS T. J O S E P H ’ SCORNERSTONES O C I E T Y54More than 700 individuals, corporations,foundations and community groups havebecome the first inductees into the St. Joseph’sCornerstone Society.The newly created society recognizes cumulativegiving by generous donors to St. Joseph’sHealth Care Foundation, including legacy giving.During a special event held in October, theCornerstone Society donor wall was unveiledat St. Joseph’s Hospital and inductees receiveda special lapel pin.The term “cornerstone” represents recognitionby St. Joseph’s of the vital role donorsplay in the organization’s ability to continuallygrow and meet the emerging needs anddemands within the health-care system.Cornerstone also references the major carefacilities that constitute St. Joseph’s: St. Joseph’sHospital, Parkwood Hospital, Mount HopeCentre for Long Term Care, Regional MentalHealth Care London and St. Thomas, andLawson Health Research Institute.“St. Joseph’s Cornerstone Society is our wayto honour our most generous donors,” says foundationpresident and CEO Michelle Campbell.“Members of Cornerstone Society have shownleadership in our community and an inspirationalcommitment to health care. We are truly grateful.”If you would like to learn more aboutSt. Joseph’s Cornerstone Society, please contactthe foundation at 519-646-6085.vim & vigour • spring 2009Paul Brisson, St. Joseph’s board member, left; Michelle Campbell, president and CEO ofSt. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation; and Jeff Macoun, foundation board chairSister Kateri (left) and Cliff Nordal, presidentand CEO, St. Joseph’s Health Care, LondonDonor Jim Thompson, left, and Dr. DonaldTaves, chief of radiology, St. Joseph’s HealthCare, London and radiologist with LondonX-Ray AssociatesMembers of St. Joseph’s CornerstoneSociety enjoy an intimate reception in thelobby of St. Joseph’s HospitalTwo donors admire the newly unveiledSt. Joseph’s Cornerstone Society donorwall at St. Joseph’s Hospital

By Jackie Westelakengiving with impactRewardingResearchGiving back by funding medicalinnovationToday’s medical miracles, even everyday treatments,are thanks to innovation, imaginationand, of course, medical research. Recently atParkwood Hospital, such research was given asignificant boost by long-time Parkwood supporters,Tom and Joanne Cowan. The newlyestablished Tom and Joanne Cowan Endowmentfor Care & Research Innovation at ParkwoodHospital will support clinical advancements andresearch that have direct benefits to patient care.For the Cowans, there wasn’t a single motivatingfactor for their generous gift; rather it wasa series of positive experiences that confirmedParkwood was the right place for them—a placeto leave their legacy.turning ideas into realityWhen Tom was in senior management at ColdSprings Farm, Parkwood was a beneficiary ofthe company’s corporate philanthropy. The hospital,part of St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, isalso where their nephew received rehabilitationafter a serious car accident, and its palliativecare program has provided compassionate careto friends’ loved ones.With the opening in 2006 of the innovativeAging, Rehabilitation & Geriatric Care ResearchCentre, Parkwood is also where like-mindedresearchers come together in one space to shareideas and create new synergies.The research centre appeals to the Cowans.“We’re in the farming business and manyof the things we do today were just ideas in aresearcher’s mind long before they becamepractical,” explains Tom. “We need to keepfunding people with the ideas. Not all of themwork, but some do. Yesterday’s dreams aretoday’s practical solutions.”Thanks to the Cowans’ outlook, clinical innovationand research at Parkwood have anothersource of sustainable funding.Tom and Joanne Cowan are helping fund future health care.Last fall, the couple added to the fund whentheir team placed second at a charity golf tournament.Participants could designate charitiesto receive the tournament’s proceeds and Tomand Joanne’s foursome chose Parkwood. Whenan article was published in the paper aboutParkwood, people called and e-mailed sayingthe hospital was a good choice, Joanne recalls.“It was wonderful to hear this support forParkwood. It has such a strong reputation inthe region.”learning along the wayAs the Cowans reflected on their own experiences,they remember being mentored throughthe years by many people who believed in them.Creating this new fund was a way to demonstratetheir belief in others, and faith in theresearchers and the countless patients who willbenefit. They also appreciate that Parkwood’sprograms support both urban and rural populations,providing services for the entire region.Creating the fund, Tom admits, has been agreat learning process. “We learned a lot aboutwhat goes into creating an endowed fund and welearned about the various needs of the hospital,which helped us set up the fund for research.We also came to realize anyone can make a legacygift, at any time.”You, too,can leavea legacyFor more informationon how to makea legacy gift, contactthe foundation at519-646-6085 orsjhcfoundation@sjhc.london.on.ca. govim & vigour · spring 2009 55

gifts for the futureBy Jackie WestelakenHopeful MessengerSt. Joseph’s hosts Archbishop Desmond Tutu, tireless crusader for justiceGrowing up in SouthAfrica, his childhooddream was to becomea doctor. Unable toafford medical school,he became a teacher. Butwhen the South Africangovernment introducedan inferior education systemfor blacks, he joinedthe priesthood, fulfillinghis passion for both healingand teaching.The inspirationalArchbishop Desmond Tutu is revered aroundthe world as a “moral voice” to end inequality,poverty and corruption. And on May 22, hisvoice will be heard in London when the NobelPrize winner takes the stage at the SignatureSpeaker Series hosted by St. Joseph’s HealthCare Foundation.“An Evening with Archbishop Desmond Tutu”is an extraordinary opportunity for people inthe region to hear the irrepressible, influentialand much-loved world figure speak about theresponsibility we all have to care for one another.In his presentation, Archbishop Tutu will talkabout the world’s most fragile populations,those suffering from HIV and AIDS in Africa,in Canada and here in Southwestern Ontario.❋ St. Joseph’s roleHIV/AIDS has reached epidemic proportions,with Sub-Saharan Africa the world’s worstaffected region. Canada’s numbers, meanwhile,continue to rise. Of the 33.2 million peoplearound the globe living with HIV, 58,000 arein Canada.Archbishop Desmond Tutu visits London in May.St. Joseph’s HealthCare, London is activelyinvolved in the battleagainst HIV/AIDS—bothat home and in Africa.St. Joseph’s infectiousdiseases care programtreats people with AIDSfrom across SouthwesternOntario. And at LawsonHealth Research Instituteat St. Joseph’s, Dr. GregorReid has become an internationalexpert for hiswork with yogurt-based probiotics to improvethe nutritional status and immune system ofpeople living with AIDS in Africa and globally.❋ caring for each other“The message of Archbishop Tutu is one of hopeand a powerful reminder to all of us of the role wemust play in the health of the global community,”says Michelle Campbell, president and CEO ofSt. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation. “As leadersin AIDS and other research that is helping peoplelive healthier lives, St. Joseph’s is thrilled to bringArchbishop Tutu and his important message toLondon. The opportunity for Londoners to seeand hear this global figure right in our communityis indeed a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”We cannot be human in isolation, believes theactivist, who became a household name for hisstand against apartheid. And with interconnectednesscomes a responsibility to care for eachother. “You are human only in relationships,”he said in an interview with actor Brad Pitt forVanity Fair, “because no human being is totallyself-sufficient.”getinvolvedThe 2009 SignatureSpeaker Series eventis an opportunityto hear ArchbishopTutu’s compellingmessage, and learnmore about theworld-class care andresearch taking placeacross St. Joseph’s andits impact far beyond.Proceeds will benefitThe Spirit ofSt. Joseph’s Fund tosupport the highestpriority needs ofpatients and residents.For ticket or sponsorshipinformation,visit www.signaturespeakerseries.com,call the foundationat 519-646-6085,or send an e-mail tosjhcfoundation@sjhc.london.on.ca.56vim & vigour • spring 2009

SPECIAL THANKS TOcommunities across Southwestern Ontariosince 1982. We have been fortunate to haveled the development of many of our arealandmark research and health care facilitiesthat we all often take for granted. At DGrantwe will continue to build strong communitieswith respect, SPONSORSexcellence and integrityOUR GENEROUSfor today and for the future.OF THE 2008 TRIBUTE DINNER www.dgrant.on.ca Baxter CorporationCIBC Wood GundyEllisDonGordon Electric LimitedHarrison PensaLerners LLPLondon Hospital Linen ServiceMotion Specialties LondonSodexhoSpriet Family CompaniesTrudell Medical Group of Companies BMO Nesbitt BurnsBill Blaney Insurance Brokers Ltd.Callon Dietz Inc.Cohen HighleyDavis Martindale LLPAccountants With PersonalityGamma Dynacare Medical LaboratoriesHastings And Aziz LimitedJohnson Controls LimitedKey ContactLamplighter Inns (London) LimitedMcCormick CanadaProtek SystemsState Farm InsuranceTerry Zavitz Insurance Inc. Angie DifrusciaDelta London ArmouriesJohn Labatt CentreKathy LongoProceeds from the 2008 Tribute Dinner supported The Spirit of St. Joseph’s Health CareFund – a fund created to enable the Foundation to respond to urgent requests for funding and tosupport the highest priority needs essential to the lives of our patients and residents.

St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation268 Grosvenor StreetLondon, ONN6A 4V2Please return Canadian Addresses to above address2” AREA FOR PRINTINGOF MAILING INFOST. JOSEPH’S HEALTH CARE, LONDON WELCOMES“My first hope was to bea doctor, but fate chose adifferent path to healing.”The message of Archbishop Desmond Tutu is one ofhope and a powerful reminder to all of us of the role wemust play in the health of the global community. To hearfrom, and be inspired by, this irrepressible and influentialworld figure is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.For ticket information:519.646.6085 | signaturespeakerseries.caThe St. Joseph’s Signature Speaker Series is a forumwhere international leaders address specific issuesrelated to the provision of health care services andthe overall well being of our global community.