Hello E-Connecters!
Today's edition of E-Connect is sure to make you smile from ear to ear as we celebrate Our People and the incredible things they do. From working hard to create a positive experience for our patients and clients, to facing life impacting journeys of their own, and to going above and beyond to raise funds for needed programs in our community, we hope these stories will inspire you!
All the best,
Maciah
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Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare celebrates Patient Experience Week
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Annually, Patient Experience Week is recognized at the end of April to bring awareness and to celebrate the importance of providing all patients and clients with high quality care and a positive care experience.
Throughout Patient Experience Week 2019, which took place from April 22nd to 26th, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare shared how our patient and client experience is influenced and improved.
Our robust
Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC)
, an active group who, supported by our Patient Advocate,
truly shape the work we do at our organization. PFAC is an important resource, involved with leaders to review areas of opportunity and offer ideas on the best way to move forward with changes that affect the patient experience.
Additionally, a unique way Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is enhancing the patient experience for current and future patients is through our Real-Time Patient Experience Surveys, a facet of our excellence in patient care. These surveys are aimed at improving the quality of care patients receive.
This work is carried out by two Quality Improvement Advocates, Sue Garbula and Norma Mamaril, along with Patient Advisors from PFAC, who administer admission and discharge surveys to patients.
These real-time surveys increased the response rate from 30-60%, targeted 62% of all new admissions within 72 hours, and resulted in actionable insights like the creation of the "Welcome Packages" for clients, which includes necessary information for their stay.
Please watch a video on Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's Patient Experience Surveys above.
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Trim your sails, hoist the anchor, and make waves!
As of May 1
st
, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare’s Certified Rehab Assistant Ali Radomsky is setting sail on a great life adventure that many of us could only dream about.
Always an avid traveller, Ali was looking for an inexpensive and freeing way to travel that wouldn’t feel rushed. And so, after one and a half years of planning, Ali, her boyfriend Jake, and their cat Leonardo are ready to hit the open water on their 1969 Alberg 37, Aoife.
A naturally creative person, Ali knew she was missing something in her everyday life, feeling as if she needed something more to feed her soul.
Having sold or donated nearly all of her belongings – everything she owns now fits inside three totes and two guitar cases – it is her hope that this trip will allow her to reconnect with the most basic lifestyle of humans and herself.
“I know that I need this trip in order to be able to fine-tune back to my true self, which will help me become an ever better healthcare provider,” Ali explains.
Starting by heading out through the Great Lakes to the Saint Lawrence river to North America's East Coast; down to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, and really, wherever else the wind takes them, Ali and Jake are eager to learn about the many different cultures and customs throughout our world.
Over the past few weeks the final touches have gone into planning their year-long voyage, including documents, books, navigation systems, food, and a ukulele. In addition to these necessary items, Ali and Jake plan to document and share their journey with those back home. You can stay caught up on their adventure by reading
Ali’s blog
, following them on Instagram (@sv.aoife), liking them on
Facebook
, or watching their videos on YouTube (beginning in July/August).
Though Ali is sad that she will miss life and events back home, she is eager to break away from the day-to-day and truly find herself out on the open sea.
Safe travels, Ali, Jake, and Leonardo!
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Battling Multiple Sclerosis: One step at a time
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It was nearly a decade ago that Rob Cusinato began experiencing symptoms of a life-limiting illness. With small inconveniences, Rob could push through and lead his normal, active lifestyle. It wasn’t until around 2014 that things began to progress. Everyday living became more difficult, activities he loved had to be given up, and how his worked had to be modified.
It was January 2016 when Rob was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). His journey since has been a rollercoaster of emotions and physical changes.
Today, though Rob walks with an assistive device, his spirits are positive as he continues to help others as a Physical Therapist for Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare’s Outpatient and Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs.
He explains the challenges he faces, both physically and emotionally, while working in these programs as he provides therapy for patients battling the same disease, many more advanced than his own. But Rob seems to be able to find the silver lining in most situations, saying how he has been pushed and feels motivated by his patients and their efforts, and in turn, they are pushed and motivated by him.
His coworkers have also had a huge impact on his journey saying, “Without the support of my coworkers and everyone here at HDGH, I’d probably be at home. They’ve helped me be able to stay working, which is what I want to be doing. I receive assistance and support when I least expect it. This makes me proud to be human.”
Each year, Rob and those closest to him take part and promote
Windsor’s MS Walk
. Over the past two year’s Team Cusi has raised the most funds for the event, with the biggest team the past three years.
This year’s walk takes place on Sunday, May 5
th
. Though his disease prevents him from walking himself (he hopes to ride his bike), Rob would like to invite all those interested to join Team Cusi and walk for a great cause. Financial contributions to
Team Cusi on the Mandarin MS Walk Windsor
and the MS Society of Canada are also welcomed.
There is no doubt Rob is passionate about making a difference when it comes to MS saying, “I owe it to the disease to be an advocate for the disease, and more importantly, an advocate for the people living with the disease. That’s why this walk is so important.”
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Dr. Kristina Levang (front, left) surrounded by friends and colleagues from
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare.
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Schulich Awards of Excellence recognizes two
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare physicians
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Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare joined numerous physicians and healthcare workers at the 2019 Schulich Awards of Excellence, held on Tuesday, April 9th at St. Clair Centre for the Arts.
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare would like to formally congratulate two of our physicians that were recipients of awards: Dr. Kristina Levang, took home the Educators' Award of Excellence in Medical Education and Dr. Nicole Freeman won Windsor Family Medicine and Faculty of the Year Awards.
Dr. Kristina Levang is our Clinical Lead, Mental Health Outpatients and works in the Concurrent Disorders Program, Withdrawal Management Program, as well as at the General Psychiatry Clinic operated out of our Crisis and Mental Wellness Centre.
Dr. Nicole Freeman works in the Palliative Care Program as one of our inpatient physicians.
Congratulations doctors Levang and Freeman!
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A million reasons to celebrate: Bob Probert Ride launches 9th year with milestone announcement
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2019 marks the 9th year of the Bob Probert Ride and this year's ride promises to be even better with an additional level of excitement and pride! At today's launch, the Probert family was joined by friends, family and staff of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare to announce that heading into Ride #9, funds raised to date have officially surpassed the $1 million mark! With sights set on achieving this milestone by year 10, the Probert team is beyond thrilled to be ahead of schedule and to continue to raise significant funds for Cardiac Services in Windsor-Essex.
"Each year I get the chance to thank all of the amazing supporters, sponsors, and volunteers involved in our Dad's ride. Without you this Ride would not be a success, to the tune of over $1 million!" said Tierney, one of Bob's daughters. "As they like to say at Hôtel-Dieu Grace...we truly are changing lives together. They say it because it's true - each of you have made a big difference in the quality of care and recovery services available to those dealing with cardiac-related health issues."
Also announced at today's launch was this year's Ride Captains. Leading the field of over 1,200 participants will be two hometown boys, Edmonton Oiler, Zack Kassian and Darren 'Bruiser' Banks. Both of these Ride Captains join an impressive list of past captains including: Chris Chelios, Sheldon Kennedy, Tony Amonte, Jacqui MacInnes-Wood, Darren McCarty, Ryan Vandenbusche, Dave Hutchison, Scott Parker, and Meltdown.
As always, the Ride will support local Cardiac Wellness programs, specifically the development of expanded Cardiac Services at a satellite location in the revamped Tecumseh Sportsplex. "We are very excited that the plan of opening a third satellite location in the Tecumseh area in the near future will help us reach a greater number of people in our community," said Bill Marra, Vice President External Affairs and Executive Director of the Changing Lives Together Foundation.
Due to the incredible success and positive response from last year, this year's Ride will once again include stops at the Fort Fun Centre, Colchester Bar and Grill, Wolfhead Distillery, and returns to the final stop at the Ciociaro Club where riders and their passengers will be able to enjoy refreshments and purchase food. The Ride takes place on Sunday, June 23rd. Registration and online donations are now open at
www.probertride.com
.
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Changing lives at the 2019 Charity Golf Classic
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Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's Changing Lives Together Foundation is once again teaming up with In Honour of the Ones We Love Inc. for the 2019 Charity Golf Classic.
Taking place on June 17th, the event will include a shotgun start, Texas Scramble and a delicious dinner at Essex Golf & Country Club.
Contact
Linda D'Aloisio
ext. 76922 to learn more information on sponsorship opportunities or to buy tickets.
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