Hey there E-Connecters,

Our biweekly newsletter is back today bringing you stories about Our Patients, Our People, and Our Identity. Read on to hear how you can get involved in improving the accessibility of our campus and the services we offer, how Our People are fighting the winter germs by taking proactive measures, and a thrilling milestone anniversary celebration we want you to be a part of!

Until next time...
Maciah
JANUARY 21, 2020
Accessibility Advisory Committee - Accepting Applications for members
In fulfilling the Mission of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, we are committed to providing an accessible environment to all who come through our doors, seek and use our services, and access our information.

As a public healthcare organization in Ontario, we respect the standards and regulations set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
It is important to us to provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for everyone. We acknowledge that this is a shared responsibility.

This Statement of Commitment is our promise to listen, ask, learn, and invite the community we serve into the conversation. We will act in good faith to make accessibility a reality for all.
 
The above Statement of Committment was developed by our Accessibility Working Group at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. We are thrilled to share that this Working Group is being transitioned into the Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Ask yourself, does the above Statement of Commitment to Accessibility speak to you? Are you interested in exploring the opportunity to be a volunteer committee member? If yes, we would love to hear from you.

The Accessibility Advisory Committee at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is currently recruiting volunteer members to join the Committee.

We are seeking:
  • Community members who have either been a patient or a family member/caregiver for a patient with lived experience who have received care at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. This can include services received as either an inpatient or out-patient.
  • Representative(s) from community organizations in Windsor-Essex serving and advocating on behalf of persons living with disabilities.
  • Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare staff members with lived experience or who have experience supporting persons living with disabilities.

This is a volunteer committee. Members must be able to commit to meeting three (3) times per year (excluding December, July, and August) for up to two (2) hours per meeting. Once recruitment of new members is complete, the Committee will decide on a mutually agreeable meeting schedule of dates and times.

If you are interested in serving on the Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Accessibility Advisory Committee, please complete the attached application and submit it to Sonya Vani, Chairperson, Accessibility Advisory Committee at [email protected] by Friday, February 14, 2020 .

Interested applicants will be invited to participate in a short interview with Sonya, Judy Wyllie, Past Chairperson, and a representative from the Mission Achievement Team at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare - the Team the Accessibility Advisory Committee reports to .

We invite you to learn more about accessibility at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare by reviewing the HDGH Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (2019-2022) posted under the tab, Patient Information, Your Experience Matters, Accessibility.

If you have further questions about this opportunity, feel free to contact us:
Sonya Vani [email protected]
Judy Wyllie [email protected]
Telephone 519-257-5111 
Offering Family to Family Support
Over the next six months, our Regional Children's Centre Family Engagement Council wants you to feel supported by fellow families and common the challenges we all face when raising a child with mental health challenges.

Hosted at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's Regional Children's Centre's Glengarda Building at 3896 Connaught, the Family to Family Support Group sessions will be returning on February 11th at 6:00 p.m.

to learn more about our Regional Children's Centre Family Engagement Council.
Ontario Health Card switch
As of July 1, 2020, red and white health cards will no longer be accepted for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) services. As an organization funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare must adhere to this change and all patients must present a government issued photo health card when accessing services.

A photo health card can be easily obtained for free at Service Ontario.

For more information, visit www.ontario.ca/page/switch-photo-health-card
Protecting against Influenza
Typical for this time of year, Windsor-Essex continues to maneuver through the yearly influenza season with a number of lab confirmed cases.

At Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, a number of proactive measures have been taken to ensure Our Patients and Our People remain healthy.

Beginning in October is our annual Influenza Vaccination Campaign where all staff, physicians, volunteers, and contract workers have the opportunity to receive their influenza vaccine, usually in the comfort of their own work space thanks to our travelling "Flu Bugs" from our Employee Health Office who provide the shot.

Additionally our Infection Prevention and Control team routinely educate our staff in both the inpatient and outpatient areas to ensure they are trained to identify a patient that is exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness and the steps to prevent the spread of influenza.
 
We are proud to say that again these year, we have seen impressive numbers of Our People at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare receive their influenza vaccine, 52% to be exact. We must applaud all of our staff, physicians, volunteers, and contract workers for their dedication to keeping themselves, our patients, and our community healthy.
 
Remember, as community members, individuals can help protect themselves and those around them against influenza. These methods include: getting the influenza vaccination, sanitizing or washing hands often, and coughing and sneezing into sleeves or elbows. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of influenza and ensure that you stay home when feeling sick.
Nominated for: Professional of the Year
At a reception and press event last week, the nominations for the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce's Business Excellence Awards were announced.

We would like to officially congratulate our President & CEO  J anice Kaffer on her much deserved nomination for Professional of the Year for the 2020 Business Excellence Awards!

Stay tuned for the Business Excellence Awards event on May 21st to learn more.
You are gracefully invited
The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Salvation Army Grace Hospital in Windsor.

As Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, we are proud to carry the Grace name now and into the future.

Join us on February 8th for an open house event to celebrate 100 incredible years and to purchase your copy of Amazing Grace, the story of Grace Hospital written by Marty Gervais.

Please call 519.257.5195 to RSVP.