July 9, 2019
Welcome to E-Connect
E-Connect is here!

We are back with another filled edition of E-Connect, sharing great things happening at HDGH.

Today, read about a special performance from some of our patients, a feature on our Team of the Year, and special international acknowledgement.

Until next time...
Maciah
Our Patients
When I get older, I will be stronger
For the patients receiving care through Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare’s Geriatric Assessment Program (GAP), growing older does not mean becoming weaker. In fact, the opposite is true.

This impressive group of men and women showcased just how strong they’re becoming at a special performance held just before Canada Day.

Since April 5 th , weekly exercise classes have been held for patients of GAP. The goal of the classes is for patients to gain confidence to continue to be an active participant in life. Patients worked on a number of exercises including cardiovascular endurance, balance, strength, range-of-motion, stretching, posture, and proper breathing techniques.

Over the past few weeks and as the number of participants has grown, Louise Arpin, Occupational Therapist and Katie Martin, Exercise Specialist, started incorporating music into the work outs.

“Music helps to initiate movement, helps with rhythm, timing, and coordination. It helps attention and memorizing movement patterns, lifts mood, and makes learning fun and enjoyable!” Louise says.

On Friday, June 28 th , donned in Canada-themed gear, the group of patients showcased what they have learned and accomplished. In front of dozens of family members, friends, and staff, the patients performed their exercise dance routine to the song Wavin’ Flag by K’NAAN.

The chorus of the song says, “When I get older, I will be stronger. They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin’ flag.” A fitting message for both Canada Day and the GAP program.

Pride exuded from the patients as the song ended and they waved their miniature Canadian flags, standing strong together, showing that no matter your age, strength can be achieved.
Transforming into Butterflies
To make a wish come true, whisper it to a butterfly. Upon these wings it will be granted, for they are the messengers of the Great Spirit. 1

For many, butterflies are a symbol of peace, happiness, and reminders of loved ones who have passed on.

At our Regional Children’s Centre, a small kaleidoscope of butterflies brought wonder, growth, and new learnings to the children in our care.

It was back in May that children with RCC’s Intensive Treatment Day program began learning about the magic of metamorphosis. Over a dozen caterpillars were brought into each classroom at the Glengarda Building where children could watch and learn about the tiny insect’s transformation.

Over the next few weeks, the classes cared for the caterpillars, which turned into chrysalis, and eventually, beautiful, vibrant butterflies. Alas, they were ready to be set free.

All classes gathered together outside, and after a special blessing on the butterflies from Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare’s Spiritual Care Chaplains, their enclosures were opened and we watched in awe as the butterflies took flight.

We like to view the journey of the children in our care as one that can be synonymous with that of these butterflies. These children come to us small and fragile, it is our goal and hope that by the end of their journey with us, they have transformed into beautiful individuals with strong wings that will carry them into a successful future that is filled with possibilities.

1 A Native American Legend.
Youth in Partnerships celebrates film making
To encourage local youth to express their creativity while learning about and sharing information on local mental health services, our community's Youth in Partnership (YiP) hosted a video contest in the fall of 2018. Youth were asked to create a short video on how they keep themselves mentally healthy.

YiP is a group comprised of youth and adults working in partnership to engage youth in mental health services in Windsor-Essex. The program is made possible by partnering organizations, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Children First, Family Respite Services, and Maryvale.

We would like to congratulate Lucas Diano as winner of the YiP Video Contest. This contest couldn't be more fitting for Lucas has he keeps himself mentally healthy through cinematic therapy; move over Stephen Spielberg, you have some competition with this budding filmmaker! Thank you to our Changing Lives Together Foundation who gifted Lucas' prize of $500' Lucas also received a $50 Cineplex gift card.

Special shout out to the 2nd Place Winner Nick Bavetta and 3rd Place Winner Jacob OBrien.
Our People
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's 2019 Team of the Year:
Rehabilitation Outreach Team
Last week we celebrated our Team of the Year, Rehabilitation Outreach Team.

The Rehab Outreach Team at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare provides a personalized approach to supporting stroke survivors and their families in their community as they continue their rehab journey. The team consists of skilled healthcare professionals including a Registered Nurse, Physiotherapist, Certified Rehab Assistants, Occupational Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist, and Social Worker.

At our 2019 Celebration of Service event held in May, the Rehab Outreach Team was awarded Team of the Year due to their tremendous dedication and passion to changing the lives of the patients in their care.

Their award nomination, submitted by team members and program secretary, included numerous “In Praise of Our People” cards – which encourage patients and families to write thank you notes to their healthcare team.

Patients and their families wrote kind messages such as, “Out of 100, everyone was 100,” and “Unforgettable in our hearts.”

A few went on to express the impact the team had on their lives.

“When you arrived, you lifted my spirits and made me look forward to the rest of the day.”

“You all have been so kind to me and made me stronger. It was a pleasure to work with all of you…made my days a little brighter.”

What makes the Rehab Outreach program at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare so impactful and valued is that care is provided by this skilled team to patients in the comfort of their own home, in their unique environment.

“This program is about the functionality of care,” explains Rosie Pipitone-Middleton, Coordinator of the Rehab Outreach Team. “Our team is helping patients cook meals in their own kitchens, create beauty in their own gardens. Whatever their goals may be, our team is able to help them achieve it right where it will be fulfilled.”

Joe Karb, VP of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare’s Restorative Care programs joined the celebration last week and shared words of encouragement with the group. “This program is so unique. In outpatient rehab, we are always simulating the real world and the real environment that a patient lives in. Through Rehab Outreach, the patient is truly learning how to manage and recover in their real world, the space they live in, move in every day.”

On behalf of all of us at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, thank you Rehab Outreach for the important work that you do. Congratulations to our Team of the Year!
Smashing the competition at the Windsor Corporate Challenge
Again this year, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's People are showing their willingness to support our community.

For the past four years, our Stigma Smashers - a team that originated from motivated staff from our Toldo Neurobehavioural Institute (TNI) - have taken on the Windsor Corporate Challenge to raise funds for local charity.

This year, the event, which took place on June 15th, donated over $239,000 to the Fight Like Mason Foundation.

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's Stigma Smashers were among the top fundraisers again this year, collecting $8,760, making them the 2nd place Top Team Fundraiser.

Additionally, Audrey Abenes-Jouni, RPN with Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's TNI was the top individual fundraiser bringing in $3,681!

Way to go team!
Our Identity
Local Mobile Outreach and Support Team (MOST) receives permanent funding; reports on impact to date
Windsor-Essex received good news Tuesday as partner organizations involved in launching the community's Mobile Outreach and Support Team (MOST) announced that the team has received permanent funding to continue their work in supporting those facing homelessness as well as mental health and addictions issues.

The Ministry of Health through the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network (ESC LHIN) has committed to continuing MOST and will work with the partnered organizations to finalize details over the next few months.

"MOST has been a step forward in continuing to address the mental health and addictions supports offered in Windsor-Essex," said City of Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens at Tuesday's press conference. "MOST has filled gaps by providing services during off-hours and continues to show what can be accomplished through partnership - a direction both our City and current provincial health system is strongly committed to."

Intended to be a demonstration project that began in January of this year, MOST was the product of collaborative problem solving by Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), Family Services Windsor-Essex (FSWE), Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor Essex County Branch (CMHA WECB), Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) and the City of Windsor responding to the local homelessness as well as the mental health and addiction needs in downtown Windsor. The initial team has been comprised of a social worker, outreach worker and personal support worker who travel to downtown and west-end locations five evenings a week connecting with this vulnerable population.

"Working on the MOST Van has been a seamless transition and extension of outreach services. It has provided us with the ability to connect with individuals after hours that outreach may not have been able to connect with during regular 830-430 work hours," said MOST outreach worker Adrienne Payne. "We are really building that sense of comfort and trust in the community - that is truly the purpose of this initiative and I'm thankful we can continue to build upon that."

In a three-month report dating from its launch on January 31st to April 30th, the team had recorded 849 visits. Of these visits, 94% were given supplies and 57% were supported referrals. Seventy-four per cent of these visits were from men. Although MOST will continue past its initial July 31st demonstration end- date, HDGH's Research and Evaluation Team will complete its commitment to a final 6-month evaluation report, expected to be completed this fall.

The team's most heartfelt comments came from a young woman who herself now lives in recovery from years struggling with homelessness and mental health and addiction related issues.

While not a client of MOST, Breanna Pomeroy (pictured above), stood proudly at Tuesday's announcement, keeping a steady gaze on her two-month old daughter as a reminder of her changed life.

"I was once among the vulnerable members of our community that MOST currently helps. Today, I am working on my recovery," said Pomeroy smiling. "MOST is doing an amazing job at implementing a productive approach. It is very important that our at-risk community see members of support teams and peers coming to them, rather than having to always seek out the help."

The MOST funding announcement comes at the same time as the Windsor Essex Community Health Centre announces plans to launch its mobile medical clinic. Partners will continue to work together to ensure services are jointly coordinated and do not overlap.
A Canadian profile on Leadership in Creating Partnerships with patients and families
On Thursday, June 27, 2019, the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care (IPFCC) hosted a webinar focusing on "The Role of Leaders in Advancing Patient- and Family-Centered Practice." The IPFCC is American based and its mission is to advance the understanding and practice of patient- and family-centered care. In partnership with patients, families, and healthcare professionals, IPFCC seeks to integrate these concepts into all aspects of healthcare. 

Individuals from all across the world learned about how the role of senior leaders in healthcare organizations are key to advancing the practice of patient- and family-centered care and how they can improve the patient experience, staff and clinician work experience, quality, safety, and create a culture of high reliability. 

During this webinar, presenter and IPFCC President and CEO Beverley H. Johnson referenced the work Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) has been doing on this front. Referenced as a "Canadian Profile on Leadership in Creating Partnerships with Patients and Families", Johnson walked participants through the work that members of HDGH's Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) have been doing to advance the patient, client and family voice at HDGH. 

"The commitment of HDGH senior leadership over the last five years to create opportunities for patient and family advisors to share their insights and perspectives in developing new systems of care and in quality improvement endeavors is impressive and will inspire others," said Johnson.
The webinar highlighted the role that HDGH's PFAC members play within HDGH, acknowledging that the group has a representative sitting on the HDGH Board of Directors. Today the council is heavily involved in many HDGH projects including participating in HDGH's most recent Accreditation, conducting policy reviews and has even begun fundraising for the hospital benevolent fund. Members of PFAC are also involved in conducting real time surveys with patients, reviewing patient brochures, and reviewing quality improvement indicators. 

"To see that the work of our PFAC committee is getting international attention is an absolute pleasure. Members of our PFAC volunteer their time to help us improve the quality of care we deliver to our patients, clients and their families. I am so proud of the work that they do and would like to thank each and every one of them for their countless hours to this work." explained Janice Kaffer, President and CEO. 

To learn more about HDGH's PFAC committee or to become a member please visit:  www.hdgh.org/pfac .  
Clothing Sale at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Gift Shops
Beginning today, July 9th, until Saturday, July 13th, stop by both Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare gift shops for an exclusive clothing sale.

Clothing will be 50% off - exclusions include bed jackets, pajamas, and sleepwear.

No holds, no layaways, no extra discounts apply.

Be sure to stop by!
Call for Application; Changing Lives Together Foundation seeking new members
The Changing Lives Together Foundation (CLTF) is seeking new board members. CLTF is responsible for raising much needed funds for HDGH.

Its Board is responsible for overseeing the activities of the Foundation, and administer funds entrusted to them, ensuring it is done both ethically and in a transparent manner.

For those interested in becoming a Director, please complete an application form and submit with a resume to the Governance Coordinator at [email protected] by July 19, 2019.



Watching Glory Die: A life taken unjustly
This July, the Windsor Feminist Theater and Kelly Daniels invites you to experience the shocking and true story of teenager, Ashley Smith, who - after five years of being misdiagnosed, and mistreated, hallucinating away in ‘therapeutic quiet’ - died by suicide in her prison cell.

Opening night of the play, entitled Watching Glory Die, will welcome a panel of industry experts, including Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's Colleen Bruner-Pelletier, Operations Manager of Community Crisis Centre, for a pre-show Question and Answer panel.

The Opening Night Gala will be held on July 23rd beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for Opening Night can be purchased by emailing [email protected] . View more details on Facebook .

The play will run until July 27th. General Admission tickets can be purchased for $20 through eventbrite .
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