Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Sunnybrook Volunteer—December 2010, Page 1
Sunnybrook Remembers…Each year, a group of four AT6 North American Harvard aircraft fly over Sunnybrook on November 11 at 11:15 a.m. in a tribute to our Veterans. They come north following their annual flypast at City Hall. The aircraft perform three passes over the hospital. The final pass is the “Missing Man Manoeuvre” which honours the comrade who did not return. Photos by John Lang
In the September issue of The Sunnybrook Volunteer, we published articles by Bill Toyne and Stacey McIndless describing the history of the Joy of Life ceiling tiles at Sunnybrook and the opportunity for individuals to sponsor these wonderful additions to the hospital environment.
It is a great way of supporting the Volunteer Association’s drive to raise funds for important hospital projects.
Sponsoring a tile is an easy way to gain personal satisfaction and associate your name with a project that brings joy and comfort to so many of Sunnybrook’s patients and visitors.
Simply contact the SVA office at
Would Sponsoring a Ceiling Tile Bring Joy to Your Life?
[email protected] or call416-480-6100 Ext 81460 to obtain a brochure and details on the sponsorship process.
You can also arrange to view the Ceiling Tiles Photo Catalogue kept in the SVA office to help in selecting a tile.
Tile sponsorships start at $100 and include a plaque adjacent to the tile identifying the sponsor and a dedication if the sponsor desires it.
This is a great time of year to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity—do it today and then ask a friend to be a sponsor as well!
������������������������������������������������������
The Sunnybrook Volunteer—December 2010, Page 2
A Message from…
Esther McKinnonPresident, Sunnybrook Volunteer Association
It is hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us. My time so far as president has been quite busy, but tremendously rewarding.
On Sept. 12, the babies arrived at Sunnybrook and I had the joy of participating in the move day activities. The clockwork precision with which the move was executed was amazing. As you walk through the halls it is so nice to see the expectant moms, the new moms and the babies. Another chapter in Sunnybrook’s history has begun.
On Nov. 5, Dianne Fuller, our Gift Shop manager, retired. She will be greatly missed. Dianne was our first shop manager. During her more than 12 years at Sunnybrook, she created a world class gift shop. I would like to thank Dianne and wish her well in her new endeavours. I am also very pleased to welcome Amy Walback as our new shop manager, starting in December. Amy brings a wealth of experience to the position and will be a great support for the Gift Shop team as they further the success of the shop in these challenging times.
I had the pleasure of attending the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario’s Provincial Life Member award ceremony on Nov. 9. I am delighted to report that Barbara Hunt was named our 2010 Provincial Life member. Barbara has been a Sunnybrook volunteer for more than 17 years in the Gift Shop. She is also a past president of the Board
and was the convenor in the Gift Shop for eight years. Since 2009, Barbara has been a member of the Nominating Committee. Her leadership and spirit of volunteerism make us all proud.
On Nov. 11, I had the honour of representing the SVA Board and all the volunteers at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Veterans Hall. As part of the ceremony I laid a wreath on behalf of the Sunnybrook Volunteers. It was such a beautiful service filled with many emotions including pride and gratitude for our veterans.
With the help of all of the members of the SVA Board, we have had a wonderfully successful year with many new developments in our office, our fundraising activities and our social events. Our seasonal card sales and art sales continue to do well, there is great enthusiasm being brought to the ceiling tiles project by Stan Tully and his group, and with the leadership of Dan Christante and John McKinnon we saw a wonderful new and innovative Vendors Fair and Raffle. Next year promises to be even better.
As 2010 comes to a close, I would like to thank each of you for all of your hard work and commitment throughout the year. May you and your families enjoy all the best of health and happiness in 2011.
Esther McKinnon
Have You Bought Your Greeting Cards Yet?
Just a reminder: you still have time to pick up some of the Association’s wonderful Seasonal Greeting Cards to send to family and friends before year end.
The cards come in packets of 10 individual scenes with envelopes. They are available for $10 per pack including taxes at the Gift Shop or by contacting the SVA office at [email protected] 416-480-4132.
The Sunnybrook Volunteer—December 2010, Page 3
A Message from…
Katherine AlexopoulosDirector, Volunteer Resources
Education Mobile Cart service, which will begin in the New Year.
Our Emergency Department volunteers have been involved in a hospital initiative aimed at
preventing delirium (confusion and its complications) in elderly patients who are in Emergency waiting for admission. Volunteers work in a collaborative process under direction of staff to provide non-clinical, but meaningful, interventions. Activities include spending time with patents, taking them for walks and ensuring those who are allowed to, eat and drink regularly. In the short time this process has been in place, there has been a marked decrease in occurrences of delirium, hopefully reducing medical complications and overall length of patient stay.
On Nov. 22, Sunnybrook was awarded a Ministry of Education Employer Champion award for the role the hospital plays in “experiential learning” through our partnership with the Toronto District School Board on Co-operative Education assignments for secondary school students. Thank you to Dinah Rosen, our on-site Co-op Program leader for the great work she does on this program. Sunnybrook also received a “Passport to Prosperity Designation” from the Ministry for its initiatives to provide students with opportunities for future career exploration – our Co-op program, Student Volunteer Program and Career Fair.
On behalf of Volunteer Resources, best wishes for the holidays and a healthy, happy New Year! We look forward to your continued commitment and support. Thank you for the wonderful contributions you make each and every day.
This fall has been an extremely busy time at Sunnybrook with increased activity from the Women & Babies Program, preparation for Accreditation and, most notably, the hospital operating at more than 100 per cent capacity. Our very high occupancy levels have a range of impacts, including more patients than we have space for, longer wait times in the Emergency Department, less bed availability on units and the list goes on. The hospital has various initiatives underway to address these issues but, for volunteers, the main message continues to be to do whatever you can to be helpful to patients and visitors. A kind word goes a long way.
One change that has taken place to help address occupancy levels is the opening of eight more palliative care beds on the Palliative Care unit (K1 East) in the Veterans Centre. As a result, there will be a need for additional volunteers trained in palliative care visiting.
As flu season is upon us, we remind you to follow the Healthy Workplace Policy. Please refrain from coming in when you are ill and wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer. To help protect our veteran residents from illness and outbreaks on units, door screening has been implemented upon entry to the Veterans Centre at Hees Wing (L Wing). All who enter will be asked whether they, or people they live with, have any symptoms of illness. Volunteers should identify themselves and have photo ID available.
Volunteer Resources has been busy with a number of new programs:
• Our Hospital Orientation Support Team (HOST) volunteers have been deployed in busy areas and at entrances to the hospital as a complement to our Greeter Stations to provide directions and, as needed, walk people to their destinations.
• We have three new clinic roles – two in the Women & Babies Program in the M4 Obstetrical Clinic, which sees women with high-risk pregnancies, and in the Uro-Gyne Clinic on B7. The Colposcopy Clinic is also looking for volunteers.
• In the Odette Cancer Centre, the Lunch Program, the Canadian Cancer Society’s project of providing soup to patients having chemotherapy, is in full swing after a successful pilot during the summer. In addition, plans are underway for a Patient
Seasonal Greeting Cards, at $10 per pack, are available in the Gift Shop or the SVA office.
Katherine Alexopoulos
The Sunnybrook Volunteer—December 2010, Page 4
On Oct. 1 the SVA held a very well attended Vendors Fair in the McLaughlin Auditorium with up to 40 vendors participating along with the SVA’s Greenthumbs plant sales, ceiling tiles sales, coffee and card sales and a raffle. The event was a huge success netting the SVA over $5,000 for this inaugural event.
Winners in the raffle included Mairi Anna Bachynsky from Stakeholder Relations who won an I Pod docking entertainment system donated by Philips of Canada,
Albert Shum, who won a Sanicare electric tooth brush and sanitizer also donated by Philips and Stan Tully who won a $150 gift certificate for dinner at the ROM donated by Compass who manage Vaughan and McLean House.
Thanks to Dan Christante, John McKinnon and everyone else who worked to put this event together – it is a great addition to the SVA’s fund raising portfolio. Next year’s Vendors Fair will be on Friday, Oct. 7.
Vendors Fair a Big Success
The Sunnybrook Volunteer—December 2010, Page 5
Newborn Christmas Stocking TraditionContinues at Sunnybrook
By Joan Willingham
“Isn’t giving what Christmas is all about?” That is what George Smith, a 93-year-old veteran, asked me when I visited the Art Therapy room in L Wing to find out about the Christmas stockings veterans are decorating for babies born at Sunnybrook. The Art Therapy room is bright and airy and filled with everything a crafter could wish for, including papers, paint, ribbons, tools, Styrofoam, the list goes on. During my visit I met Stephanie, a co-op student, who was putting the finishing touches to a spooky Halloween decoration and Lorrie Clarke, who has been running the Art Therapy program for more than 20 years. Warm and friendly, Lorrie clearly loves her job and she introduced me to George, one of the veterans in her program.
George, who has lived in Sunnybrook’s Veterans Centre for eight years, has a twinkle in his eye and loves to philosophize. He also designs jewellery which is sold in the Artisan Market where he used to volunteer. It was his idea to place a poppy near the top of each stocking as a reminder of where the stocking was made. George believes, “the greatest gift of all is the ability to give” and this is a wonderful way for
The Sunnybrook Volunteer Association has announced a change in the Manager’s position at the M Wing gift shop reflecting Dianne Fuller’s recent decision to retire and the subsequent appointment of Amy Walback as her replacement.
Dianne elected to retire on Nov. 5 after almost 13 years of service as the SVA’s first full-time Gift Shop Manager. During that period she transformed the gift shop into one of the best regarded gift shops in the hospital world. Of particular note, leading a team of about 60 volunteers, Diane brought the Gift Shop through recent very difficult economic times with a continuing record of outpacing the
Gift Shop Sees Change in Leadership
some veterans to give back.
Lorrie agrees with George about how much the veterans are enjoying decorating these Christmas stockings. Each stocking is made of red felt and decorated by a veteran in a design of his or her choosing. They decorate some with snowmen, fir trees and reindeer and others with stars or angels.
Giving a stocking to each baby was a long-standing tradition of the Women’s College Hospital Association of Volunteers and one that the Sunnybrook Volunteer Association believed was important to continue. This project began in August and by December there will be 80 Christmas Stockings for our Women & Babies Program.
Each stocking will have a tag sewn inside stating that it was decorated by a Sunnybrook Veteran. One will be placed on the isolette or crib of each baby
in Sunnybrook on Christmas morning. This tradition is a lovely way to connect Sunnybrook’s past, present and future while presenting families with a keepsake they can treasure for years to come.
general retail industry. Her diligent development of the Gift Shop’s potential leaves a strong legacy.
Amy Walback comes to the gift shop position with almost 20 years of retailing experience. She was most recently Gift Shop Manager at York Central Hospital where she served for seven years. Amy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wilfred Laurier and has also attained a Certificate in Volunteer Management.
We wish Dianne well in her future endeavors and welcome Amy to the SVA team.
George Smith is one of the Sunnybrook veterans helping to keep alive a tradition started many years ago by Women’s College Hospital volunteers, making a Christmas stocking for each newborn in the Women & Babies program. Photo by Lena Koh
The Sunnybrook Volunteer—December 2010, Page 6
By Stacey McIndless
As a member of the SVA Newsletter Committee for the past three years I have had the privilege of meeting and briefly getting to know some very interesting people—all part of our 650-member strong Sunnybrook Volunteer Association group. Most are modest and publicity shy yet fiercely committed to their role as a volunteer. I recently caught up with two such volunteers who spend their time helping patients and staff in the Dialysis Unit.
Lorna Yufe has been a volunteer with Sunnybrook for 27 years, since she moved to Toronto with her husband in 1983. Lorna’s husband had developed health issues which required regular dialysis five years before. Their move from their home country of Trinidad was motivated by the prospect of a better dialysis program at Sunnybrook and the desire to be closer to grown children who had been educated in Canada and set down roots in Toronto. Lorna’s role in the Dialysis Unit has evolved from a caregiver to her husband (who passed away 16 years ago) to a volunteer with a unique perspective on the needs of the patients who pass through the unit during her regular Monday shift.
As a retired Chemical Engineer, Mira Petranovic chose to volunteer in the Dialysis Unit seven years ago because she felt it would stimulate her intellect and fit her professional
background and her desire for social interaction. Mira has also been a caregiver to a husband with health issues in recent years. Although tenuous at times, her husband’s health has improved enough to allow her to devote her energy and attention to the patients in the Dialysis Unit every Wednesday. The day I met Mira she walked me through the unit and I immediately sensed her warmth and compassion—attributes which allow her to connect with patients and make a difference to their experience.
Most shifts in the Dialysis Unit are busy and active. Duties begin by supplying patients with blankets, tea, coffee or juice—anything to help make them comfortable. They often continue with errands to pick up patient drug prescriptions or purchase lunches on behalf of patients and support staff as needed. Volunteers also like to ensure that patients are looked after for their trip home at the end of their treatment. This will often involve purchasing bus tickets on behalf of patients and coordinating wheel chair transport for Wheel Trans pickup.
Mira used the words “dynamic” and “flexible” to describe the role of the volunteer in the Dialysis Unit. I believe these are personality traits possessed by her, Lorna and many other volunteers and it is the secret to their success at Sunnybrook.
Dialysis Unit Volunteers Define Volunteering at Sunnybrook
Dialysis Unit volunteers, Lorna Yufe, left, and Mira Petranovic, above, epitomize the qualities that make so many Sunnybrook volunteers successful. Photos by Lena Koh
The Sunnybrook Volunteer—December 2010, Page 7
2010 Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
The Volunteer Recognition Luncheon was held on Oct. 27 at the Vaughan Estate. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the hospital’s ever popular thank you event. Thank you from us in return!
Photos by Lena Koh
Newsletter CommitteeJohn Lang, Editor; Esther McKinnon, ex-officio;
Joan Willingham, Stacey McIndless and Bill Toyne membersDesign & Copy Editing: Lorraine Hunter
Printing: Sunnybrook Print ShopThe Newsletter Committee welcomes input from members interested in
joining Board Committees, helping out at SVA events, researching and/or writing articles for the newsletter, or taking photographs.
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact us at: [email protected] or 426-480-4132
ISSN 1918-7637 The Sunnybrook Volunteer
The Sunnybrook Volunteer—December 2010, Page 8
Mark Your Calendar
In MemoriamOur thoughts go out to family and
friends
Mary Forsyth, August 2010
SVA President, Esther McKinnon, joins 2010 Provincial Life Member awardee Barbara Hunt at the 2010 HAAO Provincial Life Member Awards ceremony. Photo courtesy Esther McKinnon
2010 HAAO Provincial Life Membership AwardedOn Nov. 9, the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario held its annual Provincial Life Member Awards
Ceremony and Sunnybrook’s own Barbara Hunt was recognized with this award.
Barbara has been a Sunnybrook volunteer for more than 17 years, is a past president of the Volunteer Association, and was convenor of the Gift Shop for eight years.
We extend heartiest congratulations to Barbara for this well deserved acknowledgement of her volunteer career at Sunnybrook.
Greenthumbs Plant SalesPoinsettia & Christmas Basket sales on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday Dec. 1, 2 & 3 at theOdette Cancer Centre, Suny’s Cafeteria, E Wing and Craft Area.Final hospital sales - Wednesday, Dec. 8.Hospital sales resume Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011Odette Cancer Centre, Suny’s and D1 BreezewayValentine Baskets - Friday, Feb 11.
Book Sales Fridays: Dec.10, Jan. 21, Mar.18, & April 15; 8:30 a.m. – 4:30p.m. D1 Breezeway.
SVA “Victorian Afternoon Tea”Monday, April 18.
Annual General MeetingTuesday, May 24.
SVA Vendors Fair & RaffleFriday, Oct. 7, 2011.
Summer Student ProgramRecruitment begins February 2011
Welcome New Volunteers!
Nora BacolodDavid Bakhshingyan
Eva BenczeRonna BernsteinAlex BisignanoSamantha Butler
Myrna CasselmanSusanne CrookstonDelroy DavidsonJinner DicksonLouise FinebergDorothy Gibbs
Mostafa Hayat-GheybiNancy Howey
Janani InbanathanAndrew Ju
Lillian Kakonge-MukuluTom Leverty
Ann McCarthyZachary MorisonSharmin ShirinJanet SimmsCarol Sinclair
Malcolm SmithMonica Stevenson
Laura SurdianuPaula Talesnik
Yvonne TulJanet Wang
Lara WeinsteinJanet Wyatt
