S E A S N SA Q U A R T E R L Y P U B L I C A T I O N F R O M H A M I L T O N H E A L T H S C I E N C E S

H E A L T H I N F O R M A T I O N F O R A L L T H E S E A S O N S O F Y O U R L I F E

W i n t e r 2 0 1 0Hamilton Health Sciences

&Foundation

While 2009 was challenging in many ways, Hamilton Health Sciences has recorded numerous achievements over the course of the year. These included:

• Opening of the RBC Child & Youth Mental Health Unit,

a much needed inpatient facility that is the region’s fi rst

• Completion of the Regional Rehabilitation Centre and David Braley Cardiac Vascular & Stroke Research Institute, two new buildings at the General site that will help both of these crucial programs fl ourish

• World and provincial fi rsts in molecular breast imaging and CyberKnife radiosurgery technology at the Juravinski Cancer Centre and Henderson Hospital

• Opening of the Alexander Pavilion at St. Peter’s Hospital, a novel facility that was designed and built to accommodate the special needs of people with Alzheimer’s

• Rollout of eCARE, our organization’s electronic health record.

These accomplishments grow from teamwork and the contributions each individual staff member makes, whether it be the nurse checking vital signs, a cleaner scrubbing equipment, or a surgeon extracting a tumour. It all adds up to success and, most importantly, to outstanding patient care.

While we marked many important milestones in 2009, it was also a diffi cult year when it came to fi nances. In order to balance our budget, we needed to fi nd $25 million in cost savings. Through detailed research and consultation with staff, physicians and suppliers, we found opportunities for savings and made changes that are helping us function more effi ciently than ever.

I wish I could say that we are through it, and that 2010 would focus solely on more achievements, but in health care, the only ‘constant’ is change, and there are more changes and challenges ahead.

The Ontario government has revealed that the province is suffering from an unprecedented defi cit, and it is clear that hospital funding will be impacted. Although we don’t know yet what the specifi c impact will be, we know that we will need to make further budget cuts this year.

We will do all we can to continue providing the same volume of care as we have in the past but, realistically, some reductions will be necessary. Rest assured, however, that the needs of our community and our patients will be foremost in our minds as we make the diffi cult decisions we must make.

Refl ecting on 2009 and looking ahead to 2010A message from Murray T. Martin, President & CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences

Ontario’s fi rst CyberKnife technology coming to Juravinski Cancer Centre

On November 26, 2009, Ontario marked a milestone with the announcement of the province’s fi rst CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery treatment option for cancer patients at Juravinski Cancer Centre. The technology will offer many cancer patients an effective alternative to surgery for some cancers.

The technology is the world’s fi rst and only robotic radiosurgery system and is designed to treat tumors anywhere in the body with sub-millimetre accuracy. Within Canada, this form of radiation therapy is only available at one Quebec cancer centre and is new to Ontario.

“The addition of the CyberKnife to Ontario is great news for cancer patients,” said Terrence Sullivan, President and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario. “This new technology allows a level of precision that is not currently available for some cancer patients, especially for those who have tumours which are considered inoperable or surgically complex.”

Unlike a traditional radiation treatment machine, which delivers radiation in a linear way, the CyberKnife system has a robotic arm which can move around the patient to deliver radiation. It has a sophisticated tracking system that uses X-rays to ensure that the radiation beam is directed precisely where the patient requires treatment. In addition, this image-guided approach continually corrects for any movement, such as breathing, helping to ensure that the beam is optimally positioned during the entire treatment.

The CyberKnife system uses larger doses of radiotherapy per treatment, with each session lasting 30 to 90 minutes. This means that most patients will require only one to fi ve treatments, compared to 20 to 30 treatments for conventional radiotherapy.

“The Juravinski Cancer Centre is renowned for our expertise in clinical trials and evaluating shorter, more effective radiation treatments for cancer patients,” said Dr. Bill Evans, President of the Juravinski Cancer Centre. “We’re looking forward to developing further research into the use of this

technology to decrease treatment time for patients with cancers of the prostate and breast.”

The Juravinski Cancer Centre Foundation raised approximately $1 million towards the cost of the CyberKnife which, this spring, will replace an older piece of equipment currently at the hospital. Mischa Weitz, a Hamilton businessman who died of cancer in October 2009 at age 53, contributed $500,000 to the CyberKnife (see story on page 4). And SC Johnson Canada, Brantford, donated $250,000 to the cause.

“We are grateful and thrilled with the generous support we’ve received from Mischa Weisz, SC Johnson Canada and other supporters of the Juravinski Cancer Centre Foundation who have made the acquisition of the CyberKnife possible,” said Pearl Veenema, President and CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation.

Advancing cancer care – The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System is designed to treat tumours anywhere in the body with sub-millimetre accuracy.

Page 2 • Designing care for seniors

• Childhood cancer doctor receives notable prize

Page 3 • A special gift for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Page 4 • A tribute to Mischa Weisz

• New Child and Youth Clinic opens at McMaster Children’s Hospital

Page 5 • HHS cancer program staff recognized for improving care

• A message from the Chair of the Foundation Board

Page 6 • Farewell to Dr. Yaffe

• Donors get A Closer Look

Page 7 • Olympic f lame comes to McMaster Children’s Hospital

Page 8 • Coming Events

Inside this edition:

– continued on page 8

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Dr. Ronnie Barr, a pediatric oncologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital, recently won a prestigious prize from the Canadian Cancer Society.

The O. Harold Warwick Prize is presented to a scientist who has had a major impact on cancer control in Canada.

Dr. Barr is known nationally and internationally for his work in the fi eld of pediatric oncology, and as co-author and author of seven books and more than 250 scientifi c articles. He is also a professor of pediatrics, pathology and medicine at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.

He is one of the editors of the fi rst defi nitive document of incidence, survival and mortality of 15- to 29-year-olds with malignant disease and also co-edited the fi rst textbook on cancer in adolescents and young adults.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have received this award,” said Dr. Barr. “I’ve been studying cancer in young people for quite some time and it’s nice to have that work recognized through this prestigious award.”

The prize comes with $2,000 for Dr. Barr and $20,000 for his research.

Dedicated doctor – Dr. Ronnie Barr, pediatric oncologist, meets with Avery Lachapelle, 10, who has been a patient of Dr. Barr since he was just one year old.

“We have built a world for the healthiest, the youngest and the fi ttest,” said Dr. Patricia Moore, gerontologist and designer. “What we don’t see is that design disables. People begin to fail because the system has failed them. I remember watching my grandmother trying to make dinner for her family. She went to open the fridge door but couldn’t because of her arthritis. She could not get to a basic necessity, food, to survive.”

Dr. Moore, a leading authority on consumer lifespan behaviours and requirements, was invited to speak at Hamilton Health Sciences in November. Her visit was sponsored by the Dr. Judith R. Meeks Lecture Endowment Fund through Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. The day-long event, in partnership with The Hamilton Spectator, included a President’s Breakfast for donors, a community and health care Leader’s Lunch, a staff educational event, and a community forum.

Dr. Moore’s visit coincided with the launch of Hamilton Health Sciences’ Enhancing Lives and Optimizing Healthcare for Seniors corporate initiative. Over time, this initiative will provide an opportunity for HHS staff and physicians to reaffi rm the importance of patients throughout their lifespan, gain a better appreciation for the developmental stages of older adulthood and issues of aging, and transform the way that care is provided to seniors.

One of Dr. Moore’s most notable achievements was a unique and daring experiment that allowed her to live as an 80-year-old woman. From 1979 to 1982, Dr. Moore visited 116 cities disguised as a senior and used prostheses to limit her vision, hearing and mobility. “I wanted to be able to feel what our elders do, living in a world that is not designed for them.” She shares this experience in the book DISGUISED: A True Story.

Following this experience, Dr. Moore dedicated her life’s work to creating environments, systems and products that allow individuals to live with dignity.

“We disable people in the normal course of life,” she said. “We blame our elders and say that they are broken or incapable but the fault is our own.”

Dr. Moore’s inspirational story and the Enhancing Lives and Optimizing Healthcare for Seniors initiative was shared even more broadly in our region thanks to Carmelina Prete, a reporter with The Hamilton Spectator. With the help of HHS’ Anne Pizzacalla, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Elder Life Specialist; Erin Stirling, Social Worker and Elder Life Specialist; and Theatre Aquarius makeup artist Anne May, 36-year-old Carmelina went undercover as a senior in Hamilton, and then wrote about the challenges of everyday life for seniors in the newspaper.

“Dr. Moore’s enthusiasm and compassion for treating all individuals, and in particular seniors, as equals was inspiring,” said Donna Cripps, President of St. Peter’s Hospital. “She truly set the stage for our corporate initiative, which will allow all seniors to experience care in a way that they deserve – care that acknowledges individuality, respects dignity and celebrates the richness of each life.”

Dressing the part – 36-year-old Carmelina Prete, a reporter with The Hamilton Spectator, recently went undercover as a senior (pictured). She was reproducing an experiment originally conducted by gerontologist and designer Dr. Patricia Moore.

Childhood cancer doctor receives notable prize

Designing care for seniors

Last June, staff of the Cardiac Health and Rehabilitation Centre (CHRC) at Hamilton General Hospital organized their f irst Walk of Life. The event was held at the Desjardins Trail Head at Princess Point and included more than 100 participants. Even though the weather didn’t cooperate, more than $12,000 was raised in support of the CHRC.

One of Dr. Moore’s most notable achievements was a

unique and daring experiment that allowed her to live as an

80-year-old woman.

Rain or shine

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Our Family of Hospitals • CHEDOKE • CHILDREN’S • GENERAL • HENDERSON • JURAVINSKI • McMASTER • ST. PETER’S 3

Ministry funding is a welcomed gift for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Over the past nine years, a special group of McMaster Children’s Hospital staff, including social workers, nurses, chaplains and doctors, has developed a unique way of helping families deal with the death of their children.

Dr. John Watts, Neonatologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital and Professor and Associate Chair, Education, in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University, is the architect of the “An Evening of Remembrance” event held each year at McMaster Children’s Hospital.

After attending a session on bereavement at the Canadian Pediatric Society in Montreal 10 years ago and learning that a few other hospitals had introduced the idea of a memorial service, it became apparent to John that, although the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was doing good work at the time of death and immediately afterwards, they saw relatively little of the parents later on.

“We had always recognized that bereavement in the case of children is not something that can be resolved quickly and certainly not easily,” said John. “It is a particularly devastating event for a family to have a child die, whether that child has been with them for 10 years or 10 minutes.”

The Evening of Remembrance, which is a secular, multi-faith, multicultural event, is a time when the families of those children who passed away at McMaster Children’s Hospital can come together with the staff once again.

“It is important for parents to know that the hospital staff has not forgotten them,” said John. “They become very close to the members of the staff in many cases, particularly with older children. They f ind a lot of relief and a lot of gratitude for just simple things that recognize that this death wasn’t just something that happened but that the staff remember and care.”

The evening includes parents lighting candles for their lost children, a series of non-denominational readings by An Evening of Remembrance committee members, parents and siblings, and a musical performance by the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. All of these elements bring a sense of comfort to those in attendance.

The opportunity for the parents to meet with each other and share similar feelings and diff iculties is something for which they are particularly grateful. Coming back to the hospital and seeing other parents who are in a similar situation gives them a great deal of relief and is very positive for the family.

“This morning it is all about babies, precious babies,” said Sophia Aggelonitis, Hamilton Mountain MPP. Sophia was joined by Ted McMeekin, Minister of Consumer Services and MPP for Ancaster Dundas Flamborough Westdale, at Hamilton Health Sciences to announce that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) will invest in 43 new neonatal intensive care beds across Ontario.

The ministry is providing $2.9 million in start-up funding and $4 million annually for McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) to open and maintain eight additional beds on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU at MCH currently has 42 funded beds and is the largest in Ontario, serving as a hub for the region extending to Brantford, Kitchener, Niagara and Oakville. Last year, the unit admitted about 950 babies, but unfortunately, had to send more than 60 of them to hospitals outside the region because there were not enough beds available. “The hope is that with this funding we won’t be turning away any more babies,” said Anna Marie Smith, Clinical Manager of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

When this announcement was made in the NICU on December 22, emotions could be seen on every face in the room. Dr. Christopher Fusch, Director of Neonatology, expressed it well. “This is like Christmas for us. It means a great deal to our unit. This is about caring for our babies and their families.”

“At the end of the day it means we’ll be able to meet the demands across our region, caring for the sickest and most vulnerable babies,” said Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, President of McMaster Children’s Hospital. Four beds will open on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and four will open on the Level 2 Nursery. The equivalent of 15 full-time staff positions will be added.

The most critically ill babies – those born extremely premature, as young as 25 weeks – are admitted to the Intensive Care Unit; while the Level 2 Nursery cares for babies who don’t need intensive care but still require special care. Adding Level 2 beds will ultimately make more Intensive Care beds available for critically ill babies.

New parents Jeanette and Mark Monahan of Burlington also shared in the excitement. The Monahans welcomed their twin boys, Christopher and Joshua, into the world on April 11, 2009. When the boys were born, they weighed less than 4 pounds combined and had to spend months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Mark remembers that diffi cult time well. “They were so tiny, we weren’t sure they were going to make it. It’s because of the staff here that we have our babies to enjoy over the Christmas holidays,” he said. Christopher and Joshua now weigh 12 and 10 pounds respectively, and they are home with their loved ones. “It’s bittersweet to leave the Neonatal Unit because these people become your family.”

Getting stronger every day – Christopher and Joshua Monahan received kisses and cuddles from neonatal nurses and doctors at the announcement. They are seen here with their primary nurse Marion Dekker, (far left) and their parents Mark and Jeanette Monahan.

Special evening remembers children who have died at McMaster Children’s Hospital

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Mischa Weisz’s candid journey through pancreatic cancer and his refusal to stop living life to its fullest were inspirational to anyone who knew him and many who didn’t.

Upon being diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer on September 11, 2007, Mischa was expected to live no more than fi ve months. Using a combination of conventional cancer treatment and alternative medicine, including Chinese herbal medicine, Mischa lived more than two years after his diagnosis.

Mischa had always surprised people with his success in business and in life. Some might call it good fortune, others would call it creating his own luck. Although he had a thirst for learning and studied political science at McMaster University and business at Mohawk College, he never fi nished to earn a degree or diploma. He preferred to learn on his own and used the knowledge he acquired about electronic banking through his job at the Hamilton-Wentworth Credit Union as a stepping stone to his own success.

A testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, Mischa went from raising his two children alone on welfare after his fi rst marriage broke up, to starting up an ATM transaction processing company called TNS Smart Network Inc. in 1996, to becoming a millionaire.

“You’ve got choices in life – you should do whatever you have the capacity to do,” said Mischa in an interview prior to passing away at age 53 in his Ancaster home on October 2, 2009.

Mischa made the choice to live life fully during his experience with cancer. His number one rule was “Don’t let a diagnosis slow you down.” And he didn’t. In his last two years of life he married his

partner Connie, travelled, and did the many things he enjoyed.

“As a society, we tend to ignore our mortality. As I’m dying, I focus on living. I’m in control of my death and I’m planning for it,” Mischa said during his illness.

He started a blog during his treatment to keep his friends and family informed of how he was

doing. He heard from many people he didn’t know who were encouraged by his openness and his strength. A comment on his blog after his passing stated: “RIP Mr. Weisz...I never knew you but you inspired me to live my life a different way.”

Mischa also hoped to inspire people in other ways. He donated more than $3 million to charity, including $500,000 to the YMCA, $250,000 to Woodview Children’s Mental Health and Autism Services, and $500,000 to the Juravinski Cancer Centre (JCC).

“I do this to inspire others to refl ect on their values and invest back into society,” said Mischa.

His generous donation to the JCC will be used toward the purchase of a CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System. CyberKnife technology involves no cuts or incisions. It destroys diseased tissue by focusing precise beams of high-energy radiation on the tumor site. It is specifi cally designed for treating the most complex tumors such as cancers of the lung, spine, pancreas or brain. The JCC will be the fi rst centre in Ontario and the second in Canada to utilize this type of technology. The rest of the funding for the $1 million system comes from SC Johnson and Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation.

“Mischa was grateful for the treatment and care he received at the Juravinski Cancer Centre,” said Connie Weisz. “Unfortunately, his cancer had progressed too far and he wasn’t able to be cured. He would be happy to know that his monetary contribution toward the CyberKnife will help to treat many cancer patients for years to come.”

Mischa Weisz is survived by Connie, his children Danielle and Nathan, his parents Emmy and Erich and his brother Guido.

Three mothers each held a child in their arms, and one by one walked up to the podium to tell their stories at the offi cial opening of McMaster Children’s Hospital’s new 2G Child and Youth Clinic.

Meshel Baines explained how a complicated birth left her son Lucas with little use of his left arm. “He may never know the extent of his injury except what we tell him about it,” she said, thanking the staff of McMaster Children’s Hospital’s Brachial

Plexus clinic for changing the course of three-year-old Lucas’ life through surgery and occupational therapy.

Five-year-old Ally Molino looked out from her mother Lisa O’Donnell’s arms as she described a child who had had 100 or so small seizures a day at age two, but had been seizure-free for nearly two years now, thanks to care provided by the neurology clinic.

And Christina McNaughton drew smiles as she asked her diabetic son Owen, age 2, if he wanted to show to this crowd of about 100 hospital staff the insulin pump strapped to his belly, something that is easing the struggle for their young family.

The new 2G clinic will serve these children and over 15,000 more each year through its more than 20 pediatric ambulatory clinics. Each moved into the bright new space beside the hospital’s front entrance in the two weeks following the December 17 offi cial opening.

A cuddly surprise – From left: Lucas Baines, Ally Molino and Owen McNaughton clutch the teddy bears they received for helping to offi cially open the 2G Child and Youth Clinic on December 17.

Mischa Weisz 1956 – 2009

A tale of strength, inspiration and generosity

New 2G Child and Youth Clinic opens at McMaster Children’s Hospital

“You’ve got choices in life – you should do whatever you

have the capacity to do.”– Mischa Weisz

H A M I L T O N H E A L T H S C I E N C E S A N D H A M I L T O N H E A L T H S C I E N C E S F O U N D A T I O N

Our Family of Hospitals • CHEDOKE • CHILDREN’S • GENERAL • HENDERSON • JURAVINSKI • McMASTER • ST. PETER’S 5

HHS cancer program staff recognized for improving care for palliative patients

A budding young philanthropist and the organizers of an annual charity golf tournament were honoured in November at a special celebration marking National Philanthropy Day®. The day is celebrated around the world to pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy and those who are active in charitable causes make to our communities and our world.

National Philanthropy Day® is supported by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). AFP’s Golden Horseshoe Chapter named Taylor DeCoste “Youth Philanthropist of the Year” and the Madge Group was awarded “Community Group Philanthropist of the Year” for the Hamilton region.

Taylor DeCoste is an 11-year-old with a passion for helping others. From a very young age, Taylor has spent a lot of time at McMaster Children’s Hospital. He has a kidney disorder and a muscle disease that affects the use of his legs and fi ngers. When he was just six, Taylor decided he wanted to help the hospital, so he held a garage sale and penny drive, which raised $653. Since then, Taylor has raised almost $3,000 for Mac Kids.

“Taylor is an incredible young man whose desire to give back is an inspiration to all of us,” said Angel D’Andrea, Director, Community

Initiatives & Special Events with Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. “No matter what challenges he faces personally, he’s always thinking about ways to make things better for other children.”

The Madge Group Charity Golf Tournament was established in 1993 in memory of Madelyn (Madge) Green, who passed away after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Her friends and family founded the tournament to raise funds for breast cancer research at the Juravinski Cancer Centre. This past year marked the 17th year of the event. To date, the tournament has raised more than $900,000.

“I can’t think of a more deserving group of supporters,” said Dr. Bill Evans, President of the Juravinski Cancer Centre. “They have been working hard for so many years to raise funds for breast cancer research at the JCC and are truly making a difference.”

Congratulations to Taylor and the Madge Group!

Staff and physicians from Hamilton Health Sciences were recently recognized by the Cancer System Quality Council, Canadian Cancer Society and Cancer Care Ontario for three initiatives: the Tertiary Acute Palliative Care Unit (TAPCU), the Oncology Response Coordinator, and the Oncology Triage Tool.

These three initiatives show how providing better patient management and improved end-of-life care reduces the need for patients to use the Emergency Department for support. This improves both the quality of care and treats patients who are very sick in a more sensitive and caring way.

“From the patient and family’s perspective, enhancing the quality of life at the end of life is a critical and fi nal opportunity for the health care system. People have almost unanimously expressed the desire for this care to occur at home or in home-

like settings,” said Dr. Sharon Russell, palliative care physician at HHS.

Despite this, there are times when the symptoms occurring at the end of life are of such severity that they require management in an acute care setting. The Tertiary Acute Palliative Care Unit (TAPCU) was created to meet the unique needs of this group of patients.

“The TAPCU strives to make hospitalization as comfortable, dignifi ed and short as possible. By creating a centre of expertise in palliative care, TAPCU staff has been able to decrease ED visits for patients requiring admission, decrease use of unnecessary and invasive testing and shorten hospital length of stay,” said Dr. Russell.

The TAPCU currently consists of six designated beds on the medical oncology ward. The interdisciplinary

team includes academic palliative care physicians, social work, chaplaincy, pharmacy and nursing. All of the staff participate in ongoing inter- and intra-disciplinary education to continue to enhance their skills.

The Oncology Response Coordinator and Oncology Triage Tool are initiatives that complement the TAPCU model, by making it easier for cancer patients to receive care quickly when they’re not in hospital and need access to acute care.

Great recognition – Front row, from left: Ann VanderBerg, chaplain; Carol Rand, Director, Systemic, Supportive and Regional Cancer Programs; Doreen Levett, staff nurse E3/ TAPCU; Sylvia Fung, pharmacist; Dawn Prevost-Zontanos, social worker; Nancy Henderson, quality specialist. Back row from left: Terry Sullivan, PhD., President and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario; Dr. Marissa Slaven, palliative care physician; Bunny Ruiz, Clinical Manager, E3; Dr. Sharon Russell, palliative care physician; Alysan Rouble, social worker; Dr. Bob Bell, Chair, Cancer Quality Council of Ontario.

A message from the Chair of the Board, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation

On behalf of the board of directors of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation, I’d like to thank you for your support in 2009.

Despite a challenging economic climate, our Foundation was truly blessed to have the

strong support of our donor community.

We celebrated several major achievements last year: the grand openings of the RBC Child & Youth Mental Health Unit at McMaster Children’s Hospital, the Alexander Pavilion at St. Peter’s Hospital, and the Regional Rehabilitation Centre at Hamilton General. These brand new facilities provide modern, specialized care settings for our patients.

This year, we look forward to the completion of phase one of the Henderson Hospital redevelopment, and the grand opening of the David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute at Hamilton General.

I hope you are as proud as I am of what your support has accomplished. On behalf of our board and our staff, I wish you and yours good health and happiness in 2010.

Don Pether, ChairHHS Foundation

Top: A caring kid – Taylor DeCoste gets a hug from Connie Smith at the Association for Fundraising Professionals Golden Horseshoe Chapter’s National Philanthropy Day® Awards celebration.

Bottom: Years of dedication – From left: Karen Dougherty, Marg Kittson, Janet James and Dianne Cooke of the Madge Group Charity Golf Tournament.

HHS supporters honoured at National Philanthropy Day

Congratulations to Taylor and the Madge Group!

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Donors get A Closer LookFarewell to Dr. Yaffe

A unique series of events organized by Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation offers donors the opportunity to experience what goes on behind the closed doors of some of the hospital’s busiest and most critical departments.

During last fall’s A Closer Look tours, participants saw fi rsthand how their support is making a difference as they interacted directly with doctors and other frontline staff while learning about the latest advances in treatment.

Guests of the Hamilton General Hospital event chose between a tour of the Emergency Department, Operating Room, Nuclear Medicine Lab, Electrophysiology Lab, or the new Regional Rehabilitation Centre. Stops on the Juravinski Cancer Centre/Henderson General Hospital’s tour included the Diagnostic Imaging Department, the Operating Room, the Radiation Therapy Area, Research, or discussion with Dr. Bill Evans, President of the JCC.

Pearl Veenema, President & CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation said, “A Closer Look provides our donors with exclusive access to areas of the hospital that are normally restricted to patients and medical professionals. When they can pick up some of the tools used in surgery, perform an ultrasound test, or take part in a candid discussion with a cancer expert, then they can make the connection between their support and how it impacts patient care and research. We’re looking forward to hosting more of our donors in 2010, and we’re especially looking forward to bringing A Closer Look to St. Peter’s Hospital for the fi rst time.”

Dr. Adrian Yaffe was respected and recognized within the cardiology community and at Hamilton General Hospital as a visionary.

Dr. Yaffe graduated from Queen’s University Medical School in 1936, and began his medical career in England. He returned to Ontario in 1948, setting up practice in internal medicine and cardiology in Hamilton. Four years later, in a basement laboratory at Hamilton General Hospital, the young Dr. Yaffe, along with Drs. Alan McNabb and Jack Sibley, performed Hamilton’s fi rst cardiac catheterization. This was an extraordinary accomplishment at a time when it was widely believed that injecting dye into a coronary artery would lead to sudden death.

He and his colleagues continued to break new ground in cardiology, and in 1977, a full-fl edged cardiac surgery program was established at Hamilton General Hospital. In 2005, the Heart Unit was expanded and renamed the Dofasco Heart Investigation Unit. Last year, doctors performed 6,982 cardiac catheterization procedures in the HIU, the highest volume in the province.

Dr. Yaffe gave up his practice in 1989, but continued to participate in medical rounds at the hospital a couple of times each week. Sadly, Dr. Yaffe passed away on October 12, 2009, at the age of 97. He leaves behind three children – Martin, Helen and John, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild, along with his sister, Ruby. He also leaves a legacy that, even today, echoes in the halls of Hamilton General Hospital.

To honour the pioneering work of Dr. Yaffe, the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation created the Adrian Yaffe Society, which recognizes donors to the Cardiac, Vascular & Stroke Program at Hamilton General Hospital.

A view from the top – Guests get an exclusive look at the rooftop helipad during the Hamilton General Hospital’s A Closer Look event.

Like the pros – From left: Dr. Wesley Stephen, Chief of General Surgery, HHS, assists Paul Sakalauskas, former Chair of the Board, Juravinski Cancer Centre Foundation and Louis Boiago, council member with the Juravinski Cancer Centre Foundation, as they try their hand at simulated laparoscopic surgery in one of the Henderson’s operating rooms.

During last fall’s A Closer Look, participants saw fi rsthand how their support is

making a difference

Dr. Adrian Yaffe, 1912-2009

Dr. Yaffe leaves a legacy that, even today,

echoes in the halls of Hamilton General Hospital.

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Our Family of Hospitals • CHEDOKE • CHILDREN’S • GENERAL • HENDERSON • JURAVINSKI • McMASTER • ST. PETER’S 7

As the Olympic fl ame makes its way to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, it made a special stop at McMaster Children’s Hospital.

On December 20, RBC brought the Olympic fl ame to the hospital as one of eight special stops across the country. RBC is a co-presenting sponsor of the Olympic Torch Relay and has a proud heritage of supporting community initiatives.

Hamilton Health Sciences staff and their families, along with a throng of community supporters, got up early to witness the fl ame’s 7 a.m. arrival at McMaster Children’s Hospital. The crowd cheered as Robert Korver, the father of an autistic son, carried the torch through the front doors of the

hospital. A short welcome ceremony took place and then well-known philanthropist Charles

Juravinski carried the torch as it made its exit from the hospital to continue on its journey.

“Witnessing the Olympic torch in person is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, President of McMaster Children’s Hospital. “I’m grateful to RBC for bringing the torch here today so that our patients and their families could be part of such an amazing experience.”

Following the formal ceremony, and as a special added bonus, the Vancouver Olympic Committee visited the children in the hospital who were not healthy enough to leave their rooms to join the celebration. Each child was given a pair of offi cial Olympic red mittens and had the opportunity to see the real fl ame in a lantern and hold a replica torch. This experience lifted their spirits and even moved some parents to tears.

The Olympic Torch Relay will culminate at BC Place on February 12, 2010, with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, signaling the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Olympic fl ame warms hearts at McMaster Children’s Hospital

A great day – Philanthropist Charles Juravinski was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run with the Olympic torch.

Taking part in the festivities – Lyric Jarvis smiles as he holds a replica torch from his bed at McMaster Children’s Hospital.

This past October, friends and supporters of St. Peter’s Hospital spent “An Evening in Barbados” at LIUNA Station. The 10th annual gala featured traditional Barbadian music and Bajan cuisine at the island-themed celebration. The event raised more than $50,000 to support the work of research fellow Dr. Monica Marchese, who is investigating treatment for Alzheimer’s. We are grateful for the support of the many sponsors and guests who made the gala such a success. A very special thank you to Ralph and Vicki Weekes, (Ralph was Gala Chair and is a member of the St. Peter’s Hospital Fundraising Council and the HHS Foundation Board of Directors), and the planning committee, for their efforts in making this such a remarkable evening.

A night to remember – From left: Donna Cripps, President, St. Peter’s Hospital; Craig Laviolette, Chair, Hamilton Health Sciences Board of Directors, and Vicki and Ralph Weekes, Co-Chairs of the 10th annual St. Peter’s Gala.

Gala raises $50,000 for St. Peter’s Hospital

8 Thank you to our sponsor Pegasus Direct Mail Worx

H E A L T H I N F O R M A T I O N F O R A L L T H E S E A S O N S O F Y O U R L I F E

A gorgeous day marked the end of summer as people of all ages, from across the province, gathered for the second annual BRIGHT Run.

More than 1,200 enthusiastic participants met at the Dundas Valley Conservation Area Rail Trail on Saturday, September 19 to run or walk to raise funds for breast cancer research at the Juravinski Cancer Centre. The “BRIGHT” in BRIGHT Run stands for “Breast Cancer Research in Greater Hamilton Today.”

Barbara Milani had a good reason to participate. “I had a very close friend go through this just last year and now I’m fi ghting cancer myself. I am proud to say that my head is held high and I will not let this beat me. I believe in a future without breast cancer!”

The “Breast Friends Team” – all 59 of them – walked for their friend Sandra and many other wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends who’ve been affected by breast cancer. They wanted to get the message out that “fi ghting cancer is hard; donating isn’t.”

At the end of the day, an incredible $420,000 had been raised. The BRIGHT Run executive committee is grateful to everyone who supported the event. Last year’s inaugural BRIGHT Run welcomed almost 1,000 participants who raised more than $250,000.

The 2010 BRIGHT Run is scheduled for Saturday, September 11.

Great turnout – More than 1,200 people attended the second annual BRIGHT Run on September 19, 2009. Here, the crowd applauds the speakers on the stage.

BRIGHT Run a celebration of community and hope

February FeverSaturday, February 13, 2010On February 13, bust a move on the dance fl oor as we revisit the disco era. Music by the legendary Travoltas and a tantalizing array of food and drinks themed on the 70s and 80s are sure to inspire some entertaining fl ashbacks.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or to donate a prize table item, call Ralph Olivieri, Committee Chair, (905) 547-2323. Tickets are $100 and support the Juravinski Cancer Centre Foundation. The event takes place at the Renaissance Banquet Centre in Hamilton.

Hamilton Health Sciences Gala Saturday, February 20, 2010Join us February 20 at 6:30 p.m. as the Hamilton Convention Centre is transformed into a Bollywood Circus for the 2010 Hamilton Health Sciences research gala.

Tickets are $300 and can be purchased by calling Amanda Moore at 905-521-2100 ext. 76871.

Hummingbird BallSaturday, May 8, 2010The Juravinski Cancer Centre’s annual Hummingbird Ball takes place May 8 at the Hamilton Convention Centre, 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for this incredible Latin fi esta are $250 each. Call Amanda Moore at (905) 521-2100 ext. 76871.

If you have questions or commentsabout Seasons, please contact us at:

Hamilton Health Sciences Public Relations & Communications McMaster University Medical Centre

Room 1K-102, 1200 Main Street West Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4J9

Telephone (905) 521-2100, ext. 75387 Email: publicrelations@hhsc.ca

Web site: www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca

Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation P.O. Box 739, LCD 1,

Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3M8 Telephone (905) 522-3863

Email: info@hamiltonhealth.ca Web site: www.hamiltonhealth.ca

Editor - Carly Baxter Writers -

Lillian Badzioch, Lisa Banning, Agnes Bongers, Shannon Cotnam, Carrie Gabla,

Roxanne Kantzavelos, Alex Robinson

Photographers -Cyprian Estrada, Peter Foulds,

Barry Gray, Bridget Greer, Craig Peters

Graphics - Nadia DiTraglia

Coming Events

At the same time as we are wrestling with shortfalls in operational funding, HHS is benefi ting tremendously from the fi nancial support we have received for the revitalization of health care infrastructure (buildings and equipment) in Hamilton. Our construction and redevelopment projects total $650 million, an investment that is unmatched by any other city in Ontario and will change the face of health care in our community for generations to come. It is enabling us to establish a vision for the future that we call Access to the Best Care, or ABC.

Created by our staff and physicians in consultation with many of our other partners in the health care system, ABC is a restructuring plan that will ensure we are organized to make the best possible use of our staff, equipment and facilities. It is only by utilizing those precious resources carefully that we will be able to build a local and regional health care system that is strong, sustainable and coordinated.

Extensive planning involving hundreds of our staff members continues as we work towards realizing the goals of ABC. The major milestones will include:

• Opening of Phase 1A of the new Henderson - August 2010

• Hematology Oncology consolidation from MUMC to Henderson –August 2010

• Urgent Care Centre – planned opening early 2011

• Clinical Teaching Unit transfer from MUMC to Henderson – anticipated timeframe mid 2011

• Major clinical activity transfer – anticipated timeframe mid 2011.

These ambitious projects and others, are enabling us to recruit the best and brightest health care professionals who are, in turn, helping to enhance health care in our region and create a healthier future for us all. I would like to thank them, our community, and our partners in the health care sector, government and business, for your continued support as we embark on another successful year in 2010.

Refl ecting on 2009 and looking ahead to 2010A message from Murray T. Martin, President & CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences

– continued from cover