Best Medicine Matters Fall 2010

autumn 2010
The
Best
Medicine Matters
Thank You: For supporting a
better future for critically ill
babies; For funding visionary
research; For giving back in
extraordinary ways.
Dr. Yenge Diambomba, Clinical Director of
Nurseries, holds 2-day-old Julia Koren in Mount
Sinai’s Valentine Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
a publication of the mount Sinai hoSpital foundation
Designing a
Better Future
The new NICU environment: private
rooms and a calm environment
“We were in the NICU for 96 days.” It was July of 2003 and
Lauren and Sam Pezzullo’s second son, Linden, had been
born premature at 27 weeks. He weighed 3 lb. 3 oz., and he
had meningitis and septicemia. It was also the summer of
SARS. “It was quite the experience we had,” says Lauren, with
wry understatement.
“ With a single-room design, we are
creating a temporary home where
the family will stay for the duration of
their NICU journey.”
DR. YeNge DIAMBOMBA
Linden battled through the many hurdles that prematurity put in
his path. Those 96 days changed his parents’ lives. They started
The Linden Fund, a charity supporting neonatal intensive care
units (NICU) across Canada. And Lauren became an advisor
2
to the team designing Mount Sinai’s new Valentine NICU.
“They asked for interested parents, and my hand shot up like
a rocket,” she recalls. “It’s an honour to be able to directly
influence and impact the change.”
The expansion of Mount Sinai’s Lawrence and Frances
Bloomberg Centre for Women’s and Infants’ Health is vital.
In the last decade, that patient volume has nearly doubled
and our program has become the most comprehensive in
Ontario, yet our physical space has remained the same.
The addition of six storeys on our Murray Street tower
provides much-needed space, and the opportunity to
implement evidence-based design principles that will
benefit patients, families and health-care teams.
“The new concept makes it even more about the patient,”
says Dr. Yenge Diambomba, Neonatologist and Clinical
Director of Nurseries. “Over the years, we’ve listened
to parents. For instance, the new space will be a mixed
unit, for Levels II and III. A transfer between levels can
The current ward-style unit will be replaced by 60 private rooms.
“Babies need a calm environment,” says Dr. Diambomba.
“We can’t exactly recreate the womb, but we want to recreate
some aspects of it. We’ll be able to reduce light and sound
stimulation, and putting more of a barrier between the babies
promotes better infection control.”
There will be space for a family member to sleep in the room,
and enhanced privacy, which Lauren Pezzullo says is essential.
“I was one of the unfortunate parents who went through almost
losing my child and not having anywhere to grieve,” she says.
“With the new design, families will have space and privacy to
be together at difficult times.”
“We’re trying to bring the family closer to their baby,” says
Dr. Diambomba. “We want them to know they can still be a
parent, even in the NICU, and we want to show them how.”
Dr. Yenge Diambomba holds 2-day-old Julia
be very traumatic; parents have to adapt to a whole new
environment. With a single-room design, we are creating a
temporary home where the family will stay for the duration
of their NICU journey.”
To learn more, or to make a contribution to our new
Valentine NICU, please go to mshfoundation.ca
Welcome to The Best Medicine Matters! Very appropriately, our autumn newsletter
features stories inspired by this season of Thanksgiving.
I find it inspiring to work in a sector where gratitude is expressed so sincerely and so
often. every day it seems I hear from patients or family members who are grateful for
the compassion and care they have received at Mount Sinai. Nurses and physicians
are thankful because your gifts enable new resources, such as our exciting new centre
for women’s and infants’ health. Scientists at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute are grateful for the donations which advance
research that has the potential to transform the way we treat devastating diseases.
My Foundation colleagues and I are grateful for your extraordinary support. Your generosity plays a vital role in our ability to remain at
the leading edge of clinical care and scientific research. Thank you for all that you do.
With warm regards,
Susan Horvath
President, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation
3
A Gift that Keeps
on Giving
For his mother’s 80th birthday, Toronto
lawyer Howard Black concluded that she
would be happier giving than receiving.
He made a five-year pledge to fund
MAUVE, a new volunteer program, in his
mother’s name.
Nana
Asomaning,
Geriatric
Emergency
Medicine nurse
Caring for a Greying Population
Launching education programs,
hiring specialist nurses and physicians,
building senior-friendly elements into all
re-development plans — these are some of
the steps Mount Sinai is taking in its journey
to becoming a senior-friendly hospital.
But the most important step is attitude.
“The aging population has been an area
of concentrated effort for the past few
years. We’ve incorporated geriatrics in our
strategic plan and thought about what we
need to do to lead the way,” says Jocelyn
Bennett, Senior Director of Mount Sinai’s
Centre for Acute & Chronic Medicine.
Demographics underscore the
necessity of this approach. Next year,
babyboomers begin turning 65, and
seniors will constitute 15 per cent of
Canada’s total population.
The implications of this “grey wave”
are evident in our Schwartz/Reisman
Emergency Centre, where nearly 21 per
cent of patients are 65 or older. In response,
the Hospital introduced the Geriatric
Emergency Medicine (GEM) nurse role.
“We focus on geriatric principles of care,”
explains GEM nurse, Nana Asomaning.
4
“From an Emergency perspective, that
means we identify factors that limit the
patient’s ability to live functionally and cope
with whatever issues brought them here.”
GEM nurses co-ordinate with a wide
network of colleagues, including
social workers and occupational
therapists. The inpatient geriatrics
team is another essential component
of senior care. “We work to maximize
abilities and minimize complications,”
says Rebecca Ramsden, the team’s
Nurse-Practitioner.
The duo clearly love their work.
“We very much enjoy working with
this population,” says Rebecca. “The
social and medical complexities that
can exist provide you with challenging
opportunities. It really is a fascinating
and rewarding area to work in.”
“The historical perspective of the patient is
as interesting as their clinical presentation
— what has contributed to their health and
the way they’re living now,” says Nana.
“It reminds you of why you went into
nursing, because you’re not just focused
on the medical model, you really get to
see the patient for who they are.”
Maximizing Aging Using Volunteer
Engagement, aka MAUVE, was
established in July 2009 as part of a
strengthened emphasis on enhancing
the Hospital’s clinical geriatric programs.
MAUVE provides elderly patients with
an integrated continuum of care via
trained volunteers who work closely
with hospital staff. It aims to improve
the patients’ quality of life and reduce
the risk of functional decline during
their hospital stay. Volunteers are
trained in nutrition and hydration and
to determine patients’ levels of space
and time orientation. They help seniors
maintain their dignity and a positive
outlook by assisting with simple
aesthetics and grooming.
Volunteers tailor their services around
their senior charges’ interests. One
hung a world map in a patient’s room
to encourage the former world traveler
to share stories. Another brought in
books and videos for a patient who
loved gardening.
Beverley Black, a passionate volunteer,
was delighted. “It was the most
wonderful thing any of my children could
have given me. Howard knows how
much I enjoy my work here at Mount
Sinai and how much I get out of it.”
Tea Party an Outpouring of Support
Blake, Avery’s identical twin, in Mount Sinai Hospital’s Valentine
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
The idea originated with the couple’s friends erica godfrey and
Lauren Spanier, and was executed to perfection by Allyson
Meredith (Bobbitt), co-owner of the Bobbette & Belle bakery.
They wanted to support the grieving parents, and help raise
money for the Avery goldman Fund that Zak established to keep
Avery’s memory in the forefront and to thank the doctors and
nurses who fought to save Blake, who weighed a meagre 1.4
pounds at birth.
Organizers Allyson Meredith, Erica Godfrey and Lauren Spanier
Pristine white décor, immaculate arrangements of silk-wrapped
peonies and gourmet cakes — this was one tea party Martha
Stewart would have been proud to host.
The common thread binding the 125 guests was that they
were all mothers, daughters or both, and all wanted to do
something special for Michelle and Zachary (Zak) goldman,
who lost their son Avery at birth and spent six months with
The initial goal was to raise $5,000, but the outpouring of love
and support was so overwhelming the tea party ended up
raising $35,000. Zak and friends hope to see it become a much
larger annual event. “We’d like to double it next year,” he says.
Long-time member and new vice-chair of Leadership Sinai,
Zak adds he isn’t untouched by the coincidence of how things
come around: Blake spent two months in the Level II Nursery,
which is supported by Leadership Sinai. “Now I know what I’ve
supported. My passion for the Hospital has grown, and I want to
get even more involved.”
A Powerful Force for Fundraising
“I feel like it’s my calling,” says Jodie Tummers, of her
dedication to raising funds for Mount Sinai’s Special Pregnancy
Program. In December 2008, she was diagnosed with
Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS), a condition which
affects 15 per cent of identical twin pregnancies. She was
referred to Dr. greg Ryan, the first physician in Canada to use
fetoscopic laser to treat TTTS. Jodie and her husband geoff lost
a son, Cole, but his twin, Cameron, is thriving.
“It’s great,” she says. “I’ve sent the link to friends and family so
they can easily donate to a cause so near and dear to our hearts.”
“We wouldn’t have Cameron if it wasn’t for Dr. Ryan,” says Jodie.
The grateful Tummers organized an event that raised $3,975 for
Mount Sinai. Now, Jodie is building on this momentum with a
fundraising page on the Foundation website.
For Jodie, her page provides a focal point for all the TTTS moms
she’s met online. “They want to fundraise, and this will allow us
to have a single fund to donate to and ensure that the money
we raise goes to the area we want to support.”
The fundraising pages are designed for convenience. In just
minutes, donors can customize their page with photos and text
describing why they’re holding an event or celebrating someone
special. There are sample solicitation and thank you messages,
fundraising tips and an offline pledge form.
To set up your personal fundraising page, go to www.mshfoundation.ca
Researchers give
thanks to
Venture Sinai
In the fast-paced, competitive world of science, researchers at
the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute know that every bit of
funding support is critical to furthering their research.
Venture Sinai was designed to do just that. Begun in early 2009,
it’s the brainchild of Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation board
member Jeff Rosenthal, who wondered what would happen if he
applied an investor’s approach to fundraising for medical research.
Since the creation of Venture Sinai, this intersection of
philanthropy and investment has inspired Venture Sinai Women
and Venture Sinai 2.
“Usually, there is a gap between scientists
and the general public. Venture Sinai acts
as a bridge to connect the two groups.”
A zad e h Golipour
Dr. Robert Casper’s work on using stem cells to treat cancer was
funded by the first Venture Sinai group. The Senior Investigator and
his team have recently discovered that changes occur in cancer cells
treated with culture medium in which human embryonic stem cells
were grown. A better understanding of these changes may help
open the door to more sophisticated treatments for cancer.
“Venture Sinai has allowed us to collaborate with a stem cell
research group in Spain that will work with us to identify a
potential new anti-cancer treatment,” said Dr. Casper. “We are
extremely grateful for this support.”
Dr. Alicia Tone, a fellow in Dr. Ted Brown’s laboratory,
supported by Venture Sinai Women, focuses on identifying
early events involved in the development of epithelial ovarian
cancer. Dr. Tone hopes to improve the detection of women
at greatest risk, and ultimately reduce the number of ovarian
cancer-associated deaths.
6
Dr. Robert Casper, Camille Dan
Family Research Chair in
Translational Cell Biology
Azadeh Golipour, Venture
Sinai Fellow
“I love that the women of Venture Sinai asked challenging
and clinically important questions,” said Dr. Tone. “Recognition
as the Venture Sinai Women Fellow helped me secure a new
post-doctoral position to continue my research and establish
new scientific collaborations.”
Venture Sinai 2 members chose to support Azadeh Golipour
as their inaugural Fellow. Ms. Golipour’s work in
Dr. Jeff Wrana’s lab in cancer and stem cells is on the cutting
edge of research in Canada. Ms. Golipour’s hypothesis
is that differentiated cancer cells can reprogram in vivo
(within a living organism) to give rise to new cancer stem
cells, resulting in recurring tumour formation. A better
understanding of cancer stem cell biology will help lead to
new treatments for cancer.
“Usually, there is a gap between scientists and the general
public,” said Ms. Golipour. “Venture Sinai acts as a bridge to
connect the two groups. This is a very important mission, as it
leads them to work toward a common goal.”
To date, Venture Sinai has collectively committed nearly
$750,000 to research at the Lunenfeld, and new Venture Sinai
groups are expected to form later this year.
“The response has been overwhelming,” said Jeff Rosenthal.
“I’m thrilled that the momentum for this initiative continues.”
To learn more, and to support visionary research,
go to mshfoundation.ca
“Thank you Mount Sinai Hospital!
“I still remember the words of my anesthetist as he held
my hand just before entering the operating room: ‘I will
be with you the entire time you are in surgery.’ What
reassuring words and how safe they made me feel.
Mount Sinai has deep meaning for me and my husband,
and we have always been proud to support it. Mount
Sinai is not just a hospital; it is a good friend.”
— Sarah Kirzner, Legacy Sinai donor.
“ In Your Own Words ”
“When you say you deliver The Best Medicine,
you’re right. I saw it in action when my wife
needed an emergency c-section!”
— Avi Koren, father of Julia, pictured on the cover,
July 2010.
I am 95 years old and last week I spent 5 days at
your hospital for chest pains and fluid in my lungs.
I am writing to you because we hear so many
negative things about Health Care in Canada. I think
we are the luckiest people ever for we have the
best and your hospital is an excellent example of it.
I was on the 17th floor. I received excellent care
from your staff. everyone was so competent and
so kind.
even when I was leaving everyone made sure
that I had everything necessary to follow up
with my doctors and that I understood all the
directives. They wanted to make sure that I did
not feel that they wanted me out. On the contrary.
I am quite deaf and often people do not take
the time to speak with me. At your hospital they
spoke to me with much respect.
Bravo to the whole team on the 17th floor!
Thank you so much! I really appreciated all that
you did for me.”
— Salomon Benzaquen, March 2009.
Share your story with us! Send an email to foundation@mtsinai.on.ca
or contact us via Facebook or Twitter.
“The day I was discharged from Mount Sinai,
Owen had to stay in the NICU. I was crying; it was
awful. We got a hotel room so we could stay close
to him. We went in that night and our nurse had
dressed him in little pyjamas. To see him looking
like a healthy little baby was incredible. I can’t
even explain how much it meant to me, that a
nurse did that.”
— Ornella Mercer, June 2010.
November 20 –21, 2010
Do you have what it takes
to get into our kitchen?
www.chefschallengeforacure.com
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