Putting patients first
Mackenzie Health continues to innovate to provide the best care possible and we’re winning awards for it! Most recently, Mackenzie Health’s Dr. Andrew Evans won a prestigious award for his revolutionary work in the world of pathology.
Our team of staff and physicians also continues to care for high volumes of patients coming into the Emergency Departments at both of our hospitals despite addressing the challenges of staffing shortages.
While the number of COVID-19 patients in our hospitals has stabilized, many in our community are still feeling the long-term effects of the virus, including Richmond Hill residents Karen and Derek.
There are also plenty of opportunities for residents in the communities we serve to provide input as we look towards shaping Mackenzie Health’s future.
All this and more in this edition of the Insider.
Faster and more accurate diagnoses for patients
Dr. Andrew Evans, Chief of Pathology and Medical Director of Laboratory Medicine at Mackenzie Health, recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the College of American Pathologists.
Mackenzie Health continually strives to be a leader in health care ensuring that patients always receive the best care possible from clinical experts using state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
Mackenzie Health’s Chief of Pathology and Medical Director of Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Andrew Evans, is one of those clinical experts. He was recently recognized with the College of American Pathologists’ Lifetime Achievement Award for his efforts to help patients get diagnosed with disease faster, receive a more accurate diagnosis and faster treatment through an interconnected digital pathology platform.
Traditionally, pathologists would examine specimens like blood or tissue samples using a glass slide and a microscope. At Mackenzie Health, samples are digitized using a special scanner and scans are transmitted over a secure online network so our pathologists can make an accurate and timely diagnosis. It also enables them to explore a second opinion from colleagues all over the world easily and securely in a matter of moments.
Mackenzie Health is the first in Ontario to use digital pathology for the primary diagnosis of patients and is the only organization in the province to have transitioned to a fully digital workflow. This digital platform also allowed pathologists to continue their important work during the height of the pandemic. In fact, Dr. Evans helped develop important guidelines for how samples could be examined safely and accurately while working remotely during the pandemic, often from home.
To learn more about Dr. Evans and the innovative way his team at Mackenzie Health is supporting patient diagnoses, take a look at a special CTV Toronto feature that aired earlier this month.
Mackenzie Health supports a couple through their COVID-19 journey
Karen Cilevitz and her partner Derek Christie received exemplary care at Mackenzie Health as they recovered from COVID-19.
Karen Cilevitz and Derek Christie felt they had done everything right. They followed public health rules, stayed home as much as possible, kept to a very small social bubble of close family and friends and patiently waited for their turn to roll up their sleeves to get the COVID-19 vaccine. But in April 2021, their lives changed forever.
At the height of the third wave of the pandemic, Karen had already received her first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and Derek had just become eligible and was due for his in the days to follow. Both had stayed mostly at home and were hypervigilant, except for what they now refer to as that dreadful day on April 16, when Derek, a musician, had attended a recording session for a new album being produced at his friend’s music studio.
Derek developed a cough and fever about three days after exposure. Within days, both Derek and Karen had tested positive. Both started their 14-day quarantine as instructed by York Region Public Health. They had no interaction with the outside world and groceries and food from family and friends were delivered to their doorstep.
Karen was slowly getting better, but on day 13, she called 911 after she found Derek unresponsive and barely breathing in the middle of the night. Paramedics took Derek to Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital while Karen worried by herself at home, still under quarantine.
Less than an hour after Derek was taken to Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, an Emergency Department physician called Karen with an update.
“I will never forget that call for as long as I live,” said Karen. “The doctor said, ‘I’m going to bring the phone to Derek’s ear, this might be your last chance to speak to him’ as he had to be intubated and placed on a ventilator.” As the doctor held the phone for Derek, she told her long-time partner that she loved him and that the doctors were doing all they could to help him.
It was mid-May when Derek was stable enough to be transferred to a critical care bed at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital.
Following hospital protocols and donning personal protective equipment (PPE), Karen finally had the chance to see Derek for the first time in three weeks.
“The care Derek received was exceptional. We are so grateful for the staff, physicians, nurses and specialists,” said Karen. “He is alive today because of the extraordinary care he received at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.”
But their fight with COVID-19 was far from over. In late May, Derek began to experience complications while still in the ICU. Critical care physician Dr. Eyal Golan told Karen that Derek had only a five per cent chance of surviving.
Following another nine days on a ventilator, Derek began to recover once again and on June 2 he opened his eyes. Dubbed “Miracle Man” by the staff at Mackenzie Health, today Derek is learning to talk, walk, sit and chew again. After more than four months of hospitalization – which included five weeks in ICU, followed by acute care and intensive rehabilitation – Derek is back home and grateful to be alive.
“People need to get vaccinated, please do your part and roll up your sleeve,” said Derek. “My partner Karen didn’t end up in the hospital, in ICU like me fighting for her life because Karen had gotten that first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. She was very ill and needed out-patient care but avoided having to be hospitalized. The doctors agree that her first vaccine most likely saved her life.”
Thousands participate in Mackenzie Health’s annual telephone town hall
On Nov. 16, nearly 9,000 residents from across King, Vaughan and Richmond Hill participated in Mackenzie Health’s annual telephone town hall to hear about hospital operations and how we’re supporting residents across western York Region. Many residents also had a two-way conversation with members of Mackenzie Health’s leadership team by asking questions in real time.
If you missed the live event, you can listen to a recording below.
Shaping the future of Mackenzie Health
We are beginning to plan for what the future of Mackenzie Health could look like now that we are a two-hospital organization. A plan defining our future objectives will be rolled out in early 2022 and will set out Mackenzie Health’s focus, efforts and resources reflecting the needs of our patients and the communities we serve.
Our community has a vital role to play in shaping our future. We encourage you to provide your feedback and complete a short online survey by Dec. 8.
This is important work and we’re looking forward to hearing your feedback about what’s important to you.
Time is running out to buy your tickets for the Mackenzie Health 50/50 community lottery grand prize draw
The grand prize jackpot is now at $10,595 and growing. Buy your tickets before Monday, Nov. 29 at 11:59 p.m. for your chance to win this month’s grand prize jackpot. The grand prize draw will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m. All proceeds will support Mackenzie Health’s highest-priority needs. To buy your tickets and for complete rules of play, visit MHF5050.ca.
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