As January flew by, we are amazed at how quickly 2024 is moving. The good news is that it is a leap year, which means we get an extra day this month - February 29!
As we embrace this year, Mackenzie Health Foundation, is gearing up for an ambitious year driven by our bold theme - "Be Part of Something Bigger”. We have seen time and time again that true transformation comes from our collective force; your continued involvement in our journey is essential to ensuring a bright future of health care in our community.
Over the next few months, Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital will undergo significant improvements. This includes purchasing new equipment and enhancements to seniors’ care, both of which we delve into later in this newsletter.
In this edition, we invite you to read an inspiring story about Guisen He, a 75-year-old patient, who faced a medical emergency after his second round of chemotherapy for stomach cancer.
Additionally, we’re thrilled to highlight the invaluable contributions of one of our dedicated donors, Nancy Coxford. She shares her thoughts on how donors and volunteers can unite to make an impact and transform your community hospital.
As we welcome this leap year, may it not only bring us an extra day but also an extra dose of inspiration, purpose and accomplishment. We express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and for being an essential part of the Mackenzie Health journey.
Sincerely,
Nicole McCahon
President, CEO and Donor
Quick access to critical care saved Guisen’s life
A day after Guisen He, 75, finished his second round of chemotherapy for stomach cancer, his wife realized something wasn’t right.
Instead of experiencing familiar side effects that he had experienced during his first round of chemotherapy, he remained still in bed, his legs moved from time to time, and she noticed his eyes were rolling back.
After calling their daughter Sherry, they decided to take Guisen to the Nick and Roseanne Cortellucci Emergency Department at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. When they arrived, the medical team determined he was having a seizure. Guisen had lost consciousness and before they knew it, Sherry recalls doctors and nurses running to her dad’s side to assess the situation and quickly start treatment in the Critical Care Unit.
“It was New Year’s Eve, we couldn’t see my dad, but Dr. Sissi Cao and the nurses explained what treatments they were doing to help my dad, what the next steps were for us as family members and although we didn’t know what was going on, the doctor explained all the potential scenarios, and the work they would do to get him back to a normal place,” says Sherry.
Guisen had been seeking cancer care treatment at a hospital outside of York Region, but for ease of travel and living nearby, the family requested for Guisen to undergo chemotherapy at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. This allowed them to be close to his side and have faster access to care.
Dr. Cao, an intensivist at Mackenzie Health, took the lead in caring for Guisen when he was first admitted to the hospital. Guisen required intubation for airway protection and life support while the care team investigated what was causing the seizures and managed his treatment.
“I am glad to know I had a meaningful impact on Mr. Guisen's care and was able to support his family during a critical time. The dedicated care and attention provided to patients by our team, including nurses, respiratory therapists and pharmacists is our greatest strength,” says Dr. Cao. “While our ICU's technology and equipment provide significant support to critically ill organs when it matters most, it is the reactionary efforts and immediate care by the people at Mackenzie Health set us apart even further.”
After Guisen arrived from the Emergency Department, he was transferred to Critical Care. Guisen was connected to a ventilator and an Electroencephalogram (EEG), and a diagnostic test was conducted every day to measure his brain activity. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans were also done frequently. After 10 days in Critical Care, he woke up and remained in the hospital’s care in the C4 Medicine Aqua Unit for additional treatment and assessments before being discharged home.
“When I was in Critical Care, everyone was very patient and they even found a staff member who spoke Mandarin to help understand my needs, and that was important for me,” says Guisen. “Many seniors in Richmond Hill don’t speak English and having staff available to speak different languages helped my health care treatment and it will support others in the future.”
Guisen returned home after two weeks in the hospital. He and his family express their heartfelt thanks to Mackenzie Health staff and doctors for responding quickly and saving his life.
“We are so lucky for the care my dad received at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital,” says Sherry. “We were told the seizure could have had many long-term effects, and we are just happy he woke up and is doing much better.”
Transforming Seniors Care at Mackenzie Health
Have you ever wondered what the future holds for your health as you age? Ontario's current health care system faces challenges in providing comprehensive care for seniors with complex medical conditions. At Mackenzie Health, we pose a different question: What if seniors could age with dignity, respect, and seamless access to the care they need?
In a ground-breaking initiative, Mackenzie Health is re-imagining senior care with the creation of the new Centre of Excellence for Continuing Supportive Care. That means seniors will experience a smooth transition between acute care, rehabilitation, complex care, and palliative care.
With the generous support of our donor community, Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital is evolving into a dedicated site of excellence for patients with complex chronic conditions. At the Centre of Excellence, an integrated care team uses smart technology to anticipate patient needs, ensuring that every individual receives timely and comprehensive care. Urgent cases bypass traditional triaging systems, enabling immediate access to complex or palliative care within the hospital.
But the innovation doesn't stop within hospital walls. Mackenzie Health is working in partnership with home and community-based services to provide ongoing support as patients transition between in-hospital care and community settings. MackenzieHelps, a 16-week program, facilitates a smooth transition for patients with complex care needs from hospital to home.
As we age, the new Centre of Excellence promises world-class care not just for today's seniors but for future generations. A feat that’s only possible because of our incredible donor community, and for that we thank you!
Thank you!
With the support of donors like Nancy Coxford, we’re re-imagining seniors care with the creation of the new Centre of Excellence for Continuing Supportive Care. Hear from Nancy about her legacy of giving back and volunteers and donors play an important role in a community hospital’s growth.
Nancy Coxford - Donating to Mackenzie Health (youtube.com)
Upcoming Events
Feb 22: Your legacy, your way: the power of planned giving. Sign up today!
Feb 29: A Night with the Tenor, Alberto Urso. Reserve your spot!
Feb 29: Strides early bird pricing ends. Register today and save!
*If you have an upcoming community event you would like to promote in our newsletter, please let us know. <<foundation@mackenziehealth.ca>>
Your impact is greater than you think
Your support can help fund critical equipment like CT scanners, enhancing our capacity to offer faster, accurate and high-quality diagnostic services. This cutting-edge equipment empowers our health care professionals to gain comprehensive insights, ensuring advanced diagnosis and evaluations for conditions ranging from tumors to fractures, ultimately elevating the care we deliver.
Catch up on what you missed with In Touch magazine's past editions!
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