"We inspire inspirational gifts"
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Community Rallies to Fund Rooms in Memory of Local Boy
Yorkregion.com, February 22, 2012
This story appeared in the latest Heartbeat of our Community
Born with a genetic disorder, Zack Hamilton was a regular visitor to York Central Hospital. When he and his twin Jayden arrived on Sept. 21, 2007, doctors immediately diagnosed Zack with a congenital heart defect.
He spent the first few months of his life at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, where doctors repaired his heart and discovered a rare genetic disorder that is still unnamed and undiagnosed in any other child on record.
The disorder caused a host of physical ailments and developmental delays, including hearing and feeding issues and chronic pneumonia. This meant frequent stays at York Central during the winter months, says mom Heather Hamilton.
The nurses and doctors on the pediatric unit got to know the ins and outs of Zack’s complex medical condition, but also connected with the boy and his family on a more personal level, she says.
The nurses sang his favourite songs, brought toys their children had outgrown, accommodated family dinner nights and relieved Mrs. Hamilton so she could take time to shower.
“They took wonderful care of Zack,” she recalls “and great care of me too.” “He was a happy child,” says Mrs. Hamilton. “For all his obstacles, he was determined to get the most out of life.”
She describes his learning to climb stairs, his playfulness with his two brothers and a visit to Lionel’s Farm in Stouffville, when Zack, who couldn’t walk, steadied himself against the fence to feed and pet the animals.
Within days of Zack’s death in March 2011, Mrs. Hamilton received a call from
York Central.
The nurses who had cared for Zack knew the hospital was in the process of renovating children’s rooms and wanted to see one with a plaque bearing his name.
Immediately, Mrs. Hamilton agreed to lead the fundraising effort, but admits to feeling a little intimidated by the $25,000 price tag.
A plan was soon in place to make Zack’s Dream Room happen. With content provided by the family, the hospital foundation created a stand-alone website, linked to York Central’s, for the fundraising effort. It tells Zack’s story and features a video and many photos.
Mrs. Hamilton, who connects with hundreds of moms through Twitter and Facebook, began forwarding the link to her contacts, many of whom did the same. Social media exposure led to stories in traditional media such as CBC and the Liberal.
The donations began pouring in $25, $50 and $100 at a time. An event, hosted by Lionel’s Farm in June, brought in another $8,000. Soon, the fundraising team realized it could fund not one, but two rooms.
Tammy Bucci, major gifts officer at the foundation, says the site worked so well because people connected with the story and were able to quickly and easily contribute to the cause and receive a donation receipt.
“Zack’s is a very emotional and inspirational story,” she says. “It touched people on a personal level and their response was outstanding.”
“I’m amazed because it took a lot of people donating whatever they could to get to that goal,” Mrs. Hamilton says. “A lot of families wanted to support Zack and our family.”
An Elmo doll, actually bought as a Christmas gift for his brother, was Zack’s constant companion and a comfort during frequent medical procedures and hospital stays.
“Elmo and Zack were always together,” Mrs. Hamilton says, “that doll became like a sixth member of our family.”
Zack’s Dream Room will be decorated with an Elmo theme. Construction has begun and the room is expected to be complete in March.
To learn more about Zack Hamilton, visit Heather Hamilton’s blog at tjzmommy.blogspot.com. To learn more about the fundraising effort, visit zacksdreamroom.ychfoundation.ca.
Volunteers Celebrate 50 Years of Giving to Community
Yorkregion.com, February 17, 2012
This story appeared in the latest Heartbeat of our Community
Volunteers are often the first people you meet upon entering York Central Hospital or one of its community locations.
On Jan. 30, the Volunteer Association of York Central Hospital celebrated its 50th anniversary of commitment to the organization and the community, with a reception honouring 50 years of giving. Even before York Central Hospital was open to its first patients, volunteers played a vital role.
For 50 years, women, men and teenagers have supported patients and staff, and have conducted fundraising events to enhance services at the hospital.
Our dedicated volunteers come from across southwest York Region including
Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Vaughan and King Township.
At the reception in January, hospital president and CEO Altaf Stationwala said, “Our volunteers have consistently demonstrated their dedication to providing the best service to the community. When asked to spread the word that a hospital was coming to Richmond Hill or sew bed sheets before its opening, our volunteers responded. Without our volunteers, York Central Hospital would not be the friendly and caring organization it is known to be.”
Dina Palozzi, chair of the hospital’s board of directors added, “I would like to thank all of the volunteers from the past, present and future, who help shape the volunteering commitment. Our volunteers are truly valued members of the health care team.”
Over the years, approximately 30,000 people have volunteered their time and talent, enhancing the hospital experience for countless patients and families. Currently, more than 900 volunteers offer their time by lending assistance in the hospital or by raising funds for much needed equipment.
To inquire about student or adult volunteer opportunities at York Central Hospital, contact volunteer and community resources at volunteers@yorkcentral.on.ca.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
YCH Offers Advanced Sports Medicine
YCH offers advanced sports medicine
Yorkregion.com, February 21, 2012
This story appeared in the latest Heartbeat of our Community
From weekend warriors to national competitors, injured athletes of all stripes are referred to Dr. Robert Wang, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery.
Dr. Wang completed his surgical residency at the University of Toronto before heading to the United States for training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. He then returned home to the GTA and joined the orthopedic surgery department at York Central Hospital in 2008.
Because of York Region’s growing population, Dr. Wang was able to quickly build a practice focusing on his specialties, which include arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopy is part of a general trend in surgery towards minimally invasive procedures. An arthroscope (a long, thin tube with a light and video camera) is inserted through a small incision into the interior of a joint to evaluate an injury; small surgical instruments can be inserted through a second incision to repair damage.
The advantages to this type of surgery versus traditional open surgery include shorter hospital stays, reduced scarring, less pain and faster healing. The latter can be particularly important to competitive athletes who want to get back in the game sooner.
Dr. Wang largely treats injuries to the shoulder, such as rotator cuff tears, dislocations or joint separations, and knee, including ligament tears, and injuries to the meniscus and cartilage. They can result from long-term wear and tear (such as a knee injury caused by decades of long-distance running) or traumatic injury (such as a dislocated shoulder resulting from a football tackle).
“A large percentage of my practice is treating athletes,” he says, adding they range in age from young adult on up and cover the whole spectrum of sport from recreational to competitive. “These are people who enjoy working out to stay fit and healthy.”
Dr. Wang recommends non-surgical treatment, which can include rest, physiotherapy and bracing, which is the starting point for many sports related injuries. For certain injuries or when non-surgical options have failed, he recommends surgery.
Pam Richards, manager of perioperative and surgical ambulatory services at
York Central, says demand for arthroscopy is growing, and to have a surgeon with Dr. Wang’s training at York Central is good for the hospital and its patients. “He has more specialized training than most sports medicine surgeons in Canada,” she says. “He uses the latest technology and ensures he stays at the forefront of the most current techniques and best practices.”
For example, Dr. Wang was one of only three North American surgeons chosen by the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine to participate in a training fellowship to Asia last fall. He visited the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand to meet, observe and share ideas with surgeons there.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Inspirational Gift - Lamanna Family
On January 25, 2012, Joe & Lucy Lamanna and their family members were honoured at a recognition celebration at York Central Hospital. More than 30 guests attended the plaque unveiling and reception including York Central Hospital staff and physicians as well as Foundation staff and volunteers. Thank you Joe & Lucy for Caring to make a difference!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Host Your Own Friend-Raiser in Support of YCHF
Looking to plan an event in support of York Central Hospital?
Our Special Events team has the tools you need to help plan your community event. Our Third Party Guide is a comprehensive, easy-to-use planner that can guide you in organizing your fundraiser, regardless of its size.
By planning a fundraising event benefiting York Central Hospital, you will be helping to raise awareness and improve health care in our community.
On April 7th 2011, Joseph Gulizia, President and CEO of UniversalCare and a Foundation Board Member, hosted the 2011 Universal Gala of Care which took place at Desserts Plus Ristorante in Vaughan.
It was a lovely evening with live and silent auctions and fabulous food which was enjoyed by over 110 guests. The proceeds from the event went towards the purchase of new medical equipment at York Central Hospital.
“Planning the Universal Gala of Care and contributing to the improvement of seniors’ health care services at our community hospital is very rewarding to me personally. As a volunteer of the Foundation Board and President & CEO of UniversalCare, which manages York Central Hospital’s Long Term Care beds, I am inspired to continue to raise funds for priority projects in support of this specialized patient population. Giving back to my local hospital in such a meaningful way is truly an honour and a great way to continue spreading awareness for York Central and all of the great work they do!” – Joseph Gulizia, President and CEO of UniversalCare
Contact Brian Mitchell at 905-883-1212 x 7807 to begin planning your fundraising event today!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
President's Corner - Let's Talk
Today, I’ll be participating in a national conversation to break the stigma associated with mental illness.
The second annual Bell Let’s Talk Day is taking place nationwide.
The initiative seeks to break the often negative stigma associated with mental illness. In support of the event, Bell Canada will contribute five cents for every long distance call and text message its customers make to support mental health related programs across the country.
Olympian Clara Hughes will help kick off the conversation, which includes an online portal at http://bell.ca/letstalk. Visitors to the site can post their comments and questions while learning about mental illness and how they can begin their own conversations at home and in the workplace.
The event is part of the largest ever mental health initiative by a Canadian-corporation. The five-year $50 million Bell Mental Health Initiative was announced in September 2010 and focuses on 4 pillars: anti-stigma efforts, improving care and access, research support, and new workplace initiatives.
It’s important to recognize mental illness can affect anyone. It could be your neighbour, your family member, a friend or even yourself.
To help treat this patient population, York Central Hospital launched a pilot project at Alexander Mackenzie High School. From December 2011 to June 2012, an on-site mental health professional will be at the school one day a week to connect students with the appropriate resources and to also provide an immediate link to York Central Hospital, if necessary.
“The presence of the on-site mental health worker aims to reduce the stigma often associated with mental health as well as provide students with the information they may require in a comfortable and familiar environment,” says Donna Spevakow, Senior Project Manager & Operations Director of the Mental Health Program at York Central Hospital.
The project was made possible by the James Peek Memorial Golf Classic. The tournament was created to support mental health initiatives in honour of James Peek, who suffered from mental illness as a teenager. Since the first tournament 12 years ago, the James Peek Memorial Golf Classic has designated more than $250,000 towards the mental health program at York Central Hospital.
York Central Hospital offers many other Mental Health Inpatient and Outpatient services including a Psychiatric Inpatient Unit, Day Treatment Program, Day Hospital and Crisis Intervention Services, to name a few. Our dedicated team of mental health experts works hard to ensure those suffering from mental illness get the care they require.
To find out how you can help support mental health initiatives at York Central Hospital, please give me a call at 905-883-2032 or email bleacy@yorkcentral.on.ca
In the meantime, I hope you will join me in the conversation.
Wishing you the best of health,
Bill Leacy
President & CEO
Monday, February 6, 2012
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