(May 14, 2020) – We know that living and working through COVID-19 is tough, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the wonderful things that are happening at our sites – and for our people – along the way.

Each week, we’re sharing a list of 10 great things that happened over the previous week. Have a story you’d like to share? Send it to communications@unityhealth.to.

1) COVID-19 outbreak in St. Michael’s Hemodialysis Unit was declared over on May 11

The COVID-19 outbreak in the Hemodialysis Unit at St. Michael’s Hospital was officially declared over on May 11. Thank you to the many teams who worked together so quickly and efficiently during this time to safely control and end the outbreak.

2) Amelia Pendleton and Nicole Champagne were named CBC’s ‘Front-line Heroes.’ 

Social Workers Amelia Pendleton and Nicole Champagne of St. Michael’s Hospital were named CBC Toronto’s ‘Front-line Heroes.’ Read about them here.

3) New research study is testing the use of a multi-person ventilator

A team of researchers including Unity Health’s Dr. Art Slutsky from the Keenan Research Centre and University Health Network scientists has designed and tested a ventilator circuit that can be used for ventilation of two or more patients with a single ventilator. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this design could help save lives. Link to Facebook post.

4) Heather Fletcher shares with Toronto Star readers what deep cleaning really means during the COVID-19 pandemic

The term ‘deep cleaning’ has been heard often throughout this pandemic. Heather Fletcher, Senior Director of Environmental Services at Unity Health Toronto, tells the Toronto Star what this term is describing and how this enhanced and important practice has kept all of our sites clean and safe throughout the pandemic. Read the full story.

5) Video calling service is helping families stay connected during COVID-19

Aziza was with her newborn baby in the St. Michael’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit when the pandemic’s visitor restrictions began. She was still able to connect with her husband and show him how their baby was doing through Unity Health’s video calling request service. Read about it here.

6) Flowers makes Mother’s Day special for our residents in the Houses of Providence

To celebrate Mother’s Day this year, residents at the Houses of Providence were gifted flowers on May 10. Thank you to the Providence Foundation for supporting this initiative and helping us celebrate this special day with all mothers, guardians and mother figures in the Houses!

7) Collaborating to provide safer care for pregnant patients and newborns during COVID-19

A twice-daily huddle between the three teams that care for pregnant patients and newborns at St. Michael’s has created a critical tool to safely care for this patient group during the COVID-19 pandemic.

8) St. Michael’s Choosing Wisely Initiative awarded for excellence and innovation

The St. Michael’s Choosing Wisely Initiative has been chosen to receive the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists (CSCC) Award for Innovation in Laboratory Medicine for 2020. Choosing Wisely is a multidisciplinary initiative at St. Michael’s that aims to reduce harm to patients by decreasing unnecessary tests and treatments.This award is presented to a Clinical Laboratory or network in Canada that demonstrates excellence in innovation and strategic planning and implementation, development of new laboratory programs, or the promotion of a positive image of laboratory medicine. Congratulations to this team!

9)  Donated snacks at Providence is the latest in the COVID-19 People Support Plan

On May 13, Providence staff were greeted with donated treats at the entrances as part of the current COVID-19 People Support Plan. This distribution of thank you treats, which is also rotating through St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s, is organized to thank our hardworking staff during this stressful time.

10) A message to parents from a pediatrician and researcher: you are not alone

Dr. Jonathon Maguire, a pediatrician and researcher at St. Michael’s, hopes that his COVID-19 research will help inform future policies to ensure the best experience possible for families. Dr. Maguire shares his tips for parents and guardians about how to cope during this time.