(July 23, 2020) – 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 this week. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Send it to communications@unityhealth.to.

1) St. Joseph’s Laura Prince wins a national sonography award

As a Medical Education Specialist in Ultrasound, Laura Prince has educated and mentored students, created online education for the Michener Institute, and travelled internationally to train on ultrasound use. For this and more, she received the national Fellowship Award in Ultrasound from Sonography Canada.

2) We spotlight the dedication of our Environmental Services Teams in the face of COVID-19

Once the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Environmental Services team at Unity Health Toronto assumed that every patient who came into our sites had the virus, which meant more frequent and enhanced cleanings. Francisco Vega Jamaica, a Unit Service Worker in the St. Michael’s Emergency Department, explained exactly what this enhanced cleaning entails. Read our profile of Francisco.

3) St. Michael’s Dr. Shazeen Suleman discusses microagressions in pediatric education

Three Toronto researchers including Dr. Shazeen Suleman, a Scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute and Pediatrician at St. Michael’s, explored how microagressions affect medical students who are training to be pediatricians. Their commentary, published recently, explained the prevalence of microagressions and how we can all contribute to stopping this harmful behaviour.

4) We spotlight how Unity Health Toronto incorporates traditional Indigenous healing approaches into health care

Westwind is an Anishinaabe woman who has worked with elders in her community for more than 30 years. She brings that important knowledge to Unity Health Toronto’s First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Indigenous Community Advisory Panel (CAP), which was established to help health care teams provide culturally aware and sensitive care to the many First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Indigenous patients of Unity Health.

5) Less than 1 per cent of B.C.’s population was infected in the early stages of COVID-19. Our experts weigh in on what that suggests

A serology study in British Columbia found that less than 1 per cent of its population was infected with COVID-19 in the first wave. Dr. Prabhat Jha, Director of the Centre for Global Health Research at St. Michael’s, explains why the interpretation of studies like this can be tricky. Read the full story.

6) Ontario flattened the COVID-19 curve, but not without a cost. Our experts weigh in

When the COVID-19 pandemic started, outpatient services closed to curtail the spread and keep patients and staff safe. Now, many patients who required rehabilitation services are struggling and on standby. Shawn Brady, Senior Clinical Program Director of Rehabilitation and Palliative Care at Providence, weighs in on the impact of these delays. Read more.

7) What is batch testing and is it useful? Our experts weigh in

Batch testing helps quickly screen populations for a specific disease, and is particularly helpful when there’s a cluster of infections taking place with a specific group. Dr. Prabhat Jha explains what batch testing is and when it’s helpful. Watch the interview with Dr. Jha.

8) Dr. Cusimano examines potential concussive events in three professional soccer tournaments

Dr. Michael Cusimano, Neurosurgeon and Director of the Injury Prevention Research Office at St. Michael’s, analyzed potential concussive events in three professional soccer tournaments over the course of four years. His findings were recently published in a study in BMJ Journal. Read the study.

9) We spotlight how Unity Health Toronto is prioritizing the safety of its patients and staff

We have taken multiple measures to ensure everyone who steps into our sites is safe, whether they are working, visiting or receiving care. These measures include entrance screening, universal masking, enhanced cleaning and much more.

10) Providence collaborates with organizations in the community to reach the marginalized

Providence clinicians are bringing their services into the community through partnerships with community groups to serve people experiencing poverty and other barriers to health care during the pandemic. Read more.