(November 19, 2020) – 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) We spotlight our staff and physicians on our new #BehindtheMask website

On March 17, 2020, our world changed. Our staff and physicians faced the challenge in remarkable ways. The Behind the Mask series features the stories of people across our sites, told in their own words. You can read how the pandemic has changed them on our new website.

2) How can you protect yourself and others during this year’s “double-whammy” flu season? Our Dr. Matthew Muller weighs in.

Flu season is here and it is especially important to protect yourself this year. That is because COVID-19 and the flu are both contagious respiratory illnesses and they present with very similar symptoms. Dr. Matthew Mueller, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at St. Michael’s Hospital, shares how to prepare for the flu season during the pandemic. Read the Q&A.

3) St. Michael’s ‘Patient as Teacher’ program recognized at provincial awards ceremony

One of the greatest limitations of surgical education is that students only see a snapshot of the impact breast cancer has on a patient and their support system. To overcome this barrier in medical education, Dr. Jory Simpson and his team at St. Michael’s created the Patient as Teacher program. For their work, the team received this year’s honourable mention in the Innovation Award category at the Cancer Quality Council of Ontario’s annual ceremony. Read more.

4)  We celebrated our learners and educators through academic achievement awards

During Education Week, we recognized the incredible work and impact of our teachers, students, residents, interns and fellows. Join us in celebrating the winners at the Academic Achievement Day Awards at St. Joseph’s, St. Michael’s 15th Annual Education Achievement Day and the Leadership Development Certificate recipients at Unity Health Toronto. Learn more.

5) St. Michael’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre staff make testing more welcoming for children

A COVID-19 test can intimidate anyone, but walking into a hospital full of people wearing yellow gowns, face shields and gloves can be particularly scary for kids. To address this, the St. Michael’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre has adapted its testing protocols for children. Read more.

6) The Toronto Star spoke with Dr. Farah Mawani on the ‘alarming’ COVID-19 positivity rates in Brampton  

In early October, COVID-19 testing was limited and public health stopped contact tracing except for high-risk settings. Our Dr. Farah Mawani, of the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at Unity Health Toronto, says it is a “recipe for disaster.” She discusses why the current pandemic response is failing with the Toronto Star. Read more.

7) Five Unity Health experts are informing Ontario’s response to the pandemic

Every week, Dr. Peter Jüni, director of the Science Table, along with his Unity Health colleagues Drs. Arthur Slutsky, Janet Smylie, Fahad Razak and Pavlos Bobos, gather with other scientists on Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table to discuss questions pertaining to the pandemic that many have never considered. The Science Table provides weekly summaries of the best global evidence to the Province of Ontario’s Health Coordination Table, and recaps findings for the public in the form of Science Briefs. Read more about how our experts are guiding the government’s decision-making.

8) West Toronto Ontario Health Team ran four successful outdoor flu clinics

As part of the West Toronto Ontario Health Team, we provided the flu vaccine to 1,800 individuals at four outdoor flu clinics. A big thank you to everyone who came together over the past two weekends to provide great care for the West Toronto community.

9) A study led by Dr. Subodh Verma suggests a third of diabetes medication is effective in treating patients with heart failure

A medication used to treat diabetes is able to reduce hospitalizations and cardiovascular deaths in patients with heart failure by 33 per cent, suggests a recent study led by Dr. Subodh Verma, a cardiovascular surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital and scientist at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science. Read more about the study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

10) We highlight how patient engagement is crucial in basic science research

For Dr. Andrew Advani, Endocrinologist and Scientist at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael’s, patient engagement can always offer a valuable perspective. “Working with patients helps to identify questions that are particularly important to our most important stakeholders – the patients themselves.” Read more.