(November 26, 2020) – Each week, we’re sharing a list of 10 great things that happened at our sites. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Send it to communications@unityhealth.to.

1) Unity Health Toronto is part of three new Ontario Health Teams

The Ontario Ministry of Health recently approved thirteen new Ontario Health Teams and Unity Health is proud to be a member of three including: Downtown East Toronto, Scarborough and West Toronto. Thank you to our community of exceptional members, patients and clients who helped us achieve this incredible milestone. Read more.

2) Three Unity Health Toronto physicians recognized by Toronto Life

Dr. Kamran Khan, a physician at St. Michael’s Hospital, was selected as one of fifty most influential Torontonians in 2020. Toronto Life also named Drs. Patricia O’Campo and Janet Smylie Medical Marvels for their inspiring work. Dr. O’Campo and Janet Smylie would like to acknowledge their Indigenous community research partners, Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto and Nishnawbe Homes. Read more.

3) We spotlight our researchers’ contributions to the United Nations’ Research Roadmap for the COVID-19 Recovery

Researchers from St. Michael’s Hospital are among 250 global experts who contributed to the recently published United Nations’ Research Roadmap for the COVID-19 Recovery. The Roadmap seeks to address the severe health, humanitarian and socio-economic consequences of the pandemic, and to guide countries toward supporting targeted research. The St. Michael’s team focused on economic response and recovery.

4) St. Joseph’s Our Lady of Mercy Wing and entrance is now called the Garron Family Our Lady of Mercy Wing and entrance

A hospital wing and entrance at St. Joseph’s Health Centre are being renamed to honour Myron and Berna Garron for their transformative $10 million donation to the hospital. The Garron’s donation has transformed the hospital’s diagnostic imaging capacity with two new Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanners.

5) Our Dr. Irfan Dhalla speaks to CNN about Toronto’s second lockdown

Toronto began its second lockdown earlier this week. “It’s quite clear, we’re in a lot of trouble. Our public health officials and our elected leaders decided there really was no other choice but to take a big step back,” says our Dr. Irfan Dhalla, vice president of physician quality at Unity Health Toronto. He spoke with CNN about what led the city to its second lockdown. Read more.

6) We spotlight Chloe Walls as part of our #BehindtheMask series

Chloe Walls, social worker for the Family Health Team at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, says “the importance of community and coming together to support each other” was her key takeaway during the pandemic. Read her story #BehindtheMask.

7) How effective is Ontario’s pandemic response? Our Dr. Farah Mawani weighs in  

As COVID-19 continues to surge in Ontario, Dr. Farah Mawani, epidemiologist at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, says the province needs to implement targeted approaches that take the needs of each neighbourhood into consideration. This includes working with communities to find solutions that work for them. Watch her interview with Your Morning.

8) Our Dr. Janet Smylie comments on the reality for Indigenous people living in Canadian cities during the pandemic

COVID-19 is drastically under-reported among Indigenous people living in cities says our Dr. Janet Smylie, researcher at St. Michael’s Hospital and research chair in Indigenous health knowledge and information. She spoke with the Toronto Star on the issue. Read more.

9) Canada can become a global leader in COVID-19 treatments. Our Drs. Fahad Razak and Arthur Slutsky explain why in The Globe and Mail    

The steroid dexamethasone is the only clearly effective treatment that reduces both symptoms and mortality of COVID-19. This treatment was based on the United Kingdom’s landmark Randomized Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) trial. Our Dr. Fahad Razak, general internist at St Michael’s Hospital and Arthur Slutsky, clinician-scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital, believe that Canada is well positioned to conduct trials such as RECOVERY. Read more in their opinion piece published in the Globe and Mail.

10) We highlight the Hepatic, Pancreatic and Biliary Tract (HPB) Surgical Oncology Team at St. Joseph’s for World Pancreatic Cancer Day

As one of the largest HPB surgery units in Canada, the HPB Surgical Oncology team at St. Joseph’s Health Centre aims to provide the best care for pancreatic cancer patients. Despite the challenges during the pandemic, they have worked together to find creative and innovative ways to maintain and grow their volumes and improve the patient experience. Learn more.