March 4, 2021

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) Our Dr. Sharon Straus investigates why COVID-19 has been so devastating to long-term care facility residents and staff

Our Dr. Sharon Straus and her team, including our Drs. Christine Fahim and Sharmistha Mishra, are using blood and saliva samples to assess the impact of COVID-19 on 72 long-term care homes. “We will also track how the COVID-19 vaccines influence immune responses over time,” she says of the project. Read more about their research as part of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force.

2) Unity Health Toronto celebrates Social Work Week

This Social Work Week, we recognize the impact our social workers have across Unity Health Toronto. During the pandemic, social workers have played a key role in reducing COVID-19 isolation by helping to connect patients and residents with their loved ones and by bringing their expertise and compassion to those in need. This Social Work Week, Ismail Shaikh, Alona Amurao and Julia Nalini Gibran share how they have adapted during the pandemic.

3) St. Michael’s Hospital’s Pharmacy (Year 1) Residency Program receives full accreditation

The Canadian Hospital Pharmacy Residency Board (CPRB) of the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP) has awarded the St. Michael’s Pharmacy residency program a full accreditation. The CPRB commends the department for its continued support and participation in residency training. Congratulations to the team!

4) We open a time capsule from 1996 in celebration of St. Joseph’s Health Centre’s 100th year anniversary

In 1996, St. Joseph’s Health Centre’s staff, physicians and volunteers sealed a time capsule to be opened during our hospital’s 100th anniversary. In 2011, additional items were put in the time capsule.

5) Our Dr. Stephen Hwang cautions against the temptation to comparison shop COVID-19 vaccines

Canadians should not be picky about which COVID-19 vaccine they get and should embrace every tool that can slow the pandemic says our Dr. Stephen Hwang. He told the Canadian Press that the efficacy between vaccines cannot be compared since they involved different trials and different time, in different countries, with different volunteers and varying trial design. Read more.

6) Newsweek recognizes St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s on their Best Hospitals in Canada list

Newsweek named St. Michael’s Hospital the 9th and St. Joseph’s Health Centre the 50th best hospitals in the country in 2021 due to our consistent excellence, distinguished physicians, top-notch nursing care and state-of-the-art technology. Read more.  

7) Our Dr. Ripudaman Minhas answers questions about the pandemic and its effect on children

How will the pandemic affect a child’s development? What are the long-term effects? Our Dr. Ripudaman Minhas was on CTV The Social to answer these questions. Watch the segment.

8) Does life return to normal after getting the COVID-19 vaccine? Our Dr. Tali Bogler weighs in

Although Dr. Tali Bogler got the COVID-19 vaccine, she is still maintaining public health precautions, including not seeing her parents. “It’s really hard,” she said, “This period of time, from now until September, I guess, when everyone else is vaccinated, is a transition period.” She discusses why she is not letting her guard down with CBC News.

9) Why should provinces collect data on race and ethnicity? Our Dr. Andrew Pinto weighs in

BIPOC Manitobans face disproportionate rates of COVID-19 infection according to a new report released by the provincial government. Our Dr. Andrew Pinto says collecting data on race and ethnicity is important because provinces can start to look at the issue of systemic racism. Read more in CBC News.

10) Our Dr. Sahil Gupta pens TVO article on how hospitals are tackling COVID-19 hot spots in the GTA

The pandemic has disproportionately affected certain regions, hospitals and health care workers. In response, GTA hospitals have developed a burden-sharing approach to address the impact. Read more.