Teen idol Justin Bieber has thrown his support behind Sunnybrook, raising $250,000 for the hospital’s Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder at an intimate pre-Christmas concert.

“We’re extremely fortunate and apprecia-tive to have the support of such a high-profile celebrity like Justin Bieber,” says Dr. Benjamin Goldstein, the centre’s director.

Issue No. 1 January, 2012

Teen idol Justin Bieber throws support behind Sunnybrook“The funds will go toward specialized nurs-ing care for teens with bipolar disorder, and will help us to revolutionize the future of care for these teens.”

The Massey Hall Concert—a much smaller venue than Bieber generally fills—featured songs from Under the Mistletoe, Bieber’s holi-day album, as well as his other releases. A portion of the concert was broadcast on MuchMusic and CTV on Dec. 22, and over other dates, as Justin Bieber: Home for the Holidays.

Sunnybrook supporters who attended the con-cert were also treated to an exclusive pre-con-cert party that featured food and refreshments (such as “Baby Baby Baby Hot Chocolate”), a free copy of Under the Mistletoe, and a performance by hip hop dance act Magen Boys Entertainment. The event went beyond raising much-needed funds.

“Justin Bieber’s support goes beyond mon-ey; he’s helping us break down the stigma

that youths with bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions face—and we’re re-ally grateful for that,” says Dr. Goldstein.

In fact, Sunnybrook saw a spike in its Twitter followers—from about 5,000 to more than 8,000—after Bieber tweeted about Sunnybrook to his own 16 million followers about the “great night” he was having.

Sunnybrook’s Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, the largest in Canada, provides specialized care to adolescents 13 to 18 who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or who are experiencing symptoms. Through cutting-edge treatments, the centre helps patients sooner and more effectively than by traditional mental health approaches.

The centre’s world-class staff also conducts state-of-the-art research, education and advocacy.Michael McKinnon

Justin Bieber selected Sunnybrook’s Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder as a beneficiary of his Home for the Holidays concert.

Having led billion dollar fundraising cam-paigns both in Canada and overseas, Jon Dellandrea, PhD. now joins Sunnybrook Foundation as its president and chief execu-tive officer, effective April 2, 2012.

“Sunnybrook’s aim is to invent new ways to care for the people who count on us at the most critical times in their lives. We can only do this with investment from our community. There is no other person in the country more qualified than Jon to build that investment in Sunnybrook,” said Perry Dellelce, chair of Sunnybrook Foundation’s board.

Barry McLellan, president and CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre added, “In order to deliver the innovative care our community needs, we need a sustainable, predictable base of philanthropic support. Jon has successfully tackled this challenge at other complex, internationally renowned organizations like Sunnybrook.”

“Without question, Jon is the caliber of leader Sunnybrook Foundation needs in or-der to be positioned to meet the great needs

of the people who count on Sunnybrook,” said Jennifer Tory, chair of the Campaign for Sunnybrook.

“I am inspired by the commitment that Sunnybrook, already a first-rate institution, has to doing great things even better. This commitment, along with Sunnybrook’s clinical and research achievements are the reasons I am honoured to serve this remark-able organization,” said Dellandrea. “I look forward to putting all I have to offer behind the Sunnybrook’s pursuit of world-leading health care innovation.”

In addition to managing its operations, Dellandrea will lead the Foundation in achieving the goals of its $470-million Campaign for Sunnybrook.

Prior to joining Sunnybrook Foundation, Dellandrea was the former Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Development and External Affairs) at the University of Oxford. As Vice-President and Chief Development Officer at the University of Toronto, he headed the single largest fundrais-

ing campaign in the history of Canadian Universities, raising more than $1.2 billion.

He has received numerous awards, includ-ing the Order of Canada; the Laureate Award of the Institute for Charitable Giving in the United States; the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education; and the Outstanding Fundraising Executive Award from the National Society of Fundraising Executives.

Internationally renowned leader to head Sunnybrook Foundation

Jon S. Dellandrea has been appointed as the new President and CEO of Sunnybrook Foundation.

Experts examine variable survival rates of brain injured patientsA new study has found the number of pa-tients withdrawn from life support after suf-fering a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) varies significantly across six of the largest trauma centres in Canada.

“The recommendations that are made when it comes to withdrawing life support for patients suffering from a severe TBI can vary from doctor to doctor, and from centre to centre,” says study co-author Dr. Damon Scales, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

The study, which included a multicentre team of Canadian researchers from the six trauma centres involved, examined the number and timing of deaths that occurred among patients sustaining a severe TBI. Of the 114 patients who died within the first three days of care, 73 died following the withdrawal of life support.

The authors of the study believe that in some cases, three days may be too soon to make accurate predictions about neurological prognosis. However, the study also considers that some doctors or centres may be more proactive in counseling patients’ families on the probability of the patient making a meaningful recovery.

“These findings highlight that clinicians need better and more objective tests to help

them make more timely and accurate de-terminations of prognosis, and also suggest that a more standardized approach to these determinations should be considered,” says Dr. Scales, who is also Assistant Professor of Medicine, Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, University of Toronto.

Scales and his co-authors hope the study will lead to more research on the specific factors that physicians and the patients’ families consider when making their decision to withdraw a TBI patient’s life support, and that those findings can be used to create universal guidelines for care.

The study, which was funded in part by the Fondation de l’Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, appeared in the October issue of Canadian Medical Association Journal.Sybil Edmonds

Sunnybrook launches new electronic whiteboards to help improve patient careOn November 29, Sunnybrook’s acute medi-cal-surgical inpatient units at the Bayview and Holland sites launched a new Care Visibility module of the Bed Management System (BMS), which is part of the “Drive to 95” oc-cupancy initiative.

The most obvious change is the electronic white boards which replace the dry-erase whiteboards on each unit. Information is fed from the BMS and includes care icons that have been developed to represent patient specific information (e.g. risk of falls, allergies), discharge milestones, nursing assignment and the memo board. The electronic whiteboards also show the name of the service provider, pending activity including diagnostic tests the patient has to be transported to, the unit’s pending admissions.

The updated BMS and electronic whiteboards will communicate discharge milestones for patients to the health-care team. These are care goals that each patient needs to meet before discharge. Five milestones have been standardized corporately and there are many

other milestones that can be applied on an individual basis, depending on the patient’s diagnosis and needs upon discharge.

“With this technology we are developing an ex-cellent visual cue for the care team, which will help identify barriers to discharge earlier, and allow for greater planning,,” says Bev Waite, Manager of Patient Flow. “We anticipate that this new system will enhance patient care and communication within the care team.”Laura Bristow

Touchpoint Pharmacy is now in the Sunnybrook ER

Sunnybrook and Patient Care Automation Services Inc. are pleased to announce that two Touchpoint Pharmacy™ machines are now fully operational in Sunnybrook’s Emergency Department waiting room.

Touchpoint Pharmacy is convenient and simple to use, and allows patients and staff the convenience of filling their prescriptions before they leave the Emergency Department.Patients can use Touchpoint Pharmacy in three steps:1. Touch the screen, insert a prescription, and

pick up the phone2. Two-way video conferencing connects

patients with a pharmacist, allowing for private and personalized counseling

3. Prescription medications are labeled and dispensed by the machine

Visit the machines today, and a Touchpoint pharmacist will be able to demonstrate the entire process. Touchpoint machines are also still available in the lobby of the Holland Orthopaedic and Arthritic Centre.Sybil Edmonds

Sunnybrook CEO Barry McLellan tests the new machines at the Touchpoint launch event on December 15.

The study aims to help lead to more research on the specific factors to be considered when making a decision to withdraw a traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient’s life support.

Care Visibility Team with the new electronic white boards on D5. L to R: Kate Law, Debra Carew, Lisa Campbell, Meaghan Patton (absent: Bev Waite)

Sunnybrook staff and volunteers - are you looking to get involved in this year’s I Love Sunnybrook Campaign? Sign-up as a Campaign Captain and be part of the action. You’ll receive amazing perks including:

1 vacation dayCool Sunnybrook swagFront-of-the-line access to all eventsAnd more!

Sign-up today on Sunnynet or contact Franca Palummieri at 416.480.5344.

nothing like the lived experience, and the depth of sharing goes further with peers than with people who haven’t gone through a burn.”

“It’s a patient-driven day,” says Hayward. “It’s because of them that the day is great. By the end there is lots of interaction, and people exchanging contact information. It was also great to see that some of the people who hung back last year were participating more.”

Plans are already in the works for next year’s Family Day.

“We want survivors to know that there is no forced participation,” says Knighton. “Come to learn and listen – it is an education day with no expectations.”Laura Bristow

Burn survivors and families learn and share together during family day For the second year in a row, burn survivors and their families gathered at the Toronto Firefighters’ Training Academy to share their stories and learn from each other.

The day is organized by SickKids, St. John’s Rehab, and Sunnybrook’s Ross Tilley Burn Centre (RTBC). Its goal is to provide peer support and education for burn survivors and their families in a safe environment. A range of survivors attend, from children and teens to adults and seniors. Survivors are also at differ-ent stages of recovery; some are recent burns, and some are older.

“Seeing other people living and thriving after a burn is very empowering for survivors,” says Anne Hayward, social worker in the RTBC. “And often the day is just as powerful for spouses and family members.”

Keynote speaker for the day was Kim Phuc, the child in the famous photo of a napalm attack during the Vietnam War. She spoke of forgiveness. Other topics included body image, grief and loss, and transition into life post-burn. For children, fun activities and op-portunities to make new friends were planned.

“The peer support is really what participants respond to and enjoy,” says Judy Knighton, Clinical Nurse Specialist for RTBC. “There’s

The Canadian Simulation Centre at Sunnybrook receives accreditationAfter months of preparation, Sunnybrook’s Canadian Simulation Centre has received accreditation from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). It is the first simulation program in Ontario to receive this distinction.

Accreditation is a voluntary process that includes an external review of a simulation program’s ability to provide continuing pro-fessional development activities according to the highest standards. It recognizes that the simulation program has passed a rigorous peer review ensuring that simulation-based learning activities are planned and delivered according to the latest research.

“It is an honour to receive accreditation from the RCPSC. We are very proud of the work that we do through the Centre, and to be recognized for it is extremely rewarding,” says Dr. Jordan Tarshis, director of Anesthesia Simulation.”

The Simulation Centre at Sunnybrook was the first of its kind in Canada when it opened in 1995. It is a multidisciplinary simulation centre with a wide variety of users including medical students, residents, physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapy students. The Centre edu-cates approximately 1,300 people every year.

In addition to its extensive education activities, the Centre has a large research program, head-ed by Research Director Dr. Pamela Morgan. Research is currently focused on team training in obstetrical emergencies, and resident train-ing, which is headed by Critical Care physician Dr. Dominique Piquette.

For further information please contact Susan DeSousa (Simulation Coordinator) at (416) 480-6100 x 3377 or via email at susan.desousa@sunnybrook.ca.Laura Bristow

Tomato salsa

Try this recipe in one of your next gatherings!

This recipe has been approved by a Sunnybrook dietitian. For more information on healthy eating, visit our Clinical Nutrition pages.

Ingredients:•1lb medium tomatoes, diced •1/2 cup fresh chopped onion •2 tbsp fresh jalapeno chili peppers,

minced •1/4 cup fresh cilantro •2 tbsp fresh lime juice •1/2 tsp garlic powder

Directions:1. In small bowl, mix together all ingredients. 2. Cover and chill. Additional information: Serve with low-carb, whole-grain chips or veggie dippers.Serves 20.Recipe courtesy of dlife.com

Nutritional Facts per serving

Calories 7.5

Carbohydrates 1.7 g

Fibre 0.4 g

Sugar 1g

Protein 0.3 g

Sodium 1.7 mg

Saturated Fat 0 g

Unsaturated Fat 0.1g

Potassium 47.1 mg

Ross Tilley Burn Centre team members with Kim Phuc (centre) at the 2011 Family Day for Burn Survivors and their Families

The Canadian Simulation Centre at Sunnybrook received Accreditation in late 2011. L to R: Susan DeSousa, Keith Rose, Barry McLellan, Dr. Jordan Tarshis, Alison Welch, Dr. Joshua Tepper

CTV’s Tom Brown speaks with Sun-nybrook veteran John Slater.)

Sunnybrook’s toy drive for Toy Mountain Campaign a success!

On December 12, CTV ‘s Tom Brown hosted a live broadcast from Sunnybrook’s M wing to celebrate the hospital’s support for the Toy Mountain Campaign, which distributes new toys to needy children in our city through The Salvation Army. A number of Sunnybrook’s veterans were on hand to talk about their role of giving back to the community, including the intergenerational program that allows vet-erans to teach local students about their experi-ences. Dr. Jocelyn Charles, Medical Director of the Veterans Centre and Art Therapist Lorrie Clarke were on hand to discuss their programs, and Sunnybrook’s goal of collecting 6,000 toys this holiday season. Thank you to everyone who helped build a mountain of toys!Monica Matys

Can computer-based assessments help diagnose dementia early?As the Canadian population ages, the early diagnosis of dementia is increasingly impor-tant. In particular, family physicians will be called upon to administer lengthy cognitive assessments more often, straining their busy family practice schedules.

A group of researchers at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre are working to im-prove this process. Led by Dr. Mary Tierney, Director of the Primary Care Research Unit at Sunnybrook, the study is examining the feasibility of computer-administered cogni-tive assessments.

“While FPs believe in the importance of cognitive assessments, the limited time they have to complete them is a major obstacle. Computerized testing could be used to as-sist FPs in patient care, as long it is feasible in their older patients,” says Dr. Tierney, who is also a Professor in the Department of Family Community Medicine at University of Toronto.

To date, Sunnybrook researchers have ad-ministered the Computerized Assessment of Mild Cognitive Impairment (CAMCI) to 263 patients, 65 and older. Of the 259 patients who completed the assessment, 93% were able to do so without any additional instructions beyond those provided at the beginning of the test. The main reason the patients needed additional instructions was lack of prior computer use.

“This shows a computerized cognitive assess-ment could work well in a family medicine setting. For patients who have never used a computer before, an administrator can be present to help, and it is not necessary for that person to have any specific knowledge about the CAMCI or cognitive function,” says Dr. Jocelyn Charles, a co-investigator on the study and Chief of Family Medicine at Sunnybrook.

The next step in the study is to individually interview family physicians regarding the usefulness of the computerized test report, and to compare patients’ computerized test results with those from paper-based tests. The study continues until the fall of 2012.Sybil Edmonds

Sunnybrook researchers have administered the Computerized Assessment of Mild Cognitive Impairment (CAMCI) to 263 patients, aged 65 and older.

Sunnybrook researchers studying emotional issues in Alzheimer’s patientsEmotional issues, such as apathy and de-pression, have long been challenging symp-toms to identify and treat in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Sunnybrook’s Dr. Krista Lanctôt and Dr. Nathan Herrmann are hoping to change that. They have two re-search studies in progress that are focused on addressing emotional issues in Alzheimer’s disease.

The Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial, or ADMET, will evaluate whether the drug methylphenidate is an efficient and safe way to treat apathy. Common signs of apathy include a loss of interest in people and activi-ties, as well as reduced emotional capacity.

“When AD patients suffer from apathy, they are less able to perform activities of daily living. This not only increases caregiver stress, but also results in higher institutionalization rates and health-care costs. The number of AD patients world-wide could reach 80 million by 2040, so finding effective treatments for apathy is an important priority,” says Dr. Lanctôt, Senior Scientist, Brain Sciences Program at the Sunnybrook Research Institute.

The second study addresses another challenge doctors often face with AD patients— ac-curately diagnosing neuropsychiatric issues when the patient has difficulty describing how they feel.

“In late stage Alzheimer’s disease, patients can progress to the point of losing the ability to speak, making diagnosis of other health issues, such as apathy and depression, much more challenging,” says Dr. Herrmann, head of Geriatric Psychiatry at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

The study will look at an AD patient’s visual attention to sad, neutral and social pictures, also known as the visual attention scanning system. The tests that currently exist are sub-jective and usually rely on an informant, such as a caregiver, to supply the information about the AD patient’s emotional state. “The tool we are studying is more of an objective way of diagnosing emotional issues, which can help clinicians make more accurate treatment deci-sions,” says Dr. Herrmann.Sybil Edmonds

Sunnybrook researchers Dr. Nathan Herrmann and Dr. Krista Lanctôt.

January is Alzheimer Awareness Month!

Special care deserves special thanks.

To donate, visit sunnybrook.ca/champion or call 416-480-4483.

CHAMPI NSof Care

CHAMPI NSof Care

CHAMPI NSof Care

CHAMPI NS

If someone at Sunnybrook has made a diff erence in your life, you can recognize them as a Champion of Care by making a donation in their honour.

Dr. Homer Tien, medical director of Sunnybrook’s Tory Regional Trauma Centre, was invested with the Order of Military Merit on December 2 at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The Order of Military Merit is given to members of the Canadian Forces who have demonstrated dedica-tion and devotion beyond the call of duty, achieving conspicuous merit and exception-al military service. It is administered by the Governor General on behalf of the Queen. Laura Bristow

Sunnybrook trauma doctor receives Order of Military Merit

Dr. Philip Hébert, family physician, medical ethicist, preceptor and author, has been named Ontario’s Family Physician of the Year. The honour, awarded by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, recognizes Dr. Hébert’s excellence in patient care,

physician training and giving back to the community.

“Practicing family medicine, one recognizes that we all have the same basic needs and interests in being treated with respect and dignity,” says Dr. Hébert. “Honour, humil-ity, and humour are the bridges that connect physicians with patients and their families. I am proud to be part of a tradition of medicine that strives for excellence in these areas.”

A dedicated clinician at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Family Practice Unit for 22 years, Dr. Hébert provided exemplary medical care and mentored residents and phy-sicians in medical ethics. Now retired from pa-tient care, he remains involved in medical eth-ics and medicine teaching. Dr. Hébert is now a Professor Emeritus with the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is Chair of the Sunnybrook Research Ethics Board and a Bioethics Consultant for Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Monica Matys

Sunnybrook doctor named Family Physician of the Year

Sunnybrook family physician Dr. Philip Hébert, has been named Ontario’s Family Physician of the Year.

Governor General David Johnston is pictured above on the right after presenting the honour to Homer Tien, left.

Sunnybrook doctor receives award from Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of CanadaSunnybrook’s Dr. Fred Saibil has been recognized by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) for his contribu-tion to the field of inflammatory bowel disease.

Dr. Saibil, the recipient of this year’s Finkelstein Award, has been on the medical advisory board of the CCFC since its founding in 1974. Dr. Saibil’s areas of special clinical expertise include inflam-

Sunnybrook’s Women and Babies physician named one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence

Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Blake on being named one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence.

The inaugural rank-ing by Women of Influence Magazine

aims to provide national recognition to Canada’s top female influencers of the year. By shedding light on leading women, the award strives to inspire future growth and success from generations to come.

In addition to her role as a Sunnybrook physician, Dr. Blake is a professor and associate chair of obstetrics and gyn-aecology at the University of Toronto,

vice chair of the Genesis Research Foundation and chair of the Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health.

The Women of Influence award recognizes Dr. Blake for her leadership in the field of health sciences. The award also honours women in business, non-governmental organizations, professional services and the public sector.

Candidates have been ranked by quantifi-able and measureable data on their influ-ence in their current roles, industry and beyond. The official ranking of the Top 25 will be released in the Winter Issue of the Women of Influence Magazine.

matory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer prevention, transfer dysphagia and nutri-tional support. He is well-known across Canada for his activities in education of the general public on medical topics via the media and through public lectures. His best-selling book, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, was written for patients and their families, but has proven valuable to many physi-cians as well.

Sunnybrook physicians recognized for world-class excellence in their fields

Sunnybrook clinician and researcher, Dr. Fred Saibil.

RELAY FOR LIFE

in support of

June 15, 2012 at Sunnybrook Park

celebrate remember fight back

Register your team at relayforlife.ca/torontocentral

Register

today!

Join the biggest cancer event to make the biggest difference

How to reach us:

Your Health MattersSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

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P: 416.480.4040

E: news.articles@sunnybrook.ca

Your Health Matters is published monthly by the Communications & Stakeholder Relations Department and Sun-nybrook Foundation. Submissions to Your Health Matters are welcome, however, they are subject to space availability and editorial discretion.

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is inventing the future of health care for the one million patients the hospital cares for each year through the dedication of its more than 10,000 staff and volunteers. Internationally recognized leadership in research and education and a full affiliation with the University of Toronto distinguish Sunnybrook as one of Canada’s premier academic health sciences centres. Sunnybrook specializes in caring for Canada’s war veterans, high-risk pregnancies, critically-ill newborns, adults and the elderly, and treating and preventing cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological and psychiatric disorders, orthopaedic and arthritic conditions and traumatic injuries.

$470MCAMPAIGN GOAL

75%RAISED TO DATE

The community has invested $352 million in Sunnybrook as of November 30, 2011. Learn how the Campaign for Sunnybrook is saving lives at sunnybrook.ca/foundation

Campaign spotlight

Toronto firefighters give important gift to Sunnybrook…with Santa’s help

The Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association and Santa present Dr. Marc Jeschke with a special holiday gift: some valuable new equipment for the Ross Tilley Burn Centre.

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Members of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (TPFFA) visited Sunnybrook on Dec. 20 to give an im-portant and much-needed holiday gift to Sunnybrook’s Ross Tilley Burn Centre.

One of the Ross Tilley Burn Centre’s most generous supporters, the TPFFA has do-nated more than $600,000 to Sunnybrook over the past several years.

This year, they asked Santa to visit Sunnybrook early – and to bring valuable surgical equipment with him. This will give Sunnybrook’s burn experts the best tools possible to treat their patients when it matters most.

“This generous gift means we can contin-ue to provide the province’s most critically ill burn patients with the best and most advanced care,” said Dr. Marc Jeschke, the Ross Tilley Burn Centre’s medical director.

Frank Ramagnano, secretary-treasurer of

the TPFFA, says he hopes the gift of new surgical equipment will help more burn patients to a full recovery.

“We understand the need for precise tools in dealing with burn patients,” he says. “We hope by purchasing these tools, the healing process for the patient is expedited and the scarring from their wounds is less.”

Firefighters see first-hand the devasta-tion and physical toll fire can cause, Ramagnano says.

“We do everything in our power to not only prevent the fires, but mitigate the emergency as quickly and efficiently as we can,” he says, adding that sometimes there are still health consequences to these emergencies. “I guess you can say we do not feel our job is done until we can return the person to their pre-emergency condi-tion. The experts at Sunnybrook’s Ross Tilley Burn Centre are the best avenue to allow that to happen.”Sybil Edmonds and Alexis Dobranowski

Sunnybrook Foundation development officer Yvonne Wong (left) accepts a $100-donation on November 11 from Nils Emmenegger, whose dad, Dr. Urban Emmenegger, is a medical oncologist at the Odette Cancer Centre and the director of its prostate cancer bone metastasis clinic. Nils, a Grade 2 student and hockey fan, saved up a year’s worth of his hard-earned allowance to make a donation to Sunnybrook’s Breast Cancer Centre, which is slated to open this spring. Nearly $16.5 million of the Breast Cancer Centre’s $27-million fundraising target has been met.