Our Stories

Read the latest stories about what's going on at St. Joseph's Health Care London.

Joan and Monica

The gift of good company

When Joan Anderson found herself at risk of having her cataract surgery cancelled because she didn’t have someone to accompany her while in hospital, she took matters into her own hands. Joan, whose name is changed to protect her identity, was scheduled to have the outpatient procedure and required someone to stay with her during her time at St. Joseph’s Health Care. With her closest family member in the United States and her friends dealing with their own health issues, she felt alone and out of options. She contacted St. Joseph’s Volunteer Services, who told Joan her timing was perfect. They...
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Dr. Laura Lyons holding an infant on an examination table in her office

Exemplary physician, compassionate cheerleader

Dr. Laura Lyons at St. Joseph’s Family Medical and Dental Centre was one of seven physicians in the province named Regional Family Physician of the Year in 2021 by the Ontario College of Family Physicians. It’s an honour that celebrates the vital contributions family doctors make to their patients...
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a staff member showing thumbs up, standing behind a mound of bags full of paper towels

Harnessing the power of paper towels

Paper towels are often thrown into the garbage after use, but where do they go, and what is the impact on the environment? This is a question Environmental Services (EVS) at St. Joseph’s Health Care London recently tackled and the team has now found a solution that is eliminating paper towels from...
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Paul Garrett and his wife surrounded by his care team outside of Parkwood Institute

Partnering to improve care 

It took less than 30 minutes for Brenda Martin’s life to change forever. It was early one morning in 2019 when Brenda’s husband Paul asked her to call 911, saying he could no longer feel his legs. After days of testing, Paul was diagnosed with acute onset transverse myelitis, a rare neuroimmune...
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Dr. George Athwal wearing a HoloLens2 headset, viewing a hologram of a shoulder joint

Hovering holograms hone surgeons' skills

Surgeon Dr. George Athwal at St. Joseph’s Health Care London was the first in Canada and second in the world to use revolutionary mixed reality technology as a tool in shoulder replacement surgery. At the Roth | McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital, orthopedic surgeon Dr...
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Jessica Kocur sitting on the rocky ground in a mountainous region of Argentina

From care journey to Care Partner

Trekking through the jungles of South America was a dream come true for Jessica Kocur. She was in her late 20’s when she decided to take the trip of a lifetime with now husband Chris. They hiked up and down mountains, climbed up to 4900 metre above sea level in the Andes and then down into the...
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portrait of Lori Higgs with text: Innovation, collaboration and generosity of spirit

A leader of distinction

Congratulations to Lori Higgs, St. Joseph's Vice President of Clinical Support and Chief Financial Officer, for being selected as a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (FCPA) – the profession’s highest mark of distinction. The designation of Fellow formally recognizes CPAs...
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Miranda Scott in motion on an climbing wall

A Little Fall to a Big Climb

Miranda Scott had big plans. She had just bought a house, was about to graduate from college for a second career, and was an avid rock climber, gardener and all-around exceptional athlete. It all ground to a halt when an accident in her home left her unable to walk. "I was panicked, in pain, and my...
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portrait of Patricia Hoffer with graphic that reads: "Making a difference in our community"

A mentor, connector and role model

Congratulations to Patricia Hoffer, Chief Communications Officer at St. Joseph’s and one of 11 individuals named to the annual Mayor’s New Year’s Honour List celebrating members of the London community who have made outstanding contributions to the city in various categories. Patricia was named for...
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