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‘Micro-doses of wisdom’

The numbers say occupational therapist Clark Heard has given more than 30,000 hours as mentor to more than 150 work-placement students across 25 years of professional practice. But Heard, who works at St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care (Southwest Centre), has a different number in mind. “These mentorships have made my career 1,000 times better,” he says. “It’s such a joy, I often think the main beneficiary of this teaching has been me.” Recently, staff celebrated his being a preceptor to his 150th occupational therapy student, trainees he works...

Andrea Campbell seated next to softly blurred images of therapeutic artwork and a walk in nature

Therapeutic recreation supports recovery

On the surface, therapeutic recreation can look like a lot of fun and games with activities that may include journal writing, sculpting and painting. Below the surface, however, lies a health care profession that can help restore an individual’s mental and physical well-being. As therapeutic...

woman drinking coffee in front of a store

Concussion patient advocate shares her experience to help others

A few years ago, Jill Wright's life was turned upside down in an instant. She had a lot on her mind, juggling a busy work schedule, shuttling her daughters to after school practices and preparing for the grand opening of her family's espresso bar. It was during one particularly hectic evening that...

man walking along a path marked with lines every foot, in a researcher's clinic room

Differences in walking patterns could predict type of cognitive decline in older adults

Canadian researchers are the first to study how patterns in the way older adults walk could more accurately diagnose different types of dementia and identify Alzheimer’s disease. A new study by a Canadian research team, led by London researchers from Lawson Health Research Institute and Western...

hand grasping back of smart home technology device with data input pad mounted on a stand

Smart technology in the home effective for supporting mental health care, study finds

A research team from Lawson Health Research Institute has announced promising results from a one-of-a-kind demonstration study that evaluated the use of smart technologies in the home for people with severe mental illness. “Our Smart Homes solution is for people who are having difficulty managing...

Medical resident Rochelle Johnstone wearing stethoscope, mask and surgical scrubs

Celebrating our medical residents

Each February, Resident Awareness Week is celebrated across Canada in appreciation for the role of medical residents in the delivery of care. This year’s recognition week takes place Feb. 8-12. The week serves as an opportunity to raise awareness of just who medical residents are and acknowledge the...

woman wearing surgical mask directs visitor

Keeping it safe

Do you have any COVID-19 symptoms? It’s a question you will be asked by screeners across St. Joseph’s Health Care London upon entering a St. Joseph’s facility. This, and other important questions, have been asked so many times by screeners they could quite literally recite them in their sleep. Yet...

London expands approach to prevent discharge from hospital to homelessness

During a virtual event for Londoners hosted by Lawson Health Research Institute and the City of London, a multi-sectoral research team announced two projects representing a collaborative approach to preventing homelessness from within hospital walls. Built on the unique and successful No Fixed...

Kindness Krew keeps on giving

For the past year, the Kindness Krew at Parkwood Institute has been spreading goodwill through various pursuits and the pandemic has not stopped this charitable group of individuals from making a difference. In fact, it has spurred them on. Made up of 16 Veterans and numerous staff from the Veterans...

Virtual surprise birthday party for 88-year-old stroke patient brings smiles

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live in many ways, including how we celebrate and gather with our loved ones. That’s why therapeutic recreation specialist Breanne Carr and social worker Marcie Langs didn’t want to see a birthday celebration for a special inpatient go unnoticed. Breanne...