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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...

Dr. Lise Bondy and Clinical Manager Kelly Muhsin

Four Decades of Progress: How HIV care has transformed

When the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was first discovered in 1983, the diagnosis was devastating. There were no effective treatments and the care was palliative. “In the 80s, it was basically a death sentence,” recalls Dr. Lise Bondy, Infectious Disease Care Program physician at St. Joseph’s...

A Decade of Partnership Supporting Recovery and Reintegration

Ten years ago, Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care (Southwest Centre) and the St. Leonard’s Society launched a new partnership to help forensic patients transition from hospital to community living. The milestone was marked on Nov. 13 with a celebration event recognizing the meaningful...

Unique North American resource touts health benefits of fermented foods

Break out the sourdough bread and spoon up a side of sauerkraut – there’s growing evidence that fermented foods can be as good for your gut health as for your palate. And now, a unique-in-North-America resource called the Canadian Fermented Foods Initiative (CFFI) is bringing together consumers...

Highlighting volunteers at St. Joseph’s Health Care London

Meet Cyril Hartland, Nathalie Ross and Carolyn McPherson, three volunteers at St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s) who collectively contributed 5,000 hours of volunteer service between 2023-2024. Through their efforts, Cyril, Nathalie and Carolyn have not only supported the hospital but...

How St. Joseph’s Diabetes Care Team is transforming lives through innovation and compassion

When patient Matt Griest switched to insulin pump therapy, he had no idea just how life-changing it would be and how the support, knowledge and compassion from the Diabetes Care Team would highly impact his transition. “They provide a wealth of knowledge and extensive resources,” says Griest. “I...

Drug combats underlying causes of Alzheimer-related dementia

A “game-changing” new drug offers both hope and time to some people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, says the head of a St. Joseph’s program that played a key role in the medication’s clinical trials. Health Canada has newly approved lecanemab (brand name Leqembi, developed by Eisai Co. and...

Self-scheduling now available for breast screening appointments at St. Joseph’s Health Care London

A new online booking portal is making it easier for eligible patients to schedule their Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) mammograms at St. Joseph’s Hospital. With recent changes to OBSP guidelines lowering the minimum screening age to 40 and broadening eligibility, thousands more people in...

From Different Generations: Marilyn & Johnny’s Story of Friendship at St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s)

Despite being about seven decades apart in age, Marilyn Smith, 89 and Johnny Horton, 21 have formed a friendship through volunteering at Parkwood Institute Main Building (Parkwood Institute) General Store. Johnny participated in Project SEARCH, a program designed to help young adults with...

Derek Snake and the sweat lodge at Southwest

Indigenous Sweat Lodge built at Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health

Inside a dome-shaped wooden structure, a sacred ceremony unfolds. With guidance from Elders, Knowledge Carriers and a need from the community, sweat lodge ceremonies offer physical, emotional and spiritual healing. Within Indigenous culture stones are referred to as grandfathers and grandmothers....