Our Stories

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

volunteers holding up badges

Speaking their language

Bridging a communication gap has become a bit easier for patients and visitors at St. Joseph’s Health Care London. This summer, two new tools were introduced to help create a more welcoming and comfortable experience for individuals whose first language is not English. In July, volunteers began wearing buttons that identify the language they speak, other than English. For one volunteer, the impact was immediate. Monica Naskret-Reyes has been volunteering at St. Joseph’s for seven years and speaks Spanish fluently. She was excited to wear her new ‘Hablo espanol’ (I speak Spanish) button and...
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Shelley Langley wearing a mask

Adjusting to a new life

Shelley Langley moved to Tillsonburg and started a new job at a retirement residence only a month before the onset of the pandemic. Hired to oversee sales and marketing, her position quickly transitioned into planning creative and recreational activities for residents like special dress-up days and...
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Sarah Trenker wearing a mask

A welcome homecoming

While worried about her two adult children living out of town, Sarah also had to navigate some big changes in her career. “In my role as an occupational therapist, I normally work with outpatients. Because we had to stop that part of our care I suddenly had to learn therapy for inpatient spinal cord...
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Mail clerk Betty Snider

Behind the mask I am busy but grateful

Mail clerk Betty watched the bustling hallway where she works become very quiet when the pandemic hit. “I miss seeing some of the regular faces and having conversations with people.” Many of the staff around her had changes to their schedule or role, but her function remained constant. “I feel very...
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Camille Mailloux

A long and winding road

The past few months have been the most challenging time in Camille’s life. In June, her husband was in a serious horse racing accident after which he was rushed to the hospital. His injuries were extensive, including a fractured neck and an acquired brain injury. Camille says he’s lucky to be alive...
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Deana D'Ambrosio

Motivated by gratefulness

A surprising thing occurred in Deana’s department during COVID-19. As a coordinator for Food and Nutrition Services she knows the quality and variety of food is very important for patients and residents, but she didn’t realize how important the social interactions were until she starting hearing...
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George Athwal Behind the Mask

How quickly things change

The past six months have opened George’s eyes to how beautiful and precious life is – and how it can seemingly change in an instant. “We live in a fragile environment,” he says. “It’s incredible that a virus 50 times smaller than one of our red blood cells can bring the world to a complete stop.”...
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An Indigenous women holding a feather over the head of a female Indignenous patient

Hope, healing, connection and wellness

An innovative, collaborative program of Joseph’s and Atlohsa Family Healing Services is transforming the mental health care experience of Indigenous peoples. In nature, a tree stump that is broken or rotting begins the vital process of providing essential nutrients for the growth of new life. It’s...
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Dr. Michael Silverman

We must remain vigilant

As citywide Chair/Chief of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Michael Silverman has played an instrumental role in London’s response to the pandemic. He has provided critical clarity in a world filled with noise about the novel coronavirus, advising hospital administrators on the use of personal protective...
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