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Stephen Yeo, Spiritual Care supervisor-educator, in the chapel at St. Joseph’s Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care.

"A real strength for living" Patients benefit from Spiritual Care services at Southwest Centre

Years ago, during an evening chapel service for patients held at Southwest Centre, a volunteer from the community began the service by saying he was there to pray on behalf of “all these wonderful people,” so they would know they were loved. Afterward, Stephen Yeo, Spiritual Care supervisor-educator at Southwest Centre, rode the elevator with one of the patients on the way back to his unit. As he often does, he asked how the service had been for him. "He looked at me and said, 'He called us wonderful people,'" Yeo recalls. "Usually, patients will say the music was nice, or the reflection was...

The lives you save

“I don’t know who helped saved my life,” says Andrea Campbell. “I can’t meet them or thank them personally – but I can give back. I can donate blood.” In 2015, Andrea, a therapeutic recreational specialist with St. Joseph’s Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, was the recipient of a massive...

Scanning electron microscopy images showing organic material, crystals, and bacteria present on the surface of the ureteral stents

New urinary microbiome study could be first step in providing personalized care to patients with ureteral stents

For patients with kidney stones, ureteral stents (hollow devices placed in the ureter – the tube between the kidney and bladder) can be used temporarily to relieve urinary obstruction. Despite the use of antibiotics, ureteral stents often become encrusted with minerals and coated with bacteria. This...

Kneading a helping hand

Stacey gets emotional when she thinks about what life has been like over the past year. Living through the pandemic has given her a newfound appreciation for her family, friends, health and career. It reminds her not to take anything for granted and help others whenever possible. Stacey is a...

A simple exchange

Makayla was feeling quite overwhelmed and anxious when the pandemic began. She was aware the pulmonary function clinic was going to be closed temporarily, and that she was going to be sent to work in another area, but she didn’t know where. “Our team became closer as we were all going through...

New options in an old battle

While many may have heard of sickle cell disease, an understanding of its life-altering trajectory and the agony it reaps is often lacking. At St. Joseph’s, pain specialists are part of a new, collaborative approach in London to improve care for a growing number of people living with the blood...

Specialized diabetes care may help prevent recurrent emergency department visits

One in three Canadians is living with diabetes or prediabetes. When they experience complications like severe hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), they require emergency care. For many, one emergency department (ED) visit leads to multiple others. “There’s an increasing prevalence of diabetes in our...

Behind the mask I am doing my part

Ryan has an important job. Early in the pandemic personal protection equipment (PPE) was scarce, and Ryan was redeployed from his role in Health Records to Healthcare Materials Management Services (HMMS) to ensure the distribution of PPE across the region. That PPE is keeping everyone safe – from...

Is your penicillin allergy real or an urban legend?

Think you’re allergic to penicillin? One in 10 people believe they have a penicillin allergy but actual numbers are much lower. Penicillin is an unfortunate bystander in many ‘viral exanthems’ – an immune system reaction that appears as a rash and is caused by viruses, explains Dr. Samira Jeimy, an...

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...