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

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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...

The lasting touch of kindness

You never really know whose life you are impacting, or how. Just ask Martha Scott. As a child, Martha spent a lot of time in and out hospital with childhood leukemia. Naturally, she remembers her oncologist, but over the past 30 years there is someone else Martha has often thought about – the “snack...

Lifestyle changes during pregnancy may improve outcomes for obese women and their babies

Researchers found that counselling obese expectant mothers on both healthy eating and physical activity during pregnancy reduced the risk of neonatal adiposity. Pregnancy is a 40 week-long journey for both mom and baby. This time of growth and development can have impacts on current and future...

A shining light on every site

There were seven nominees for the 2019 Sisters of St. Joseph Awards of Excellence and four recipients. A physician, registered practical nurse, dietary aide, and an occupational therapist – very different roles, each working at a different St. Joseph’s site. Yet the ties that bind are many. This...

Brain injury education series inspires hope

Every year, about 160,000 people experience a brain injury in Canada with traumatic, even deadly, consequences. Across the country, 1.5 million Canadians are currently living with an acquired brain injury (ABI), according to Brain Injury Canada. Not only does an ABI affect the individual, but it...

Exploring mobile software to better support youth mental health

Provincial funding awarded to Lawson Research project to test delivering mental health remote virtual care. Mental health services are rooted in relationships. When it comes to delivery, and specifically community-based and outpatient services, connection and communication between the individual and...

Lessons from patients enrich staff retreat

At a team retreat for staff of St. Joseph’s Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Program, the most powerful lessons were delivered by patients. Several patients and their loved ones were invited to participate in the day-long retreat, during which staff created their pulmonary rehabilitation...

It's okay to ask for help

The Zero Suicide initiative at St. Joseph’s Health Care London is helping to close systemic gaps in care Struggling with persistent thoughts of suicide, a young woman in the care of Dr. Sandra Northcott was at risk of harming herself. She had been hospitalized multiple times for prolonged periods...

The art of giving back

Student volunteers share the act of artistic expression with patients through arts and crafts Decorative dream catchers and red-beaded bracelets – just in time for Valentine’s Day - are some of the many crafty creations taking place between student volunteers and patients at St. Joseph’s Parkwood...

How the immune system may play a role in neurodegenerative dementias

Dr. Elizabeth Finger is collaborating with Lawson Imaging scientists to study the potential role of inflammation in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative dementia. The immune system is one of our greatest defenses against disease and injury. But what happens when it betrays us? With...