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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...

A little shop, a big impact

With the help of dedicated volunteers, St. Joseph’s gift shop and variety stores make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and residents, one dollar at a time. St. Joseph’s gift shops and variety stores are convenient stops for essentials, snacks, drinks, or thoughtful gifts for a friend...

Recognizing a pain pioneer

We almost take for granted the premise that individual pain experiences can limit patients’ recovery from injury, but just thirty years ago, perceptions of pain weren’t central to patient care. Many clinicians informally asked their patients about pain but there was no formal process for collecting...

Anchored in Trust

When Patti Hoddinott tried rock climbing with her husband, Terry, on a whim six years ago, it was love at first climb. But it’s a sport with an extra layer of difficulty for the couple. Terry is blind. Hoddinott, a dietitian at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, is Terry’s caller. Using a two-way...

Stroke Rehabilitation Team honoured for advancing aphasia care

St. Joseph’s Stroke Rehabilitation Team at Parkwood Institute received the 2024 Gerry Cormier Communicative Access Award for being the first to implement eLearning communication strategies that enhance care and inclusion for stroke survivors with aphasia. The St. Joseph’s Stroke Rehabilitation Team...

Two decades of service in veteran mental health

Twenty years since it first opened, the St. Joseph’s Operational Stress Injury Clinic has treated thousands of clients who serve and have served in the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The clinic has grown from a three-person office into a 50-staff support community...

Listening to what matters most

After sharing his rehabilitation story with a room full of Western University students, local filmmaker Jason Gray quoted post-apocalyptic television show, The Last of Us. “Paying attention to things; it’s how we show love.” The words struck a chord with fourth-year undergraduate student, Vaishnavii...

A dream come true

As a college student in the Philippines, Bryan Sanchez dreamed about working as a nurse in Canada. Today, he is fulfilling his dream working as a registered nurse in the Rehabilitation Program at Parkwood Institute. Thanks to the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP) Program through the...

Tall dream comes true

With a list of burning questions in hand, Patricia Prance answered an incoming video call. On the other end of the line – a giraffe and his zookeeper. Prance has virtually visited not one but two giraffes thanks to St. Joseph's Health Care London's Palliative Care Unit at Parkwood Institute. Her...

Opening digital doors – Kristin Busche

St. Joseph’s Health Care London's annual Diabetes Half Century Awards highlight patients like Kristin Busche, whose diabetes journey has led to a life of online advocacy. Discovering a virtual tapestry of support and connection among the dynamic online diabetes community changed Kristin Busche’s...