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

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Unlocking boundless potential

Ashmeet Gill had her first PET/CT scan shortly after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the body’s germ-fighting immune system. She was nervous. Claustrophobia is an issue for the young Stratford resident and the scan, necessary to determine if the cancer had spread beyond the lymph nodes in her neck, would take 34 to 45 minutes, she was told. Wrapped in a sheet and tucked inside the tube of the PET/CT at St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s), Ashmeet, then 24, steeled herself to remain calm. But near the end of the scan, a sense of panic set in. “It was not pleasant...

New study aims to understand team-based care for chronic disease management

Chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are complex and require thorough care to help manage the condition. Patients often need support from an integrated team of health care professionals who work in different settings. Dr. Shannon Sibbald (pictured), associate...

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...