The Sunnybrook Volunteer—March 2011, Page 1 Sunnybrook “Volunteer” Leads in World Class Recycling Biomedical Engineering Director Keith Laycock has been voluntarily collecting, repairing and delivering used medical equipment to less developed countries for the past 30 years. By Bill Toyne In addition to the 600 or more blue uniformed volunteers at Sunnybrook, many of our doctors, nurses and other professionals voluntarily give their time and expertise, often in support of less well developed countries. This report is about one of them − Keith Laycock. Keith is Director of Biomedical Engineering at Sunnybrook, charged with keeping our state of the art medical equipment operating effectively. In 36 countries around the world, he is known as a miracle worker – a reputation that comes from more than 30 years of finding, repairing and delivering needed medical equipment and training staff in its use. Keith also acquires and arranges delivery of medical supplies to countries such as Guyana, Jamaica and Ethiopia. Keith’s is a story of teamwork − cooperation between Canadian hospitals and suppliers of medical equipment and supplies, and the many volunteer organizations who raise needed funds and know the local scene. The Guyana Burn Care Unit is a good example. At the Bethune Round Table in 2002, Keith was introduced to Harry and Pana Harakh. This Canadian couple was seeking help setting up a facility in a Guyana hospital to provide modern treatment for burns, a common problem in the area. They were introduced to Keith and action quickly followed. Keith found bedside monitors, suction pumps and other needed equipment, and Judy Knight and John Kent put together a team of Sunnybrook burn care nurses to fly to Guyana to train the local nurses, supported by manuals developed by Judy and her burn unit team. Local doctors were invited to observe burn care treatment at Sunnybrook. The result was a 40 per cent increase in survival rates in Guyana. In addition to modern equipment, Keith’s contacts provide a regular stream of medical supplies. These are often not available in less well developed countries. In Africa, volunteer medics were treating AIDs patients using cotton gloves, which they washed and reused. Keith was able to find a supply of surgical gloves for them. The whole of Sunnybrook’s Biomedical Engineering staff voluntarily give of their time in testing, repairing or rebuilding needed equipment that arrives weekly from some 300 hospitals, manufacturers and suppliers. When the Women and Babies Program was transferred from Women’s College Hospital to Sunnybrook, they were provided all new equipment and supplies. Keith’s team went to Women’s College to dismantle, renovate and arrange delivery of everything from kitchen equipment to operating room supplies for use by medical units overseas. Equipment comes to Keith’s team from hospitals upgrading their resources and manufacturer’s demonstration equipment that is still new but is not permitted to be sold as new. And it is not all expensive electronic equipment. Imagine the impact of a supply of bandages, surgical gloves or other consumables to a hospital or aid station in a foreign land that has nothing like that! Keith Laycock, we congratulate you and your team for this wonderful contribution. As volunteers, we know the best reward is the knowledge you have done something to help. ���������������������� ���������������������������������
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The Sunnybrook Volunteer—March 2011, Page 1
Sunnybrook “Volunteer” Leads in World Class Recycling
Biomedical Engineering Director Keith Laycock has been voluntarily collecting, repairing and delivering used medical equipment to less developed countries for the past 30 years.
By Bill Toyne
In addition to the 600 or more blue uniformed volunteers at Sunnybrook, many of our doctors, nurses and other professionals voluntarily give their time and expertise, often in support of less well developed countries. This report is about one of them − Keith Laycock.
Keith is Director of Biomedical Engineering at Sunnybrook, charged with keeping our state of the art medical equipment operating effectively. In 36 countries around the world, he is known as a miracle worker – a reputation that comes from more than 30 years of finding, repairing and delivering needed medical equipment and training staff in its use. Keith also acquires and arranges delivery of medical supplies to countries such as Guyana, Jamaica and Ethiopia.
Keith’s is a story of teamwork − cooperation between Canadian hospitals and suppliers of medical equipment and supplies, and the many volunteer organizations who raise needed funds and know the local scene. The Guyana Burn Care Unit is a good example.
At the Bethune Round Table in 2002, Keith was introduced to Harry and Pana Harakh. This Canadian couple was seeking help setting up a facility in a Guyana hospital to provide modern treatment for burns, a common problem in the area. They were introduced to Keith and action quickly followed.
Keith found bedside monitors, suction pumps and other needed equipment, and Judy Knight and John Kent put together a team of Sunnybrook burn care nurses to fly to Guyana to train the local nurses, supported by manuals developed by Judy and her burn unit team. Local doctors were invited to observe burn care treatment at Sunnybrook. The result was a 40 per cent increase in survival rates in Guyana.
In addition to modern equipment, Keith’s contacts provide a regular stream of medical supplies. These are often not available in less well developed countries. In Africa, volunteer medics were treating AIDs patients using cotton gloves, which they washed and reused. Keith was able to find a supply of surgical gloves for them.
The whole of Sunnybrook’s Biomedical Engineering staff voluntarily give of their time in testing, repairing or rebuilding needed equipment that arrives weekly from some 300 hospitals, manufacturers and suppliers.
When the Women and Babies Program was transferred from Women’s College Hospital to Sunnybrook, they were provided all new equipment and supplies. Keith’s team went to Women’s College to dismantle, renovate and arrange delivery of everything from kitchen equipment to operating room supplies for use by medical units overseas.
Equipment comes to Keith’s team from hospitals upgrading their resources and manufacturer’s demonstration equipment that is still new but is not permitted to be sold as new. And it is not all expensive electronic equipment. Imagine the impact of a supply of bandages, surgical gloves or other consumables to a hospital or aid station in a foreign land that has nothing like that!
Keith Laycock, we congratulate you and your team for this wonderful contribution. As volunteers, we know the best reward is the knowledge you have done something to help.
Esther McKinnonPresident, Sunnybrook Volunteer Association
I can hardly believe my term as SVA President is coming to an end in May. It has been a flurry of activity from the start and I have enjoyed the experience. As a Board we have accomplished many things and I guess that is what makes the time fly.
As you all know by now, Amy Walback, our new Gift Shop Manager, has arrived and has quickly embraced the operation of the shop. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers in the Gift Shop who really went the extra mile when we were without a Shop Manager. Your hard work and dedication has paid off with great sales!
Late last spring, the Ceiling Tile group was approached by the art teacher from Crescent School. She was looking for an opportunity for the art classes to be involved in a meaningful art project. The objective was not just to have the children learn about painting ceiling tiles, but also to learn about philanthropy. The art class agreed to paint 15 ceiling tiles which will be donated to the Women and Babies program. The tiles are now complete and Margaret Keene will be presented with the finished tiles at a celebration in early March. What an exciting new development for our ceiling tile project.
The Award and Recognition Committee will be busy over the next few months as the “Award Season” is upon us. The committee will be reviewing applications and making decisions on the Continuing Education Support Fund Bursaries, the HAAO Provincial Life Member nomination, the Kay MacLellan Award and the Co-op Student Bursaries. I encourage each of you to think of a fellow volunteer who would be deserving of the Kay MacLellan Award. The nomination form can be found in this issue.
The Board is also gearing up for a busy social season as we are planning the Victorian Tea on April 18, the Annual General Meeting on May 24 and the Shaw Theatre trip on June 2. We hope to see you at these events as they promise to be lots of fun.
Esther McKinnon
Mark Your CalendarGreen Thumbs Plant SalesThursday, April 21, Easter BasketsIn Odette, Suny’s and the BreezewayWednesday, May 11, last hospital sale.After that, weekdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Greenhouse
Book Sales8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., D1 BreezewayFriday, March 18, April 15 & May 27
Breakfast & LearnWith Dr. Barry McLellan, Sunnybrook CEOThursday, April 14, 10 to 11:30 a.m.McLaughlin Auditorium
SVA “Victorian Afternoon Tea”Monday, April 18, 12 to 2 p.m.McLaughlin Auditorium
Annual General MeetingTuesday, May 24
Summer Student ProgramMonday, June 27 – Friday, July 29Tuesday, Aug. 2 – Friday, Sept. 2, 2011
Shaw Festival TripThursday, June 2 to see “My Fair Lady”Sign up sheets are in sign-in rooms
Refresher OrientationWednesday, March 9, 10 a.m. to 12 noonRoom E115Contact [email protected] 416-480-4129
Vendors’ FairFriday, Oct. 7
National Volunteer WeekSunday, April 10 – Saturday, April 16
Good Friday Statutory HolidayFriday, April 22
Healthcare Career FairThursday, May 19, 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Victoria Day Statutory HolidayMonday, May 23
Last day for adults in areas replaced by studentsThursday, June 30
The New Year found us dealing with a persistent flu outbreak in the Veterans Centre that disrupted volunteer activity – a real disappointment for our veterans. Fortunately, through diligent infection prevention and control, the outbreak was over by the beginning of February and services resumed. Sincere thanks to the Veterans Centre volunteers for your cooperation and patience. It was a frustrating time, including the challenge of keeping you informed, but we continue to learn about your communications needs during these experiences and will continue to try to improve this.
As a means of continuing to improve the interaction of our patients, visitors and families with the hospital, Sunnybrook has launched a “WE CARE − Creating Sunnybrook Moments” customer experience program. You will find reference to the initiative in this newsletter. Volunteer Resources is planning a number of sessions where volunteers can learn more about this important program.
The Sunnybrook Foundation has launched an “I Luv Sunnybrook” campaign focused on generating support for the hospital’s Capital Campaign within the Sunnybrook “family” (staff, physicians, volunteers and students). Information about the “I Luv Sunnybrook” campaign has been communicated to volunteers via email and postings. We know that as volunteers you already give so freely of your time and many of you are already donors to the hospital, however, every small contribution can make a big difference!
From April 11 to 22, Sunnybrook will be undergoing a “Workwell” audit by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). This will be an assessment of the hospital’s workplace safety including: workplace violence and harassment prevention, Healthy Workplace Policy (e.g. not coming to work/volunteering when ill), influenza vaccination, slips and falls and what to do, reporting of incidents and ensuring proper training for roles. Although focused on staff, volunteers should be aware of the hospital’s safety initiatives and basic policies and procedures. We will provide further information in our monthly bulletin.
Volunteer Resources is also working with hospital staff regarding a number of new and exciting volunteer opportunities, a couple of which are part of the hospital’s senior friendly initiatives. These include roles where volunteers will work with elderly patients on inpatient units, to help improve their mobility and quality of life and prevent further decline. There are also new roles in
the Odette Cancer Centre focused on patient education.
A number of activities are being planned for the spring including National Volunteer Week, our annual Healthcare Career Fair aimed at students in the community, and sessions on Sunnybrook’s WE CARE program. Watch for further information in our monthly bulletin.
At the end of February we mailed an updated information form to all
active adult volunteers. This is something we try to do every couple of years to ensure we have your most current contact information. We are developing a new computer database and having our records as current as possible will help to facilitate it. Please ensure you submit your completed form by March 31, 2011.
Finally, 2011 has been designated as International Year of Volunteers – the 10th anniversary of the first International Year of Volunteers in 2001. “IYV +10” is an opportunity for all those engaged in volunteerism to join the global effort to promote and recognize the contributions volunteers make to society. We, in healthcare, are fortunate to witness the invaluable involvement of volunteers in our hospital community each and every day.
• The 2011 Sunnybrook Volunteer Service Awards will be presented at the Annual General Meeting in May. The awards are granted in 5 year, 10 year, 15 year, 20 year, 25 year and 30 year and over categories. If you believe you are eligible for a service award this year, please check the listings posted in the sign-in rooms to confirm your name is there. If you are not listed, and feel you should be, you can ask Volunteer Resources or the SVA office for clarification.
• As part of Volunteer Week activities this year, make sure you take in the planned “Breakfast & Learn” on April 14 at 10 a.m. in the McLaughlin Auditorium. Sunnybrook President & CEO, Dr. Barry McLellan, will be speaking on current activities and plans at Sunnybrook. It promises to be an interesting morning.
• A reminder again that, if you have not yet given your email address to the SVA office, you should do so right away so that you can receive the quarterly newsletter and other volunteer communications in a timely manner.
Katherine Alexopoulos
Notes & Reminders
The Sunnybrook Volunteer—March 2011, Page 4
By Amy WalbackAlthough the snow is falling as I write this, my thoughts have already turned to spring and all the fun it will bring. Here in the gift shop we have been getting ready to meet your needs by attending the Gift Show and placing orders for fabulous new products that we hope will tickle your fancy!
One new addition to our shop is our “Baby Department.” We now have a wonderful selection of gifts for the newest members of the Sunnybrook family including sleepers, blankets, frames, giftware and more. Sure to be a hit is our collection of “I was born at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre” memorabilia including sleepers, diaper shirts, hats and teddy bears. Also in stock are Big Brother/Big Sister T-shirts so that older siblings get something fun, too!
There is a lot new for us “grown-ups” too. We are pleased to now carry Demdaco’s Willow Tree Collectibles− a line of lovely figurines and angels that convey all kinds of sentiments, from Good Health to Courage to Serenity. New for the fashionistas among us is a line of jewelry by Yellowstone featuring great bracelets and necklaces in a wide variety of designs all at great prices. If you are in need of a new spring handbag, stop in to check out Lug. Made famous by Oprah, this is a collection of lightweight nylon bags in a variety of fun colours in all shapes and sizes. Stay tuned for more great new arrivals!
Last, but not least, I’d like to say thanks to all the great folk who volunteer their time in our wonderful gift shop! Your time, dedication and thoughtfulness make our shop a great place for patients, visitors, volunteers and staff.
See you in the shop!
Shop Talk
On Feb. 3, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre’s leadership team launched an important new customer service initiative to be known as WE CARE. This new program will be of interest to all volunteers.
In her monthly news bulletin, Sunnybrook’s Director Volunteer Resources, Katherine Alexopoulos, described the new program as follows:
“Sunnybrook is committed to ensuring people have the best experience possible with the hospital. WE CARE – Creating Sunnybrook Moments is a program that has been developed for hospital staff, physicians, and volunteers to help continually improve the interactions our ‘customers’ (patients, visitors, and families) have with the hospital.
“Through interviews with a variety of patients, a few themes emerged that were common to positive experiences an individual had with
the hospital. They are: compassion, communication, consideration and comfort.
“Taking the time to ensure the four C’s are present in all interactions with patients and visitors will help to creative a positive and caring environment, and ultimately the best experience possible with Sunnybrook.
“Our volunteers already play a vital role in helping to make this happen, and through the roll-out of the WE CARE program, can continue to enhance that role.”
Volunteers are often front and centre in the interaction with patients and their families and can make a major difference to their “customer experience.”
Watch for further information about opportunities for volunteers to participate in this very worthwhile initiative.
“WE CARE” Customer Experience Program Launched
Welcome New Volunteers!Charlotte RapirapAlison Repecki
Marina SaadAdela Sarwari
Shiva ShahmirzadiBesharati Simin
Alexander SomosVarshiba Suntharalingam
Winnie Xia
In MemoriamOur thoughts go out to family
and friends
Bill Powell, January 2011
The Sunnybrook Volunteer—March 2011, Page 5
New Gift Shop Manager Has an Eye for the FutureBy Stacey McIndless
Just in time for the holiday season, Sunnybrook’s Gift Shop team was pleased to welcome their new Gift Shop Manager, Amy Walbeck. Amy replaces Dianne Fuller who retired in November.
I recently caught up with Amy on a cold morning in early January and we had lots to talk about. Amy is thrilled with her new role and plans to offer an ever more exciting and diverse range of merchandise in the months to come.
First and foremost, Amy acknowledges the gift shop could not operate without its very dedicated team of 55 volunteers who work in the shop from Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Working with volunteers was at the top of a short list of reasons why Amy looked forward to her role at Sunnybrook. She has worked with volunteers in the past, most recently as the gift shop manager at York Central Hospital. She has also worked as the manager of Volunteer Resources at the Toronto Humane Society and has received education and training in volunteer management at Humber College and George Brown College. In addition, Amy brings a background in retail management with two very prominent organizations.
Backing Amy and her team of volunteers is Irina Krysan who has filled the role of assistant manager in the gift shop for the past eight years.
As I toured the shop with Amy she highlighted some of the items she is particularly keen on, including baby gifts and baby related products to complement our new Women and
Sunnybrook’s new Gift Shop manager, Amy Walback, is looking forward to enhancing the shop’s attractive offerings with new and innovative product lines. Photo by Lena Koh
Babies wing of the hospital and a large selection of diabetic products including no sugar food products and socks for sensitive feet.
Upper Canada toiletry products are featured along with sleepwear and slippers as well as a fantastic greeting card selection, cookbooks for special diets, eclectic giftware, fabulous journals, calendars and day planners and a great selection of plants and flowers.
Amy loves being able to respond to requests from patients, staff and volunteers for new and unique merchandise. Major gift show conventions, which she attends twice a year, showcase a wide range of merchandise to help fulfill these requests.
I was given a sneak preview of new
product lines being introduced to the gift shop in 2011, among them Lug bags and travel accessories, an ever increasing range of baby related products plus jewelry and accessories. Amy also plans to contribute a regular column to our newsletter where she will highlight new products and special events at the gift shop.
If you haven’t been to the gift shop recently I highly recommend a visit. Whatever your needs, be they hostess or birthday gifts, home décor, or personal health and patient care, they can all be fulfilled.
Your purchase will also be contributing to the future health of Sunnybrook.
The Sunnybrook Volunteer—March 2011, Page 6
Food Services at SunnybrookDiet and lifestyle issues are often top of mind for many people at this time of year. We all know that choosing the right type of food at regular intervals throughout the day is the key to maintaining good health. Whether choosing food for yourself, before or after a volunteer shift, or helping to direct a patient during a visit, we thought this would be a good time to remind you of the wide range of eating establishments available to all at Sunnybrook.
Most of the food services at Sunnybrook (except Druxy’s) are managed by Morrison Healthcare Food Services, a division of Compass Group Canada, which includes both retail and patient food services. Their mandate is to deliver the highest quality meal service in the most efficient manner to ensure patient and customer satisfaction.Compiled by Stacey McIndless
Outlet Locations Hours Selections
On the Go Bistro M Wing1st Floorst Floorst
Daily7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Daily specialsSecond Cup(24 hours)Swiss Chalet
Harlequin’s E Wing1st floorst floorst
Mon. – Fri.11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Made In JapanPizza PizzaFresh GrillSpice and Deli
Sunny’s(Veterans Centre)
K WingGround Floor
Mon. – Fri.7 a.m. to 4 p.m.Sat. & Sun.9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tim Horton’s
Druxy’s(Odette Centre)
T WingGround Floor
Mon. – Fri.6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Hot and ColdSandwichesSoups and Salads
Café 43(Holland Campus)
1st Floorst Floorst Mon. – Fri.7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Second Cup Kiosk M WingGround Floor
Mon. – Fri.8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tim Horton’s Kiosk
H WingGround Floor
Mon. – Fri.7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CbreezeTim Horton’s
C Wing1st Floorst Floorst
Mon. – Fri.7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Sunnybrook Volunteer—March 2011, Page 7
Nominations Requested forKay MacLellan Volunteer Award
The Recognition and Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the 2011 Kay MacLellan Volunteer Award. This award is given by her son, Bruce MacLellan, and his wife, Karen, in memory of Kay.
A nominee should be an active volunteer who meets the following criteria developed by Kay’s son to reflect characteristics of his mother:
• Supportive of fellow volunteers and the Association• Interested in the well-being of patients, staff and
the Sunnybrook community• Brings a positive attitude to life and work• Committed to the volunteer role• Always acts as a team player• Displays modesty in accepting and carrying out
tasks
Think about all the volunteers you know, either through your work or through shared experiences, who might be eligible for this award. Complete the following form and submit it by April 09, 2011 to:
Examples to support the above criteria:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are You “On Board” for My Fair Lady?
Just a reminder that the annual SVA Shaw Festival excursion to Niagara-on-the-Lake is scheduled for Thursday, June 2, 2011. This year’s trip features a scrumptious luncheon at the Prince of Wales Hotel and the Festival’s matinee performance of My Fair Lady.
If you have not already done so, be sure to sign up for the trip by April 15 through the registration sheets in the sign in rooms or by contacting the SVA office. The full package including bus trip, lunch, theatre ticket, gratuities and HST is only $130.00!
Don’t miss this date with Eliza Doolittle!
Thank You Suncor!In the September issue of the newsletter, we noted that Suncor Energy had donated $750 to the Geriatric Day Hospital’s recreational therapy program.
We are now pleased to report the Volunteer Association has received another donation from Suncor Energy, also for $750, which will be used with other monies to purchase additional chairs for the D3 Cardiac waiting area. This latter grant was obtained by Stan Tully.
We thank Suncor Energy for their continuing support through their retired employees grant program.
Joan Willingham, Stacey McIndless and Bill Toyne membersDesign & Copy Editing: Lorraine Hunter
Printing: Sunnybrook Print ShopThe Newsletter Committee welcomes input from members interested in
joining Board Committees, helping out at SVA events, researching and/or writing articles for the newsletter, or taking photographs.
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact us at: [email protected] or 426-480-4132
ISSN 1918-7637 The Sunnybrook Volunteer
Bereavement Kit Tradition Continues at SunnybrookBy Joan Willingham
“Happy” and” Joyful” are the words most often associated with our new Women and Babies Program. A new healthy baby always makes us feel hopeful about the future. But I learned from Betty Roberts, a nurse in the birthing unit at Sunnybrook who previously worked at Women’s College Hospital, that Sunnybrook, as one of only two high risk hospitals in Toronto, experiences a still birth or neonatal death once or twice a week on average.
At Women’s College Hospital volunteers used to prepare Bereavement Kits for grieving families. Fortunately, we are continuing this wonderful tradition here at Sunnybrook, thanks to the support of the Sunnybrook Volunteer Association.
Betty and her colleague Alison Kendall from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit explained that, when a baby dies, the attending nurse bathes the baby and dresses it in the clothes from the Bereavement Kit.
Betty calls the Bereavement Kit a “memory box” and says, “they’re everything” to families, because they are the only tangible record they will have of their baby. Families will often take out the memory box on anniversaries or use it to explain to siblings.
Esther McKinnon, our Volunteer Association president, assembles these kits which are made in either pink or blue. We have a few volunteers who knit and another who sews. The kits contain: one blanket, one nightie, one knit hat and booties, and a ribbon for a lock of hair. There is also a sympathy card with a beautiful poem on the front and the baby’s date of birth, weight and height inside. The nurses make hand and foot prints of the baby for the card and on the back are the words
“with our deepest sympathy.” Doctors, nurses and anyone else involved with the baby’s care, sign their names below.
The nurses place any clothes that the baby was wearing in the box. A photo is taken with a teddy bear or butterfly beside the baby. If parents wish, photos are taken with them holding their baby
The nurses are very sensitive to each family’s grief and different cultural habits and they will not insist if a family refuses the memory box. They let them know the box will be kept in the unit indefinitely, and will be there for them if they change their minds. Some families decide later that they want to have this memory of their baby.
What follows is an excerpt of a speech Betty Roberts gave last spring on behalf of the Bereavement Committee at the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Volunteers, Women’s College Hospital, for their long-standing efforts in preparing the Bereavement Kits and supporting the Women and Babies Program.
“In The Birthing Unit, we handle the bereavement of the stillborn child, whereas when a child lives even briefly that baby will go to the NICU where he or she may live for hours or days or months. So you can imagine how vital your support has been for us...Please know now, that I think of your good and kind work every time I reach for one of your boxes in our very tiny bereavement room.
Each time I dress a child in the clothes you have provided, and carry them to their very sad parents for their brief time together, I am so grateful for your beautiful work. Each time I fold the clothing into the memento box for the parents to take home, instead of their baby, I am so grateful to each of you women who have humbly and silently assisted us in our work year after year after year.
“We are many nurses and social workers, who have appreciated you and your work, and we are so happy to tell you today, finally, how much your work means to our work. We couldn’t do it without you.
