Chez nous - The MCH Employee newsletter
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - 20:47
Welcome to the first edition of Chez nous online! Here you’ll find all the articles from the current printed edition of Chez nous as well many news items, events and other information found only on the online edition.
NEWS
Moving to the Glen!
By Dr. Micheline Ste-Marie, Associate Director of Professional Services
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Glen site was launched recently. This important step signifies that we will soon see the new Montreal Children’s Hospital on the Glen campus. After many years of planning and anticipation we now have an opportunity to integrate the excellent care we offer to children, adolescents and their families in a completely new environment with the needed improvements to continue our mission: to be a world-renowned hospital where everyone is committed to meeting, above all, the needs of children. +
Call for biomedical equipment needs
This is the time of year when people are making their wish lists. And it’s not just about Christmas presents; it’s also time to make our wish list for biomedical equipment. As in years past, we’re asking certain managers to coordinate the gathering of information for what’s required in their area and prioritize those needs. It’s important to provide the most precise information possible as well as a cost estimate for the items in order to better respond to the requirements of the Agence and the Foundation, who are our principal sources of financing, and also to minimize the delay in acquiring any item which is selected. The process should be completed before the start of the new year. So stay tuned in the coming weeks since it will be time to prepare our wish lists!
The Awards of Excellence:
10 years already!
Expect some surprises this year as we prepare to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation Awards of Excellence. The Foundation will soon be asking you to submit the name of someone who you think has earned a place, through their work, actions and dedication, among this year’s honourees. Nomination forms will be available as of early December, and will be accepted until February 27, 2009. The deadline is a little earlier than previous years to allow us to choose the winners and share the good news as early as possible. If you have a colleague who has always impressed you, it’s time to nominate them for an Award of Excellence. Thank you in advance - the team at the Foundation is counting on you! Info: Valerie Frost, Director of Special Events, MCHF, ext. 29253.
MCH Social Services Annual Christmas Appeal
Once again, we are organizing our annual Christmas appeal to help needy families of the MCH have a merry Christmas. This year again, we will not be matching hospital departments with specific families. Instead we will be collecting donations of food vouchers and new toys to distribute to the families. We would ask that any donation of money from your department be used to purchase vouchers from Maxi, Provigo, Loblaws, SuperC, Metro, IGA, Zellers, Wal-mart, or Toys R US. If you or your department wish to contribute, or if you require additional information please contact Suzanne Desfosses at ext. 22508.
NEWS
Moving to the Glen!
By Dr. Micheline Ste-Marie, Associate Director of Professional Services
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Glen site was launched recently. This important step signifies that we will soon see the new Montreal Children’s Hospital on the Glen campus. After many years of planning and anticipation we now have an opportunity to integrate the excellent care we offer to children, adolescents and their families in a completely new environment with the needed improvements to continue our mission: to be a world-renowned hospital where everyone is committed to meeting, above all, the needs of children. +
Call for biomedical equipment needs
This is the time of year when people are making their wish lists. And it’s not just about Christmas presents; it’s also time to make our wish list for biomedical equipment. As in years past, we’re asking certain managers to coordinate the gathering of information for what’s required in their area and prioritize those needs. It’s important to provide the most precise information possible as well as a cost estimate for the items in order to better respond to the requirements of the Agence and the Foundation, who are our principal sources of financing, and also to minimize the delay in acquiring any item which is selected. The process should be completed before the start of the new year. So stay tuned in the coming weeks since it will be time to prepare our wish lists!
The Awards of Excellence:
10 years already!
Expect some surprises this year as we prepare to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation Awards of Excellence. The Foundation will soon be asking you to submit the name of someone who you think has earned a place, through their work, actions and dedication, among this year’s honourees. Nomination forms will be available as of early December, and will be accepted until February 27, 2009. The deadline is a little earlier than previous years to allow us to choose the winners and share the good news as early as possible. If you have a colleague who has always impressed you, it’s time to nominate them for an Award of Excellence. Thank you in advance - the team at the Foundation is counting on you! Info: Valerie Frost, Director of Special Events, MCHF, ext. 29253.
MCH Social Services Annual Christmas Appeal
Once again, we are organizing our annual Christmas appeal to help needy families of the MCH have a merry Christmas. This year again, we will not be matching hospital departments with specific families. Instead we will be collecting donations of food vouchers and new toys to distribute to the families. We would ask that any donation of money from your department be used to purchase vouchers from Maxi, Provigo, Loblaws, SuperC, Metro, IGA, Zellers, Wal-mart, or Toys R US. If you or your department wish to contribute, or if you require additional information please contact Suzanne Desfosses at ext. 22508.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
MCH Social Services
MUHC Annual Report now online
Following the Annual General Meeting on November 10, the MUHC has published its 2007-2008 annual report. Click here to read the report.
Heads up!
By Dr. Harvey J. Guyda
Associate Executive Director, MCH
It’s my pleasure to welcome Barbara Izzard to the hospital’s Senior Management Team. We look forward to working with Barb in her new role as Associate Executive Director of Nursing. The past few weeks have brought plenty of good news for the MCH. Here are just some of the highlights. +
Prevention is key!
Thank you to all who participated in the Infection Prevention and Occupational Health and Safety Weeks. An information and awareness session took place at the MCH on October 24. Many of you stopped by to learn more about preventing the spread of germs, and some of you even got a head start on flu season by getting your flu shot. Five lucky people won OHS umbrellas in the door prize. +
NICU introduces Total Body Cooling treatment
The MCH recently began offering a new treatment to help babies who did not get enough oxygen due to a problem during pregnancy or during delivery. The lack of oxygen can cause damage to the child’s brain which can cause mental and physical delays in the child. Lowering the baby’s body temperature may lessen the damage to the brain and several studies have shown that Total Body Cooling may also improve the baby’s chance of survival.
The process involves placing the baby on a cooling blanket and slowly decreasing body temperature to 33.5 Celsius. This lasts for 72 hours then the newborn is slowly warmed up to a normal body temperature. Blood pressure, heartbeat, and temperature are closely monitored throughout the process. The MCH is the only pediatric centre in Quebec to offer the treatment.
Centraide: Help the MUHC reach its goal of $51,000
The deadline for Centraide donations is November 30. Visit the MUHC intranet site to make your donation today!
MUHC Annual Report now online
Following the Annual General Meeting on November 10, the MUHC has published its 2007-2008 annual report. Click here to read the report.
Heads up!
By Dr. Harvey J. Guyda
Associate Executive Director, MCH
It’s my pleasure to welcome Barbara Izzard to the hospital’s Senior Management Team. We look forward to working with Barb in her new role as Associate Executive Director of Nursing. The past few weeks have brought plenty of good news for the MCH. Here are just some of the highlights. +
Prevention is key!
Thank you to all who participated in the Infection Prevention and Occupational Health and Safety Weeks. An information and awareness session took place at the MCH on October 24. Many of you stopped by to learn more about preventing the spread of germs, and some of you even got a head start on flu season by getting your flu shot. Five lucky people won OHS umbrellas in the door prize. +
NICU introduces Total Body Cooling treatment
The MCH recently began offering a new treatment to help babies who did not get enough oxygen due to a problem during pregnancy or during delivery. The lack of oxygen can cause damage to the child’s brain which can cause mental and physical delays in the child. Lowering the baby’s body temperature may lessen the damage to the brain and several studies have shown that Total Body Cooling may also improve the baby’s chance of survival.
The process involves placing the baby on a cooling blanket and slowly decreasing body temperature to 33.5 Celsius. This lasts for 72 hours then the newborn is slowly warmed up to a normal body temperature. Blood pressure, heartbeat, and temperature are closely monitored throughout the process. The MCH is the only pediatric centre in Quebec to offer the treatment.
Centraide: Help the MUHC reach its goal of $51,000
The deadline for Centraide donations is November 30. Visit the MUHC intranet site to make your donation today!
MAKING HEADLINES
MCH professionals had another busy month of interviews for television, newspaper and Internet media. Dr. Michael Kramer and Dr. Frances Aboud were interviewed for a future broadcast of Télé-Québec’s current affairs show Une pilule, une petit granule about their research on the benefits of breastfeeding.
TV5 reporter Jennifer Letarte interviewed Dr. Sharon Abish on long-term sequelae of cancer. Dr. Harvey Guyda was featured in an article in The Gazette that was also published across Canwest media outlets on the issues surrounding growth hormone therapy for children of short stature but who are otherwise normal.
EVENTS
Come celebrate Christmas with your colleagues at the MCH
Join in the fun at this year's employee Christmas party. It’s a chance to enjoy a break from the everyday routine and celebrate the season with your colleagues!
Friday, December 12
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
MCH Cafeteria (3rd floor)
Brought to you by the Quality of Life at Work committee
The Telethon of Stars raising money for research into children’s diseases
Tune in December 6 and 7
Watch the 32nd Annual Telethon of Stars, broadcast live for 27 hours of programming on December 6 and 7 on CTV-Montreal and TQS. The telethon, which raises funds for research into children’s diseases, raised a record $5,152,242 last year. The Montreal Children’s Hospital is one of the four leading Quebec-based hospital research centers to receive funding thanks to the Telethon. +
Live at the MCH!
Take Time Out for the Sweet Song Stylings of Nikki Yanofsky
Mini Concert for patients and staff November 27.
She has headlined her own show at the Montreal International Jazz Fest, and has performed alongside legendary artists like Oliver Jones and Céline Dion. On November 27, young Montreal jazz-pop signing sensation Nikki Yanofsky will be performing a few songs for the children, parents and staff at The Montreal Children's Hospital. Nikki's short performance will take place in the 2B Outpatient Clinic Area at 2:00 pm. On that day, the budding star will be visiting the hospital in preparation for the Telethon of Stars which hill be held on December 6 and 7 on CTV and TQS.
Pilates for employees - Winter session
The holidays are bound to take a toll on your physique! So make it your new year’s resolution to get into shape!
Sign up for one or both of the following classes
Mondays starting January 12, 2009, or Wednesdays starting January 14, 2009
5:00-5:55 p.m.
10 weeks
- Men and women are welcome
- $100 for one session per week (10 classes total)
- $180 for both sessions per week (20 classes total)
- REGISTRATION: Contact Karen at 514 489-7717 by Nov. 28
AWARDS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tina Primiani has accepted the position of Clinical Nurse Specialist, Neurosurgery-Neuro-Oncology on the surgical unit of the MCH. Tina brings with her 8 years of nursing experience; she is currently completing her MScN(A). Tina will start her new position on November 24. Her office will be C1128.
Dr. Scriver and Dr. MacDonald receive PCC Academic Leadership Awards
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada (PCC) recently announced the recipients of their Academic Leadership Awards. In a communiqué, members of the review committee indicated that the competition was very close this year, which makes the awards to Dr. Charles Scriver and Dr. Wendy MacDonald even more significant.
Dr. Scriver received the Clinical Investigator Award for “his truly remarkable contribution to creating an environment of research in Genetics not only at McGill, but across the country… The award is really aimed at his remarkable administrative contributions, years of international collaborations on metabolic disease, and his development of a number of awards to be given to younger colleagues.”
Dr. Wendy MacDonald received the Clinical Educator Award because of her “remarkable contributions to the undergraduate program at McGill, and her long standing interest in medical education. Her outstanding contributions include the McGill University Curriculum Committee, Director of the Pediatric Residency Program, and Director of Medical Education within a department of Pediatrics. She has served the Royal College on numerous occasions and was Chair of the Test Committee in Pediatrics. She has received the Canadian Association of Medical Education Certificate of Merit. In addition, she has served as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at McGill... For all these reasons, and in particular her innovation, dedication, and sense of excellence she was nominated for this award.”
On a related note, Dr. MacDonald also received the Osler Teaching Award from McGill graduating medical students for the fourth time. No faculty member has ever received this honour more than once.
Dr. Scriver received the Clinical Investigator Award for “his truly remarkable contribution to creating an environment of research in Genetics not only at McGill, but across the country… The award is really aimed at his remarkable administrative contributions, years of international collaborations on metabolic disease, and his development of a number of awards to be given to younger colleagues.”
Dr. Wendy MacDonald received the Clinical Educator Award because of her “remarkable contributions to the undergraduate program at McGill, and her long standing interest in medical education. Her outstanding contributions include the McGill University Curriculum Committee, Director of the Pediatric Residency Program, and Director of Medical Education within a department of Pediatrics. She has served the Royal College on numerous occasions and was Chair of the Test Committee in Pediatrics. She has received the Canadian Association of Medical Education Certificate of Merit. In addition, she has served as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at McGill... For all these reasons, and in particular her innovation, dedication, and sense of excellence she was nominated for this award.”
On a related note, Dr. MacDonald also received the Osler Teaching Award from McGill graduating medical students for the fourth time. No faculty member has ever received this honour more than once.
OUR PEOPLE
Let there be light!
By Pierre Bernatchez
In 1988 George H. W. Bush was President of the United States, Brian Mulroney was Prime Minister of Canada, the Olympic Winter Games were held in Calgary, and closer to home, Gilles Perron joined the ranks of MCH staff as an electrician. +
Let there be light!
By Pierre Bernatchez
In 1988 George H. W. Bush was President of the United States, Brian Mulroney was Prime Minister of Canada, the Olympic Winter Games were held in Calgary, and closer to home, Gilles Perron joined the ranks of MCH staff as an electrician. +
OUR HERO
Graduating from pediatric care to adult care
By Julia Asselstine
It is estimated that one in every 3,600 children born in Canada has CF--a disease affecting primarily the lungs and the digestive system. In the lungs, a build-up of thick mucus causes severe breathing problems. As a result, a daily routine of physiotherapy and drugs is required to keep the lungs free of congestion and infection. +