“Ruth is a person who gets things done – not an easy task in our department and she has earned the trust and love of the Emergency Team.”

Congratulations to Ruth Farnan, RN, recipient of the 2021 Dr. Les Janz Leadership Award.

Ruth, who is a Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE) is described by her colleagues as “the unsung hero of the Emergency Department at LGH.”

Ruth, spent time at the Emergency Department at LGH when she was a student nurse and she knew she wanted to return once she had consolidated her skills and experience.

Before arriving in Emergency at LGH she spent two years in a High Acuity Unit and she has now spent a decade in various roles.

She took on the role of CNE in 2020, and focused her attention on strengthening orientation procedures, creating a more nurturing environment and increasing educational opportunities for staff.

Emergency departments are busy and chaotic and can be disorienting for new staff members. Ruth collaborated with her colleagues to create enhanced professional support systems, in-class orientation sessions and opportunities for clinical development to ensure that new recruits have a strong foundation for success.

Ruth has also worked to deepen departmental knowledge by increasing training opportunities, working with experts from other hospitals and expanded education programs in a number of areas including advanced life support, trauma care, emergency palliative care and mental health and substance use.

“What I like most about the team that I work with is that it really is like a family,” says Ruth.  “It’s a very close team, and although Covid put a bit of a wrench in socializing, we are a team that works and plays together. We support one another not only during busy shifts, but also in all aspects of our lives.”

Learn more about Ruth and watch her receive her award below.

“She is truly dedicated to the patient’s wellbeing and she inspires us every day.”

Congratulations to Cardiology Technologist Supervisor Cheryl West, recipient of the Workplace Inspiration Award.

Cheryl has worked in the cardiology department for an amazing 20 years. She’s unflappable, upbeat and accessible to all who need her help and expertize.

When the pandemic created supply chain issues she dedicated extra time to ensure that no one went short of the equipment and supplies they needed.

Technology is an important part of cardiac care but integrating new technology can be a time-consuming and frustrating process.

Cheryl was the driving force behind the introduction of a set of wireless ECG carts at the hospital. The innovative carts allow techs to carry out ECG tests while the cardiologist in different location look at the results in real time.

This was a huge change for the department that had been using decades old equipment and it was made possible by a long and complicated collaboration between Cardiology team and IT department. LGH was the first hospital in BC to introduce this technology and its successful implementation was assured by Cheryl’s hard work.

Cheryl’s energy and dedication is infectious and the team of confident and skilled technologists that she manages are inspired every day to lead by her example.

As her manager said: “Every department needs a Cheryl!”

Learn more about Cheryl and watch her get her award below.

The delivery of a very special care package* of panda stuffies to the Palliative Care Unit at LGH has had a significant impact on patients and their families.

Staff report that the pandas have become a comfort item to young visitors and have brought moments of joy during challenging and emotional times for the families under their care.

For a young grandfather, the bears provided positive new memories for his grandkids. When he was first admitted to the unit in December he was worried about being too sick to buy Christmas presents for his grandkids. Despite the fact that he was dealing with his acute symptoms, his family were foremost in his mind. When staff gave him two of the pandas, he was overjoyed and so thankful by this generosity. He was able to focus on his self care and he kept the pandas in his bed to pick up his scent before gifting them to his grandkids to remember him by.

When a shy eight-year-old boy arrived at the unit to visit his grandmother, staff were able to break the ice with the gift of a panda. They weren’t sure if he’d be too old for a stuffie but his face lit up and he hugged the panda bear tight when one was handed to him. The scared young boy was now smiling and happy to show grandma the bear he’d just received.

During the final months of a young woman’s life, her daughter was at her bedside every day. After spending so much time on the palliative unit, the daughter was not only distraught at her mother’s death, she found it difficult to say goodbye to the staff on the unit.

Staff gifted three panda bears to the grandkids who had also visited the unit. Now when the daughter watches her niece and nephews grow up, they have the same panda bear that will remind her of her mother, the palliative care team and this monumental moment that changed her life. The grandkids have a gift from grandma and the whole family have a shared symbol of love and loss.

On behalf of the Palliative Care Team at LGH we would like to thank Susan Hilton and the Har El Sisterhood from the Taylor Way Synagogue in West Vancouver for their thoughtful gift and generosity.

*The gift package also included child-friendly furniture from IKEA and activity packs for children who can spend many hours on the unit.

Patients with respiratory illnesses will be able to breathe a little easier as a direct result of the Gooding Family Foundation and their donation of two new Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) labs to Lions Gate Hospital.

These sophisticated pieces of equipment, which cost $150,000 per unit, enable physicians and respiratory therapists to gauge how well a person’s lungs are working.

PFTs measure key factors such as lung capacity as well as rates of oxygen flow and diffusion and are vital to help care teams support people dealing with a variety of chronic lung conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, allergies, and respiratory infections such as pneumonia and COVID-19. Test results are often used to check lung function before surgery or to assess the effectiveness of treatments.

The equipment comes with a flexible 3D arm so that patients in wheelchairs can more easily be accommodated. Advanced visual software also makes analysis and diagnosis faster and more precise for the LGH respiratory team.

“These new labs are a big step forward because they allow us to get a more accurate picture of how our patients’ lungs are functioning,” says LGH Respiratory Therapist Christine Wong. “They also make it easier for the patient to go through the testing and can be far less distressing for people who can sometimes be anxious about the testing.”

The new PFT labs replace ageing models and their arrival is particularly timely as an increased number of LGH patients are suffering from long-term lung issues after contracting COVID-

David Gooding and Lisa Holden from the Gooding Family Foundation were recognized as one of our Philanthropists of the Year on National Philanthropy Day, 2021. Learn more about this year’s recipients here.

Goodwill, gratitude and generosity makes a difference to health care in our community and on National Philanthropy Day, which is celebrated on November 15, we shine a spotlight on some of our supporters whose donations, actions and thoughtful gestures are having a lasting impact .

Mehri Parsi – Volunteer

Mehri Parsi has been an outstanding volunteer and ambassador for the hospital and the Foundation for many years.

She first started working at LGH in 1968 when she was hired by food services. When she arrived she couldn’t speak a word of English but through her hard work and generosity of spirit, she has become one of the hospital’s most familiar faces and a friend to many.

She opened the first coffee bar in the LGH lobby 26 years ago and the coffee shop, known as Mehri’s cafe still operates in the same location today.

Merhri has been a constant and welcome presence as a volunteer at numerous Foundation fundraisers and she is one of our most effective 50/50 ticket sellers over the past few years.

Doris Guo – Student Philanthropist

Doris Guo is a grade 11 student who has dedicated her spare time to volunteering to support our community. In 2021 she organized two fundraisers with her friends and classmates in support of Lions Gate Hospital. Thanks to her outstanding leadership and passion Doris raised close to $9,000 in total. Doris always inspires and encourages her friends to get involved in volunteering activities and they have supported many of her fundraising endeavours. 

Since the start of COVID-19 Pandemic, Doris has been volunteering as an English tutor for younger children at the Aurora Foundation. All the earnings from tutoring last year were donated to LGH Foundation. She is now planning her third fundraiser for the hospital during the coming Spring Break in March 2022. 

Jonathan “Bear” Yeung – Community Organizer

Jonathan “Bear” Yeung has been a force for good at LGH since 2018. Three years ago, when just 8-years-old, he raised money to purchase NHL jerseys to cheer up young LGH patients recovering on the pediatric ward.

We were so impressed with his youthful enthusiasm, we invited him to be on the cover of our Well into the Future magazine to illustrate a story on the next generation of care coming to LGH. He took some persuading but we think he looked great in his borrowed scrubs.

Fast forward to March 2020. COVID had arrived on the North Shore and our frontline workers were facing the biggest health crisis in a generation. Knowing that staff were working in extra-challenging conditions, he used his money to purchase healthy snacks for staff who no longer had easy access to local cafes and restaurants.

He inspired family, friends, neighbours, community groups and fellow students to support the initiative and together tmade regular drop-offs of healthy snacks and drinks throughout 2020 and 2021. The snacks were delivered to grateful staff right across the LGH campus.

Bear’s support of LGH are just a snapshot of the philanthropic “missions” he has carried out over the past few years.

Orchid Club – Community Group

Orchid Club For Taiwanese Women On the North Shore made its first donation to the Foundation in 1991. Philanthropy is crucial to the group which has about 100 members, most of whom live on the North Shore. 

They chose to support LGH due to its central role in the health of the community. They have been a major sponsor of the Community Cares Gala which has doubled the amount of money raised from the event over the course of just four years. They enthusiastic support and participation has played an important role in the growing success of the Gala.

The members are proud of their donations which have benefited a wide range of projects and patients over the years including North Shore Hospice, critical care equipment, the Paul Myers Tower, High Acuity Unit and the current campaign to bring a second MRI to LGH. 

Gooding Family Foundation – Family Philanthropists

The Gooding Family has been supporting LGH since 2015. They have made significant donations to the Division of Neurology and the Simulation Centre which provides vital hands-on training for clinical staff. 

During the COVID pandemic they have been one of the Hospital’s most steadfast supporters. Last year the Gooding Family Foundation donated through our COVID Emergency Response Fund to purchase 2,400 meals for staff. Not only did the initiative show appreciation to staff during the second and third waves of the pandemic, it was beneficial to local restaurants operating under pandemic restrictions.

The Foundation also fully funded two Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) Labs for respiratory services. The new PFT labs replaced aging models just as LGH saw an increase in the number of patients in our dealing with long-term lung issues as a result of contracting COVID-19.

Locher Evers International – Community Partners

Locher Evers International (LEI) is a family-run business that has been supporting LGH for almost two decades.

The international trade and logistics company has been the presenting sponsor of the LGH Foundation Golf Classic for 12 years. The event has raised more than $5 million to improve health care on the North Shore and this outstanding achievement would not have been possible without the long-term support of LEI.

The late Bruno Locher who founded LEI was one of the most committed supporters of the Golf Classic. He passed the torch on to his sons Chris and Greg Locher have continued his legacy of philanthropy to ensure the event continues to grow and prosper. 

Despite the fact that the 2021 golf event had fewer attendees due to COVID restrictions, the event raised $305, 786, thanks in part to the contribution of our loyal sponsors including LEI who continued their support for the event.

OPEN TO NORTH SHORE STUDENTS GRADES 4-12

Enter to win the 2021 LGH Foundation Christmas Card Contest. The winner will receive a $100 gift card to spend at Park Royal and their winning design will go on sale at local retail outlets.

Entries must be bright, colourful, festive, and have a local theme. Whatever design you choose, it should measure 5″x7″ or 7″x5″.

All proceeds from the sale of the cards will go to support Lions Gate Hospital.

DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT, OCTOBER 17TH

Please submit entries to [email protected]

The spirit of three-time Olympic gold medallist Kathleen Heddle burns bright at Lions Gate Hospital.

The legendary rower, died earlier this year after a six-year battle with cancer. During her treatment, Kathleen spent many hours at LGH and she wanted to honour the boundless care and consideration she and her family received from her care team at the oncology clinic.

Kathleen Heddle wanted her gold medal to be an inspiration to all those who walked through the doors of Lions Gate Hospital in need of comfort and support.

Just ahead of the Tokyo Games, Kathleen’s family visited LGH to pay tribute to the staff as well as the patients receiving treatment.

Staff and physicians from the Oncology Unit were in attendance as the family presented the gold medal that she won at the 1996 summer Olympics in Atlanta. They also generously donated a watercolour of Kathleen in action with her rowing partner Marnie McBean.

(From left to right) Kathleen’s son Mac, daughter Lyndsey, Oncologist Dr. Sasha Smiljanic and husband Mike Bryden share memories and appreciation during the handover of her gold medal and painting.

“My wife always said that the staff who cared for her were some of her favourite people she ever met,” says Kathleen’s husband Mike Bryden. “She wanted the medal to be here at LGH as a way of saying thank you for all the amazing work your staff does for cancer patients.”

The medal and painting are now on display in the Oncology Unit for the remainder of the Games .

Close to 1,000 people a year will have their sight restored thanks to the delivery of two high-tech surgical units purchased on behalf of the Ophthalmology Department at LGH. The phacoemulsification units, which cost $85,000 each, are used to remove cataracts — one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada. The busy ophthalmology department had been relying on units more than a decade old, that used old technology and were in need of constant repair.

The new phacoemulsification (also known as phaco) systems include an ultrasonic probe with a tip small enough to make incisions that are self healing. As well as benefiting patients, the new units are easier to set up, are better for more challenging operations and have built-in capacity for future upgrades. The two new phaco units were delivered in the summer just as surgical services were being ramped up at the hospital.

This optical upgrade, which was generously funded by a donor who wants to remain anonymous, is just one example of the donor-driven improvements that have enhanced patient care at LGH. Dr. Carolyn Isbister, Division Head of Opthalmology at LGH is thankful for the donor generosity that made the purchases possible. “The difference is night and day”, she says. “We were one of the only hospitals in BC still using that technology. It had been in the capital budget for a long time and it was nice to finally get the upgrade.”

To support members of our community dealing with social isolation and experiencing mental health difficulties, the Foundation has created this free webinar series to share the knowledge and expertise of our mental health professionals based at The HOpe Centre.

As we enter the second year of living in a pandemic, the necessary restrictions on everyday activities have created extra burdens and taken a toll on many. In addition to the webinar replays which are available below, we’ve assembled a list of mental health resources available in the community.

These webinars feature advice, practical tips, and resources for everyone whose mental health has been impacted by the pandemic.

Watch the Replay of Session 1: Coping with COVID

Linda Latham the Manager of the Older Adult Mental Health Team on the North Shore is featured in our first episode in conversation with Louise Campbell, VP of LGH Foundation. Linda shares ideas on how to thrive, not just survive during this challenging time.

Watch the Replay of Session 2: Breaking Down Barriers

Gail Harrison, Mental Health Substance Use Clinical Nurse Educator from the HOpe Centre is featured in our second episode in conversation with Louise Campbell, VP of LGH Foundation. More people than ever before are turning to North Shore Mental Health teams for support, and yet, we know there are many people still out there who are reluctant to seek help. Feelings of shame and stigma or a lack of information are preventing many people who are dealing with mental health challenges from getting the professional support they need. This webinar will address how we can learn to prioritize our mental health without fear, shame or embarrassment.

Watch the Replay of Session 3: Home Alone

Dr. Allan Burgmann, Medical Director of Acute Psychiatry for Lions Gate Hospital is featured in our third episode in conversation with Louise Campbell. Loneliness and loss of workplace and social structure, the difficulty of maintaining work/life balance, fear of job loss, financial worries and boredom are all stressors impacting our mental health. For people who live alone, retirees and those out of work, the lack of face-to-face contact and loss of a social and family life can be even more distressing. This webinar will provide you with strategies to feel more connected and empowered during these challenging times.

Watch the Replay of Session 4: Kids Coping with COVID

As young people continue to experience disruption to their education, home, and social lives, the webinar focuses on supporting their mental health and helping them access the right local resources to navigate the challenges they face. We interview Julie Zimmerman, Manager of Mental Health and Substance Use at North Shore’s Foundry, to get her tips and tricks.

Discover Mental Health Resources Mentioned in our Webinars here.

Applications are open for the 15th Annual North Shore Health Care Awards!

Exceptional people create exceptional results. The annual North Shore Health Care Awards celebrate staff who show a deep commitment to patient care. We are grateful for all the health care professionals in our community; your strength inspires us, and we look forward to celebrating you!

These awards are open to any Vancouver Coastal Health employees working on the North Shore. Staff are invited to nominate their peers who are deserving of a Health Care Award.

EARLY BIRD deadline for nominations: Monday, November 15, 2021 at 4pm – nominee’s department will be entered in a random draw to win a lunch party!

Official Deadline for nominations: Monday, November 26, 2021 at 4 pm – no exceptions

Nomination Form: Download the 2021 nomination form, and return via email to [email protected] or by dropping it off at the Foundation Office.

Lions Gate Hospital Foundation funds three $1,000 awards in the following categories:

Workplace Inspiration

This award honours those who energize the workplace and who are dedicated not only to their chosen career, but also serve as a role model for those considering a career in health care. A health care workplace environment can be significantly enriched by an individual who exemplifies:

• professional competence;
• a positive “can do” attitude;
• a willingness to generously share his or her knowledge and skills; and the motivation and commitment to “go the extra mile” for both colleagues and the people they serve

Clinical Practice

Continuous improvement is key to better health outcomes and to the effective and efficient delivery of service. This award honours staff and physicians who have identified an opportunity for improvement and then acted on it. This could be in the area of clinical research, process redesign, innovative curriculum development and delivery, software development or adaptation, or the creation of a new health care program or service. The intent is to honour those who have had a systemic influence on the care and service we provide not only on the North Shore, but also on the health region as a whole or even on a provincial or national level.

Leadership

Leadership is a way of being, not a job title. This award honours those who lead by example, either formally or informally. Such an individual earns the trust and respect of colleagues, sees problems as opportunities to think critically and systemically, communicates effectively, endeavours to build strong and inclusive teams, takes responsibility for his or her actions, and recognizes the contributions and talents of others. Leaders are also integral to influencing the culture of a unit or organization and have a positive effect on recruitment and retention.

All nominees who meet the criteria will be announced in December 2021. We look forward to reviewing your applications. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or 604-984-5785.

Congratulations to our 2020 Recipients

Cheryl Rivard, Clinical Practice Award

Cheryl Rivard, Project Manager for the Urgent Primary Care Centre (UPCC) in North Vancouver, is the recipient of the Clinical Practice Award. 

Described by colleagues as the “master of the unpredictable,” Cheryl has proved that she is ready, willing and able to rise to any challenge.

In 2019 she oversaw the opening of the UPCC. A few months after the official opening of the Centre, COVID arrived on the North Shore and patient numbers swelled from 40 to 180 people a day.

During it all, Cheryl was the quiet, calm inspiration who worked tirelessly to manage the unexpected and support her colleagues.

She handled the phone lines when needed, turned her office into an isolation suite, safely managed the line-ups, purchased supplies on her own time, ensured that staff were fed during long shifts and always led by example. 

Cheryl was also part of the team that set up the first community testing site for COVID on the North Shore. During one unrelenting North Shore storm, she found herself holding up a COVID testing tent with a broomstick for several hours.

Cheryl’s colleagues have been constantly impressed with her roll-up-your-sleeves attitude and have described her as “an inspiration to be around and an unbeatable team leader.”

Heather Wong, Dr. les Janz Leadership Award

The award was presented to Heather Wong, a long-serving RN in the Endoscopy Unit at LGH. 

According to co-workers, Heather is the reason why everyone wants to work in the Endoscopy Unit and no one wants to leave. Even Heather herself works casual shifts on the unit after retiring at the end of last year.

Heather was the heart and soul of the Endoscopy Unit. Over the years she won the respect and admiration of her co-workers for her commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive workplace for everyone. She always knew how to lift spirits after a hard shift and she made sure that weddings, baby showers, and special events were celebrated as a team.

With 25 years of experience, she is generous with her time and always eager to share her knowledge and expertise to help others improve patient care. 

Not only did she strive to improve patient care, Heather was dedicated to bringing the Endoscopy team together and planned numerous out-of-hours activities. 

According to her colleagues, she has made us all feel like we have a second family. A second family we can count on.”

Caroline Martini, Workplace Inspiration Award

Caroline Martini, Geriatric Triage Nurse in the Emergency Department received the Workplace Inspiration Award. 

Her colleagues say “she embodies the meaning of going the extra mile.” From boosting staff morale to organizing a virtual food drive that raised $2,000 for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Caroline is a dynamic force who has devoted her time to caring for her colleagues as well as administering excellent care for her patients.

During the first week of the pandemic she added to her duties by volunteering to fit test more than 100 staff for N95 masks. Her efforts ensured that everyone in the Emergency team was safe and ready to handle the first surge of COVID-positive patients.

As the pandemic continued, she inspired staff by creating the ER Wall of Awesomeness filled with letters of encouragement from the community and tips and ideas for staying safe and sane during a pandemic.

Dr. Rob Fingland, Spirit of Philanthropy

Each year LGH Foundation nominates an individual for the Spirit of Philanthropy Award to recognize their contribution to the work of the Foundation. Dr. Rob Fingland, Medical Director of the ICU, was presented with the award for his efforts to support the Critical Care Campaign as well as his financial contributions in support of patient care at LGH.

Despite having his hands full in the ICU which was full for much of the year, he always found the time to meet with donors, help out with fundraising videos and support the Foundation behind the scenes.

Congratulations to our 2020 Recipients

Each recipient received a keepsake trophy and a cheque for $1,000. 

We would like to congratulate all of the nominees and thank the awards committee and all staff members who nominated their colleagues.