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The Salmingo Family’s ‘Journey’with MSH
The Salmingo family has a long history with Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH), experiencing their best moments and their most difficult at the hospital.
Diana Salmingo worked as a registered nurse (RN) at MSH for 30 years. After retiring, she came back to help out at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and has since retired — again. Her daughter, Joanna, was cared for at MSH, before her tragic death. And her son Joey and his wife, Jan, chose to have their baby at MSH’s The Stollery Family Centre for Childbirth & Children.
Healthy.Together.Markham.Stouffville Magazine - Fall2021/Winter2022
A Life, Saved
One patient’s journey back from cancer
The Other Side
MSH evolves with the pandemic
Forever Caring
A donor’s generosity honours the dignity and compassion that is palliative care
Ask an Expert
Child & youth mental health
Finding Hope in a Terminal Cancer Diagnosis
When Emily Powell discovered something was “off” with her left breast, she feared it might be breast cancer – even though she had no family history – but at the age of 31 she wasn’t prepared for the news that she was terminally ill.
With a 50% chance of surviving, my life had just become a coin toss.
The fast-growing tumour was compressing my heart and lungs to the point where it was hard to breathe. I’m very grateful to everyone at MSH who came together to save my life.
A Thank-you message from Dr. Subarna Thirugnanam
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support is deeply appreciated and is something I never take for granted.
Letter from Dr. Subarna Thirugnanam
More people in our community are fighting COVID-19 than ever before. Our staff and physicians are doing everything possible to care for them, but your help is needed.
Stouffville family helps ensure MSH can thrive well into the future
Having both received cancer care at MSH, Ruth and Bernard Tong chose to leave a gift to the hospital. “I’ve never forgotten that it was the team right here in our local hospital who saved my wife’s life” says Bernard
Caring for one of our own: MSH doctor battles COVID-19 in our ICU
Our own be-loved paediatrician, Dr. Larry Pancer, spent 17 days on the ventilator battling COVID-19. Your gift will help fund live-saving equipment and tools to save lives such as urgently-needed ICU beds.
Mary finds healing through the women’s wellness program at MSH
“The care and treatment at the women’s program allows me to evolve like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly,” says Maria. “I feel safe and supported.” The program has given her the opportunity to meet other women and to express herself and grow as a person. She says, “I am more confident now than I was and I feel I have freedom now”.
You more than likely have a neighbour who was sick with COVID-19. The person may even be someone close to you.
Regardless of our progress fighting COVID-19, more of our friends and family will get sick with it. As you know, we are doing everything possible to care for them. But your help would be an incredible boost. There is a critical need for specialized intensive care beds. For COVID-19 patients and for patients with other life-threatening illnesses.
Your support makes a huge difference in the lives of many people who would otherwise remain broken
Sadly, many people are in a very dark place and reach out to Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) for help. In fact, 7 million Canadians currently live with a mental health challenge, including many people in our own community. That’s why it’s so gratifying for me to practice psychiatry here at Markham Stouffville Hospital. I’ve worked at the hospital for 25 years, and I’ve seen the hospital’s commitment to mental health continuously keep pace with the growing need.
This is what my mental health crisis looked like: Rhea's story
Rhea cried for days on end and had little interest in anything. Her thoughts were clouded with despair. One day, overwhelmed by her feelings, she ran onto the porch and threw our patio chairs at the fence, then inconsolably wept.This all began at the start of 2018, when Rhea was diagnosed with breast cancer at Markham Stouffville Hospital, four days after her son’s first birthday. It was a devastating moment for her young family. It meant Rhea would face 18 months of rigorous treatment, and indefinite uncertainty.
Ethan's Big Heart
A 12-Year-Old Raises $2,500 for MSH’s COVID-19 Relief Fund with a T-Shirt He Designed
Giving back to the community isn’t just for corporations — or grown-ups. Ethan Angelone was inspired to fundraise for MSH’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, raising close to $2,500 by designing and selling t-shirts.
MSH Staff Gets Mental Health Support
A generous donation for a dedicated specialist to care for staff’s mental well-being will also help MSH provide better care for its patients
The COVID-19 pandemic has added enormous pressure to the health care system as care providers try to navigate this new normal. And anxiety is high.
‘I’m lucky to be here to spend the holiday season with my family’
Alex Siu was hard hit by COVID-19 and his son credits Markham Stouffville Hospital for his father’s recovery
When Alex Man-Chung Siu was admitted to Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) in April with a fever and cough, little did he know that he would not set foot in his home again for 114 days.
Battling COVID-19 on the front lines
It takes a team of health care workers to help recovering COVID-19 patients who often take months to get better
As the first wave of the pandemic escalated in spring, Markham became York Region’s hot spot with 22 per cent of the Region’s COVID-19 cases. And some of Ontario’s highest numbers of COVID-19 patients were treated in MSH’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Cancer care carries on, despite COVID-19
As the world deals with a global pandemic, MSH’s cancer clinic hasn’t missed a beat
In 2015, after visiting her doctor about a pain in her side, Eileen Russell was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer that had metastasized to her bones. At the time, the diagnosis was grim: her cancer could not be cured. But it was treatable — so long as she continues to have chemotherapy every three weeks for the rest of her life.
Working Together For The Long Term
MSH partners with community long-term care homes during COVID-19, supporting home staff across the region with education and training
It’s in the DNA of health care workers to provide support to the most vulnerable populations. In fact, years before the pandemic landed, MSH was already working closely with long-term care homes (LTCHs) in the community through a nurse led outreach team.
York Region Police Association's Generous Donation
The inpatient mental health department at Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) extends its deepest gratitude to the York Region Police Association (YRPA) for a generous donation that has resulted in the creation of a staff relaxation zone.
Early Discharge Program Reduces risk for moms and babies
MSH’s innovative midwifery-run birthing unit collaborates with obstetrical staff to provide quality patient-centred care during COVID-19
A groundbreaking program introduced by Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) last spring — as the pandemic forced everyone and everything to pivot to new protocols — has redefined the birthing experience for women at the hospital. And, everyone hopes, for other hospitals too early-discharge-program.
Because of You
In the latest MSH Foundation donor newsletter, hear from Dr. Jeya Nadarajah, Infection Prevention and Control Physician lead as she highlights how community support is helping combat COVID-19.
Cancer Care Close to Home: Helen's Story
It was a cold January. After the holidays, people were back at work, looking forward to the year ahead. But that wasn’t the case for Helen Lennon and her four grown children. They were preparing to say goodbye to a dear husband, a loving father.That January was also when she discovered the lump in her breast.
Virtual run supports women’s mental wellness
In January 2018 just days after celebrating her son’s first birthday, Rhea Sengupta was diagnosed at Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) with an aggressive form of breast cancer that would require over a year-and-half of rigorous treatment.After having surgery to remove a fist-sized tumor from her breast, she began chemotherapy at MSH’s The Shakir Rehmatullah Cancer Clinic. As a 39-year-old mother of two young children, she was determined to fight for her life. However, she was not prepared for the feelings of isolation and powerlessness that would soon wash over her.
Together in a crisis: How MSH frontline staff and donors are working together to fight COVID-19
In the hallways of Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH), now empty of visitors, it takes masked frontline staff a moment to recognize each other. They exchange a quick smile or a few light-hearted words before hurrying on their way. In the difficult days of COVID-19, while most of us are sheltering at home, our amazing health care professionals have a job to do – caring for patients suffering with COVID-19 and providing all patients with expert, compassionate care.
Faces of our 30th
Passionate people have helped create a community called Markham Stouffville Hospital. Now, as we mark our 30th anniversary, get to know some of the great people behind the faces as they tell their own stories.
Care Close to Home
After spending eight months in hospital, Brenda Okapiec was ready to go home. She had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and after her first chemotherapy treatment, acquired a blood infection that landed her in the ICU.
Generations of Generosity
Family of donors makes sure the community can count on MSH today— and for generations to come.
When Salmaan Alvi brought his three young children to MSH last year, it fortunately wasn’t for a medical emergency. The children were there to hand out teddy bears to patients as part of MSH’s Bear Necessities program, to spread a bit of comfort while raising funds for the hospital.
The Village Grocer Giving Thanks 2019
On Saturday, October 19, the power of community was on full display at the inaugural “The Village Grocer Giving Thanks” event in support of Markham Stouffville Hospital. Thousands came to shop while numerous MSH doctors, clinicians, hospital leaders, supporters and Markham Firefighters helped behind the counters and throughout the store. The Village Grocer donated 100% of the day’s sales to our hospital. This of course would not be possible without the continued commitment by The MacDonald Family. Together we raised over $101,000 to benefit our community’s health!
It takes a ‘Village’ to support Markham Stouffville Hospital
There is a saying that, “it takes a village to raise a child.” On Saturday, October 19 The Village Grocer will do just that – as they will donate all its day’s sales to Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) to benefit families close to home. The inaugural “The Village Grocer Giving Thanks” event is the MacDonald family’s way to say thank you to the MSH team and give back.