Captured Caring: Inspiring Moments from July 2025

In June Mount Sinai Fertility (MSF) proudly achieved accreditation with exemplary standing, recognizing our commitment to safe, high-quality, and people-centred fertility care. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated team for supporting the accreditation process with incredible care, and to our patients who inspire us every day. This success was truly a collaborative effort, reflecting the dedication, preparation, and professionalism of everyone involved. We also thank the Sinai Health leaders whose guidance helped steer MSF through the accreditation process. 

Submitted by: Elena Nikolsky, Senior Clinical Program Director, Women’s and Infants’ Health, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Kate Wilkinson, Vice President, Clinical Operations and Enterprise Risk, Sinai Health

Mount Sinai Hospital and Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital’s 10 North teams recently joined forces for a knowledge exchange session — conversations that focused on improving palliative care across Sinai Health. The session was full of energy. Heartfelt stories were shared. Potential collaborations between both unit councils were discussed. #wethe10north

Submitted by: Susanne Loay, Patient Care Manager, 10 North Palliative Care Unit, Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital

Earlier this month, a group of Sinai Health physiotherapists received University of Toronto Department of Physical Therapy Recognition Awards. These awards recognize physiotherapists who have demonstrated excellence in clinical teaching of U of T students. Pictured here from left to right are awardees Megan Wormald, Nancy Ng, Beth Despres, Fabio Carnevale, Daphne Jackson, and Donna Matheson, with Celine Nanji, Director of Rehabilitation.

Submitted by: Beth Despres, Interprofessional Education Lead, Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital and Celine Nanji, Director, Rehabilitation, Clinical Nutrition and Reactivation Care Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital  

Sinai Health hosted its inaugural Age-Friendly Simulation Day in March for new nursing staff as part of the Transition to Practice Program. Supported by the 2024 Gerald P. Turner Best Practice Award, this milestone education initiative was designed to enhance care for older adults through immersive, hands-on learning.

Spearheaded by Rebecca Lemieux, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Hamsa Krishnapillai, Nurse Clinician — both specializing in geriatric medicine — the day included dementia and delirium simulations, an escape room, and a realistic aging suit experience.

Participants engaged enthusiastically, sparking thoughtful discussions on empathy, patience, and patient-centred care.

A heartfelt thank you to the Clinical Nurse Specialists and Nurse Managers from both Mount Sinai and Hennick Bridgepoint who facilitated this enriching experience, and to the learners who made this day such a success. Your passion, insight, and feedback are invaluable as we prepare to launch the second Age-Friendly Simulation Education Day on July 29.

Stay tuned — we are just getting started in building a more age-friendly future.

Submitted by: Hamsa Krishnapillai, Nurse Clinician, Geriatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital

We want to recognize some of the volunteers in Sinai Health’s Maximizing Aging Using Volunteer Engagement (MAUVE) program as they pursue careers in medicine. These volunteers say the MAUVE program has provided valuable health-care experience. Congratulations on your achievements! 

Completing his third year in the MAUVE program, JY is entering his second year of medical school at the University of Toronto. JY says being part of MAUVE has taught him the importance of meeting patients where they are, staying adaptable, and learning to navigate uncertainty with empathy and flexibility — skills he knows he will carry through the rest of his training in medical school. 

Matthew has completed his fourth and final year with the MAUVE program and is moving on to start U of T’s MD/PhD program this fall. 

Matthew says the MAUVE program has taught him that empathy, compassion, and cultural sensitivity are not just ideals in medicine but critical skills that must be cultivated. For Matthew, volunteering with MAUVE has reinforced that being an effective health-care provider requires both academic expertise and strong interpersonal skills. 

Maiesha just completed her third year of undergraduate studies at U of T, majoring in neuroscience and double minoring in immunology and physiology. She will begin medical school at U of T at the end of August. Maiesha says the program has helped hone her communication and problem solving skills and her ability to connect with and care for diverse individuals. It also ingrained in her a significant principle that she will be committed to as a physician: Always demonstrate patience, compassion, and empathy because this directly influences the well-being of an individual, which is equally important to their physical health. 

Submitted by: Angel Lau, Elder Life Specialist, Volunteer Resources, Sinai Health

Bridgepoint’s Blazing Paddles dragon boat team struck gold twice at the Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival June 14 and 15. The team won gold in the Health-care Cup race and in our division final. Our paddlers showed incredible dedication, heart, and team spirit throughout the competition. Each stroke was powered by teamwork and the unstoppable energy that defines the Blazing Paddles. A big thank you to our amazing supporters who wished us luck and to those that came out to cheer us on!

Submitted by: Bridget Lauricella, Communicative Disorders Assistant, 3 North Stroke and Neurological Rehab Care, Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital