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Where has the time gone?
It's hard to believe, and I am a little panicky, that Mindful Music is just a little more than a month away. The event is July 7 (11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and features the great Lowest of the Low and other bands including Hollowick, 48 Caliber, and The Colts. For kids we have a Kids Zone featuring jumping castles, Sunflower the Clown, Fairytale Palace dress up. Sports Zone features the Oshawa Generals and Durham/UOIT Varsity. New this year is the Autofest Invitational (Autofest Preview) Car Show and Artisan Alley. The event is free to attend so please come out to Ontario Shores and support this great community event and reduce mental health stigma. Gret food, music and fun on the waterfront. |
| chris.bovie
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Well a Happy 2012 to you and yours and apologies to Julie Andrews for the headline.
I thought I would do a year in review of five of my favourite Ontario Shores items from 2011. I have to say this was really hard as it seems almost everyday there is something remarkable going on around here and I just can't cover it all.
1) The launch of the adolescent mental health literacy program. Bringing mental health literacy into high schools and the support received from schools and educators was amazing. With a partnership with Dr. Stan Kutcher and our adolescent leaders this program has flourished. Supported by the You're Not Alone dynamic video/print campaign this project really stands out.
2) The announcement of an academic chair for community management of dementia. On the other side of the age scale, seniors health is a major area of interest among the community and political leaders. The aging demographic of this region and all the data shows the growing demand for dementia related care, education and research. This role will play a vital part in advancing care to help individuals receive specialized mental care within their home and community.
3) Mindful Music/Community Fun Day. Although I almost baked myself that day this was truly a magical event that brought community, patients and staff together for music, food and fun. It was a massive undertaking so much credit goes to all those who planned, organized and helped, the support of the Ontario Shores senior management and board, our sponsors and participants and for all those who came out. Thanks to all the bands - Hollerado, Jarvis Church, Chris Assaad, Done with Dolls, Kardiak Kids, Geoff O'Connor and The Sweet Mack for performing. We are looking at continuing the event this year and will be looking for our great neighbours to get involved and grow this event.
4) Recognition - It was an amazing year for Ontario Shores when it came to awards and to be recognized for the hard work and excellent staff we have. Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) and Healthtech Consultants (Healthtech) received two awards from the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) Health: Project Implementation Team of the Year and Project Patient Care Innovation Team of the Year. We also were honoured to receive the Whitby Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Award in the Business over 50 employee category. We received the 2011 Excellence in Mobile Point of Care Award from Motion Computing. The hospital’s Communications and Public Affairs team also received the award for its program Creative Minds: Raising Awareness and Reducing Stigma through the Arts from the Ovation Award of Excellence from the International Association of Business Communicators – Toronto.
5) Amazing speakers - We have had so many wonderful speakers share their stories and insight and this year was no exception. Comedian/actor/author Neil Crone was our keynote for the National Mental Health Week symposium which is a joint event we put on with Canadian Mental Health Association Durham and Durham Mental Health Services. Musician Steven Page was our main event speaker for the 2011. LeAnn Thieman, of the best selling series Chicken Soup for the Caregviers Soul also spoke to staff and community in 2011.
5.5) New - I know I said five and I can imagine my daughters calling me a cheater but chances are they are reading Justin Bieber's tweets and not this blog. By new I mean new people - Dr. Ian Dawe or new Physician-in-Chief, our new VP Professional Practice and Research, and Chief Nurse Executive and new chair of the board in Michael Nettleton. I also mean new services: the Borderline Personality Self-Regulation Clinic our Prompt Car Clinic at Ontario Shores and new locations for outpatient services.
A reminder to area residents. Send me a reply. Ask a question or if there is something amazing going on in the community let me know and maybe I can help spread the word. |
| chris.bovie
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