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Read the latest stories about what's going on at St. Joseph's Health Care London.

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Tall dream comes true

With a list of burning questions in hand, Patricia Prance answered an incoming video call. On the other end of the line – a giraffe and his zookeeper. Prance has virtually visited not one but two giraffes thanks to St. Joseph's Health Care London's Palliative Care Unit at Parkwood Institute. Her interest in giraffes first sparked when she visited African Lion Safari as a kid. “I just fell in love with the way they ran and their tall necks. And I'm tall and lanky and run kind of like a giraffe,” she laughs. Prance always dreamed of meeting a giraffe and being able to pet it, but travel...

‘Discovery comes from great questions’

When Lisa Porter was barely old enough to read, her parents bought a family-sized set of encyclopedias from a door-to-door salesperson. The A-to-Z world was suddenly at the six-year-old’s fingertips, in books that answered more questions than she knew how to ask. Today, as the new Vice President...

Finding the right notes

High school student Hayun Cho picks up her flute in front of an eager audience of residents at St. Joseph’s Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care (Mount Hope). It’s a Sunday afternoon and Hayun, who volunteers her talents three times a week, starts playing a few crowd favorites including classics by...

five care providers in the breast care program

281 steps to world-class care

“We have world-class breast care here, and it’s because of the people – and the technology,” says Dr. Sarah Knowles, surgical Oncologist and Interim Medical Director. And every year, 23,000 patients walk the 281 steps from the front door of St. Joseph’s Hospital to the breast care program. They...

All about colorectal cancer with Dr. Jamie Gregor - DocTalks Podcast: Season 4, Episode 29

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 66 people in our country are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every day and almost 38 per cent of those people will die from the disease. While most cases occur in adults over age 50, it’s becoming more common in the younger population. On the latest episode...

The gift of good company

When Joan Anderson found herself at risk of having her cataract surgery cancelled because she didn’t have someone to accompany her while in hospital, she took matters into her own hands. Joan, whose name is changed to protect her identity, was scheduled to have the outpatient procedure and required...

A ‘pawsitive’ volunteer visit

As Maverick strolls through the hallway of St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s), a crowd of enthusiastic onlookers begin to gather - recognizing him by name. Maverick isn't your average St. Joseph’s volunteer - he's a majestic five- year-old Great Dane, proudly displaying his name tag and...

DocTalks Podcast: Season 4, Episode 28 - How you walk and your brain health w/Dr. Manual Montero-Odasso

Did you know that how you walk can indicate how healthy your brain is? Studies show how someone walks and how fast can be an early predictor of future falls, frailty, dementia and even life expectancy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, by age 60, 15% of people will have an abnormal gait, a number...

The best call of their lives

Ann and her husband Peter got to know the care providers at the St. Joseph’s very well when their daughter Alice was admitted for inpatient mental health care. The care team kept the family well informed about her progress with constant updates. “They were fabulous,” Ann says. “They always took my calls and would say to me every time, ‘do not give up hope’.”

What causes asthma? DocTalks Podcast Season 4, Episode 26

According to Asthma Canada, asthma is the third most common disease in our nation, affecting more than 3.8 Million people. While there is no one cause or cure for asthma, there are triggers asthma sufferers should avoid and ways to control their condition. On the latest episode of the DocTalks...