Our Stories

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

Two people standing behind a table

Harnessing the power of bacteria

More than half your body is not actually human, according to scientists. Human cells are outnumbered by trillions of microorganisms, known as microbes. These bacteria, viruses and fungi play an important role in keeping you healthy – from fighting harmful pathogens, to affecting the way medications work, to regulating your immune system. And the exploration of this hidden microbial world is rapidly transforming how we understand health and disease. “The microbiome touches everything in human health,” says Jeremy Burton, PhD, Director for the Canadian Centre for Human Microbiome and Probiotics...
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Stefan Nichol and staff Chaplain Jessica Baker unloading gifts from a van with an "Impact Church" sign on it

In service to others

For the second year in a row, Spiritual Care volunteer Stefan Nichol wanted to show patients at Joseph’s Mental Health Care Program that they are not forgotten. Determined to make sure patients feel special over the holidays, Stefan once again approached several organizations for monetary donations...
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a large collection of donated food in holiday-themed boxes, next to an image of driver Rolly Willey unloading the donations from a minivan

A mission of kindness

As the saying goes, we are all in the same storm during this pandemic, but we aren't all in the same boat. Staff, physicians and volunteers at St. Joseph's have come together in kindness to support vulnerable people in our community this holiday season. St. Joseph’s partnered with Morrison Food...
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composite photo of six nurses wearing festive reindeer antlers and holding Christmas gifts

A Generous Gesture  

Just in time for the holiday season, an unexpected act of kindness was recently delivered to St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute. Retired nurses Rose Macneil, Kathryn McIntryre, and Carlie Dinn donated beautifully wrapped gifts to St. Joseph’s Geriatric Psychiatry Program. All three generous nurses...
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Phil Raney in a wheelchair with his services dog, and researcher Swati Mehta at a computer with text in between them that reads: Connecting to care

Connecting to Care

After a long battle with a disease that left him with a severe spinal cord injury, Phil Raney remained optimistic. Paying close attention to his health, he was doing his best to live life to the fullest in his power wheelchair – with his devoted wife Janna and Rutger the service dog by his side...
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members of the COAST team standing on a stairway outside a building

Partnering to fill gaps in care 

St. Joseph’s Health Care London has partnered with three community service providers to pilot the Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST) – an outreach and support service for individuals experiencing serious/acute mental health and addictions issues. Collaborating with St. Joseph’s are the...
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an elderly Veteran creating an art piece at a weaving loom

The art of paying tribute 

Nestled within St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute lies three art studios full of paints, canvases, fabrics, and other textiles just waiting to be transformed into visual pieces of art. The men and women behind the paintbrushes and crafty creations are Veterans who reside at Parkwood Institute as part...
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group of three people hold up a big vanity cheque

Remembering those who served our country

Thank you to those in our community who proudly wear a poppy as a show of respect for Canada’s Veterans or who make a donation in honour of the Veterans at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute. We are especially blessed to have the support of many branches of the Royal Canadian Legion and Army Navy Air...
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A dark grey marble monument with an engraved sign saying, "Flame of Hope" and a flame lit on the top stands in front of a older house surrounded by trees

The story starts here – 100 years of diabetes research and care

It was at 442 Adelaide St. North where Dr. Frederick Banting, a surgeon and professor at Western University, woke up at 2 am with the idea that led to the discovery. Since 1984, the house has been a museum dedicated to Banting's revelation. It is here that the Flame of Hope was ignited and continues...
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