Sunnybrook

March is Nutrition Month, and what better way to celebrate than sharing some helpful nutrition advice? This year, March is also marked by the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, those who celebrate will fast from sunrise to sunset, making proper nutrition extra important. “Maintaining proper nutrition is essential, especially when fasting,” says Sunnybrook clinical nutrition student Radhika Anand. “Making sure our bodies have the nutrients they need to function at their best can help us sustain our energy levels and avoid fatigue while fasting.” Check out our latest blog to learn helpful tips from Sunnybrook’s clinical nutrition team to make sure you have a safe and successful fast. Read more: https://bit.ly/3XL0dLp

Over the past month, the Black History Month Committee has been hard at work organizing some outstanding events in honour of Black History Month. This year’s theme, Black Labour invited us to reflect on the impact Black People and Black labour has had on the economic, social, and cultural fabric of Canada. To celebrate, staff had the opportunity to see live music, watch movies, play trivia games, see a museum exhibit and try some cultural delicacies. Thank you to everyone on The President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce who helped plan this year’s Black History Month events. Your hard work and dedication are what make this place so special

Do you experience heightened feelings of anxiety or stress on Sundays ahead of a new work week? Chances are you experience something called the #SundayScaries. Whether it’s a big presentation or many small tasks, feeling overwhelmed and anxious about work can negatively impact our well-being. In our latest blog, Dr. Karen Wang, psychiatrist in Sunnybrook’s Hurvitz Brain Sciences program, shares some practical tips for easing feelings of anxiety ahead of a new work week. Read more: https://bit.ly/3Xk9vOb

We are thrilled to be recognized on the Newsweek “World’s Best Hospitals” 2025 list. For the seventh year in a row, Sunnybrook is ranked #2 in Canada. We have moved up to the #24 position globally. Thanks to our talented team, we have a reputation for innovative and ground-breaking treatments. Every member of our hospital team—health-care providers, researchers, admin staff, and beyond—drives discovery, innovation, and ground-breaking care, supporting patients and families when it matters most. Learn more about the recognition: https://bit.ly/3EYIQQD

Last week, a team from our Schulich Heart Program was busy listening to hearts at the Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf. Thank you to the North Toronto OHT for organizing and Heart Valve Voice Canada for their support. Check out this story from CTV News' Pauline Chan featuring Dr. Harindra Wijeysundera, chief of the Schulich Heart Program, about why a simple stethoscope check is the first step to detect heart valve disease: https://bit.ly/3EKBJey.

Recreation Therapy is about more than just fun and games! February is Recreation Therapy Month, a time to recognize the incredible impact of Recreation Therapists in health care. Yet, despite its essential role, many people still misunderstand what Recreation Therapy truly is. For example: Myth: It’s just about playing games or keeping patients entertained. Reality: Recreation Therapy is an evidence-based practice that supports physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and social well-being for individuals facing various health conditions. Recreation Therapists at Sunnybrook work across different areas of care, using meaningful activities to enhance patient outcomes, promote recovery and improve quality of life. Let’s set the record straight! Check out our latest blog where we debunk more common myths: https://bit.ly/3QxA3Yg

#ThisPlaceIsSpecial because of volunteers like Robby, a therapy dog in our Veterans Program. Robby is certified through the Therapeutic Paws of Canada, a national charity offering training programs and free pet visits. Robby and his handler Ipling Lau, often go door to door at Sunnybrook, offering one-on-one time with our Veterans. “A therapy dog coming in is a wonderful experience,” says Bert Shinwell, a Sunnybrook Veteran who fought in Germany and France as part of a tank regiment. “It just brings back memories for us of our own pets and such.” Read more about Robby in the Toronto Star (may require a subscription): https://bit.ly/3QsyD1e

INOVAIT Canada, the image-guided therapy (IGT) network led by Sunnybrook Research Institute, has released its Data Mobilization report. The guidelines outline best practices for safely and ethically harnessing Canadian health data to unlock innovation, economic growth, and better patient care.   This framework, developed by a multi-disciplinary group of experts, will help health-care institutions responsibly leverage their data for the advancement of new AI technologies to improve patient outcomes and strengthen the Canadian healthcare ecosystem.   Learn more about the framework: https://lnkd.in/ggYuX2_X

Our first virtual Speaker Series of the year is TONIGHT! Join us virtually at 6:30 p.m. to hear from experts in the Schulich Heart Program about heart valve disease the latest treatment options. Tonight’s panel will be moderated by Dr. Harindra Wijeysundera, chief of the Schulich Heart Program. Watch the live webcast: https://bit.ly/42zbX6Q

Guidelines recommend that women with high blood pressure or sugar during pregnancy should have their blood sugar and cholesterol checked after the pregnancy. However, a new study from Sunnybrook Research Institute and ICES shows that less than one in five patients in Ontario are tested for these cardiovascular risk factors following pregnancy-related hypertension or diabetes; a ‘missed opportunity’ for women. Read more about the study details and key findings: https://bit.ly/4hHEYC1