When I think about my late sister Mia, I feel immense gratitude for the exceptional care she received at the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) throughout her life.
I’m John, and I want to share how much the Hospital helped Mia and our family. It wasn’t always easy, but her story is one of resilience, shaped by the dedication and expertise of the JGH team across multiple departments. The JGH staff’s kindness and skill made all the difference.
Imagine if everyone in need of care had such a village to support them – how much better this world would be!
Mia was born at the JGH in 1950 and returned to the Hospital many times throughout her life. From a young age, her teachers noticed how bright and creative she was. As a teenager, she was admitted to the JGH’s Psychiatry Unit and began receiving regular treatment to help with her mental health challenges and eventual schizophrenia diagnosis.
Despite her struggles, Mia found joy in creating beautiful handmade works of art – from paintings to toques and blankets that offered comfort and expressed her appreciation. Her artwork is displayed at the Department of Psychiatry’s outpatient clinic and many of her caregivers have pieces of her work in their homes.
In her later years, Mia faced new health challenges. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and in preparation for surgery doctors discovered she had been living with a heart condition. The complexity of her medical needs could have been overwhelming, but the teams at the JGH worked together with great skill to guide her care. It’s this kind of collaborative, compassionate care that donors make possible.
Mia received chemotherapy and radiation. Her heart health was closely monitored by a cardiac team throughout. They performed an angioplasty and carefully chose her medications, balancing her cancer treatment with her mental health and cardiovascular needs.
It wasn’t just the doctors who made a difference – it was the entire JGH support team. Mia’s nurses, social workers, and therapists formed the “village” that came together to make sure she received the best care possible. Mia came to know her entire circle of care by name.
Mia passed away in 2020. I miss her very much, but I’m thankful for the world-class service she received at the JGH throughout her life.
That’s why my family has made a meaningful contribution to the hospital, including research at the JGH’s Department of Psychiatry. It’s my way of honouring Mia’s memory and ensuring other patients receive the same quality of care. It’s also why we encourage others to give to the JGH annual fund, which supports a wide range of departments across the Hospital.
Across the JGH, it takes a village to provide the best patient care. You can be a part of making that possible.