Jewish General Hospital’s accreditation status raised to the top grade of “Exemplary”

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(FR au dessus)

The Jewish General Hospital (JGH) has had its accreditation status upgraded to “Exemplary”, the highest level recognized by Accreditation Canada. When the results of accreditation were initially announced in January, the JGH was granted the elevated status “with Commendation”. However, after supplementary documents were filed with Accreditation Canada, the hospital’s status was raised.

Accreditation was granted after a comprehensive and rigorous investigation of the JGH’s performance, measured against national standards of excellence. The JGH is credited with attaining the highest level of performance and demonstrating a strong commitment to ongoing quality improvement.

In its January report, Accreditation Canada found that the JGH had complied with more than 96.5 per cent of the criteria that must be present for safety and proper quality of care, including accessibility, continuity of care and good workplace conditions.

The hospital was also found to have complied with 34 of Accreditation Canada’s 35 required organizational practices in six key areas including the culture of safety, risk assessment, the use of medication, infection control, communication and work life.

For the full range of quality criteria, perfect scores were recorded by the Emergency Department, the blood bank and transfusion services, the service that sterilizes and reprocesses reusable medical equipment, and planning services, as well as patient flow, resource management, and emergency and crisis preparedness. Even among the services that fell short of perfection, most scored higher than 90 per cent, with many coming in above 97 per cent.

“The accreditation exercise was important because it provided an objective validation of the high level of quality that the JGH has achieved,” said Dr. Hartley Stern, Executive Director. “When we talk about improving quality, we really mean it, and now we can confirm it.”

In addition, the surveyors highlighted the unwavering pride that JGH employees have in their institution; how the safety and security of its patients are of the utmost concern on every unit and department hospital wide; and how the hospital has managed to excel and pioneer in specialized services while maintaining the quality of its first line medical care.

“It is wonderful to witness the many innovations, improvements, results, and collaboration that employees have achieved all in the name of improving patient care,” says Chantal Bellerose, JGH Accreditation Coordinator & Quality Improvement Advisor. “Members of the hospital community are constantly embracing opportunities to respond to the many challenges they may face.”

Also pointed out was the JGH’s dedication to operating based on best practices hospital-wide; the preservation of its values as an institution despite being faced with a difficult economic climate; and its efforts to improve transparency as made evident by its public Quality Indicators web page.

“The results of this exercise were the culmination of years of hard work by all JGH staff members,” Dr. Stern said. “We have an extraordinary team at the JGH and this success is due to everyone’s collective efforts centered on improving outcomes and experiences for our patients and their families. All their hard work showcases the JGH’s determination to work within the team of Quebec healthcare institutions to strengthen the entire public healthcare system.”

***

Le statut d’agrément de l’Hôpital général juif passe au niveau le plus élevé : « Agréé avec mention d’honneur »

L’Hôpital général juif (HGJ) a vu son statut d’agrément porté au plus haut niveau reconnu par Agrément Canada, « Agréé avec mention d’honneur ». Lorsque les résultats initiaux de l’agrément ont été annoncés en janvier, l’HGJ s’est vu décerner le statut « avec mention ». Toutefois, après la présentation de documents supplémentaires, le statut d’agrément de l’hôpital a été haussé.

L’agrément a été accordé à l’hôpital à la suite d’une enquête approfondie et rigoureuse de ses performances par rapport aux normes nationales d’excellence. L’HGJ est reconnu comme ayant atteint le plus haut niveau de performance et démontré un engagement résolu à l’égard de l’amélioration continue de la qualité.

Dans le rapport de janvier, Agrément Canada jugeait l’HGJ conforme aux normes requises en matière de sécurité et de qualité des soins à plus de 96,5 %, incluant l’accessibilité, la continuité des soins et les bonnes conditions de travail.

Le rapport indiquait aussi que l’hôpital s’était conformé à 34 des 35 pratiques organisationnelles requises par Agrément Canada dans six domaines clés, à savoir la culture de sécurité, l’évaluation des risques, l’utilisation des médicaments, le contrôle des infections, les communications et le milieu de travail.

Pour l’ensemble des critères de qualité, des notes parfaites ont été données au service d’urgence, à la banque de sang et aux services transfusionnels, au service chargé de la stérilisation et du retraitement de l’équipement médical réutilisable, et aux services de planification, ainsi que pour la circulation des patients, la gestion des ressources, et la préparation aux crises et aux situations d’urgence. Même parmi les services qui n’ont pas atteint la perfection, la plupart ont enregistré des notes au-dessus de 90 pour cent et plusieurs dépassaient 97 pour cent.

Selon le Dr Hartley Stern, directeur général de l’HGJ, « tout le processus d’agrément est très important puisqu’il vient confirmer de façon objective le niveau élevé de qualité atteint. Quand nous parlons d’améliorer la qualité, nous sommes sérieux. Et maintenant, la preuve est là. »

Les évaluateurs ont aussi mentionné la fierté inébranlable des employés de l’HGJ à l’égard de leur établissement, ainsi que l’importance primordiale accordée à la sécurité des patients dans toutes les unités et tous les services de l’hôpital. Et ils ont noté que l’hôpital avait réussi à exceller et à innover dans le domaine des services spécialisés tout en maintenant la qualité de ses soins médicaux de première ligne.

« Il est merveilleux de voir les multiples innovations et toutes les améliorations, les résultats et le niveau de collaboration que les employés ont pu atteindre, souligne Chantal Bellerose, coordonnatrice du processus d’agrément et conseillère en amélioration de la qualité, toujours dans le but d’améliorer les soins aux patients. Les membres de la communauté de l’hôpital s’efforcent de saisir toutes les occasions permettant de trouver les solutions aux nombreux défis qui se présentent. »

On a aussi mentionné la détermination à mettre en œuvre les meilleures pratiques dans la gestion des activités pour tout l’hôpital, ainsi que l’ardeur à préserver les valeurs distinctives de l’établissement malgré le contexte économique difficile, et les efforts pour améliorer la transparence, comme en fait foi la page Web de l’hôpital sur les indicateurs de qualité.

Les résultats de cet exercice sont le fruit d’efforts soutenus pendant des années par les employés de l’HGJ, soutient le Dr Stern. « Nous sommes une équipe formidable et cette réussite nous la devons à l’effort collectif en vue d’améliorer les résultats et l’expérience des soins pour les patients et leurs familles. Ce travail assidu témoigne de la détermination de l’HGJ à travailler avec l’équipe des établissements de soins de santé du Québec pour renforcer le système de santé publique dans son entier. »

Letter: Lord Shaughnessy stood up for Sir Mortimer B. Davis

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The Gazette, April 29, 2013

Re: “Phyllis Lambert found calling in architecture” (Gazette, April 26)

Your article on architect Phyllis (Bronfman) Lambert refers to her creation of the architectural museum constructed adjacent to and encompassing the historic Shaughnessy House. Lambert saved the historic mansion from the wreckers. Quite possibly, though, she didn’t know the warm relationships between Lord Shaughnessy, a railway magnate (originally Donald Smith) and a number of Jewish personalities.

Early in the 20th century, Sir Mortimer B. Davis (the only Canadian Jew ever knighted — and that was for his enormous contribution to equipping the Canadian Army during the First World War) — had applied for membership in the exclusive Mount Royal Club and efforts were underway to blackball him by anti-Semitic members. Lord Shaughnessy made it known that if Sir Mortimer’s application for membership were rejected, he would leave the club and support another venture. Davis was admitted, and often lunched there with Lord Shaughnessy and, generally, two other rare Jewish members — Henry and Joseph Jesse. But the quartet ate alone, with other members referring to it as the “Jews’ Table.” The trio of Jewish members contributed enormously to the modernization of Montreal, introducing public transit, the first railway, etc.

Lambert’s father, Sam Bronfman, as stated, was known for his fierce temper. I was involved in the arrangements for Mr. Bronfman’s 80th (and last) birthday and arranged for two presentations to him. One was a caricature, drawn by artist Steve Yurani, of “Mr. Sam” with leaders of Israel, and the second, prepared by artist Pearl Wilensky (yes, related to the famed Wilensky café) of a large binder with tributes, in the style of a medieval manuscript.

In the excitement of the evening, when the failing Mr. Sam actually danced for the last time with Saidye, the family forgot the presentations, so the following evening, I drove up the mountain to the red brick Bronfman mansion to deliver the items. (They are now deposited in the Canadian Jewish Congress National Archives, located in Bronfman House.) Sam himself answered the door! He escorted me to his ground-floor office where the man once known for his acidic tongue proudly showed me his 80th birthday gifts — for his grandchildren!

(Among the hundreds who attended the party was Teddy Kolleck, long-time mayor of Jerusalem, who said to me, “Mr. King, will you introduce me to the mayor of Côte St-Luc? He has a higher percentage of Jews in this city than I have in Jerusalem.” He sat down with Sam Moscovitch and they had a long chat.)

Joe King

Côte-St-Luc

http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Letter+Lord+Shaughnessy+stood+Mortimer+Davis/8309675/story.html#ixzz2SG4XO0Eo

Schools, hospitals react swiftly to boil water advisory

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CBC News: May 22, 2013

Today’s widespread boil water advisory has had many Montrealers scrambling, including employees and administrators at schools and hospitals around the city.

The Jewish General Hospital’s communications director Glenn Nashen said the hospital has enough water to last at least a couple of days.

“We do have an emergency supply of drinking water on hand at any given time and we immediately put in orders for additional emergency supply,” Nashen said.

All McGill University Health Centre hospitals are distributing bottled water to patients, and have put certain procedures on hold.

Richard Fahey, the MUHC’s director of public affairs, said all non-emergency dental operations were cancelled when they received the city’s communiqué around 11 a.m. this morning.

He also said the Lachine Hospital was not affected by the advisory.

Over at the English Montreal School Board’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School in Rosemont, school principal Michelle Stein first heard of the boil water advisory from a concerned parent.

Then, she said, she got a ding on her computer alerting her to a new email from the city issuing the advisory .

“I thought, ‘Oh dear, I have 323 children at the school I have to provide for,’” Stein said.

She immediately ordered that the water supply to the school’s fountains shut down, and then sent staff members to “raid” a local depanneur for water.

She’s asking parents to send their kids to school tomorrow with a day’s worth of water.

Family Medicine to the rescue…throughout the life cycle!

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Last chance to sign up for the 11th season of JGH Mini-Med School
The Jewish General Hospital’s (JGH) Mini-Med School is open for registration and spots are filling up fast! If you think you’ve got what it takes to gain a deeper understanding of family medicine, then all you need to do is bring your sense of curiosity and set aside a few evenings this spring, and be prepared to immerse yourself in the JGH Mini-Med School.
The aim of this four-week series is to alert patients to the ways a family doctor can help prevent illness and provide help at every stage of the life cycle, explains Dr. Michael Malus, who is JGH Chief of Family Medicine, Director of the Goldman Herzl Family Practice Centre, and the kick-off speaker this year. The lectures—mixing education with entertaining insights in down-to-earth language—will touch on all aspects of family medicine: how to prevent illness, manage medications more effectively, help your teen through difficult times, and be more effective at navigating the home-care system.
“Though graduates of the JGH Mini-Med School will not be eligible to actually practice medicine, the hope is that they will be better-informed patients who are better able to take control of their health,” says Glenn J. Nashen, JGH Director of Public Affairs and Communications. “The Goldman Herzl Family Practice Centre has just celebrated its 100th anniversary, so we felt that this was the perfect opportunity to share with the public all of the latest advancements in family medicine, and how the public can have a direct impact on long-term health care.”
The lectures will take place on four consecutive Wednesday evenings, beginning May 22, and climaxing with the final lecture on “graduation” night on on June 12.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
May 22
Dr. Michael Malus, Some Tips on Avoiding Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease and Dementia
May 29
Dr. Silvia Duong, Managing Medications: A Guide to Safer Drug Use
June 5
Dr. Perry Adler, Helping Teens Through Adolescence: The Psycho-Social Aspects of Adolescent Medicine
June 12
Dr. John C. Kirk, House Call to Home Care: Something Old is New Again
Where: Jewish General Hospital
When: Wednesdays from May 22 to June 12, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
The fee is $40 for adults and $25 for students (with valid student ID) and seniors (60 and over) for all four sessions. The public can sign up at www.jgh.ca/en/minimed .
This educational series is now accessible at any time; presentations from years past can be viewed at jgh.ca/minimed at no cost. DVDs from three different Mini-Med series are also available at libraries throughout Montreal and Quebec.

CJPAC Jet Setter Action Party 2013

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Last night Cote Saint-Luc Mayor Anthony Housefather, Councillors Dida Berku (and masterful mingler husband Jacob Kincler),  Mitchell Brownstein (and elegant party wife Elaine) , Steven Erdelyi and I attended the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee (CJPAC) Action Party at the Starlink Aircraft hangar at the Dorval Airport.

MP Isabelle Morin, Cllr. Glenn J. Nashen, MNA Lawrence Bergman, Mayor Anthony Housefather

MP Isabelle Morin, Cllr. Glenn J. Nashen, MNA Lawrence Bergman, Mayor Anthony Housefather

CJPAC is a unique national, grassroots, independent organization whose mandate is to engage the community in the political process. CJPAC mobilizes the grassroots across the country, builds relationships with elected officials – of all political parties – and works for Jewish community interests, on a multi-partisan basis, during and between elections.

We met with several elected officials and their staff from all levels of government along with many young people interested in engaging with politicians.  You’d think that Mount Royal riding, encompassing Cote Saint-Luc, Hampstead, Town of Mount Royal and a slice of Snowdon was up for grabs as former conservative candidate Saulie Zajdel made the rounds while the current liberal MP’s (Irwin Cotler) Chief of Staff, Howard Liebman, worked the other side of the room.  Meanwhile, former Mount Royal Tory candidate Neil Drabkin was also in attendance easily working his way across the floor connecting with younger voters.

Mayor Anthony Housefather with former Darlington Councillor Saulie Zajdel and Chief of Staff Howard Liebman

Mayor Anthony Housefather with former Darlington Councillor Saulie Zajdel and Chief of Staff Howard Liebman

The keynote speaker at the dinner earlier in the evening was former PM Brian Mulroney.  Former Senator Leo Kolber warmly maneuvered among the younger crowd as did several community stalwarts including Herbert Paperman and his son Joseph, Elliot Lifson and Jon Wener.

D’Arcy McGee MNA Lawrence Bergman is always a crowd pleaser shaking hands with the younger set, this time with his new chief (and future Premier), Philippe Couillard.  Mount Royal MNA Pierre Arcand was also among friends from TMR.

Liberal MP and Montreal Mayoral hopeful Denis Coderre was out shaking hands and making many new contacts within the Montreal community.

Councillor Mitchell and Elaine Brownstein with Neil Drabkin and Councillor Herbert Brownstein in the hangar at Starlink Aircraft

Councillor Mitchell and Elaine Brownstein with Neil Drabkin and Councillor Herbert Brownstein in the hangar at Starlink Aircraft

CDN-NDG Borough Mayor Lionel Perez is a superb local leader who has rapidly risen in power in the West End and is a name to watch. Also in attendance was NDG-Lachine MP Isabelle Morin, with whom I have had a few opportunities to meet. Isabelle is a delightful young woman who has given all of her energy to learn the role of MP and dutifully represent her constituents with passion and devotion. Having worked as a school teacher certainly helped to build her character a a compassionate young leader.

Former ministerial chief of staff and tory candidate Neil Drabkin could toss his hat in the local ring in the next federal election

Former ministerial chief of staff and tory candidate Neil Drabkin could toss his hat in the local ring in the next federal election

Another former teacher who made a significant impact at the party, and across the country, was none other than Justin Trudeau.  Partygoers had their smartphones snapping for shots with Justin.

Hampstead Mayoral Candidate Bonnie Feigenbaum considering new transportation options for her town

Hampstead Mayoral Candidate Bonnie Feigenbaum considering new transportation options for her town

DDO Councillor Herbert Brownstein, Hampstead Councillor and mayoral candidate Bonnie Feigenbaum, Veteran St-Laurent Councillor Maurice Cohen (31 years on council!!), Hampstead Councillor Michael Goldwax, Snowdon Councillor Marvin Rotrand and Loyola Councillor Peter McQueen were all in attendance representing their cities and districts.

Local liberal love-in:  Howard and Heather Liebman greet Justin Trudeau

Local liberal love-in: Howard and Heather Liebman greet Justin Trudeau

The Action Party is a terrific opportunity to turn young voters on to voting and becoming involved at all levels of government.  The organizers did a stellar job at setting up a superb venue.  The outdoor terrace area was essentially the runway with flights taking off just over yonder while the jets in the airport hangar were parked like sports cars spit polished for show. Amazing venue, creative decor and superb opportunity to mingle with the next generation of young leaders, influencers, policy makers and shakers.

Kudos to the sponsors and committee for a job well done and greatly appreciated.

V-E Day commemoration ceremony in Côte Saint-Luc on Sunday, May 5, 2013

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Royal Canadian Legion

Royal Canadian Legion (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Members of the Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion, Mayor Anthony Housefather, the Côte Saint-Luc city council, dignitaries, veterans and residents will commemorate Victory in Europe (V-E) Day on Sunday, May 5 at 2 pm at Veterans Park.

 

“My generation and those of my children and grandchildren will never be able to fully pay back the Canadian soldiers who fought to defeat tyranny during the Second World War,” said Ruth Kovac, who is the co-chairperson of this event with Councillor Allan J. Levine. “By liberating Europe our veterans also ended the genocide against the Jewish population of Europe and others targeted by the Nazis.”

 

VE Day parade in Cote Saint-Luc 2008

VE Day parade in Cote Saint-Luc 2008

Councillor Levine said we must continue to honour those who have served and those families who lost loved ones for our country.

 

“I encourage everyone to come on May 5 and show support for our veterans who still continue to do so much for our community and look after their own,” Councillor Levine said. “Indeed, this year our veterans raised more than $31,000 during last November’s Poppy Fund Campaign. Those funds were then returned to the community through donations to local organisations, such as the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation, the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Jewish General Hospital, the Salvation Army, the Old Brewery Mission and many others.”

 

Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veteran's Park

Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veteran’s Park

Victory in Europe (V-E) Day was May 8, 1945, the date when the Second World War Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany. The cenotaph at Veterans Park honours the memory of those who gave their lives in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War.

 

VE Day 2008: Mayor and City Council with Parade Marshall Bob Feldstein in CSL Veterans Park

VE Day 2008: Mayor and City Council with Parade Marshall Bob Feldstein in CSL Veterans Park

This year’s commemoration will be conducted by Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 President, Frank Levine. Veterans Park is located next to the City Hall and library (5801 Cavendish Blvd.) In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held indoors at the City Hall.

George Nashen in front of the Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veterans Park on VE Day 2012

George Nashen in front of the Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veterans Park on VE Day 2012

JGH Mini-Med School kicks off 11th season

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Montreal, April 15, 2013 – Think you’ve got what it takes to gain a deeper understanding of family medicine? Well, the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) is here to tell you that you do! Just bring your sense of curiosity, set aside a few evenings this spring, and be prepared to immerse yourself in the JGH Mini-Med School.
The aim of this four-week series is to alert patients to the ways a family doctor can help prevent illness and provide help at every stage of the life cycle, explains Dr. Michael Malus, who is JGH Chief of Family Medicine, Director of the Goldman Herzl Family Practice Centre, and the kick-off speaker this year. The lectures—mixing education with entertaining insights in down-to-earth language—will touch on all aspects of family medicine: how to prevent illness, manage medications more effectively, help your teen through difficult times, and be more effective at navigating the home-care system.
“Though graduates of the JGH Mini-Med School will not be eligible to actually practice medicine, the hope is that they will be better-informed patients who are better able to take control of their health,” says Glenn J. Nashen, JGH Director of Public Affairs and Communications. “The Goldman Herzl Family Practice Centre has just celebrated its 100th anniversary, so we felt that this was the perfect opportunity to share with the public all of the latest advancements in family medicine, and how the public can have a direct impact on long-term health care.”
The lectures will take place on four consecutive Wednesday evenings, beginning May 22, and climaxing with the final lecture on “graduation” night on on June 12.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
May 22
Dr. Michael Malus, Some Tips on Avoiding Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease and
    Dementia
May 29
Dr. Silvia Duong, Managing Medications: A Guide to Safer Drug Use
June 5
Dr. Perry Adler, Helping Teens Through Adolescence: The Psycho-Social Aspects of
            Adolescent Medicine
June 12
Dr. John C. Kirk, House Call to Home Care: Something Old is New Again
Where: Jewish General Hospital, Block Amphitheatre, Room B-106
When: Wednesdays from May 22 to June 12, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
The fee is $40 for adults and $25 for students (with valid student ID) and seniors (60 and over) for all four sessions. The public can sign up at www.jgh.ca/en/minimed .
This educational series is now accessible at any time; presentations from years past can be viewed at jgh.ca/minimed at no cost. DVDs from three different Mini-Med series are also available at libraries throughout Montreal and Quebec.
***
La médecine familiale à la rescousse, tout au long du cycle de la vie ! 
L’École Mini-Med HGJ donne le coup d’envoi de sa 11e saison
Montréal, le 15 avril 2013 – Pensez-vous être en mesure de mieux comprendre la médecine familiale ? À l’Hôpital général juif (HGJ), nous n’avons aucun doute là-dessus : vous le pouvez ! Faites preuve de curiosité, réservez quelques soirées ce printemps, et soyez prêts à vous plonger dans le coeur du sujet à l’École Mini-Med HGJ.
L’objectif de cette série de quatre semaines est de renseigner les patients sur les moyens à la disposition du médecin de famille pour prévenir la maladie et offrir son aide à toutes les étapes du cycle de la vie, explique le Dr Michael Malus, chef de médecine familiale à l’HGJ, directeur du centre de médecine familiale Goldman Herzl, et premier conférencier de l’année. Les conférences, qui présentent des perspectives à la fois éducatives et divertissantes dans un langage tout à fait accessible, aborderont tous les aspects de la médecine familiale : comment prévenir la maladie, gérer plus efficacement la médication, aider vos adolescents à traverser les périodes difficiles, et s’orienter plus efficacement dans le système de soins à domicile.
« Même si les diplômés de l’École Mini-Med HGJ ne seront pas réellement admissibles à pratiquer la médecine, nous espérons qu’ils seront des patients mieux informés et mieux outillés pour prendre en main leur santé, affirme Glenn J. Nashen, directeur des Affaires publiques et communications de l’HGJ. Le Centre de médecine Goldman Herzl célébrait récemment son 100e anniversaire, et il nous a semblé que c’était justement l’occasion de faire connaître au public les derniers progrès réalisés en médecine familiale et de lui faire réaliser à quel point les gens peuvent avoir un impact direct sur les soins de santé à long terme. »
Les conférences auront lieu quatre mercredis soirs consécutifs, à compter du 22 mai, et la saison se terminera en beauté avec la dernière conférence et la remise des diplômes le 12 juin.
Voici le programme qui est proposé :
22 mai
Dr Michael Malus, Some Tips on Avoiding Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease and
    Dementia
29 mai
Dre Silvia Duong, Managing Medications: A Guide to Safer Drug Use
5 juin
Dr Perry Adler, Helping Teens Through Adolescence: The Psycho-Social Aspects of
            Adolescent Medicine
12 juin
Dr John C. Kirk, House Call to Home Care: Something Old is New Again
Où : Hôpital général juif, amphithéâtre Block, Salle B-106
Quand : Les mercredis, du 22 mai au 12 juin, de 19 h 30 à 21 h
Le coût pour les quatre séances est de 40 $ pour les adultes et de 25 $ pour les étudiants (carte d’identité valide exigée) et les personnes de 60 ans et plus. Les personnes intéressées peuvent s’inscrire à http://www.jgh.ca/en/minimed.
Cette série éducative est maintenant accessible en tout temps, et les présentations des dernières années peuvent être visionnées sans frais à jgh.ca/minimed. Trois séries Mini-Med sont aussi disponibles en DVD dans différentes bibliothèques partout à Montréal et au Québec.

In response to call for no more anglophone hospitals

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Letter to the editor, Montreal Gazette

Re: “Emotions run high at Bill 14 hearing” (Gazette, April 10).

Jean-Paul Perreault, President of the language lobby group Impératif français said at hearings into Bill 14 that “in our view, there’s no place for anglophone hospitals in Quebec.”

Mr. Perreault is only technically correct. Since the adoption of Bill 101 in 1977, only French-language and bilingual hospitals exist in Quebec. Such is the case of the Jewish General Hospital, which proudly communicates in both official languages. Our diverse, multilingual staff is focused on providing compassionate, high-quality care in a safe environment, where French and English are respected and used effortlessly. Indeed, our research shows that our patients speak more than 90 languages.

No wonder the JGH has been cited through the years for its contributions as an outstanding partner in Quebec’s public healthcare system.

Even former Premier Jacques Parizeau has said, “The Jewish General Hospital saved the quality of my life.” What’s more, former Premier Lucien Bouchard said, “I believe undoubtedly that Montreal has, with the Jewish General Hospital, one of the best health institutions in the world.”

Even Mr. Perreault might be surprised to learn that the JGH, and the few other bilingual hospitals in Quebec, offer compassion, dignity and respect in the language that is most important to each patient. Many generations of Quebecers of all backgrounds have turned to the JGH, which proudly proclaims “Au service de tous.”

Glenn J. Nashen
Director, Public Affairs and Communications
Jewish General Hospital

JGH Mini Med School a hit with West Enders year after year

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2013minimed

Federal Mount Royal riding to stay intact

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Kudos to Mount Royal MP Irwin Cotler and his trusted aide Howard Liebman who fought a determined battle against redrawing the electoral map of our riding.  Howard worked the phones to draw interest on this issue and encourage participation in the hearings by groups and institutions within the riding.

Mayor Anthony Housefather was up for the challenge and presented a brief on behalf of the City of Cote Saint-Luc.  The City would have lost a small residential sector near the western end of Cote Saint-Luc Road to the Dorval riding.  As well, the eastern end of the riding, including the Jewish General Hospital would have been ceded to neighbouring Outremont riding.

The success of this campaign ensures that the majority of Jewish community institutions remain in one riding under one sitting MP.

Thanks to the perseverance of these leaders, and the submissions from several institutions, the historical boundaries remain intact.

Read The Gazette article below (Feb. 25, 2013):

After calling for the Mount Royal riding to be dismantled before the next federal election, Canada’s electoral boundaries commission is recommending the historic district remain in place.

In a report tabled before the House of Commons Monday, the commission scrapped previous plans that would have seen the Montreal riding lose its name, expand westward into Dorval and surrender large chunks of the Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood.

“I am delighted that today’s report preserves this historic riding, benefiting both the communities and residents therein,” said Irwin Cotler, the Liberal MP who has represented Mount Royal since 1999.

In a July interview with The Gazette, Cotler said recommended changes to the Montreal riding showed a clear lack of understanding of the district’s communal identity and history. Cotler, who grew up in the largely Jewish district, successfully fought the commission’s previous attempt to change the riding’s boundaries in 2002.

The Mount Royal riding, which includes portions of Côte-St-Luc, Hampstead, Côte-des-Neiges and the Snowdon neighbourhood, has been a Liberal stronghold for more than 70 years. Former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau held the riding from 1965 to 1984, when he retired from politics.

However, the Conservatives made inroads in the district during the 2011 federal election, when Cotler came within a few thousand votes of losing his seat.

A surge in Quebec’s population was behind the decision to redraw the province’s federal electoral boundaries. As of 2011, there were 7.9 million people living in Quebec compared to 7.2 million in 2001, with most of that growth coming from urban centres.

As a result of Quebec’s population growth, the province will get an additional three ridings during the next federal election, putting its total number of seats in the House of Commons at 78.

© Copyright (c) The Gazette

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CJN

Outstanding CSLer awarded Queen’s Jubilee Medal

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Dr. Marc Afilalo receives the Queen's Jubillee Medal by Councillor Glenn J. Nashen and Mayor Anthony Housefather surrounded by his family

Dr. Marc Afilalo receives the Queen’s Jubilee Medal by Councillor Glenn J. Nashen and Mayor Anthony Housefather surrounded by his family

I was honoured to join Mayor Anthony Housefather in presenting the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal to Dr. Marc Afilalo at the February 11th public council meeting of the City of Cote Saint-Luc.

This award is quite prestigious and I am so pleased that Dr. Afilalo, Chief of Emergency Medicine at the Jewish General Hospital and professor in the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University, is one of two recipients who received this award as nominated by City Council.

Dr. Marc Afilalo is a formidable nominee on the part of our city.  City Council, on behalf of Her Majesty, has recognized and shown immense appreciation to Dr. Afilalo who has been one of the staunchest supporters of CSL Emergency Medical Services dating back more than three decades.  Dr. Afilalo was a significant influence upon the Quebec government in saving EMS when the Fire Department mergers took place ten years ago and gobbled up all first response services on the Island of Montreal, except in CSL.

Dr. Afilalo has stood with CSL in our campaign to recognize Paramedics in Quebec since the 1980′s. He is one of the gurus of Emergency Medicine in Quebec and has served as adviser to several health ministers.

Having known Dr. Afilalo for well over 25 years I think he is an outstanding nominee, a mentor to hundreds of young students and a remarkable Cote Saint-Lucer and an extraordinary leader in the field of Emergency Medicine and in our community.

Congratulations Dr. Afilalo on this well deserved honour.

City of Côte Saint-Luc to present Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals to Dr. Marc Afilalo and Roy Salomon

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The City of Côte Saint-Luc has nominated and will present Dr. Marc Afilalo and Roy Salomon with Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals at the start of the council meeting on February 11, 2013 at 8 pm.

Diamond_Jubilee_Medal_web

Dr. Marc Afilalo has been nominated for this award for his contribution in the field of

emergency medicine. Chief of the Emergency Department at the Jewish General Hosp

ital for the past 27 years, Dr. Afilalo has become a reference in the field of overcr

owding, use and misuse of the Emergency Department, acute asthma mana

geme

nt, pain control, treatment of unstable angina and myocardial infarct.

He is also largely credited for the recognition and development of emergency medicine as

 a specialty in Quebec.

Roy Salomon has been nominated for his long time involvement with Maccabi Canada, from player to eight-term president of the organization. Mr. Salomon has received numerous awards for his volunteer contribution to the sports community. He is this year’s Honourary Co-President of the Maccabiah Games in Israel. He has also been Vice-President and Honourary President of the YM-YWHA, received the Norah and Joe Rubin Leadership Award for 50 years of involvement with the organization, and is a 2001 recipient of the prestigious Yakir Maccabi Award. In 1995, he was inducted to the Montreal Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

“We are proud that these two deserving individuals are Côte Saint-Luc residents,” Mayor Anthony Housefather said. “They are both uncontestedly leaders in their respective fields who have realized significant contributions and achievements.”

Côte Saint-Luc will also be acknowledging Councillor Dida Berku who has received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her community service and her initiatives in helping preserve the natural environment. Councillor Berku was nominated for this medal by Senator Judith Seidman.

“I’ve known Dida since 1994 and she is a worthy recipient of this medal,” said Mayor Anthony Housefather. “It is rare to find someone who combines the precision of an attorney, the political smarts of an elected representative, and the passion of an environmentalist. She is someone whose advice and counsel I rely upon.”

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal was created to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne. The medal is intended to honour individuals who have given selflessly in service of their communities. During the year of celebrations, 60,000 deserving Canadians will be recognized. Côte Saint-Luc was invited to nominate two recipients.

CSL – CDN medical district shuttle survey

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Côte St. Luc put out an advisory that the city and the Jewish General Hospital “in collaboration with Mobiligo and the Centre de gestion des déplacements de developpement économique SaintLaurent (CGD DESTL), is looking for solutions to improve commuting to medical facilities in the Côte des Neiges district for the residents, workers and users.

The goal of the project is to encourage single occupancy vehicle users to shift to environmentally-friendly transport practices, such as public transit, carpooling, walking and biking.

A survey of the population of Côte St. Luc, Hampstead and Montreal West is currently underway concerning their transportation needs to identify convenient options that could be offered to them, other than traveling alone in their car. Access to healthcare is more than having a family doctor; it is also being able to get to the doctor’s office without causing an impact on our health and our community environment.”

To participate in the survey, go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/DBGHB6N.

 

Dida speaks out – Remarques de la conseillère Berku

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La Presse is reporting that “a candidate nabbed by the Director General of Elections is irritating Côte-Saint-Luc”.  I think it is not just Cote Saint-Luc that is being irritated but the overall Jewish Community as well.

Councillor Berku lashes out that claims by Charles Lugassy, a defeated candidate in the 2009 election in Côte-Saint-Luc, who was found guilty of electoral fraud by the Quebec Court,  ”are an insult” and do not reflect reality.

Berku wrote to La Presse, following a story earlier this week, to protest against conspiracy theories put forward by Lugassy.  Lugassy argued that he was a victim of the fury of the town hall of Côte-Saint-Luc, including the clerk, because he is Sephardic.

“All proceedings and investigations are handled by the DGEQ.  None of the proceedings were handled by the City of Côte-Saint-Luc”, says Berku. “It has nothing to do with our City Clerk. “

“Mr. Lugassy is not the first Sepahrdic candidate to stand for election”, Berku said, contrary to Lugassy’s assertion. She strongly rejected his allegations that the city of 32,000 inhabitants is the “turf” of the Ashkenazi Jewish community, as Lugassy suggested. “It is not a matter of ethnic identity. We are all citizens, residents of Côte Saint-Luc, regardless of our language or religion. Mr. Lugassy only wants to represent his community”.

Councillor Berku, a lawyer, endorsed the conclusions of Judge Johanne White who found Mr. Lugassy guilty on October 16. She considered the story of Mr. Lugassy as “not credible, full of bizarre speculation and not supported by the evidence.”  Lugassy lost the right to vote or stand for election for a period of five years for corrupt electoral practices. He was convicted of trying to pay off a rival candidate, Sonia Cohen-Peillon.

Concerning the electoral defeat of Mr. Lugassy, Berku remarked: “You must get involved in local democracy, come to council meetings, ask questions. We never saw Mr. Lugassy do that”.

 

I wholeheartedly agree with Maitre Berku, as outlined in my opinion pieces on this blog.  Unlike Mr. Lugassy who never attended a single council meeting, I attended and asked questions, together with Ruth Kovac, for 10 full years before we both ran for election.  Ruth and I had a better attendance record than some councillors back then!  And that was after both volunteering in the Emergency Measures Organization and EMS for more than a decade, at the time.

Lugassy’s self-endorsement was, and is, pure fiction.  By contrast, I have been endorsed by many community leaders in several fields, many of whom stem from the Sephardic community, not to mention my own Sephardic connections.

All that said. Luggasy’s outlandish conspiracy theories stand as an insult not only to me personally, but to all Cote Saint-Lucers and the Jewish community as a whole.  As one example, his heavy handed election team were removed by police from the polling station and parking lot where they were caught pressing people to vote for the “Jewish candidate”, insinuating that I am not Jewish, nor my honourable opponent, Sonia-Cohen Peillon.

Lugassy advocates a divided community, along language lines, cultural and religious lines.  He seeks to represent a single segment of the community.  By contrast, I proudly represent all my constituents, indeed all Cote Saint-Lucers, in the language of their choice, regardless of religion or country of origin.  I’m happy to say that my fellow councillors share the same inclusive sense of community.  And judging by the number of emails and comments I received this week, not to mention the vast majority of voters that cast there ballot for me in the last election, most agree with this notion of unity and harmony as one community.

Today’s La Presse article is posted here.

 

 

Publié le 22 décembre 2012

KARIM BENESSAIEH

La Presse

Un candidat épinglé par le DGE irrite Côte-Saint-Luc

Les accusations d’un ex-candidat battu aux élections de 2009 dans Côte-Saint-Luc, qui affirme avoir fait les frais des tensions entre les deux communautés juives, «sont une insulte» et ne reflètent pas la réalité, réplique une élue de longue date, Dida Berku.

La conseillère de Côte-Saint-Luc depuis 1990 en veut particulièrement aux thèses de complot évoquées par Charles Lugassi, qui a récemment été épinglé par le Directeur général des élections et privé de droit de vote pour cinq ans pour manoeuvre électorale frauduleuse. Il a été reconnu coupable d’avoir tenté d’acheter une candidate rivale en 2009. Cette semaine, dans La Presse, M. Lugassi a soutenu avoir été victime de l’acharnement de l’hôtel de ville de Côte-Saint-Luc, notamment du greffier, parce qu’il est sépharade.

«Toutes les procédures, les enquêtes viennent du DGE par l’entremise de la plaignante, rien n’est venu de Côte-Saint-Luc, explique Mme Berku au nom de l’administration municipale. Notre greffier n’a même pas parlé avec lui à ce sujet, il n’a rien à y voir.»

Pas une première

M. Lugassi n’est pas le premier candidat sépharade à se présenter aux élections, précise-t-elle. Elle rejette énergiquement ses allégations voulant que la ville de 32 000 habitants soit «la chasse gardée» de l’autre communauté juive importante, les ashkénazes. «Ce n’est pas une question d’identité ethnique. On est tous citoyens résidants de Côte-Saint-Luc, peu importe notre langue ou notre religion. M. Lugassi, lui, voulait représenter uniquement sa communauté.»

La conseillère fait siennes les conclusions de la juge White qui a reconnu M. Lugassi coupable le 16 octobre dernier. Elle considérait la version des faits de M. Lugassi comme «invraisemblable, truffée de conjectures farfelues et nullement supportée par la preuve».

La défaite électorale de M. Lugassi, elle l’explique autrement: «Il faut s’impliquer dans la démocratie locale, venir aux réunions du conseil, poser des questions. Jamais on n’a vu M. Lugassi faire ça.»

 

Lawrence Bergman honoured by JGH

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Congratulations to D’Arcy McGee MNA Lawrence Bergman who was presented with the Jewish General Hospital’s highest honour, the Distinguished Service Award.

 

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Lawrence Bergman given top honour by JGH (The Suburban)

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