Chances are you’ve never thought about all the behind-the-scenes planning that goes in to improving a patient’s experience at The Ottawa Hospital. To celebrate International Women’s Day, meet Joanne Read and Karen Stockton – two accomplished leaders who plan every element of the patient experience, down to the last detail.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease often come to the Emergency Department gasping for breath. Now, a made-in-Ottawa tool can be used by doctors around the world to help choose the best care for these patients.

The comfort cart program founded by Vince Westwick, a former hospital board member, in the Emergency Department at The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic Campus continues to help people after his death.

Paula Tiszai worries constantly about her 85-year-old mother’s medications. Over the years, she has seen her mother suffer deliriums, behavioural issues, problems eating, falls and more – simply because she was on inappropriate drugs. Paula believes MedSafer could help.

Patients travelling far from home for cancer treatment can feel isolated, but The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Senators are working together to help lift patients’ spirits and give them an experience they will never forget.

They’re embarking on a mission to Haiti armed with donated medical supplies and equipment, skills to share, and the knowledge that they’ll face conditions they’ve never seen before, far outside their comfort zones.

Pharmacists and members of the public can quickly check the safety and compatibility of HIV and hepatitis C drugs with other commonly prescribed medications, thanks to a new app that Ottawa Hospital Pharmacist Pierre Giguère helped develop.

The Ottawa Hospital and the Trillium Gift of Life Network honoured 28 living organ donors at a ceremony on Oct. 30, 2018. Living donors and recipients shared their touching stories about how organ donation has changed their lives.

Their compassion and caring shone through – not just for Allan Cook but for all his family and friends as well. And after he passed away, they attended his wake and celebration of life, continuing to care for his family. All that and more is why the nurses on B2 won the Team.

Generosity has no age limits. Six Ottawa children presented their $247.95 donation for breast cancer research at the Rose Ages Breast Health Centre. The neighbourhood friends found clever ways to raise money by raking leaves, cutting grass, selling lemonade, and shoveling snow.

Dr. Fraser Scott made a ground-breaking discovery when he realized the connection between diet and type 1 diabetes. Since then, his research has had a far-reaching impact, with potential for developing new treatment strategies.

A job on the Rocky Mountaineer train took Dr. Kristin Danko to places that weren’t on the route between Vancouver and Calgary. One stop was a research lab at The Ottawa Hospital. Now she is the recipient of the Worton Researcher in Training Award from the hospital in recognition of her outstanding achievements and her potential as a scientist.