Dr. Xiaohui Zha was listening to one of her students present at a conference when she suddenly lost hearing in one ear, and then the other. The award-winning scientist quietly walked out of the room before collapsing on the floor.

Growing up as an only child with a peanut allergy and a concerned mother, Marc-Olivier Deguise spent a fair amount of time in doctors’ offices. “I knew that when I grew up I wanted to do something that would help children,” said the award-winning trainee.

Dr. Michael Schlossmacher, who received the Grimes Research Career Achievement Award from The Ottawa Hospital on Oct. 28, resolved early in his career to never accept medical dogmas without questioning them and investigating opposing ideas. This approach has led to many surprising and important discoveries.

When neuromuscular patients have 24-hour breathing issues, a hole is usually made surgically in their windpipe and a tube inserted that is hooked up to a ventilator, to help them breathe. However, the CANVent Program, developed at The Ottawa Hospital, uses nonsurgical, noninvasive ways to help patients breathe on their own.

Did you know that 20 percent of all breast cancers were noninvasive? Did you know that screening can help detect these cancers before they become invasive? One patient in particular knows all too well the importance of early screening.

France Todd, whose liver cancer came out of the blue, was part of a pilot study to reduce the amount of blood patients lose during liver surgery and limit their need for blood transfusions.

Ashley Ruelland was driving to a bachelorette party in Mont Tremblant in 2015 when another car crossed the centre line and hit her head on. Her road to recovery included nine months in The Ottawa Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, Trauma Unit and Rehabilitation Centre, and continues to this day.

It starts with two simple questions when patients are being admitted to 8 West Medicine Unit. But Clinical Dietitian Joseph Murphy said the More2Eat project benefits for patients and staff have been huge.

Becky Hollingsworth took part in a research study that is changing how asthma is diagnosed around the world. Not every research study has this kind of impact, but all are supposed to at least contribute to scientific knowledge. Unfortunately, some don’t, because they aren’t published in a way that allows others to build on the data. Researchers are tackling the problem.

Devon Larratt has held the title of World Armwrestling Champion since 2014. But even more impressive is that just 11 months before reclaiming his most recent title, he was undergoing surgery on the very arm that would eventually bring him glory.

You’ve heard of ‘rehab’ but what about ‘prehab’? More and more, patients are working with physiotherapists before surgery, rather than just afterwards, to improve their fitness and function so they recover faster.

For several years, retirees Pat Porter and Doris Reed have donated their time and money to deliver in-demand items like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, new underwear and clean used clothing to the Civic Campus Emergency Department.