Sun Life and Teladoc Health bring Mental Health Navigator to Canadian Clients
New offering provides additional mental health support
TORONTO, May 27, 2020 /CNW/ - A recent Sun Life survey found that 56% of Canadians said the COVID-19 pandemic is having a negative impact on their mental health; this is supported by independent Teladoc Health research. Of particular concern, 60% of those affected said they are not seeking support.1 To help Clients navigate their mental health issues, Sun Life is offering Mental Health Navigator from Teladoc Health. This complements the resources available through Lumino Health, an innovation from Sun Life.
Mental Health Navigator is a confidential and personalized service that draws on a team of clinicians including psychologists and psychiatrists. The service aims to efficiently help determine the right diagnosis and treatment for individuals, while allowing people to receive care on their terms and manage their mental health as they need. Depending on a Client's needs, they can connect virtually to conduct a thorough review of an existing mental health diagnosis, discuss symptoms or receive advice and treatment options.
Through their acquisition of Best Doctors in 2017, Teladoc Health has expanded services to include Mental Health Navigator. Mental Health Navigator is now available to Sun Life Group Benefits plan members with access to Teladoc Health Best Doctors either through their Extended Health Care or Critical Illness Insurance coverage. It's also available to Individual Critical Illness Insurance Clients.
"COVID-19 has had many impacts to our society and economy. As we continue to navigate the implications of the pandemic, our focus is on supporting Canadians in putting their mental health first," said Jacques Goulet, President, Sun Life Canada and Lumino Health. "At Sun Life, we continue to strengthen our suite of virtual care solutions to support Canadians and make it easy to get help from home. After their initial assessment and diagnosis, Mental Health Navigator will help Clients receive guidance throughout their mental health journey."
How it works Once a Client contacts Teladoc Health, they are set up with a case manager, known as a 'navigator'. The navigator will gather the individual's health history including their mental health concerns and symptoms. They will coordinate a consultation with a psychologist or psychiatrist and remain in contact throughout the Client's action plan to ensure they are feeling supported.
"In our years offering mental health solutions throughout Canada, we've seen how critical it is to assure individuals are not only feeling empowered to get care, but have access to the right type of support for optimal outcomes," said Karen Grant, Vice President, Global Product Development, Teladoc Health. "We are thrilled to partner with Sun Life so that together we can help provide even more Canadians with the resources they need to comprehensively care for mind and body."
Lumino Health launched in 2018 providing Canadians with access to Canada's premier health network. The platform helps people find healthcare providers, connect virtually and access the latest resources and innovations. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada created the platform as a commitment to helping Canadians live healthier lives.
About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2020, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1,023 billion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.
About Teladoc Health A mission-driven organization, Teladoc Health, Inc. is successfully transforming how people access and experience healthcare, with a focus on high quality, lower costs, and improved outcomes around the world. Ranked #1 among direct-to-consumer telehealth providers in the J.D. Power 2019 U.S. Telehealth Satisfaction Study, the integrated services from Teladoc Health include telehealth, expert medical services, AI and analytics, and licensable platform services. With more than 2,400 employees, the organization delivers care in 175 countries and in more than 40 languages, partnering with employers, hospitals and health systems, and insurers to transform care delivery. For more information, please visit www.teladochealth.ca or follow @TeladocHealth on Twitter.
Kyle Denton Director, Golin, on behalf of Teladoc Health T. 647-917-6984 Kdenton@golin.com
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada
A CARDIAC SURGEON’S LIFE STORY SETS THE STAGE FORAN INSPIRATIONAL GUIDE TO UNLEASHING PEOPLE’S FULL POTENTIALIn HEART TO BEAT, Dr. Brian Lima Challenges Readers To Strive For Greatness And Never Settle For Second Best
College, medical school, and then ten years of grueling surgical training, that’s what it took for Brian Lima to become a leading heart transplant surgeon – literally able to breathe new life into critical ill patients. Not only has Lima never shied away from a challenge, he has spent his life actively seeking them in pursuit of seemingly near-impossible goals. In his insightful new book, HEART TO BEAT: A Cardiac Surgeon’s Inspiring Story of Success and Overcoming Adversity—The Heart Way (Clovercroft Publishing/February 18, 2020), Dr. Lima shares his story, giving everyone – not just aspiring physicians – the tools and encouragement needed to be their best selves.“We all have free will, and we all have a choice,” he writes. “You can choose to live aimlessly, halfheartedly going with the flow and suppressing that inner voice, the one beckoning you to unleash your full potential and to grab the world by storm. Or you can achieve success by committing to hard work and unceasing effort.”In HEART TO BEAT, Dr. Lima candidly shares, often with a wry sense of humor, how this approach enabled him to reach the pinnacle of success in all of his undertakings – whether it was building the strength and skill to become a varsity football player, becoming valedictorian of his high school class, earning a scholarship to Cornell University, or winning coveted residency opportunities as he trained to become a heart surgeon.“You don’t have to be the smartest or most talented person in the room to get ahead, just the one who wants it the most,” he writes. Indeed, Dr. Lima credits his own achievements purely to his intense effort. In his eminently readable, down-to-earth book, he breaks down the keys to advancing beyond your comfort zone and perceived limitations to unleash your full potential. Dr. Lima’s powerful lessons include:Heart Over Matter – “You, and you alone, are responsible for how much or how little you achieve in this life,” he writes. Only when you realize that you are master of your own destiny, and refuse to allow insecurities, past experiences, and fears to limit your potential, will you realize your dreams.Heart Of War – Complacency is your biggest adversary. You must never cease working and bettering yourself – if you do, you will surely slide off the top of your game. “The minute you rest on your laurels and kick your feet up, you’ve settled for defeat,” says Dr. Lima.Kickstart My Heart – Dr. Lima explains that the “propulsive power of ambition” has been one of the most impactful forces of his life. “Your eagerness to move ahead contributes more to your success than natural talent or being born with a silver spoon.” Ambition is what enables people to overcome the primary hurdle to success: self-doubt.Till Death With My Heart – If something is truly your calling – meaningful, bigger than you, and well-intended – it is likely not going to be easy to achieve, says Dr. Lima. For him, the rule must be “it’s all in or no win.” Being “well-rounded” is incompatible with true excellence, he contends.Not For the Faint of Heart – Fear of failure can disrupt the pursuit of any goal, and overcoming this fear is a monumental task that requires you to meet it head-on again and again, until you’re desensitized to its paralyzing influence. Dr. Lima urges readers to see every moment as just that – a moment – whether they’re going for a buzzer beater in basketball or performing heart surgery. This is what gives people the courage to take their shot at every opportunity.The Heart Sell on Entrepreneurship – “One way or another, you have to get the word out about how great your ‘brand’ is – in other words, how great you are,” says Dr. Lima, contending that the sales mantra “always be closing” is critical to success. He points to such key fundamentals as avoiding pigeonholes and being open to opportunities; never second-guessing yourself; continuing to invest in yourself; and using your time wisely.In addition to the author’s compelling personal story, HEART TO BEAT also includes a fascinating look at the current technologies and medical care available to treat heart disease, along with the basics about living a heart-healthy life – straight from the mouth of one of the country’s leading heart transplant surgeons.“There are those who choose to chase victory and to live life on their own terms, and there are those who don’t,” declares Dr. Lima. HEART TO BEAT will help you choose the path to victory, giving you the motivation you need to achieve your dreams, whatever they may be.# # #ABOUT THE AUTHORDr. Brian Lima is a cardiac surgeon, associate professor of surgery, and recognized authority in advanced heart failure. He has published nearly 80 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and presented at numerous national and international medical conferences. As the surgical director of heart transplantation at North Shore University Hospital, Dr. Lima helped launch the first and only heart transplant program on Long Island. Dr. Lima completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University and was awarded a Dean’s Full Tuition scholarship to attend Duke University School of Medicine. During medical school, Dr. Lima spent a year at Harvard Medical School’s Transplantation Biology Research Center as a Stanley Sarnoff cardiovascular research fellow. He then completed his general surgery residency training at Duke University Medical Center, and subsequent heart surgery training at The Cleveland Clinic, where he was awarded the prestigious Dr. Charles H. Bryan Annual Clinical Excellence Award in Cardiovascular Surgery.
How a $5 Bill (and Other Simple Tools) Can Help Nurses Beat Pandemic Weariness Nurses and other frontline workers start out inspired...but it's easy to lose touch with that feeling during a pandemic. Rich Bluni, RN, says it is possible to renew your inner resources—and he offers an easy, energizing (and refreshingly low-tech) plan to start following now.
Pensacola, FL (May 2020)—In the face of unprecedented levels of stress, America's nurses keep soldiering on. That's just what nurses (and other frontline workers) do every day. Still, it's hard not to give into despair and exhaustion. Rich Bluni says the antidote for pandemic weariness is inspiration. And the good news is, it's not that hard to create your own.
"It is possible to reconnect to that feeling of inspiration you felt when you first became a nurse," asserts Bluni, himself an RN with over 25 years of experience in the ER, Trauma, and ICU and author of best-selling books Inspired Nurse (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-9749986-7-1, $24.95) and Inspired Nurse Too (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-6221804-6-2, $28.00). "But you have to own it. You have to get deliberate and proactive about it. It won't just happen—especially right now."
Bluni—who is now sharing stories and tactics from Inspired Nurse in short video segments—offers a fun, energizing five-day exercise to try now. (By the way...you don't have to be a nurse to benefit from this plan. All healthcare professionals need inspiration right now!)
What You'll Need to Get Started: Five dollars; five thank-you notes; five stamps, envelopes, and sheets of paper; five minutes; and five prayers/positive thoughts. Over the next five work days, you will use each of these. The order of your "fives" is not important, but the actions themselves are.
Day 1: Give away your five dollars to someone who needs it. This person could be at work, on your way to work, or on your way home. You might buy breakfast for a patient's family member or for a coworker whose partner is now out of work. You could donate it to a local pet shelter or contribute to your favorite takeout spot's fundraiser so they can make payroll. Or use it to buy a couple pairs of new socks for a homeless person...just give away your five dollars to someone who needs it. Don't worry. You'll find them.
Day 2: Bring your five thank-you notes to work and find five coworkers to thank.Chances are, over the past few months, your coworkers and fellow staff members have gone above and beyond for you over and over (and you for them). This is your chance to acknowledge all they have done. Write them each a thank-you note and give it to them. (Yes...texts count!)
Day 3: Use your five stamps, papers, and envelopes to send letters of gratitude or just to say "hi" to five people for whom you are grateful or whom you miss. This can be done before, after, or at work (if you have a break). If you are quarantined from your family, send a letter to your spouse and kids. Send one to your elderly parents. Send letters to people who have made a difference for you in your healthcare journey, such as a professor, mentor, or anyone who has supported you in becoming who you are or in doing what you do.
Day 4: Spend five minutes doing a simple act of kindness. Maybe you're caught up but your peer isn't. Give him five minutes of your time and help him out. Spend five minutes with a new peer and tell her what a good job you think she is doing. This kindness can even be extended to yourself! Go outside for five minutes and feel the sun on your face instead of going to the candy machine for an unhealthy sugar fix.
Day 5: Depending upon your preferences, pray for five people or situations and sincerely wish them well. They could be patients or peers. Be positive in your prayers. Focus on surrounding these people or situations with blessings and peace. In lieu of prayers, you could also think five positive thoughts. Notice five positive things about a person or situation and be deliberate about sharing them with others.
Be purposeful about each task on each day. You might even recruit five others to do it with you. (Imagine what work would be like if even 10 percent of your peers "took five"!)
"Your renewed enthusiasm for your work is stronger than your fear and more lasting than your fatigue," says Bluni. "Let the love and gratitude you feel for nursing inspire those around you and create a ripple effect that reaches to your patients and coworkers."
# # #
About the Author: Rich Bluni, RN, is the author of the best-selling books Inspired Nurse, Oh No...Not More of That Fluffy Stuff!, and Inspired Nurse Too. He has an active and popular Facebook page called Inspired Nurse.
Rich has been an RN since 1993. He has worked as a nurse in Adolescent Oncology, Pediatric ICU, and Trauma ICU departments as well as serving as a pediatric flight and transport nurse. He has served as an ED nursing manager as well as a senior director of risk management, quality, and patient safety.
He came to Studer Group in 2007 as a coach working with dozens of healthcare organizations and leaders to drive outstanding results. He is presently a senior director with Huron and a Studer Group national speaker, having traveled across North America to speak in front of hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers and leaders in hundreds of healthcare organizations, large healthcare conferences, as well as virtual webinars.
About the Books: Inspired Nurse Too (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-6221804-6-2, $28.00) and Inspired Nurse (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-9749986-7-1, $24.95) are available from major online booksellers and the Huron|Studer Group website.
Re-Opening the Nation: Should We Turn to Immunity Testing?
A Hastings Center webinar with Françoise Baylis, Dakota Gruener, Gigi Gronvall, and Mildred Solomon The Hastings Center will host “Re-Opening the Nation: Should We Turn to Immunity Testing?”, an online discussion of the ethical issues related to immunity certification as a path to returning to some sense of normalcy. Despite unclear science, companies are racing ahead with the creation of digital immunity tools, so we must consider the consequences now. What are the risks? Will we create a divide between the “immunity haves” and “have nots”? Is this an ethical way forward?Join this Hastings Conversation with:Francoise Baylis, University Research Professor at Dalhousie University in CanadaDakota Gruener, Executive Director of ID2020 AllianceGigi Gronvall, Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health SecurityMildred Z. Solomon, president of The Hastings Center The webinar will take place on Thursday, May 28, at 11 a.m. Eastern time. Learn more and register here. For more information, please contact Susan Gilbert or Mark Cardwell at: communications@thehastingscenter.org The Hastings Center addresses social and ethical issues in health care, science, and technology. It is the oldest independent, nonpartisan, interdisciplinary research institute of its kind in the world. Françoise Baylis is a philosopher whose innovative work in bioethics, at the intersection of policy and practice, has stretched the very boundaries of the field. Her work challenges readers to think broadly and deeply about the direction of health, science, and biotechnology. These days, Baylis is thinking mostly about the current global health crisis. As she considers the ethics of physical distancing, clinical triage protocols and immunity passports, she keeps returning to the question at the heart of her new book Altered Inheritance: “What kind of world do we want to live in?” Baylis is University Research Professor, Dalhousie University. She is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Nova Scotia, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Dakota Gruener is Executive Director of the ID2020 Alliance, a global public-private partnership that harnesses the collective power of nonprofits, corporations, and governments to promote the adoption and implementation of user-managed, privacy-protected, and portable digital identity solutions. By developing and applying rigorous technical standards to certify identity solutions, providing advisory services and implementing pilot programs, and advocating for the ethical implementation of digital ID, ID2020 is strengthening social and economic development globally. Dakota launched the ID2020 Alliance in 2016, following her work at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, where she served as an aide-de-camp to the CEO. Dakota graduated magna cum laude from Brown University and is a proud Californian. Gigi Gronvall is a Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is an immunologist by training. Dr. Gronvall’s work at the Center addresses the role of scientists in health security—how they can contribute to an effective technical response against a biological weapon or a natural epidemic. She is particularly interested in developing policies that will boost the safety and security of biological science activities while allowing beneficial research to flourish. Dr. Gronvall is the author of the book Synthetic Biology: Safety, Security, and Promise. Mildred Solomon is President of The Hastings Center. Both a bioethicist and a social scientist, Dr. Solomon’s research has focused on palliative care, organ transplantation, medical professionalism, and the responsible conduct of research. She serves on policy commissions and advises international non-governmental organizations on a wide range of health and science policy topics. In addition to her leadership role at The Hastings Center, Solomon is Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, where she directs the school’s Fellowship in Bioethics. Before coming to The Hastings Center, she was Senior Director for Implementation Science at the Association of American Medical Schools. She holds a BA from Smith College and a doctorate in educational research from Harvard.
Staying Inspired on the Front Lines of Healthcare: 7 Things to Do When You're Struggling Rich Bluni, RN, offers seven simple, yet powerful tactics for reconnecting with meaning and purpose in these dark times.
Pensacola, FL (May 2020)—The life of a healthcare professional has never been easy. Now, though, it's hard in a way that would have been unimaginable before. Between endless work shifts, separation from loved ones, the ever-present fear of infection, and the need to comfort isolated COVID-19 patients, the pressure on nurses and other frontline workers is unbearable. So how do we keep going?
Rich Bluni says the answer is that somewhere under the fear and exhaustion we're all driven by mission. And we owe it to ourselves, our coworkers, and our patients to find a way to reconnect to our sense of purpose, our meaning, our calling...our why.
"That doesn't 'just happen' even in good times; it's a choice we must make every day," says Bluni, himself an RN with over 25 years of experience in the ER, Trauma, and ICU and author of best-selling books Inspired Nurse (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-9749986-7-1, $24.95) and Inspired Nurse Too (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-6221804-6-2, $28.00). "If we don't, we will quickly get overwhelmed by pain, fear, and negativity."
Bluni—who is currently sharing stories and tactics from Inspired Nurse in short video segments—says hard times can deeply inspire us if we make a point of staying open to them. While his primary audience is nurses, his ideas resonate with healthcare professionals of all stripes. Here, he offers a few tips for reconnecting with your inspiration when you're struggling:
Take 10 minutes to relive a moment when you made a real difference. "At any moment when you're feeling crushed and exhausted, close your eyes and be right back there when you did something incredible," suggests Bluni. "Relive your greatest moment. Your mind doesn't know the difference between it really happening and the memory."
Write down your gratitude... Even in a pandemic, there are things to be grateful for. Maybe a patient you thought was going to die actually recovered. Maybe a coworker paid for your lunch. Maybe the cafeteria had that carrot cake you love. Charting moments of gratitude (however big or small) helps you remember why you chose this deeply meaningful line of work.
"Write down three things about your work that you are thankful for," says Bluni. "Each day, look it over and add to your list. You almost cannot be in a state of gratitude and negativity at the same time, but you can choose."
...then, share it with others. Chances are, some of the "things" you find yourself writing on your gratitude list are actually people. Maybe it's the coworker who always jumps in to help, the unit secretary who runs your labs for you when you're swamped, or the food service employee who always remembers your lunch order.
"Extend your gratitude to someone every day," advises Bluni. "Give them a thank-you note, or tell them face-to-face—even if it has to be from 6 feet away while wearing full PPE. Not only will you feel better, you'll help others feel better at a time when most likely they really need it."
Make a self-care plan. "Get out a journal and write the following labels on five separate pages: Mind, Body, Spirit, Love, and Prosperity," suggests Bluni. "Under each title, come up with just two things that you can do every day that would impact that part of your being. In the 'Body' category, you may write, 'walk a mile,' 'eat more green veggies,' and 'drink eight glasses of water.' It may feel strange to focus on improving your life when the world seems to be falling apart, but now is when we need to be at our best."
Get intentional about who you spend time with. Who do you chat with on breaks during your shift? Who do you vent to when times are tough? Often, we don't make these decisions consciously. The problem is, we might be hanging out with psychic vampires who drain our life force and break us down with their negativity.
"Your two most valuable resources are your love and your time," Bluni says. "So if you're spending them on people who spread fear, or hold grudges, or don't act in ways that are kind and compassionate, I encourage you to become more intentional about your relationships. The company you keep has a big impact on your attitude and well-being."
Stop blaming yourself for others' difficult behavior. All nurses have plenty of experience dealing with the occasional patient or family member who is grouchy, demanding, or even downright mean. Too often we may take their difficult behavior personally.
"Realize that 99 percent of the time, difficult patients aren't reacting to you but to their circumstances," Bluni reminds. "The real antagonist is their pain, fear, lack of mobility, etc.—and as a caregiver, you've simply been caught in the crossfire. Try not to take their bad mood personally. Most of us are scared right now. Knowing that gives you a different perspective."
Realize that you don't rent your life. You own it. Do you let bad situations and other people's negativity dictate how you feel about your work life? If you do, then you're renting, says Bluni.
"You can't wait around for someone to rescue you or to fix how you feel," he asserts. "Start by practicing gratitude and improving yourself. Connect with other people every chance you get. Opportunities to do so exist around each corner in healthcare. Look for inspiration today. Look for ways to give. Own your life—especially right now."
"It's when times are toughest that we learn the most valuable lessons and experience the biggest leaps in our personal growth," says Bluni. "If there's one thing that has been made abundantly clear throughout all of this, it's that nurses are the most resilient, compassionate, and inspiring people on this earth.... That's one bright spot we can be grateful for."
# # #
About the Author: Rich Bluni, RN, is the author of the best-selling books Inspired Nurse, Oh No...Not More of That Fluffy Stuff!, and Inspired Nurse Too. He has an active and popular Facebook page called Inspired Nurse.
Rich has been an RN since 1993. He has worked as a nurse in Adolescent Oncology, Pediatric ICU, and Trauma ICU departments as well as serving as a pediatric flight and transport nurse. He has served as an ED nursing manager as well as a senior director of risk management, quality, and patient safety.
He came to Studer Group in 2007 as a coach working with dozens of healthcare organizations and leaders to drive outstanding results. He is presently a senior director with Huron and a Studer Group national speaker, having traveled across North America to speak in front of hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers and leaders in hundreds of healthcare organizations, large healthcare conferences, as well as virtual webinars.
About the Books: Inspired Nurse Too (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-6221804-6-2, $28.00) and Inspired Nurse (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-9749986-7-1, $24.95) are available from major online booksellers and the Huron|Studer Group website.
International Red Cross Founder’s Story Shows Health Workers’ Heroism & Humanity
By Ben Wyckoff Shore
Have you heard of Henri Dunant? If not, it’s okay. The happy few who can identify Henri Dunant as the founder of the Red Cross movement are usually the Trivial Pursuit aficionados.
But in the midst of today’s crisis, Dunant‘s life is worth recalling in more depth than a general knowledge board game answer as his contribution to humanity is far from trivial. His is a story of humanity in a moment of crisis and acute trauma. Inspired and driven by the trauma he witnessed, we come to the origin story of the Red Cross Movement.
Born in 1828 to a wealthy but pious family in Geneva, Dunant had a childhood filled with bible reading and alms giving. Even after growing up and learning the trade of the financier he managed to stay bright-eyed and naive. As a businessman, Dunant was wanting. He had the ambition and even the charisma but lacked the miserly tendencies that turn daily dimes into great fortunes. In short, he was a dreamer.
After setting out on his own and establishing a shaky enterprise in Algeria, it was not long before Dunant was in dire need of financial help and political intervention. As Algeria was then part of the French Protectorate, Dunant sought out an audience with the Emperor Napoleon III in order to get assistance in his business affairs. As it happened, Napoleon III and France were at war. Not to be deterred by that inconvenient fact, Dunant made his way to Northern Italy, where France (and Napoleon III) and Austria, and their respective allies, were readying to engage in the bloodiest European land battle in 50 years. This battle was to be called the Battle of Solferino.
Dunant, who was sheltered and Swiss, had never before seen the fallout from war. The aftermath he witnessed of the 1859 Battle of Solferino was an earthshaking experience. Warfare in the mid nineteenth century had reached a new level of killing potential as compared to the prior century with combatants trading in their muskets for repeating rifles and revolvers. Artillery had become more mobile and tactical, with industrialization providing greater availability and affordability. Battles in the mid 1800s had not yet taken on the trench style warfare of WWI focused on attrition: the Battle of Solferino featured lightning fast cavalry charges and troop movements designed to compress maximum damage in minimal time.
Among the horrors of war Dunant witnessed at the Battle of Solferino were miles and miles of thousands and thousands of young men, dead and dying, without any sort of organized aid response. The Battle of Solferino was also one of the last major battles to occur before the widespread use of antiseptic. As such, infection among the wounded was rampant, as was amputation. Worse still, there were instances of enemy wounded being sought out and killed. These truly traumatic scenes change Henri Dunant, and as a result, the world.
After bearing witness to this trauma Dunant did not fly from Solferino but rather, was compelled to stay on to help care for the wounded. He worked tirelessly as an administrator, setting up make-shift field hospitals, but also assisting in the bloody grunt work needed to physically give aid to the suffering soldiers.
Bodies were buried. The wounded recovered or didn’t. Time marched on. Dunant tried to return to his normal life but our dreamer found that he could not create distance from the trauma. The Battle of Solferino had produced a reflex in him, but his full reaction was not yet complete. He decided to document his experience in the form of a memoir. In his published work, A Memory of Solferino, he lays bare a full account of the Battle in all its gory detail.
This memoir spread through Europe like wildfire. European leaders were appalled into action. This momentum turned into a movement when Dunant, along with a small group of like minds, founded the International Committee for the Red Cross. Though this organization was founded to improve the conditions of the wounded on the field of battle, it has expanded and grown into one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the world. Today the movement maintains volunteer societies in 190 countries and has alleviated the suffering of millions of people facing the effects of warfare, natural disaster, and epidemic.
Beyond founding the Red Cross, Dunant ultimately helped coordinate the Geneva Convention and was awarded the first ever Nobel Peace Prize.
I found Henri Dunant’s story fascinating enough to inspire the historical novel Terribilita. Based on much research into the era and Dunant, the storyfeatures a fictional Italian family swept up in the politics and violence of the 19th century Risorgimento movement. Dunant plays a small but critical role in the story by guiding the family to higher moral ground.
His was one of many possible reactions to a crisis but can represent an important lesson in how even in the face of devastation, individuals like today’s health workers can be driven and inspired to work selflessly for the benefit of humanity. and a message of hope as we consider the collective trauma of today.
***
Ben Wyckoff Shore is the author of Terribilita, an historical novel set in Italy at the time of the Italian unification movement (Risorgimento). An avid reader with a penchant for writing about very flawed, very human characters as well as stories about rebellion and self-sacrifice, Ben enjoys nature and loves all sorts of dogs but especially underdogs.
Artist Releases Coming-of-age Memoir Detailing Her Journey With Mental Illness And Disability
Long Island, NY, May 26, 2020 – It started as a college prank; a friend offered Ruth Poniarski a brownie that, unbeknownst to her, was laced with angel dust. What resulted was a debilitating accident, and the first of many mental breakdowns that spiraled into diagnoses of psychosis, schizophrenia, severe anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Long Island native Ruth Poniarski has released her first book, Journey of the Self: Memoir of an Artist, published by Charlotte, North Carolina-based Warren Publishing. Poniarski’s unflinchingly honest memoir shares her coming-of-age story through the lenses of mental illness, disability, and steadfast determination.
For years, Poniarski struggled to cope with her new reality as she undertook a rigorous architectural program, sought out new friends (and the perfect mate), and battled through the depths of mental illness. Her journey led her in all directions as she sought comfort, solace, stability and love.
Now an accomplished artist, Poniarski considers her memoir to be a portrait of sorts. “This book, like many of my paintings, is about introspection,” she says. “So many of us, particularly when we’re young, seek definition through labels or through what others think of us. It’s so easy to say, ‘I have bipolar disorder, therefore, X’ or ‘So and so doesn’t love me the way I love him, therefore, Y.’ But none of that is who we truly are.”
The release of Poniarski’s memoir is particularly timely in light of the Coronavirus pandemic and social distancing orders. “A lot of people are stuck at home right now. This kind of isolation forces a person to examine themselves; what makes them unique beyond who they are to society,” says Poniarski. “That kind of self-reflection allows us to become more available to others. You have to know yourself first.”
“So, who am I?” Poniarski laughs. “Well … you’ll just have to read the book!”
For more information about Ruth Poniarski or her book, please visit: ruthponiarski.com.
DriSteem to Host a Free Webinar on How to Reduce Scrap, Improve Quality, and Protect Employees by Adding Humidification Systems in Print Shops
Eden Prairie, MN - May 26, 2020 - DRI-STEEM Corporation (DriSteem), the leading manufacturer of humidification, evaporative cooling, and water treatment products, announced today that the company will offer a free webinar to address the importance of humidification systems in print shops. This webinar will be presented by David Baird, Senior Applications Engineer for DriSteem.
The webinar will focus on why controlling humidity is important for print providers as proper humidification levels alleviate a variety of issues in the press room, while contributing to a healthy work environment and improving printer function. Well-balanced humidity in print facilities will help improve quality and reduce waste from static related ink smear and paper issues while extending the life of cylinders and plates. Even better, proper humidification helps protect the health of your staff and mitigate the risk of lost time from the flu, COVID, and other viruses.
David Baird will include topics that will address:
Why humidification is important in print facilities
The role of humidity in addressing common problems such as electrostatic discharge, paper moisture control, inefficient printer function and unhealthy work environment
Practical considerations for providing 40-60% RH in print shops
Attendees will receive a .5-hour Professional Development Credit with a Certificate of Completion for all that attend the full presentation.
We invite those who are interested to attend the hour-long webinar on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 11:30 AM. The webinar is free to all, however it does require registration. Please register for this webinar by using the link below.
“We are excited to offer this free webinar and educate people on all the benefits of humidification. Most people do not put much thought into humidification until it is too late,” said Jennifer Montville, DriSteem Director of Marketing.
About DriSteem:
DriSteem is a premier provider of humidification, evaporative cooling, and water treatment solutions for commercial and industrial applications. DriSteem offers custom systems for critical indoor environments such as health care, data centers, and other facilities requiring precise control of moisture in the air.
DriSteem’s 50-year history of development and innovation has resulted in multiple patented designs that not only meet but anticipate customers' unique needs. DriSteem is a subsidiary of Research Products Corporation, manufacturer of Aprilaire®, the leading residential humidifier brand, as well as air cleaners, heat-recovery systems, and HVAC accessories.
Genome Alberta - Understanding COVID-19 Severity in Children
CALGARY, May 26, 2020 /CNW/ - Children are affected by COVID-19 differently than adults. Exactly why is not clearly understood and here in Alberta researchers are working hard to find the answers.
Drs. Francois Bernier and Jim Kellner, co-leaders of a newly funded research project, and members of the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) at the University of Calgary believe that children may well hold the key to unlocking some of the mysteries to the varying degree of severity of COVID-19 across Alberta.
The Bernier / Kellner team will be working in concert with Alberta Health Services Public Health Officers, leading clinicians and Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) to recruit children in Alberta under the age of 18 who have been tested for the SARS-COV2 virus. Some of Alberta's leading experts in infectious diseases, immunology, virology, genomics and public health will perform comprehensive studies to understand the role of children's immune response. They will also look at the children's genetic makeup to determine risk factors for severe illness and gain insight into targeted treatments. The team also hopes to identify the biological differences in the response of children to COVID-19 that may shed light on ways to better combat the effects seen in adults.
"We are grateful to Genome Alberta, and the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation for funding this research," says Francois Bernier. "Investigating children's immune system, genes, and the virus' genes is essential to us understanding why some children become critically ill and others only mildly ill. The interplay between the virus' genes and the immune response and genetic makeup of infected children is key. Mapping virus genetics also allows us to precisely trace how the virus is moving and spreading." Dr. Bernier, MD, is a professor in the Departments of Medical Genetics and Paediatrics at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM).
Dr. Jim Kellner, MD, a professor in the Departments of Pediatrics, Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Disease and Community Health Sciences at the CSM, and an infectious disease researcher at ACHRI says "We want to better understand how contagious children are, precisely how the virus is affecting their young bodies, and how children develop immunity against COVID-19."
Genome Alberta is one of the funders for the project and President and CEO David Bailey notes, "This project, led by leading Calgary pediatric clinicians will generate data that will better predict the severity of the disease and thereby directly inform the care of children and adults alike. Furthermore, collaborations have been established with pediatric research teams in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver extending the impact of this work far beyond Alberta's borders".
The UCalgary study, a collaboration between the University of Alberta, Alberta Health Services, the Alberta Children's Hospital and Alberta Precision Laboratories, is funded by Genome Canada through Genome Alberta, and the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation through ACHRI.
About Genome Alberta
Genome Alberta is a publicly funded not-for profit corporation which invests primarily in large-scale genome sciences research projects and technology platforms focused on areas of strategic importance to the province (e.g. human health, forestry, plant and animal agriculture, energy, and environment). By working collaboratively with government, universities, and industry, Genome Alberta is a catalyst for a vibrant life sciences cluster with far reaching social and economic benefits for Alberta and Canada. To date, the organization has managed a research portfolio with approved budgets totaling more than $255 million. Please visit Genome Alberta's website for more information.
About Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute
The Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) supports excellence in research, education and knowledge translation to improve the health and well-being of children and families. A multi-disciplinary institute of the University of Calgary, Alberta Health Services and the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, ACHRI researchers create new knowledge to change practice, design new treatments and shape policy to improve child health outcomes. research4kids.ucalgary.ca
About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a global intellectual hub located in Canada's most enterprising city. In our spirited, high-quality learning environment, students thrive in programs made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. Our strategy drives us to be recognized as one of Canada's top five research universities, engaging the communities we both serve and lead. This strategy is called Eyes High, inspired by the university's Gaelic motto, which translates as 'I will lift up my eyes'. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca/eyeshigh.
For more information, visit ucalgary.ca. Stay up to date with University of Calgary news headlines on Twitter@UCalgary. For details on faculties and how to reach experts go to our media centre atucalgary.ca/mediacentre.
SOURCE Genome Alberta
Both Feet on the Ground Shares Profoundly Therapeutic Benefits Of Immersion In The Natural World
Denver, CO, May 26, 2020 — You’re stressed out, tired of looking at the same four walls, drained by the negativity on social media, and exhausted from juggling work with homeschooling and entertaining your kids. No matter your age, location, or financial standing, there is a simple, effective therapy that is abundantly available, and it’s right outside your door.
“Get out and stay out—as often and for as long as you can,” champions Marshall Ulrich in his latest release, Both Feet on the Ground: Reflections from the Outside.
Ulrich, an ultrarunner who has also scaled the Seven Summits and competed in multi-day adventure races,shares stories of his expeditions in such far-flung places as Borneo, Tibet, and South Africa, as well as his lifelong commitment to farming his land in Colorado. Ulrich has climbed Mount Everest, run through the searing heat of the Gobi Desert, and ridden the huge waves off Morocco. But there’s no need to be an extreme athlete to reap the benefits of forming physical connections with the natural world.
Ulrich urges readers to simply unplug, plant their feet firmly in the earth, fill their lungs with clean air, and dream of bold and personally compelling outdoor adventures.
“Your adventures in natural places—even if, for now, it’s just sitting outside or walking around your neighborhood—can put you back in touch with who you are; how resilient, resourceful and hardy you can be,” Ulrich says.
Throughout Both Feet on the Ground, Ulrich shares valuable insights from his endeavors, along with useful findings and recommendations from other experts, all organized around themes of earth, air, fire and water. His hope is that you’ll be inspired to find new ways of engaging with these natural elements yourself to experience the healing powers of the outside world.
Author Marshall Ulrich is an extreme endurance athlete—ultrarunning icon, Seven Summits mountaineer, and adventure racer—who loves sharing his exploits to entertain and help motivate others to reach their goals. He’s raced, led expeditions, or climbed mountains in nearly 30 countries, and visited 30 more, so his stories are about more than just physical accomplishments. Cutting his teeth running across Death Valley, he’s also climbed Mount Everest, run in the jungles of Fiji, and completed a record-setting run across America. Dubbed the Endurance King, he defies the ideas of “too far,” “too old” and “not possible.” Revered among athletes, Marshall is also the author of Running on Empty. An acclaimed speaker, he’s lectured on various elite cruise lines, and given talks at businesses, schools, race expos, and professional conferences, including the Royal Geographic Society, Morgan Stanley, and Wilderness Medicine.
