Media stories for the week of May 27 – May 31

May 31, 2013

New leadership program at Sauder School of Business tailored to doctors in management positions
Vancouver Sun
The Sauder School of Business is offering a leadership program for B.C. doctors. With mention of VCH, which spearheaded the program. With quotes from Dr. Ross Brown, a VGH surgeon and head of trauma services for VCH and from Dr. Brenda Wagner, an obstetrician/gynecologist and chair of the medical advisory committee at Richmond Hospital.

Stink bomb temporarily closes Real Housewives of Vancouver’s Jody Claman’s catering business
Vancouver Sun
VCH health inspectors temporarily closed down the catering business of a reality show participant after vandals discharged a stink bomb at the location. With quotes from Tiffany Akins, a VCH spokesperson.

Study finds youth living in Downtown Eastside twice as likely to start injecting drugs
Globe and Mail
A study shows that at-risk youth who live in neighbourhoods where injection drug use is prevalent are significantly more likely to start injecting drugs themselves.

Fatal fentanyl: B.C.’s top doctor warns about dangerous drug
CTV News
A dangerous painkiller that is more potent than heroin is being blamed for a number of deaths in B.C. With mention of VCH confirming that three of the 23 deaths occurring the authority’s service area.

B.C. health officials on lookout for deadly new virus
CBC News
Health officials are monitoring a new respiratory illness.

May 30, 2013

Officials award complex care facility contract
Peak Online
A contractor for Powell River’s new residential complex care facility—Willingdon Creek—has been chosen.

Cleanup group aims to help the West End butt out
Georgia Straight
A new, experimental program will pay people a penny for every cigarette butt they turn in. With quotes from Dr. Stuart Kreisman, an endocrinologist at St. Paul’s Hospital.

Advice for North Shore seniors
North Shore Outlook
There are a number of programs available to deal with chronic illnesses. With quotes from Karen Hannah, a Self-Management programs coordinator for VCH.

Real Housewives of Vancouver’s Jody Claman’s catering business temporarily closed by health inspectors
Vancouver Sun
VCH health inspectors ordered a local reality show participant to shut down her catering business.

May 29, 2013

Francophone board takes legal action to occupy Vancouver school
Vancouver Sun – Blog
The Conseil Scolaire Francophone (CSF) wants the Vancouver board of education to give them permission to use a century-old school. With mention of VCH’s Pearson Dogwood property as a possible future site for a new CSF school.

It’s up to us to improve mental-health care in B.C.
Times Colonist – Comment
British Columbians can only rely on themselves for mental-health care.

B.C. has Canada’s lowest rate of cancer incidence and fatalities
Vancouver Sun
According to the Canadian Cancer Statistics 2013 report, B.C. has the lowest cancer rates in Canada.

May 28, 2013

Disordered eating
Coast Reporter – Column
Eating disorders are just a symptom of larger, underlying issues.
Written by Paul Martiquet, medical health officer with Vancouver Coastal Health.

Bring more music to the ears of those in residential care
Vancouver Sun – Opinion
The Health Arts Society is delivering professional, live concerts, of many genres, to those living in residential care homes.

May 27, 2013

Safe sites for drug users not supported by mayor or police chief
Xtra!
Ottawa’s mayor and police chief say they will not support safe injection sites in the city. With quotes from VCH spokesperson Anna Marie D’Angelo.

Contract awarded for Willingdon care facility
HQSunshineCoast.com
VCH and the Powell River Regional Hospital District have selected a contractor to build a new residential care facility. With quotes from Lu Wuthrich, VCH’s acting director in Powell River.

Aspects of Vancouver’s crack scene resemble those of Brazil
Georgia Straight
An SFU study shows that the crack addiction problems in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro are comparable to the situation in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. With quotes from Dr. Thomas Kerr, co-director of the Addiction and Urban Health Research Initiative at the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.

Grateful from the bottom of his heart
Kamloops Daily News
A St. Paul’s heart transplant recipient is a living example of the benefits of organ donation.

Change to drug coverage will help British Columbians with hepatitis B, support group says
Vancouver Sun
British Columbians with chronic hepatitis B no longer have to re-apply every year for medications that can slow down liver damage caused by the disease.