“Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege,” says Dr. Nadeem. “By bringing these services closer to home, we’re breaking down barriers and ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the care they deserve.”

Healthcare is at its best when it is accessible, equitable, and of the highest quality. For communities in need, this means bringing essential services closer to home, ensuring that no one has to face unnecessary delays or barriers to life-saving care. At �������, we are on a mission to transform cardiac care by establishing a state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization (Cath) Lab and expanding our device clinic to include an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) program.��

“Our goal is simple: to bring the highest standard of cardiac care closer to home for the communities we serve,” says , Chief of Cardiology at �������. “Too many of our patients face the burden of being transferred to other hospitals for critical procedures. This creates dangerous delays, adds stress to families, and fragments the quality of care. We can—and must—do better.”��

�������’s cardiology department is one of the busiest in Ontario, serving over 17,000 patients annually. Despite this high volume, the lack of complete cardiac emergency care means that many patients must be transferred to other hospitals for diagnostic tests and catheterization procedures. For patients experiencing cardiac emergencies, this can be life-threatening.��

“Time is everything in cardiology,” says Dr. Nadeem. “When a patient is having a heart attack, every minute counts. Delays in treatment can lead to irreversible damage to the heart muscle, longer hospital stays, and even loss of life.”��

“A Cardiac Cath Lab is the backbone of any comprehensive cardiac program,” says Dr. Nadeem. “It allows us to diagnose blockages, open arteries, and treat complex heart conditions right here in our community.”

The ripple effects of these delays extend beyond the patient. Families are often forced to travel long distances to be with their loved ones, adding emotional and financial strain during an already difficult time. “It’s not just about the patient—it’s about the entire family,” says Dr. Nadeem. “We need to make care more accessible, not just for the patient’s health, but for the well-being of their support system.”��

The solution lies in establishing a Cardiac Cath Lab, allowing Humber to perform life-saving diagnostic tests and interventions on-site, eliminating the need for transfers, and ensuring faster, safer care for our patients. “A Cardiac Cath Lab is the backbone of any comprehensive cardiac program,” says Dr. Nadeem. “It allows us to diagnose blockages, open arteries, and treat complex heart conditions right here in our community.”��

Humber has already taken significant steps toward bringing essential cardiac care closer to home, starting with the implementation of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs). “An ICD can be the difference between life and death for patients with certain heart conditions,” says Dr. Nadeem. “By offering this program at �������, we’re not only saving lives—we’re also giving patients and their families peace of mind.”��

As our population ages, the demand for cardiac services continues to grow. “We’re seeing more patients than ever before, and their needs are becoming increasingly complex,” says Dr. Nadeem. “Without the right infrastructure, we risk falling behind in meeting these needs. A Cardiac Cath Lab and expanded device clinic will ensure that we’re prepared to navigate this evolving landscape.”��

Localized treatment is not just about convenience—it’s about equity. “Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege,” says Dr. Nadeem. “By bringing these services closer to home, we’re breaking down barriers and ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the care they deserve. This is especially important for vulnerable populations who may face additional challenges in accessing healthcare.”��

Healthcare lives when we bring the highest standards of care to those who need it most. With donor support, we can make this vision a reality. Upgrades to our cardiac care services will not only enhance our ability to diagnose and treat heart conditions but also position ������� as a leader in cardiac care in Ontario. “We have the expertise, the dedication, and the drive to make this happen,” says Dr. Nadeem. “What we need now is the support of our community to bring this vision to life.”��

Cardiac Cath Lab

Unfortunately, without a Cath Lab, Humber’s Cardiology Program is unable to treat patients on site forcing them to be transferred to another Hospital. A Cath Lab at Humber means less stress from transfers and long waits for our patients. Help us to bring essential cardiac services closer to home. For more information, please contact��Caterina Margisano.

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“My treatment was very nice at Humber,” says Rita, “but if the procedure could have been done right when I needed it, my experience would have been so much better.”

75-year-old Rita has been dealing with heart issues since 2004, when she had double bypass surgery and had a stent put in. Recently, Rita found herself back at �������’s Apotex Emergency Department, grappling with a recurrence of her heart problems. “I wasn’t feeling well, so my family doctor recommended I go to Humber,” says Rita.��

During her visit to the Apotex ED, Rita was seen by the head cardiologist, who determined that she required an angioplasty. However, since Humber lacks an on-site Cath Lab necessary for this procedure, Rita had to be transferred to another Hospital.��

A Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, or Cath Lab, is a specialized facility where doctors perform procedures to diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel problems. These procedures are usually minimally invasive, using imaging techniques to guide tools through blood vessels to the heart. Unfortunately, without a Cath Lab, Humber’s Cardiology Program is unable to treat patients like Rita on site.��

The absence of a Cath Lab not only caused Rita physical discomfort but also emotional strain. “It’s scary because you’re vulnerable, and you don’t know what’s going to happen when you arrive at the Hospital,” says Rita. The emotional and physical toll of such an ordeal is something no patient should have to endure.��

After being transferred to another Hospital in the morning, Rita had to wait alone for her surgery late into the evening, without any family by her side. Her husband was unwell, and her relatives were busy with work and travel. “I was by myself,” says Rita. “My family couldn’t be with me due to their work schedules and my husband was unwell.”��

Being the last person to go in for surgery that day, Rita felt the weight of the long wait times. Moreover, as a diabetic, she couldn’t eat anything while waiting, adding to her physical discomfort. Rita ended up spending a total of four days in the hospital, three of those in recovery after being sent back to Humber.��

Reflecting on her experience, Rita believes having a Cath Lab at Humber would have made a significant difference. “It’s less time waiting, and it helps you feel better overall. You don’t want to put your heart under any stress or high emotions,” says Rita. “You feel safe.”��

While the support from Humber’s staff was commendable, the need for better resources is evident. “My treatment was very nice at Humber,” says Rita, “but if the procedure could have been done right when I needed it, my experience would have been so much better.”��

At Humber, everything we strive for is about improving patient care and safety for our community. A Cath Lab at Humber means less stress from transfers and long waits for our patients, something most community hospitals can already deliver on.

Rita’s story resonates deeply with our mission: we aim to provide the best possible care for our patients, and acquiring a Cath Lab is a significant step toward that goal. As Rita poignantly expressed, “We would all be very grateful.”��

*Photos for all patient profiles have been changed for the comfort of patients and their families.

Cardiac Cath Lab

Unfortunately, without a Cath Lab, Humber’s Cardiology Program is unable to treat patients on site forcing them to be transferred to another Hospital. A Cath Lab at Humber means less stress from transfers and long waits for our patients. Help us to bring essential cardiac services closer to home. For more information, please contact Caterina Margisano.

The post A Heartfelt Call for a Cath Lab: Rita’s Story appeared first on Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation.

TeleVU enables our Cardiologists to provide real-time medical guidance, support, and collaboration from anywhere, ensuring that patients receive timely and expert care no matter where they are located.

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, the Cardiology Program at ������� has acquired an exciting new technology known as TeleVU. This groundbreaking innovation has revolutionized how our Cardiologists engage with patients and collaborate with healthcare professionals, regardless of their physical location.

TeleVU enables our Cardiologists to provide real-time medical guidance, support, and collaboration from anywhere, ensuring that patients receive timely and expert care no matter where they are located. Even if our cardiologists cannot be physically present at the hospital, they can still offer their expertise remotely, thanks to this advanced technology.

At the core of TeleVU’s functionality are hands-free “smart glasses” worn by Humber technicians who are delivering care at the patient’s bedside. These glasses facilitate seamless communication and collaboration between the on-site healthcare team and our Cardiologists, allowing for instant peer-to-peer support and consultation. This means that critical decisions can be made promptly, leading to faster and more effective treatment for our patients.

By leveraging TeleVU, we are not only enhancing the efficiency of medical procedures but also improving patient outcomes by ensuring that they receive high-quality care even when Cardiologists cannot be onsite. This innovative approach to healthcare delivery is made possible by the ongoing generosity of our donors, whose contributions have enabled us to stay at the forefront of medical technology and provide the best possible care to our community.

With TeleVU, �������’s Cardiology Program is leading the way in embracing digital solutions to enhance patient care, and we are immensely grateful to our donors for their continued support in making this possible.

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“It was a burning sensation,” remembers Rocco. “I thought it was heartburn, but a few hours later it still hadn’t gone away.”

Rocco’s wife convinced him to go to go to the hospital. At Humber River Hospital’s Apotex Emergency Department, the staff saw Rocco right away. They ordered an electrocardiogram which was inconclusive, so they ordered a few more tests.

His tests revealed that Rocco had had a cardiac event – a minor heart attack. He was admitted to Humber as an inpatient and introduced to his cardiologist Dr. Paul Szmitko.

“Heart attacks can feel different depending on which blood vessel is being affected,” explains Dr. Szmitko. “Symptoms like heartburn-sensations which Rocco had, jaw pain, and shoulder pain are often dismissed. If it’s new or lasting longer than you expect, it’s best to seek medical attention.”

“Dr. Szmitko was great,” says Rocco. “He explained everything to me. He was very open and warm.”

Dr. Szmitko ordered Rocco an angiogram at one of Humber’s partner hospitals, a test that involves x-ray pictures of the coronary arteries. The test revealed a blockage, so they performed an angioplasty to open it at the same time.

He was brought back to Humber for another two nights.

“I didn’t mind staying the extra night to tell you the truth,” remembers Rocco with a laugh, “My room was very comfortable, the staff were all awesome. I had a different nurse assigned to me every day and they were all wonderful.”

“It’s always nice to hear of good patient outcomes like Rocco’s – It’s why I went into this field,” says Dr. Szmitko. “The whole patient experience is important and we’ll make sure he continues to feel well through his follow-up appointments.”

“I’m feeling great,” says Rocco. “It was an eye opener to go through this, but our experience at Humber was very good.”

The post I Had a Minor Heart Attack: Rocco’s Story appeared first on Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation.

While Jeff lives only a few minutes away from Humber River Hospital, he hadn’t needed the hospital in decades. His chest discomfort was concerning, however, so he went to Humber’s Apotex Emergency Department.

Dr. Yao performed a cardiac echo that revealed that Jeff had a pericardial effusion; fluid had accumulated around his heart and lungs.

In the ER, Jeff underwent several tests including blood work and X-Rays. The team discovered that he likely had a viral infection. His doctor prescribed him with antibiotics, and told him to return if things worsened.

A month later, Jeff still wasn’t feeling like himself. He was still getting winded and his chest was still uncomfortable. When he went back to the ER, his physician Dr. Alshahristani Haider found that the area around his chest looked enlarged. They set up an appointment with one of Humber’s cardiologists, Dr. Louis Yao, who has an office not far from the Hospital.

Jeff was one of Dr. Yao’s first patients of the day. He arrived early, stopping several times to catch his breath between his car and the office. Dr. Yao performed a cardiac echo that revealed that Jeff had a pericardial effusion; fluid had accumulated around his heart and lungs, likely as a result of his viral infection.

A pericardial effusion can be extremely uncomfortable and Dr. Yao didn’t want Jeff to wait long to have that discomfort treated.

“Reschedule all of my morning appointments,” Dr. Yao told his staff. He verified that Jeff felt well enough to get himself to the Hospital, and instructed him to meet him there.

“I was stunned,” says Jeff, “But every step of the way, the team told me what to expect. That really helped put me at ease.”

“I was stunned,” says Jeff, “But every step of the way, the team told me what to expect. That really helped put me at ease.”

“It’s very important for us to communicate with our patients,” says Dr. Yao. “Keeping patients informed is an important part of their care, and it’s how I would want my family or myself to be treated.”

Dr. Yao used a catheter to drain the fluid from Jeff’s side, and he was admitted as an inpatient for monitoring.

“Everyone from the porters to the nurses were great,” says Jeff. “I was set up to watch hockey on the TV in my room and even the food was good. Dr. Yao came to see me a couple of times. He was very comforting throughout everything.”

Months later, Jeff is feeling back to normal and is grateful for the care he received at Humber.

“In traditional Chinese culture, medicine is about being of service,” says Dr. Yao. “It’s our job to look after patients. I feel like I have done a good job if the patient feels they have been well cared for and if they are happy.”

The post Pericardial Effusion: Jeff’s Care Team Kept Him Informed Every Step of the Way appeared first on Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation.

Monica was home alone when she suddenly felt a searing pain in her arm and chest.

By 41 years old, Monica was used to her “episodes” – shortness of breath, chest pain, and sometimes even passing out – that had started when she was a teenager. Years ago, her episodes had been diagnosed as panic attacks associated with anxiety and depression. She was used to them. She knew what they felt like.

In January 2018, Monica was home alone, making dinner for herself and her husband Pablo when an episode started that caught her completely off guard. She suddenly felt a searing and shooting pain in her arm and chest. Overwhelmed with the sensation, she fell over. When Pablo returned home and saw the state she was in, he insisted they go to the hospital, despite her protests that it was probably just another panic attack.

At Humber River Hospital’s Apotex Emergency Department, they discovered that Monica’s heart was beating at a rate of 250 beats per minute – more than double a normal heart rate. She was triaged into the acute care section and seen quickly. Her care team used a series of medications to slow her heart rate right down and then gradually brought it back up to normal.

Monica was admitted as a cardiology inpatient of Dr. Irving Tiong, who discovered that she was suffering (and had likely been suffering her whole life) from Atrial Fibrillation and Supraventricular Tachycardia. Untreated, her episodes could have continued and she was at risk of a stroke. With her diagnosis, Monica was able to schedule and receive two ablations at Sunnybrook Hospital to correct the problem. If all goes well, she will be monitored and have follow-ups throughout her life, but will be able to live without any more of her episodes.

Your caring and compassionate support is at work every single day here at Humber River Hospital, helping your neighbours like Monica. Your gifts provide urgent care in emergency, in our cardiac unit and right across our Hospital.

“My diagnosis and treatment at Humber has been life-changing,” says Monica, “I finally feel like my episodes aren’t just in my head. I feel listened to. The staff here are amazing.”

“My diagnosis and treatment at Humber has been life-changing,” says Monica, “I finally feel like my episodes aren’t just in my head. I feel listened to. The staff here are amazing. Just super, super, super great.”

Recently while visiting Humber, Monica decided to become a monthly donor.

“I am confident that without the financial and emotional support from donors and supporters to Humber Hospital, I would not have had the positive experience I have received in the last 8 months.” Says Monica, “My family doesn’t have a lot but we have always felt it was important to give what we could. It means a lot to me, it’s important.”

Monica and Pablo are now empty nesters, and are looking forward to the next chapter of their lives.

The post Atrial Fibrillation: Monica’s Story appeared first on Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation.

Chelsea knew something was wrong.��More and more frequently, she found herself short of breath.

She met with doctors. She underwent various tests and scans. She was given an inhaler that didn’t help her breathing. In April, Chelsea returned to Humber’s Apotex Emergency Department where her doctors found pneumonia. She was prescribed an antibiotic and started to feel hopeful that she would soon be back to normal.

But new symptoms started to emerge. Chelsea was frightened when she suddenly gained 20 lbs in just one week. She started experiencing spells of dizziness, and some nights her heart raced so fast she had to sleep sitting upright.

“Every night I went to bed scared that I wouldn’t wake up in the morning,” Chelsea remembers.

In May, Chelsea returned to Humber River Hospital. “Something is wrong with me,” she told the triage nurse in the Emergency Department. “I can’t breathe. I can’t walk.”

The doctors who took an ultrasound of her chest agreed that she could not go home. She was surprised to learn that it was her heart, not her lungs, which was the source of her discomfort. Chelsea was admitted to Humber as an inpatient and was assigned to a hospital room in the Cardiology Unit for 5 days.

Her Cardiologist Dr. Rebecca Allan explained that Chelsea had Congestive Heart Failure (possibly caused by her pneumonia) which was rare for a 29 year old. Chelsea’s weight gain had been bloating caused by her heart condition, and it went away almost immediately once Dr. Allan restricted her sodium and liquid intake. She was told that her heart was functioning at about 10%, and Dr. Allan put her on medications that would help improve her heart functionality.

Chelsea was able to order food using the Integrated Bedside Terminal in her room. Her menu was tailored to her new sodium-restricted diet, but included things like French toast, pasta, and shepherd’s pie.

As an inpatient at Humber, Chelsea was able to order her food before going to sleep using the Integrated Bedside Terminal (IBT) in her room. Her menu was tailored to her new sodium-restricted diet, but included things like French toast, pasta, and shepherd’s pie that stood out to her.

“My stay was comfortable,” she says, “My room was cleaned every day, my nurses brought me heated blankets when I was cold and let me know ahead of time what tests to expect every day, and when my family came to visit they especially liked the gelato at Lavazza!”

Since discharge, Dr. Allan has been adjusting Chelsea’s medications. She also referred Chelsea to a class that would teach her more about Congestive Heart Failure at the hospital, and has set her up with a tablet, heart monitor, pulse oximeter, and a scale at home. Every day Chelsea sends her vitals to a nurse so that they can keep track of her progress and catch anything abnormal before it becomes an issue.

By July, Chelsea’s heart was functioning at 30%, and in September it had improved to 40%. It’s still not where Chelsea and Dr. Allan would like it to be, but Chelsea is hopeful.

“I never thought I would have a heart condition,” says Chelsea. “It was scary because I didn’t know anything about it. But Dr. Allan has been great, I’m starting to get used to the medication, and my heart has been improving every visit.”

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