October 06, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
October is a significant month for recognizing some of the critical professionals who empower our work at Baycrest. On behalf of our staff, students, volunteers, clients and their families, please join me in honouring our Occupational Therapy staff during Occupational Therapy Month and our Spiritual Care staff during Spiritual Care Week (October 23-30). This is an opportunity for us to reflect on and appreciate the leadership and commitment of these professionals and acknowledge their contributions in healthcare, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Occupational Therapy Month:
Here at Baycrest, you will find occupational therapists (OTs) supporting the health and well-being of our clients, patients and residents, as well as families and caregivers. They work to maximize strengths and abilities in order to improve daily functioning. They support mental health and physical recovery – and they are still smiling behind their masks.
This year, let’s also celebrate the amazing occupational therapist assistants/physiotherapist assistants (OTAs/PTAs) who work alongside our therapists to implement rehabilitation treatment plans and programs. Our OTs and OTAs/PTAs are important members of our great teams here at Baycrest. Say “thank you” when you see them. They help to make the everyday possible.
Spiritual Care Week:
During Spiritual Care Week (October 23-30) we acknowledge an invaluable clinical discipline that uses spiritually integrated psychotherapy purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support a sense of meaning, purpose, coping, health and well-being among clients, patients, residents, family members and staff.
We recognize that healthcare involves treating the whole person and that spiritual well-being can help improve health and quality of life. Spiritual care attends to a person’s spiritual or religious needs as he or she (and his or her circle of care) copes with illness, loss, grief or pain and can help him or her heal emotionally, as well as physically, rebuild relationships and regain a sense of spiritual balance and well-being. Spiritual care practitioners/chaplains and student interns enable all individuals to achieve optimal quality of life and improved spiritual/religious, and social/emotional functioning, which is essential in supporting our seniors, especially now, through this pandemic and combatting social isolation.
Please join us in recognizing these exceptional groups of staff for the tremendous role they play in the lives of those we serve each and every day.
Scott Ovenden
Executive Vice President, Clinical Programs