Combatting Isolation In Hospitalized Patients

During the pandemic, many hospitalized patients experienced feelings of isolation. A generous $100,000 gift from TELUS helped MUHC researchers study how using tablets and video calling can combat loneliness.

Strict COVID-19 protocols at the MUHC restricted visitors, which caused many hospitalized patients to experience loneliness and isolation. Separating patients from their loved ones was a heartbreaking reality. TELUS recognized the need to support these vulnerable citizens. Their $100,000 donation supported the work of physician-scientists Dr. Inés Colmegna and Dr. Amal Bessisow, and computer scientist David Meger to combat isolation in hospitalized patients.
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The researchers provided tablets to patients—particularly those who were not familiar with technology—and taught them to initiate video calls with loved ones at home. Not only did this help alleviate loneliness in many patients, but also allowed the researchers to measure how effective video calling is at combatting isolation and loneliness. While the pandemic will eventually end, this important study will continue to benefit hospitalized patients for years to come.
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Biobank Creates Better Understanding of Covid-19

Thousands of samples from COVID-19 patients are now stored in the Biobanque Québécoise de la COVID-19 (BQC19). A generous gift of $100,000 from Marc Parent is helping Dr. Vincent Mooser use the BQC19 to understand how and why some people have such severe reactions COVID-19.

Biobanque Québécoise de la COVID-19 (BQC19), a provincially sponsored initiative, is Canada’s largest biobank of samples taken from severe COVID-19 patients. It is helping researchers understand how and why the coronavirus causes severe respiratory illness. Thanks to a generous gift of $100,000 from Marc Parent, President and CEO of CAE and Dream Big Campaign Co-Chair, Canada Research Chair in Genomic Medicine Dr. Vincent Mooser is studying COVID-19 samples from BQC19 to understand why the coronavirus causes severe respiratory illness in some patients, but not in others. This work is a critical step in discovering new drugs that can treat COVID-19.
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Telemedicine For More Equitable Health

A generous gift of $350,000 from TD is helping the MUHC improve telemedicine, allowing more patients to receive health care from the comfort of their own home through live translation and transcription services.

Despite its challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportunity to expand the use of telemedicine as a way to care for patients. A $350,000 gift from TD is enabling the MUHC to launch a new telemedicine program, allowing more patients to receive health care in the comfort of their homes through virtual visits. TD’s gift is enhancing current services with live translation and transcription services, which will benefit patients with hearing impairments or whose first language does not match that of their physician. TD's gift supports inclusive and equitable health services for all.
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Reducing Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy

Vaccine hesitancy threatens to leave thousands of people at risk for COVID-19. Three Research Institute of the MUHC (RI-MUHC) researchers are conducting research and developing programs to reduce vaccine hesitancy in target populations.