University of Toronto graduate students Peter Kuitenbrouwer (left) and Joanna Yu measure trees on Sunnybrook’s Bayview site (Photography by Kevin Van Paassen)

Sunnybrook is even greener than usual this spring, thanks to a pioneering program designed to nurture and protect its unique tree canopy.

In partnership with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Forestry, Sunnybrook has embarked on an ambitious forest management plan.

Last summer, graduate students Joanna Yu and Peter Kuitenbrouwer began by assessing the woodlots and cataloguing the trees on Sunnybrook’s Bayview site.

Their inventory resulted in an impressive tally: more than 1,200 individual trees from 72 species, including two endangered butternuts. The team also checked the health of thousands of other trees in the hospital’s woodlots.

“With 42 hectares of beautiful landscape, Sunnybrook’s Bayview site is a natural healing environment and legacy property unique among hospitals in Canada,” says Kuitenbrouwer.

“It was a great summer job,” he adds, remembering crisp early mornings criss-crossing the hospital grounds in steel-toed boots.

Together with a team of forest conservation students, Kuitenbrouwer returned to plant 110 trees in early November, placing them according to each sapling’s specific needs. This effort contributed to Sunnybrook’s 2017 goal of planting 500 trees over five years.

Kuitenbrouwer and Yu are not the first researchers to take on the task of inventorying Sunnybrook’s ample woodlands.

Eighty years ago, botanist R.B. Thomson made the first major attempt to document the forest of maple, oak, elm, beech, hemlock, white pine, hickory, birch and catalpa that covers the area. He found 40 species of trees, a figure that has almost doubled in the intervening years.

One tree that made both Thomson’s list and last year’s survey is a 250-year-old sugar maple that’s older than Canada. Nearly a metre and a half wide, the massive maple is dwarfed only by another giant – a 34-metre pin oak that’s taller than the hospital’s main wing.

The benefits of such trees are more than aesthetic. Research suggests a link between healthy forests and healthy people: regular walks through greenery can strengthen immunity, lower blood pressure and reduce stress.

Considering these potential benefits, it’s encouraging to see the saplings taking root and spreading their branches wide.

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He began his training at Manning Depot in Toronto with the No. 1 equipment depot on guard duty.  Next, he was sent to Guelph University to train as a wireless operator and last he travelled to Paulson, Manitoba for an air gunnery course.

In September of 1943, Wally was shipped overseas and crewed up with 419 “Moose” Squadron in England to fly in bombing operations against Germany.  He successfully completed an eventful tour of operations with an all Canadian crew.

In June 1945, following the war, Wally returned to Toronto and began working in the hardware business. In 1972, he started his own business, A-Z Technical Building Systems Inc. Later this month Wally will celebrate his 95 birthday.

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As many as two million young people are struggling with mental illness in Canada, yet only one in five receives the help they need. “Knowing that there are always more families in need that can benefit from navigation is the most demanding part of my job,” says Katie.

Navigation is the key word here. In a complicated, ever-changing mental health system, families are often not aware of what help is available or they need support finding their way through the maze of programs, services and treatments.

“As a navigator, I provide information and offer a unique bridge that connects families with medical and clinical resources. I am always amazed at what can be accomplished – and how much stronger we are – when we all work together.”

Katie’s academic training has served her well. With a deep-rooted love for the fields of education, mental health and psychology, she studied psychoanalytic thought at the University of Toronto and then completed her graduate degree in education, counselling psychology.

“I feel an immense sense of pride and commitment being part of Sunnybrook, and I think of my work as my passion and not just a job.”

Spending time with her three children is Katie’s other passion. She coaches her children’s soccer and swim teams, hosts a boot camp and recently took up running. Beyond the physical health benefits, she also exercises for mental health and stress relief.

“I have been trying to make a point of carving out time for me, which then fuels my energy for my work and family.”

In September 2016, Katie will take part in the 15-kilometre run in the RBC Race for the Kids, a family event and fundraiser for youth mental health and the Family Navigation Project.

Photography by Doug Nicholson

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Photograph by Doug Nicholson

“I live by the golden rule: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’” This creed guides Edith Augustin every day as a member of the Sunnybrook parking services team.

Whether it’s assisting rehabilitation patients at the St. John’s Rehab site with parking passes, parking enforcement duties or speaking with a visitor or patient who has just received bad news and is distressed, her work is customer-focused and about helping people. “Even as a parking attendant, I feel as though I’m part of the healthcare team here,” says Edith.

Born in St. Lucia, Edith came to Canada in 2001 to further her studies and attained a BA in English from York University. Education has always been close to her heart. At the age of 16, her first job was teaching at a kindergarten to Grade 4 combined school. After completing high school, she attained a teaching certificate from Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in St. Lucia.

Edith decided to further her learning last year. With the support of a grant from Sunnybrook’s Continuing Education Support Fund, she is currently studying accounting at Seneca College through an online program that suits her schedule. “To be at an institution that promotes and supports continuing education means a lot to me,” she says.

Together with her 21-year-old daughter, Edith values and appreciates life to the fullest. Both are avid readers and have formed their own book club. A nature enthusiast, Edith has climbed Gros Piton, a volcanic mountain in St. Lucia, and a recent trip took her to the Grand Canyon, where she experienced panoramic views and sunsets that were beyond description. “I will always choose experiences over material things,” says Edith.

“One day, I would like to volunteer at a women’s shelter to give others the hope to realize their full potential. Working at Sunnybrook has allowed me to advance myself and also make a difference in the lives of others.”

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Photograph by Doug Nicholson

As a son, of a son, of a son of a sailor and with more than 100 years of naval service combined, it was a fairly good bet that he would pursue a military career, too. But Dr. David Shergold was also charting another course – his lifelong dream of becoming a doctor.

His vision was realized after nearly 20 years of dedicated service in the Royal Canadian Navy. As a submariner, he participated in naval operations and reconnaissance on Canadian coasts and crossed the Atlantic to Norway, patrolling and monitoring Russian submarines during the Cold War in the 1980s.

“After completing medical school, I worked as a military doctor and went from periscope to stethoscope!” says Dr. Shergold. He did his bachelor’s degree in bioethics at the University of Toronto and completed medical school at McMaster University in 1990. He credits his success to his wife of 36 years, Elizabeth, who was fully supportive of him while she raised their three sons. “She is an inspiration for our family.”

At Sunnybrook’s Veterans Centre, he works in an interprofessional team setting and cares for approximately 75 residents across three resident- care units: mental health, end-stage dementia care and the Dorothy Macham Home, a 10-bed unit for veterans who have challenging behaviours due to dementia.

He also works in emergency medicine and is a physician consultant at the 32 Canadian Forces Health Services base in Downsview.

“I am intrigued by the aging population, who fought when [they were] young and are now, at the end of their lives, fighting other health battles. I have immense respect for them and embrace the opportunity to serve them,” says Dr. Shergold.

Ready? Aye, ready.

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