Care for pregnant people and their babies has always been at the heart of our mission, from the day Mount Sinai Hospital first opened its doors. Today, complex pregnancies account for 70 per cent of the 7,000 babies delivered here each year. On April 30th, an engaged group of philanthropic supporters and other interested individuals came together to hear from clinical leaders about the programs and expertise that have propelled Sinai Health to the forefront of maternal-fetal medicine and newborn care in Canada.
The event opened with Where Families are Born, a video showcasing the exemplary care that has elevated the profile of the Frances Bloomberg Centre for Women’s and Infants’ Health among the world’s top high-risk birth centres.
Dr. Mathew Sermer, Sinai Health’s outgoing Chief of Obstetrics and Gynaecology – and a pioneering leader in medical care for pregnant patients with serious cardiovascular complications – delivered an overview of the breadth of Sinai Health’s expertise in complex pregnancy and newborn care. He was joined by Dr. Prakesh Shah, Paediatrician-in-Chief, along with leaders from several clinical subspecialties, including medical disorders in pregnancy, fetal therapy, complex obstetric surgery, neonatal hemodynamics and newborn neurodevelopmental follow-up – just a few of the dozens of specialists working together to support safe pregnancies and help families bring healthy babies home.
In addition to a series of brief, TED-style talks, event attendees had the opportunity to engage with several activations, including an interactive fetal therapy simulation station where they could try their hand at therapeutic laser interventions that save the lives of tiny babies who are not yet born. Other simulations demonstrated specialized newborn imaging and a ventilated baby in a state-of-the-art incubator. Representatives from the Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parent advisory committee were present as well. Their presence highlighted some of the challenges families experience in their journeys and the opportunities donors have to support them through initiatives such as Arielle’s Snack Bar, a complimentary snack bar that provides healthy snacks and beverages for NICU families.
1 of 6
Life-changing pregnancy care, informed by science
Sinai Health’s leadership in managing Canada’s most complex and challenging pregnancies is shaped by the scientific discoveries and game-changing translational research emanating from the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute. Through leadership in large-scale projects such as the Ontario Birth Study and the World Health Organization-supported Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI), our scientists are uncovering the earliest roots of human health and disease and shaping strategies to set families and babies on better pathways to optimal lifelong health.
“For many people, pregnancy is a wonderful experience and they come away with a bundle of joy. But for others, it’s more complicated. By understanding the mechanisms by which pregnancy disorders occur, we work with our clinical colleagues to develop new diagnostics and new therapeutics to improve their ability to deliver the best patient care.”
To hear more about Sinai Health’s leadership in high-risk pregnancy and newborn care, watch the event opening video (above).
