Page 29 - Bringing UHN into Focus - 2015-2016 Year in Review

CALpIr/N15ICMAayL/15OPJunT/1IM5 IJZul/A15TIOAuNg/15 Sept/15 Oct/15 Nov/15 Dec/15 Jan/16 Feb/16 Mar/16

Heart failure patient turns staff member
into IronmanCARINGSAFELY

Charles Cook was 17 years old in the cardiac arrest, and ultimately heart failure.
In 2005, Charles suffered a massive stroke, keeping
UhPenAwitTeaIdsEdSNitaaTgtenEsoXNsePadvEawRl iAItEhcNaadCgeemEnyetwichen him off his feet for over a year. Soon after, a
defibrillator implanted in his chest saved his life after
heart condition called hypertrophic cardiac arrest.
cardiomyopathy (HCM), caused by an “The thing that has gotten me through any of the
enlarged heart muscle. challenges that I have faced in my life is a strong belief
that patience and persistence can overcome just about
He received a meTdEicAalMdisEcNhaGrgAeGanEdMwEhNileTat any obstacle,” Charles explains.
“If an obstacle is placed in front of me I just keep
university, he came to the conclusion that every new bangin’ until I knock it down and then I move onto
day gives the opportunity to “keep bangin’” through the next one - and there is always a next one.”
the obstacles life throws at you.
Link to full story: click here.
That philosophy kITepTt RhiAmNaSflFoaOt RanMdAinTsIpOirNed others
Also Making News
– including at least one UHN caregiver - in the years
to come, during which Charles would suffer a stroke,

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

MICHENER INTEGRATION

A Brain Test to Detect
Dementia

Researchers find
abnormal protein shape
common in Alzheimer’s

Researchers mimic viral
infection in colon cancer
stem cells

Mike Walker (left), Exercise Physiologist, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, 29
met Charles Cook near his home in Kitchener, Ont., one week after Mike
successfully participated in an Ironman event. Mike wanted to thank Charles
personally for inspiring him to take part in the event. (Photo: PMCC/UHN)

Year in Review 2015 – 2016