Our Hospital, Our StoriesDr. Kathryn Dong named one of this year’s CAMH Difference Makers
Posted on: Nov 09, 2017Dr. Kathryn Dong has been named one of this year’s CAMH Difference Makers for championing person-centred care.
The Royal Alexandra Hospital’s Dr. Kathryn Dong has been named one of this year’s CAMH Difference Makers for championing person-centred care that is empowering socially vulnerable patients living with addiction and mental health challenges through our hospital’s Inner City Health and Wellness (ICHW) Program and the Addiction Recovery Community Health (ARCH) Clinic that operates within it.
In April 2017, guided by a National Committee of leading experts and advocates, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) launched a cross-Canada call for nominations of people influencing change in mental health care—those giving new reasons for hope—CAMH Difference Makers.
All across the Canada people were asked to nominate a person making a difference in small or big ways; in local or international circles; in public or private lives and Dr. Kathryn Dong is certainly one of them.
“Many donors to the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation are already very aware of the amazing impact Dr. Kathryn Dong and her team are making,” shared Andrew Otway President and CEO of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation. “It is wonderful to see this recognition now happening across the country that are leading experts and advocates in the mental health field.”
Beginning as an idea that turned into a research project in 2008, which was then funded by the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation as a pilot project and, now operates as a fully funded clinical program Dr. Dong’s new model of patient-centred care allows Edmonton’s most vulnerable to receive the treatment and help that they need, not only for their immediate issues but also offers the true hand up they deserve.
The program allows ICHW and ARCH staff at the Royal Alex to work with other agencies and community organizations to provide patients evidence-based treatment for their substance use disorders while at the same time offering them other services they need such as affordable housing, mental health support services, ID services, and more.
For more information on the ICHW and ARCH programs please click here and take a moment to watch the video below.
Congratulations Dr. Dong!
