Hamilton Doctors are disappointed in the lack of support for Physicians providing necessary health care to those experiencing homelessness in the Hamilton community. Harm reduction is central to the mission of public health: minimizing the risks and harms to those in our community, even if all risk cannot be eliminated.

The COVID – 19 pandemic has highlighted existing health inequalities in our community. Now, more than ever, we must strive towards providing equal access to care for all Hamiltonians.

Advocacy is central to the profession of medicine. The Hamilton Academy of Medicine applauds Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk for her tireless work advocating for our City’s most vulnerable populations. We call on the City of Hamilton to work with Dr. Wiwcharuk and her colleagues to find solutions for improving the health and safety of those affected by homelessness. Our community must come together to create a sustainable system that protects all Hamiltonians, especially in times of crisis.

Hamilton, March 23, 2020 – In partnership with local Tech company, Lumedi Inc., The Hamilton Academy of Medicine (HAM) is taking steps to flatten the COVID-19 curve in the Hamilton. To facilitate early detection, HAM is supporting a study that will analyze data collected by the COVID-19 Community Watch App. The App will elicit up-to-date data on emerging trends and “Hotspots” in the community to provide advance warning to front-line health care institutions.

“We are living through unprecedented times.” Said Dr. Simon Oczkowski, President of the Hamilton Academy of Medicine and Critical Care Doctor in Hamilton. “The spread of COVID-19 is threatening to overload the health care system and is rapidly changing the way doctors provide care to their patients. We require rapid access to the best available data in order to provide the best care.”

The Covid-19 Community Watch App will build community awareness and involvement. The App monitors trends within geographic regions and demographics. Participants self-report symptoms each day and results will be examined by HAM’s physician leaders. Findings will inform Doctors, Public Health, Hospital Systems, and other relevant stakeholders of up-to-date trends in the community.

How it works:

The Hamilton Academy of Medicine is asking Hamiltonians to complete a 30 second survey once a day, every-day during the crisis at: https://covid19app.ca/

“Dear patients, friends and Hamiltonians: Working together, we can make a difference.” Said Dr. Richard Tytus, Family Doctor at Steel City Medical and HAM Past President, “With your help, we can identify areas that are at high risk and get help where help is needed most. Be Safe.”

Please ask your Hamiltonian friends, family, and colleagues to participate. Share this tool on social media. We need to act now to make a difference. please take the survey and spread the word.

COVID-19 Community Watch app. https://covid19app.ca/

 

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The Hamilton Academy of Medicine is a local voluntary professional association funded by physicians for physicians. The Academy binds the medical community of the Greater Hamilton Area, promoting a spirit of cooperation and unity, while meeting the educational, social and political needs of its members. The Academy acts at the territorial branch society of District 4 of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) providing a full range of programs, services and benefits to assist member physicians. HAM has long history of advocating for the health of our community.

For more information, please contact:
Jessica Wooder, Executive Director
Office: 905-528-1640
Email: [email protected]

Hamilton, August 30, 2017 – The Hamilton Academy of Medicine (HAM) congratulates President Dr. Dennis DiValentino and HAM members, Dr. Rick Tytus and Dr. Steven Tytus, on being awarded the 2017 Social Innovation grant from Joule, a subsidiary of the Canadian Medical Association.

“This is a very exciting time for the Hamilton Academy of Medicine and our community,” said Dr. Dennis DiValentino, President of HAM. “I am pleased to announce the start of a new telemedicine initiative, RAMcare.”

The $25,000 granted to RAMcare will advance a mobile telemedicine initiative aimed at delivering improved care to individuals with mental illness, addictions, immobility and those unable to access a health care provider. This initiative will respond to the Hamilton Spectator’s “Code Red” series which highlights significant disparity in health outcomes across various sectors within the Hamilton community. The funding will help to breakdown these barriers and improve health outcomes for patients living in areas designated as “Code Red” zones.

“To reach this marginalized health sector, we will use virtual care technology to replicate an in-person encounter with a physician from anywhere in the city.” said Dr. DiValentino, “The mobile medical units deliver comprehensive consultations in real time and are equipped with otoscopes, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and more.”

In partnership with the Good Shepherd Centre, the units will be placed in convenient locations for immediate access to a healthcare provider when care is urgently needed. “At Good Shepherd we work with individuals whose circumstances often necessitate specialized medical needs,” said Brother Richard MacPhee, Executive Director of Good Shepherd. “This is a unique application of telemedicine for individuals who don’t often work well with traditional models of medical access.  It will allow them to virtually visit a physician and address their care requirements from an environment that is familiar to them.”

On behalf of the co-founders of RAMcare, the Hamilton Academy of Medicine thanks the CMA, their company Joule, the OMA District 4, and the Good Shepherd Centre.  We are looking forward to implementing this pilot project and are excited for the opportunity to address this health care challenge in Hamilton.

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The Hamilton Academy of Medicine is a local voluntary professional association funded by physicians for physicians. The Academy binds the medical community of the Greater Hamilton Area, promoting a spirit of cooperation and unity, while meeting the educational, social and political needs of its members. The Academy acts at the territorial branch society of District 4 of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) providing a full range of programs, services and benefits to assist member physicians.

For more information, please contact:
Jessica Wooder, Executive Director
Office: 905-528-1640
Email: [email protected]

The Hamilton Academy of Medicine has welcomed a new president.

Dr. Jennifer Brasch of St. Joe’s was presented as the new leader of the executive committee the academy’s annual general meeting last week.

The Hamilton Academy of Medicine (HAM), a branch of the Ontario Medical Association, was founded in 1899 as local voluntary professional association that binds the medical community, promotes cooperation, and meets the educational, social and political needs of its members.

Other awards:

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