*New physicians join RVHS

Rouge Valley Health System
News Release

August 12, 2009 — Two new physicians at the Rouge Valley Health System (RVHS) will help the hospital to continue its focus on delivering quality patient care.

“We’re pleased with the value that these two physicians will bring to our outstanding medical team. Their work will make a significant impact on our diverse, growing communities,” says Sonia Peczeniuk, vice president, medical affairs and clinical support. “We are committed to being the best at what we do for our communities. Adding to our physician complement is part of our strategy to be the best community acute care hospital.”

- Intensivist joins RVHS ICU -
For intensivist Dr. Nazar Almakki, helping to care for patients in the intensive care units at Rouge Valley Centenary (RVC) and Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering (RVAP) can be both an incredibly rewarding and very challenging experience.

“It’s often challenging when you’re treating critically-ill patients. But it can also be very satisfying, knowing that you’re helping to save a life and to alleviate suffering. That’s what being a physician is all about,” says Dr. Almakki. Dr. Almakki began seeing patients at both hospital campuses in July. Not only has Dr. Almakki received training as an intensivist, he is also a certified internist, respirologist and critical care specialist, making him a great addition to the team of physicians at RVHS.

Dr. Almakki, who is fluent in both English and Arabic, earned a bachelor of medicine and surgery at the University of Khartoum’s School of Medicine in Sudan. He completed his fellowship training for critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and a fellowship for pulmonary medicine at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Dr. Almakki also completed a residency for internal medicine at Howard University Hospital and another in paediatric medicine at Gezira University Hospital in Sudan.

Most recently, Dr. Almakki worked in the intensive care units at Wentworth-Douglas Hospital in Dover, New Hampshire; the Specialty Hospital of Washington and the Greater Southeast Community Hospital, both in Washington, D.C.; and others.

Dr. Almakki is also passionate about volunteering, and has spent time volunteering with organizations in the U.S., including the Happy Lung Camp with the D.C. Thoracic Society. He has also participated in medical relief missions in the Nyalla and Zalingi regions of Sudan.

- New emergency physician at RVHS -
For emergency physician Dr. Leo Sin, the opportunity to practice medicine at RVHS is a chance to begin his career in a community hospital. Dr. Sin, who will see patients at both Rouge Valley hospital campuses in east Toronto and west Durham Region, began seeing patients in July.

"I enjoy the constant action of the emergency department, and the good, wide depth of medicine that you can find in emergency medicine," says Dr. Sin. “I also enjoy the fact that for many patients who come into emergency with an issue, we're able to help them immediately. It's very hands-on."

This fall, Dr. Sin will begin seeing patients at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering’s (RVAP) newly-expanded emergency department. Construction will provide space for the anticipated 60,000 patient visits a year. Currently, staff and physicians care for 42,000-plus patients a year in a space designed for 20,000. When complete, the entire redevelopment project will mean about 140,000 square feet of new and renovated space for services representing a great start on meeting community needs.
Dr. Sin earned his medical degree at Queen’s University. Before coming to Rouge, he completed his residency at the North York General Hospital. He has also worked at Toronto’s Mount Sinai and Lakeridge Health’s hospital campus in Port Perry. The physician, who was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Thornhill, is also fluent in Cantonese.

“I hope to help contribute to faster, quality care for our patients at both hospital campuses. I also hope to give back by helping to teach medical students who may come through Rouge Valley,” says Dr. Sin.

- Rouge Valley Health System (RVHS) — The best at what we do -
RVHS is an excellent acute care community hospital with many programs, including 24/7/365 emergency, cardiac care and mental health. Rouge Valley consists of several health sites, including two community hospital campuses: Rouge Valley Centenary in east Toronto; and Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering in west Durham. Together, a team of physicians (224 general practitioners and 325 specialists), 1,000 nurses and many other professionals care for a broad spectrum of health conditions. Working in consultation and partnership with community members, other hospitals, health care organizations, the Central East Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Rouge Valley continues to improve its programs and cater to the needs of the growing communities of east Toronto, Ajax, Pickering and Whitby.

Contact
Akilah Dressekie

Communications Specialist

Public Affairs and Community Relations

Rouge Valley Health System

416-712-4873

adressekie@rougevalley.ca