CIBC Wood Gundy Staff Continuing Tradition of Helping Newborns

Last year, Investment Advisors in Thunder Bay at CIBC Wood Gundy participated in CIBC Miracle Day, held the first Wednesday in December. Each of them generously donated their fees and commissions from that day to the CIBC Children’s Foundation.  In turn, the Foundation was able to support the purchase of a new couch for the office of Lactation Consultant Lianna Pretto in the Hospital’s Maternity Centre. Used daily, the couch provides a welcoming environment where new Moms can relax and learn how to feed their infant.

Continuing with the tradition of helping newborns, and thanks to the generosity of the CIBC Wood Gundy Investment Advisors, this year $3,300 was provided to purchase two waterless milk warmers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Hospital.

Chris Purdon, the Manager for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatrics at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre explains, “The waterless milk warmers will enable NICU staff to thaw and warm milk for premature infants to provide a more comfortable temperature for premature infants. These warmers are designed to safely, conveniently, and effectively warm milk to a temperature consistent with expressed human milk. The NICU thanks CIBC for their contribution towards purchase of this valuable equipment to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”

Ensuring newborns in the NICU are feeding and receiving the proper nutrients to facilitate development and promote weight gain is a high priority. With this new equipment, staff will be able to warm milk safely and efficiently, allowing for more time at the infant’s bedside.

As infants are more likely and able to swallow and consume the warmed milk, it helps them put on necessary weight that will enable them to become healthy enough to be discharged and be home with their family.

Paul Johnston, Vice-President, Branch Manager and Investment Advisor, CIBC Wood Gundy was impressed with what a difference this seemingly small equipment could have for infant care. “Our team was thrilled to present funds for the new couch last year, and seeing the impact that had for families, we knew we wanted to provide funding in a similar manner again. When we were told about the milk warmers, it seemed like a perfect fit for us as the equipment provides a meaningful improvement in the care infants in our community receive. Helping pre-term infants successfully grow so they can be home with their families really can be a miracle when you consider some of the health challenges they must overcome.”