Sign in

Joanna Frketich

@jofrketich.bsky.social
568 followers 15 following 49 posts

Health Reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. Send story ideas to jfrketich@thespec.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Hamilton plasma clinic under scrutiny: MPP urges inspection after Health Canada flags deficiencies www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Hamilton plasma clinic under scrutiny: MPP urges inspection after Health Canada flags deficiencies
Frequent donor says she got ill within 72 hours of donating plasma
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Outbreak infects 84 at King Campus eye clinic — patient wants answers www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Outbreak infects 84 at King Campus eye clinic — patient wants answers
Patient wants answers on how pink eye spread
010
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Concerns about Hamilton doctor flagged to regulator before patient death www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Concerns about Hamilton doctor flagged to regulator before patient death
Neurosurgeon had a string of issues with his licence in Ontario and the United States
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Hamilton youth mental-health clinic lost most therapists — and kids felt the impact www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Hamilton youth mental-health clinic lost most therapists — and kids felt the impact
City says changes shortened wait times and helped more children, but former staff say the overhaul at Hamilton’s Child and Adolescent Services disrupted care for vulnerable youth
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Postpartum blind spot: Why Ontario is missing half of all severe pregnancy complications www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Postpartum blind spot: Why Ontario is missing half of all severe pregnancy complications
Hamilton research finds glaring gaps in pre and postpartum care
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Such an inspiring story: Six Nations man becomes Canada’s first doctor of public health www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Six Nations man becomes Canada’s first doctor of public health
Canada’s first doctor of public health brings Indigenous people to the “front of the line.”
021
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
New NICU beds scrapped, jobs cut at St. Joseph’s Healthcare www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
New NICU beds scrapped, jobs cut at St. Joseph’s Healthcare
Expansion meant to boost newborn care to 21 beds dropped as hospital moves ahead with staff cuts
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Hamilton among worst hit by ‘catastrophic’ home-care supply shortages www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Hamilton among worst hit by ‘catastrophic’ home-care supply shortages
During the home-care crisis, Hamilton, Haldimand, Niagara and Brant were among the communities with the most complaints and calls for help, found Ontario’s patient ombudsman
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Seven years of silence ended with the words, ‘thank God.’ How a surgeon gave a Hamilton dad his voice back www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Seven years of silence ended with the words, ‘thank God.’ How a surgeon gave a Hamilton dad his voice back
Seven years of silence ended with the words, ‘thank God.’
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
How will Hamilton find $365 million to renovate Juravinski Hospital? Questions remain about whether the rebuild will go ahead in 2028 without cash from the city. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
How will Hamilton find $365 million to renovate Juravinski Hospital?
Questions remain about whether the rebuild will go ahead in 2028 without cash from the City of Hamilton.
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
How simple blood tests could transform cancer treatment www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
How simple blood tests could transform cancer treatment
McMaster University looks to get ahead of the curve on “liquid biopsies.”
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
More patients to get family doctors in Glanbrook, Binbrook www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
More patients to get family doctors in Glanbrook, Binbrook
Hamilton Family Health Team to expand primary care with $834,200 from the provincial government
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
Life-transforming hemophilia treatment tested on Hamilton patients www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Life-transforming hemophilia treatment tested on Hamilton patients
McMaster University researchers help show it’s safe to switch from emicizumab.
010
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
‘Credit card companies don’t wait’: Province takes weeks to pay back $7,000 to single mom www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
‘Credit card companies don’t wait’: Province takes weeks to pay back $7,000 to single mom
Special Services at Home is supposed to help families with disabled kids but backlogs have caused stress instead
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
‘Recipe for disaster’: Speedy e-scooters send kids to McMaster’s ER www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
‘Recipe for disaster’: Speedy e-scooters send kids to McMaster’s ER
Electric-powered rides might be the ‘cool toy,’ but a Hamilton doctor warns of the danger
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Should city buses be free during heat waves? Advocates urge Hamilton to make bus fares optional during heat warnings. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Should city buses be free during heat waves?
Should city buses be free during heat waves?
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Faster, busier, better: How Hamilton’s ambulance crisis turned around www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Faster, busier, better: How Hamilton’s ambulance crisis turned around
As Michael Sanderson retires he’s leaving the Hamilton Paramedic Service in drastically different shape than when he started as chief
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Is it safe for paramedics to treat patients instead of taking them to hospital? As ER visits rise, Hamilton researchers examine how paramedics can ease the pressure. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Is it safe for paramedics to treat patients instead of taking them to hospital?
As emergency department visits rise, McMaster University researchers examine how paramedics can ease the pressure.
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Dark skin was part of his identity until a medical condition stole it away. McMaster medical student felt isolated and misunderstood, so he created Canada’s first support group for vitiligo. #HamOnt www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Dark skin was part of his identity until a medical condition stole it away
McMaster University medical student felt isolated and misunderstood, so he created Canada’s first support group for vitiligo
200
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Not feeling well? Read this before you Google your symptoms www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Not feeling well? Read this before you Google your symptoms
Doctors speak out about alarming rise in DIY medicine
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Hamilton says sewage surveillance to detect disease is too costly www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Hamilton says sewage surveillance to detect disease is too costly
Price tag too high to bring back the monitoring tool started during the COVID-19 pandemic
101
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Nine months after the fire, a new Wentworth Sports emerges Pickleball courts, basketball courts, batting cages and two indoor soccer fields are now at Hamilton sports facility. But no ice. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Nine months after the fire, a new Wentworth Sports emerges
Pickleball courts, basketball courts, batting cages and two indoor soccer fields are now there. But no ice.
010
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
‘Historic moment’: Hamilton reforms public health decision-making www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
‘Historic moment’: Hamilton reforms public health decision-making
Adding members of the community to board of health called momentous occasion
001
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
‘More upset about the prospect of losing my hair than I was of dying’: Treatment to avoid hair loss during chemotherapy not offered in Hamilton www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
‘More upset about the prospect of losing my hair than I was of dying’: Treatment to avoid hair loss during chemotherapy not offered in Hamilton
Adina Isenberg said Paxman Scalp Cooling System to prevent hair loss made all the difference when she was being treated for breast cancer.
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
St. Joseph's Healthcare told to bring back library staff. Hamilton has far fewer workers for the vital service than Toronto and London. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
St. Joe’s told to bring back library staff
Hamilton has far fewer health library staff than Toronto and London
010
Reposted by Joanna Frketich
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
While touring a therapy farm, I got a call that left me reeling This was supposed to be a story about how a new care farm in Brant will help others, instead it gave me solace as I grappled with a profound loss. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
While touring a therapy farm, I got a call that left me reeling
This was supposed to be a story about how a care farm in Brant will help others, instead it gave me solace as I grappled with a profound loss
011
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
This area in Hamilton has Ontario’s worst rate of men dying too young. Disparities tied to income in national report calling for ‘urgent attention’ to men’s health www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
This area in Hamilton has Ontario’s worst rate of men dying too young
Disparities tied to income in report by Movember Institute of Men’s Health that calls for “urgent attention” to men’s health
012
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
While touring a therapy farm, I got a call that left me reeling This was supposed to be a story about how a new care farm in Brant will help others, instead it gave me solace as I grappled with a profound loss. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
While touring a therapy farm, I got a call that left me reeling
This was supposed to be a story about how a care farm in Brant will help others, instead it gave me solace as I grappled with a profound loss
011
Reposted by Joanna Frketich
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
How to stop measles spread? Follow the work of a Hamilton researcher. Dr. Mark Loeb is getting a lifetime achievement award for showing how to stop the spread of infections against the backdrop of a measles outbreak. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
How to stop measles spread? Follow the work of a Hamilton researcher
Dr. Mark Loeb is getting a lifetime achievement award for showing how to stop the spread of infections against the backdrop of a measles outbreak
013
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Hamilton pain clinic closed after neurosurgeon’s licence suspended www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Hamilton pain clinic closed after neurosurgeon’s licence suspended
Dr. Stefan Joseph Konasiewicz has had issues with his licence before in Ontario and three American states.
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
McMaster researchers aim to determine how different experiences influence disease in aging. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
How aging is linked to life circumstances
McMaster University researchers aim to determine how different experiences influence disease in aging
020
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
How to stop measles spread? Follow the work of a Hamilton researcher. Dr. Mark Loeb is getting a lifetime achievement award for showing how to stop the spread of infections against the backdrop of a measles outbreak. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
How to stop measles spread? Follow the work of a Hamilton researcher
Dr. Mark Loeb is getting a lifetime achievement award for showing how to stop the spread of infections against the backdrop of a measles outbreak
013
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
He ran marathons and hiked Everest. But after being ravaged by long COVID, this Hamilton man can’t work — he can barely leave home Former teacher, sick for five years, fights to be taken seriously as pandemic fades into background. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
He ran marathons and hiked Everest. But after being ravaged by long COVID, this Hamilton man can’t work — he can barely leave home
Former teacher, sick for five years, fights to be taken seriously as pandemic fades into background.
060
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Why are 16,000 fewer kids going to Hamilton’s libraries? HPL ups free programs and plans to move the children’s section at Central Library to turn around a citywide decline. #HamOnt www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Why are 16,000 fewer kids going to Hamilton’s libraries?
HPL ups free programs and plans to move the children’s section at Central Library to turn around a citywide decline.
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Private staffing contracts have become embedded in Canada’s health care system. Yet, there is little transparency or oversight around these contracts. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Contract crisis: Temp workers cost nearly seven times more than Hamilton hospital staff for vital roles
Contracts obtained through an FOI request show HHS and St. Joseph’s turned to pricey private agencies amid an unprecedented staffing shortage.
012
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
What you need to know about Hamilton’s new alcohol policy Tailgate parties would be banned on municipal property under changes that will be voted on by city councillors www.thespec.com/news/council...
thespec.com
What you need to know about Hamilton’s new alcohol policy
Tailgate parties would be banned under changes to the Municipal Alcohol Policy that will be voted on by city councillors
000
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Fixing Hamilton’s widening health gap by finding out who is being left behind www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Fixing Hamilton’s widening health gap by finding out who is being left behind
Hamilton public health reports will soon provide sociodemographic data — or a plan to collect it.
100
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Guide to navigating long COVID created by Hamilton-led team. More funding needed to keep recommendations up-to-date. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Guide to navigating long COVID created by Hamilton-led team
More funding needed to keep the Canadian Guidelines for Post COVID-19 Condition up-to-date
23815
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Hamilton to combat disinformation threatening public health Call to action comes as measles is spreading in Ontario and thousands of Hamilton school kids were suspended for incomplete vaccine records. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Hamilton to combat disinformation threatening public health
Call to action comes as measles is spreading in Ontario and thousands of Hamilton school kids were suspended for incomplete vaccine records.
011
Reposted by Joanna Frketich
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Hamilton nurses are logging excessive overtime. Advocates say it’s ‘unreasonable,’ ‘unsustainable’ and ‘dangerous’ for patients and workers Data obtained by The Spectator raises questions about why there are no limits on the number of hours worked by nurses. #HamOnt www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Hamilton nurses are logging excessive overtime. Advocates say it’s ‘unreasonable,’ ‘unsustainable’ and ‘dangerous’ for patients and workers
Freedom of information data obtained by The Spectator raises questions about why there are no limits on the number of overtime hours nurses work.
033
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Hamilton nurses are logging excessive overtime. Advocates say it’s ‘unreasonable,’ ‘unsustainable’ and ‘dangerous’ for patients and workers Data obtained by The Spectator raises questions about why there are no limits on the number of hours worked by nurses. #HamOnt www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Hamilton nurses are logging excessive overtime. Advocates say it’s ‘unreasonable,’ ‘unsustainable’ and ‘dangerous’ for patients and workers
Freedom of information data obtained by The Spectator raises questions about why there are no limits on the number of overtime hours nurses work.
033
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Majority of Ontario hospitals projected a deficit for fiscal year that ended March 31. It is the fourth year in a row Hamilton Health Sciences projected a shortfall. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Hamilton hospitals relying on lines of credit amid budget crisis
Hamilton Health Sciences has a deficit for the fourth year in a row.
010
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Private clinic Grifols Hamilton paying up to $100 for plasma donations in lower-income area www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Private clinic Grifols Hamilton paying up to $100 for plasma donations in lower-income area
About 300 donations have been made since plasma collection centre opened in lower-income area of Hamilton.
010
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
‘We constantly need new drugs’: Discovery in Hamilton backyard could lead to new antibiotics www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
‘We constantly need new drugs’: Discovery in Hamilton backyard could lead to new antibiotics
With nothing left to treat some drug-resistant infections, first new class of antibiotics in 30 years could be a lifesaver
000
Reposted by Joanna Frketich
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
A father’s nightmare: Brantford dad haunted by son’s overdose death For years, Paolo Dinola tried to save his son from the throes of addiction and mental illness. What can a ‘broken’ system learn from the case of Aaron Dinola? www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
A father’s nightmare: Brantford dad haunted by son’s overdose death
Paolo Dinola tried to save his son from opioid addiction and mental illness. What can a ‘broken’ system learn from the case of Aaron Dinola?
012
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
The health gap is growing in Hamilton. What is public health doing to fix it? www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
The health gap is growing in Hamilton. What is public health doing to fix it?
Hamilton Public Health Services report revealed a vast divide in health outcomes based on income, education, housing and race.
001
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
A father’s nightmare: Brantford dad haunted by son’s overdose death For years, Paolo Dinola tried to save his son from the throes of addiction and mental illness. What can a ‘broken’ system learn from the case of Aaron Dinola? www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
A father’s nightmare: Brantford dad haunted by son’s overdose death
Paolo Dinola tried to save his son from opioid addiction and mental illness. What can a ‘broken’ system learn from the case of Aaron Dinola?
012
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
A centre that will pay donors up to $100 for plasma is getting ready to open in a lower-income area of Hamilton despite city councillors’ opposition to it. www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...
thespec.com
Council declared Hamilton a ‘paid-plasma-free zone.’ A for-profit blood donation clinic is opening anyway
Canadian Blood Services going ahead despite councillors declaring Hamilton a “paid-plasma-free zone.”
003
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Thanks to TVO’s The Agenda for inviting me to join a great discussion on Hallway Medicine. Lots to think about here before going to the ballot box. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgqf...
youtube.com
Do Voters Still Care About Hallway Medicine? | The Agenda
YouTube video by TVO Today
010
Joanna Frketich @jofrketich.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
‘Demand action:’ Nurses, hospital workers ask voters to make health-care ‘crisis’ top of mind at the ballot box. A look at the health issues to consider while voting in the Ontario election. www.thespec.com/politics/pro...
thespec.com
‘Demand action:’ Nurses, hospital workers ask voters to make health-care ‘crisis’ a ballot box issue
‘Demand action’: Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario urges voters to make health a top election issue to fix system ‘at a breaking point.’
031