Gilda Grossman initiated an extremely unique program, caring for patients coping with chronic kidney disease at Humber River Regional Hospital. The weekly program, which ran for over 8 years, included patients treated with various forms of dialysis and those who have received a kidney transplant. She was highly regarded by patients as a very experienced and empathetic professional. She consistently demonstrated a sensitive, resourceful and compassionate approach which was greatly appreciated by them. Over the years she helped many of the patients cope with emotional turmoil, distressing personal situations in an empathetic and positive manner.
Gavril Hercz MD
Nephrologist, Humber River Regional Hospital
Associate Professor of Medicine,
University of Toronto
About A Helping Hand
A Helping Hand was established to support the existing efforts of families and friends in their care of a loved one, friend and neighbour.
A Helping Hand is dedicated to maintaining the dignity, independence and quality of life of our clients. As a specialized team of professionals we make a commitment that the same staff member will be present for each home, hospital and healthcare visit. Our goal is to build trust and confidence. We work very carefully to make certain that the right staff person is there. Every one of our clients is unique and we select our highly trained professionals to match our clients’ needs and preferences when we carry out our work.
Mindful of our fast-paced life-style where work, family and personal obligations place increasing demands on all of us, A Helping Hand will complement whatever is being done for an individual through professionally informed home, hospital and healthcare visits.
Our highly trained professionals are carefully selected to provide reliable, personalized care that you can use with complete confidence.
About The Founder and Director
Gilda Grossman, Founder/Director of A Helping Hand, is a registered member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers and the Ontario College of Social Workers. She is the former Executive Director of the Toronto Art Therapy Institute, a private, post-secondary training facility for health professionals.
For many years she supervised Art Therapy and Creativity Programs at the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care and Toronto Long-Term Care Homes and Services. She has facilitated groups at the Nancy and Gerry Pencer Brain Tumor Centre, Princess Margaret Hospital; the Palliative Care Unit, Princess Margaret Hospital; various locations of the Wellspring Cancer Centre and the Dialysis Program at Humber River Regional Hospital (Keele & Church Street sites)
Her private practice includes children, adolescents and adults. She is committed to enhancing quality of life for adults & seniors through creativity workshops.
She received a Master’s degree in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo Ontario. She has a Certificate in Diabetes Education from the Michener Institute.
Gilda Grossman has taught at the University of Toronto, York University, State University College at Buffalo, New York and Brock University, St. Catherines, Ontario.
She is the Past President of the Canadian Art Therapy Association, the Past President of the Ontario Art Therapy Association and the Past Editor of the Journal of the Canadian Art Therapy Association.
In 1998 the Robert Pope Foundation gave Gilda its annual award for her work in the community.
As a member of Ontario College of Professional Social Workers, Gilda Grossman follows the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice in her work.