Barbie has proven to be THE biggest debut ever for a film directed by a woman after earning a reported $162 million during its opening weekend! Wow.
I had been waiting and waiting to see this movie with my three teenage girls! Of course we dressed up, just like the rest of the moviegoers, fully embracing and creating an immersive experience earlier this week. And it did NOT disappoint. If you havenât gone, go.
Even if you donât like pink!
I wore my new formation scrubs in Pulse Pink - which ironically are being released now, at the same time as Barbie!
Here I am with my girls going into the movie:
Pink is a colour that many people have struggled with for a long time. When I was little, it was known that âpink is for girls, blue is for boysâ - so I avoided pink, even though I kind of liked the colour. I was known as a âTom Boyâ, so I was not about to be pigeon-holed as another girl-who-likes-pink!
Now, I actually love the colour pink and what it means to me and those around me. To me, pink represents unconditional love, which is something that those in health care understand deeply.
Itâs unapologetic, it doesnât waver, and it boldly stands for what and whom we believe in.
Pulse Pink is here to embody that.
Pink now also represents strength, which has been a slow shift over the years. In a way, this also reflects some progress for women as well, as pink is traditionally âgirlyâ.
For those who arenât aware, Iâm a physician, but also an artist. I try to sew in my studio as often as I can. I created this âminiâ quilt for a call for entries. (I normally create 8 ft x 8 ft abstract modern quilt pieces). It still speaks to me, and how the world perceives women.
My quilt was chosen to be featured in the publication, here was my artistâs statement:
In Charge Quilt
Which do you want to be seen as?
In Charge, or, you Charge In.
There is a subtle difference, I feel, especially for women, which is why I chose these colours.
Pink for the traditional female, and orange is often seen as a colour of stepping into and owning our vulnerabilities and in doing so healing.
Times have certainly changed since my training days when Iâd be one of three women at a cardiovascular surgery conference of hundreds.
I left âChargeâ unquilted as it is imperfect. I feel we are all trying to figure this out - maybe you already have - but for myself, every day I am striving to be #incharge đ
As you step into your Pulse Pink scrubs, remember that you are not just wearing a colour; you are embodying the spirit of empowerment, love, and authenticity. And, you are In Charge.
When Greta Gerwig was asked by People Magazine how she dealt with right-wing conservatives who expressed their disapproval for the film by declaring it âwokeâ and threatening to burn their Barbies, she said, âCertainly, thereâs a lot of passion. My hope for the movie is that itâs an invitation for everybody to be part of the party and let go of the things that arenât necessarily serving us as either women or men. I hope that in all of that passion, if they see it or engage with it, it can give them some of the relief that it gave other people.â
Pulse Pink is a limited edition colour - when the fabric is gone, we are not restocking. We have left some fabric out of production so you can still get a Bespoke form. We are gender inclusive, honour all forms, and 1% of proceeds support healthcare workers' mental health. You can find your form in our new fitting room on the site, and as always, reach out to me if you need any help or have questions at hello@myformation.ca.
Iâd also love to hear what you thought of the movie and see photos of you in Pulse!
We Got This,
Dr. Kathryn Dundas M.D., C.C.F.P.
We believe in the power of collective action, which is why we created the Pay It Forward program. Â
The program allows individuals, businesses, or organizations to give the gift of the scrubs, without needing to purchase a pair. Through community donations, this program facilitates the purchase of a pair of scrubs for a health care worker through anonymous donations.Â
Just like finding out at the drive-through window that the kind soul ahead of you has bought your meal, a health care worker will be surprised at the checkout on our website with a message that lets them know someone has already paid for their set of scrubs.
Our hope is that this kind gesture by community members and customers will bring a smile and moment of joy to our health care workers who have been working tirelessly on the frontlines.Â
Recognizing your commitment to supporting formationâs community of health care workers, and all that they do to keep us safe and healthy, is important to us. Without the generous contribution from sponsors like you, our Pay It Forward program would not be possible.
Have a healthy and happy holiday!
We got this,
- the formation team
]]>Healthcare does not rest during the holiday season, and as you know, work often gets busier. On top of an overloaded work schedule and increased personal commitments, weâre entering into the time of year that has shorter, darker, colder days. Now more than ever, itâs essential to take care of your mental and physical health.
These five tips can help you to manage stress during the next few weeks, and make the most of the holiday season:
       1) Plan What You Can
While planning ahead is always a good idea, itâs important to remember that there are some things that are out of your control. Planning ahead can help you visualize your work shifts, holiday activities, and obligations youâve committed. Itâs okay to say no when you feel overwhelmed or overburdened, keep a calendar to help you decide which ones you will truly enjoy.
       2) Be Realistic
As we enter into the season of giving, remember that you give every day in your job - your time, your care, and your patience. While giving in and outside of work can help you feel happiness, it can also lead to burnout. It's important to know your limits. Keeping a realistic approach to the season and what you can take on both personally and professionally can help you manage expectations for the winter months.
       3) Make a List (& Check it Twice)
With so much going on, the last thing you want to do is lose track of time and feel overwhelmed with everything you need to accomplish. Instead of trying to remember everything you need to do, make a list (or two) and check off each task as you complete it. Making a list of professional and personal to-dos, ideas for holiday shopping, or writing down goals for the month will help you keep on top of everything.
       4) Savour the Season
With so much going on, remember to take a step back away from it all and enjoy the charm of the season. Throw on a Christmas playlist, make a cup of hot chocolate, and take a walk around your neighbourhood to look at the lights.Â
       5) Remember to Rest
The holiday season brings more stress, more work and more travel, which typically means less rest. On top of taking on extra personal obligations, itâs also the peak of cold and flu season, so its extra important to rest and take extra measures to stay healthy. Keeping active, staying hydrated, and getting enough rest will be essential for keeping your mental health and immune system strong.
Remember you are never alone, ask for help and support when you need it, and recognize the signs of burnout. Our library has multiple resources to support your mental and emotional wellness.Â
Give yourself the gift of mental and physical health this holiday season. Weâre in this together!
We got this,
- the formation team
]]>Assuming this role in one of the of the most challenging times in recent history, Dr. Lafontaine is committed to transforming the current state of the Canadian medical system.
Since taking over as head of the CMA in August, Dr. Lafontaine has been speaking to health ministers, elected officials and medical professionals about his and the CMAâs vision for change â primarily, that Canadian leaders would focus less on reducing upfront health costs and more on patient outcomes and how best to achieve them, such as by investing in family-care providers.
One of the main things Dr. Lafontaine has pushed for is a national licensure for physicians, which would allow Canadian physicians to easily work anywhere in the country and immediately address current shortages. Many Canadians today are struggling to find a family doctor, and emergency departments are often short-staffed and over capacity, if theyâre open at all.
Dr. Lafontaine is equally as passionate about the human resources shortage thatâs causing strain at institutions across the country. Instead of addressing the issue, Dr. Lafontaine explained that hospitals have allowed health professionals to cover the shortfall by working too many shifts, beyond the point of exhaustion, creating potentially unsafe conditions. Â
âNow the system is breaking because people have gotten to the point where theyâre saying âIâm just going to walk away.ââ he says. âI donât believe Canadians realize just how close to the precipice we are, physician advocacy has never been more important.â.
However, Dr. Lafontaine has a plan to change Canadaâs âfacelessâ health-care system and put us on a better path forward. To start, his goal is to break down the silos between provinces and territories, to share information, people and resources in a more collaborative way. Next, he wants to move toward true team-based care.
âPhysicians have a role, nurses have a role, pharmacists and other members of the health-care team have a role. And itâs respecting that weâre all trained differently and we all do different things well.â explained Dr. Lafontaine.
We have a long way to go, but there are advocates working hard for us to get there.
Weâre better together.
 We got this,
- the formation team
]]>A Note from Dr. Kathryn Dundas
I donât remember where this saying originated from, other than that I had a notepad when I was in elementary school that my mom gave me (or maybe I took it off her desk đ¤ˇđźââď¸đ¤) that had this cartoon by Sandra Boynton on it:Â
Even at 10 years old I took this to heart - and apparently, I needed to, otherwise why would I have snagged it off momâs desk? đ¤ˇđźââď¸
Which brings me to this. We are all currently surrounded by A LOT of turkeys. Some we didnât realize were turkeys until COVID hit. That goes for us as healthcare workers, but includes everyone and anyone who interacts with others - humans can be turkeys.
So, what do I do to not let these turkeys get me down? Well, you might laugh - my tricks are not for everyone, but I actually found fun in finding my âtricksâ.
Waking up early. During COVID I started waking up 30 minutes earlier, even though I was working longer and harder hours, to READ in solitude. And by read, I mean anything not related to work. Iâve found my love of books again, and look forward to having a moment of peace and quiet with my coffee. And no, I am not a morning person, so it was difficult to start. But once I got going, I was hooked.
My most recent trick is, wait for itâŚ..
The rebounder. I take 5 minutes of my day to jump on the rebounder I keep under the stairs, and look like a complete goof ball doing it (and yes, in my scrubs!). I do scissor kicks, twists, jumping jacks, and sometimes the cat tries to join me! All in all, itâs 5 minutes of movement and hilarity, I always end up laughing at some point.
Working on brain games before bed. During COVID, learning about the neurotrophic effects of the virus, plus turning 50 and knowing the increased risk of females for Alzheimerâs, I decided that this was something I needed to do before bed. Some people will gasp that I take my phone to bed, and gasp that I have blue light going - however, I look at it as benefit vs harm. This helps me get my brain âoff-lineâ. It enables my mind to hop off the hamster wheel (created by the turkeys of the day!) and get into the zone. I personally love the app PEAK, and will do the daily workout. It takes about 10 minutes, and sometimes if I need a little extra, Iâll play a solitaire game for speed (yes on my phone). I find that I fall asleep right away, as Iâve derailed any Turkey Effect, and that is worth it for me.
Art. I have an art practice that is my form of meditation. It allows me to reconnect with myself and slow down, my version of self-care and expression. Itâs also a great way for me to process my days - it works like a meditation for me. If you arenât artistic, maybe just have fun and see what you can do? So many things are offered virtually now for instruction.Â
Walking. This is a big one for me now. Something low intensity. Iâve given up doing boxing or HITT workouts. Maybe one day Iâll return to it, but right now, my body needs gentleness. It doesnât need me cranking it up - Iâm already cranked. Low-intensity movement helps me to relieve stress from the day, connect with nature, and is made even better when itâs a âwalk and talkâ with a non-Turkey. I encourage you to take some time for something low intensity and add in a little walking, yoga, or meditation if for you hard intense exercise helps keep you sane!
For those of us in healthcare I focus on these things while working:
At the clinic: Showing appreciation and gratitude in any way I can. Sharing little things like bringing in coffee, sharing funny videos or GIFS (like the above Rebounder) to lighten the mood, or bringing a bit of hilarity into an environment that is so the opposite. Perhaps a video of me on my rebounder would be even betterâŚ
With patients: After difficult patients, it can be nice to have a team huddle to keep everyone on track and confirm that we do have value. We stand and we support each other, as those turkeys can be heavy after a while. We try to ensure we have each other's back and do a regroup when needed, a call out of either âWhat can I do to help you?â or âHey, we have to turn our energy aroundâ as it starts to get contagious. If we are able to help each other and pull each other up vs push each other down, that is something. Even more so, noticing when one of us is being pushed down and reaching to pull them up. If we donât have the energy to as weâve been doing it for far too long, thatâs ok too - but voice it. Speak up so someone will hear you, and you may be surprised who will reach out and help pull you up.Â
Remember, not everyone is a turkey.
We Got This,
Dr. Kathryn Dundas + The Formation Team
 âWhat weâre really seeing is just the entire system is under incredible strain. And the result of that is Canadians really struggling to get the care they need in a timely way.â
Across Canada, health-care systems are facing overwhelming pressures as a result of what is being called a âperfect stormâ.Â
In addition to ongoing issues with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in health services over the last two-and-a-half years, many health workers are now reducing their hours, retiring early, leaving the public system for private clinics, or simply resigning from their jobs. Health systems across Canada are now seeing an unprecedented shortage of health-care practitioners, causing an even bigger strain to an overwhelmed system.
Emergency departments, in particular, are bearing the brunt of the many issues plaguing Canadaâs depleted health system, with many ERs across Canada having to close intermittently or reduce health services in recent months.Â
Provincial and territorial premiers have been collectively calling on Ottawa to increase the amount of funding the federal government sends in yearly health transfers, but to no avail.
With no obvious end in sight, itâs time for the provincial governments across Canada to take action and prioritize our healthcare professionals, one the most important pillars of our country.
Weâre here for you. Weâll get through this.
We got this,
- the formation team
]]>The âRâ word - R for resiliency.
We are asked to learn to be more resilient. That we just need to give more, bend more, adapt to our surroundings, our systems and policies.Â
We are OVERbent. As is our nature, we give and give and our training, our being, one who is drawn to a life of service in healthcare, already practices resiliency.
When I hear that word - it implies that I am not giving enough, my colleagues are not giving enough. That there is a flaw in us, that we need to do better, be better.
No. Hold up. Letâs recognize that the flaw is in the system. The healthcare system - globally - needs to shift. We need to start recognizing the humanness of HCWs and the inhumane way they are being treated - by administrators, governments, and unfortunately sometimes, patients.
Through COVID-19 I lost many of my staff. Many could not continue facing what other sectors would classify as abuse.
Death threats - yes Iâve had death threats as have an unbelievable amount of my colleagues.
This needs to stop. We canât do it alone. We cannot change the system alone. We need to start together, in formation, and make our limits and boundaries clear. We need to support one another in doing so, so that the system can no longer âdivide and conquerâ.
We need our communities to stand with us and speak out/up for us - we often cannot speak up for ourselves for fear of losing our jobs.
Letâs support one another, stand up together and encourage our patients and our communities to speak up for us as well. We need to be heard and be listened to, not learn to be more resilient. We already are resilient to do what we do and to have come this far.
So instead of resiliency letâs start using the âSâ words:
Speak Up.
Stand Up
Support each other.
When we canât speak up, we need to educate those around us on what the issues in healthcare are so that they can speak up for us. We need to shift the culture of medicine, not continue to support it by learning to be âmoreâ of ANYTHING.Â
We are enough.
We are formation.
Our name formation demonstrates that a shift is needed. Letâs do this together.Â
As always, I love to hear from our community. If you have thoughts, comments, or a story you feel should be heard, please reach out - anonymous or otherwise.
Â
Until my next progress note,Â
We got this.
Dr. K
]]>We have three unique scrub collections:
Our Base Collection is our most basic design (hence the name), but the style is far from basic. Focused on keeping things simple, weâve cut out the extra details and held true to the original scrub. Not a big fan of extra pockets? No problem! The Base Collection has you covered, while still keeping things functional and comfortably fitted as you move throughout your day. If you love the cut of our Core Collection, but donât want the added detail, our Base Collection is for you!
Our Core Collection feels like pulling on your favourite, familiar set of scrubs - but better. Designed with the same classic cut as the Base Collection, the Core Collection has extra details to complement your form. With a straight leg bottom and a looser fit v-neck top, formationâs Core Collection pieces provide a great, functional fit. Weâve kept this collection simple and classic, while still maintaining the everyday performance you need from your scrubs.
Our Stratus Collection designed with a more athletic cut for healthcare workers on the go! Created with a less traditional take on the medical scrub, additional details in the stitching and cuffs, give these scrubs a more modern feel and can easily take you to and from the job. Weâve added functionality by making room for 11 pockets, including a transformational, first of its kind, 4-in-1 convertible pocket and sleeve pocket - to give you even more nooks and crannies for the important tools you carry with you both on the day and night shift.
Want to see more? Shop our website to find which collection is right for you!
We got this,
- the formation team
]]>Our formation scrubs are now available in Periwinkle, a beautiful blue-violet colour perfect for brightening up your wardrobe!
Your scrubs should be as unique as you are, and we encourage you to wear your scrubs in the combinations that show your personal style. Mix and match your formation scrub colours, or show off a full periwinkle look.Â
We love adding colour options to the formation collection, all chosen and designed with you in mind.
Do you have a colour youâd like to see us add in the future? Or a photo of you rocking your formation scrubs? Share the love at hello@myformation.ca!
We got this,
- the formation team
]]>The full article is published here. If youâd like to be part of a formation community feature, please drop us a line at hello@myformatio.ca - extra bonus if you have pictures of you rocking your formation scrubs!
We got this,
- the formation team
]]>Our gender neutral scrubs are created around six different forms all inspired by our community and named for coordinating rock formations. Our website will help find the form thatâs right for your unique needs and makes you feel good and comfortable, both on and off the job.
Meet our forms:
wave form
Named for the wave rock formations found in Arizona, USA, our Wave form is created with the more curvy, bold, and shapely form in mind. The Wave form is roomier through the top and hips, but narrower through the waist. This Form is designed to hug every beautiful convex in just the right way, while still allowing room for comfort as our forms move in different ways throughout the day.
pillar form
Standing tall with a mid-sized base and top, this form is for those of us who need equal room in the hips and mid-section. This form works well for those of us who have a few more curves or rounded edges to our forms.
cliff formÂ
Like the flat-faced rock formation, our Cliff form is designed for a straight build. This form doesnât leave room for curves or shapes, and instead offers a vertical line from top to bottom. The Ciff form is for those who seek a more boxy cut and should be sized up or down depending on the desired fit.
butte form
Youâll find Buttes in the more arid regions of the world and you canât miss these bold, strong, impressive formations. The Butte form highlights the natural convex and curves of the body and leaves generous space for those who seek a looser fit. The Butte form is cut with a muscular and/or rounded form in mind.Â
arbol form
The Arbol form is shaped wider up top and narrower on the bottom. This Form is great for those of us who might need a little extra space in the shoulders and prefer a taper lower down.Â
bespoke form
Bespoke, meaning custom-made, is designed to fit the unique form. This form is for those who are looking to custom fit their scrubs to fit their individual shape.
The best part? You can mix and match your scrub top and bottoms to fit your unique form!Â
Weâre here to support you, on and off the job.
We got this,
- the formation team
]]>However, Canada and its medical system is not without its faults. As you know, the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have put a monumental strain on the healthcare community, from physicians to nurses and all in between.
One major healthcare topic on everyoneâs mind right now is abortion, after the announcement of Row vs. Wade being overturned in the United States. Prime Minister Tudeau stated that Canada will always stand up for a womenâs right to choose. Although abortion has been legal in Canada since 1969, those who live outside of Canadaâs urban centerâs face many barriers in accessing this time-senstive service.Â
There are significant disparities between rural and urban access to abortion. In some provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, abortion providers are only in urban centers, despite 35-40% of the population living in rural or remote communities. This means many women and non-binary individuals are forced to travel to access an abortion.
Traveling to another city for a procedure also means taking time off work, planning and paying for childcare, eldercare, and/or pet care, and buying food to bring on the trip. Many abortion providers require an escort, in which case, a family member or friend must also pay out-of-pocket to travel. Some people canât afford to pay for those expenses and many have to delay their procedure to raise the funds. Delaying an abortion can mean exceeding the gestational limit in your province, which then means having to travel even further.
Access to health services shouldnât depend on your postal code or income bracket!Â
If you or anyone you know needs help seeking an abortion, please contact the Action Canada access line here. The Access Line is a 7-day a week toll-free, confidential phone and text line for Canadians. It is available for questions about sexual health, pregnancy options, abortion, and safer sex. They provide information and make referrals to sexual health providers, so they are a great resource.
We got this,
- the formation team
]]>The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a considerable strain on the Canadian health care system, leading to longer patient wait times, increased staff shortages and a growing mental health crisis among front line workers.
According to Statistics Canada, the number of job vacancies among health care practitioners - primarily in hospitals -Â increased almost 92 per cent in the September to December 2021 period, compared to the same period pre-pandemic in 2019.
Weâve said it before and weâll say it again: our health care workers arenât alright.
Stress, grief, helplessness, - these are normal human responses to the health care crisis we are facing, including the global pandemic. To be a doctor is not synonymous with being unbreakable. Every person has their breaking point, and those limits are being tested in our health care community.
We need more support in our workplace, and more support for our mental health.
We are more than just a scrubs brand. We are grounded in our vision to support the mental health of our health care community through our library of resources and committing 1% of profits to support Healthcare Worker mental health and prevention of violence.
Letâs shift the culture of medicine so that healthcare workers are able to give themselves the same care and attention they give to others- they deserve it.
We got this,
- the formation team
]]>Available in all five forms, these tops have specially designed sleeves to allow you to style them to your liking - roll them, pull them or keep them down.
As with all of our scrubs, our Long Sleeve tops are made from formation's proprietary SilvaTec anti-wrinkle, water-repellant, 4-way stretch fabric, with SilvaDur antimicrobial, odour resistant technology. This technology adheres silver ions to fabric surfaces and activates them in the presence of odor-causing bacteria. In other words, you'll smell fresh and clean before, during, and after your shift!
This top is available in all five formation colours: Obsidian (Black), Nightfall (Blue), Glacier (Turquoise), Steel (Grey) and Metamorphic (Red).
Whether itâs a long day in the OR or a chilly overnight shift, our Long Sleeve Scrub Top will be there to carry you through.
Order your top in your favourite form and colour now on our website!
We got this,
- the formation team
]]>Offered to attendees both in person and virtually, the conference included onsite workshops & events led by prominent female physicians from all over the country.Â
As an event sponsor, the formation team arrived with an interactive exhibitor booth for attendees to visit, learn more about the brand, and have the opportunity to find their form. We brought countless scrub sizes, forms, and collections, as well as scrub caps and masks for attendees to view or purchase.
For interested members, the formation team was taking custom measurements and matching members to their perfect scrub form and size. Attendees could then use our custom change room to try on the scrubs, decide which style they prefer, and place orders to be delivered to their home.Â
We gained such valuable insight from the CWIM attendees, and were happy to help so many women find their form.
Our team had such a great time meeting so many of you, looking forward to 2023!
We got this,
- the formation team
]]>The pandemic has caused a mental health crisis among our healthcare workers. Something as small as a thank you from a community member can turn their days around - but they deserve so much more than that.
Enter formationâs pay it forward program.
Â
formationâs pay it forward program facilitates the purchase of a pair of scrubs for a healthcare worker. Just like finding out at the drive-through window that a kind person ahead of you has paid for your meal, a healthcare worker will be surprised when at the formation online checkout with a message that lets them know that someone has already paid for their set of scrubs.
Â
The program allows individuals, businesses, or organizations to gift scrubs without needing to purchase their own pair - though weâre confident that even non-healthcare workers will love the products! Orders are selected at random for the gifted scrubs. A customer can also decline the gifted scrubs, putting them back into the pool for someone else to receive. The cost of the scrubs are covered by generous sponsors and by collecting and pooling small donations from customers through our website at checkout.
Â
Our hope is that this kind gesture by community members and customers will bring a smile and moment of joy to our health care workers who have been working tirelessly on the frontlines.
Â
We encourage all customers to consider donating to the Pay it Forward Program to support our efforts to give back to our healthcare workers. If you are interested in becoming a Pay It Forward sponsor, or to learn more about how you can make a long-term community investment in our healthcare workers, please get in touch at hello@myformation.ca.
Â
In addition to formationâs Pay it Forward program, our website has a curated library of supportive resources that healthcare workers can access any time they need it. These resources include articles, videos and podcasts that give advice on topics such as burnout, wellness and more. Our library also has links to supportive programs for healthcare workers who need support.
Â
If you or anyone in the healthcare industry is struggling with their mental health, please visit our library to find resources that can help.
Â
We got this,
Â
- the formation team
]]>Coming SoonâŚâ°
Â
The formation team is thrilled to announce the launch of our brand NEW website that will be going live this June!
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Our new and improved website will now include customer reviews, a pay it forward function, and will allow customers who have already found their form to âshop their formâ and discover new colour combinations.
Â
In honour of our upcoming launch, we would like to reintroduce ourselves.
Â
Born during a global pandemic, started out of necessity and built around community, formation is a health care lifestyle brand created by Dr. Kathryn Dundas, a fourth generation Canadian physician. Driven to be a solution in a chaotic world, Dr. Dundas founded formation with the goal of providing supportive resources - including scrubs - for health care workers to power them through their day.
Â
In addition to helping our community find their form, the formation library provides a curated library of resources to support your mental and emotional wellness. This will be regularly updated with upcoming industry events, a collection of articles, videos, and books, as well as a list of available mental health resources. To further support our community, formation commits to donating 1% of all proceeds to mental health programs and prevention of violence initiatives for healthcare workers.
Â
We are proud to manufacture our products in a Canadian factory where workers are paid above a living wage and provided with medical and dental benefits. Our production process ensures weâre using as little waste as possible, including creating products out of fabric scraps.
Â
You might notice a few new products in the shop, including a newly designed Scrub Cap, Low Rise Scrub Pants, and Long Sleeve Scrub Top.
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Weâve been working hard behind the scenes to enhance our page, and we canât wait to share it with you!
Â
We got this,
Â
- the formation team
]]>We wanted to share more about what Jason does, what heâs passionate about, and how heâs been managing through the pandemic, so we sat down for a virtual interview with him:
formation: Why health care?
Jason: I had wanted to become a physician since the day my parents purchased me a Fisher Price medical doctor kit when I was about 3 or 4 years old. I started pre-med in university and realized that being a physician wasnât the best fit, but I still knew that healthcare was where I needed to land. I found that nursing was the route that allowed me to be in healthcare but provided more opportunities for different avenuesâdelivery of care, community, business of healthcare, and science of healthcare.Â
f: Feelings on COVID + the pandemic?
J: Our teamâs âa-ha momentâ happened during COVID where we realized that the care we provide at our clinic affected not just the external cosmetic of our patients, but also their mental health and spirituality. Our clients have a really great connection with our teamâthis kind of connection can sometimes be difficult to find in the public healthcare system.
When the pandemic hit, our clinics were able to be a safe space for so many of our patients to be able to come in and connect with our team. Where social distancing and isolation became the norm, we were sometimes the only other place patients would leave the security of their homes to receive âclose contactâ services. We helped people realize the connection that caring for themselves was a form of continuing positive health choices, so our mantra evolved into âself care is healthcareâ.
The good news is that we are almost out of the worst parts of this pandemic, but we all need to continue staying safe, strong, and healthy, and keep sick people out of the acute care system. Iâm so excited to see how many people are jumping to get their vaccines! Looking forward to a summer where I can see my friends and family and feel safe without the stress or pressure of exposing someone to the virus.Â
f: Letâs talk about mental health for health care workersâwhat can the community do to support?
J: The work we do as caregivers, in my opinion, is an exchange of energy. As caregivers, we put our patients first and we are the worst for taking the time to focus some of that energy we are so willing to give, on ourselves.
I believe that neither our team, nor myself can be fully engaged caregivers if we first donât take care of ourselves. We more often than not fail to recognize this and itâs always great to have others remind us in a caring and empathetic way.
For me personally last year, I had a few moments as a business owner and healthcare provider, where I felt helpless.Â
As someone who has battled depression and anxiety for several years now, this was really scary, and there were a few very close moments that I wanted to âcheck outâ of this world. I didnât want to show weakness or my own stress to those that were counting on me to be the strong one at home for my family and for the team at the clinic.
As a community, we all need to look out for one another. Donât be afraid to reach out to support someone and donât be afraid to ask for supportâbattling mental health struggles is a community effort, not just a personal one.
f: Initial feelings on formations scrubs?
J: I was thrilled to be a part of the initial photoshoot! I really loved the inscriptions that are tucked away inside the scrubs. The words of encouragement are really cool and motivating. There is actually a Japanese art/belief that if you place words of positivity or negativity on a bottle of water, the water will absorb the meaning (good or bad) of those words. Our body is essentially 70- 80% water, so reading the positive words as I change into formation scrubs sets me up for a positive day to deliver our form of careânot to mention they are super comfy!Â
We appreciate Jason taking time out of his busy schedule to chat with us and share his thoughts and experiences over the last year and a half. Oh! And for being one superb model!
If youâd like to connect with Jason you can reach him on Instagram at:
@GLOWMD_Jason
@GLOWMDclinics
@the_aesthetic_coachÂ
Or visit his business website at https://glowmdclinics.com/
We got this,
- the formation team
]]>For most health care workers, scrubs make up the majority of our workwear. For some who werenât wearing scrubs before the pandemic, you've now found yourselves wearing them all the time, and we've heard that you'll continue to wear them going forward. We often wear them for 10+ hours a day or a night, pushing the clothing to the limit as we respond to the demands of our roles. But up until very recently, scrubs were not designed for the modern health care workerâthey were designed for the âaverageâ manâs body.
Â
While we can trace scrubs roots back to the medieval times. The pandemic has actually shone a light on the historical plague âuniformsâ as photos of doctors in flu masks from 1918 circulate around social media.
As recently as a few years ago, health care workers were hard pressed to find scrubs that actually fit. The available scrubs were ill fitting, ran on the large side, and were about as fashionable or trendy as a trash bag. While at a basic level they were functional, the clothing did very little to inspire any sort of body confidence while being worn. Innovation in the scrub space was non-existent, despite advances in fabric technology over the past few years.Â
More recently companies have released products that are better suited for todayâs modern health care worker. But even as we have started to see trendier scrub designs, there still remains a large gap. This is where formation shines.
Our scrubs are being produced in gender neutral sizes and shapes. We recognize that there is a great diversity of body types, and every human deserves to feel confident and comfortable in the clothing they wear day and night. formation scrubs will be available in five different shapes - allowing you to mix and match which tops and bottoms to best suit your unique body.
Stayed tuned to upcoming communications where weâll dive into each fit & help you decide which products will meet your needs.
-The formation team
PS - Weâve had a slight delay with the timing of our pre-order as we (like many other companies!) navigate the ongoing supply chain issues as a result of the pandemic. Continue to keep an eye on our social media and emailsâwe promise an announcement is coming soon!
These were the three words I said to the surgeon when he told me all I had was hope, as they wheeled my two year old daughter into the operating room.
I was asking him what her odds were.Â
She was unconscious and going into organ failure with still no known diagnosis. As a physician, I knew the odds were not in her â our â favour. But as a mother when you hear, âall you have is hopeâ â you look the other doctor in the eye and say âwell we are lucky hope is powerfulâ.
And it is. I held onto that hope. I had friends hang onto that hope for me, us as well. It still gives me chills remembering that moment.
Picture of Charlotte at 2 years old - same day that she was raced to the Alberta Children's Hospital - diagnosed with HUS, rushed to the OR, and started on 24/7 dialysis as her organs completely shut down.
I was full of fear, donât get me wrong, but I choose to hold onto hope and let it give me strength. I was reading the book âThe Scalpel and the Soulâ at the time, and right before this happened, I was reading about the power of hope. The unexplainable medical outcomes we see.
I held onto that.
There is a lot we do not, and cannot, control in medicine, and I know that hope does not hurt.
The intentions we carry through our day, the energy we put out there as we see patients, has a ripple effect. We can hold ourselves up and help build others up with this.
As part of this belief, I wanted reminders for health care workers as they start their day that Hope is Powerful and We Got This.
Both mantras will be inside of our scrubs. Discrete, but a reminder when you put them on to start your day.
Because right now, who couldnât use a little hope?Â
We Got This.
And yes, I was lucky. My daughter survived. She learned to sit and walk again, and years later one would not know she had been so close. I have incredible doctors and nurses to thank and the power of hope.
- Dr. Kathryn Dundas, CEO & Founder
]]>The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the health care industry.Â
Weâve witnessed trauma and tragedy, glimmers of hope and joy, and when the time is right all of us will have stories to tell about the miracles we performed to save patientsâ lives.
The pandemic is going to leave a lasting impact on the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers worldwide. At formation, weâre more than just a scrubs company. Part of our mission is to provide resources and tools to our community that focus on improving mental wellbeing. Like a rock formation, we are stronger togetherâespecially when we support one another and are in turn supported by our communities.Â
Weâve compiled (and will continue to compile) mental health resources for our community. We encourage you to check out these events, articles, and videos, for helpful tools and resources to support your mental health:
Event: Understory - Aftermath
This is an âIâm done with the pandemicâ burnout course for women docs. One-month Mainpro+ CME accredited narrative medicine and life coaching course.
Next session begins May 31.
Event: Alberta Doctors - Now is the Time to Practice a Just Culture in Healthcare
The concept of a Just Culture in healthcare has been described for over 20 years, but still has not been implemented universally or consistently. The session will explore what a Just Culture is and what it looks like.Â
Session takes place May 17.
Video: Iâm Tired of the Pandemic
Short, yet very relatable video.
Article: Physicians and the Midlife Dip by Beverly Joyce, MDÂ
The midlife âslump,â âcrisis,â or âmalaiseâ phenomenon is actually something that has been studied and written about a lot in the last 40+ years. The article digs into how the midlife dip affects the medical industry.
When formationâs website launches soon, we will have an entire section dedicated to mental health resources available at no cost to our community. Until then, we encourage you to share this email, invite your colleagues, friends, and family to sign-up for our email list and connect with us if you have mental health resources, events, or CMEs, youâd like us to share.
Stay safe. Be well.
We got this.
- The formation team
]]>Â
Strong.
What do you see? What do you feel?
Sit with it for a minute. Or two.
I was recently presented the image above during a website build-out meeting.
When I first saw the image I thought:
âWow. Love that.â
But then immediately I was unsettled.
It didnât feel right.Â
Something was building in me.
âThe world needs us to be strong.â
That was it. That day, I was tired.
Tired of being strongâbeing strong for people who didnât seem to care. The patient I saw who had just returned from Mexico, but didnât mention that on their COVID screening form because the airport screening said they were fine. Mexico. Because that was essential?
Meanwhile I canât remember the last time I saw my 89 year old mother who lives only ten minutes away.
Here I amâhere WE areâputting our lives on pause while some days it feels as though a lot of the world is having a party. One that Iâm not invited to until someone contracts COVID and needs our help.
That was a bad day. Some days are like that and I find that I beat myself up because as a physician Iâm supposed to be non-judgemental, care for everyone, no questions asked. Butâand itâs a big butâit feels like a slap in the face when you go onto Facebook and see photos of âfriendsâ breaking COVID public health recommendations. I am rarely on social media now except for my doctor groups, where thankfully Iâve found community and strength because as a community of health care workers, we get it.
A lifelong friend texted me in November: âYou really think COVID is that bad?â
Yes, yes I do. Another friend bites the dust... This has also been a casualty of COVIDâmy friendship list is dwindling.
Fast forward to the first ever Canadian Womenâs Physician Day hosted by the Canadian Women in Medicine organization.
An amazing virtual event with tributes to our women public health colleagues. We had lots of tears. But we came together as a community. Together, we are strong. And yes we need to be strong for each other.
The next day I felt renewed.
I looked at the above picture again and I said, âYes.â Yes we do and yes we can, together.
So I now see this as my barometer. How am I feeling today? Was there an overriding feeling of entitlement from others today, or people showing support?
I have some amazing patientsâone even had coffee delivered to all staff during the height of the early pandemic days. Iâve had people drop notes of cheering us on, thanking us. This is important as we know the negative reviews and critical patients seem to be the squeakiest.Â
We are changing that with formation. For me, and I hope for you too, formation is a beacon of hope. We are building this community to help support each other because We Got This.Â
Like a rock formation, we are stronger together.
Â
- Kathryn
 Founder & CEO
 formation