The Manitoba government is investing roughly $45.7 million to expand and renovate the Selkirk Regional Health Centre, and three construction projects are currently underway at the facility to significantly expand acute care inpatient capacity and its surgical program, Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced today.

Read more.

On April 25, Dr. Habtu Demsas and Dr. Richard Roland Lindenschmidt were presented with the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority’s Physician Emeritus Award for exemplary service and expertise to their community.

Granted by physician colleagues who make up the regional Medical Advisory Committee, this award recognizes physicians who are retired or have reduced their practice in preparation for retirement and who demonstrate exemplary skills as recognized by their colleagues, community recognition and exemplification of the Interlake-Eastern RHA values: always with compassion, success in collaboration, accountability in everything we do, acting with integrity and respectful of each other.

Dr. Demsas has practised for almost 45 years. Originally from Eritrea, he is fluent in multiple languages and has a special interest in orthopedics. Nominated by physician colleagues, Dr. Demsas has served the community in Selkirk for 35 years and was instrumental in starting the cancer outreach program 30 years ago. In 2009 he was awarded the Jack Armstrong Humanitarian award by Doctors Manitoba for outstanding contributions in the service of humanity.

“I thank my colleagues at Selkirk Medical Centre, the hospital and the personal care homes for thinking of me. This is really huge for me, my family and my wife too as they have supported me throughout my work,” says Dr. Demsas. “Working in this area has been wonderful. I have been able to teach students, residents, all while serving the community and living and working rurally but close to the city centre.”

Dr. Demsas plans to retire in October.

Dr. Lindenschmidt has been practising in the community for more than 40 years. His colleagues who nominated him pointed out how dependable he is and his exemplary bedside manner and commitment to his patients.

“I feel really honoured that my colleagues thought of me. I think that was really thoughtful of them to nominate me for this award,” says Dr. Lindenschmidt. “The best part of serving Selkirk and surrounding areas has been that I’ve been able to help people and their families, and also getting to know people in the community has been definitely a benefit to living and working here.”

Dr. Lindenschmidt retired last week.

This award is the first in the Interlake-Eastern RHA and was presented to the doctors in front of 45 colleagues and their spouses at the Spring Physician Dinner on April 25 — the first dinner held since 2019.

National Immunization Awareness Week is an annual event held in the last week of April to highlight and recognize the importance of immunization. This year’s theme is “Let’s catch up with confidence” referring to catching up with loved ones after a prolonged pandemic, knowing they are safe and protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

“The past few years have been focused on protecting ourselves and others. COVID-19 saw us pull back from the activities and the people we love. It also saw some of us missing out on routine immunizations,” says Wendy Fontaine, immunization coordinator and public health nurse with Interlake-Eastern RHA.

Fontaine says that regularly scheduled immunization clinics were stopped in some areas or regular doctor visits were delayed and many people were unable to receive the vaccines they needed.

“From a public health perspective, when people are behind in their routine immunizations, we can see a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and polio. As we look to catch up for missed time with friends and family, and begin reconnecting with the activities we enjoy, it’s also time to get our vaccines up to date.”

This National Immunization Awareness Week, Immunize Canada encourages everyone in Canada to get up to date on the vaccines they need and  #GetImmunized with confidence.

Unsure if you or your child need to catch up on immunizations or would youlike to make an appointment? 

Visit www.ierha.ca and click on “Find Us” and “Community Health Offices” for the number of the public health office in your area.

#NIAW2023 #VaccinesWork #GetImmunized

Interlake-Eastern RHA extends thanks to volunteers

National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 16-22 and this year Interlake-Eastern RHA staff thank volunteers for providing valuable support to people receiving care and health services in the region.

IERHA’s CEO, Marion Ellis is using the week of national recognition to publicly thank volunteers for their contributions to health-care in the region.

“National Volunteer Appreciation Week is a time to acknowledge volunteers for their dedication and for the valuable contribution made to those they help and support in our health care system,” says Ellis.

Michele Polinuk, board chair acknowledged volunteer’s work occurs year-round.

“On behalf of the residents, patients, the IERHA board of directors and staff in our facilities, we thank and applaud each volunteer for their tireless service throughout the year,” says Polinuk.

If you are interested in volunteering with the region, there are several opportunities available to support residents and patients including reading, doing activities and crafts, assisting with meal times, and transportation.

To identify your interest in volunteering and to discuss available opportunities, please contact Barb Ramsay, volunteer coordinator, [email protected], 1-855-494-7369 and provide your contact information, name and skillset/experience that you feel may be valuable.

Phone services may be temporarily interrupted today as installers are onsite working on the new phone system. If you can’t get through, email [email protected] or call 1-855-347-8500 to relay a message to staff onsite. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, in partnership with Manitoba Healthcare Providers Network, is hosting a rotating recruitment roadshow in communities across the region to showcase different health-care professions and job opportunities to students and the public.

Julene Sawatzky, human resources lead with Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, says the 2023 Discover Health Career Expo gets prospective employees interested in a rewarding career in health care.

 “The goal of the expos are to give the attendees a better understanding of different health professions and connect them with staff working in the field,” says Sawatzky. “Eventually, when these students and members of the public are ready to look for a position, we hope that they consider Interlake-Eastern RHA as an option close to home where they can potentially serve the community they are from.”

The career expo has staff representatives from nursing, paramedics, pharmacy, home care, long term care, diagnostic imaging, occupational therapy and physical therapy. These professionals will talk to attendees about their career choices, how they got there and the benefits to working in their field.

The events are planned between the months of April and June at venues across the region. In addition to these career expos, Interlake-Eastern RHA staff are also attending other community-hosted career events across the region.

Anyone interested in learning about a career in healthcare can attend an expo. High schools have also been invited so students can learn about different health-care professions, what studies they need to take while in high school, employment opportunities available while in school, the schools that offer education programs and the number of years of schooling until people are ready for work.

Interlake-Eastern RHA staff on site at career expos will be able to accept resumés and assist members of the public with applications.

For more information on the career fairs schedule, follow IERHA on Facebook at “Interlake-Eastern Health,” Twitter “Interlake-Eastern RHA,” visit our website at www.ierha.ca/carers/career-fairs or sign up for our careers newsletter by emailing Kathryn Lapenskie, community relations coordinator, at [email protected].

Phone surveyors misrepresenting as Interlake-Eastern RHA affiliates

Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (RHA) has learned that a resident in the region has received a phone call from an individual misrepresenting himself as a surveyor working on behalf of the Regional Health Authority. The caller had a Vancouver 604 area code. 

The resident said the caller asked for a personal information such as how many times he runs per week and gets exercise, etc. 

Interlake-Eastern RHA does not undertake phone surveys of the public to seek personal health information or details on health conditions and/or exercise.

Members of the public are advised that personal health information should only be discussed with trusted family members and known care providers. Divulging personal health information over the phone to unknown callers is not advised at any time. This includes providing information about health conditions, providing Manitoba Health card information and offering any details about medications being taken.

If you should receive any calls from individuals identifying they are from or working with Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, or from any other organization/company, and if that call leads to requests to divulge personal health information, please hang up immediately.

You can advise the RCMP of this fraudulent activity by calling the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visiting www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca and clicking on the tab “Report fraud”.

Those experiencing difficult and challenging times as a hospital patient, resident of personal care home, and  other serious medical issues can really use compassionate, relationship–based care on their healing journey.

In these instances, spiritual care is often seen as an effective means to help those in times of illness and vulnerability. To meet the ongoing need for spiritual care throughout the region, Interlake–Eastern Regional Health Authority (IERHA) is offering its Spirit of Caring course this spring.

The virtual nine–week program, that runs once a week, covers areas such as  understanding suffering and compassion, trauma and crisis, communication and spiritual development.

“This is a course that will build the capacity and increase self–awareness of the participants to engage in the practice of spiritual care, particularly in changing situations such as might occur in a health–care setting,” says Ferdinand Funk, regional spiritual health services coordinator of the Interlake–Eastern RHA. “We welcome those interested in the spiritual aspect of life in general, and in health care particularly, and with the goal of becoming a spiritual care volunteer with the IERHA.”

In addition to helping patients find their peace, inner strength and courage, participants often take many other positives away from the experience.

“They gain insight and expand their ability to care for themselves, their colleagues, and the patients and families they serve,” Funk says. “They experience a renewed sense of being part of a health–care community called to care for those in their greatest times of need.”

For more information or to register, please call or email Ferdinand Funk, regional spiritual health services coordinator at Ph. 204-461-3414 or Email: [email protected]

Registration deadline is April 5, 2023.

“It is a course that prepares volunteers to accompany and support people in a health care setting in a respectful, caring and compassionate way,” Funk adds. “We invite all who are interested to learn to walk alongside and support these many patients and residents.”

Camp Stepping Stones will be back in person from June 2 to 4 and is looking for volunteers and campers! This camp is geared for kids aged seven to 17 who have recently lost a parent or somebody close to them.

Volunteers create a safe environment for kids to explore their grief alongside other youth who are also grieving.

“I have been volunteering at camp nine years. It is very rewarding seeing the kids push through such adversity that realistically most adults haven’t even experienced,” says Terry Burgoyne who has volunteered for over nine years at Camp Stepping Stones. He is a manager of learning and development at a grain company and will be volunteering again this year.

“When I first started volunteering I lost three of my grandparents in one-year period. It was comforting to be with people who were experiencing something similar to what I was going through,”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can fill out an application form that is available at https://www.ierha.ca/programs-services/palliative-care/camp-stepping-stones/

Different volunteer options are available, such as serving as cabin leaders and helping with activities.

In addition to volunteers, Camp is also still accepting applications for campers are also available at https://www.ierha.ca/programs-services/palliative-care/camp-stepping-stones/

“Volunteers are welcome to come for the weekend or for a few hours,” said Barb Ramsay, Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator. “We are especially looking for volunteers to do sewing of pillows for a few hours on Saturday, June 3.”

For more information, contact Barb at [email protected], 1-855-494-7369 or 204-785-7542 or visit: https://www.ierha.ca/programs-services/palliative-care/camp-stepping-stones/

Workers are onsite now preparing the land for construction of the new addition.

During the project, delivery of health services will not be impacted. We are now starting the phase of construction that affects parking.

The west parking lot will be unavailable for the duration of the project.

A limited number of priority parking spots will be available at the southern part of the clinic, accessible off of Steenson Ave. We will be constructing a new parking lot to the south of the facility. Clearing on this site for the new parking lot will begin next week. This will require removal of trees from the vacant lot. Our landscape plans will see us planting more trees on hospital grounds.

Over the next few weeks we anticipate increased street parking. Once complete, the additional parking lot will accommodate more parking on hospital grounds.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during the construction period while we work to expand the hospital’s services. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at [email protected].

Hunters Reminded of Mandatory Sampling Requirements

Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development advises two additional cases of deer infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD) have been detected in Manitoba. Read more: Province of Manitoba | News Releases | Province Advises Of Additional Actions to Help Prevent Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (gov.mb.ca)

Eriksdale hospital open for admissions, ED services slated to resume next month

Interlake-Eastern RHA reminds residents that Eriksdale’s 13-bed E.M. Crowe Hospital remains open for inpatient admissions, the community’s two physicians continue to see patients five days per week at Eriksdale Clinic and plans are on track to reopen the community’s emergency department next month.

Read more from Shared Health here: Eriksdale hospital open for admissions, emergency department services slated to resume next month – Shared Health (sharedhealthmb.ca)

Virtual memory trees offer a place to mourn loss of loved ones

This year, Interlake-Eastern RHA’s palliative care program is providing a number of ways to honour people who have passed away.

To submit your virtual memory tree submission, click here.

Messages submitted will be posted on the virtual memory tree webpage. 

Lifelong friends launch nursing careers in Ashern

A pair of lifelong friends has already marked many milestones over the years and they’ve just embarked on a new adventure together — a career in nursing.

Kaylee Smith and Taylor Buors, who grew up together in St. Laurent, both completed their first day as full-time nurses at Ashern Hospital on Sept. 12. Although they’ve ended up on the same career path, they took different routes to arrive at their destination.

Smith, a registered nurse, graduated in October from the bachelor of nursing program at the University of Manitoba. But her journey started even earlier with summer employment as a health-care aide at Stonewall Hospital.

“Here I was able to hone some of my clinical and professional skills,” she said. “I also met some of the most helpful and kind health-care professionals who took the time to teach me how to care for patients at the bedside.”

Then for her internship, Smith gained experience in primary care throughout the region.

“In this position, I was able to work within my home community of St. Laurent where I got to better understand the challenges in delivery of primary care to an underserved community and how the health-care team works so hard to provide the best care possible, including prioritizing the French language program,” she said.

“I also had the privilege of experiencing the leadership side of primary care. It gave me an appreciation of how hard our leadership teams work to serve our communities in the best possible way.”

Smith expressed gratitude for these foundational work experiences, as well as for resources that helped along the way, such as the Home for the Summer program offered by Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority.

“I also had the opportunity to work as a health-care aide full-time for several summers through generous funding from the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) in collaboration with Indigenous Human Resources at IERHA. The Grow Your Own Bursary program was essential for funding my education but also in ensuring that I would work within my communities and give back some day,” she said.

“These resources were so impactful throughout my education in preparing me for my career every step of the way. I was able to gain valuable clinical and leadership experiences as a student through the various positions, and the funding allowed me to worry less about tuition and more about focusing on my courses and eventually giving back to my communities.”

Looking back, Smith always knew she wanted to work in health care but was particularly drawn to nursing.

“Nursing is very hands-on and you get to be personable with patients and clients,” she said.

“There is also so much opportunity for growth, whether that be moving into leadership or there is always an opportunity to continue learning as you move into different fields of nursing.”

At the same time, she is also grateful for the chance to work in the Interlake.

“As a new nurse, I wanted the feeling of working close to home while still gaining a wide variety of clinical experiences. Here at Ashern, I get the opportunity to work closely with a large Indigenous population and serve the surrounding communities, including my own,” said Smith, who now lives in Eriksdale.

“I feel proud to be a part of the growing number of Indigenous health-care professionals within our region and to feel supported.”

Similar to Smith, Buors always knew she wanted to pursue a career that would allow her to make a positive impact on other people’s lives.

“Nursing is a profession where you are able to do that every day — this is what initially drew me to the career. I enjoy nursing because you get to meet people from all walks of life and are able to be there and help them during a time of need,” said Buors, who graduated in June from the University College of the North in Selkirk.

“In addition, I like that it is very hands-on and that every day brings a new challenge. I like that there is so much opportunity for continuous learning and growth within the profession.”

Ashern Hospital is already familiar ground for Buors, who completed a three-month senior practicum placement there, with the majority of her shifts in the emergency room.

“This is integral to me as a new nurse because I am able to continue to enhance my clinical knowledge, critical thinking skills and gain more hands-on experience, all while being in a rural hospital close to home. Working at Ashern Hospital gives me the opportunity to provide health care to a large Indigenous population and many surrounding communities within the Interlake-Eastern region, including my own,” said Buors, who continues to reside in St. Laurent.

“It felt really good to obtain full-time permanent employment within the IERHA as a new grad nurse. I am proud to work at a hospital that serves so many communities within the Interlake-Eastern region.”

In addition, Buors expressed gratitude for the help she received from the Manitoba Métis Federation throughout her post-secondary education.

“The MMF partnered with the University College of the North to deliver the nursing program in Selkirk. They funded myself and 13 other Métis students throughout the entirety of the program. This resource meant a lot to me and was crucial during my education, as it allowed me to focus solely on my studies and excel within the program,” she said.

“I strongly encourage others to utilize available programs and funding that is offered to post-secondary students pursuing a career in health care. All of the support that is out there truly helps in being successful throughout your program and chosen career path.”

Adding to the excitement of embarking on her new career, Buors is energized by the opportunity to work with her long-time friend.

“It feels great to work in the same hospital as Kaylee, especially since we grew up together. I feel proud to work alongside her since we share similar values to provide holistic, ethical and compassionate care to our patients,” she said.

“It is also nice to have someone that is new to the profession that I can go to for support, especially with all the challenges working in health care brings.”

Similarly, Smith shared her excitement about starting her nursing career alongside Buors.

“It feels amazing that even though we took different paths after high school, we still ended up in the same career — let alone at the same facility,” she said.

“I’m glad I have a friend, a colleague and a carpool buddy to share these new experiences with as we begin our careers.”

Opportunities for nursing education in the Interlake

Tanya Cheetham, chief nursing officer and regional lead for acute care and public health for Interlake-Eastern RHA, draws attention to opportunities in the Interlake to obtain nursing education close to home.

The recent Assiniboine Community College course in Arborg, held in conjunction with Fieldstone Ventures and IERHA, brought 25 nursing students to the region.

“They were able to complete their senior practicums — and for those who reside in the region, they were able to obtain positions in their communities, whether it was acute care, home care, long-term care or dialysis,” Cheetham said.

“To date, IERHA has hired 16 students from the Arborg program. We have also hired two licensed practical nurses students from the University College of the North program and six registered nurses from either University of Manitoba or Red River College.”

A recent communication from the University of Manitoba suggests that 86 per cent of students obtain employment where they have completed their senior practicums, she added.

“Evidence indicates that people never know something as thoroughly as when they have to coach or teach others; therefore, having students in the work environment strengthens the knowledge and professionalism of the existing workforce. Coaching and mentoring junior staff and students is a professional expectation of all nurses by their regulatory bodies. We thank the nurses and care teams that welcomed students and supported them in their learning journey,” Cheetham said.

“We welcome nursing students to the IERHA and will provide safe environments that foster learning and growth. Once the students complete their practicums, we want them to begin their nursing careers in the IERHA.”

To learn more about education opportunities in health care, visit www.ierha.ca/careers.