IERHA CEO Marion Ellis attended an announcement by Seniors and Long-term Care Minister Scott Johnston about new personal care homes in Arborg, Stonewall, Lac du Bonnet and Oakbank in addition to two in Winnipeg. These beds mark a 50 per cent increase to our personal care home beds total for the region. As well a new community supportive living pilot was announced for highly specialized care for seniors with complex mental health or behavioral needs to have a safe, supportive environment. Read more here news release.
A family’s cancer support story
A Peguis First Nation family tells their story of cancer care support to Terra Indigena newspaper
Celebrating Spirit of Caring program graduates
On Wednesday, June 16, 2023,Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority’s spiritual health coordinator, Ferdinand Funk presented 10 people with their Spirit of Caring volunteer education resource certification of completion. As graduates, the students are eligible to volunteer with the region’s spiritual health program, providing spiritual health services to patients and residents of personal care homes under Funk’s supervision.
At the graduation ceremony held in the Spiritual Health Centre of Selkirk Regional Health Centre, Funk said the graduates geographically represented eight communities in the region.
“Graduating here today we have people from across the region,” says Funk. “These people are the lifeblood of the spiritual care program in the region.”
Under the guidance of the spiritual health coordinator, Interlake-Eastern RHA’s spiritual health care services are provided by spiritual health volunteers who are trained to provide compassionate, non-denominational care and support upon the request of patients and their families. Spiritual health care practitioners provide support and services that can include:
- Spiritually attentive listening with an open mind
- Paying attention and responding to experiences of suffering
- Companionship through life’s changes and decisions
- Faciliating connections to clients’ religious, spiritual or cultural communities
- Arranging ceremonies, sacraments, rites of people’s choosing
- Increasing self-awareness and building inner strengths
- Kindness, compassion and respect from another human being
- Holistic care based on hope, spiritual diversity, inclusivity
- Honoring the mystery of everyday life
Graduate, Wilbert Reimer from Arborg shares that he heard about the Spirit of Caring Course through his local church.
“I thought I could be a listening ear for patients and applied. Throughout the course, I learned a lot about suffering and spirituality. All of the sharing was so helpful – there was a lot of wisdom too,” says the father of five originally from Belize, “I have a deeper understanding and aim to make a difference in more lives.”
Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority recognizes that spiritual health is an important part of holistic health care that must be considered when exploring patient illness. Taking the time to nurture relationships and recognizing the importance of spirituality in health care is an essential part of providing care to patients as a whole.
For more information on spiritual health care services in our region, visit www.ierha.ca and click on About Us and Volunteer Opportunities.
First-year medical students hosted in Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority for Rural Week
This year, 20 medical students attended Rural Week in eight communities in the Interlake-Eastern area.
During Rural Week, first-year medical students are hosted by communities and given the opportunity to shadow physicians, nurse practitioners and other care providers during their regular workday in local health clinics.
In an effort to provide medical students with exposure to the practice diversity found in rural settings, students shadowed hospital and primary health care staff in Arborg, Teulon, Stonewall, Gimli, Oak Bank, Beausejour, Pine Falls and Pinawa.
On top of clinic time, the week also includes a host of activities organized by community volunteers to give students an understanding of what it’s like to live and work in rural communities. Medical students in Arborg did pickleball, a heritage village tour and fishing. In Gimli, students did a cruise of Lake Winnipeg and enjoyed an outdoor barbecue with bonfire.
David Oakley, chair of the Teulon Health Care Foundation and visit co-ordinator in Teulon, said the students in Teulon enjoyed a barbecue, golfing and a tour of a local colony.
“It is such a pleasure to host students as they are so engaging and open to partaking in many new experiences. Every event seems to be well received and there is a lot of dialogue between the students, our foundation team and community members,” Oakley said. “Without question, their favourite part was climbing aboard a 500 HP John Deere tractor at the colony. Each student was able to sit in the driver’s seat, hear the roar of the engine and turn the gigantic wheels effortlessly.”
On top of clinic and hospital time at Selkirk Regional Health Centre, the week also includes a host of activities organized by community volunteers to give students an understanding of what it’s like to live and work in rural communities.
Shirley Muir, visit co-ordinator for Selkirk, hosted a small barbecue at her historical home in Selkirk. Merrilee Mollard, visit coordinator for Selkirk as well also hosted a separate barbecue at her cottage in Whytewold.
“I think we all know that future doctors have lots of options, and we just wanted them to see that Selkirk is the best of both worlds— but, most important, a welcoming and inclusive community,” Muir said. “Several young adults who attended shared why they’ve made Selkirk their home and why they grow their businesses in Selkirk. Some said they liked that Selkirk was large enough to have all the amenities for them and for raising a family. Others said they loved that Selkirk has lakes, forests, beaches and provincial parks right in its backyard.”
Students also did hang gliding and visited a bee farm in Beausejour.
Rural Week, as part of the University of Manitoba medical curriculum, first started in 2004.
It’s an initiative co-ordinated by Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority in collaboration with the department of family medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine and the Manitoba HealthCare Providers Network.
“Interlake-Eastern thanks each of the visit co-ordinators, doctors, nurses and staff, as well as the welcoming citizens of our region who made Rural Week 2023 such a success,” said Pamela Robertson, physician recruiter. “We can’t wait to do it again next year..”
For more information on career opportunities with Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, please visit www.ierha.ca/careers.
To see photos of the events, visit 2023 Rural Week Photos.
First operating room assistants join perioperative program at Selkirk Regional Health Centre
Former health care aides, Kerri Donald and Kamila Skorupski, are the first graduates of Operating Room Assistant (ORA) Program in Interlake-Eastern RHA! They will use their new training as members of the surgical team at Selkirk Regional Health Centre to provide additional support. This is one part of Manitoba Health’s strategy to improve access to diagnostic and surgical interventions in the province.
This is one part of Manitoba Health’s strategy to improve access to diagnostic and surgical interventions in the province. Donald and Skorupski recently completed a 12-week micro-credentialing training program to become operating room assistants. Surgical and procedural teams across the province are supporting the delivery of care for thousands of Manitobans.
“The ORAs are extremely happy to be graduating from the program. They learned about the position through postings on the IERHA website and reaching out to perioperative management for clarification and questions. They found the course intense and extensive over a short 12-week period, however, beneficial overall,” says Nicole Shead, IERHA surgical services educator. “The extensive perioperative knowledge and skills that they have gained within the course has helped them anticipate the needs of the surgical team. We welcome them to our surgical teams.”
The ORA role supports the surgical care team and increases overall capacity across the province. They play an important role in operating rooms, freeing up time for nurses to focus more on performing the tasks that require their specialized skills. ORAs are not trained to carry out the same responsibilities as nurses. They are members of the surgical team providing additional support. Responsibilities include decontaminating rooms and disinfecting equipment, transferring and preparing patients safely for surgery, readying equipment and cleaning post-procedure.
The IERHA perioperative program provides surgical and diagnostic services to the residents of the Interlake-Eastern health region and surrounding communities. Surgical specialties performed at Selkirk Regional Health Centre include general surgery, urology and gynecology, including Cesarean sections. In 2022, 5,185 endoscopic procedures and 2,676 surgical procedures were completed in the region. IERHA has recently expanded its surgical and endoscopy program in efforts to reduce provincial waitlists.
This training that is provided at no cost. Participants are paid a full salary while completing the course. The course takes place virtually with weekly visits to Selkirk Regional Health Centre for observation and labs over two weekends to prove their competence and knowledge.
Applicants to the course must have recognized health-care aide training and at least three years of experience working in an acute care setting.
For more information, please visit: Educational Opportunities – Interlake-Eastern RHA (ierha.ca)
Manitoba Government provides patients with more than 72,300 additional diagnostic and surgical procedures
The Manitoba government has provided patients with more than 72,300 additional diagnostic and surgical procedures, ensuring more Manitobans are getting care faster with increased capacity in a stronger, more resilient public health system, Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced today. Read more
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation poster contest
POSTER CONTEST
A poster design contest for middle years to high school students (Grades 5 to 12)
September 30 marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in honour of children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
To acknowledge this day, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority received poster submissions designed by a youth resident of the region.
The contest is closed. Visit: Poster contest winners reflect on reconciliation – Interlake-Eastern RHA (ierha.ca) to see the winning submissions.
Manitobans Encouraged to Reduce Risk of Lyme Disease through Prevention, Treatment
Lyme disease is prevalent in many areas in our region. Check the Lyme Disease Dashboard here: Lyme Disease Dashboard 2022 (arcgis.com)
Read more about Lyme Disease prevention: Province of Manitoba | News Releases | Manitobans Encouraged to Reduce Risk of Lyme Disease through Prevention, Treatment (gov.mb.ca)
Manitoba Government’s Construction on Selkirk Regional Health Centre Underway
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.
Manitoba Government Doubles CT Scan Capacity at Selkirk Regional Health Centre
The Manitoba government is investing more than $15 million to reduce patient wait times by adding two new CT scanners at Selkirk Regional Health Centre and doubling CT scan capacity for Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced today. Read more
Masking requirements to be lifted in most health-care settings
Masking requirements across Manitoba’s health-care system will be lifted next week in most acute, long-term and community settings, Shared Health announced today.
The change, which applies to most visitors and patients entering health-care facilities across the province, will occur May 10 as the health system continues its gradual return to pre-pandemic practices. Individuals who are ill will still be asked to wear a mask when seeking care and should refrain from visiting or accompanying a loved one receiving care. Read more
Two longtime Selkirk doctors win Physician Emeritus Awards
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.
Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority achieves SAFE Work certification
Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority has achieved SAFE Work certification, making it the first of Manitoba’s health regions to achieve this distinction.
“SAFE Work certification acknowledges Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority’s staff and leadership have successfully implemented a health and safety program that meets the standards of the Manitoba Association for Safety in Healthcare program and Manitoba’s SAFE Work Certification,” said Marion Ellis, CEO of Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (RHA). “We’ve illustrated our commitment to continuous improvement and a safe work environment. We’re delighted to achieve this certification.”
It’s recognition that identifies Interlake-Eastern RHA as a leader in ensuring safe work environments, according to Jamie Hall, vice-president of SAFE Work Manitoba, which is a division of the Workers Compensation Board.
“SAFE Work Certified is built around the safety essentials of leadership commitment, hazard identification and risk control, and employee participation to develop or improve an occupational safety and health program,” said Hall. “Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority is now at the forefront of Manitoba’s health-care sector when it comes to an industry-based approach to preventing injury and illness.”
Interlake-Eastern RHA signed an agreement with SAFE Work Manitoba in 2020 identifying its desire to pursue certification. To demonstrate the effectiveness of a robust safety management system for staff, the RHA participated in a pilot project with SAFE Work Manitoba and the Manitoba Association for Safety in Healthcare (MASH). MASH is the industry-based service program for Manitoba’s health-care industry under SAFE Work Manitoba.
From February 13 to March 10, three auditors from SAFE Work Manitoba visited Interlake-Eastern RHA facilities. During their visits, they spoke with staff to learn about their safe work procedures and gain a better appreciation of staff’s understanding and adoption of these work processes.
According Ron Van Denakker, executive director of MASH, Interlake-Eastern RHA’s work will benefit health-care certification across the province.
“I am thrilled and very proud of Interlake-Eastern for their strategic leadership and overall teamwork across all levels of the organization in their safety certification,” Van Denakker said. “This is instrumental to paving the way for the rest of the provincial health-care system.”
To maintain its certification, Interlake-Eastern RHA will continue to conduct internal audits and host an external audit again in 2026.
National Immunization Awareness Week Let’s catch up with confidence
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
National Volunteer Week is April 16-22
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.
