N O R T H E R N H E A LT H ’ S M AG A Z I N E F O R S TA F F A N D P H YS I C I A N S | S P R I N G 2 019
in this issue Outstanding work by NH labs
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From Cathy’s Desk
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You told us, we listened.
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What brought you to the north?
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Finding the best candidates (or being one)
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BBQ fun in the northeast
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Congratulations to Northern Health labs!
Bear with us in Mackenzie
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Northern Health’s top stories and posts of 2018
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“We are family:” A story of community theatre
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Northern Health staff and physicians volunteer at the 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships
Quesnel physicians enjoy informative field trip to mine
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Pink Shirt Day 2019
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Too many mass emails? Help is here!
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Northern Health’s excellent trauma care recognized by Accreditation Canada
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Who wore it best?
Mamma Mia in a small town
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Getting ready for fire season
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Goodbye, we'll miss you!
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The comic side of small town medicine
The Northern Way is edited by Anne Scott, and written by Anne Scott and Joanne MacDonald. | Other authors are specifically named with bylines in their articles – thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue! | Do you have a photo or story idea to share? Get in touch at Internal.Communications@northernhealth.ca To read online, visit http://bit.ly/TNWSpring2019. ON THE COVER: Fort St. John medical lab staff, L – R: Kelsi Douglas, Taylor Chubey, Matt Coburn, Melissa McMillan, and Taryn Johnston. See more on page 6.
the northern way of caring
From Cathy’s Desk
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO I am pleased to welcome you to the spring edition of The Northern Way. You’ll see some changes in this issue based on a survey you completed last year: we asked what you thought about The Northern Way and you told us what you’d like to see. So, we’ll be including more information on what you’re doing around Northern Health, providing engaging personal stories, and even offering a touch of humour. We hope you’ll enjoy this new mix of health care stories, written by — and about — Northern Health staff and physicians.
As you can see from our photo spread, Northern Health staff and physicians enthusiastically celebrated Pink Shirt Day on February 27. For 2019, the focus of this now-global campaign is cyberbullying — bullying that uses online technology to harass and intimidate. It is so important to be mindful of our social media interactions and how they connect to our Northern Health value of Empathy. I appreciate your efforts as you raise awareness and educate others about the dangers of cyberbullying.
Send your magazine feedback and ideas to internal.communications@northernhealth.ca
Other topics in this issue include a new “What brought you to the North?” feature; tips from a recruiter on how to land your dream job; and well-deserved recognition for hardworking people in two areas, the trauma program and laboratory services. Now, as winter comes to a close and we head into warmer weather, I wish you a healthy and fulfilling spring! CATHY ULRICH Northern Health President and CEO
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You told us, we listened.
A new approach for our staff magazine Welcome to the Spring 2019 edition of The Northern Way, Northern Health’s magazine for staff and physicians! You may notice a new look and tone for this issue of our magazine, and it’s all due to a survey you might have taken last year. We asked you to tell us what you liked and didn’t like about
the magazine. We asked how satisfied you were with the types of stories we offered. We wondered if you liked the magazine’s overall look and feel. And we wanted to know if you’d rather read it in print or online.
The results? In a nutshell, you told us you’d like to see fewer corporate stories and more personal stories about your colleagues across Northern BC. A few readers said articles should be shorter, and that the magazine’s online presence should be promoted better. And although a lot of you said you liked the informative and representative stories we’ve presented thus far, overall, you said you wanted changes to the content – and you offered constructive suggestions on how to do just that. But first, here’s some basic information: A total of 148 readers participated in the survey, ranging in age from 19 to 55+ — thank you to everyone who took part! About 38% said they read the online version, while almost 42% read the print version.
Q4: WHEN THE NORTHERN WAY COMES OUT, I...
Q6: OVERALL, HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH THE STORIES IN THE NORTHERN WAY?
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Just over 20% of you said they read the whole magazine, and 62% read some of it. Almost 18% were very satisfied with the magazine’s content, and about 45% were somewhat satisfied. One of the survey’s interesting results was that 104 of the 148 respondents, or 71%, said they go to OurNH to access news about Northern Health.
read the whole thing
read some
do not read
Read the whole thing Read some Do not read it
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very
somewhat
neutral
somewhat un
Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Neutral Somewhat unsatisfied Very unsatisfied
very un
And, when we asked how you like to access The Northern Way and good news stories about Northern Health, 54% preferred an online option, 19% liked email, and about 18% wanted to get their news in print.
Finally, when we asked how you'd change The Northern Way, here’s what you said: • “Create engagement by offering contests or promotions…” • “Not so many Prince George stories…go to the northern sites and see what they are involved in…” • “I would create an app so every worker has the opportunity to download it to their phone…” • “Personally, I think it should only be done paperless…” • “Add more information about new opportunities…like new careers or new ways to advance your career…” • “More staff stories driven by the events in their lives and put into their own words.” • “More focus on programs and initiatives in communities instead of achievements by staff.” • “Perhaps add in a section re: extra-curricular activities by Northern Health staff that show how staff embody Northern Health ideas of wellness & support for the local communities…”
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE NORTH? Q & A with Shannon McRae, Nurse Practitioner by Tamara Reichert, Communications Advisor, IDC & Planning, Quality, and Information Management
Shannon McRae, a family Nurse Practitioner, is a relatively new graduate, having been an NP for over a year. She works in Fort St John in a private family practice with a team of physicians. Q: What do you like about being an NP? A: I initially went to school to be a registered nurse, then worked in the emergency department for seven years. You don’t spend a lot of time there getting to know your patients – you treat the ailment that brought them in, then send them home. I wanted the opportunity to be more involved in the long-term care of patients. As an NP, I get to spend more time with patients, getting to know them and helping keep them healthy. It lets you have an impact in their lives, and you feel like you’re improving the overall health of the community. Q: What made you choose Fort St John? A: I’m from Fort St John and I grew up here. I enjoy the size of the community and the type of lifestyle you have living here. You have quick access to lots of outdoor activities including camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, and river boating. Our airport has multiple flight options so if you like to travel, you can easily get to your destination. Plus, my commute to work is only 5 minutes! Q: What do you like about working in Fort St John? A: I’m fortunate to work with a great group of health care providers. Our physicians are really supportive, and they’re a great group of people. I enjoy working with our interprofessional team too – it’s a group of nurses, dietitians, social workers, and mental health professionals.
We invite you to give the revamped The Northern Way a good read. Then please tell us how we’re doing by sending your comments to internal.communications@ northernhealth.ca. Enjoy the magazine!
Send your magazine feedback and ideas to internal.communications@northernhealth.ca
Shannon fishing in the Besa River in Redfern-Keily Provincial Park, a remote area north of Fort St John that can only be reached on horseback or by using allterrain vehicles.
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FINDING THE BEST CANDIDATES (or being one) TIPS FROM NH RECRUITMENT by Emelye Macfarlane, Regional Manager, Recruitment Services
Northern Health Recruitment is always looking for top talent. If you’re a hiring manager, here are some tips to guide you through the hiring process – and they’re useful if you’re on the other side of the table as an interviewee, too!
TIPS FOR CANDIDATES • For external postings, be sure to include a resume and cover letter. For internal postings, you don't have to provide these; however, we encourage you to fill out your profile in i-Site. • Be sure to submit your application before the deadline. • Make sure your cover letter is tailored to match the position you’re applying for.
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MAKING A GOOD SELECTION • Screen candidates based on the qualifications outlined in the job description. • Before scheduling a formal interview, have preliminary conversations with candidates to be sure you’d like to move forward. • Before the competition closes, block times in your calendar to ensure you can do the interviews fairly promptly. We work in a highly competitive job market and it’s important to reach qualified candidates quickly. Depending on the position, Recruitment recommends 1 to 1.5 hours per interview. • Gather a panel of no more than four members. Make the interview a conversation – not an interrogation. • Book meeting rooms for the interviews early in the process. If you’re interviewing
Emelye Macfarlane, Regional Manager, Recruitment Services. Emelye is based in Prince George.
an internal candidate, consider protecting their privacy by booking a meeting room that’s not on their home floor / home area. • Develop an interview guide that’s unique to the position and targets key competencies you’re hoping to find. Be sure to ask probing questions to get detailed answers – be careful not to lead candidates. Recruitment recommends no more than 10 questions. • Always try to probe – it's often the second or third follow-up question you ask that gets the most insightful answers. • Incorporate Northern Health’s values into your interview questions: Respect, Innovation, Empathy, and Collaboration. • Contact candidates for interviews via phone or email. Give them clear instructions and any information they might need for the interview.
TIPS FOR SETTING THE STAGE Be sure you’re creating a psychologically safe environment for your candidates: • Welcome the candidate. Stand up, shake their hand, etc. • Offer the candidate a glass of water, and provide them with a pad of paper and pen. • Introduce all the panel members and clarify what the candidate is being interviewed for. • Thank the applicant for their interest. Create a relaxed, informal environment. Outline the structure of the interview and how much time is available, so the candidate can structure their time appropriately.
• Reminder: Direct questions about family, marital status, age, religious/political affiliation, national origin and disabilities are not permitted. • Remember you can interview someone via teleconference, videoconference, or in person!
CLOSING THE INTERVIEW • Be sure to thank the candidate for their time. We all know interviews can be stressful and often take a lot of preparation. • Give candidates a reasonable timeline for getting back to them. Ensure you factor in deliberations with your panel and appropriate background checks.
• No matter how impressed you are, please don’t extend any job offers immediately after the interview.
YOU’VE MADE A DECISION – NOW WHAT? • Contact the successful applicant and secure an offer. • Be sure to reach out to unsuccessful candidates. Give them feedback so they can further develop themselves for their next interview. • When you have a great candidate who wasn’t offered the position, consider staying connected if you think there might be another position that would be a good fit for them soon.
• Remember to turn off those pesky phones to avoid distractions!
Recruitment has a great tool for hiring managers: The Interview Question Generator, which creates motivational, behaviour-based, and knowledge or opinion questions.
• Indicate that you’ll be taking notes and that the candidate can ask questions at any time.
Remember that you can also use presentations or assignments as part of your hiring process to engage top talent!
To use it, please contact recruitmentsupport@northernhealth.ca.
BBQ FUN IN THE NORTHEAST Photo submitted by Sandra Wheeler, Coordinator, NE Medical Affairs
One highlight of the Fort St John & Hudson’s Hope staff BBQ this past summer was an obstacle race. Dr Kalun Boudreau (centre, seated) and his team are shown participating. Dr Boudreau is a previous Fort St. John Family Practice Resident.
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Quesnel medical lab staff, L – R: Candace Croxall, Josephine Mundorf, Kali Puglia, and Ryan Young.
Congratulations to Northern Health labs! Technologists at 11 Northern Health labs have been recognized by BC’s Provincial Blood Coordinating Office (PBCO) for their outstanding work in transfusion medicine, which deals with the safe and effective use of blood and blood products. Vera Roy, Regional Lead, Laboratory Quality at UHNBC, says the PBCO’s mandate is to promote good stewardship in transfusion medicine. The provincial organization told Northern Health in December
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2018 that 11 labs – staffed by approximately 70 technologists – would receive Recognition Awards for their 2017/18 achievements in: • Avoiding outdating of red cells, thereby reducing red cell wastage. • Avoiding outdating of blood factor products, such as Factor VIII used for hemophiliacs, thus reducing blood factor product wastage. • Improving red cell and blood product distribution to other facilities and to
Labs across the North recognized for safe and efficient transfusion services.
the Lower Mainland as the product nears expiry, saving the province and the health authority unnecessary expenditures. • Strategies to reduce outdating and wastage of IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin), a very expensive product ($65 per gram). Some patients can get up to 1000-2000 grams per dose and up to six doses per year. Noting that donor contributions
are greatly valued in the transfusion process, Roy adds that the PBCO recognition is a testament to the high level of commitment of the NH lab staff in achieving rates of 0% and 1% in their redistribution and wastage rates. “However, I’m not surprised they achieved these rates, since lab staff across Northern Health are always committed to excellence in their work, in customer service to the patients, and to strategic initiatives, in whatever form,” says Roy. “This recognition shows that they bring NH’s values to work every day: Empathy, Respect, Collaboration, Innovation." Northern Health congratulates the following labs:
Vanderhoof medical lab staff, L – R: Ronda Kingsley and Dana Stark.
Prince Rupert medical lab technologist Jade Delos Reyes.
UHNBC medical lab technologist Jennifer Pettigrew
More members of the Fort St. John medical lab team, L – R: Matt Coburn, Carlee Bryson and Laurel Coburn.
Fort St. John medical lab staff, L – R: Kelsi Douglas, Taylor Chubey, Matt Coburn, Melissa McMillan, and Taryn Johnston.
Smithers medical lab staff, L – R: Bev Stephenson, Ann Marie MacIsaac, Marg Penney, and Mandi Ayers.
• Bulkley Valley District Hospital, Smithers • Dawson Creek and District Hospital • Fort St. John Hospital • G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital, Quesnel • Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre-Xaayda Gwaay Ngaaysdll Naay • Mills Memorial Hospital, Terrace • Prince Rupert Regional Hospital • St. John Hospital, Vanderhoof • Stuart Lake Hospital, Fort St. James • Wrinch Memorial Hospital, Hazelton • University Hospital of Northern BC, Prince George.
Prince Rupert medical lab staff, L - R: Kelsey Muldoe, Carol Ann Lees, Alyssa Rimmer, Dana Randrup, Michelle Bartel (front) and Bryce L’Heureux.
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This photo of a bear helping enforce Mackenzie Hospital’s “No Exit” signs was the second most popular NH Facebook post of 2018.
Northern Health’s top stories and posts of 2018 by Jessica Quinn, Regional Manager, Digital Communications and Public Engagement
Lately, I’m sure you’ve noticed an increase in stories about Northern Health on sites you regularly visit: OurNH, Facebook, the Northern Health Matters blog, northern news sites, etc. The digital communications team has been working hard to capture and share good-news stories about NH staff and physicians, inspiring patient stories, NH programs and services, and more!
traffic to the blog comes from Facebook, but also from a variety of other referring sites, like the NH website and OurNH. So, we try to share our (your) stories in as many places as possible. In general, we know that stories about our staff and “fun” photos (like the bear) get the most engagement.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Since October, the average number of blog visitors has more than tripled, and our social channels reach tens of thousands of people each week. We’ve gathered analytics on NH’s top posts in 2018 (see sidebar).
You can help share our stories! You’re encouraged to like, comment, and share NH content to your own networks. You’re also invited to write stories for our blog, and to give us your ideas on what to write about.
As you can see, the top posts on each site are entirely different. This tells us that our audiences vary across platforms, which is one reason we cross-post on a variety of channels. We also know that most
Not social media savvy? No problem! We can help you understand NH’s social media policy so you can feel confident. To get started, email us at healthpromotions@northernhealth.ca!
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TOP 3 FACEBOOK POSTS 1. Who remembers the “dab”? Do this move the next time you have to cough or sneeze to prevent the spread of germs! – Reach: 39,112 2. Mackenzie & District Hospital & Health Centre has added new security features to ensure their "No Exit" signage is taken seriously. (Photo of bear outside doors).– Reach: 21,507 3. Did you know that if you feel tired and achy after getting a flu shot, it's actually a good thing? It means your body is working to make antibodies that will protect you! – Reach: 17,007
QUESNEL PHYSICIANS ENJOY INFORMATIVE FIELD TRIP TO MINE by Wendy Fox, Coordinator, NI Medical Affairs
In the spirit of building community partnerships and to better understand our patients and their workrelated injuries, some Quesnel physicians went on an exciting field trip to Gibraltar Mines in September. It was a fun-filled day with the physicians touring the mine and the mill, driving a bulldozer, riding in the massive rock trucks and exploring how coppermolybdenum is produced.
TOP 3 TWEETS (tweet summarized) 1. Physical activity services available for cancer patients and survivors – 9,396 impressions 2. Resources for household emergency preparedness – 6,167 impressions 3. Grant available for health and wellness initiatives in Indigenous communities – 5,812 impressions
TOP 3 BLOG STORIES 1. Rural Nursing: A love story – 2,658 pageviews
2. Breathe easier during smoky skies – 1,863 pageviews 3. Workplace burnout: How to avoid that stressful, sinking feeling – 1,265 pageviews
Send your magazine feedback and ideas to internal.communications@northernhealth.ca
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Pink Shirt Day 2019 HAIDA GWAII HOSPITAL & HEALTH CENTRE
On February 27, Northern Health staff, physicians, volunteers and students showed their anti-bullying spirit by wearing pink shirts and buttons. This year, Pink Shirt Day focused on cyberbullying – learn more at pinkshirtday.ca.
ONCOLOGY Dawson Creek Hospital
CORPORATE OFFICE Prince George
INPATIENT UNIT Fort St. John Hospital
CLINICAL SIMULATION Prince George
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HOUSEKEEPING Prince Rupert Regional Hospital
CHETWYND HOSPITAL
NORTHERN HAIDA GWAII HOSPITAL & HEALTH CENTRE Masset
HEALTHY TERRACE PROGRAM (Chronic Disease)
ROTARY MANOR Dawson Creek
MEDICAL LABORATORY SERVICES Wrinch Memorial Hospital
L – R: Penny Anguish, Chief Operating Officer, Northern Interior, and Cathy Ulrich, President & CEO.
PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTION TEAM Prince George
COMMUNICATIONS TEAM Prince George
HEALTHY TERRACE PROGRAM (Chronic Disease)
SUPPORT SERVICES Fort St. John Hospital
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Too many mass emails? Help is here! In spring 2019, everyone with an NH email address gained a tidier inbox, thanks to RSS feeds. RSS (or “really simple syndication”) lets you choose what you want to receive in Outlook. (The exception is emails such as CEO memos, wildfire updates, legislated and business processes and information, etc. – everyone will still get those). But other mass emails, such as lost property announcements, don’t automatically land in your inbox any more.
“We wanted to give people more control,” says Michael (Mike) Erickson, Communications Advisor, HR, who led the project in collaboration with ITS. “For example, if you’re interested in the NH staff lottery, instead of having that come to your inbox, you can subscribe to that feed to find out who the winners are.” YOUR INBOX: What’s in: • Emails specific to you from managers and co-workers • Major announcements such as CEO messages, etc. YOUR INBOX: What’s out — Mass emails on these topics won’t appear in your inbox any more: • Education (e.g., Brown Bag Lunches) • Lottery • Lost equipment and belongings • Social events and wellness
Mike Erickson
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But if you want to keep getting info on any of the above topics, you can – all you have to do is subscribe to them.
After you subscribe (it’s easy!), the topics you’ve chosen will show up in an email folder called RSS Feeds. Q: How have you prevented people from sending out mass emails? A: We tightened access to the mass distribution lists in Outlook (also called “ZZ lists” – some contain thousands of addresses). Before, if you knew the ZZ list address, you could send an email to everyone on that list – nothing stopped you from doing that. But now, each ZZ list has a designated owner and delegates, and any requests to use it go through them. Q: I send out mass emails for my department – can we still tell staff members about our events? A: Definitely! You can add an RSS article to existing feeds, or even create a new feed. Then, interested people can subscribe to it. For tips, check out the RSS Feeds page on OurNH.
Northern Health’s excellent trauma care recognized by Accreditation Canada by Tamara Reichert, Communications Advisor, IDC & Planning, Quality and Information Management
From October 21 to 25, 2018, a survey team from Accreditation Canada visited Northern Health to evaluate trauma care across our region.
Executive Lead for Emergency and Trauma Services. “We’re proud of the survey results which recognize the trauma care we provide.”
The end result? We earned the Accreditation Canada Distinction in Trauma Services and a successful trauma centre classification. This designation recognizes organizations that provide excellent trauma care and a commitment to leadership. Congratulations to everyone involved!
To assess trauma services, the survey team evaluated a few sites from each level of care. These included:
“Preparing for this evaluation took a lot of work from many people throughout the organization -- it wouldn’t have been successful without them” said Jordan Oliver,
• Fort St. John Hospital • GR Baker Hospital in Quesnel • Mackenzie & District Hospital • Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace • The University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC) in Prince George
The Mills Memorial Trauma Team in the trauma bay at their hospital. L – R: Johnell O’Donnell, Registered Nurse, Emergency; Leigh Haworth, Registered Nurse, Emergency; Kimberly Latimer, Registered Nurse, Emergency; Vicki Niemi,, Registered Nurse & Critical Care Nurse Manager; Miranda Smith, Registered Nurse, Critical Care; Tessa Weselowski, Registered Nurse, Emergency; Dr. Michael Kenyon, Internal Medicine Physician; Rachel Latimer, Registered Nurse, NW Trauma Coordinator.
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“The trauma team put in a tremendous amount of work over the past year to prepare for the accreditation process,” said Randi Alexander, Northeast Trauma Coordinator. “This included updating standards and protocols, and doing practice site surveys. During the actual survey, surveyors met with our trauma team and listened to our successes and challenges. They toured the trauma centre and followed the path a trauma patient would take at our hospital.” The entire experience was positive for staff, and gave them an opportunity to share their accomplishments with the surveyors. “We were able to showcase the collaborative work that we do,” said Rachel Latimer, Northwest Trauma Coordinator. “We have a great group of staff and physicians at Mills Memorial Hospital who care about providing highquality care to our trauma patients, and the surveyors were able to see that.”
The Fort St. John Trauma Team in the hospital’s trauma room.
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April is Dental Health Month! For resources, search “Dental Health” on OurNH
Did you know? The LearningHub has cavity prevention training.
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by Caroline Shooner
the comic side of small town medicine
Originally from Montreal, Caroline joined the Queen Charlotte medical team in 2007 and has been living and practicing as a family physician on Haida Gwaii ever since. Caroline is interested in how the Arts and Humanities can help promote health and allow us to look more critically and meaningfully at how we practice medicine. In 2015, she completed an MSc in Medical Humanities at King’s College London. During that year, she was introduced to the field of Graphic Medicine and started drawing cartoons, inspired by the comic side of small town medicine: The Boon Docs.
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Northern Health staff and physicians volunteer at the 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships World-class athletes were showcased when Prince George hosted the 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships (WPNSC) February 15 - 24 at the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, and NH staff and physicians helped make it happen. Many NH staff and physicians volunteered at the event, donating their time at the Medical and AntiDoping site, Timing, the Volunteer Centre, Security, the Start/ Finish areas, out on the course, and more. As well, Dr. Jacqui Pettersen, a neurologist with the Northern Medical Program, was the Lead for Medical Services.
hope others, great satisfaction, when all is said and done.” Other volunteers concurred. Lory Denluck, an accountant in Northern Health’s Physician Compensation department, enjoyed the “once-in-alifetime opportunity to help at such an exciting event being held in my community.” Dawn Taylor, a cook at Northern Health’s Rainbow Lodge, wanted to volunteer because she’s a lifelong cross-country skier. “Plus, I’ve also volunteered for Special Olympics and the Caledonia Club for many years,” she says.
Elisabeth Veeken, Volunteer Coordinator for the WPNSC, was invited to take on her post by the Local Organizing Committee.
And nursing student Melanie Martinson says it gave her “an amazing chance to watch world -class athletes competing in our own home town. It's so rare to have such a high calibre of athletics in Prince George that it was an opportunity that I simply couldn't pass up!”
“I was honoured to be asked. If I’d known better, I would have run screaming the other way!” says Veeken, a casual in Recreation Therapy. “It’s a large and time-consuming job, but one that I know will bring me, and I
“I was so excited to be part of this amazing event!” she says.
The event, attended by athletes from 17 countries, is the second biggest for para Nordic sports after the Paralympics.
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As for Veeken, she’s a big supporter of the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club. Volunteering at the WPNSC was a perfect way for her to give back to the club.
TOP: Early morning volunteer: Cheryl Moors, RN, Interim CPL on Surgery North at UHNBC, helps prep the finish area on Day 1 of racing. MIDDLE: Laura Elsenheimer, Chief Technologist at the UHNBC Laboratory, offers a tissue to Birgit Skarstein, who had just finished the middle distance cross-country sit ski race. Skarstein, known as “the smile of Norway” won bronze. The athlete has been paralyzed from the waist down since 2009 as the result of a swimming accident in Malaysia. BOTTOM: Elisabeth Veeken, Volunteer Coordinator for the event, with Collin Cameron, gold medallist for Canada for the men’s sit ski sprints.
Who wore it best? IT’S A PPE* FASHION SHOW!
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VANDERHOOF L –R: Heather Floris, RN, Head Nurse, St. John Hospital; Chona Dick, RN, Patient Care Coordinator, Stuart Nechako Manor.
These Level C suits with PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirators) are used in decontamination situations – for example, if a patient came in who’d been pepper-sprayed or exposed to other toxic chemicals. The Northern Health Emergency Management team has been criss-crossing the North, showing NH staff and physicians how to safely and correctly put on (and take off) PPE.
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VALEMOUNT L –R: Amber Flatt, IPT Lead; Brian Janecke (McBride) RN; Dr. Harry Keyter, Valemount Physician.
UHNBC L –R: Dr. Floyd Besserer; Becca Harlos, RN; Andrea Allen, RN.
Which group rocked their cutting-edge coveralls, fashionable facemasks,and gorgeous gloves the best? Cast your vote by emailing internal.communications@ northernhealth.ca. (Prizes are involved!) *Personal Protective Equipment
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NH COMMUNICATIONS L -R: Mike Erickson, Communications Specialist, Content Development & Engagement; Haylee Seiter, Communications Advisor, Population & Public Health; RobbiePozer, Communications Specialist, Digital Engagement
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The cast and crew of the 2018 Vanderhoof production of Mamma Mia. Dr. Khan is second from left, front row, leaning forward with her hands on her knees.
Mamma Mia IN A SMALL TOWN by Dr. Aryn Khan
In 2018, I had the unique opportunity to work with a number of my colleagues in a community musical theater production of the hit movie, Mamma Mia. Without prior knowledge of my colleagues’ hidden talents, I auditioned, only to find several of them were also involved in the production in various roles: chorus, leads, costume design, band members, backstage crew and more.
Who knew that joining a busy, full-scope rural practice I would get whisked away with a group of super creative and outrageously musically inclined friends? It exposed me to another side of rural medicine that I couldn’t have anticipated. “Science Geeks” can have a wildly artistic and creative side.
As it turns out, talent in rural medicine is not limited to the hospital or clinic, but extends into the fabric of the community-focused, small-town lifestyle.
Despite our busy lives, we all managed to find time to join other community members to put together what I think is by far the best musical production of Mamma Mia outside the Silver Screen.
Having worked with so many driven, career-focussed individuals in medical school and residency, it was easy to forget that there are other things in life beyond medicine.
Whenever my children sing songs from the play or I talk about the production with friends, I remember how the stress of our day-to-day lives in the ER or clinic melted away when we were on stage.
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GETTING READY FOR FIRE SEASON "It exposed me to another side of rural medicine that I couldn’t have anticipated.”
The shop talk was left at the door as we joined our cast and crew and focused on delivering the best team performance of Lisa Striegler’s inspired interpretation of the musical. Two months have passed, and it’s still hard to believe that the collective and passionate journey from first auditions to performing in front of a sold-out audience is actually over. The pressure of gruelling practices, memorizing lines and dance moves, and remembering where to stand all paled in comparison to the uplifting solidarity and camaraderie of the Mamma Mia family.
Northern Health’s Emergency Management team is working hard to make sure we’re prepared for possible future fire seasons. Using “lessons learned” from the 2017 and 2018 wildfires, they’ve created evacuation guides for hospitals, care homes, and other facilities, and they’re reviewing and updating emergency response plans for facilities as well. They’re also working with the City of Prince George on a mock evacuation exercise for May 2019 -- this will be an annual event. As well, they’re collaborating with the provincial emergency group and Interior Health on “mutual aid” arrangements to use each other’s emergency preparedness staff if needed. Finally, Northern Health is taking part in “spring readiness” forums for emergency decision makers throughout the North, with the aim of ensuring everyone’s safety in an emergency. Questions? Contact the Northern Health Emergency Management Team at HEMBC@northernhealth.ca.
Although this chapter has come to an end, every time I greet one of my fellow cast members in the community, I have a deeper understanding that we are family and have shared a sacred experience. Performing in the production of Mamma Mia has enlightened me to the strong and unwavering love within the town of Vanderhoof. It is my pleasure to serve and be a member of such an amazing and welcoming community.
The NH Emergency Management team. L – R: Amber Frizzi, Coordinator; Jim Fitzpatrick, Director; and Jana Hargreaves, Coordinator.
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Goodbye, we'll miss you! A SAMPLING OF RETIREMENTS FROM AROUND NH
RAMONA BROWN
Northwest Retirement date: December 1, 2018
When Ramona Brown was hired to work at the “new” Prince Rupert Regional Hospital on December 7, 1973, she never dreamed that the facility, which opened in 1971, would be her workplace for the next 45 years. As a Food Service Worker, Brown helped build meal trays on the food conveyor belt line, delivered supper trays to patients in the hospital’s medical/surgical unit, retrieved trays after meals, and washed lots – and lots – of pots, pans, and dishes. Her particular job highlight? “Working with the people, both patients and employees. It was a privilege working at the hospital. I miss the people interaction.” Her solution? Look for new opportunities. “I am taking courses through the Hecate Strait Employment Development Society,” says Brown.
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THE NORTHERN WAY
MARIE HUNTER
Northern Interior Retirement date: January 18, 2019
RALPH JOHNSTON
Northeast Retirement date: February 26, 2019
After 44 years working in health care, Marie Hunter is eagerly anticipating the freedom of retirement.
From psychiatric nurse to travel agent: Ralph Johnston can certainly lay claim to a diverse work life.
“I’m looking forward to enjoying a morning coffee, setting aside my iPhone, travelling, and spending time with my family – we have 11 grandchildren!”
Johnston joined Northern Health in 1989 as a psychiatric nurse at a Pouce Coupe nursing home, a job he cherished.
Hunter started out in 1974 as a front-line nurse (ER and ICU) at the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. She later advanced into leadership positions and is retiring as NH’s Health Services Administrator for the Lakes area. Career highlights include leading the roll-out of NH’s Patient Safety and Learning System; she was also a key player in the building of the Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre (2015). What NH memories will she treasure? “The progressive thinking and the many people that I’ve met along the way.”
Thirty years later, he’s retiring as Manager, Specialized Services (Northeast), based in Dawson Creek. He managed specialized programs like Mental Health and Addictions, and the First Nations Mobile Support Team. He’ll miss his team and the NH leadership he’s met, but he’s ready to move on. “I’m going to be a travel agent at my wife’s company. But I’ll also be a casual nurse in tertiary care at the Dawson Creek Hospital,” says Johnston. “Nursing is my backup in case my wife fires me!”
NORTHERN HEALTH’S FIRST INTERNAL AUDIT LEADER EMBARKS ON RETIREMENT Terry Checkley wants to explain why she worked as Northern Health’s Regional Director, Internal Audit, for so long. “I had the most interesting job in the organization: I was paid to find out all about other areas and what people do,” says Checkley, who retired January 14, 2019. “Over nearly 15 years, Northern Health and its environment went through a lot of changes, so no two projects were alike.” Hired in July 2004 to create the Internal Audit department, Checkley conducted planned audits of core components of Northern Health’s business. She also led investigations in such areas as petty cash management, payroll, narcotics management, and capital project management. After investigating issues in various areas, she worked with management to develop action plans to address them. “But we also looked for strengths to share across the organization. I liked it when I went into an area and got to understand their challenges, and sometimes I became an advocate,” she says. “It was great to collaborate and improve things.” She routinely met people who loved their jobs, did their best and took pride in what they do. “That would recharge my batteries,” says Checkley. In retirement, she plans to volunteer, do consulting work, and travel more with her husband. “I also want to enjoy doing all the things at home that we never had time for,” she says.
“I had the most interesting job in the organization: I was paid to find out all about other areas and what people do.”
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